This article is the twelfth 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
The eighth was on lower level starting pitchers - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/12-1-24-system-review-starting-pitchers-lower-levels. The ninth was on relievers projected at the AAA level - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/12-3-24-system-review-relief-pitchers-aaa-lehigh-valley. The tenth was on relievers projected at the AA level - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/12-4-24-system-review-relief-pitchers-aa-reading. The eleventh was on relievers possibly opening at Jersey Shore - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/12-7-24-system-review-relief-pitchers-high-a-jersey-shore
Evaluating pitchers generally falls into basically four categories - “Stuff -velocity/spin/etc”, deception, mechanics (ability to repeat) and control/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 some potential bullpen candidates at the Low A/FCL level playing for the Clearwater Threshers or FCL Phillies - part one of two.
Low A Clearwater/Extended Spring Training :
RH Orlando Gonzalez - 22 years old - signed as an international free agent 7/29/23 - Tepatitlan, JA, Mexico - began the 2024 season in the Dominican Summer League making a two inning one game appearance for the Phillies Red team. Was promoted stateside on 6/10/24 - pitched in six games (three starts) for the FCL Phillies - 3-0, 1.32 ERA, 27.1 IP, 23 K’s, 20 BB. Promoted to Clearwater Threshers on 8/9/24 - appeared in six games with the Threshers (three starts) posting a 2.63 ERA in 13.2 IP with 11 K’s and 6 walks. He was also pitching in the Mexican Pacific Winter League and appeared in six games totaling five innings pitched. Orlando features a four seamer and sinker (both in the 90 to 94 mph range), slider and change-up. He provides capabilities as a starter, bulk reliever or multi inning reliever. Likely in the mix to open the 2025 season with the Threshers, perhaps even Jersey Shore.
RH Luis Avila - 21 years old - signed as an international free agent 2/23/23 - Turmero, Venezuela - was promoted stateside from the Dominican Academy on 4/1/24 - appeared in 9 games (11 IP) for the FCL Phillies recording a 5.73 ERA with 12 K’s and 8 walks earning saves in 4 of 5 opportunities. He was promoted to Clearwater on 6/11/24 and pitched very well - in 19 games (26.1 IP) posted a sparkling 0.68 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 30 K’s and 13 walks saving three games in three chances. He features a 93 to 97 mph fastball, slider, cutter and change-up but predominantly uses his fastball and slider in that order. When I watched him in FCL games it was noticeable that he had great confidence on the mound and from his teammates that he could shut down rallies and close games out. Luis also showed that he can pitch multiple innings (went two or more innings in seven of his games and into a second inning of work in four more). He was in this fall’s High Performance Camp - with added strength could potentially add even more zip to an already mid to upper nineties heater. He won’t turn 22 till the end of May - could open the year as the Threshers closer, not out of the realm of possibility that he breaks spring camp a notch higher with Jersey Shore.
RH Titan Hayes - 23 years old - 2024 11th round draft selection - Austin Peay State University - appeared in six games with the 2024 Clearwater Threshers after signing pitching seven innings with a 3.86 ERA with 5 K’s and 5 walks. He’s a power reliever featuring a four seam fastball in the 94 to 99 mph range, slider and cutter. Titan pitched for the Williamsport CrossCutters in the 2023 MLB draft league and was pitching for Chatham in the 2024 Cape Code League when drafted. He was in Fall High Performance Camp - command/control issues flashed in his appearances with the Threshers but I think he’s got better command and control over his pitches than shown - I’ve chatted briefly with him, he’s got great energy, want to and is anxious to compete and show what he can do. Should be a fun one to watch - back end of game reliever - likely opens 2025 with the Threshers.
LH AJ Wilson - 23 years old, will be 24 in December - 2024 12th round draft selection - UNC Charlotte - appeared in five games after signing for the 2024 Clearwater Theshers posting a 3.86 ERA in seven innings pitched with 11 K’s and 7 walks. He throws from a three quarter arm slot. A.J. told me that he features a fastball and sweeper and that the sweeper is his best pitch, throws it often. Initial velocity reads in the five appearances reflect the fastball in the 89 to 92 mph range with the sweeper the only used offset pitch. He was a strike thrower in college - played in five seasons, first two with East Carolina and last three at UNC Charlotte. He participated in Fall High Performance Camp. Likely returns to Clearwater to open the 2025 season.
RH Eli Trop - 21 years old - 2024 16th round draft selection - University of Pennsylvania - pitched in four games after signing for the 2024 Clearwater Theshers posting a 5.79 ERA in 4.2 IP with 5 K’s and one walk. He was a reliever throughout his entire three year collegiate career and had entered the transfer portal to play his senior year for the University of Texas before deciding instead to sign with the Phillies. He was pitching for the Trenton Thunder in the MLB Draft League when selected. In his first four pro appearances he showed a sinker (90-92 mph), change-up and curve. Eli participated in Fall High Performance Camp. Will compete in ST for an opening day roster spot with the Clearwater Threshers.
LH Kleyderve Andrade - 21 years old, will be 22 in December - signed as an international free agent 5/7/22 - Valencia, Venezuela - came stateside on 4/1/24 to pitch for the FCL Phillies after spending his first two seasons in the DSL. Appeared in 14 games with the FCL Phillies (2-2 record, 3.38 ERA in 21.1 IP with 31 K’s and 10 walks). He was promoted to the Clearwater Threshers on 8/21/24 and pitched in four games (5 IP, 9.00 ERA, 7 K’s, 3 BB). Will compete in ST for an opening day roster spot with the Clearwater Threshers.
RH Kyler Carmack - 21 years old, turns 22 in January - 2024 20th round draft selection - University of Mississippi - appeared in three games after signing for the 2024 Clearwater Theshers posting a 9.82 ERA in 3.2 IP with 5 K’s and 4 walks. Has a pitch mix of a fastball that sits 92 to 94 mph - can touch 95/96 plus a changeup, cutter and a slider that is an out maker. He pitched for Arkansas State for one season before transferring to Ole Miss where he pitched in 2024. He participated in Fall High Performance Camp. Will compete in ST for an opening day roster spot with the Clearwater Threshers.
RH Adilson Peralta - 21 years old - signed as an international free agent 11/16/21 - Moca, Dominican Republic - came stateside on 4/1/24 after pitching his first two seasons in the DSL - appeared in 16 games with the FCL Phillies (31.2 IP) posting a 4.26 ERA with 44 K’s and 20 walks. He showed a fastball (92-95 mph),slider and change-up as deliveries. Was a starter while in the Dominican - pitched in a bulk relief role in the FCL - big frame, lean build at 6’4” - decent velocity and movement - solid mechanics. Could return to the FCL as a starter for 2025.
RH Alexis De La Cruz - 20 years old signed as an international free agent 1/15/23 - Sosua, Dominican Republic - pitched in 12 FCL games in 2024 (one start) posting a 8.84 ERA in 18.1 IP with 10 K’s and 19 walks - battled finding the zone. Is a big arm pitcher with a riding fastball that can reach mid to upper nineties and has a large frame (6’6”). He also throws a slider, curve and change-up. Can be dominant with his “stuff” but is a work in progress in regard to repeatable mechanics, release point and control of his pitches. Might return for a second year on the backfields in 2025 with the FCL Phillies.
LH Camron Hill - 21 years old - 2024 8th round draft selection - Georgia Tech University - did not pitch in an official game after signing, instead he pitched a couple innings in the unofficial “Bridge League” and worked at the complex on mechanics, strength and conditioning. Was a participant in Fall High Performance Camp. Started eleven of fifty-five appearances as a collegian - was dominant in the 2023 Cape Code League posting aleague-best 1.09 ERA among qualified pitchers, while striking out 45 over 33 innings. Has a tall frame at 6’6” - was a participant in Fall High Performance Camp - generally sits in the low-90s with his fastball, touches mid nineties. Also features a slider and change-up. I have yet to see him throw in person - likely competes for an 2025 opening day roster spot with the Clearwater Threshers in spring training camp.
RH Ryan Degges - 22 years old - 2024 17th round draft selection - UNC Charlotte - did not pitch in an official game after signing instead he pitched a couple innings in the unofficial “Bridge League” and worked at the complex on mechanics, strength and conditioning. Was a participant in Fall High Performance Camp. Transferred to Charlotte from Columbia State where he was NJCAA First Team All-Academic. Attended the four-time HS state champion Christian Academy of Knoxville. He was a two way player in Junior College - notes say that he features a mid nineties four seam fastball that touches upper nineties from a lower slot release point and a sweeper, will occasionally show a change-up. Will compete in spring camp for a 2025 opening day roster spot with the Clearwater Threshers.
RH Ryan Dromboski - 21 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/24 - University of Pennsylvania - did not pitch in an official game after signing instead he pitched a couple innings in the unofficial “Bridge League” and worked at the complex on mechanics, strength and conditioning. He was a participant in Fall High Performance Camp. He is generally a two pitch hurler - sinker sits in the low to mid -90s which he couples with a slider. He was a starter in his three years in college - in 33 appearances made 26 starts, was the Ivy League pitcher of the year in 2023 - pitched for Trenton in the 2023 MLB Draft League and had made three starts in the 2024 Cape Code League before he signed with the Phillies. He grew up a fan of the Phillies in nearby Columbus, N.J. while attending high school at Northern Burlington County, signing with his hometown club was a dream come true. He will compete in 2025 ST camp for an opening day role with the Clearwater Threshers - perhaps as a starter or bulk reliever. His enthusiasm shines thru every time we see him, is gonna be fun to watch.
LH Erik Ritchie - 21 years old - 2024 19th round draft selection - East Carolina University - did not pitch in an official game after signing instead he worked at the complex on mechanics, strength and conditioning. He was a participant in Fall High Performance Camp. I chatted with Erik briefly in Fall Camp - he’s a Philly local from Telford, PA who grew up a Phillies fan - attended Souderton High School where he was a member of a PIAA state championship team. He made 50 appearances in college, four starts and totaled 53 IP with 67 K’s and 44 walks - posted a 5.94 ERA. He features a big spin curve ball and low nineties fastball - could spend some time in extended spring camp however will also get an opportunity to earn a Clearwater Threshers 2025 opening day roster spot in spring camp.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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