By my count 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 third of a series on the minor league players I’ve yet to write about since the season ended - if you missed the first on the catchers - here’s the link - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-12-24-system-review-catchers. The second article was on third basemen - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-16-24-winter-league-roundup.
My initial off-season article was on 10/14 on minor league 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 continue with a look (position by position) of returning players and where they might be assigned - this one on first basemen.
AAA Lehigh Valley :
Carson Taylor - 25 years old - was selected by the Phillies in the minor league portion of the rule five draft on 12/6/23 from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Carson was the Dodgers 4th round draft selection in the 2020 draft from Virginia Tech University. He is well regarded for his ability to control the strike zone during his AB’s and making hard contact. Has raw power that produced 16 doubles, 3 triples, 16 home runs and 77 RBIs (led the minor league organization) between AA Reading and AAA Lehigh Valley in 2024 (promoted there on 9/17/24 - played in 6 games - .316/.519/.316 in 27 PA’s) and posted a very solid .279/.396/.458 overall slash line in 477 plate appearances. Would seem to be afforded the opportunity to open the ‘25 season as the everyday first baseman for the IronPigs.
Converted to first base full time in 2024 after being primarily a catcher in the Dodgers system. I wrote a spotlight article on him on 4/24 and he told me “I’ve had a great time learning how to play first base. Definitely still lots of room for growth for me in getting better there but feel like I’m making strides each day. I think being a first baseman has really helped me in terms of how I feel each day and being able to go out and play each and everyday.” In regards to his hitting approach Carson told me “I want to give a huge shoutout to Casey Smith with Out Front hitting, he and I worked super hard in building the swing I have now. I made some pretty big changes going into this year and it’s really exciting to be hitting the way that I am. I think my best qualities as a hitter are that I take good at bats, I’m consistent day in and day out, and forcing pitchers to make their best pitch each time.”
Otto Kemp will also likely see time at first base - for more about him please refer to the article on third basemen referenced by the link above.
AA Reading :
Keaton Anthony - 23 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent on 7/18/23 - University of Iowa - winner of the 2024 minor league gold glove for first basemen - 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, he posted 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. Overall he hit .327/.414/.454 in 444 plate appearances with 20 doubles, 8 home runs and 67 RBIs - drew 50 walks and struck out just 68 times.
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. I saw quick explosive hands and an awareness of pitch location - the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. Greg Giombarrese - Vice President - Communications for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws told me after watching him play this summer - “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, he was 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 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.”
This past summer I asked Keaton about his hitting approach 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.”
Will very likely be a lineup regular at Reading to open the 2025 season as the primary first baseman.
Leandro Pineda - 22 years old - signed as an international free agent 7/6/18 - Valencia, Venezuela - added first base to his defensive repertoire this season although most likely continues to see the majority of his time as a corner outfielder - played at Jersey Shore and Reading (promoted 7/16/24) in 2024 and posted very respectable numbers - .260/.331/.413 in 375 plate appearances with 14 doubles, 11 home runs and 52 RBIs - ended the season on the IL after requiring thumb surgery but is now healthy and ready to go again for 2025 - is on the Navegantes del Magallanes roster in the Venezuela Winter League - in addition recently got married 👏. I’ve long touted his game - 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 continually improve, works to do so. Leandro’s career “surface” 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, coupled with an ability to recognize pitches along with driving the outside pitch the other way there’s a likelihood that the numbers will be much better going forward, just saying - he can play. Is Rule 5 eligible - likely returns to Reading and will see regular playing time in both the outfield and at first base.
In addition Infielder Zach Arnold can play first base as well. I talked about him in the third basemen article.
High A Jersey Shore :
Felix Reyes and Bryson Ware are the logical choices to see time at first base. I talked about them both in the third basemen article. (see link above). In addition Catcher Kodey Shojinaga can play first base. See the article on catchers for my views on him.
Low A Clearwater/Extended Spring Training :
Raider Tello - 23 years old, turns 24 in February - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/23/24 - University of Iowa - hit .255/.345/.294 in 14 games (58 plate appearances) with two doubles and seven RBIs for the Clearwater Threshers after signing. He plays both 1B and 3B and will continue to see time at each position. He was selected to the All-Big Ten team as a third baseman - the El Monte, California, native led the Hawkeye team in hitting with a .357 batting average in 54 games in 2024. We’ve only seen him in limited action but he looks like a well schooled player who’s fundamentally sound - will likely begin 2025 as a member of the Clearwater Threshers.
Rickardo Perez - 20 years old, turns 21 in December - signed as an international free agent 2/2/21 - Valencia, Venezuela - played exclusively at first base in 2024 for the FCL Phillies (was originally signed as a catcher) and posted a .297/.368/.486 slash line in 125 plate appearances with 3 doubles, 6 home runs and 26 RBIs - he drew 11 walks and struck out 18 times. Has very good bat to ball skills and eye hand coordination - should see him in bunting drills (puts down perfect bunts with just one hand on the bat 😳). He’s got power as well - left handed hitter. Baseball talent is evident - lacks maturity and professionalism - needs to commit fully with a true investment to the organization and himself. If Ricky comes to spring camp with renewed energy and an improved outlook he can be in the mix for a Clearwater Threshers roster spot and time in the lineup - he can hit, just needs to stop positioning himself out of opportunities.
In addition Catchers Guillermo Rosario, Alirio Ferrebus and Kehden Hettiger can all play first base and will do so accordingly. See the article on catchers for my views on them.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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