IronPigs: Scott Kingery, Darick Hall as prepared as they can be for unknown offseason

On Aug. 10, 2023, Darick Hall smacked two home runs among a career-high five hits. He drove in five and scored three times in a win at Rochester.

A year later, the avid angler was in the midst of three days in a row at a Lehigh Valley fishing hole working to clear his mind. But the circumstances made that virtually impossible.

“To have that happen was a little upsetting,” the IronPigs first baseman said, “but what can you do?”

Hall was designated for assignment Aug. 9 and removed from the Phillies’ 40-man roster. He cleared waivers and returned five days later to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

It was the latest in what has been a challenging two-year period for the 29-year-old Arizona native.

He made his major league debut for the Phillies on June 29, 2022. He hit two home runs a day later.

Hall was back with the Phillies to start 2023, but then suffered a thumb injury that required surgery. Nearly 18 months later, the left-handed slugger was still working to get all the way back.

Then came the whammy on Aug. 9.

“[The Phillies] gave me chance for a long time to hit my stride, get hot and get called back up,” Hall said. “I just didn’t do it.”

Hall is back in Triple-A presumably for the last five weeks of this season before he faces another fun aspect of the business side of baseball: free agency.

The IronPigs career home run and RBI leader will be joined in free agency by Scott Kingery, another franchise record holder who had his chances in Philadelphia.

Both are not looking forward to the uncertainty but are focused only on finishing this season as strong as possible.

“For me, it’s about going out and proving you can play, do certain things on the field regardless of what the next step is,” Kingery said, “because that’s all you can really do.

“There are things people want to see. If you can do them, you will have opportunities. It’s hard not to get in your own head when things like that happen. But you have to stick with it, continue to go out and prove you belong.”

Kingery and Hall have not embarrassed themselves this season.

Kingery is having his best year since his breakout 2017 season when he batted .304 with 29 doubles, 29 stolen bases, 26 home runs and 65 RBIs between Double-A Reading and Lehigh Valley.

The 30-year-old utility player has 20 stolen bases, 22 home runs and 60 RBIs so far this year while batting .282 in 102 games for the IronPigs entering Thursday.

He’s also shown his athleticism and instincts have not waned while playing 84 games at shortstop.

“It’s selfless baseball,” Kingery said. “Sometimes it’s easier when it’s like that, knowing there are guys behind you who can pick you up.

“The biggest thing for me has been consistency, one thing I haven’t had in the past especially at the plate. This year I’ve been able to stick with things, ride it out and keep pretty consistent.”

Kingery is fourth in the 20-team International League in home runs and seventh in slugging. All of this was possible after nearly 18 months of recovering from shoulder surgery.

Hall is at the tail end of his 18-month stint after thumb surgery. His patience throughout the process has been tested as his power numbers this season took time to return.

It’s only been recently that he’s felt like his body strength and power are where they were before the injury.

“It made me think what would have happened if I’d never gotten hurt,” Hall said. “Even if it didn’t work out up there [in Philadelphia], I wouldn’t have had to deal with any change with the body.

“What would the road be like for me [after this year]? I’ll reflect and gather what I have to do to create juice to get through the last bit of this season. I’m stronger than I was at the beginning of season. I’m back to my weight, got my power back. I’m a lot more comfortable than I was. I’m on course, but it just didn’t happen as fast as I wanted to.”

Kingery spent three years (2018-20) with the Phillies after his breakout minor league season, then got another 15-game trial in 2021. Since then, he was a defensive replacement in a June 8, 2022, game for Philadelphia at Milwaukee, and that’s it.

It has not turned Kingery bitter on the organization or the game. He shows up every day with a smile on his face and a willingness to work.

Kingery has made many stellar defensive plays this year with his glove and arm. He’s shown power at the plate and speed on the base paths. And he’s held up to the day-to-day grind.

“I’ve had so many ups and downs over the last four, five years,” he said, “that now anything thrown my way I felt like I’ve dealt with before. I still feel I can play at a high level. I’m happy with how this season has gone. I’ll be ready for next season wherever it’s at for whoever it’s with.

“I’m 30 now, so I’ve got the bumps and bruises that weren’t there before. So far this year, I’ve felt athletic. I’ve made some cool things happen on the field. My body is in a good place. I can run out and play the game how I play it.”

Hall is getting to the point of comfortability again with his thumb. That only made those three days that much tougher.

“That time made me reflect more,” he said. “I thought about my time with the Phillies, what happened the last couple years. I thought about all the good things that have happened in the minor leagues, about what’s going on right now. All that happens in three days.

“I found myself sitting comfortably. When I came back, my mission stayed the same. The road may be harder that I’m on because I’m not on the 40 man and more moves have to happen. But I’m on a good progression on where I need to be. The numbers reflect that last two months.”

The numbers Kingery and Hall have put up this season should help them find a job in 2025. Where and when that will be, they don’t know.

The two will talk to their agents and fellow players who have been through the process to try to take the edge off while they seek that next job.

“I’ve been with the Phillies organization since I was drafted,” Kingery said. “It’s all I know. It will definitely be a change if I’m somewhere else. I’ve got five weeks left to get more hits and see what happens.”

Hall, a 2016 Phillies draft pick, has spent the better part of the last four years with the IronPigs.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with the people here at Lehigh,” he said. “I’ve loved playing here. I’ve gained a lot of momentum. I’m headed in the right direction.”

What direction that will be come the offseason, however, remains a mystery.

Morning Call reporter Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com