As the Los Angeles Angels were dealing with several injuries to their infield, the team added some much-needed depth when they claimed Phil Gosselin off waivers from the Atlanta Braves last July.
It marked a reunion as Gosselin spent the 2021 season with the Angels when he batted a respectable 261/.314/.362 with 14 doubles, seven home runs and 47 RBI in 104 games while appearing at five different positions.
Gosselin became a free agent at the end of the year and signed with the Braves in free agency, the team that selected him in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
The 34-year-old opened the 2022 season with Triple-A Gwinnett and found success as he hit a solid .297/.358/.473 with 13 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 24 RBI and four stolen bases in 49 games.
Gosselin received a call-up to the Braves in June but did not have the same results against Major League pitching. He hit just .261/.292/.261 in 20 games before being designated for assignment the following month.
The Angels felt taking another flier on Gosselin would be worthwhile as they needed reinforcements and a boost to the bottom of their lineup.
Unfortunately for L.A., the veteran infielder continued to struggle in his second stint with the organization. He went 5-for-51 with one extra-base hit and two RBI in 22 games.
Gosselin batted .098/.132/.137 with one triple and one walk against 18 strikeouts in 53 plate appearances. He was designated for assignment on August 25, and after clearing waivers, he elected free agency.
Gosselin did not catch on with another MLB team and finished the 2022 season with an overall .149/.182/.176 batting line in 34 games between the Braves and Angels.
Phil Gosselin 2022 highlight
Gosselin’s most memorable performance of the 2022 season didn’t come in the batter’s box, but rather on the mound. He made his first career pitching appearance against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 23 and retired the side in order on only five pitches.
2023 outlook
Gosselin hasn’t posted a positive WAR since the 2016 season, and after enduring the worst year of his career in 2022, will likely have to settle for a Minor League contract this offseason or choose to retire.
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