Second in the series - players “on the cusp” of major league contributions - broken down into two parts - pitchers and position players. If ya missed part one here’s the link - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-20-24-on-the-cusp-part-one-of-two
Catcher :
Rafael Marchan (25 years old) - signed 7/3/15 as an international free agent from San Cristobal, Venezuela - is a switch hitter, offense has steadily improved the past two seasons, has shown pop and consistency - limited in playing time due to injuries - has always been a skilled defender with a strong throwing arm and good mechanics. We’ve witnessed multiple batting practice sessions, folks may be surprised to know he’s always shown the ability to drive the ball beyond the fences however his offensive prowess is found in a line drive gap to gap swing. Has incurred injuries the past two springs that have delayed starts to the season for him and has instead spent time in extended spring camp. A very likable young man, serious demeanor, big league skills all around. He’s got starter’s capability - unlike the others in this article he is out of options so is either gonna make the big club this spring camp else be traded elsewhere.
Infielders :
3B/1B/2B/LF Otto Kemp (25 years old) - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 from Point Loma Nazarene University in California - RH hitter and thrower - began the year on the IL with an oblique strain - was placed on rehab assignment with the Threshers in early April and played five games there before joining Jersey Shore where he posted a .333/.440/.533 slash line and .973 OPS in 182 plate appearances. Was promoted to Reading on 6/11/24 - at the AA level he hit .258/.353/.476 with an .829 OPS with 60 hits in 273 plate appearances - 38 runs scored, 12 doubles, 3 triples, 11 home runs, 39 RBIs and 23 walks. Promoted to AAA Lehigh Valley on 9/6/24 - overall for the season in 123 games had 216 total bases, 126 hits, 82 runs scored, 24 doubles, 9 triples, 16 home runs and 66 RBIs - drew 52 walks, stole 20 bases and posted a .285/.392/.489 slash line and .881 OPS in 529 plate appearances. Throughout his career to date he has been an on-base machine showing patience at the plate and a willingness to accept walks while also being a reliable run producer. Can drive the baseball, particularly into the gaps however we’ve also seen the ability to take the ball out of the yard. Gives a professional effort in each plate appearance. Defensively he learned to play second base after diligent work in practice beginning with efforts shortly after signing however he excels at third base, makes spectacular plays there. Strong arm and great instincts. Good all around ball player. Otto told me this summer that “At the plate I’m just trying to do damage. My approach changes from at bat to at bat depending on lots of different factors, but the intent never changes.” I can envision him in a Ben Zobrist type role - is the type of hitter the club needs - works counts, gets on base and can drive the baseball. Is playing in the Arizona Fall League this year - has big league talent - was evident from the first practice we saw him participate in back in 2022.
1B Carson Taylor (25 years old) - selected in the minor league rule 5 draft from the Dodgers 12/6/23 - was the Dodgers 4th round draft choice in the 2020 draft from Virginia Tech University - The 2022 MLB scouting report (that year he was ranked in the top 30 prospects for the Dodgers) on him said “Taylor controls the strike zone, puts together some of the best at-bats in the system and makes a lot of line-drive contact. He has solid raw power that currently translates mostly into doubles, but he could produce 15-20 homers on an annual basis if he learns to pull more pitches in the air.” He played at the High A and AA levels while with the Dodgers and also appeared in the Arizona Fall League. I first saw him hit in person during a batting practice session this spring in minor league camp at the complex, was impressed with how hard he consistently hit the baseball. There was that “loud” sound off the bat that ya always turn to see who delivered it. Also during the spring it became evident that the plan was to convert Carson to a full time first baseman from the catcher position. This season he played most of the year at Reading where he posted a .277/.389/.465 slash line in 450 plate appearances with 16 doubles, 16 triples, 67 walks and 75 RBIs. Was promoted to Lehigh Valley on 9/17/24 where he hit .316 with a .519 OBP in 27 plate appearances. He showed the exact skills that the 2022 MLB report stated - Taylor told me earlier this season - “I think my best qualities as a hitter are that I take good at bats, I’m consistent day in and day out and force pitchers to make their best pitch each time.” He’s on target to be the regular first baseman for Lehigh Valley in 2025 and if he can add LF to his defensive mix might just be in line for a big league opportunity.
1B Keaton Anthony (23 years old) - It’s not often that a minor league player earns two promotions in their first full season and plays at three levels but that’s exactly what Keaton did in 2024. He began the year with the Low A level Clearwater Threshers and was a key contributor to the team’s Florida State League first half championship run posting a .322/.446/.470 slash line in 44 games and a .916 OPS in 186 plate appearances with 10 doubles, 4 home runs and 21 RBIs drawing an equal amount of walks and strikeouts (28). On June 25th he was promoted to High A level Jersey Shore where he continued to rake - in 53 games (232 plate appearances) he had a .356/.418/.483 slash line with a .901 OPS - 10 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs and 45 RBIs with 21 walks and 34 strikeouts. He was promoted to AA level Reading on 9/6/24 to finish the 2024 season. Keaton was signed as an un-drafted free agent by the Phillies on 7/18/23 after putting up stellar numbers in three seasons of play at the University of Iowa, a .372/.476/.686 slash line and 1.162 OPS in 97 games (443 plate appearances) with 44 doubles, 23 home runs and 93 RBIs.
Baseball America described his baseball abilities this way in their 2023 pre-draft analysis “The 6-foot-4 right-handed slugger has an advanced approach at the plate with strong swing decisions and he gets started with a minimal load and quick, explosive hands that help him spray the ball all over the field. He has shown the ability to drive the baseball with authority to either gap and has above-average raw power that translates well in games.” I first saw Keaton hit in BP at the Carpenter Complex in July of 2023 shortly after he signed, I was impressed by his ability to drive multiple lower zone pitches over the fences given his length with a seemingly minimal amount of effort needed to do so. Akin to the BA report I saw quick explosive hands. I did a spotlight article on him this summer and he told me “My approach at the plate is to just have a good at bat and hit the ball hard. I try to swing at pitches that I can hit and not chase, but I also like to have a plan. I haven’t made many adjustments this year other than being a little more aggressive in hitter’s counts. Other than that, I just trust my plan and my training to pay off in the game.”
Greg Giombarrese - Vice President - Communications for the BlueClaws told me that “Keaton Anthony is a professional hitter. From the moment he got here in June, you could see that. Perhaps the most amazing part of his season with the BlueClaws is that he only twice had a stretch of back to back games without a hit, and he never had a stretch of back to back games failing to reach base. It was simply consistent, excellent production from his first game with the BlueClaws to his last. He hits the ball to all fields, and he is comfortable hitting in any count. In fact, this year, he went 20-64 with three home runs in a 1-2 count. Four of his eight home runs between Clearwater and Jersey Shore were in 0-2 or 1-2 counts. Obviously, the water gets deeper as he moves into Double-A and into 2025. I’m sure the Phillies will try to unlock a little more power, but anyone who hits the ball on a line as much as he does is definitely a player to watch.” He’s likely slotted to be the everyday first baseman at Reading in 2025 - perhaps will see some time in the outfield as well - he meets the profile of the type of hitter that the big club needs - with continued progression just might be a contributor.
SS Aidan Miller (20 years old) - is a very very good player and he’s certainly on track to be a major leaguer however I don’t think he’s necessarily “on the cusp” of the big leagues in 2025. RH hitter and thrower. Aidan will be 21 in June and is just five months younger than Justin Crawford however he’s a year later in his career and hasn’t garnered the experience that Justin has thus far. That being said he will start the year at Reading and if he breaks out (which he’s capable of) and there’s a need then it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he gets the call. He’s a very likable young man who has a great attitude, works hard, has great team spirit and is super talented. He’s the epitome of the type of hitter the big club needs, is selective, will take his walks, gets on base, has pop, gap to gap prowess, is unselfish, has speed, smarts and will drive in runs. He’s very capable of playing big league shortstop - solid arm, range, glove and instincts. To me he’s more of a 2026 projection for the show than next season but never say never - performance will dictate promotion.
Infielders already on the 40 man roster that spent the majority of their 2024 season in the minor leagues who have minor league options left include Weston Wilson (one option remaining). Weston can also play the outfield.
Infielders already on the 40 man roster that spent the majority of their 2024 season in the minor leagues who have no options left in 2025 include Rodolfo Castro, Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy.
Outfielders :
CF Justin Crawford (20 years old) - 2022 1st round draft choice - Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, NV - LH hitter, RH thrower - had a very strong second full season as a professional - began the year with Jersey Shore and posted a .301/.349/.438 slash line with a .787 OPS in 317 plate appearances - 14 doubles, 4 triples, 6 home runs and 35 RBIs - 27 stolen bases. Was promoted to Reading 7/12/24 - finished with a .333/.380/.455 slash line and .835 OPS in 180 plate appearances at the AA level with 11 doubles, 3 home runs, 26 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Overall for the season played in 110 games with 497 plate appearances hitting .313/.360/.444 with a .804 OPS - 143 hits, 25 doubles, 4 triples, 9 home runs, 61 RBIs, 32 walks and 42 stolen bases, 203 total bases. He earned the 2024 Paul Owens Award. Very strong and accurate arm defensively, quick as all get out in running ability, covers a lot of ground - is a solid defender. Can drop down a bunt at will, in fact his first professional hit was a bunt single. Is an immediate threat on the bases, gets good reads as a baserunner and uses his speed as a distinctive advantage. Has shown the ability to drive the baseball out of the yard - from my observations will continue to get stronger - has all the attributes and skills to be an everyday major leaguer. He’s only 20 years old (turns 21 in January) but has put himself in a position that with continued success next season (likely begins at Reading) could be a 2025 major league contributor - will get a look in spring camp. Very cordial and well received young man - popular teammate - truly enjoys playing baseball - that shines thru when watching him play.
LF/RF Gabriel Rincones Jr. (23 years old) - 2022 3rd round draft selection - Florida Atlantic University - LH hitter, RH thrower - opened the season with Reading on a tear hitting .300 in 50 AB’s and posting a .417 OBP with four home runs in 13 games - suffered a thumb injury which required surgery and was placed on the 60 day IL on 4/25/24. Spent the next couple of months at the complex working with the rehab team - served a rehab assignment with the FCL Phillies from 7/5/24 till being re-activated by Reading on 7/19/24. Posted solid overall numbers with Reading - .263/.357/.487 slash line in 258 plate appearances with 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 29 RBIs, 30 walks and 20 stolen bases. We saw him in BP for the first time in 2022 Fall Camp - ball absolutely flies off the bat with easy power - left handed hitter who drove multiple baseballs over the right field fence on Roberts Field that day and some into the tree line before the hill bank that leads up to Route 19. He has a “pretty lefty swing” using an old baseball term - no wasted motion and direct thru the ball. Has the ability to drive the baseball to all fields. Played in the Arizona Fall League last season becoming a league all-star posting a .293 batting average and .416 OBP in 101 plate appearances and has returned to the AFL this year to garner more AB’s. Confident in his abilities, won’t be intimidated by any situation. He’s a good defender, decent arm, smart player. If not for the injury it’s very likely he would have gotten big league consideration in 2024 - will be in spring training camp - he’s an impressive young man in all areas - strong frame who’s a team leader, major league skill set.
RF/LF/1B Leandro Pineda (22 years old) - signed as an international free agent 7/6/18 from Valencia, Venezuela - left handed hitter and thrower - solid corner defender with a plus arm (right-fielder’s arm strength). Angular build - 6’1” frame who just looks like a ball player - plays hard and does things right - wants to learn, will work to do so. Leandro’s career numbers don’t jump out at you so if that’s your only perspective you might discount him however there’s genuine baseball talent. The lefty swing he possesses is pure, generates both power and speed, when coupled with an ability to recognize pitches along with driving the outside pitch the other way - just saying - he can play and has the use the entire field approach. Leandro added first base to his defensive mix this season - he opened the year with Jersey Shore - was promoted to Reading on 7/16/24 but suffered a season ending thumb injury in early August that required surgery - is now back on track to open the 2025 at Reading. He once told me “My greatest learning is knowing myself as a player, to find my weaknesses and adjust. I look to take advantage of my strengths. My focus is to improve as much as I can, work on breaking pitches and strengthen my core to use when hitting.” This observer has always seen a potential big league contributor when I’ve watched him play - it’s my humble opinion that he’s an under the radar guy who could indeed put himself in consideration to do so in 2025.
Cal Stevenson is already on the 40 man roster, he spent the majority of their 2024 season in the minor leagues and has no options left in 2025.
In our next article we will review the Rule 5 eligible players we have yet to discuss.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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