11/10/26 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Pitchers - Part Twenty-Two
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 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 five players per article. Here is pitchers - part twenty-two, highlighting the following :
Gage Wood
Sean Youngerman
Zuher Yousuf
Bonus Notes - DSL Pitchers that I think are coming stateside in 2027
Samuel Ortiz
Cristian Rego
Yilmar Samudio
RH Gage Wood - 22 years old (23 on 12/15/26) - drafted in 1st round of the 2025 draft - University of Arkansas
2026 Stats : began the season with Clearwater making 8 appearances - 26.1 IP, 3.42 ERA, 40 K’s, 12 BB, 13.67 K/9, 3.33 K/BB. Promoted to Reading on 5/18 - made 17 starts (68.2 IP), 4.72 ERA, 99 K’s, 18 BB, 12.98 K/9. Overall regular season numbers - 25 starts, 95 IP, 4.36 ERA, 139 K’s, 30 BB, 13.17 K/9, 2.84 BB/9, 4.63 K/BB. Made one postseason appearance - 4 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 4 K’s, 3 BB. Including the inning he pitched in the Futures All-Star game he totaled 100 IP in his first full pro season.
2026 Notes : four seam fastball is an elite pitch - great movement with velocity (95-99 mph) which is supported by a curve, slider and splitter/change up. According to those who know his underlying metric numbers were amongst the best in the minor leagues. He’s a great competitor who wears his emotions on his sleeve, believes in his ability and plays with high intensity. It was actually nice to see him enjoy the Reading league championship run and subsequent celebration as he embraced team spirit and fellowship letting his guard down to do so. Very talented hurler who consistently throws strikes - development needs continue to be learning how to use mix, reading hitters and sequencing. Has a power fastball that overtakes most hitters but if it becomes predictable can be hit more often. It’s easy to see that he loves pitching - has big league stuff - learning the full gamet of becoming a major leaguer is still in process but it’s getting closer - experience is the best teacher.
2027 Outlook : wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start the year at Reading but it’s probable he bumps up to Lehigh Valley, if not at beginning of the season then thereafter.
RH Sean Youngerman - 22 years old (23 on 7/9/27) - drafted in 4th round of the 2025 draft from Oklahoma State
2026 Stats : made 21 appearances (18 starts) for Clearwater totaling 80.2 IP posting a 5.02 ERA with 71 K’s and 36 walks. Best month was May - four games - 13.2 IP, 1.98 ERA. Finished the year strong - in his last two starts went a total of 10 innings, 2 runs 7 hits, 7 K’s and 2 walks.
2026 Notes : he’s from Valencia, California and graduated from Chaminade College Prep HS. Enrolled at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA where as a freshman he was part of the NAIA national champion, he played two seasons there. Transferred to Oklahoma State where he pitched one season before being drafted and signed by the Phillies. He’s a very personable young man who we met for the first time in 2026 spring training. Plays with confidence. Gained valuable experience in his first full pro season on how pro baseball requires a daily grind of repetitive actions. Has the stuff and make up to climb the ladder to the top - fastball range during the year was 91-94 mph touching 96, slider, change up and cutter.
Sean’s reflections on the 2026 season : “It was a year of ups and downs but continuing to work on pitch mixing and situational control has been very beneficial. I was able to end the season on a good note and hope to continue it into next year. This offseason will be a physical training opportunity to get stronger and work on things to help me. When camp breaks it will be up to the organization, I look forward to continuing development and helping the team no matter where I am at.”
2027 Outlook : likely bumps up to Jersey Shore to open the season.
LH Zuher Yousuf - 20 years old (21 on 5/24/27) - signed international free agent 3/4/24 - El Sombrero, Venezuela
2026 Stats : made 24 appearances (15 starts) for Clearwater recording a 5.83 ERA in 78.2 IP with 72 K’s and 31 walks, 3.55 BB/9, 8.24 K/9 and 2.32 K/BB ratio.
2026 Notes : he’s not the biggest in stature (5’10”) but competes like a warrior. Throws strikes and uses pitch ability skills to get outs. Features a four seamer (90-93 mph), slider, change-up and sinker. Set career highs for appearances and innings pitched albeit seemed to wear down a bit in August and September. He’s fun to watch for an old lefty hurler like me as he is a true pitcher who uses moxie, mix and deception to get outs - is somewhat of a clone of Nestor Cortes. Zuher is just twenty years old and seemingly will get even better at his craft with more experience. It’s a long ways off but he’s a young man that I can envision pitching in the big leagues one day.
Pitching Development Director Travis Hergert : “He commands his arsenal well. His slider took a step forward this season. We want to focus on his change up development and continued gain in velocity this offseason.”
2027 Outlook : will compete for a Jersey Shore roster spot in spring camp.
LH Samuel Ortiz - 17 years old (18 on 1/7/27) - signed as an international free agent - 1/15/26 - Venezuela
2026 Stats : made 11 starts for the DSL Phillies - 37 IP, 2.68 ERA, 35 K’s, 17 BB, .213 BAA, 1.19 WHIP. Made one postseason start - 4 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 0 K’s.
2026 Notes : FB - 90-94 mph, slider, change up - Baseball America said this “sits in the low-90s with a lively fastball that touches 93 mph. That’s a strong fastball for his age, especially from the left side, and he pairs it with a high-spin breaking ball that should rack up whiffs as he continues to refine its shape, with his breaking ball ahead of his changeup.”
Dominican Academy Coordinator Miguel Prestol’s comments - “Very polished, high floor arm with pitchability and projectable stuff. Starter profile.”
2027 Outlook : likely stateside assignment to the FCL Phillies.
RH Cristian Rego - 18 years old (19 on 8/22/27) - signed as an international free agent - 4/3/26 - Cuba
2026 Stats : made 11 starts (29.2 IP) for the DSL Phillies posting a 5.76 ERA with 41 K’s and 14 BB, 12.44 K/9. Made one postseason start - 3.1 IP, 3 R, 3 BB, 1 K.
2026 Notes : FB - 90-96 mph, slider, sinker, curve, change up - he was part of the 2024 Cuban under-18 team - noted for a big arm. He emigrated from Cuba to the Dominican Republic.
Dominican Academy Coordinator Miguel Prestol’s comments - “Very advanced for his age, strong pitchability and stuff combination. We are very excited about his development. High IQ.”
2027 Outlook : likely stateside assignment to the FCL Phillies.
RH Yilmar Samudio - 17 years old (18 on 3/25/27) - signed as an international free agent - 1/15/26 - Panama
2026 Stats : made 12 appearances (11 starts) for the DSL Phillies totaling 32 IP and recording a 4.22 ERA with 45 K’s and 27 BB, 12.66 K/9. Made one postseason start - 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s.
2026 Notes : FB - 91-98 mph, change up, curve - Baseball America said this “a fastball that touches 96 mph. It’s a strong fastball for his age with good feel to pitch. His ability to spin a breaking ball gives him another standout trait.”
Dominican Academy Coordinator Miguel Prestol’s comments - “++ FB profile with ++ future stuff projection led by plus extension and quick arm. Very excited for his ceiling.”
2027 Outlook : likely stateside assignment to the FCL Phillies.
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