The Philadelphia Phillies have traded 26-year-old minor league reliever Andrew Baker to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for international bonus pool space. The move follows a similar trade in December when the Phillies acquired $500,000 in bonus pool room from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for right-hander Griff McGarry. This latest deal is part of Philadelphia’s effort to bolster its bonus allotment ahead of the 2025 amateur draft, with a focus on securing the services of top international prospect Chan-min Park, a 17-year-old right-handed pitcher from South Korea.
Baker was selected by the Phillies in the 11th round of the 2021 draft out of a junior college. The right-hander spent parts of five seasons in the minors, including a strong 2024 campaign at Double-A where he posted a 2.65 ERA across 17 innings. He struck out 25 batters while walking just five, showing improved command. His fastball typically sits between 96 and 98 mph, and he features a plus slider, according to FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen, who gave Baker an honorable mention in his January 2024 Phillies system rankings.
The Rockies are gaining a high-upside arm with Rule 5 draft eligibility in 2025. Baker has been passed over in the Rule 5 draft multiple times, most recently in 2023. If the Rockies do not add him to the 40-man roster, he will remain eligible again next offseason. For now, he could serve as a potential depth option in Colorado’s bullpen or be used to strengthen their minor league system.
The Phillies are prioritizing their international spending power, which is crucial for signing top-tier talent like Park. The club has already used the McGarry trade to acquire bonus room and now Baker’s departure adds to that flexibility. The Rockies gain a young arm with electric stuff and upside, while the Phils continue their pattern of trading low-cost minor league players for financial flexibility.
The 2025 international signing period begins on July 2. The Phillies will have until that deadline to finalize deals with prospects like Park.
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