Brett Phillips knew something was up when Double-A Corpus Christi's coaching staff called him into their office on July 30, one day ahead of Major League Baseball's non-waiver Trade Deadline.
Phillips was informed that the Astros had traded him to the Brewers as part of a blockbuster deal for Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers, with Milwaukee also receiving outfielder Domingo Santana as well as pitching prospects Josh Hader and Adrian Houser.
"At first it was bittersweet," reflected Phillips, MLBPipeline.com's No. 32 overall prospect. "You establish relationships with the coaches and players in that organization, and all of a sudden, you're going to a new organization where you have to meet new guys.