10/23/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Part Nine - Pitchers
- Steve Potter
- 1 minute ago
- 5 min read
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 Nine of the pitchers highlighting the following :
Daniel Harper
Peyton Havard
Joel Heredia
Maxwel Hernandez
Sam Highfill
RH Daniel Harper - 26 years old (27 on 6/1/26) - drafted in 17th round of the 2022 draft from the University of Kentucky
2025 Stats : began the year on the IL with shoulder discomfort - went on a rehab assignment with Clearwater on 5/31 - 4 appearances (4.1 IP) with a 2.08 ERA and .188 BAA. Activated with Reading on 6/17 - made 6 appearances (7.2 IP) - 0.00 ERA, 9 K’s, 2 BB, 0.65 WHIP and .120 BAA. Promoted to Lehigh Valley on 7/4 - went on IL twice more - once on 7/19 and again on 8/12. Made 15 appearances with the IronPigs - struggled in July (8 runs in 4.1 IP), was excellent in August (5 games, 0.00 ERA, 5.1 IP, .059 BAA, .056 WHIP - had a couple bad outings in September but finished the month with three scoreless appearances (3.2 IP) allowing just one hit. Overall for the season pitched 27.1 innings in 25 games with an inflated 6.26 ERA.
2025 Notes : was named to the Phillies Arizona Fall League contingent on 9/10 and is playing for the Surprise Saguaros. Daniel’s fastball ranges from 92 to 95 mph - it has touched 98. He was a FB/Cutter closer at Kentucky, as a pro he’s incorporated a couple more pitches including a slider (gyro type) and sinker (split finger action). When he’s on the stuff is major league quality - had his struggles this summer but also had shining stints as well. Is Rule 5 eligible for the first time this off-season.
RH Peyton Havard - 23 years old (24 on 1/30/26) - signed as non drafted free agent 7/22/25 - Lamar University
2025 Stats : after signing spent the majority of his time working at the complex in draftee mini camp - threw five side bullpens in August followed by two live BP’s - was activated with Clearwater on 9/3 - made one appearance (no runs or hits, two walks, two K’s). In his senior year at Lamar appeared in 22 games (5 starts) posting a 2.69 ERA in 63.2 IP with 79 K’s and 15 walks - in his four year collegiate career appeared in 63 games (14 starts) totaling 127.2 IP with 130 K’s and 37 BB - 4.02 ERA
2025 Notes : he’s from Bridge City, Texas and graduated from Bridge City HS - initially enrolled at the University of Louisiana - Lafayette and played two seasons there - transferred to Lamar for his final two years. He features a four seam fastball (90-94 mph), changeup, slider and curve with the changeup being the top secondary pitch. I have yet to see him throw in person. In his one outing with Clearwater he showed all of those pitches and produced swing and misses with his changeup. Likely breaks spring camp with Clearwater.
RH Joel Heredia - 21 years old (22 on 1/15/26) - signed as international free agent 7/29/22 - Santo Domingo, DR
2025 Stats : appeared in 14 FCL Phillies games (16.2 IP) with a 4.32 ERA, 12 K’s and 15 walks. Played his previous two seasons in the DSL. Has a career 4.35 ERA in 37 appearances (21 starts) totaling 99.1 IP with 80 K’s and 54 walks.
2025 Notes : features a four seam fastball (91 to 95 mph), slider, changeup, sinker and curve. Joel is a tall (6’6”) and slender young man - I’ve seen him pitch in person multiple times - compact and easy motion, big arm capability - needs to gain command and control of the zone to fully enable his pitches.
RH Maxwell Hernandez - 22 yrs old (23 on 5/14/26) - signed as international free agent 10/26/21 - Santo Domingo, DR
2025 Stats : pitched at three levels - spent most of the season in the FCL - 13 games (one start) totaling 31.1 IP with 25 K’s and 11 walks. He had a good first month posting a 2.93 ERA in 6 appearances (15.1 IP) with 12 K’s and 4 walks - struggled thereafter. Transferred to Clearwater 6/6, to the FCL on 6/12 and then back to Clearwater on 8/20 - pitched in three games with Clearwater (6.1 IP) - transferred to Jersey Shore on 9/2, ended season on a high note - pitched one perfect inning there striking out the side in his only appearance.
2025 Notes : throws a fastball in the 90 to 94 mph range with a slider, change-up and cutter. He’s a multi inning pitcher primarily out of the bullpen - has went as many as four innings - generally two to three per outing. Control has been a previous issue, made improvements in that area this season bumping up to a 63% strike throwing rate from 58% last season. Will compete for a full season slot in spring camp.
RH Sam Highfill - 24 years old (25 on 11/30/25) - signed as non drafted free agent 7/29/25 - NC State University
2025 Stats : began the year with Clearwater and appeared in 18 games (16 starts) totaling 75 IP with a 4.80 ERA, 74 K’s and 24 walks. Promoted to Jersey Shore on 7/29 - made six starts there (31 IP) with a 3.77 ERA, 17 K’s, 9 walks. Overall amassed 106 IP in his first pro season in 24 games with a 4.50 ERA, 91 K’s, 33 walks. Best month was May - five starts (22.1 IP) with a 2.82 ERA - 24 K’s and 9 walks.
2025 Notes : had a very solid initial full pro season - reliable innings eater. Four seam fastball in the 91-95 mph range, slider, sinker, change-up, curve and cutter. Has a great competitive spirit who knows how to pitch. Will keep his team in games with a chance to win. Likely returns to Jersey Shore to start the 2026 season.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Daniel Harper - photo by Cheryl Pursell
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