The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be active buyers at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, and they got an early start on their midseason plans by completing a trade with the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.
Philadelphia acquired outfielder Derek Hill from Chicago in exchange for two prospects—outfielder Dylan Campbell and infielder Jose Colmenares, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Hill, a former first-round pick in 2014, has bounced around the league since debuting with the Detroit Tigers in 2020.
The Phillies will be his seventh MLB organization since 2022, with previous stops including the Nationals, Rangers, Giants, Marlins, and White Sox.
Defensively, Hill offers versatility, with the ability to play all three outfield spots. This season, he has logged time in right, left, and center field, but his bat has been limited, posting a .659 OPS with a 32.2% strikeout rate over 50 games.
For Philadelphia, the move is primarily about adding depth, as the team has received inconsistent production from its outfield group.
Brandon Marsh has been strong offensively but inconsistent defensively in left field, while Adolis García has struggled at the plate with a career-worst .599 OPS, despite solid defense and a strong arm.
García is also dealing with a shoulder issue that could land him on the injured list, increasing the urgency for outfield reinforcements.
In center field, 22-year-old Justin Crawford has taken on an everyday role but has struggled in his early MLB action, posting a .623 OPS, a 74 wRC+, and below-average defensive metrics.
Hill is expected to serve as a flexible depth piece who can cover all outfield positions and potentially platoon against left-handed pitching.
On the return side, Dylan Campbell is a 23-year-old Double-A outfielder hitting .693 OPS with seven home runs and 31 RBIs in 55 games, while Jose Colmenares is an Advanced-A infielder producing a strong .815 OPS across 36 games this season.
