Breaking: Former Top Prospect to Play for Phillies in Spring Training – Your Won’t Believe Why?
A former Phillies prospect and minor-league journeyman will get his shot with the big-league club this spring, according to a recent report.
Kelly Dugan, a second-round pick in 2009 who played seven years in Philadelphia’s organization and has spent the past six years bouncing around independent leagues, will rejoin the team on a days-long minor-league contract, as noted in a feature story by Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The outfielder and first baseman will appear in one major-league spring training game on Thursday, and his tryout experience will be filmed as part of a documentary.
Dugan, the son of movie director Dennis Dugan — known for working with actor Adam Sandler on films such as “Happy Gilmore” — will be the subject of an upcoming film project. Mike Tollin — executive producer of ESPN‘s “The Last Dance” documentary series about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls — has been recording Dugan’s path in baseball. As a 34-year-old once thought to have a major-league future, Dugan has been battling to stay in the game with indy-ball teams. Now, he’ll get to have a second chance with the club that drafted him, share his perspective and display his talents.
After being taken with the No. 75 pick in 2009, Dugan climbed through the Phillies’ system. A left-handed hitter with some potential as a younger player, his production took a step back as he reached Triple-A during the 2015 season. Dugan was outrighted off the roster after that year and became a free agent; he spent the next two seasons in the Cubs and Diamondbacks organizations, but 2017 was his last in affiliated baseball.
Since 2019, Dugan has played in independent leagues to keep his playing career alive. He was a member of the Grand Junction Jackalopes of the Pioneer League in 2024 and had a tremendous campaign, hitting 22 home runs with a 1.180 OPS in 63 games. His OPS was the second highest in the league.
Of course, that’s far from major-league competition, but the numbers speak for themselves. Dugan has competed and found success at the levels that have provided him opportunities. Finally, his perseverance will pay off as he’ll have at least a short return to affiliated play, documented for fans to see.
