The Phillies presently have 152 players on their minor league roster, since it is the off-season they are permitted 175 spots. Those remaining will be filled by free agent signings, perhaps some minor league rule 5 draftees and maybe a few trades.
This article is the beginning of a series on the minor league players I’ve yet to write about since the season ended - my initial off-season article was on 10/14 on free agents to be https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-14-24-minor-league-free-agency.
That was followed by two articles on 10/20 https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-20-24-on-the-cusp-part-one-of-two and 10/21 https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-20-24-on-the-cusp-part-one-of-two about players on the cusp of contributing to the major leagues. On 11/3 I wrote about Rule 5 considerations https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-3-24-rule-five-considerationsand then a spotlight piece on Alex McFarlane on 11/8 https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-8-24-spotlight-alex-mcfarlane.
The off-season roster build is in progress - I begin a look (position by position) of returning players and where they might be assigned beginning with the catchers.
AAA Lehigh Valley :
It would seem likely that Rafael Marchan (no options left) will be the backup catcher to JT Realmuto at the major league level with Garrett Stubbs (one option left) assigned to Lehigh Valley as the AAA level everyday starter in case of injury. I discussed the 25 year old Marchan in the on the cusp article, if he can conquer the injury bug that’s limited him in years past he’s more than ready to contribute in the major leagues. Stubbs is 31 years old and has been a clubhouse stalwart the past three seasons in establishing camaraderie and team spirit, he’s also a very good defender. Rafael isn’t that type of personality, that role will need to filled by someone else if Garrett is indeed optioned to triple A.
Josh Breaux - 27 years old - signed as a minor league free agent on 6/30/24 after being released by the Yankees - was the Yankees 2nd round draft pick in the 2018 draft from McLennan Community College in Texas. He initially reported to Reading and played in 25 games before finishing the season by playing in 4 games for Lehigh Valley. He’s a big receiver at 6’1” and has shown some pop in his minor league career with 73 home runs in 355 AB’s. When he connects the ball flies, powerful swing, problem has been a lot of strikeouts and an inability to reach base consistently. He’s got an outstanding arm - pitched in college and was regularly in the upper 90’s, touched 100 mph. As a catcher he’s not shown great defensive prowess other than the arm, some have described him as lacking the ability to move well behind the dish. Breaux signed a two year deal with the Phillies - the organization likes to carry three catchers at the AAA level - good chance he’s one of them.
Caleb Ricketts - 24 years old - 2022 7th round draft pick - University of San Diego - was an injury riddled season in 2024 for Caleb as he was placed on the IL on three separate occasions. Managed to participate in 75 games (308 plate appearances) with AA level Reading but just never got going due to recurring injury. When he’s healthy he is a left handed hitter with gap to gap drive, easy swing, good approach, one who can take the outside pitch the other way with power as well as pull the inside delivery for distance. Defensively he’s a take charge receiver, savvy. Should come into spring camp in a position to either advance to AAA Lehigh Valley or return to Reading as one of the primary receivers - that decision is likely predicated upon whether the organization signs a veteran free agent to play at the AAA level as added insurance.
AA Reading :
Jordan Dissin - 22 years old - 2022 12th round draft pick - Saddleback Junior College, CA - played the majority of the 2024 season with High A level Jersey Shore - promoted to Reading on 9/6/24 for the last week of the season. Is an outstanding thrower - threw out 33 of 108 base stealers during the year. Offensively has pop (hit 9 home runs in 2024) - he had a very solid month of June hitting .300 with a .375 OBP showing the ability to get on base consistently - is a clutch hitter - drove in 41 runs - many in key game situations. Big frame who provides a good pitch target behind the dish, calls a decent game and has solid defensive mechanics. Is now finishing the 2024 campaign by playing in the Arizona Fall League. Should compete in ST for a Reading opening day roster spot and role a as lineup regular.
Andrick Nava - 23 years old - signed as an international free agent on 7/2/18 from Cabimas, Venezuela - Andrik can swing the bat - solid offensive skills which we first saw in 2019 GCL play, line drive type hitter than can also occasionally turn on a ball and drive it for distance. Is a switch hitter that seemingly always has a competitive plate appearance. Defensively has worked at becoming a more balanced receiver, pop times have improved as has throwing each year. He’s a pleasant young man who’s always said hello each time I’ve seen him. Has fun playing and is a good teammate. Began the 2024 season at Jersey Shore, was promoted to Reading on 6/11/24 - returned to JS on an injury rehab on 6/26 and then back to Reading to finish the year on 8/15. Is playing for Aguilas del Zulia in the Venezuela Winter League. Should compete in ST for a Reading opening day roster spot and role a as lineup regular.
Jared Thomas - 23 years old, will be 24 in December - 2023 15th round draft pick - Loyola Marymount University - played in games at three levels in 2024 - Clearwater (39 games), Jersey Shore (7 games) and Lehigh Valley (4 games) - is an excellent defender, perhaps the best overall defensive receiver in the minor league system. Began the year in extended spring camp due to an injury - would have likely been assigned to Jersey Shore opening day roster otherwise. Offensively has shown patience at the dish, willingness to accept walks. Strong plate discipline was a remark made about him in Baseball America’s pre draft profile. Is a left handed hitter which is always a plus for the catching position in a potential tandem role. Played his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Miami before transferring to Loyola Marymount where he became the primary catcher. Will likely either be part of the catching rotation at Jersey Shore else in the mix at Reading.
High A Jersey Shore :
Luis Caicuto - 21 years old, will be 22 in March - selected in the minor league portion of the 2023 Rule 5 draft from the Arizona Diamondbacks - was signed by Arizona on 7/2/19 from Lecheria, Venezuela - he began the 2024 campaign as the primary catcher with Low A Clearwater before being promoted to High A Jersey Shore on 6/11/24. Defensively he’s well rounded and has displayed a quick release and strong accurate arm. He’s shown coaches a great work ethic and always brings energy to the field. Luis was selected to play for the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League this winter. I’d expect him to compete in 2025 ST camp for a rotation role on the opening day Jersey Shore roster.
Ryan Leitch - 23 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 from Marshall University - played sparingly in 2024 with High A Jersey Shore (16 games - 41 plate appearances). Played in 45 games with Clearwater in 2023 and posted a .326 OBP in 178 plate appearances. He is an excellent thrower which we first reported witnessing in initial practices at Carpenter Complex after he signed. He has the classic behind the ear catcher’s release. A right handed hitter who has shown pop and ability to square up and drive the baseball. Has ten career home runs in 230 AB’s. I would think that he will compete in ST for a return to JS for increased playing time.
Kodey Shojinaga - 21 years old, will be 22 in February - 2024 6th round draft pick - University of Kansas - played primarily infield during his college career after earning all-state high school honors during his senior year in Hawaii as a catcher/infielder. Played in 15 games with the Threshers after signing - seven at catcher and six as a first baseman. In college displayed excellent bat to ball skills - rarely struck out - that was also the case in his first 42 pro AB’s - just 4 strikeouts. Is now in High Performance Camp - seems to be a determined worker - will need to learn the nuances of becoming a professional catcher but has displayed a skill set and willingness to do so - may return to Clearwater to open the year but I could also see a Jersey Shore opening day assignment as part of a catching rotation.
Low A Clearwater/Extended Spring Training :
Eduardo Tait - 18 years old, won’t turn 19 till August - signed as an international free agent 1/15/23 from Panama City, Panama. Has shown that he’s an outstanding hitter, big power, quick hands, eye hand coordination, bat to ball skills, plate discipline - it’s all there. Started the 2024 season with the FCL Phillies - was promoted to Clearwater on 7/23/24 - as a left handed bat he hit a combined .302/.356/.486 in 326 plate appearances with 18 doubles, 11 home runs and 73 RBIs (2nd most in the entire minor league organization in far less games). Scouts marvel at his offensive skills. Defensively has a very strong and accurate throwing arm, is a sponge for knowledge on how to improve and learns quickly. Shows a great passion for playing and wanting to continually get better at his craft. He may battle body weight a bit but as a teenager is still long removed from growing into his full frame and composure. A great personality as well - has a real chance of becoming a special player. Likely returns to Clearwater to begin 2025 as the primary catcher - however, in my view he is capable of competing for and moving to Jersey Shore directly out of ST camp.
Guillermo Rosario - 19 years old, turns 20 in April - signed as an international free agent 7/25/22 - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - played the full season of FCL and was then promoted to Clearwater on 7/27/24 - played in 12 games with the Threshers before ending the year on the IL. Is now participating in High Performance Camp at the Clearwater Complex. Is a very solid defender behind the dish, has all the tools to develop and climb up the ladder. Played first base 28 games and caught in 26 games in 2024. He’s shown the ability to drive the ball out of the yard as a right handed hitter. Just needs reps to see where it goes, has a skillset and frame (6’2”) that could advance him to the upper levels. Likely returns to Clearwater as part of the opening day Threshers roster.
Kehden Hettiger - 20 years old - 2023 11th round draft pick - Sierra Canyon HS, Chatsworth, CA - played the entire 2024 season with the Clearwater Threshers - had his struggles offensively but ended the year well with a .417 OBP in 70 August plate appearances. He’s relatively new to the catching position having played infield primarily in high school. Has an outstanding arm and strong hands - needs some time to develop behind the dish but coaches say he has the makeup to excel. Is a switch hitter - played an equal amount of time at first base (29 games) as he did catching (30 games) in 2024. There’s evident talent to work with - a second year with the Threshers (at least to start the year) seems likely.
Alirio Ferrebus - 19 years old, turns 20 in August - signed as an international free agent 1/15/23 - Maracaibo, Venezuela - was promoted stateside on 6/25/24 after opening the year in the Dominican Summer League and posting gaudy numbers in 14 games (51 plate appearances) hitting .375/.471/.725 and a 1.196 OPS. With the FCL Phillies the offensive success continued as he hit .324/.366/.378 in 41 plate appearances before an ankle injury ended his season. He’s back to good health now and is taking part in High Performance Camp in Clearwater. He’s yet another catcher coming up from the Dominican Academy who has good size (6’2”) and solid defensive skills - while his offensive game has certainly stood out thus far in his brief career there are skills to build upon defensively as well. Likely begins the 2025 season in extended spring camp before becoming the primary catcher for the FCL Phillies.
Luke Davis - 21 years old, turns 22 in January - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/23/24 - Long Beach City College, Long Beach, CA - after signing spent his initial time training at Carpenter Complex and did not play in an official game, did play some in the “Bridge League”. Is now working with the High Performance Camp group in Clearwater at the complex. He put up strong numbers in college as a switch hitter winning the South Coast Conference MVP award. The Phillies signed him after seeing him play in the Northwoods Summer League.
Lou Albrecht - 23 years old - signed 7/21/23 as an un-drafted free agent - Central Arizona JC, Coolidge, AZ - played sparingly in 2024 appearing in 13 games with the Clearwater Threshers. He’s now playing in the Australian Baseball League as part of the Phillies contingent on the Adelaide Giants. Prior to playing for Central Arizona he attended and played for Washington State University. Lou is from Renton, Washington and attended Kentridge High School. He was ranked as the No. 1 catcher in Washington by Perfect Game while in High School.
Angel Mata - 19 years old, turns 20 in January - signed as an international free agent 4/14/22 from Cumana, Venezuela - played his first two seasons in the Dominican Summer League and had a .364 OBP in 254 plate appearances. Was brought stateside 4/23/24 and was part of the catching corps in extended spring training before suffering a season ending knee injury which required surgery. He’s been working his way back with the rehab team since, is still in Clearwater working and seems to be ready to compete in 2025 spring camp. He’s a solid defender, a plus thrower.
Brahian Silva - 21 years old, will be 22 in December - signed as an international free agent 7/2/19 - Puerto Cabello, Venezuela - played sparingly in 2024 - began the season in the Dominican Summer League, was promoted to the FCL on 7/3/24 and played in six games - advanced to the Clearwater Threshers on 8/11/24 - did not appear in a game. Noted for defensive skills and leadership.
In the next article we will review first basemen.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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