P. J. Phillips

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.

Playing career

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. 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. 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

Vallejo Admirals

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. This strong finish earned him co-manager of the year honors. Over parts of four seasons, Phillips held a 128–145 record with the Admirals.

Lexington Legends

In 2021, Phillips became the manager of the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League. 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. 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

On November 7, 2022, Phillips was named manager of the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League. 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

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

Managerial record

As of March 1, 2024

References