Sixth and final in a series on Phillies minor leaguers who might make major league debuts in 2022. If ya missed the first five articles here are links
Starters :
RH Jack Perkins - 24 years old - 2021 was the first season he hurled over 100 innings as he made 23 game appearances ( 20 starts ) between Jersey Shore, Reading and Lehigh Valley. The month of July was his best posting a 3.67 ERA in five games ( 27 IP ) with a 1.37 WHIP. Jack has a full arsenal of pitches - FB, Curve, Slider, Change-up. FB generally in the 91-93 range with the secondaries capable of swings and misses, he won’t beat himself, throws strikes and primarily pitches to contact. In our view he should compete in spring camp for a rotation role with Lehigh Valley, providing a potential call up option to the Phillies if needed.
RH Griff McGarry - 22 years old - we saw Griff pitch a couple of times in Fall Instructs after he pitched in eight games with Clearwater and Jersey Shore ( 24 1/3 IP - 2.96 ERA - 43 K’s - 14 walks ). The fastball is a power pitch in the 93-97 ( sinker & four seamer ) range with late life, also throws a change-up, curve and slider. Can be a quick riser, the stuff appears to be ready for upper levels. It’s a matter of experience, command and control. Pitched in pressure spots in college ( Virginia ) so definitely knows how to rise to the moment. He could break camp with AA Reading as part of the rotation else a return to Jersey Shore to start would be in order to build up innings - with continued success it won’t be long to get to the top of the mountain.
LH Josh Hendrickson - 24 years old - Josh had a very strong 2021 campaign, he began the year with Jersey Shore and was promoted to Reading on June 8th. Ended the year with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs after being promoted on September 14th. He accumulated 95 2/3 IP and an overall 3.57 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. He’s the epitome of a “crafty left hander” - doesn’t have the high velo offerings ( FB generally 90-93 ) but knows how to pitch and generally has both strong control and command and perhaps the best change up in the system. It’s got downward movement and he throws it out of the same arm slot as his other deliveries, great deception. Josh should come into spring training as a contender for a rotation spot with AAA Lehigh Valley.
RH Adam Leverett - 23 years old - had a very solid ‘21 season accumulating 85 1/3 innings at three levels ( Jersey Shore, Reading & Lehigh Valley ). He’s a command and control pitcher who can also produce strikeouts with a four pitch mix. Fastball generally sits in the 90-93 range and secondaries have good spin and movement, another hurler with a top notch change up. He attacks hitters with minimal free passes, great competitor. We envision Adam either breaking camp with Reading or Lehigh Valley as a rotation member, had only eight starts at Reading in 2021 so there’s merit to gaining more experience at the AA level.
LH Ethan Lindow - 23 years old - broke ‘21 camp with Reading but struggled to find consistency and was transferred to Jersey Shore on June 8th where he put up decent numbers - 3.21 ERA in 12 games ( 67 1/3 IP ). He had an outstanding month of July posting a 1.55 ERA in 29 IP with 24 K’s and only 5 walks - didn’t yield a run in his last three July starts ( 18 IP ). Went on the injured list on August 20th with elbow issues and finished the year with the rehab team during Fall Instructs in Clearwater. When he’s going well Ethan is the ultimate control and command hurler who has strikeout stuff, very strong secondary offerings. Velocity generally sits lower nineties- the movement on his deliveries is excellent. Was the winner of the 2019 Paul Owens Award when he posted a 2.52 ERA in 110 2/3 IP at the A level of play. We believe he will be part of the Reading rotation out of spring training camp once again with much better results this time around.
RH Cristian Hernandez - 21 years old - Cristian had a strong 2021 season as part of the low A Threshers rotation. He recorded 94 K’s in 75 2/3 IP ( 11.18 K/9 ) and posted a 3.57 ERA in 20 games. He has a three pitch mix with the fastball sitting 94-95 and a decent curve and changeup. He will pitch the majority of the coming season as a 21 year old - logical next step would be High A Jersey Shore but his stuff can play up, we can see a path to Reading at some point during the summer and if things take off he puts himself in the running for big league possibilities if needs arise.
That’s a wrap for the series. If interested on my thoughts on other players I have profiled every player who played stateside in the Phillies minor league system in 2021 ( that was still with the club as of November ) in my sixth annual minor league digest - The Comeback Season. It can be purchased on Amazon - here’s the link : https://www.amazon.com/Comeback-Season-Annual-Phillies-League/dp/B09MK7XFCG
Just an FYI - the Phillies will hold a minor league mini camp in mid February as a prelude to minor league spring training. It will coincide with big league camp if they settle their lockout issues else the minor leaguers invited will have the complex all to themselves.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
