Fightin Phils infielder Seth Beer talks Major League experience, Reading tenure

When Seth Beer isn’t carving into FirstEnergy Stadium’s left-handed batter’s box, you can find him on the water. The former first-round selection is working his way back into MLB with the Fightin Phils this year.

But in Reading, Beer’s hobby off the field is rooted in his passion for fly fishing. Whether on Tully River or his secret spot off Paper Mill Road, Beer’s found success catching fish just as he has through seven professional baseball seasons.

“I always feel like fishing is like baseball. It's a game of patience,” Beer said. “Sometimes you have good days, sometimes you have bad days. And sometimes you don't think you have a good day, and it's a great day.”

The Fightin Phils media team spoke with Beer to discuss his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks in MLB and his current progressions in Reading:

Reading tenure

While beginning 2025 with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, Beer’s agent was in contact with the Phillies’ organization about returning to affiliated baseball. When the opportunity presented itself, Beer signed with Philadelphia and reported to Double-A. Along with his fly-fishing, Beer has enjoyed FirstEnergy Stadium’s field and surrounding area, saying he’s impressed with how the Phillies’ organization overall goes about their business.

Beer’s numbers haven’t jumped off the page so far with Reading. He’s accumulated just a .572 OPS over 24 games, a far cry from his team-leading 14 RBI and .991 OPS on Long Island. Beer, however, is starting to find his groove as he produced a seven-game hitting streak from June 4-13.

“It had just been one of those slow starts,” Beer said. “But you just got to go pitch to pitch, at-bat to at-bat, and then good things start to happen. It'll get back to where I want it to be”

Beer is sticking to his approach and not trying to do too much. In the early stages of his career, poor stretches felt like “the end of the world” but he knows now with experience there are plenty of at-bats in front of him to right his wrongs and return to form.

The move to Double-A from Independent League play has forced an adjustment at the plate, as he’s now seeing more consistent high-velocity pitches. Beer pointed out how he didn’t have regular spring training like most affiliated players, forcing him to get up to speed on a different timetable. As he continues to see pitches and he’s increased his production, recording a home run on June 13.

With Keaton Anthony’s call-up to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Beer has seen nearly all of the action at first base, sharing some time with Alex Binelas. Beer played six games at first base in MLB between 2021-22 and has fluctuated between the corner outfield spots, first and designated hitter throughout his professional career.

“Anytime you can get out there, for me, I can get out there and play some first base, it keeps my my skillset there sharp, it’s a great day for me,” Beer said. “So being able to get out there, and find a couple different ways that I can help the team win.”

Major League experience

Beer played 43 games from 2021-22 in the Major Leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks, recording one home run in each season and 12 RBI total. His five games in 2021 were especially impressive, tallying a 1.389 OPS in nine at-bats.

A highlight of his career came on opening day in 2022, when he stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth with Arizona trailing 2-1. On National Beer Day, Beer hammered a walk-off three-run home run for the win. Beer thinks back to his wife reminding him pregame of the national holiday. He knew the occurrence matching with opening day could either make for a really good or bad day. No in-between.

Beer joined the Diamondbacks as part of a blockbuster trade at the 2019 deadline, which sent Beer and three other prospects for start pitcher Zack Greinke. He made his way to MLB with Arizona and moved up and down within the organization before being picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. He spent all of 2024 with the Altoona Curve and the Indianapolis Indians before electing free agency after the year. Now in Double-A again, Beer is reaching back on his experience to find his way.

“Once you get to Double-A, you get a mixed bag of so many different guys, so many different ages, so many different backgrounds,” Beer said. “Any kind of insight I do have and any questions guys have, I obviously will share.”

Beer is using his experience to specifically help Phillies No. 2 prospect and Fightin Phils’ shortstop Aidan Miller. Beer said he considers Miller a good friend despite the nearly eight-year age gap. Beer, the 28th pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, added that Miller, the 27th pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, is very mature for his age. They talk all the time and bounce ideas off of each other daily. In certain spots throughout the game, and in high-pressure at-bats, Beer understands that Miller is here to learn just as he is.

Despite helping a potential future big-league player, Beer still hopes to one day get back to the Major Leagues himself. He’s hopped around multiple organizations and left affiliated baseball for a brief stint, but knows success in Reading could lead to reaching the highest level once again.

“Obviously, the ultimate goal is always to do whatever I can to get back to the big leagues,” Beer said. “That's the ultimate goal. And to be able to achieve that, it's to be able to do all the little things. Do everything day in and day out. And be consistent, and work toward that consistency.”