This article is the eighth of a series on Phillies minor league players - 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. The third article was on first baseman - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-17-24-system-review-first-basemen. The fourth was on middle infielders - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-22-24-system-review-middle-infielders - the fifth on center fielders - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-24-24-system-review-center-fielders - the sixth on corner outfielders - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-27-24-system-review-corner-outfielders. The seventh was on upper level starting pitchers - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-29-24-system-review-starting-pitchers-upper-levels
Evaluating pitchers generally falls into basically four categories - “Stuff -velocity/spin/etc”, deception, mechanics (ability to repeat) and command. It’s rare to find a hurler that excels in all four “out of the box”, it’s easiest to recognize “stuff” - that’s also the variable that can’t be taught - mechanics, deception and command can help make stuff better but without it the work is much more difficult. That’s not to say that a pitcher who doesn’t have elite stuff can’t develop into a major leaguer, they can - just have to excel in the three other variables.
The off-season roster build is in progress - I continue with a look (position by position) at minor league players and where they might be assigned for 2025 - next up are potential starting pitcher candidates at the lower levels.
High A Jersey Shore :
RH Alex McFarlane - 23 years old, turns 24 in June - 2022 4th round draft selection - University of Miami - spent the entire 2024 season with the rehab team at Carpenter Complex in Clearwater working back from TJ surgery - Alex is a very pleasant person, he’s always one to acknowledge you and say hello and is seemingly upbeat each and every day. He’s a very hard worker and is driven to excel. I asked Minor League Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert about Alex going into the 2025 season and he said this “We look for Alex to bounce back from injury in a big way. He’s a dynamic athletic with big stuff. He’s worked extremely hard during rehab, not only to get healthy but come out a better version of himself. We are really excited for him this coming season!” He seems on target to being able to compete in 2025 spring training for a roster position - threw a couple live BP’s to end the 2024 rehab process and was a full participant in fall High Performance Camp. In a spotlight article I wrote about him on 11/8/24 (link - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-8-24-spotlight-alex-mcfarlane ) he told me his repertoire remains a fastball, sinker, slider and splitter and that his outlook for 2025 is “to play and work to the best of my ability. The entire rehab staff stood out this past year in helping me get through the TJ process.”
Before his injury and subsequent surgery/rehab he had worked on further developing his sinker, when I watched bullpen sessions in 2023 spring camp it was a pitch that was turning heads with the movement, velocity and shape it was being delivered with. The pitch when added to his other deliveries vaulted him into a starting pitcher projection - he was primarily a reliever in college - in his MLB profile it’s noted that “The power stuff is plenty good enough, starting with a fastball that was up to 101 mph in college, though command of it was spotty. His lower arm slot has been better suited for his two-seamer, and he proved adept at getting ground-ball outs during his first full season. He backs the heater up with an upper-80s slider that flashes plus, and he worked on a split-changeup as he tried to find a complete starter's arsenal.” In my humble opinion I think the stuff is still big league projectable as a starter - if he’s ready to go out of the spring training gate I envision him as a key part of the 2025 Jersey Shore opening day rotation.
LH Mavis Graves - 21 years old - 2022 6th round draft selection - Eastside HS, Taylors, SC - just turned 21 years of age on 11/20/24 - pitched the entire 2024 season with the Clearwater Threshers - had a very good year - 7-6 record in 18 appearances (16 starts) totaling 84 IP with a 3.64 ERA, 117 K’s and 36 walks. He more than doubled the prior years inning output when he pitched in the FCL. At 6’6” he’s got the frame to continue to add strength - was in fall High Performance Camp to do so. It would be a mistake to not envision him as a projectable big league starter. Phillies Minor League Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert gave me the breakdown on his pitch repertoire earlier this summer - “a five pitch mix - four seam fastball, two seamer/sinker, a cutter that’s basically a slider but we call it a cutter for him since it’s from a higher slot and we want him to throw it hard. A curve ball that is more of a sweeper,a slider with depth and a very good change up. Fastballs will be 91-94 mph, cutter is mid 80’s, low 80’s curve and low to mid 80’s change up.”
Coach Hergert also said that “I still remember sitting down with Brian Barber after we drafted him and he was very excited about what we could do with him. He was a tall, skinny lefty that didn’t really use his lower half much. Mavis has been one of the hardest workers in our offseason High Performance camps - a lot of credit goes to our strength coaches and trainers for continuing to develop his body. He has also worked really hard at adding strength since we drafted him. He’s worked diligently on his delivery, understanding how he moves and how he can organize his lower half to get the ball over the plate. Attacking the strike zone has been a huge factor to his success as well as getting the ball to his glove side, especially vs right handed hitters. Another big step in his development is command of his secondary pitches in knowing how to land them for strikes and when to get chase. He’s been with pitching coach Gustavo Armas for two seasons now and Gus has done a great job of keeping him on top of his routines and continuing to teach him his craft.” In my view he’s ready to bump up a notch to Jersey Shore out of spring training camp as part of their rotation.
RH Casey Steward - 23 years old - 2023 19th round draft selection - Washburn University - Topeka, KS - posted an 8-5 record in 22 appearances (20 starts) with Clearwater (12 appearances) and Jersey Shore (promoted 6/27/24 - made 10 starts). Had an overall 3.42 ERA (102.2 IP) with 101 K’s and 50 walks - 50.2 IP at CW (3.38 ERA) and 52 at Jersey Shore. Very steady performance throughout the year at two levels. Big frame (6’5”, 260) who’s very well built, was in the most recent High Performance Camp. Casey features a four seam fastball (92-96 mph),slider,change up and cutter. He’s also noted as a diligent worker and battler on the mound - not afraid to pitch inside or dust a hitter when needed. Will likely be in the mix in spring camp for a Reading roster spot but since he has only made ten High A level starts the conservative approach would be a return to Jersey Shore as part of the 2025 opening rotation.
RH Luke Russo - 23 years old, turns 24 in February - 2023 6th round draft selection - Eastern Michigan University - opened the 2024 season as part of the Clearwater Threshers rotation - promoted to Jersey Shore 7/16/24 - made 15 appearances (14 starts) with Clearwater - 5.13 ERA in 66.2 IP, 88 K’s, 26 walks and 7 appearances (6 starts) with Jersey Shore - 2.86 ERA in 34.2 IP with 37 K’s and 15 walks - overall pitched 101.1 innings in his first full pro season - 4.35 ERA with 125 K’s and 41 walks. We first met Luke at Carpenter Complex shortly after he signed, due to a big collegiate workload that year he didn’t pitch in a pro game but rather did focused work at the complex on conditioning and mechanics. He’s a big fella at 6’4” - strong build - he will use a full mix of pitches and often pitch “backwards” leading with his slider followed by a sinker and change up, also has a four seamer (90-94 mph) and curve ball. Likely returns to Jersey Shore as part of the 2025 opening day rotation.
RH Braydon Tucker - 25 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/19/23 - Lipscomb University - had a very steady year with really good numbers in 2024 with both Clearwater and Jersey Shore (promoted 7/16/24) totaling 27 games (18 starts) and posting a 9-4 record in 106 IP with a 2.97 ERA, 104 K’s and just 26 walks. Had a 2.94 ERA in 15 games (64.1 IP) as a Thresher and a 3.02 ERA in 8 games (41.2 IP) as a BlueClaw. He spent the first three years of his collegiate career at the University of Indiana before finishing at Lipscomb. He’s from Terre Haute, Indiana and attended Northview High School. Throws from a three quarter arm slot and his sinker generally sits 90-93 mph, also has a split finger change up, curve and slider. Gets after it, competes, throws strikes with strong command/control and hides the ball well with his delivery. Should be in the mix in ST camp for a spot with Reading, since only made 8 starts with JS likely returns there to begin 2025.
RH Micah Ottenbreit - 21 years old, turns 22 in May - 2021 4th round draft selection - Trenton HS, Trenton, MI - in his first full season after rehabbing from TJ surgery (missed most of the 2022 and 2023 seasons - only pitched a total of 8 innings) Micah started 19 games (94 IP) in 2024 with the Clearwater Threshers posting a 4.88 ERA in 94 IP with 99 K’s and 41 walks. He’s shown a general four pitch mix with a sinker that is in the 90-95 mph range, a curve, changeup and slider - will throw a four seamer on occasion. Micah is a well taught pitcher, has great mechanics which he repeats with seeming ease along with two plus deliveries (sinker & a high spin curve - comes out of his hand like a slurve - big break that misses bats). He’s an angular hurler at 6’4” who sequences his pitches well - I really like his game and demeanor - a Nola like calm with the same type of competitive fire that Aaron has. Should bump up to Jersey Shore out of spring camp as part of the High A level rotation.
Low A Clearwater/Extended Spring Training :
RH Danyony Pulido - 22 years old - signed as an international free agent 2/2/21 - Caracas, Venezuela - 2024 was his first season stateside after pitching three years in the DSL - he made 18 appearances (15 starts) posting a 3.72 ERA in 65.1 IP with 77 K’s and 41 walks. Danyony began the year with the FCL Phillies making 8 appearances (7 starts) before bumping up to the Clearwater Threshers on 7/4/24 where he made 10 appearances (8 starts) amassing 33.2 IP posting a 2.94 ERA with 38 K’s and 23 walks. He also started and pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in the playoffs for the Threshers. He features a four seamer (93-97 mph), slider, curve, change up and an infrequently used cutter. He relies primarily on his fastball and slider. I think in ST he’s in the mix to bump up a notch but given only making 8 starts with the Threshers it’s likely he begins the 2025 season in Clearwater as a member of the opening day rotation.
LH Angel Liranzo - 18 years old - signed as an international free agent - 1/15/23 - Sanchez, Dominican Republic - came stateside on 5/10/24 but went to work with the rehab team at the complex recovering from a back ailment, he spent the entire summer there, we saw him in a couple live BP sessions in August - he was activated and placed on the Clearwater Threshers roster on 8/31/24 and made his stateside debut on 8/30/24 in Fort Myers going 2.1 innings allowing one run on one hit and three walks. Liranzo had caught our eye (actually Matt Winkelman of Phillies Minor Thoughts was the first to notice) by his 2023 performances in the DSL where he posted a sparkling 0.89 ERA going 5-0 in 10 appearances (4 starts) totaling 30.1 IP with 30 K’s and just 8 walks - a stellar 0.79 WHIP as a 16 year old 😳. Minor league pitching coordinator Travis Hergert told me that summer that Liranzo has a “Ranger Suarez type delivery and build. Fills up the strike zone with three to four pitches. Change up is solid. Exciting young arm.” He currently features a low nineties sinker, four seamer, a really good change up and hard slider - is a strike thrower who competes each and every pitch - athletic with an easy motion - is just a teenager but could open the season as part of the Threshers rotation however due to his very limited innings to date it may be prudent that he pitches for the FCL Phillies - very promising left hander - won’t turn nineteen till 8/5/25.
RH Enrique Segura - 19 years old, turns 20 on 12/19/24 - signed as an international free agent 1/15/22 - San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic - opened the 2024 season with the FCL Phillies and made six starts (32.1 IP) posting a 3.90 ERA with 31 K’s and 12 walks - was promoted to Clearwater on 6/11/24 and made 10 appearances (nine starts) totaling 42.2 IP - had some struggles with command/control and numbers weren’t great however he’s a resilient young man who will use the experience as a learning one. Enrique was back in Clearwater this fall as part of the High Performance Camp - he’s slender and adding “good weight” will certainly help him going forward. Has good stuff and a delivery that’s akin to Aaron Nola. At 6-foot-3 he features a 92-94 mph sinking fastball, a pitch that is a ground ball maker - his slider has good break and depth - is an out pitch. In addition he throws a curve and change up. Is likely part of the opening day Threshers rotation - his struggles last year were in later innings of his outings losing focused command/control, he’s an emotional young man on the bump - when he reels in the composure and extends into games further he’s capable of being dominant as we’ve seen on the backfields. Looking forward to seeing what he can do in 2025.
RH Sam Highfill - 24 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/23/24 - North Carolina State University - made three appearances (one start) after signing as a member of the Clearwater Threshers - totaled seven innings - 10 K’s & 5 walks, also started a playoff game - pitched four innings allowing one run on two hits. Was a starter in college making 17 starts his senior season totaling 87 IP. Showed a four seamer (90 to 92 mph), sinker, slider, change up and cutter. Likely will compete for an opening day starting rotation role with the Threshers in 2025 spring camp else a bulk reliever role.
RH Reese Dutton - 23 years old, turns 24 in May - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/26/24 - University of Kansas - pitched in two regular season games with the Clearwater Threshers after signing (6 IP, 0 R, 6 K’s, 2 H, 1 BB) and in a playoff game on 9/10/24 in which he threw 3.2 innings (1 unearned R, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s) - pitches backwards with a changeup, slider, cutter, curve and sinker (high 80’s to low 90’s) combination. He was 7-5 with a 3.78 ERA in 15 starts for Kansas in 2024 (85.2 IP) with 82 K’s and 33 walks. He pitched for the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2023 where he posted a 10-3 record in 15 starts (90.1 IP) with 102 strikeouts and 30 walks. He had pitched for Heartland Community College prior to that. Will compete for a 2025 rotation spot with Clearwater in spring camp else a bulk reliever role.
RH Ryan Dromboski - 21 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/24 - University of Pennsylvania - did not appear in a pro game after signing. Ryan played collegiately the past three seasons as a starting pitcher and earned honorable mention All-Ivy league in 2024. He’s from Columbus, New Jersey and went to high school at Northern Burlington County. In his three collegiate seasons at Penn he was 10-8 with a 5.24 ERA in 33 appearances (26 starts) totaling 139 IP with 174 strikeouts and 67 walks. He told me he’s a sinker/slider pitcher. Ryan also pitched for the 2024 Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the Cape Cod League where he posted a 1.64 ERA in four appearances (three starts) in 11 IP with 13 K’s. He’s a very pleasant young man, the excitement and enthusiasm of becoming a Phillies is evident. He was at Fall High Performance Camp, likely in the mix in 2025 spring training camp for a starting rotation role with Clearwater or bulk relief else might begin the year in extended spring since has not been in game action yet.
RH Marcus Morgan - 21 years old, turns 22 on 12/27/24 - 2024 9th round draft selection - University of Iowa - Marcus did not pitch in an official pro game in 2024 after he signed, instead he worked at the complex strengthening mechanics and working on release point. He also participated in Fall High Performance Camp. I haven’t seen him throw in person yet but according to reports I’ve read he throws five different pitches, including a fastball that reaches mid nineties with armside run and carry. His best offering is reportedly his slider, also throws a cutter, changeup and curve. He’s also noted for his athleticism and a sound delivery but a lack of control/command - with the Phillies past success of unlocking “big arms” with control issues it’s why eventually seeing Marcus pitch is intriguing. Baseball America in their draft article said that he has “high spin rates across his pitch mix, but needs to take big steps forward with his control to become effective on a consistent basis and give himself a chance to start as a pro.” He is going be afforded that chance as a starter and seems likely to open 2025 as part of the Clearwater rotation.
RH Pedro Reyes - 22 years old - signed as an international free agent 1/4/20 - Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico - had a very solid first season stateside in 2024 pitching for the FCL Phillies (11 games - 6 starts - 2.89 ERA in 46.2 IP) and the Clearwater Threshers (promoted 8/1/24 - 5 games - 3 starts - 3.00 ERA in 18 IP) with a combined 64.2 IP, 45 K’s, 21 BB and a 2.92 ERA. He had previously pitched three seasons in the DSL (28 games - 22 starts - 2.19 ERA - 90.1 IP - 71 K’s, 26 walks). Pedro features a sinker and four seamer (90-94 mph), change up, slider and curve. Can both start and pitch bulk relief - will likely be in one of those roles with the 2025 opening day Threshers.
LH Juan Amarante - 20 years old, turns 21 in April - signed as an international free agent 1/28/22 - Valencia, Venezuela - made his stateside debut in 2024 after pitching the previous two seasons in the DSL - made 15 appearances (6 starts) with the FCL Phillies - 3.38 ERA in 45.1 IP with 58 K’s and 24 walks, was promoted to the Clearwater Threshers on 6/27/24 making 7 appearances (5 starts) with a 6.51 ERA in 27.2 IP with 28 K’s and 13 walks. Overall he pitched in 22 games (11 starts) totaling 73 IP with 86 K’s and 37 walks. He has a sinker and four seamer (90 to 93 mph), big break curve, change-up and slider. Can both start and pitch bulk relief - will compete for one of those roles with the 2025 opening day Threshers.
RH Giuseppe Velasquez - 21 years old, turns 22 in April - signed as an international free agent - 7/2/19 - Porlamar, Venezuela - missed the entire 2024 season after incurring TJ surgery and a follow up procedure - has been working with the rehab team at the Complex in Clearwater. The arsenal includes a four seam fastball (90 to 93 mph), big time spin curve ball (76 to 79 mph - 2600 to 2900 rpm’s - well above big league standard), changeup and sinker. He gets great spin and movement on all four deliveries. Hopefully completes his rehab work in the spring and gets time on the hill in extended spring - when he’s ready to go will provide a strong option as a starter in the Threshers rotation which is where he left off in 2023.
RH Maxwell Hernandez - 21 years old, turns 22 in May - signed as an international free agent - 10/26/21 - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - after two seasons in the DSL came stateside in 2024 and pitched in 12 games (8 starts) for the FCL Phillies - 40 IP, 4.95 ERA, 30 K’s, 25 walks - throws a fastball in the 90 to 94 mph range with a slider, change-up and cutter. Likely competes in the spring for a starter or bulk reliever role with the 2025 Threshers.
RH Brad Pacheco - 19 years old, turns 20 in June - signed as an international free agent - 5/18/23 - Bejuma, Venezuela - mid-90s fastball - very athletic - did not pitch in 2023 - the early part of 2024 was spent in Clearwater working with the rehab team. He’s got a mid nineties fastball with ability to go higher - secondaries are a change up, slider and curve. Could be a hidden gem. Was activated with the DSL Phillies Red team on 7/19/24 - made five starts in 2024 - posted a 1.59 ERA in 17 IP with 23 K’s and only 3 walks - a 0.82 WHIP - his first action as a pro. Comments from Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert - “Tons of arm speed, live, riding fastball. Has feel for the change up and has made strides with his slider. He’s a very exciting prospect and our academy staff has done a nice job getting him back on the field after some offseason health setbacks.” He should come stateside in 2025 - likely to pitch in extended spring training and as a starter for the FCL Phillies.
LH Wilmer Blanco - 20 years old, turns 21 in February - signed as an international free agent - 12/14/21 - Maracay, Venezuela - came stateside in 2024 after pitching the previous two seasons in the DSL - pitched in 12 games (10 starts) for the FCL Phillies totaling 47 IP with a 6.70 ERA - 49 K’s, 29 walks - features a fastball (90-94 mph), change-up, slider and curve. Likely targeted for a second FCL season in 2025.
RH Luis Gonzalez - 19 years old - signed as an international free agent - 1/15/22 - Barquisimeto, Venezuela - was a DSL all-star in 2023 after posting a 1.99 ERA in 49.2 IP - came stateside in 2024 and pitched in 10 games (2 starts) for the FCL Phillies recording a 4.13 ERA in 32.2 IP with 34 K’s and 9 walks - is a strike thrower - fastball range is 90 to 93 mph, also throws a slider, change up and cutter. Seems like a prime candidate to return to the FCL, this time as a starter.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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