Last off-season I started a different writing venture - rather than producing a hard copy version of what was an annual Phillies Minor League Digest I went with a new approach and posted a series of articles on the webpage instead. A large portion of the digest was my player notes - views that are not entirely built upon seasonal or short term stats - while I referenced them I relied more upon my observations and feedback from players and coaches.
This off-season we continue the series “Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes”with profiles presented in groupings by defensive positions. I intend to offer notes on every stateside player I watched perform this past season that finished the 2023 season with the organization. I can attest that I actually watched most every Phillies minor league game each evening, attended practices and interacted with a vast amount of players, coaches, scouts and front office folks. Recently I sent a couple questions to the players - asked them what was their biggest personal takeaway from the 2023 season and what they are focusing on this off-season to prepare for 2024. Where I have responses I will include them in the notes. Also where I’m able I will include feedback from coaches and player development leadership.
The initial set of articles will be on pitchers. I’ll present notes on pitchers in alphabetical order. The first fourteen articles previously published - see the links if you missed them. Today we focus on group fifteen.
Group 15 : Matt Osterberg, Micah Ottenbreit, Andrew Painter, Wen Hui Pan, David Parkinson
Group 1 : Mick Abel, Samuel Aldegheri, Luis Alcala, Shaun Anderson, Erubiel Armenta - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-10-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-one
Group 2 : Konnor Ash, Andrew Baker, Brandon Beckel, Carlos Betancourt - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-26-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-two
Group 3 : Malik Binns, Josh Bortka, Ben Bowden, Connor Brogdon, Blake Brown - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-27-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-three
Group 4 : Cam Brown, Jean Cabrera, Eiberson Castellano, Starlyn Castillo, Ethan Chenault, Ty Collins - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-30-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-four
Group 5 : Gabriel Cotto, Hans Crouse, Jack Dallas, Trey Dillard, Jake Eddington - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-31-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-five
Group 6 : Jaydenn Estanista, Braeden Fausnaught, Jordan Fowler, Carlos Francisco, Javier Fuenmayor - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-1-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-six
Group 7 : Marty Gair, Alex Garbrick, Eric Garcia, Tristan Garnett, Drew Garrett - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-2-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-seven
Group 8 : Luis Gomez, Mavis Graves, Zach Haake, Daniel Harper, Josh Hendrickson - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-3-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-eight
Group 9 : Jonh Henriquez, Cristian Hernandez, Jakob Hernandez, Chase Hopewell, Drew Hutchinson - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-6-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-nine
Group 10 : Estibenzon Jimenez, Damon Jones, Nate Karaffa, Orion Kerkering, Keylan Killgore - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-7-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-ten
Group 11 : George Klassen, Taylor Lehman, Adam Leverett, Hunter Loyd, Rafael Marcano - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-8-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-eleven
Group 12 : Jordi Martinez, Gunner Mayer, Tommy McCollum, Alex McFarlane, Griff McGarry - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-9-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-twelve
Group 13 : Christian McGowan, Tyler McKay, Oswald Medina, Daniel Mejia, Jhordany Mezquita - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-10-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-thirteen
Group 14 : McKinley Moore, Wesley Moore, Nick Nelson, Mitch Neunborn, Luis Ortiz - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-11-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-fourteen
Group 16 : Jose Pena Jr, Hector Perez, Jonathan Petit, Tyler Phillips, Dominic Pipkin
Group 17 : Michael Plassmeyer, Alex Rao, Jason Ruffcorn, Matt Russell, Luke Russo
Group 18 : Rodolfo Sanchez, Brett Schulze, Andrew Schultz, Eduar Segovia, Enrique Segura, Casey Steward
Group 19 : Noah Skirrow, Saul Teran, Paxton Thompson, Braydon Tucker, Erich Uelmen, Guissepe Velasquez
Group 20 : Ezequiel Ventura, Jace Vines, Andrew Walling, Jeremy Walker, Danny Wilkinson, Cam Wynne
So we continue - the fifteenth article in the 2023 series on pitchers ⚾️🤓.
LHP Matt Osterberg - 24 years old - drafted in 15th round of the 2021 draft from St Cloud State, MN
2023 Stats : Overall for the year Matt made 24 starts between Jersey Shore and Reading, went 9-6 and had a 3.52 ERA in 122.2 IP. He averaged 14.69 pitches per inning pitched and had a strong 68 % strike ratio. Made 18 starts for Jersey Shore amassing 92.1 innings pitched and had a 3.61 ERA with 76 strikeouts and 19 walks with a 1.13 WHIP. Matt was promoted to Reading on 8/5/23 and made six starts posting a 3.26 ERA in 30.1 innings. In his final three starts of the season he recorded a 1.88 ERA in 14.1 IP with a 0.63 WHIP. In June he posted a 2.35 ERA in 5 starts (30.2 IP) with 27 K’s and 4 walks, a 0.75 WHIP and a .178 BAA.
2023 Notes : a very solid season, Matt’s a throwback type pitcher, throws strikes, mixes both location and speed, reads the hitter and uses pitch ability to record outs. He led the entire minor league organization in ERA and WHIP for starting pitchers. Features a fastball (91-92 mph), cutter, slider and change up. We believe he can continue to be as effective as he was this season at the higher levels next year, has moxy and poise - just knows how to pitch.
Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert : “Osterberg was a workhorse all season long. He's a lefty that shows good command of his entire arsenal. He was durable and never missed an outing. He's not overpowering but we did see improved average velocity on his fastball this year. We also saw big improvements with his changeup and slider, which was aided by adding a cutter this past offseason.”
2024 Projection : a return to Reading as part of the rotation is likely
RHP Micah Ottenbreit - 20 years old - drafted in 4th round of the 2021 draft from Trenton HS, Trenton, MI
2023 Stats : appeared in two games with the FCL Phillies (2.1 IP) - worked the entire year with the rehab group at the complex.
2023 Notes : Micah has missed basically the entire last two seasons, had Tommy John surgery in April of 2022 after pitching in five games with the Clearwater Threshers. He has worked with the rehab group in Clearwater since. This season was progressing well and he made two July appearances with the FCL Phillies but as is often the case in TJ recovery had a setback and it was decided to shut down for the balance of the year. He worked his way back to throwing a live bullpen on 9/26/23 which we got to watch, it was very encouraging as he threw with velocity, location and mix. It was a great way to end the year of rehab work. He is now participating in High Performance Camp. We first saw him pitch in 2021 Fall Instructs and again in ‘22 ST, great stuff, form and mechanics - well schooled - three pitch mix with a fastball that was then generally in the 90-92 mph range, (has now increased velo with added strength to be in the 92 to 94 mph range), also has a curve and changeup. He reminds me alot of former Phillie Andy Ashby from way back in the day. We think that when he gets back on the mound he’s going to do very well. From the first day we saw him throw we believed that he was a big league talent.
2024 Projection : with anticipated good health will open the season with the Clearwater Threshers.
RHP Andrew Painter - 20 years old - drafted in 1st round of the 2021 draft - Calvary Christian HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL
2023 Stats : did not pitch in a game during the season
2023 Notes : a tough year that started with such promise in spring training where it was speculated he would be part of the big league rotation. An elbow injury resulted in Tommy John surgery in late July. Has outstanding stuff, was dominant at three levels during the 2022 season. Features a fastball (sits in a range of 93 to 100 mph - max 101), change up, slider and curve. He’s a hard worker and will push to return to game action. When he’s healthy again the major leagues is in reach with a bright future for the well liked young man. Continues to work the comeback trail at Cressy Sports Performance Center.
2024 Projection : will spend the year working with the rehab team at the Clearwater complex.
RHP Wen Hui Pan - 21 years old - signed as an international free agent 1/15/23 - Hualien, Taiwan
2023 Stats : in his first pro season stateside Pan put up good numbers between Clearwater and Jersey Shore - 3.96 ERA in 33 appearances - 63.2 IP with 88 strikeouts and 24 walks, a 1.07 WHIP and a .190 batting average against. He averaged 16.26 pitches per inning pitched and had a 67 % strike ratio. At Clearwater he was especially strong - 2.81 ERA in 57.2 IP, a 0.87 WHIP with 81 K’s and 19 walks, opponents hit just .154 against him. Was promoted to Jersey Shore on 8/21/23 and seemed to run out of gas a bit as he struggled in six appearances with command and location.
2023 Notes : Word had it that Pan came with a ten pitch arsenal and that may have been the case however he’s focused on a three pitch mix now, a fastball (96 to 100 mph), splitter and slider. He’s got an easy motion, starts in the stretch, one side step, a rock and fire delivery. The fastball has great life and movement and has dominated hitters. He features the splitter as a secondary. An off-season focusing on high performance conditioning and refinement of his pitches will only improve what’s already a highly regarded skill set.
Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert : “Pan burst on the scene with his hard, riding fastball and nasty splitter. He performed well in back end, multi inning spots for Clearwater. He continues to focus on his slider as a third offering. He will be with our performance staff this offseason to focus on physical and strength development.”
2024 Projection : a return to Jersey Shore to begin the year with a potential promotion during the season.
LHP David Parkinson - 27 years old - drafted in 12th round of the 2017 draft from the University of Mississippi, MS
2023 Stats : pitched all of his appearances except for one game for Reading (one at LHV) and posted an overall 3.80 ERA in 25 appearances (130.1 IP) - was 9-5 with 135 strikeouts against 54 walks, had an exceptional month of August where he recorded a 1.26 ERA in five starts (28.2 IP) - from July 7th forward went 7-1 over 12 appearences. He finished amongst the Eastern League leaders in ERA (4th), Wins (2nd), K’s (7th), IP (4th), BAA (10th) and WHIP (9th). Averaged 16.23 pitches per inning pitched and recorded a 63 % strike ratio. He led the Phillies minor league organization in innings pitched and strikeouts.
2023 Notes : features a fastball (90 to 92 mph), change up and curve ball. Returned to the organization after voluntarily retiring and missing the 2022 season. He’s a cerebral pitcher who also owns and operates his own training and baseball business where he incorporates “old fashioned hard work and new school data driven analytics with a mantra that hard work equals success.” David knows how to pitch on the edges and generally has excellent control of his deliveries, is a master of changing speeds and hitting locations. If ya like seeing pitching technique he’s fun to watch in how he approaches the game. We first got to know him and his parents a bit back in 2018 when he had an outstanding season (11-1, 1.45 ERA in 124.1 IP) and won the Paul Owens Award while pitching at Jersey Shore and Clearwater. He’s a student of pitching, has learned to have fun at it as well. Is pitching winter ball this year in the Dominican Winter League.
Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert : “Parkinson had a solid year in Reading. Has ability to command his secondary offerings and made huge improvements from the '21 season. He was a durable starter in the Reading rotation and provided stability from series to series.”
2024 Projection : will compete for a Lehigh Valley roster spot in spring camp.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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