Keaton Anthony Signs UFA Deal with Phillies

Iowa Hawkeye Standout Gets Pro Shot with Philadelphia

Iowa's Keaton Anthony celebrates hitting a double during a game against Illinois on April 9, 2022 at Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa Baseball standout Keaton Anthony is signing an un-drafted free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, it was reported Tuesday. He's the fourth Hawkeye from the 2023 team continuing on with an organization following this week's MLB draft. Iowa had two players – Jared Simpson and Ty Langenberg – drafted, and Will Christophersen will also sign a UDFA deal.

Anthony, a Hoschton, Ga., native, earned third-team All-America honors this spring after hitting .389 (61-of-157) with 22 doubles, nine home runs, 38 RBIs and 51 runs during the regular season. His 22 doubles are second-most in program history.

That achievement was made more impressive when considering he appeared in and started only 43 of 60 games the team played this season. He and three teammates were withheld from competition after it was announced multiple men's Hawkeye teams were part of a state gambling commission investigation. He seemed like a good bet to be drafted before that, according to multiple scouting service rankings. 

During his three years in Iowa City, Anthony started 96 games, hitting .372, and pounding out 44 doubles (eighth most in program history) and 23 home runs. He also tossed 22 innings, logging a 4.50 ERA with 18 strikeouts.

The Hawkeyes finished the 2023 season with a 44-16 overall record with the 44 wins tied for most in program history. Iowa finished third in the Big Ten regular season standings, advanced to the Big Ten Tournament championship game and the team won two games at the Terre Haute Regional in Iowa’s first NCAA Regional appearance since 2017.