10/23/26 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Pitchers - Part Five
Written by Steve Potter
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 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. Here is pitchers - part five highlighting the following :
Cooper Consiglio
Christian Coppola
Nestor Cortes
Richie Cortese
Gabe Craig
LH Cooper Consiglio - 20 years old (21 on 11/27/26) - 2026 9th round draft pick - North Carolina State
2026 Stats : did not pitch in a game after signing, instead worked at the complex in “draft camp” learning the regimen of pro baseball life and working on skills, strength and conditioning along with mental skills.
2026 Notes : he’s from Palm Harbor, Florida which is where my wife and I lived during our ten year stint in Florida. Graduated from East Lake HS and the IMG Academy. Posted a 1.59 ERA and 12-8 record in HS in 124 IP (184 K’s). Pitched three seasons at NC State - 48 appearances - 22 starts - 135.2 IP - 147 K’s - FB sits 90-92 mph with 20+ inches of induced vertical break - 20% whiff rate in Cape Code summer league. Slider, changeup and big breaking curve.
2027 Outlook : will likely open the season with the Clearwater Threshers
RH Christian Coppola - 22 years old (23 on 11/4/26) - 2026 12th round draft pick - St. Joseph’s University
2026 Stats : did not pitch in a game after signing, instead worked at the complex in “draft camp” learning the regimen of pro baseball life and working on skills, strength and conditioning along with mental skills.
2026 Notes : Baseball America - “Coppola pitched as a starter for two seasons with Rutgers in 2023 and 2024, then spent a year at Arizona where he pitched in just three games before transferring to Saint Joseph’s for the 2026 season. Had a standout 2023 freshman season—which led to an appearance with the 2023 Collegiate National Team - he has an enticing two-pitch mix. Coppola has a 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame and throws a fastball in the 90-95 mph range with well-above-average extension. Despite solid velocity and reach with his heater, he actually pitches heavily off a sweeping slider that has an outlier combination of power and movement. The pitch sits in the mid 80s but also comes with more than 18 inches of gloveside movement. He has used the breaking ball to generate a 46% miss rate, .209 opponent average and 51% groundball rate—all while throwing it 80% of the time. While Coppola’s slider is the pitch that got him drafted, his fastball’s not a bad offering to back it up.”
Christian’s thoughts on the 2026 season : “Didn’t get sent off to play any games so I can’t speak from that point of view, but just being at the complex and watching pros go about their work every day was cool to see. I just tried to better myself and learn something new everyday. I feel like being there helped me grow in maturity, even in the short period of time I was there. Going into this offseason I want to improve not only the things I struggle with but also improve the things I do well and lean into them. Obviously everyone wants to throw harder and I’m no different but not at the expense of my health and control so finding that happy medium. Next year I just want to go play. I can’t control where they send me or what role they put me in so my plan is to just compete and be my best self every time I go out. That’s all I can do.”
2027 Outlook : will likely open the season with the Clearwater Threshers
LH Nestor Cortes - 31 years old (32 on 12/10/26) - signed as a free agent 8/19/26 to MLB contract
2026 Stats : appeared in three games with Lehigh Valley - 4.76 ERA in 5.2 IP - 7 K’s, 0 BB. After signing worked at the complex till transferring to LHV.
2026 Notes : fastball range was 89 to 91 mph with a cutter, sweeper and change up in his three games with the IronPigs. In his heyday the fastball velocity was also low 90’s peaking at 92 mph. He’s the epitome of the “crafty lefty” relying on changing timing, arm angles, leg kicks and looks to disrupt hitters with a four pitch mix. His best seasons were in 2021 thru 2023 with the Yankees when he went 19-9 in 62 appearances. Threw 174.1 innings for New York in 2024. Suffered a bicep strain and tendon tear in 2025 with the Padres and underwent surgery in October of 2025 sidelining him till his return with the Phillies.
2027 Outlook : free agent
RH Richie Cortese - 23 years old (24 on 4/22/27) - drafted in 17th round of the 2025 draft from Lander University, SC
2026 Stats : posted a 2.08 ERA in 19 games (21.2 IP) with 37 K’s and 19 BB - allowed just 8 hits - .111 BAA for Clearwater. On the IL from 5/24 till 8/13 with elbow pain and arm fatigue. Was very good when he returned with exception of too many walks - in 7 appearances - 9 IP - 2.00 ERA - 14 K’s, 7 BB.
2026 Notes : has a big frame at 6’6” and is a power pitcher - FB 94-99 mph, slider, cutter and change up. Has an outstanding work ethic and attitude, wants to excel. The stuff plays, it’s a matter of harnessing both control and command to potentially becoming a dominant bullpen arm.
2027 Outlook : will compete in spring camp for a Jersey Shore roster spot.
RH Gabe Craig - 25 years old (26 on 7/3/27) - drafted in 5th round of 2025 draft from the Baylor University
2026 Stats : began the year with Clearwater making 20 appearances posting a 3.68 ERA in 22 IP with 33 K’s and 13 BB, a .197 BAA. Was promoted to Jersey Shore on 6/16 recording a 6.30 ERA in 18 games (20 IP) with 23 K’s and 14 walks, a .269 BAA. Had an outstanding month of June - 7 games - 7.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 12 K’s, 3 BB. Overall season numbers - 38 appearances - 4.93 ERA, 42 IP, 56 K’s, 27 BB, 1.50 WHIP, .234 BAA - 7 saves in 9 chances.
2026 Notes : big fella (6’5”) who releases the ball well out front - lots of upper body in delivery - short arm release - plenty of giddy up on fastball - ball darts - slider has great bite - sweeping action side to side - really late break - a ton of movement - it’s a swing and miss delivery. FB ranges from 93 to 96 mph, slider and sinker. Seems to have worn down a bit at the end of the season - is a hard worker who will focus on strengthening his conditioning even further for next season.
2027 Outlook : likely returns to Jersey Shore to begin the season - has big league stuff - if he harnasses control and command there’s a viable path upwards.
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