10/24/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Part Ten

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 Ten of the pitchers highlighting the following :

Camron Hill

Nolan Hoffman

Estibenzon Jimenez

Seth Johnson

Titan Kennedy-Hayes

LH Camron Hill  - 22 years old (23 on 6/15/26) - drafted in 8th round of the 2024 draft from Georgia Tech University

2025 Stats :  incurred shoulder discomfort in spring camp and was placed on the IL - began a rehab assignment with the FCL Phillies on 7/11 - pitched in 3 games (6.2 IP) posting a 1.35 ERA with 9 K’s and 4 walks. Activated with Clearwater on 8/1 - appeared in 5 games (4 starts) recording a 5.40 ERA in 15 IP with 18 K’s and 18 walks. Best outing of the season was on 8/9 against Fort Myers - 4 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s.

2025 Notes :  He’s from Fayetteville, Georgia and graduated from Whitewater High School where he was a four year letter winner in baseball, as a senior he was rated as the number three left-hand pitcher in the state. He enrolled at Georgia Tech as a Business Administration major and pitched for the Yellow Jackets for three years from 2022 to 2024. Camron pitched in the prestigious Cape Cod Summer League in 2023 and 2024 - Prospects Live said that “Hill simply dominated the Cape Cod League over the summer of 2023. The physically imposing 6'6" left hander sits in the low-90s, occasionally ramping it up to the mid 90s when needed.” He’s noted as having a bit of a crossfire deceptive release and a four pitch mix. I’ve seen him pitch in person in side sessions and live BP - features a four seam fastball (90-93 mph), high spin slider/curve, splitter and cutter - a compact delivery - three quarter slot, was impressed. Great personality - always stopped and said hello whenever I saw him during his rehab. He will pitch for the Adelaide Giants this off season in the Australian Baseball League.

Camron’s 2025 season  reflections :  “ I learned that I have to just trust myself in everything that I do, my off season approach is to hone in on the basics of my craft and getting in the weight room to stay healthy. My outlook on next spring is to put myself in a position to be a top pitching prospect in the organization.”

RH Nolan Hoffman  - 28 years old (29 on 8/9/26) - acquired in cash trade with Rangers 6/18/25

2025 Stats :  appeared in 27 games with Lehigh Valley - 30 IP, 3.60 ERA, 35 K’s, 15 BB. He pitched very well in August with LHV - 7 appearances - 10.2 IP - 0.84 ERA with 14 K’s and one walk. Made his major league debut on August 18th vs Seattle pitching an inning yielding three runs on three hits. Previously this year had appeared in 22 games with Round Rock (Rangers AAA affiliate) recording a 5.91 ERA in 35 IP. Over his minor league career has appeared in 212 games (279 IP) with a 3.65 ERA - 302 K’s, 122 BB.

2025 Notes :  he’s a side winder who was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2018 draft by the Seattle Mariners from Texas A&M University. Had Tommy John surgery in 2019. He was taken in the Minor League Rule 5 Draft by the Baltimore Orioles on 12/8/21. Declared free agency in December of 2024 and signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. Hoffman gets a ton of ground balls with his sinker which sits in the 93 to 95 mph range - also throws a curve, changeup and cutter. Has a unique delivery and decent sinker/curve as primary offerings which could project him into more major league opportunities.

RH Estibenzon Jimenez  - 23 years old (24 on 1/25/26)  - signed as international free agent 11/27/19 - San Felipe, VZ

2025 Stats :  began the season with Jersey Shore - 14 appearances (6 starts) totaling 53 IP with a 5.09 ERA, 56 K’s and 15 walks. Promoted to Reading on 6/22 - 13 starts (70 IP) with a 4.63 ERA, 60 K’s, 19 walks. Posted a 3.54 ERA in 5 June starts (28 IP) with 18 K’s and 8 walks. With Reading in 12 of his 13 starts he pitched five or more innings, pitched six or more innings in seven of those. Struck out ten batters in six innings pitched on 8/8 vs New Hampshire. Overall pitched 123 innings with an 8-6 record in 27 appearances with 116 K’s and 34 walks - career highs for wins, IP, K’s. Matched his career strike throwing percentage of 67 percent. Add those totals to the 14 games (18 IP) and recording a 2.77 ERA in the 2024/2025 Australian Winter League before spring camp and he had quite a busy year!

2025 Notes :  nicknamed “Jimmy” he’s one of the most popular young men in the organization, great personality, seemingly always happy. Jimmy is a loyal and appreciative member of the system - he told me before “No matter what happens going forward I will always be very grateful to the organization because they have given me the opportunity to be part of this family. I will always be appreciative to the Phillies because they are the organization that trusted my abilities and gave me a chance.” He’s a warrior on the mound who plays to win - gotta like that - features a very good changeup, a four seam fastball that ranges from 92 to 97 mph along with a slider. He scuffled in 2024 but bounced back nicely this past season - regained form as a strike thrower - there’s attitude and stuff to advance to higher levels in my opinion including the show.

Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert :  “Strikes are not the issue with him. Development of a consistent put-away swing and miss pitch would be what could get him to the bigs.”

RH Seth Johnson  - 27 years old (28 on 9/19/26)  - acquired in trade with Orioles 7/30/24

2025 Stats :  went 5-5 in 39 appearances (60.2 IP) for Lehigh Valley recording a 4.75 ERA with 67 K’s and 35 walks. Made 10 major league appearances (12.2 IP) posting a 4.26 ERA with 17 K’s and 4 walks - best two months were June - 3.09 ERA in 9 games - 11.2 IP including one game (2 IP) with the Phillies and September - 3.86 ERA in 7 games - 9.1 IP.  Began the season as a starter then converted to a reliever - mostly less than two inning appearances out of the bullpen.

2025 Notes :  features a four seam fastball generally 95-98 mph, has touched 100, slider, splitter, curve. I chatted with him in Spring Training and he was hopeful of getting another chance to pitch in the big leagues, moving to the bullpen became the ticket to get there as he showed increased velocity and the ability to pitch multiple days per week. He’s from Concord, North Carolina and didn’t start pitching until he was a sophomore in college at Louisburg College (North Carolina) where he also played shortstop. Converted to pitching full time after transferring to Campbell University (North Carolina). Was the 1st round draft choice of the Tampa Rays in the 2019 draft - traded to the Orioles in 2022. He had TJ surgery in 2022 - noted for a big arm,  good mechanics and repeatable delivery. Battles control and command on occasion. Is on the 40 man roster but is out of minor league options, will need to secure an active roster spot this spring to remain on a major league contract.

RH Titan Kennedy-Hayes  - 23 years old (24 on 11/12/25) - drafted - 11th round of the 2024 draft from Austin Peay State

2025 Stats :  began the season with Clearwater - 30 appearances (35.1 IP) posting a 4.58 ERA with 52 K’s and 35 walks - promoted to Jersey Shore 8/4 - appeared in 10 games (10.1 IP), 5.23 ERA with 14 K’s and 5 walks. Had an outstanding month of April - 7 appearances (9 IP), 0.00 ERA, 12 K’s, 5 walks.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Enid, Oklahoma and graduated from Enid High School - pitched for Cowley College, Cisco College and San Jacinto College before pitching one season for Austin Peay. Features a four seam fastball that sits 95 to 98 mph and often touches 100 mph, a slider, sinker (95-99 mph) and cutter. Is a very confident young man who has big league velocity - battles command and control - attacks hitters with a here it is try to hit it approach, is fun to watch - has the capability to throw the ball by hitters. Likely returns to Jersey Shore to begin the 2026 season.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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