The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Reinhardt baseball’s Robert Phelps (RU-2026) on July 14. Phelps, a Pittsburgh native, heard his name selected during the 19th round of the Major League Baseball draft. He officially signed with the Phillies on July 22.
“I’m so excited. It still doesn’t feel real, yet it’s almost time to get to work,” exclaimed Phelps. “It’s crazy how everything worked out, finding Reinhardt and playing there. I remember when I first visited, and it just felt right. I knew something special would happen, but I didn’t know what. Now that it’s a reality, it’s a dream come true.”
The Eagles’ shortstop had an outstanding year, helping the team become Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) regular-season champions. During the 2025 season, he hit 11 home runs, batted .350, and achieved 47 total runs batted in (RBIs).
Post-season, Phelps played for the Edmonton Riverhawks in the West Coast League, a premier summer collegiate baseball league. He recently set their team’s record for stealing five bases in a single game and was named a West Coast League All-Star.
Executive Director of Athletics and former Reinhardt Baseball Head Coach Jonathan Burton exclaimed, “We are ecstatic for Rob! His ability to help elevate our team was obvious and a big reason for our success this year. His baseball knowledge and instincts speak for themselves, but he is also one of the best teammates around. He is a winner, and he is driven. The Phillies got a good one.”
-by Suzy Alstrin
