Former Phillies Prospect Hans Crouse Signs with Orioles

The right-handed pitcher looks to revive his career with a new opportunity in Baltimore.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, representing the fractured nature of Crouse's career journey.A new opportunity for a former top prospect to showcase his talent and revive his career.Philadelphia Today

In a surprising move, former Philadelphia Phillies prospect Hans Crouse has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Crouse, once a promising young pitcher, has had a tumultuous career, including a stint with the Los Angeles Angels where he was released in 2025 due to a torn lat muscle. The circumstances around his release from the Angels sparked controversy, with Crouse expressing disappointment over the team's handling of the situation. Now, the 27-year-old Crouse will look to make the Orioles' roster as a non-roster invitee to spring training, hoping to revive his career with a fresh start in Baltimore.

Why it matters

Crouse's signing with the Orioles represents a chance for the former Phillies prospect to get his career back on track after a series of setbacks. The controversy surrounding his release from the Angels has also raised questions about the transparency and ethics of how teams handle player injuries and roster decisions, which could have broader implications for the sport.

The details

Crouse was originally acquired by the Phillies in a 2021 trade that sent former top prospect Spencer Howard to another team. He made his MLB debut with the Phillies that year, but spent the majority of his time in the minors over the next two seasons. In 2024, Crouse signed with the Angels and impressed out of the bullpen, posting a 2.84 ERA in 25 appearances. However, his time with the Angels took an unfortunate turn in 2025 when he was released in April due to a torn lat muscle, a move he publicly criticized as lacking transparency.

  • Crouse was acquired by the Phillies in a trade in 2021.
  • Crouse made his MLB debut with the Phillies in 2021.
  • Crouse signed with the Angels for the 2024 season.
  • Crouse was released by the Angels in April 2025 due to a torn lat muscle.
  • Crouse has now signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles for the 2026 season.

The players

Hans Crouse

A 27-year-old right-handed pitcher who was once a promising prospect in the Phillies' organization. He has since played for the Angels and is now signing a minor-league deal with the Orioles, hoping to revive his career.

Philadelphia Phillies

The MLB team that originally acquired Crouse in a 2021 trade and gave him his first taste of the major leagues.

Los Angeles Angels

The team that signed Crouse in 2024, where he had success out of the bullpen before being released in 2025 due to a torn lat muscle, a move that sparked controversy.

Baltimore Orioles

The MLB team that has now signed Crouse to a minor-league contract, giving him a fresh opportunity to make their roster as a non-roster invitee to spring training.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My time with the angels has to come to an end... They released me... and then... told me I tore my lat.”

— Hans Crouse

What’s next

Crouse will look to impress the Orioles coaching staff during spring training as he aims to secure a spot on the team's major league roster for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Crouse's signing with the Orioles represents a chance for the former top prospect to revive his career after a series of setbacks, including the controversial circumstances surrounding his release from the Angels. This move will be closely watched as Crouse looks to prove he can still be a valuable contributor at the MLB level.