10/15/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Pitchers - Part Three

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 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 players per article.  Here’s Part Three of the pitchers highlighting the following :

Phil Bickford

Wilmer Blanco

Tyler Bowen

Cody Bowker

Jean Cabrera

RH Phil Bickford - 30 years old (31 on 7/10/26) - signed as a minor free agent 7/9/25

2025 Stats :  posted a 4.91 ERA in 19 appearances (18.1 IP) with 17 K’s and 11 BB for Lehigh Valley - prior to that appeared in 20 games (27.2 IP) posting a 2.60 ERA with 36 K’s and 6 walks for AAA level Iowa (Cubs organization). He was released by the Cubs on 7/2 and signed with the Phillies. Had pitched in 187 major league games (189 IP) with a 4.62 ERA for the Brewers, Dodgers, Mets and Yankees from 2020 to 2024.

2025 Notes : signed with the Phillies in hopes of getting an opportunity to pitch at the big league level - after a rough start with the Iron Pigs in July he pitched well posting a 1.92 ERA in 14 games (14 IP) in August and September - is a sinker (93-94 mph) and slider (83-84 mph) type pitcher. Becomes a minor league free agent once again this off-season.

LH Wilmer Blanco - 21 years old (22 on 2/21/26) - signed as an international free agent 12/14/21 - Maracay, Venezuela

2025 Stats :  did not pitch during the season - went on the IL 5/3 and remained there. He was throwing side bullpens (six) in August and finished the month with two live BP sessions - pitched in the Dominican Fall Instructs - hopefully is ready to return to game action after ST 2026.

2025 Notes :  features a fastball (90-94 mph), change-up, slider and curve - has a big frame at 6’3” - when I watched him in the 2024 FCL he struggled with command - pitches too much in the middle of the plate. I didn’t have a chance to see him throw this past season.

RH Tyler Bowen - 22 years old (23 on 12/30/25) - drafted in 12th round of the 2025 draft from Lander University, SC

2025 Stats :  did not pitch in a pro game after signing - instead worked at the Complex - finished his activities with five side bullpens in August followed by two live BP sessions. Prior to signing he was pitching for the Frederick Keys in the Draft League posting a 1.59 ERA in four games (5.2 IP). In his final season at Lander University he posted a 3.90 ERA in 22 games (32.1 IP) with 4 saves, 51 K’s and 20 walks.

2025 Notes :  features a mid nineties fastball (95-98 mph) and sharp slider, there’s a projection that his fastball can reach triple digits - he’s a strikeout pitcher who was a backend reliever in college - he graduated from Indian River High School in Sussex County, Delaware in 2021 and had committed to transferring from Lander to the University of Oregon before signing with the Phillies. He missed the 2024 season after having an internal brace placed in his right elbow in November of 2023 but returned to have a strong 2025 campaign. Tyler spent part of his time at the complex continuing to work on adding a third pitch - he will participate in October Fall High Performance Camp focused on adding strength and conditioning to prepare for the long grind of a pro season. I’d expect that he breaks spring training camp with the Clearwater Threshers. I have not seen him throw yet in person.

RH Cody Bowker - 21 years old (22 on 12/18/25) - drafted in 3rd round of the 2025 draft from Vanderbilt University

2025 Stats :  did not pitch in a pro game after signing - instead worked at the Complex - finished his activities with four side bullpens in August. In three collegiate seasons posted a 3.50 ERA in 43 games (28 starts) amassing 162 IP with 205 K’s and 73 walks.

2025 Notes :  he was a Dean’s list student in college - attended Thornton Academy HS in Saco, Maine helping the team win a state championship in 2022. Originally attended Georgetown University where he was a two way player his freshman year before becoming exclusively a pitcher as a sophomore. He’s a side winder (low slot release) with a fastball in the 92-95 mph range that plays up due to its spin, ride and shape. Secondaries are a change-up, cutter and slider. The best secondary is his change-up which he reportedly throws effortlessly with no change in arm-speed. I saw him in August in one bullpen side session - exactly as advertised. He was Vanderbilt’s # 2 starter. Will participate in Fall High Performance Camp and in my opinion likely breaks 2026 ST camp as a member of the starting staff for the Clearwater Threshers.

RH Jean Cabrera - 23 years old (24 on 10/20/25) - signed as an international free agent 7/2/19 - Maracay, Venezuela

2025 Stats :  recorded a 3.81 ERA in 26 starts (137 IP) with 127 K’s and 61 walks in a full season at Reading this past summer setting career highs for starts, IP and K’s - opponents hit just .214 against him. Went five or more innings in 22 of his starts including 19 in a row from 4/16 to 8/10. Posted a 3.04 ERA in July (23.2 IP) with 26 K’s and 8 walks in four starts after recording a 3.33 ERA in five June starts (27 IP) with 26 K’s and 7 walks. Has a career 3.78 ERA in 90 games (424 IP) averaging 9.23 K’s/9 with a 65 % strike throwing percentage.

2025 Notes :  every time I watch Jean pitch I marvel at how competitive he is, doesn’t give an inch and puts everything he has into his play and pitches. He has a smaller frame but no one has a bigger heart and desire to succeed. Jean was very excited to make the 40 man roster last off-season and attended his first big league camp as a rostered player. He’s got great command of his pitches and is capable of throwing his fastball in the upper nineties but generally sits in the 93 to 96 mph range. Secondaries include a strong change-up, sinker and sweeper. He won the Paul Owens Award in 2021 and arguably could have won it again each of the past two seasons. From my perspective he’s got big league talent who would seem capable of converting to a reliever in the show which would also likely bump up his velocity. I’m a fan - the kid is a battler who’s fun to watch. Should advance to the AAA level out of spring camp with an eye to climbing higher.

Jean’s 2025 season reflections :   “I have learned that we have to improve each and every day. The Phillies teach you how to play ball the right way and they are good as an organization.”

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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