P. J. Phillips Explained

P. J. Phillips
Team:Charleston Dirty Birds
Position:Manager
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Birth Date:23 September 1986
Birth Place:Newport News, Virginia
Teams:
As player
As manager
Highlights:

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 previously the manager of the Lexington Legends and the Vallejo Admirals. He is the brother of former Major League second baseman Brandon Phillips. Phillips 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.[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

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.[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

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

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

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

Managerial record

As of March 1, 2024

Team Year Regular season Postseason
GamesWonLostWin %FinishWon Lost Win % Result
VAL20165121304th
VAL2017783642t-2nd 1 0 Won championship (SON)
VAL20188037433rd 0 1 Lost semi-final (SRP)
VAL20196434303rd 0 1 Lost wild card (NAPA)
VAL total 273 128 145 1 2
LEX202112060604th 5 2 Won championship (LI)
LEX20221325676t-7th
LEX total 252 116 136 5 2
NJ20239560352nd 2 2 Lost semi-final (QC)
NJ total 95 60 35 2 2
CHS2024
CHS total
Total [9] 620 304 3168 6

Notes and References

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