The Philadelphia Phillies kicked off 2025 with a quiet but strategic roster adjustment. On Wednesday, the team announced the trade of left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league right-hander Aaron Combs.
Gilbert, originally drafted by the Phillies in 2016, returned to the organization last May after being acquired from the Cincinnati Reds for cash. However, the 31-year-old was designated for assignment on December 22. Combs, a standout pitcher from the University of Tennessee, was selected by the White Sox in the eighth round of last summer’s amateur draft.
Phillies swipe college standout Aaron Combs from White Sox for Tyler Gilbert
Combs, a 23-year-old right-hander, is known for having one of the “most disgusting curveballs” in the game, according to Craig Smith of A to Z Sports, who also describes him as “nasty.” At the end of the 2024 minor league season, Combs made six appearances for the Chicago White Sox’s Single-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. During that stint, he pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings, compiling a 2.35 ERA with 13 strikeouts and four walks.
A Florida native, Combs honed his skills at IMG Academy and the College of Central Florida before spending two years with the Tennessee Volunteers in Division 1 NCAA baseball. He gained recognition for securing the final out of the 2024 College World Series in June and for closing out the SEC tournament in May.
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Primarily used as a reliever at Tennessee, the 6-foot-3 Combs posted a 7-1 record, a 3.24 ERA, and a 1.17 WHIP. He racked up 105 strikeouts and 30 walks across 66 2/3 innings, showcasing his dominance on the mound.
After joining the Phillies from the Reds, Tyler Gilbert spent the majority of the 2024 season with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Over 31 appearances, he delivered an impressive 2.25 ERA and 1.03 WHIP, striking out 52 batters across 40 innings.
Gilbert made his Phillies debut in August during a road series in Kansas City, pitching two innings and allowing one run on two hits with a walk and a strikeout. He returned to the majors in September, making five more appearances and finishing with a 3.24 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 8 1/3 innings, recording four strikeouts and two walks.
The White Sox have added Gilbert to their 40-man roster to strengthen their left-handed pitching depth, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. For the Phillies, this trade is a notable success, as they managed to turn a pitcher they had acquired for cash and later designated for assignment into a promising young prospect in Aaron Combs.
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