The Tampa Bay Rays traded Ruben Cardenas to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday for cash, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. Cardenas has spent the entire season in Triple-A Durham, hitting.281/.346/.530 with 11 home runs and 28 RBI in 205 plate appearances. Following his signing with the Phillies, the outfielder will report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He could make his Major League Baseball debut later in the season if he continues to produce at the plate.
Ruben Cardenas Shipped to the Phillies.
Cardenas, 26, was a sixth-round pick by the Cleveland Guardians in 2018. He was traded to the Rays a year later, and he was shipped to Tampa Bay before the 2019 deadline, as Hunter Wood and Christian Arroyo went the opposite way. Cardenas has been climbing the minor league ladder since the transfer. In 2021, he played at both High-A and Double-A levels, hitting 25 home runs in 441 plate appearances. He advanced to Triple-A in 2022, hitting 16 home runs and batting.208/.289/.440. He remained at Triple-A last year, making minor gains. Cardenas hit 22 home runs and had a batting line of.269/.358/.475.
Cardenas remains in Triple-A this season, and his power is still there. He has 11 home runs in 49 games, resulting in a solid 281/346/530 line. Despite not being a highly hyped prospect, he plays like one.
The Phillies’ Injury Woes
The Phillies acquired Cardenas after losing Brandon Marsh and infielder/outfielder Kody Clemens to injury. Philadelphia has since enlisted David Dahl to join Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas. Cristian Pache and Whit Merrifield have seen brief action in the outfield as needed. Despite the fact that the Phillies are currently leading the National League East, the outfield is their weakest link. Cardenas will provide more depth without taking up a roster spot.
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