10/17/26 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Pitchers - Part One
I’ve started to write my “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 alphabetically in groupings of players per each article. Not sure how many folks are interested but here goes - starting with pitchers (there are over 100 pitcher notes to share) - part one highlighting the following five pitchers :
LH Kolby Allard
LH Juan Amarante
RH Eligio Arias
RH Luis Avila
LH Kyle Backhus
LH Kolby Allard - 29 years old (30 on 8/13/27) - re-signed as minor league free agent 6/18/26 - 2015 1st round draft pick - Atlanta - San Clemente HS, CA
2026 Stats : began the season with the Cleveland Guardians - appeared in four major league games (8.2 IP) posting a 10.38 ERA - appeared in 8 games (5 starts) for AAA Columbus recording a 4.11 ERA in 30.2 IP. Was released by Cleveland 6/15. Signed by Phillies 6/18 to a minor league contract. Made seven starts for AAA Lehigh Valley totaling 36 IP posting a 6.75 ERA with 30 K’s and 10 walks. Went on the IL 8/7 - missed the balance of the season.
2026 Notes : re-signed by Phillies this summer to provide starting pitching depth - had previously been with the organization in 2024. He had a solid 2024 season starting at Reading before spending the majority of the year at Lehigh Valley, made seven ‘24 appearances (four starts) with the Phillies. He signed with Cleveland in February of 2025 and had a strong season pitching at the major league level - 33 appearances - 2 starts - 2.63 ERA in 65 IP. This summer suffered an abductor strain in early August and missed the balance of the season - never got going well with the IronPigs.
2027 Outlook : free agent
LH Juan Amarante - 22 years old (23 on 4/14/27)- signed as international free agent 1/28/22 - Valencia, Venezuela
2026 Stats : began the season with Jersey Shore however went on the IL on 5/12 - rehabbed at the Complex in Clearwater. Pitched in six games with the FCL Phillies (rehab assignment began 6/13) posting a 2.57 ERA in 7 IP. Was transferred to Clearwater on 7/7 - pitched in two games for them before returning to Jersey Shore 7/13. Made 19 appearances with the BlueClaws - 3.28 ERA in 49.1 IP, .192 BAA. Finished the season strong - in his last 14 appearances posted a 3.11 ERA in 34.2 IP. Overall - 27 appearances - 7 starts - 3.43 ERA in 57.2 IP with 71 K’s & 31 BB.
2026 Notes : The young man quietly put together together a good season as a bulk reliever and starter for Jersey Shore. He has a “Ranger like” approach - similar in style and athleticism. Every time I watched him he kept his team in the game and impressed with competitiveness, mix and moxy. This summer I asked Jersey Shore manager Mychal Jones about him and he said that “Juan is a gem! The guy takes the ball and competes in literally any situation we ask him to, and will keep pounding the zone regardless of the result. He’s a pro in everything he does, from fielding his position and controlling the run game, he does everything we ask.” He saw an uptick in velocity - his four seamer sat in the 92-94 mph flashing higher which was generally coupled with a slider, curve ball and changeup - also added a sweeper to the mix.
2027 Outlook : likely makes a push for a Reading roster spot in Spring Training - I like his game - potential middle inning or bulk reliever in the show.
RH Eligio Arias - 23 years old (24 on 3/26/27)- signed as international free agent 12/2/23 - Salcedo, Dominican Republic
2026 Stats : was only able to participate in seven games (six in FCL - 4.91 ERA - 7.1 IP, 9 K’s, 7 BB, .167 BAA & one with Clearwater Threshers - one perfect IP - 1 K). Went on the IL on 5/26, transferred to 60 Day IL 6/9 and ended the season working with the rehab team in Clearwater with a torn labrum.
2026 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, fastball flashes higher. He generally has struggled with both command and control in his career.
2027 Outlook : hopefully returns to good health to continue his development.
RH Luis Avila - 23 years old (24 on 5/26/27) - signed as international free agent 2/23/23 - Turmero, Venezuela
2026 Stats : opened the season with Jersey Shore - made 15 appearances posting a 9.24 ERA in 12.2 IP with 18 K’s and 15 walks, a .260 BAA. Transferred to Clearwater 6/16 - made 19 appearances with the Threshers - 2.45 ERA in 25.2 IP, 31 K’s, 11 BB, 1.05 WHIP, .182 BAA.
2026 Notes : for the second year in a row Luis opened the year with Jersey Shore, struggled and was transferred to Clearwater where he pitched well to close out the season. 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 shown the ability to shut down the opposition at Clearwater but has battled command when going up a rung. Needs a better focus to truly excel.
2027 Outlook : a third opening day assignment with Jersey Shore is within reach - hopefully the outcome is better this time.
LH Kyle Backhus - 28 years old (29 on 1/31/27) - acquired in trade from Arizona 12/19/25 for OF’er Avery Owusu-Asiedu
2026 Stats : was on the LHV-PHL shuttle for the season - made 21 major league appearances - 20 IP, 4.95 ERA, 20 K’s, 6 BB, .294 BAA. At Lehigh Valley he appeared in 25 games - 2.73 ERA, 26.1 IP, 31 K’s, 7 BB, .283 BAA.
2026 Notes : is a sinker, slider, changeup hurler with a sidewinder’s arm angle.
2027 Outlook : I believe that he has a minor league option remaining for next year making him at the least valuable as a depth piece who can shuttle back and forth from AAA to MLB as needed.
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