10/27/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Part Eleven

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 Eleven of the pitchers highlighting the following :

Nate Karaffa

Charles (Chuck) King

Angel Liranzo

Matt Manning

Ramon Marquez

RH Nate Karaffa  - 24 years old (25 on 1/4/26) - drafted in 20th round of the 2022 draft from Ohio State

2025 Stats :  did not pitch in a game during the season, instead was working at the complex rehabbing from Tommy John surgery incurred mid year 2024. Nate had been sent on a rehab assignment to Clearwater on 9/7 and was scheduled to pitch that day but the game was rained out. He had completed five live BP sessions in August in preparation for that and should be ready to go in 2026 Spring Camp.

2025 Notes :  was a two way player in college, pitched and played center field. Features a fastball (90 to 93 mph), cutter, slider and curve. When I lived in the Clearwater area I got to know the rehab fellas a bit more as would see them most every week - Nate is a pleasant young man who always said hello and would stop to chat. He used his time in rehab to add good weight and muscle - should be in the mix for a reliever’s role at either Jersey Shore or Reading this spring.

RH Charles (Chuck) King  - 27 years old (28 on 1/6/26)  - signed as un-drafted free agent 2/6/24 - Texas Christian University

2025 Stats :  made 25 appearances (23 starts) for Reading totaling 123.1 IP with a 4.38 ERA - 105 K’s, 37 walks. Two games in June and one in July inflated his ERA - in those three games he was tagged with 16 runs in 13 IP - in his other 22 appearances his ERA was 3.59 in 110.1 IP. In the month of April he posted a 3.60 ERA in 15 IP, in June a 3.54 ERA in 28 IP and in July a 3.26 ERA in 19.1 IP. In 16 of his appearances he allowed two earned runs or less. Home runs against him were relatively high (18) but that can also be attributed to being in the strike zone consistently - makes his opponents beat him.

2025 Notes :  the 6’6” right hander pitched collegiately at Texas Christian University from 2017 to 2021 - 22 of his 78 appearances were starts. After his time at TCU ended he became a Sports Science Intern with the San Diego Padres and then moved into a full time role in the organization in November of 2022 as a Performance Analyst. However, he continued to train as a pitcher after his collegiate career ended and on 1/28/24 performed for scouts in a pro day at Driveline Baseball. On 2/2/24 he signed a minor league contract with the Phillies. This season he returned to starting pitching and was an innings eater by today’s standards going five or more frames in 17 of his 23 starts. He features a mid nineties four seam fastball that touches higher and a sinker (93-95 mph) - secondaries include a slider, change up, curve and cutter. He competes, will generally throw strikes and often forces soft contact from hitters. Isn’t a big strikeout pitcher but will get his fair share. The conversion to a starter’s role was seamless - pitched in relief in 2024 - big strong frame who also uses his baseball intellect to zone up his opponents. Should compete for a roster spot with Lehigh Valley in 2026 spring camp.

Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert :   “King had a solid season. He took on the new role of starter and did a fantastic job eating innings. Chuck throws strikes and the opportunity to start gave him a pathway to develop a couple new pitches (sinker and cutter) and put them into his arsenal.”

LH Angel Liranzo  - 19 years old (20 on 8/5/26  - signed international free agent 1/15/23 - Sanchez, Dominican Republic

2025 Stats :  began the year with the FCL Phillies - 12 appearances (ten starts) totaling 55 IP with a 3.60 ERA - 46 K’s, 18 walks. Promoted to Clearwater on 8/7 - made 5 appearances (four starts) amassing 19.1 IP with a 4.66 ERA - 13 K’s, 10 walks. Overall pitched 74.1 IP (career high) posting a 3.87 ERA in 17 appearances (14 starts) with 59 K’s and 28 walks coming off the 2024 season where he spent the majority of the season on the IL - 1 appearance (2.1 IP) - it was a strong return to action. He had an outstanding month of May - 5 appearances - 4 starts - 21.1 IP, 2.53 ERA, 16 K’s, 8 walks. Angel was part of a three pitcher no hitter on 8/15 against Lakeland going four innings allowing just two walks while striking out two batters.

2025 Notes :  Liranzo caught our eye (actually Matt Winkelman of Phillies Minor Thoughts was the first to notice) by his 2023 performances in the DSL where he posted a sparkling 0.89 ERA going 5-0 in 10 appearances (4 starts) totaling 30.1 IP with 30 K’s and just 8 walks - a stellar 0.79 WHIP as a 16 year old 😳. Minor league pitching coordinator Travis Hergert told me that summer that Liranzo has a “Ranger Suarez type delivery and build. Fills up the strike zone with three to four pitches. Change up is solid. Exciting young arm.” He currently features a low nineties sinker (90-92 mph), four seamer, a really good change up, hard slider and curve - is generally  a strike thrower, (had some struggles locating this past summer), who competes each and every pitch - athletic with an easy motion.  A 6’1” frame that is starting to fill out - he’s an under the radar guy at present but I believe that won’t be for long as he’s got strong pitching acumen and projectable skills.

Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert : “ Change up is his best pitch. Liranzo made a jump in fastball velocity this season and pounded the strike zone. He continues to develop pitches that give him options to get outs. He is still very young and developing physically.”

RH Matt Manning  - 27 years old (28 on 1/28/26) - acquired in trade with Tigers 7/31/25

2025 Stats :  after coming to the Phillies spent the brunt of his time working at the complex in Clearwater on mechanics and form - he threw four side bullpens and four live BP sessions in August - was activated with Reading on 9/15 - pitched in two games - 5 IP, 6 R, 3 H, 8 BB, 7 K’s - threw 118 pitches - only 57 % for strikes. Previously had appeared in 31 games (four starts) for the Tigers AAA affiliate Toledo posting a 6.04 ERA in 50.2 IP with 52 K’s and 37 walks. He made 50 major league appearances (all starts) from 2021 to 2024 recording a 4.43 ERA in 254 IP with 178 K’s and 85 walks.

2025 Notes :  was the Tigers 1st round draft selection in the 2016 draft from Sheldon High School in Sacramento, California. He’s a big fella at 6’6” - features a four seam fastball (sits 92-95 mph - reached 96-97), sweeper, curve, splitter and slider. Has struggled with command and control throughout his career often tinkering with mechanics - has had trouble finding consistent release point. He becomes a minor league free agent this off-season.

RH Ramon Marquez - 20 years old (21 on 9/19/26) - signed international free agent 1/15/25 - Mexico

2025 Stats :  made 10 appearances (eight starts) posting a 4.50 ERA in 38 IP with 50 K’s and only 12 walks. Was promoted to Clearwater on 7/29 - made 4 starts - 17 IP, 4.24 ERA, 22 K’s, 5 walks. Overall in his first pro season pitched 55 innings (14 games) with a 4.42 ERA - 72 K’s, 17 walks. Had an outstanding June - five starts - 2.57 ERA, 21 IP, 26 K’s, 5 BB. Was excellent to finish the season - three August starts - 14 IP, 1.93 ERA, 18 K’s, 2 walks.

2025 Notes :  was brought stateside to pitch in the FCL - immediately turned heads beginning in extended spring camp - features a sinking fastball (92-94 mph, touches 96), changeup, cutter and slider. Has a smooth delivery and consistently threw strikes - rare in the backfield play of the FCL. Didn’t miss a beat when promoted to full season play. Was named the organization Pitcher of the Month for June. Exciting young arm who has a 6’1” frame to add more muscle and likely velocity. Will pitch the majority of 2026 as a twenty year old - could push his way to High A or even higher before the year ends.

Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert : “ Change up is his best pitch. Marquez is very talented and possesses good stuff with great command. He is still very young and developing physically.”

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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