10/13/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Pitchers - Part One

This Phillies off-season I will continue the series  “Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes” with profiles presented in groupings by defensive positions for the 175 players who were still part of the minor league player development program at season’s end. The notes will reflect statistics, my thoughts on each player and input from them and others as I have it. They are presented in order by position and then alphabet in groupings of five players per article. Starting with pitchers (100) here is part one highlighting the following :

Juan Amarante

Kleyderve Andrade

Erubiel Armenta

Eligio Arias

Luis Avila

LH Juan Amarante - 21 years old (22 on 4/14/26)- signed as international free agent 1/28/22 - Valencia, Venezuela

2025 Stats :  posted an overall ERA of 4.34 with the FCL Phillies & Clearwater - 18 games - 17 starts - 76.2 IP (career high). Struck out 74 batters, walked 31 - strike throwing percentage of 63 %. Was promoted to Clearwater on 6/5/25 - made 13 appearances (12 starts) with the Threshers - 54.2 IP, 4.45 ERA, 49 K’s, 23 BB. Had an outstanding month of May in the FCL - 2.65 ERA - 4 starts (17 IP) with 18 K’s & 6 walks.

2025 Notes :  He features a sinker and four seamer (90 to 93 mph), change-up, slider and big spin curve. Competes well, generally throws strikes and eats innings. Reminds me of Ranger Suarez in approach, mix, athleticism and style. Pitches predominantly off his fastballs (sinker primarily and four seamer secondary) but when he incorporates either the changeup or slider effectively into the mix like he did on 6/22 against Dunedin (changeup was dominant) in five shutout one hit innings and against Fort Myers (7/13 - 4.2 scoreless innings) and Bradenton (8/3 - 4.2 scoreless innings - threw his slider 24 % of the 85 pitches behind the sinker - 42 %) he can shut down opponents. Not necessarily a strikeout pitcher but one has strong pitch-ability skills. He intends to pitch winter ball in the Venezuelan League.

Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert : “ Amarante has done a great job of posting up innings the last two seasons. He has two quality breaking balls in a hard slider and curveball. We think the change up is his best weapon and he continues to get better with it.”

Juan’s 2025 reflections : “This year I learned many things both on and off the field, I was able to gain in mental maturity and experience throughout the season, I feel that this year was a year of challenges that I had to go thru in order to grow. I had many goals during the year and I thank God for allowing me to do my job and keeping me healthy throughout the season. My focus for this off-season is to work on several things that are important such as my command, improving my entire arsenal of pitches and increasing my speed to get to the next spring training in good shape.”

LH Kleyderve Andrade - 22 years old (23 on 12/19/25) - signed as international free agent 5/7/22 - Valencia, Venezuela

2025 Stats :  did not pitch during the year as was rehabbing from TJ surgery.

2025 Notes :  when he’s healthy is a sinker/slider reliever who’s fastball generally sits in the 92-95 mph range. Has a bit to go in regard to rehab as surgery was just last spring - maybe mid to late season 2026 return to mound action. Is a  big arm projectable that reminds me of former Phillies minor league LHP Jordi Martinez.

LH Erubiel Armenta - 25 years old (26 on 3/11/26) - signed as international free agent 7/11/19 - Baja, Mexico

2025 Stats :  made 25 appearances between Clearwater and Jersey Shore (25.1 IP) after beginning the year on the IL rehabbing from TJ surgery. Began a rehab assignment with Clearwater on 4/4/25 and was activated with Jersey Shore on 5/6/25. Posted a 4.26 combined ERA with 37 K’s and 21 BB - had a 3.38 ERA in 21 appearances with Jersey Shore (21.1 IP) with 26 K’s and 17 BB.

2025 Notes : - missed all of 2023 and 2024 recovering from TJ surgeries - had to have a second procedure in 2024. He has a delivery similar to Aroldis Chapman and is a big body ( 6’3” ) - his fastball has late ride and life - changeup is a strikeout pitch. Mix is a sinking fastball (sits 93 to 95 mph), change up, slider, and curve. He is slated to become a minor league free agent, is pitching this off-season in the Mexican Winter League.

RH Eligio Arias - 22 years old (23 on 3/26/26)- signed as international free agent 12/2/23 - Salcedo, Dominican Republic

2025 Stats :  made 15 appearances with the FCL Phillies - 4.94 ERA in 23.2 IP - 26 K’s, 14 BB, 1.35 WHIP, .212 BAA - second year of pro action - pitched in the DSL in 2023 - 13 appearances (5 starts) - 7.44 ERA in 32.2 IP.

2025 Notes : Eligio is a big fella at 6’7” 230 who throws hard - sits in the 92-95 mph range with a four seam fastball and a slider as secondary pitch. He generally struggled with both command and control when I watched him this past summer on the backfields. There were however appearances where he would be dominant - best outing I saw him was on 6/24 against Blue Jays when he pitched two scoreless innings.

RH Luis Avila  - 22 years old (23 on 5/26/26) - signed as international free agent 2/23/23 - Turmero, Venezuela

2025 Stats :  began the season with Jersey Shore and struggled (9.26 ERA in 11 appearances - 11.2 IP) and was transferred to Clearwater on 5/20/25 - he appeared in 24 games (40 IP) with the Threshers posting a 3.60 ERA with 47 K’s and 26 BB - opponents hit just .163 against him. He had an outstanding end to the regular season (August & September) recording a 1.37 ERA in ten appearances (19.2 IP) with 26 K’s and 11 BB - a 0.92 WHIP.

2025 Notes :  He features a 95 to 99 mph four seam fastball, slider, change up (splitter) and cutter but predominantly uses his fastball and slider. Luis has the ability to shut down the opposition, is intending to pitch for the Aguilas de Zulia club in the Venezuelan Winter League. The coaching staff believes his splitter could be a real weapon and has encouraged him to use it more. Likely gets another chance at the High A level to begin 2026 - could even climb higher, big arm.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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