In search of relief depth early in the 2025 season, the Phillies traded for Rangers’ triple A righthander Daniel Robert. Although 30 years old and having just four games of major league experience under
his belt, the Phillies thought he was worth the lottery ticket prospect (Enrique Segura) they gave up.
Robert’s climb to the major leagues was slow. He suffered an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery in 2017 and then lost the entire 2020 season due to COVID. But he persevered and eventually made it to the majors with the Rangers in 2024. He began the season at Texas’ AAA team and then moved to Lehigh Valley after the trade.
Robert spent three stretches with the major league team, pitching acceptably well in mostly lower leverage situations until his season ended with a forearm injury in early September.
The stats with the Phillies
15 games, 13 IP, 0-0 W-L, 4.15 ERA, 10.4 K/9, 6.9 BB/9, 0.9 bWAR
What went right
Of all the “quad A” pitchers the Phillies cycled through in 2025, Robert was far from the worst. While he wasn’t used in many pressure situations, he did record two holds and showed some ability to strike hitters out.
What went wrong
He walked far too many batters: 10 in 15 innings. If a pitcher is in the game for mop up duty, it’s extremely frustrating when he can’t throw strikes. This generally wasn’t a problem for him in the minors, so it isn’t clear if it was nerves, or his stuff just isn’t good enough to make major league hitters chase.
His season also ended prematurely thanks to an injury, which is never a positive development for a pitcher.
His future with the Phillies
He was non-tendered by the club, so he is now a free agent. He likely pitched well enough for some team – maybe even the Phillies – to give him a minor league invite to camp. But he’s a 31-year-old quad A pitcher, so his services aren’t going to be in high demand.
