This article is the tenth 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
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 bullpen candidates at the AA level playing for the Reading Fightins.
RH Andrew Baker - 24 years old, turns 25 in March - 2021 11th round draft selection - Chipola JC, Marianna, FL - features a fastball (95 to 99 mph, has reached 101 mph), hard slider and big break curve. Has had struggles with control, command and mix. We’ve never doubted that Andrew has big league talent, if you watch him throw that’s readily evident. It’s a matter of commanding/controlling the zone, refining and sequencing pitches and repeating mechanics, from there the talent can shine. During the 2024 season struggled initially at Reading - was transferred to Jersey Shore on 5/7/24 for a re-set - pitched very well posting a 1.59 ERA in 16 games (17 IP) with 30 K’s and 8 walks - a 0.88 WHIP. Was returned to Reading on 7//1/24 - overall on the season had a 4.65 ERA in 43 games (50.1 IP) with 73 K’s and 32 walks. Andrew is a very nice person who’s both approachable and friendly, is a good soul. Scouts know that the stuff is there albeit inconsistent - if the young man can harness the control/command component then he’s capable of being a contributor in a big league bullpen. Was a catcher in college that converted to pitching. He’s been working this off-season at Cressy Sports in Florida. Will likely compete for a role with AAA Lehigh Valley in spring camp with the fall-back being a return to Reading to begin 2025.
LH Wesley Moore - 25 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 11/9/22 - Kansas State University - opened the ‘24 season with a return to Jersey Shore (after making 25 appearances there to end 2023 - 1.91 ERA) and continued to dominate (9 appearances - 2.61 ERA). Was promoted to Reading on 5/7/24 - after three appearances was placed on the IL on 5/19/24 - returned to Jersey Shore on rehab assignment on 7/20/24 (made 3 appearances) and then activated by Reading on 7/30/24 where he finished the year making 16 appearances at the AA level - in his last nine games (9 IP) did not allow a run and only four hits while striking out seven batters. Wesley attended and played for Vauxhall High School in Vauxhall, Alberta, Canada as well as the Team Canada Junior National Team, pitched in the 18U World Cup as a teenager. He features a sinking fastball (sits in the 92 to 94 mph range) curve and changeup with the change being a plus pitch, it is a swing and miss delivery. He has repeatable mechanics and a very good speed differential with the change-up off the fastball. His release point and arm speed are aligned on all of his pitches, hides the ball, making it difficult to distinguish the various pitches out of his hand. Pitched in the Arizona Fall League appearing in 6 games (5.2 IP). Likely returns to Reading in a multi-inning role to begin 2025.
LH Andrew Walling - 25 years old -signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 - Mississippi State University - Andrew is a three pitch reliever with a fastball consistently in the 93 to 97 mph range and a sharp slider along with a cutter. Has multi inning capabilities - in 2024 began the season with Jersey Shore - in 30 games (36.1 IP) had a 1.73 ERA with 6 saves, 43 K’s and 24 walks - was promoted to Reading on 7/16/24 - pitched in 14 games (17 IP) with a 3.18 ERA 24 K’s and a brilliantly small amount of walks - three. Overall numbers for the year - an 8-0 record, 7 saves, 44 appearances, 2.19 ERA with 67 K’s and 27 walks. Likable young man whose desire to excel shines thru, can handle pressure spots in games, has baseball savvy and moxie - strong competitor with talent to pitch at upper levels and eventually the show. Reminds me a bit of former Phillie Jake Diekman. He can double up on innings in his outings. He was signed by Mike Stauffer who told me a great story how he discovered him - Andrew didn’t pitch much in college as he battled to throw strikes but Mike had seen him in a blowout game and noted the superior stuff he saw regardless of the location of his deliveries - he continued to follow him and then signed Andrew to a contract after he went un-drafted - Andrew had pitched only 13 innings in collegiate play - he’s now in a position to return to Reading as part of the 2025 opening day roster and make people continue to notice - he’s got the goods!
RH Jack Dallas - 25 years old, will be 26 on 12/18/24 - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 - Lamar University - He came to pro ball as no stranger to high pressure relief game spots as he graduated from Lamar as their all-time leader in saves and appearances. In 2024 he began the year with High A Jersey Shore - appeared in 39 games (54 IP) posting a 3.50 ERA with 55 K’s and 18 walks - was promoted to Reading on 9/10/24 - pitched in two games - three innings pitched - one hit allowed with four K’s - a 0.33 WHIP - overall numbers - 41 appearances - 5-2 record - 57 IP, 59 K’s and 18 walks - a 3.32 ERA. His fastball, a sinker, generally is in the 91 to 94 mph range and he also features a cutter, slider, curve and change up. Gets tremendous spin/movement on his cutter and curve in particular, above the big league average. The movement on those pitches makes it very difficult for hitters to square them up. Is a great competitor and shows excellent composure in high impact game situations. He reminds me a great deal of Mark Leiter Jr in build, moxie and approach. His brother Chad is a pitching prospect in the Blue Jays organization. Will very likely open the 2025 season with what should be a very strong Reading bullpen crew.
RH Gunner Mayer - 24 years old - 2019 5th round draft selection - San Joaquin JC, Stockton, CA - converted to a reliever in 2024 after being a starter during his first four seasons - spent most of this past year with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws - 41 appearances - 52.2 IP (4.10 ERA) with a 3-3 record and 4 saves in five chances - 68 K’s and 36 walks - promoted to Reading on 9/10/24 - appeared in two games - one unearned run in two innings pitched - 4 hits, no walks and 4 strikeouts. Gunner converted to pitching in junior college after primarily playing shortstop in high school - he’s developed a lively pitch mix. Raw stuff has upper level potential, command and control have been issues to conquer. The fastball sits in a range of 90 to 94 mph - also throws a change up, slider and curve. Gets scouts attention with stuff, if combining it with increased pitch-ability that provides the potential to reach the top. Will likely open 2025 as a member of the Reading bullpen, one who can throw multiple innings in his outings.
RH Mitch Neunborn - 27 years old - signed as an international free agent - 6/5/23 - born in Johannesburg, South Africa - pitched internationally in the Australian Baseball League - features three pitches, a fastball (92 to 95 mph), slider and split finger change up. Throws his splitter with a Vulcan grip between his ring and index finger, creates good deception, reduction in velocity and downward movement, will throw it often and for strikes. Began 2024 with Reading, was transferred to Jersey Shore on 6/1/24 where he became part of the starting rotation - returned to Reading on 9/12/24. At Jersey Shore he was 5-5 in 14 games (all starts) accumulating 67.2 IP and posting a 2.39 ERA with 70 K’s and 24 walks. At Reading he was 2-1 in 15 games (one start) in 23.2 IP with a 5.32 ERA - 26 K’s and 18 walks. Overall he pitched in 29 games (91.1 IP) with 96 K’s and 42 walks - a 3.15 ERA.
Mitch has also been a previous standout for the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League putting up stellar numbers out of the bullpen in the 2022-2023 season for the league champions. He has been used as both a starter and bulk reliever, his repertoire of pitches and command enable him to throw multiple innings. Mitch pitched collegiate baseball for Phillies Minor League Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert at North Iowa Community College who told me that “Mitch has a good feel for his arsenal. He has a tremendous change-up. We feel he can gain a few ticks on the fastball and be a valuable bulk reliever in the upper levels.” Likely will open the 2025 season with Reading once more.
RH Chuck King - 26 years old, turns 27 on 1/6/25 - signed as an un-drafted free agent 2/6/24 - Texas Christian University - The twenty six year old 6’6” right hander pitched collegiately at Texas Christian University from 2017 to 2021 accumulating a 16-12 record in 78 appearances (22 starts) with a 3.93 ERA in 254.1 IP. King posted 186 strikeouts and 58 walks with a 1.337 WHIP. After his time at TCU he became a Sports Science Intern with the San Diego Padres and then moved into a full time role in the organization in November of 2022 as a Performance Analyst. Chuck continued to train as a pitcher after his collegiate career ended and on 1/28/24 performed for scouts in a pro day at Driveline Baseball. He showed a slider (85-86 mph range), a splitter (85-87 mph) and a fastball (sat 96-97 mph - reached 98 mph). On 2/2/24 he signed a minor league contract with the Phillies! Chuck started 2024 with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws - he went on the IL on 6/10/24 and spent time in Clearwater at the complex with the rehab team, he was sent on rehab assignments with the FCL Phillies and Clearwater Threshers and returned to Jersey Shore on 7/23/24 - was promoted to Reading on 9/11/24 where he pitched in one game (1.1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K). His overall numbers for the season - 34 appearances (41.1 IP), 3.92 ERA, 7 holds, 2 saves in 3 chances, 45 K’s, 16 walks. Will likely open the 2025 season with Reading.
RH Carlos Francisco - 25 years old - 2019 28th round draft selection - Hillsborough CC, Tampa, FL - appeared in 41 games with Reading in 2024 accumulating 54 innings with a 5.17 ERA - 52 K’s and 32 walks. Carlos has proven to be a workhorse reliever over his career. He also pitches winter league baseball in Puerto Rico before heading to spring camp. Features a fastball (92-95 mph, reached 97), splitter (changeup) and slider, a power pitcher approach. From my perspective he’s always been a pitcher that’s intrigued me, an under the radar type that is attempting to make a path to the show by performing at a steady pace. He has a strong demeanor and work ethic and a sneaky fast heater offset by a splitter that’s got swing and miss qualities. Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert : “An interesting bullpen arm that made strides in both his strike throwing and walk prevention but also his splitter usage. It can be a very effective pitch when ahead in the count to both handed hitters. He has a unique delivery that gives him some deception advantage.” He’s spent a year and a half at Reading now, should compete for a AAA level Lehigh Valley roster spot this spring with the fall back being a return to Reading to begin the 2025 season.
RH Tommy McCollum - 25 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/20/21 - Wingate University , NC - pitched in 42 games (46 IP) for Reading in 2024 with 10 saves in 10 opportunities - 50 K’s, 26 walks. Is the definition of a strikeout pitcher with two put-away deliveries, a heavy fastball that generally sits in the 94-96 mph range but can reach upper nineties and a splitter that drops off the table. Tommy is an imposing figure on the hill at 6’5” and has an easy downward plane delivery, the baseball gets on the batter quickly and comes out of the hand with lots of movement. He’s also got a slider he will use for good measure. A big arm talent that when he controls the zone has the goods to be a big leaguer. Had some struggles in 2024 with control and command after two excellent prior seasons in regard to “surface numbers”. Has to harness the strike zone to be truly effective - when he does he’s a strikeout machine. I see a potential big league contributor - should compete for a AAA level Lehigh Valley roster spot this spring with the fall back being a return to Reading to begin the 2025 season.
RH Andrew Schultz - 27 years old - drafted in 6th round of the 2019 draft from the University of Tennessee - throws a fastball (95 to 99 mph - has reached 101 mph), slider and change up and occasional cutter. Andrew has a short arm delivery where the baseball appears to get on hitters even quicker than an already high velo output. Has had struggles with walks and pitch location over periods of his career but also has had plenty of success. Has the stuff to be a high pressure situation impact reliever and generally that’s how he’s been deployed in his career to date. Harnessing the zone and finding consistency are the two areas he needs to continue to conquer to move up the chain, the stuff makes him capable of contributing in the show. Now has completed three full seasons back in action after missing the 2021 year recovering from TJ surgery. After a rocky 2024 start he excelled from June thru August with Reading (minus a one game exception when he was tagged for five runs in 1/3 of an inning) posting a 1.88 ERA in 24 games and 24 IP with 30 K’s. It’s that kind of stretch that shows the talent is there - big arms aren’t easy to find. He should compete for a AAA level Lehigh Valley roster spot this spring with the fall back being a return to Reading to begin the 2025 season.
RH Daniel Harper - 25 years old - 2022 17th round draft selection - University of Kentucky - pitched at two levels in 2024 - began the year with Jersey Shore - promoted to Reading on 6/25/24 - appeared in a total of 44 games (51 IP) posting a 2.82 ERA with 61 K’s and 20 walks. Daniel’s fastball ranges from 92 to 95 mph - it has touched 98. He was a FB/Cutter closer at Kentucky, as a pro he’s incorporated a couple more pitches. Phillies Minor League Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert told me this summer “Harper is a big arm that possesses a live fastball and hard slider. We leaned into a sinker that can show something going in to right handed hitters to open up options with the four seamer up and slider away. Along with cleaning up some ways he rotates to the plate, Harp was finally healthy and that helped his ability to bounce back from outing to outing and have his best stuff.” Daniel told me this summer that he uses a four pitch mix - “When I came to the Phillies in ‘22, I only threw a four seam and a cutter. Since then, I have added a slider as well as a sinker that opened new pitch sequences and parts of the zone that I wasn’t able to throw to before. I’m primarily throwing my four seamer, sinker, and slider but also mix in the cutter more when the situation calls for it. We always get post game reports so seeing 98 mph on there a couple of times has been awesome. In games, I try not to look at the radar gun as I just want to focus on getting the batter out. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that every now and then I will take a peak to see what I’m working with for that day.” In my opinion there are a couple “under the radar” relievers who might step up next season and potentially make contributions to the big club - I think Daniel’s on that list. Likely begins the 2025 season in the closer role for Reading.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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