Durham, N.C. — The contract of St. Paul Saints SS Anthony Phillips was purchased by the Los Angeles Angels organization, the American Association announced on Monday.
In his first season with the Saints, Phillips put together an outstanding season in the field, leading the league with 307 assists and tying Wichita’s Ryan Khoury (2014) for the best fielding percentage by a shortstop in league history at .976.
The Bellville, South Africa, native was also solid at the plate, hitting .269 with 35 RBI 11 doubles in 91 games for St. Paul, which steamrolled to the North Division championship with a 74-26 record.
Previously, Phillips spent eight seasons in the Seattle and Philadelphia organizations, reaching as high as Triple-A. He also played for the South African national team in the 2008 Olympics qualifying round and the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
The 25-year-old is one of four Saints players to have his contract purchased by a major-league organization, following RHP Michael Zouzalik (Baltimore), C Vinny DiFazio (Los Angeles Dodgers) and 1B Angelo Songco (St. Paul).
