10/21/26 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Pitchers - Part Three
This Phillies off-season I 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 five players per article. Starting with pitchers here is part three highlighting the following :
Tyler Bowen
Cody Bowker
Tegan Cain
Sam Carlson
Kyler Carmack
RH Tyler Bowen - 23 years old (24 on 12/30/26) - drafted in 12th round of the 2025 draft from Lander University, SC
2026 Stats : made 37 appearances for Clearwater posting a 7.94 ERA in 39.2 IP with 52 K’s and 32 BB - 2.02 WHIP. Had a strong outing to finish the season - two scoreless /hitless frames on 9/5 with one walk and four strikeouts.
2026 Notes : features a mid nineties fastball (95-98 mph) and sharp slider, his fastball can reach triple digits - he’s a strikeout pitcher that struggled this season with both command and control. Is from Dagsboro, Delaware and graduated from Indian River HS in 2021 which is near Bethany Beach.
2027 Outlook : will compete in ST for a bump up to Jersey Shore, if he can harness the command has the stuff to go higher during the year.
RH Cody Bowker - 22 years old (23 on 12/18/26) - drafted in 3rd round of the 2025 draft from Vanderbilt University
2026 Stats : pitched at three levels in his first full season of play. Began in Clearwater appearing in 12 games (ten starts) recording a 5.90 ERA in 39.2 IP with 64 K’s and 20 BB, .175 BAA and 1.13 WHIP. Promoted to Jersey Shore on 6/16 - made 8 starts (35.2 IP) with a 3.28 ERA, 43 K’s, 7 BB and a 1.01 WHIP. Promoted to Reading on 8/18 - 4 starts - 20 IP, 4.05 ERA, 21 K’s, 3 BB, 1.05 WHIP. Overall regular season numbers - 4.53 ERA, 24 games - 22 starts, 95.1 IP, 128 K’s, 30 BB, 1.07 WHIP. Made one post season start and pitched four innings - 2 R, 2 H, 6 K’s, 3 BB.
2026 Notes : was named the organization Pitcher of the Month in August when he made 4 starts - 19 IP, 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, .174 BAA, 12 H, 3 BB, 20 K’s - in two starts with Reading posted a 1.80 ERA in 10 IP, 2-0 record, 10 K’s, 0 walks, 0.50 WHIP, .135 BAA. He goes heavy on the sinker/curve ball mix, FB sits in the 91-94 mph range, his lower slot and release point is unique and he gets great movement on pitches with outstanding extension. He’s shown major league stuff and projects as a starter in the show. Director of Pitching Development Travis Hergert told me that Bowker’s fastball is actually a four seamer but because of his arm slot that it profiles like a sinker - good stuff.
2027 Outlook : likely returns to Reading to open the season with an opportunity to move upwards if he continues to excel.
RH Tegan Cain - 23 years old (24 on 12/2/26) - drafted in 13th round of the 2024 draft from the University of Kansas
2026 Stats : pitched at three levels in his first game action after two seasons of inactivity recovering from TJ surgery. In four appearances with the FCL Phillies pitched 5.1 innings recording a 0.00 ERA with 7 K’s and 3 BB. Was promoted to Clearwater 3/30 - in 19 appearances posted a 3.04 ERA (23.2 IP) with 36 K’s and 10 walks. Promoted to Jersey Shore on 8/4 - 7 appearances (12 IP) - 11 K’s, 7 BB. Overall made 30 appearances - 3.29 ERA, 41 IP, 54 K’s, 20 BB.
2026 Notes : now healthy after missing the entirety of the 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery incurred in August of 2024 Tegan has both an unique sidearm delivery and potential high velocity that is projectable for success as a reliever. He features a sinker (94-97 mph, has previously reached 99), change-up, slider, and curve. I saw him throw in person for the first time at the complex in August of 2025 in a side bullpen - was impressed with the release point and ball movement (I watched from behind the plate) - talked to him afterwards and told him so. This fella has pitching coaches excited about what they think he may be able to accomplish.
Tegan’s thoughts on the 2026 season : “I think this year I learned that everything happens for a reason. Being in rehab for two years you can say that everything happens for a reason, but I’m not sure I really believed it. I now have full belief in that statement after having a healthy year and seeing the work pay off in real time. I think my progression was great throughout the entire year, velocity was consistent in the mid 90’s, command was better than it had been in the past, and I got to learn from some really good pitching coaches. My off season approach this year is going to be putting on some good muscle and keeping mobility as well. The goal is to be back into the 96-99 mph range consistently next year and I think it’s very attainable. Going into my first full spring training I’m just excited to get to work with my teammates and see everybody in the same place again and be able to compete with them. I’m also really excited to learn from the coaching staff we have as well.”
2027 Outlook : will compete in spring camp for a bump up to Reading but likely starts the year with Jersey Shore. The young man is very talented - I expect that he’s gonna turn heads next season climbing the development ladder.
RH Sam Carlson - 27 years old (28 on 12/3/26) - signed 9/1/26 as a free agent to a minor league contract - was the 2017 2nd round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners from Burnsville HS in Minnesota
2026 Stats : appeared in five regular season games with Reading (5.1 IP) recording a 8.44 ERA with 9 K’s and 2 walks - pitched 1.2 scoreless innings over two appearances in the post season allowing two hits. Prior to signing with the Phillies he recorded a 3.47 ERA in 31 appearances with AAA Sugar Land (Pacific Coast League) over 36.1 IP with 43 K’s and 14 walks in the Astros organization.
2026 Notes : has been in the Mariners, Brewers, Dodgers and Astros organizations prior to signing with the Phillies. Features a fastball in the 91-95 mph range which has touched as high as 97 mph. Secondaries are a slider, curve and change-up.
2027 Outlook : free agent
RH Kyler Carmack - 23 years old (24 on 1/6/26) - drafted in 20th round of 2024 draft from the University of Mississippi
2026 Stats : appeared in five regular season games (5.1 IP) with the Threshers (10.13 ERA) posting 13 K’s and 5 walks after missing two years due to rehabbing from TJ surgery. Also pitched a scoreless inning in a post season game. Last pitched in a game on 8/27/24 prior to returning this season on 8/22/26. Just returning to game action was a huge step.
2026 Notes : in his six games this summer he showed a big arm four seam fastball in the 94-97 mph range, a sinker, sweeper, cutter and slider. Is very athletic, was a two position player early in his collegiate career both pitching and playing the outfield. In high school he starred in two sports at Cabot High School in his hometown of Cabot, Arkansas. Kyler was a prep standout both on the diamond (pitcher/outfield) and as a wide receiver/safety in football earning all-state and all-conference recognition in both sports.
Kyler’s thoughts on the 2026 season : “This year was a big year for me. Finally got back to the game after two years of rehab. I learned how much the game means to me. Maybe there was some personal goals that I didn’t hit this year but I was very happy and proud of the progress I made. My offseason approach is to add a couple more pounds and work on my shoulder health. Pretty much want things moving in the right way in order to stay healthy for my first full minor league season. Going into next year I want to be healthy and available when season starts. Everything else is out of my control. For me it’s just going to go throw hard, have fun, and enjoy the game.”
2027 Outlook : with continued good health needs to eat up appearances and innings to determine where his future lies - was a starter in college and potentially could return to that role.
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