Fightin Phils outfielder Dylan Campbell talks offseason trade, 2025 season

Growing up in Houston, Texas, Dylan Campbell naturally was a fan of the Houston Astros. He looked up to Astros outfielder George Springer, along with players from other squads like Mookie Betts and Troy Tulowitzki.

When it was time to choose a college, he picked the University of Texas in a “no-brainer” decision. Ironically, Tulowitzki became a member of the Longhorns’ coaching staff. Years later, the 23-year-old Campbell is in the Phillies’ organization after an offseason trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers. He knows both teams possess fan bases that dislike his beloved Astros, after Houston won the 2017 and '22 World Series against the Dodgers and Phillies, respectively. Though he’s doing whatever he can to contribute at the professional level no matter the circumstances.

The Fightin Phils media team spoke with Campbell to discuss his adjustments since the offseason trade and his performance so far in 2025:

Trade adjustment

Campbell’s professional career started with the 136th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, when the Dodgers selected the 5-foot-10 centerfielder to join their organization. The hard work throughout all his years had paid off, allowing him to enjoy what he remembers as a special moment, surrounded by loved ones who supported him in his entire journey. Then, he was forced to deal with the business side of MLB.

After 14 games in the Dodgers organization in 2023 and 115 in High-A with the Great Lake Loons a year later, Campbell was sitting home in January 2025 when he received the shocking news that he had been traded. The move sent Campbell to the Phillies in exchange for International pool money used to sign Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki. Campbell had everything planned to go to Spring Training with the defending World Series Champions. He was forced to alter his plans.

“It kind of shifted everything,” Campbell said. “Honestly, it didn't really feel real for the first day or two. But then once I got used to it and everything, it was kind of the same goal, just a different place.”

All of a sudden, Campbell became the new guy in town. He was meeting new people frequently and building relationships throughout the organization. He said even as the season began and he was assigned to High-A Jersey Shore, he was cultivating relationships with teammates and coaches to build comfort.

One of the sources of comfort for Campbell came from Jersey Shore pitcher Brandon Beckel. A fellow Texas native, the two grew up with mutual friends in their home state and have known each other since high school. As Beckel starred at Texas Tech, both teamed up for summer ball in 2021 and 2022 with the Santa Barbara Foresters of the California Collegiate League. Campbell said he leaned on Beckel to adjust to how things operate within the organization and has used him to connect with other teammates. Now, the two are separated once again as Campbell received his promotion to Double-A.

2025 breakout

Campbell’s time away from FirstEnergy Stadium is pretty uneventful. He watches TV, throws on a YouTube video or plays MLB The Show to pass the time. However, when Campbell is at America’s Classic Ballpark, he’s making the most of it.

He was assigned to Jersey Shore out of Spring Training, but received a promotion on June 23 to Double-A. The Fightin Phils have utilized Campbell largely as the everyday centerfielder, using his speed and extensive range to track down threats in the gaps. Offensively, his contact-hitting attribute mixes with some power to build an all-around hitter.

In a large sample size a season ago, Campbell batted .251 with a .703 OPS. He stole an impressive 42 bases and walked 50 times to add to his 109 total hits. After his move to Philadelphia, Campbell started slow with a .173 batting average in April and .184 in May. Though, he stayed the course and leaned on his experience to drive him through.

“I feel like all the years I've been playing slower at the beginning, but then toward the end of the season, I heat up late,” Campbell said. “So I never really had any panic or anything like that.”

His slow start turned into a thunderous momentum in June, where he posted a career-best .321 batting average and .889 OPS. The result was a mix of his success in Jersey Shore and some quick achievements in Reading. He recorded a hit in his first six games with the Fightin Phils.

The jump in challenge is just about everything he expected so far from High-A to Double-A. He’s attempting to keep everything the same, and continue to build on the work that helped him receive a promotion. The key? Being aggressive and staying aggressive.

“The goal for me is to definitely not let up. Just because I made it up to Double-A doesn't really mean anything at this point,” Campbell said. “So continue to keep my foot on the gas, keep trying to get better each and every day and just trying to finish off the season strong.”