The Phillies are taking a flyer on a former third-round pick, hoping they can tap into some of the potential that once made Levi Stoudt a notable name in prospect circles.
Philadelphia signed the 28-year-old right-hander on Tuesday, adding him to the organization as a depth arm with upside. Stoudt, a 6-foot-1 pitcher originally drafted by the Mariners in 2019, has taken a winding road through professional baseball - one that’s included Tommy John surgery, a high-profile trade, and multiple waiver claims.
The early setback came in the form of that elbow surgery, which delayed his development and kept him off the mound during a key stretch of his early career. Still, the Mariners saw enough to include him in the 2022 deal that sent Luis Castillo to Seattle - a trade that underscored Stoudt's perceived value at the time.
He made his big-league debut in 2023 with the Reds, but it was a rough introduction to the majors. Over 10.1 innings, he gave up 11 runs, struggling to find the command and swing-and-miss stuff needed to stick. Since then, it's been a bit of a carousel: Seattle reclaimed him on waivers in 2024, only to let him go again, and the Orioles scooped him up for a brief stint in their system.
Over the past two seasons in the minors, Stoudt has pitched to a 5.83 ERA - a number that reflects his ongoing battle with command and a lack of strikeout punch. He’s walked more hitters than you'd like and hasn’t missed enough bats to offset that. It’s not the kind of profile that screams breakout, but it’s also not unusual for teams to take a chance on arms like this - pitchers who’ve shown flashes and just need the right environment to put it together.
That’s what the Phillies are banking on. Stoudt will almost certainly open the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he’ll have a shot to refine his mechanics and rebuild some momentum.
For Philly, this is a no-risk move - a minor league deal that adds pitching depth and gives them a reclamation project to work with. For Stoudt, it’s a lifeline and a fresh opportunity to show he still belongs in the conversation.
There’s no guarantee he’ll make it back to the big leagues, but the Phillies are giving him a chance to prove he can. Sometimes, that’s all a pitcher needs.