The Philadelphia Phillies, known for their deep talent pool, have moved on from a former draft selection. As reported by Phillies Tailgate, the team has released outfielder Ethan Wilson , who was chosen in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
Wilson, 25, posted a .231 batting average with 38 home runs, 164 RBIs, 50 stolen bases, and a .662 OPS over 1,358 at-bats in the minor leagues. In 2024, he hit .208 with ten home runs, 38 RBIs, and ten stolen bases, recording a .608 OPS. He spent most of the season with Double-A Reading before earning a brief promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he appeared in five games and notched three hits, including a home run.
Wilson joins a list of notable Phillies second-round draft picks with varying career paths. Roman Quinn (2011) displayed potential but struggled with injuries, while Andrew Knapp (2013) had a stint as a backup catcher before being replaced. Scott Kingery, another high-profile second-rounder, never secured a lasting MLB role despite repeated opportunities.
Wilson, the 49th overall pick in 2021, was released by Philadelphia in under four years. Meanwhile, the Phillies’ most recent second-round selection, outfielder Griffin Burkholder, hopes to break the trend and establish himself in the big leagues.
