10/28/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Part Twelve - Pitchers
- Steve Potter
- 1 minute ago
- 6 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 Twelve of the pitchers highlighting the following :
Gunner Mayer
Alex McFarlane
Griff McGarry
Christian McGowan
John McMillon
RH Gunner Mayer - 25 years old (26 on 7/27/26) - drafted in 5th round of the 2019 draft from San Joaquin Delta JC, CA
2025 Stats : made 39 appearances for Reading - 5.19 ERA in 52 IP with 66 K’s and 34 walks - second full season as a reliever. Best month was in May - 3.00 ERA in 8 games (12 IP) with 11 K’s but 8 walks.
2025 Notes : he’s from Danville, California and is a minor league free agent this off-season. Gunner converted to pitching in junior college after primarily playing shortstop in high school - fastball sits in a range of 92 to 96 mph - touches 97/98 - also throws a change up, slider and curve. Nice young man whose parents are really good folks as well. Has had his difficulties harnessing control over his pitches - big arm capabilities and still relatively young - seems as if he should end up with an organization somewhere if not back with the Phillies.
RH Alex McFarlane - 24 years old (25 on 6/9/26) - drafted in 4th round of the 2022 draft from University of Miami
2025 Stats : began the year with Jersey Shore - 24 appearances (18 starts) posting a 4.72 ERA in 74.1 IP with 74 K’s and 40 walks. Promoted to Reading on 9/2 - made 4 appearances - 5.2 IP, 6.35 ERA, 8 K’s, 3 walks - first full season back from Tommy John surgery - missed the entire 2024 season - totaled 80 IP in 28 games - 82 K’s, 43 walks. Excelled in July - 2.12 ERA, 4 starts - 17 IP, 23 K’s, 7 walks - named the system Pitcher of the Month. Pitched just as well in August - 2.38 ERA in 7 appearances (11.1 IP) - opponents hit just .184 against him.
2025 Notes : he’s from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Alex had a slow three month start to his season at Jersey Shore in regards to game results but blossomed in July including being the starting part of a no hitter (he went five innings) - in fact he ran off a ten inning no hit, no run streak in which he struck out 14 batters. As an extension of that string he threw 18 consecutive scoreless innings yielding just three hits. He won the July Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the month award. It was then decided to convert him from a starter to a reliever both to limit innings and perhaps provide a projection as to how he might perform in the role in 2026 (with being added to the 40 man roster also in mind). Alex pitched very well and eventually bumped up to Reading. The mix has fully returned - an upper nineties fastball that flashes triple digits, sinker, slider and splitter - the type of stuff that can dominant out of the bullpen. He’s ready to shine in Spring Camp. Will remain as a reliever in 2026 - quickest path to the show. Is Rule 5 eligible for the first time this off-season. He is participating in Fall High Performance Camp. One of my favorites - bright, energetic and friendly young man who always say hello and loves to talk about baseball, got to see him every week during his rehab stint at the complex in 2024.
Alex’s 2025 season reflections : “Hey Steve. I learned a lot this season about how to handle failure and use it to bounce back after bad outings. I plan to work on getting stronger and even more explosive this offseason looking forward to a big year for 2026. Allowing hard work to push me to where I need to be in my career and taking it one day at a time winning each day.”
RH Griff McGarry - 26 years old (27 on 6/8/26) - drafted in 5th round of the 2021 draft from University of Virginia
2025 Stats : very solid season - 3.25 ERA in 17 games with Reading (72 IP) with 103 K’s and 45 walks - opponents hit just .175 against him. Promoted to Lehigh Valley 9/18 - made one start - 1 run, 1 hit, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts in five innings pitched. Had a great start to the season in April (0.00 ERA in 3 starts - 12 IP with 16 K’s) and a solid August (3.00 ERA in 27 IP - 44 K’s). Spent from 4/21 to 6/19 on the IL and in Clearwater at the complex with elbow discomfort - was able to rehab from that and finish the season strong.
2025 Notes : he’s from Portola Valley, California. Was named the Paul Owens Award winner as the most outstanding Phillies minor league pitcher for 2025. Also was named the system Pitcher of the Month for August. When he’s consistent with command and zone control he’s very good - throws a four seamer (95-97 mph) and cutter mixing in a slider and changeup. Very serious demeanor on the mound, has had difficulty in the past repeating mechanics - tended to overthrow and fall off to the side of the mound - this season that was minimal and the results reflected that. Is Rule 5 eligible - prefers and needs to stay as a starter - doesn’t seem to have the same composure or moxie when pitching out of the bullpen. Should bump up to AAA as part of starting rotation - has the skills to pitch in the major leagues.
RH Christian McGowan - 25 years old (26 on 3/7/26) - drafted 7th round - 2021 draft from Eastern Oklahoma State JC
2025 Stats : did not pitch in a game during the season - worked with the rehab team in Clearwater recovering from labrum surgery - is now throwing side bullpen sessions working towards a 2026 return to action.
2025 Notes : he’s from Bokchito, Oklahoma and has spent the majority of the last three seasons in rehab mode recovering from Tommy John and then labrum surgery. When he’s healthy has displayed projectable big league stuff - competes with passion, plays hard, gets after it - fun to watch. Features a four seam and sinking fastball (sits in a range of 92 to 96 mph - flashes higher), slider and change-up. Has the talent to perform at the upper levels and in the show. His sinker is his money pitch and is one of intrigue, coupled with the four seamer and hard slider it provides three out pitches with the changeup being another potential put away, particularly to left handers. No one will outwork this young man, he’s got a down to earth, no frills, straight at ya, get it done persona.
RH John McMillon - 27 years old (28 on 1/27/26) - claimed off waivers from Marlins 11/4/24 - out-righted 11/19/24
2025 Stats : started the season with Lehigh Valley - appeared in seven games (5.2 IP) - 14.29 ERA, 10 K’s, 10 walks. Transferred to Reading on 5/13 where he finished the season - 32 appearances (35.2 IP) posting a 5.05 ERA with 42 K’s and 22 walks. Had his best month in September - 3.18 ERA in 5 appearances (5.2 IP). Has pitched in the major leagues with the Royals (2023) and Marlins (2024) totaling 14 games with a 1.69 ERA in 16 IP - 21 K’s, 5 walks, 0.81 WHIP.
2025 Notes : he’s from Jasper, Texas and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 11th round of the 2019 draft from Texas Tech University but did not sign, instead returned to school for his senior season. Signed with the Kansas City Royals as an un-drafted free agent on 6/23/20. Was claimed off waivers by the Marlins on 8/2/24 and then by the Phillies three months later - out-righted to the minors on 11/19/24. He has big arm stuff - four seam fastball (95-98 mph), slider and cutter. Struggled with both command and control coming back from elbow issues he had prior to coming to the Phillies. Throughout his career has struggled with consistently throwing strikes other than his 2023 minor league season and his major league stints. In those instances he was a dominant reliever. In 29 of his 32 appearances at Reading he recorded a respectable 3.47 ERA over 33.2 innings of work. Is slated to return to the organization in 2026 - if can find the consistency from 2023/2024 could bump up to the highest level.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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