1/6/26 : Breakout Visions 👀⚾️

Last season apparently “no one saw coming” the breakout years that players like Otto Kemp and Felix Reyes experienced unless of course you were paying attention to the daily grind of minor league player development prior to that and the endless amount of notes written by yours truly and others that each player had those type of capabilities. As a former PD Director once told me it’s easy to point out both successes and struggles while they occur however it’s the consistently observant eye that can project talent that can blossom further - here’s a few players ya all should “see” this coming year as each has a skillset to produce a breakout season - just sayin.

Griffin Burkholder - the now twenty year old outfielder spent the majority of last season working on strengthening his body to combat recurring hamstring issues - he played in just 34 games because of that. Griffin recently told me those issues are now behind him and that he’s looking forward to 2026 game action. The first time I saw him hit in person was in a BP session in November of 2024 - he started his session with one hand swings to establish keeping his front shoulder aligned and a consistent swing path. When he went to his full hitting approach I saw a very consistent swing synchronization - the hip rotation was in form with the upper body drive and swing path thru the ball, it was clinical to watch - this young man has been well schooled. He is very athletically built - I was truly impressed by the session - he continually squared up and drove thru the baseball - hit one off the scoreboard. It was line drive after line drive in his session - really good stuff and fun to watch. If that can now carry into games void of the injuries that have hindered him to date he will turn heads. In my opinion Griffin has the tools to eventually become a major leaguer - just needs good health and the prolonged experience of game play - this coming season could just be the start of something big.

Tegan Cain - now fully healthy after missing the entirety of the 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery incurred in August of 2024 the now twenty three year old RHP has both an unique sidearm delivery and high velocity that is projectable for success as a reliever. Has pitched in just two professional games to date - August of 2024 with the Threshers - two perfect innings - two strikeouts. He features a sinker (94-96 mph, has reached 99), change-up, slider, and curve. I saw him throw in person for the first time this past August in a side bullpen at the complex - was impressed with the release point (very unique) and ball movement (I watched from behind the plate) - talked to him afterwards and told him so. I think he’s been cleared for full participation in Spring Training and can return to game action. This fella has pitching coaches excited about what they think he may be able to accomplish.

Luke Gabrysh - he had a very solid 2025 season - his first full one as a pro but coaches believe there’s another gear he can reach - the now twenty-two year old RHP from Wilmington, Delaware is a lifelong Phillies fan who has attended many games at CBP with both family and friends. He has a five pitch mix with a high spin slider with big horizontal movement, his four seam fastball and sinker both sit consistently at 92-95 mph. Is a bulldog type competitor who gets after it, fun to watch. In 2025 Luke appeared in 21 games (19 starts) with Clearwater and Jersey Shore totaling 78.1 IP with a 3.33 ERA. Finished the year very strong - from July till his last start on 9/5 he made 10 appearances totaling 41 IP with a 2.20 ERA with 31 K’s. Starting was new to him in 2025  - in college (St. Joseph’s University) appeared in 40 games total as a back end reliever accumulating 68.2 IP. The strong finish to 2025 coupled with his off-season work make him one to watch this spring with a likely opening day slot in the Jersey Shore rotation but a roster and rotation spot with Reading not out of the question.

Raymon Marquez - had a strong first season as a pro in 2025 (FCL/Clearwater) - an outstanding June - five starts - 2.57 ERA, 21 IP, 26 K’s, 5 BB. Was excellent to finish the season - three August starts with Clearwater - 14 IP, 1.93 ERA, 18 K’s, 2 walks. The now twenty year old RHP from Mexico was brought stateside to pitch in the FCL - immediately turned heads beginning in extended spring camp - features a sinking fastball (92-94 mph, touches 96), changeup, cutter and slider. Showed a smooth delivery and consistently threw strikes - rare in the backfield play of the FCL. Didn’t miss a beat when promoted to Clearwater. Was named the organization Pitcher of the Month for June. Exciting young arm who has a 6’1” frame to add more muscle and likely velocity. Will pitch the majority of 2026 as a twenty year old - has the moxy, stuff and command to develop into a major leaguer - Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert : “ Change up is his best pitch. Marquez is very talented and possesses good stuff with great command. He is still very young and developing physically.” I think he’s got a chance to either push for a Jersey Shore rotation spot in spring camp or earn an early season promotion from Clearwater there - definitely one to watch develop.

Andrew Walling - after beginning 2025 on the IL with shoulder discomfort the now twenty six year old lefty reliever appeared in 43 games with Reading and Lehigh Valley - 47.2 IP, 3.97 ERA, 54 K’s, .204 BAA - a solid season. Reminds me a bit of former Phillie Jake Diekman in his stuff, motion and arm slot. He can double up on innings in his outings. He was signed by Mike Stauffer who told me a great story in 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 him to a contract after he went un-drafted - Andrew had pitched only 13 innings in collegiate play. He features a four seam fastball (93-97 mph), slider and cutter. A couple years ago now Lehigh Valley Pitching Coach Phil Cundari told me this about Andrew - “I don’t know what’s tougher, playing catch with him or trying to hit him. He’s got electric stuff, very strong young man who throws a bowling bowl of a cutter, varies his slider from a cutter to one that has more sweep, both have great velocity, exceptional breaking stuff. Has a strong fastball already but I believe that velocity down the road with the fastball will be sitting 96–98 mph.”Andrew has the goods to become a major leaguer. With added confidence after a solid campaign this young man is ready to break thru and perhaps earn his initial shot in the major leagues at some point in 2026.

Devin Saltiban - was a center fielder in high school but was immediately converted to middle infield (initially shortstop) after his pro signing (2023) in hopes his offensive prowess (power bat) would come more to light - he hit 17 home runs in 2024 with Clearwater in his first full pro year playing exclusively as a second baseman. Last year he got off to a really slow start with Jersey Shore (11 for 83 in April) but was heating up in May before a foul ball hit him in the groin area and forced him to the IL for a large part of the season. While rehabbing in Clearwater with the FCL Phillies on 6/28 he made his pro debut in center field and played there upon returning to Jersey Shore. He looks much more comfortable in the outfield where he can utilize his plus speed to track balls. Devin is a very pleasant young man and easy to interact with, he’s now on assignment with the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League where he is the regular center fielder and is having a strong winter season (in 30 games - 127 PA’s - 12 doubles, 5 home runs, 27 RBIs, 9 stolen bases - .333/.386/.570 slash line and .956 OPS) - he’s currently being tutored by Adelaide player-coach Nick Ward in both approach and mindset. Entering his third pro season the now twenty year old (21 on 2/14) has a projectable path forward of unleashing a power bat and providing solid defense - he likely will return to Jersey Shore to begin 2026 with those objectives in mind - items on which I think he’s ready to deliver upon.

Dante Nori - the mercurial twenty one year old had a solid 2025 campaign playing at three levels (Clearwater/Jersey Shore/Reading) in his first full pro season capping it off with a very solid fall participation in the Arizona Fall League - .308/.386/.436 slash line with an .822 OPS in 44 PA’s. I first met Dante and his dad Micah Nori at Roberts Field watching Dante in one of his initial workouts after signing - both very down to earth folks who are cordial and respectful - when they chat or correspond about baseball their love of the game shines thru - my kind of people. My very first impression of Dante in his build, carry and play was that I was watching Lenny Dykstra play again - Dante didn’t know who that was when I told him but their games are very similar - speed, defense, work counts, take walks, put the ball in play, hate to strikeout and play with unbridled passion to win. That’s what I see in Dante - his confidence in his abilities and want to succeed is top drawer. The first couple months of the this past season were a bit of a struggle but he never stopped posting up, a switch to the infamous “Torpedo” bat brought success. He had a strong month of June with Clearwater and an even better July (.324/.446/.541 and .986 OPS in 93 plate appearances) winning the organization’s co-player of the month award. Defensively he’s a very good center fielder with strong reads and routes - excellent speed and utilizes it both on the base paths and defense - 52 stolen bases was quite a feat in his first year - there’s capabilities for more, is a true burner with instincts and a desire to run. I really enjoy watching him play and getting his feedback afterwards - very advanced approach for a fella so young - I believe that this kid will not only play in the show someday but he will be a spark-plug energizer and that 2026 will be a continuation of breakout play - likely begins at Reading.

Casey Steward - struggled to find consistent control and command in 2025 with Jersey Shore as a starter the now twenty four year old RHP converted to a reliever on 8/22 - he made his last six appearances (seven IP) of the season out of bullpen, one unearned run, four hits, three walks and nine strikeouts. He has upper nineties heat which plays stronger as a reliever - it’s where he will be used in 2026 - features a four seam fastball (sits 94-96, reaches 98), slider,change up and cutter. He’s a diligent worker and battler on the mound, has a quiet demeanor but a big presence both physically (6’5”) and as a pitcher. I have always believed he’s got the talent, smarts and makeup to pitch in the major leagues - nothing has changed my mind in that regard. This young man is a winner - I think the move to the bullpen and perhaps a slot with Reading to open the year will allow him to shine this coming year. Casey’s 2025 reflections :  “This season had more downs than ups and I learned a lot, more than I would have if it had went the other way around. I learned more about my routine and what works for me and what doesn’t. What gets my mind right and what distracts it. I am happy with the way the season ended because I found what worked. This off season I’m planning on building towards being more explosive and strengthening my mobility - two areas I can really improve on.”

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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