Philly Sports Jabronis
By Quinn Roberts, Phillies.com
The Phillies have signed eight players to Minor League contracts with non-roster invitations to Major League Spring Training.
Those players include: infielder Andres Blanco, outfielder Brian Bogusevic, utility player Russ Canzler, utility player Chase d’Arnaud, outfielder Jeff Francoeur, catcher John Hester, outfielder Darin Mastroianni and outfielderXavier Paul.
Blanco, who’s spent the last three years in the Phillies’ organization, hit .277 in 25 games for Philadelphia last season.
The 30-year-old Bogusevic hit .260 with six home runs and 33 RBIs in 79 games last season with the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate. He’s played in 299 Major League games over four seasons with the Astros and Cubs.
Canzler split 2014 between the Phillies and Yankees Triple-A affiliates, hitting a combined .276 with 32 doubles, 13 home runs and 58 RBIs in 112 games.
The versatile d’Arnaud, who played five different positions last season for the Indianapolis Indians, the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate, hit .250 with 16 doubles, nine triples, two home runs and 23 RBIs.
Francoeur, who has the most experience among all eight players, has played in 1,237 career Major League games. The 30-year-old has a .262 career batting average with 250 doubles, 140 home runs and 619 RBIs. In the Majors, Francoeur has played for the Braves, Mets, Rangers, Royals, Giants and Padres.
Hester, who spent last season with the Salt Lake Bees, the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate, hit .261 with six home runs, 29 RBIs and a .338 on-base percentage. The 31-year-old has appeared in 93 Major League games for the D-backs and Angels.
Mastroianni split the ’14 season between the Twins and Blue Jays organizations. He played in 92 Triple-A games and hit a combined .277 with 20 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 23 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
The 29-year-old Paul, a six-year Major League veteran, played in 14 games for the D-backs last season. In 81 games for the Norfolk Tides, the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate, Paul hit .254 with 12 home runs and 56 RBIs. In 349 career Major League games, Paul has hit .250 with 12 homers and 71 RBIs.
