Career
Phillips bats and throws right-handed. Phillips has been drawn comparisons to a "young Chuck Knoblauch" by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. José Moreno, Phillips former manager, compared his style of play to that of David Eckstein.
Seattle Mariners
Born in Bellville, Western Cape, South Africa, Phillips was scouted by Pat Kelly and Phillip Biersteker to sign with the Seattle Mariners at age 16 after his participation in the 2006 World Baseball Junior Championship.
He began professional career with the rookie-level Arizona League Mariners. Phillips batted.279 with 24 runs, 34 hits, 1 double, 9 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases in 45 games.
The next season, Phillips played with three levels of the Mariners" organization including the rookie-level Pulaski Mariners, the Class-A Short Season Everett AquaSox, and the Class-A Advanced High Desert Mavericks. With Pulaski, he batted.196 with 7 runs, 11 hits, 1 double, 4 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases in 14 games.
Phillips played 51 games with the AquaSox and batted.187 with 23 runs, 28 hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 17 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases.
Finally, with the Mavericks, Phillips batted.111 with 1 hit, and 1 Reserve Bank of India in 3 games. He hit his first career home run on July 10 against the Tri-City Dust Devils. Phillips spent the 2009 season with the Class-A Short Season Everett AquaSox and batted.247 with 29 runs, 59 hits, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 7 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases in 68 games.
He was first on the AquaSox in caught stealing (8).
And was second in at-bats (239), home runs, and strikeouts (65). Phillips began the 2010 season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, however, after just one game, he was assigned to extended spring training.
Philadelphia Phillies
Phillips signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies in December 2013. He was selected to play in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for South Africa.
With South Africa, Phillips played 2 games and batted.222 with 1 runs, 2 hits, and 1 Reserve Bank of India.