Cornelius Randolph, the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2015 who’d become somewhat of a forgotten man entering the season, was named Triple A East Player of the Week after the best stretch of his pro career.
Randolph went 13 for 22 with four doubles, three homers, nine RBI and eight runs over six games for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs agains the Syracuse Mets.
In 57 plate appearances at Triple A, Randolph has hit .377/.421/.698 with five doubles, four homers and 13 RBI.
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The left-handed hitting corner outfielder was selected 10th overall by the Phillies in the 2015 draft out of Griffin HS in Georgia. He was drafted specifically for his bat but has progressed slowly and struggled his way up the ladder. His best minor-league season to this point was 2017 at then-High A Clearwater when he hit .250 with 13 homers and a .740 OPS.
Randolph is not on the Phillies’ 40-man roster. He’s been eligible but went unclaimed in the last two Rule 5 drafts. He turns 24 next week.
The Phillies are set long-term in right field with Bryce Harper in Year 3 of a 13-year contract but will have an opening in left field with Andrew McCutchen’s deal expiring after the season. Randolph, who saw time in seven spring training games with the Phillies in 2019 and 2020, would have to continue raking this season at Triple A to give himself a shot at competing for a big-league spot here in the near future.
MLB
Luke Williams, who’s been playing mostly second base for the IronPigs but plays all over the field, is also off to a strong start, hitting .352. He was named over the weekend to Team USA’s 28-man roster for next week’s Olympic qualifier. The U.S. team is scheduled to face Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in Florida from May 31 through June 2.
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