As the Philadelphia Phillies wait for a decision on Johan Rojas’ appeal of his 80-game PED suspension, the team is experimenting with a creative solution by giving first baseman Keaton Anthony a look in the outfield.
Anthony, 24, has already appeared in left field twice during Spring Training this week. According to reports, he has also been working closely with outfielder Brandon Marsh during batting practice sessions. Phillies outfield coach Paco Figueroa praised Anthony’s natural instincts, explaining that there isn’t a major weakness in his game—he simply needs more repetitions and real-game experience to adjust to playing the outfield.
Prospect evaluators see Anthony as a solid talent in the Phillies’ system. FanGraphs ranked him No. 16 among Philadelphia’s prospects entering the 2026 season, while MLB.com placed him 30th on the list. Throughout his three professional seasons, Anthony has primarily played first base and designated hitter, though he did log 41 outfield games in 2022 at the University of Iowa before beginning his professional career.
The Phillies signed Anthony as an undrafted free agent in 2023, and he has impressed at nearly every stop in the minor leagues. He began his pro career with a strong showing, posting a 151 wRC+ in 14 games. In 2024, he opened the season at Single-A and produced an outstanding .322/.446/.470 slash line in 44 games, earning a promotion to High-A. Rather than slowing down, Anthony thrived at the higher level, hitting .356 across 232 plate appearances.
His ability to consistently make contact has become his most valuable asset. Anthony started the following season at Double-A, where he hit .330 in 49 games, before moving up to Triple-A, where he continued to produce with a .313 batting average in 148 plate appearances. Aside from a couple of brief stretches earlier in his career, Anthony has hit over .300 at nearly every level of the minors, demonstrating impressive offensive consistency.
Despite those numbers, the path to the majors isn’t simple. The Phillies already have Bryce Harper locked in at first base through 2031 after signing a massive 13-year, $330 million contract, while Kyle Schwarber recently agreed to a five-year, $150 million deal to remain the team’s designated hitter. Because those positions are effectively blocked, the outfield could represent Anthony’s best chance to break into the big leagues.
Meanwhile, the team is still waiting to see how Rojas’ suspension situation plays out. Appeals in PED cases rarely succeed, meaning there is a strong possibility he won’t be available for Opening Day. With Adolis García projected to hold down right field and Marsh likely in line for left field duties, the remaining outfield spots remain unsettled. Top prospect Justin Crawford is widely viewed as a leading candidate for the center field job, but if the Phillies continue searching for depth, Anthony’s new experience in the outfield could suddenly become very valuable.