Phillies Castoff, Former First-Round Pick Leaves MLB After ‘Undisclosed’ Setback

BusinessSportsMoneyPhillies Castoff, Former First-Round Pick Leaves MLB After ‘Undisclosed’ SetbackByPeter Chawaga,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Chawaga is a writer and editor covering Major League Baseball.Follow AuthorAug 19, 2026, 06:30am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 23: The Philadelphia Phillies logo on a batting helmet prior to the start of the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 23, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe Philadelphia Phillies have spent much of the season searching for pitching depth as the bullpen goes through numerous setbacks and the vaunted rotation faces some questions in the back end.Ultimately, that led the team to take a notable chance on a former first-round pick who once appeared to have a promising future with a division rival. But after a very short stint, including a mysterious injury setback, the Phillies have now seen that player leave Major League Baseball entirely after being cut from the organization.ForbesDodgers Ticketing Arm Linked To Mark Walter’s $17 Billion Shuffle Amid Federal ProbeBy Peter ChawagaPhiladelphia Phillies’ Failed Project Leaves MLB After CutJackson Rutledge arrived in Philadelphia as a reclamation project, with the Phillies hoping their pitching infrastructure could help unlock the potential that made him the No. 17 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.The experiment never reached the major leagues. Instead, Rutledge’s next opportunity will come thousands of miles away.Shortly after he was released by the Phillies, Rutledge officially left affiliated baseball and signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball. “Jackson Rutledge is officially a SoftBank Hawk,” Yakyu Cosmopolitan reported.MORE FOR YOUForbesFormer Cubs Slugger Annou...