A change of scenery for the 6’4” slugger could make him a dark horse for the Opening Day roster

Darick Hall finds himself in a new organization for the first time in his professional career.

The 29-year-old first baseman and designated hitter has been with the Philadelphia Phillies organization since being selected in the 14th round of the 2016 MLB Draft from Dallas Baptist University. After electing free agency in November, the Pirates signed Hall on Saturday to a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training.

Hall has been a career Minor Leaguer aside from the 60 total games he played in the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Phillies. In 42 big league games in 2022, he impressed with his left-handed power stroke, hitting .250 with 9 home runs and 16 RBI. That same year, Hall hit 28 home runs in 101 games at AAA Lehigh Valley.

After then-Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins tore his ACL before the 2023 season, Hall started five of the Phillies’ first six games before needing surgery on a ligament tear in his right thumb that occurred while sliding into second base. He returned three months later, but by then, Bryce Harper had settled into the position for the long term after returning from Tommy John surgery.

This setback didn’t stop Hall from putting up the best numbers of his career at AAA Lehigh Valley, as he hit a career-high .311 with 18 home runs and 57 RBI in 74 games. However, his production declined significantly in 2024 and, therefore, never received a call-up to the big leagues, as he hit .236 and had a career-low (in 19 or more games) .706 OPS in 114 games for the IronPigs.

The Pirates hope that Hall can once again be consistent at the plate and provide depth at first base, a position lacking in production throughout the organization for several years.

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The Phillies can transform their outfield with one high-profile move

The Philadelphia Phillies have been actively seeking ways to enhance their outfield, and while they recently acquired Max Kepler, his skillset leans heavily on defense. Kepler is a reliable presence in the field but lacks the kind of offensive firepower the Phillies need to stay competitive in the National League. To address this imbalance, the Phillies could considering a blockbuster trade to acquire Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr.