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Tyson Gillies Signs With Padres

By Marisa Ingemi

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According to Jerry Cransick from ESPN, former Philadelphia Phillies prospect Tyson Gillies has signed with the San Diego Padres. The Kamaloops, British Columbia native will report to the Padres spring training in Peoria, Arizona.

The outfielder signed a minor league deal with the club. At 26 years old, he is yet to see any time in the major leagues. Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 25th round of the 2006 draft, he was traded to Philadelphia as a part of the Cliff Lee deal.

None of the prospects, including JC Ramirez and Phillippe Aumont, really worked out with the Phillies. However, Gillies especially struggled, hitting just .214 with the Triple A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs last season. The Phillies have struggled to acquire or develop good prospects in recent years, and this appears to just be another example of it. 

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He has also been known to throw temper tantrums, such as with Team Canada against Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic in 2014. But it was Gillies struggles at the plate that forced Philadelphia to outright him off of the team’s 40 man roster last June, and then they released him from the organization just two weeks later.

In 2010, Gillies was also arrested on a cocaine charge in Florida, so coupling that with his bad temper, and his struggles on the field led to frustration with the very athletic outfielder.

No team had picked up Gillies since he was released on June 22nd. While hitting .214 with the Iron Pigs in 47 games last year, his on base percentage was just .270.

Gillies best minor league seasons came in 2008 when he hit .302 between Single a and High A with the Mariners organization and then in 68 games with the 2012 Reading Phillies Double A club when he hit .304.

In 2014 he even played with the Single A Clearwater Threshers, but it was only for two games.

Gillies is expected to report to the Triple A El Paso Chihuahuas for the 2015 season and add to the Padres outfield depth. The Padres have had an active off season, acquiring players such as Wil Myers, Justin Upton, Derek Norris, and Matt Kemp.

San Diego has plenty of outfield depth, thanks to their traded, but Gillies certainly could see some time if they have injuries. At 26 years old, he is still yet to see a Major League game and has all of his options, so he would be considered for call up if they needed an outfielder.

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