Every team strives to have a roster that can compete for a World Series crown, and homegrown players are the preferred way to build a contender. While young players, such as Miguel Andujar of the New York Yankees and Ronald Acuña of the Atlanta Braves didn’t make the Opening Day cut—Acuña specifically because the Braves want to retain an extra year of team control—the Philadelphia Phillies are avoiding that process altogether.
The Phillies recently announced they signed 23-year-old second baseman Scott Kingery to a six-year extension that will see him make about $24 million guaranteed.