If there was any final hint of Kingery’s future in Philadelphia, it was when the Phillies opted not to pick up his $13 million club option for the 2024 season. Instead, he remained within the organization on a minor league deal, hoping to recapture some of the spark that made him a prized second-round pick in 2015. Spending the year at Triple-A, Kingery put together a solid season, hitting .268 with 25 home runs and earning IronPigs Hitter of the Year honors. Still, it wasn’t enough to secure him a spot back in red pinstripes.
Back in 2018, the Phillies’ faith in Kingery was strong enough to offer him a $24 million contract before he’d even played a big-league game. He was thrust into a utility role from the start, covering six different positions on Opening Day that year. But as his struggles at the plate intensified, his playing time dwindled, and by 2021 he’d been designated for assignment.
Kingery’s final major league stats with the Phillies close out with a .229/.280/.387 slash line, 30 home runs, 96 RBIs, and 320 strikeouts in 325 games, with his last big-league appearance in 2022.
In other Phillies news, managing partner and CEO John Middleton announced Friday that the team’s ownership group will welcome three new investors. Mitchell L. Morgan, Guntram J. Weissenberger Jr., and one additional, unnamed investor have joined as limited partners. Morgan, a real estate magnate and Temple University board chair, and Weissenberger, who leads the Westover Companies in King of Prussia, bring deep-rooted ties to Philadelphia’s business, academic, and philanthropic communities.
“We are fortunate to have three new investors, all of whom have lifelong, multigenerational ties to the Philadelphia region and its business, academic and charitable communities,” Middleton said in a statement. “Their significant investment is a vote of confidence in our baseball operations, and the financial resources they are providing will allow us to pursue our strategic growth opportunities and long-term goals. Additionally, their strong commitment to Philadelphia and their philanthropic leadership perfectly aligns with the Phillies, making them the ideal partners to continue to grow our franchise.”
Middleton will continue as the club’s managing partner, with no changes to the leadership structure, though the Middleton and Middleman families are also set to increase their contributions to the franchise.
