Patrick James "P. J." Phillips (born September 23, 1986) is an American former professional baseball player and current manager of the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was previous the manager of the Lexington Legends and the Vallejo Admirals. He is the brother of former Major League second baseman Brandon Phillips. Phillip's was most recently the manager of the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League, an independent baseball league.

P. J. Phillips
Charleston Dirty Birds
Manager
Born: (1986-09-23) September 23, 1986 (age 37)
Newport News, Virginia
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Teams
As player
As manager
Career highlights and awards

Playing career edit

Phillips was a second-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim where he played six seasons in their organization. In 2012, he played for the Louisville Bats, the AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.[1] Over 590 affiliated games, Phillips held a .248 average with 40 career home runs and 223 runs batted in.

In 2013, he signed with the Long Island Ducks where he would begin his independent baseball playing career.[2] In 2014, Phillips signed with the Vallejo Admirals before signing with the Camden Riversharks in the middle of August. In 2015, Phillips would return to the Admirals where he would play the remainder of his career through the 2017 season.

Coaching career edit

Vallejo Admirals edit

While playing with the Admirals in 2016, Phillips would take the reigns as manager after the team started a slow 11–16. In 2017, Phillips would claim his first Pacific Association championship in a victory against the Sonoma Stompers.[3] This strong finish earned him co-manager of the year honors.[4] Over parts of four seasons, Phillips held a 128–145 record with the Admirals.

Lexington Legends edit

In 2021, Phillips became the manager of the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League.[5] After finishing 60–60 in the regular season, the Legends defeated the Charleston Dirty Birds in the semi-finals and Long Island Ducks in the championship.[6] This victory gave Phillips his second championship as a manager. Over two seasons, Phillips held a 116–136 record as manager of the Legends.

New Jersey Jackals edit

On November 7, 2022, Phillips was named manager of the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League.[7] In his only season with the Jackals, Phillips led them to a 60–35 2023 regular season record. They defeated the Sussex County Miners in the wild card game and were then defeated by the Québec Capitales in the semi-finals.

Charleston Dirty Birds edit

On November 13, 2023, Phillips was named manager of the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League.[8]

Managerial record edit

As of March 1, 2024

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Games Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
VAL 2016 51 21 30 .412 4th
VAL 2017 78 36 42 .462 t-2nd 1 0 1.000 Won championship (SON)
VAL 2018 80 37 43 .463 3rd 0 1 .000 Lost semi-final (SRP)
VAL 2019 64 34 30 .531 3rd 0 1 .000 Lost wild card (NAPA)
VAL total 273 128 145 .469 1 2 .333
LEX 2021 120 60 60 .500 4th 5 2 .714 Won championship (LI)
LEX 2022 132 56 76 .424 t-7th
LEX total 252 116 136 .460 5 2 .714
NJ 2023 95 60 35 .632 2nd 2 2 .500 Lost semi-final (QC)
NJ total 95 60 35 .632 2 2 .500
CHS 2024
CHS total
Total [9] 620 304 316 .490 8 6 .571

References edit

  1. ^ "P.J. Phillips". MLB. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "Ducks Watch: P.J. Phillips keeps striving to reach majors". bewsday.com. July 15, 2013. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "Vallejo Admirals are 2017 Pacific Association champions". Times Herald Online. August 29, 2018. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  4. ^ "Takashi Miyoshi, PJ Phillips win dual manager of the year awards". Stompers Baseball. November 9, 2017. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Longtime Vallejo Admirals manager PJ Phillips signs with Lexington Legends". Times Herald Online. February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  6. ^ "Lexington Legends win their third straight minor league title". kentucky.com. October 19, 2021. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  7. ^ "P.J. PHILLIPS NAMED NEW JERSEY MANAGER". Frontier League. November 7, 2022. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  8. ^ "P.J. Phillips to manage Dirty Birds in 2024". Atlantic League. November 13, 2023. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  9. ^ "P.J. Phillips". Baseball Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 29, 2024.