The Phillies will start a three-game series out in Anaheim tonight against the Angels. Of course, whenever these two teams play each other, the topic of Millville’s own Mike Trout is naturally discussed at length. Trout has obviously never played for the Phillies, but he’s been someone that fans have clamored for practically his entire career, as the three-time MVP not only grew up in the area but is still a very vocal (and visible) Philadelphia Eagles fan.
It’s likely that fans’ dreams will never
come true though, as Trout is under contract until 2031, putting him with the Angels through his age 38 season. His name always comes up with unofficial trade discussions with the Phillies, but Trout has never really expressed much desire to leave Anaheim, and Angels ownership has never expressed a desire to move him either.
Trout is the most notable player from the Philadelphia area in recent memory, but he’s not the only one currently active in MLB. The Tigers’ star rookie Kevin McGonigle is also a local product, hailing from Media, Pennsylvania and having played high school ball at Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill. He was even in the stands at Citizens Bank Park as a fan when the Phillies played the Astros in the 2022 World Series. Flash forward to 2026, and McGonigle was one of the few non-Phillies who received cheers instead of boos at Citizens Bank Park during the All-Star Game introductions.
Nick Kurtz of the Athletics is also a young star that grew up around Philadelphia. He and his family are from Lancaster, PA and owned season tickets to the Phillies in section 116 at Citizens Bank Park. When the A’s came to Philadelphia in May, Kurtz remarked that getting to play in the stadium he used to go to with his family growing up was almost better than anything he’s done on the field in his young playing career.
None of those aforementioned three players have ever actually played for the Phillies though, but Tyler Phillips can say he has. The South Jersey native had a nice run of starts for the Phillies in 2024 including a complete game shutout before finding his way to the Marlins last season where he has found a home as a swingman in the bullpen. He may no longer have fond memories of playing in Philadelphia though, as he owns a 5.23 ERA in nine appearances against his former team.
These are just a few of the more notable MLB players that grew up around Philadelphia and were raised Phillies fans. There have been plenty more throughout history that were from here but may have never gotten to play for their hometown team. So, who is your favorite locally born baseball player?
