11/11/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - catchers - part two
- Steve Potter
- 24 hours 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 two of the catchers highlighting the following :
Alirio Ferrebus
Payton Henry
Kehden Hettiger
Angel Mata
Bennett Markinson
Paul McIntosh
Alirio Ferrebus - 20 years old (21 on 9/12/26) - signed as international free agent 1/15/23 - Maracaibo, Venezuela
2025 Stats : a RH hitter who began the year with the FCL Phillies - played in 25 games - 106 plate appearances - .267/.368/.478 slash line with a .846 OPS - 5 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 18 RBIs. Promoted to Clearwater on 6/10 - played in 44 games - 174 plate appearances - .219/.272/.275 slash line - 6 doubles, 1 home run and 25 RBIs. Placed on the IL on 8/13 and finished the season rehabbing a hand injury (was hit by a pitch) at the complex.
2025 Notes : Alirio works hard at his craft and truly loves playing baseball. He’s upbeat and fun to be around. He was chosen and played in the Spring Breakout game - has excellent bat to ball skills, barrels the baseball - big body at 6’2”, athletic frame - solid defensive skills. Is a very talented player on both sides - we’ve watched him throw out runners and show good form as a catcher. Plays first base as well. He will play for Adelaide in the Australian Baseball League this off-season.
Alirio’s 2025 reflections : “Hello sir, this season was one of learning and gaining strength mentally. I am already preparing for next year and working towards the big goal of reaching the major leagues, I will go to Australia and hope to come ready for the next season and give something for you to write about in the best way!”
Payton Henry - 28 years old (29 on 6/24/26) - signed as a minor league free agent 12/10/24
2025 Stats : RH hitter - played in 65 games - 269 plate appearances with Lehigh Valley - .249/.323/.415 slash line and .738 OPS with 7 doubles, 11 home runs and 47 RBIs. Went on the IL on 4/12 with a hand contusion - sent on rehab assignment with Jersey Shore on 5/2, played one game with the BlueClaws. Finished the year strong with a .303/.361/.424 slash line in 11 September games in 36 plate appearances. He played in 43 major league games with the Marlins in 2021 and 2022 and has 43 career MLB at bats.
2025 Notes : drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 6th round of the 2016 draft from Pleasant Grove HS in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Was committed to play collegiately at Brigham Young University before choosing to sign with the Brewers instead. Was traded to the Miami Marlins on 7/30/21, traded back to the Brewers on 11/10/22. He then played in the Brewers organization till 12/8/23 when he signed a free agent contract with the Blue Jays. Payton showed good leadership skills with the IronPigs - he often caught Andrew Painter and mentored him thru his appearances. As a hitter has a power bat, particularly to the opposite field. He has won a minor league gold glove as a catcher and is noted as a very good game caller. He’s a minor league free agent once again this off-season.
Kehden Hettiger - 21 years old (22 on 5/25/26) - drafted 11th round -2023 draft from Sierra Canyon HS, Chatsworth, CA
2025 Stats : LH hitter - began the year with Clearwater - 8 games - 32 plate appearances - was transferred to Jersey Shore on 4/16 - played in 85 games - 355 plate appearances - .232/.330/.389 slash line with a .719 OPS - 20 doubles, 2 triples, 8 home runs and 50 RBIs - promoted to Reading 9/2 - played in 7 games - 26 plate appearances - for the season had a career high 413 plate appearances - 21 doubles, 9 home runs and 55 RBIs. He caught in 61 games and played first base in 30 - threw out 32 of 117 base stealers (27%).
2025 Notes : in my opinion Kehden made great strides this season - he was relatively inexperienced as a catcher when he signed with the Phillies but he’s worked hard and has come a long way in throwing, set up, receiving and game calling. Offensively he scrapped being a switch hitter and instead focused on being a full time left handed hitter where he’s displayed pull side power. Advancing to Reading at year end was a big accomplishment- should compete to be the starter there in 2026 spring camp.
Angel Mata - 20 years old (21 on 1/4/26) - signed as an international free agent - 4/14/22 - Cumana, Venezuela
2025 Stats : played in 44 games - 162 plate appearances with the FCL Phillies - .204/.292/.296 slash line - 10 doubles, 1 home runs and and 20 RBIs. Missed the entire 2024 season after having knee surgery - played 2022 and 2023 with the DSL Phillies White club.
2025 Notes : is perhaps the best defensive catcher in the system - has thrown out 42 of 119 (35%) base stealers in his career. Has shown good receiving and blocking skills as well - if can find offensive consistency could break upcoming spring camp with a full season affiliate assignment.
Bennett Markinson - 22 years old (23 on 12/30/25) - signed un-drafted free agent - 7/22/25 - Northwestern University
2025 Stats : did not play in an affiliated game after signing - instead worked at the complex in draftee mini camp. Posted a .293/.376/.424 slash line and .800 OPS in four collegiate seasons (693 plate appearances) at Northwestern. As a senior started all 52 of the team’s games including 48 at catcher.
2025 Notes : he’s from Tarzana, California and graduated from Harvard-Westlake HS. Had a 4.5 GPA in high school and graduated as a National Merit Finalist. On the baseball field he’s known as a solid defensive catcher and as having good bat to ball skills as a hitter with a gap to gap line drive swing. I haven’t seen him play in person yet - looking forward to doing so in spring training.
Bennett’s 2025 reflections : “Hey Steve! Appreciate you reaching out and I hope you are doing well. My introduction to pro ball and to the Phillies organization was great. All the coaches, front office staff, and teammates were very welcoming and I already feel like I have learned and improved a ton over my first few months. Excited to continue grinding this off-season. Looking forward to getting stronger and continuing to improve at and behind the plate so I’m ready to go once the spring comes. I’m pumped to get back out there and embark on my first full season in pro ball!”
Paul McIntosh - 27 years old (28 on 11/20/25) - acquired in trade with Marlins - 12/22/24
2025 Stats : RH hitter who spent the majority of the season with Reading - was on the injured list in late April and played three games with Jersey Shore in a rehab assignment (5 for 11 with two doubles). At Reading he played in 58 games (232 PA’s) with 13 doubles, 8 home runs and 35 RBIs posting a .267/.345/.447 slash line and a .792 OPS. Promoted to Lehigh Valley on 8/27 - played in ten games there - 40 PA’s - 2 home runs and 6 RBIs. He had a very strong month of July posting a .388/.464/.571 slash line and an 1.276 OPS in 56 plate appearances with 6 doubles and a home run. Overall on the season had 283 PA’s, 15 doubles, 10 home runs, 44 RBIs with a .259/.343/.441 slash line and a .784 OPS. Defensively caught in 44 games with a .984 fielding percentage.
2025 Notes : he’s from Miami Gardens, Florida and graduated from Dade Christian HS where he also played football. Attended Motlow State Community College before transferring to the University of West Virginia where he played three seasons and clubbed 21 home runs. Paul was drafted in 2018 after playing at Motlow by the Los Angeles Angels but chose to attend West Virginia instead. He signed as an un-drafted free agent with the Marlins on 7/24/21. Was traded to the Phillies as part of the Jesus Luzardo deal. Whenever I’ve seen Paul play he’s consistently hit the baseball hard, he’s a very strong young man who can drive the ball out of the yard. Defensively does a good job with arm strength and release the two main areas he needs to improve upon. A very nice young man who’s easy to root for. Will very likely be a non-roster invite to 2026 big league spring camp with an eye towards seeing regular playing time in Lehigh Valley next season.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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