The Philadelphia Phillies on Friday declined their option on second baseman Scott Kingery, making him a free agent for the first time in his career. Kingery will collect a $1 million buyout in lieu of a $13 million salary.
The 29-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona, spent the 2023 season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs after the Phillies opted him off the 40-man roster in June 2022. He batted .244, with a .325 OBP, .400 SLG, .725 OPS, 99 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs, 47 RBIs, 48 walks, 24 stolen bases, struck out 135 times, and caught stealing one base in 405 at-bats in 117 games.
The Phillies drafted Kingery in the second round (48th pick) of the 2015 MLB Draft. In 2018, Kingery signed a $24 million guarantee contract before he made his major league debut.
Kingery struggled with the Phillies, batting .229, with a .280 OBP, .387 SLG, .667 OPS, 239 hits, 62 doubles, six triples, 30 home runs, 96 RBIs, 67 walks, 25 stolen bases, struck out 320 times, and caught stealing seven times in 1,042 at-bats in 325 games.
Kingery played four seasons with the IronPigs (2017, 2021-23) batting .248, with a .334 OBP, .396 SLG, .730 OPS, 260 hits, 47 doubles, 12 triples, 28 home runs, 107 RBIs, 128 walks, 55 stolen bases, struck out 328 times, and caught stealing five times in 1,047 at-bats in 298 games.
