The Phillies have agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Payton Henry who played last season for the AAA level Buffalo Bisons in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Henry hit .274/.337/.432 for Buffalo in 27 games (104 plate appearances) with 6 doubles, 3 home runs and 18 RBIs.
He was the 2016 6th round draft selection of the Milwaukee Brewers out of Pleasant Grove High School in Pleasant Grove, Utah and played seven years (he was traded by the Brewers to the Marlins on 7/30/21 and then traded back to the Brewers on 11/10/22 by the Marlins) before signing as a free agent with the Blue Jays on 12/8/23. His career minor league numbers include a slash line of .254/334/.404 with a .738 OPS in 1,949 plate appearances with 92 doubles, 52 home runs and 259 RBIs. The 27 year old has also played in 20 major league games (2021 & 2022) with the Miami Marlins.
He went on the IL last season when he was hit by a batter’s backswing in the back of the head in May and had to be carried off the field on a backboard, he returned to game action in September. “When the injury happened, I really didn't know if I'd ever play again,” Henry said in his postgame press conference. “I didn't know what was going to happen. I've had a couple head injuries, so that was something that was weighing heavy on me. I wasn't coming back great, but by the grace of God I came back and I was able to do it. It was just surreal. It was awesome that it happened (coming back to play this season), and I'm glad it happened, because I think just for my mental state, it was good to see that I could still do it.” He also lost his younger brother Brooks to brain cancer in August. In his first at-bat in over three and a half months, Henry lined a single into right field – a spot on the field that held special significance for him. ‘The last time I played here at home, my brother was in the stands and that's the last time that he got to travel to see me play, and the last time that I got to see him walk around and just living life,” an emotional Henry said. “So, it was really special. I watched a video before the game, and it's actually really funny how this works out, but I hit a single in the same exact spot that I hit a single that he videoed, and at the end of the video, you could hear him cheering for me. So, when that happened, going to first base, running down to first base, it was pretty emotional for me.” - excerpts in italics from an article in the Herd Chronicles written by Bryan Frank on 9/18/24. https://www.herdchronicles.com/single-post/payton-henry-returns-to-the-bisons
He is a well regarded defender noted for a quick release and strong arm with good blocking skills and athleticism behind the dish. He has a power swing as a right handed hitter. Will likely receive an invitation to participate in big league spring training camp and provides a veteran option at AAA level Lehigh Valley for the coming season.
From a fan’s view welcome to the Phillies organization Payton!
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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