The Chicago Cubs have acquired William Simoneit from the Philadelphia Phillies. Simoneit is a 27-year-old prospect who can play multiple positions. The right-handed batter can play catcher, first base, and third base but has most experience with catching. In return, the Phillies will earn cash considerations, which the Phillies have been getting a lot of lately. Simoneit should be a good depth acquisition for the Cubs.
Trade ?
The Cubs acquired minor league catcher William Simoneit. More: https://t.co/3nMO3A4JEi
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) June 18, 2024
Cubs Acquire Phillies Prospect William Simoneit For Cash Considerations
Youngster Fever
After a big triple today, we caught up with the rolling William Simoneit after the game! pic.twitter.com/VlaXdcu6I1
— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) May 7, 2024
The Cubs are one of many teams impacted by injuries, and adding a depth piece could be a stepping stone to help them. Prospects have the potential to make an impact in MLB. With the number of injuries that have occurred this season, many youngsters have been granted the opportunity to get called up. In Simoneit’s minor league career, he has recorded 24 home runs, 135 RBIs, and a .251 batting average.
William Simoneit drives in two runs with an RBI triple! Fightins extend their lead, 3-0! #fightinphils pic.twitter.com/c9ZPFt1AlT
— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) May 7, 2024
William Simoneit Profile
In 20 games played this season, Simoneit has nine hits, two home runs, and eight RBI. Hopefully, this move can help the Cubs in the long run. Simoneit was invited to MLB spring training this season. An impressive statistic is that he has put up with batters with 100 Z-Contact% during Spring Training (min. 15 In-Zone Swings), which is 18. The struggling Cubs have made this trade to strengthen their catching depth. He has spent time in Double-A and Triple-A with the Phillies this season, and in 2023, he spent time in Double-A within the Texas Rangers system.
While Simoneit is not exactly a difference-maker type of player, he still has some offensive potential based on his past minor-league performance. While his numbers are not the greatest, the Illinois youngster could maybe result in another Mike Tauchman-like situation. The Cubs are really dipping deep into their system, and the cash consideration should help Philadelphia down the road also. Simoneit is not necessarily a well-known player yet, and this acquisition may initially raise some eyebrows due to his low .153 batting average, but he could still improve his output and be more of a difference-maker down the line with some fine-tuning. In correspondence to this move, RHP Luis Ortiz’s MLB assignment moved from the Double-A Reading to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Photo Credit: © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
