11/12/26 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Catchers - Part 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 part two - catchers - highlighting the following :
Yhoan Escolona
Alirio Ferrebus
Payton Henry
Kehden Hettiger
Mark Kolozsvary
Yhoan Escolona - 21 years old (22 on 11/4/27) - signed as an international free agent - 1/15/23 - Barquisimeto, Venezuela
2026 Stats : RH hitter - sidelined early in the year with a labrum injury - placed on the full-season IL 4/1/26 - did not play in a game, instead worked with the rehab team at the complex coming back from injury.
2026 Notes : served as a reserve catcher in 2025 at both Clewarwater and Lehigh Valley. Since coming stateside on 4/22/25 has just 21 AB’s. Previously played two years (2023 & 2024) in the DSL.
2027 Outlook : hopefully back to full health and competing for a roster spot.
Alirio Ferrebus - 21 years old (22 on 9/12/27) - signed as an international free agent 1/15/23 - Maracaibo, Venezuela
2026 Stats : RH hitter - played 72 games with Clearwater garnering 307 PA’s - .324/.375/.520 slash line and .895 OPS, 40 runs, 89 hits, 21 doubles, 11 home runs, 58 RBIs, 16 walks, 40 K’s, 5 stolen bases. Promoted to Jersey Shore on 7/27 - 5 games - 21 PA’s - went on the IL 8/7 with a shoulder issue - spent the balance of the year at the Complex working with the rehab team. Defensively threw out 12 of 46 base stealers (26 %).
2026 Notes : had a breakout season offensively - excellent bat to ball skills - aggressive hitter. Has the skillset to remain behind the dish as a defender - still work to be done there. Catching is a premium position - Alirio is a high value asset in that regard. A sore shoulder shut him down before he got a chance to continue his season with Jersey Shore. Reminds me in build of former big leaguer Benito Santiago, tall and angular. Really drove the ball with authority this season - has generally always hit for average in his four year career but this season showed pop as well. Interesting fella to watch continuing to develop.
Alirio’s off-season plans : “Stay healthy and be totally focused to be able to experience opportunities in spring training. Be with my family and train in my hometown after two years without seeing them. Thank God everyday for giving me the opportunity this past year to be able to do a very good job and classify myself among the best prospects in the organization. Follow my approach and continue to progress until I reach the top goal.”
2027 Outlook : likely returns to Jersey Shore to begin the season as the primary catcher.
Payton Henry - 29 years old (30 on 6/24/27) - signed as a minor league free agent 7/4/26 - was the 2016 6th round draft pick of the Brewers - Pleasant Grove HS, Utah
2026 Stats : RH hitter - played in 26 games (86 PA’s) for Lehigh Valley - .235/.279/.420 slash line, .699 OPS, 3 doubles, 4 home runs, 11 RBIs, 32 K’s, 2 BB. Played in 48 games for Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Yankees AAA team) prior to coming over to the IronPigs.
2026 Notes : returned to the IronPigs for the second time - played with them in 2025 before signing with the Yankees in the off-season, was released by New York on 7/2/26. Has won a minor league gold glove as a catcher and is noted as a very good game caller. Spent time in the majors this season with the Phillies but didn’t appear in a game. Veteran presence who is a good AAA player who fits well into any clubhouse - well received and liked.
2027 Outlook : free agent.
Kehden Hettiger - 22 years old (23 on 5/25/27) - drafted 11th round -2023 draft from Sierra Canyon HS, Chatsworth, CA
2026 Stats : LH hitter - played in 61 games (246 PA’s) for Reading posting a .191/.317/.348 slash line and .665 OPS, 32 runs, 39 hits, 8 doubles, 8 home runs, 20 RBIs, 39 walks, 86 K’s, 71 total bases. Spent significant time on the IL (7/27 till end of season) with a knee issue. Defensively threw out 16 of 68 base runners (24 %). Was assigned to the Arizona Fall League (AFL) to make up at bats. So far in the AFL has a .233/.370/.326 slash line and .696 OPS in 12 games (54 PA’s) with 10 hits, 9 runs scored, 4 doubles, 10 walks and 15 strikeouts.
2026 Notes : has impressive power but has been strikeout prone in his brief four year career to date. In my opinion has made great strides as a receiver - 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. The knee issue was a setback as he needs to garner game experience. Development needs as a hitter is more consistent contact.
2027 Outlook : will return to Reading as part of the catching corps.
Mark Kolozsvary - 31 years old (32 on 9/4/27) - signed as a minor league free agent - 12/26/25 - was the 2017 7th round draft pick of the Reds - University of Florida
2026 Stats : RH hitter - spent the majority of the season working with the rehab team at the complex coming back from knee reconstruction surgery that he underwent in July of 2025. Went on rehab assignment with Clearwater and Jersey Shore in late July and early August playing in 12 games getting 54 PA’s. Was assigned to Reading on 8/11 - 24 PA’s - went back on IL 8/23 and finished the season there. Knee injuries are tough. Overall played in 18 games (78 PA’s) - .185/.436/.370 slash line and .806 OPS - 3 HR’s, 8 RBIs, 30 K’s, 20 BB, 16 runs, 10 hits, 20 total bases.
2026 Notes : He’s from Taveras, Florida and graduated from Taveras High School.
After initially playing in the Reds organization was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on 10/14/22. He signed with the Minnesota Twins as a free agent on 6/20/23 and then with the Boston Red Sox on 12/21/23 with whom he played minor league ball till declaring free agency on 11/6/25. He’s appeared in 11 major league games (2022-2023) with the Reds and Orioles and has 20 major league at bats. He also played in the Olympics for Team USA. This past season and 2025 were injury riddled ones for him. He’s noted for his defense - game calling and a strong arm.
2027 Outlook : free agent.
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