PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies have a tough task in front of them – after Adolis García suffered a potential season-ending injury, they had to figure out how to replace their right fielder, who just started to get hot. A flurry of moves, including calling up No 6 prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr., appears to be the immediate answer.

Philadelphia has had a seemingly constant need for help in the outfield, but Rincones Jr. told me in an exclusive interview that he was ready to play. He showed as much on Monday, his first game in Philadelphia as a member of the Phillies. 

Rincones showed a rare combination of pop, speed and patience a season ago. He finished in the top-5 in the International League in runs scored, while clubbing 22 doubles and 18 home runs. More than 40-percent of his hits went for extra bases, and he stole 22 bases. His on-base percentage (.370) was ranked No. 22, thanks to tying for the league lead with 80 walks. 

There were only four players in MLB last year to have 18-plus HR, 20+ SB, and an OBP of .370 or higher – Juan Soto, Kyle Tucker, Shohei Ohtani and Geraldo Perdomo. Only three other men reached all those benchmarks across all minor league levels.

Tonight, he had his first opportunity to show the crowd in Philly what he can do in the big leagues. He more than delivered.

“It’s what you’ve been working for, ever since you started playing the sport and you have the dream to do something with it – playing on a big stage. So, I’m just taking it all in and getting my feet set. Still pretty surreal”

That’s what Gabriel Rincones Jr. told me prior to…

— Kyle Fisher (@KyleFisher45) June 16, 2026

“It’s been great. About as smooth as it could possibly go because, after all, it’s the big leagues,” Rincones told me excitedly before Monday’s game at Citizens Bank Park. “It’s what you’ve been working for ever since you started playing the sport and you have the dream to do something with it – playing on a big stage…still pretty surreal.” 

Surreal, it must still be. Rincones Jr. showed off the swing that impressed his manager, Don Mattingly, quickly, driving his first big league hit over the fence in his first at-bat with a bat flip to boot. He gave his club a lead they would never surrender, and he would never forget.  “I felt like I was floating,” the right fielder told Tom McCarthy and John Kruk on the telecast after the game.

When Rincones returned to the field, the fans in right field gave him a standing ovation. He talked about it with McCarthy and Kruk: “They’re awesome. I can only dream of stuff like that…That was awesome for me.”

Before the game, Mattingly told us the reports on Rincones were good and that he liked his swing. After, he was happy his outfielder got his first hit. “To see the kid get his first hit, get that out of the way. You don’t want to see that ever get extended where it lengthens out, so that was obviously huge,” the manager explained. He seemed equally as excited about his Fielder’s Choice RBI. 

“Really the second at-bat I liked from the standpoint of putting the ball in play there.  He controlled the zone enough to get himself a pitch, put the ball in play and got us an extra run.”

Runcones finished the night 1-for-4, recording his first major league hit, a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. He was lifted for a defense replacement in the ninth, already making his mark on the evening.

An injury may not be the way the Phillies envisioned their next prospect would be called up, but regardless, he is here. Rincones will be added to a mix that equates to two platoons being rolled out in the outfield. That’s not something he is used to. “I stay ready to play,” the 25-year-old told me confidently. “So, whether I’m starting or not starting, I like to do my routine as if I am, because you never know what can happen in the game or whether you’re needed or not.”

That is always a great attitude to have, but players have said in the past that there can be an adjustment period and a change to adapt to a new pattern of play. His early opportunities will come almost exclusively against right-handed pitching, and understandably so. Only two of Rincones’ 45 minor league home runs have come against lefties. All 18 he hit in 2025 were against righties. His batting average drops by over 100 points facing lefties as opposed to righties.

An important factor in making the transition to the big leagues easier is being welcomed by those already on the roster. Gabriel told me that everyone from the stars to familiar faces, like Garrett Stubbs, have welcomed him with open arms. “Everybody’s just a great guy, and it’s been just another home. So far it’s been great.”

For Rincones, though, it is less about them being nice and more about how he can work with the stars here to improve himself and help the team. “Even better [than them being welcoming] is how they act with everybody else and how they go about the business that makes it really easy to go up to them and ask something that you potentially want to ask a guy that’s got a routine of having success in the big leagues,” Rincones explained, excitedly. “It’s really nice that they’re very approachable.”

Fans got their first chance to see him up close on Monday. They, the organization and Rincones himself hope that feeling of Philly being another home never goes away. It means things are going well – for the player and for the club.

Hearing how confident he is in himself and his work, Rincones may have found a new permanent home here in Philadelphia. “I’m always eager to play, and I’m excited for things to come here.”

Keywords

Gabriel Rincones Jr.,

Phillies,

Phillies prospects,

Gabriel Rincones,

first career HR