Scott Kingery Eagerly Anticipates Return to Philadelphia with Cubs
Scott Kingery returned to Philadelphia as a member of the Chicago Cubs. He last set foot inside Citizens Bank Park in early 2023 to accept a National League championship ring. Kingery had not appeared in a Phillies home game since 2021.
Background and rise through the Phillies system
Kingery was a second-round draft pick in 2015. He moved steadily through Philadelphia’s minor-league ranks. The organization rewarded him with a six-year extension in 2018 before he had debuted in the majors.
Major-league tenure with Philadelphia
Expectations for Kingery were high after his promotion. He showed defensive versatility and delivered a strong offensive season in 2019. Still, his cumulative batting mark with the Phillies sat at .229 across parts of five seasons.
His last stretch of regular playing time came in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He then spent most of the following four years at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Moves to Los Angeles and Chicago
The Phillies traded Kingery to the Los Angeles Angels before last season. He appeared in 19 games for the Angels during that stint. This past winter, he agreed to a minor-league deal with the Cubs.
Kingery won a roster spot during spring training. He broke camp with Chicago for the first time in six years.
Role with the Cubs
Now 31, Kingery serves primarily as a bench infielder for the Cubs. He had not recorded a plate appearance when the series arrived in Philadelphia. He did enter as a pinch runner on Sunday and scored the walk-off, game-winning run for Chicago.
Kingery said he felt at home in Philadelphia and welcomed the chance to see familiar faces. He also noted the challenge of earning a bench spot on a roster with an established lineup.
Series in Philadelphia
The three-game set against the Phillies began Monday night. It remained uncertain whether Kingery would get into any games. Still, returning to the city where he developed felt significant to him.
Scott Kingery is eager to return to Philadelphia while with the Cubs. The visit tied together his early promise in Philadelphia and his fresh opportunity in Chicago.
