11/13/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Infielders - Part One
- Steve Potter
- 1 minute ago
- 7 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 one of the infielders highlighting the following :
Keaton Anthony
Zach Arnold
Christian Arroyo
Nolan Beltran
Nick Biddison
Alex Binelas
Erick Brito
Keaton Anthony - 24 years old (25 on 6/24/26) - signed as un-drafted free agent 7/18/23 - University of Iowa
2025 Stats : RH hitter/thrower - began the year with Reading - .330/.380/.522 slash line and .902 OPS in 49 games (200 plate appearances) with 21 doubles, 4 home runs, 29 walks, 40 K’s - promoted to Lehigh Valley on 6/11 - .313/.374/.433 slash line with a .807 OPS in 33 games - 148 plate appearances - 10 doubles, 2 home runs, 10 RBIs, 13 walks and 33 K’s. Overall for the season posted a .323/.378/.484 slash line and .862 OPS in 348 plate appearances with 31 doubles, 6 home runs and 73 RBIs. In his three year minor league career has a .324/.402/.467 slash line and .869 OPS with 52 doubles, 16 home runs and 115 RBIs in 847 plate appearances.
2025 Notes : he’s from Hoschton, Georgia and graduated from Mill Creek High School. Was a two way player in both high school and college appearing in ten games as a pitcher at Iowa (six starts) totaling 22 innings pitched. Had much more success as a hitter - career .372/.476/.686 slash line and 1.162 OPS in three seasons at Iowa (97 games - 443 plate appearances) with 43 doubles and 22 home runs. Played right field in college. As a pro has continued to excel offensively - is a pure professional gap to gap line drive doubles machine hitter with occasional over the fence pop, also repeatedly drives outside pitches the opposite way - transitioned to first base and won a minor league gold glove there in 2024. Is not a good runner which limits him defensively, has all the other skills to become a major leaguer - especially his hitting capability. Suffered a season ending ankle injury and finished the year with the rehab group at the complex - appears ready to go for 2026 spring training - deserves a big league camp non-roster invitation in my opinion.
Zach Arnold - 24 years old (25 on 6/13/26) - drafted in 14th round of the 2023 draft from the University of Houston
2025 Stats : RH hitter/thrower - played in 83 games - 305 plate appearances with Jersey Shore - .202/.272/.329 slash line with 8 doubles, 9 home runs, 29 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Transferred to Reading on 8/5 where he played in seven games before being transferred back to Jersey Shore on 8/20. Defensively saw action at first, second and third base - even pitched an inning in a blowout game. His best month was in June when he posted a .377 OBP in 77 plate appearances.
2025 Notes : he’s from Temecula, California and graduated from Great Oak HS. He played two seasons at LSU before transferring to Houston where he became Team Captain playing two seasons there as their primary third baseman. Has hit in spurts as a pro but hasn’t sustained it - has shown some pop. Cordial young man, I first met him shortly after he signed at the complex. Will likely compete for a Reading roster spot this spring.
Christian Arroyo - 30 years old (31 on 5/30/26) - signed as a minor league free agent 2/14/25
2025 Stats : RH hitter/thrower - played in 45 games - 190 plate appearances with Lehigh Valley - .314/.384/.485 slash line with a .869 OPS - 14 doubles, 5 home runs, 37 RBIs - had multiple stints on the IL - 20 days in April, again from 6/29 till 8/1 - sent on rehab assignment with Clearwater - 5 games - 17 plate appearances - activated 8/12 - placed back on IL 8/19 till 9/3.
2025 Notes : is now a minor league free agent - had lower back issues that hindered his season. When he played was an offensive cog in the lineup - also a positive influence in the clubhouse. Has played in seven seasons of MLB action with the Giants, Rays, Guardians and Red Sox - 295 games - 992 plate appearances - .252/.299/.394 career slash line. He can play all four infield positions and the outfield corners. When he’s healthy is a very good reserve asset to any organization he’s with.
Nolan Beltran - 20 years old (21 on 1/24/26) - signed as international free agent 1/15/22 - Barranquilla, Colombia
2025 Stats : LH hitter - RH thrower - began the year with Clearwater - played in 35 games - 131 plate appearances - .183/.264/.261 slash line - 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 12 RBIs - transferred to FCL 5/6 - 4 games - 10 plate appearances - .250/.400/.250 slash line - placed on the IL 5/9 - returned to active status 8/5 - finished the season with Clearwater. Defensively played mostly shortstop.
2025 Notes : an injury riddled season for Nolan who was pressed into service at shortstop early in the year with Clearwater when he likely would have opened in the FCL. He had a promising 2023 season in the DSL and a solid first year stateside in the 2024 FCL (.363 OBP) which showcased his abilities when healthy. Hopefully 2026 will be a year that gets him back on the right track.
Nick Biddison - 25 years old (26 on 7/30/26) - acquired in trade with Dodgers 6/25/25
2025 Stats : RH hitter/thrower - after coming over to the Phillies played in 19 games - 75 plate appearances with Jersey Shore - .210/.338/.306 slash line with 2 doubles, a home run and 6 RBIs. Began the year on the IL - had worked his way up to the AA level with the Dodgers before being traded. He played 18 of his 19 games at third base for Jersey Shore and one at second base.
2025 Notes : he was the 2022 4th round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Virginia Tech. He’s from Glen Allen, Virginia and graduated from St. Christopher’s HS. The Phillies acquired him in a cash transaction. He’s a high energy guy who is both willing and capable of playing any position on the field. Noted for having an above average arm and running speed. Has had two shoulder surgeries in his amateur career. His versatility is a valued asset - should compete in the spring for a Reading roster spot.
Alex Binelas - 25 years old (26 on 5/26/26) - signed as minor league free agent 5/26/25
2025 Stats : LH hitter- RH thrower - played in 68 games - 269 plate appearances with Reading posting a .265/.372/.425 slash line with a .797 OPS with 10 doubles, 8 home runs and 37 RBIs - had previously played in 13 games (41 plate appearances) with Worcester (Red Sox AAA affiliate) with a .257/.366/.457 slash line and .823 OPS with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs before being released on 5/23. Has played in parts of four seasons (2022-2025) in the AA level Eastern League with Portland and Reading. Defensively played in 48 games at first base for Reading and 15 at third base.
2025 Notes : He’s from Oak Creek, Wisconsin and graduated from Oak Creek HS. Signed a two year contract with the Phillies after being released by the Red Sox. Was drafted by the Brewers in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft from the University of Louisville and traded to the Red Sox on 12/1/21 as part of a three player trade for Hunter Renfroe. Provided a veteran presence for Reading after joining the Phillies organization while still being a relatively young player himself. Good all-around skillset - is a baseball player. Has a patient approach as a hitter, will take his walks. When he makes contact hits the ball hard - high exit velocities and can drive the ball to all fields and hit it out of any park, has shown good power. Likely competes for a AAA level Lehigh Valley roster spot in spring camp - playing third base would be his most opportunistic ticket there.
Erick Brito - 23 years old (24 on 5/25/26) - signed as international free agent 11/29/18 - Ciudad Guayana, VZ
2025 Stats : RH hitter/thrower - began the season with Lehigh Valley - played in 49 games - 168 plate appearances - .250/.341/.313 slash line with 7 doubles, a triple, 18 RBIs, 17 walks, 36 K’s. Transferred to Reading on 7/2 - 30 games - 112 plate appearances - .243/.297/.320 with a .617 OPS with 5 doubles, 1 home run and 11 RBIs with 7 walks and 27 K’s. Had excellent months in April - .324/.390/.351 slash line in 42 plate appearances and June - .297/.409/.459 slash line in 46 plate appearances - both were with Lehigh Valley. Defensively played games at second base (14), third base (30) and shortstop (24). Has played every defensive position on the field except catcher in his seven year minor league career.
2025 Notes : Erick re-signed with the Phillies in October forgoing minor league free agency. I first saw him play in 2021 Fall Instructs - is a very capable fielder at every position - have seen him make spectacular plays at shortstop - in my opinion he’s the current minor league version of Edmundo Sosa in the organization. He’s a steady if unspectacular hitter that will generally put the ball in play and can pop it out of the park on occasion. Smart ball player who loves to play baseball, has decent wheels and can swipe bags, tons of energy. His defensive versatility is an asset along with his baseball IQ. I can envision a multi position reserve role for him with a big league club, showed this past season that he can handle upper level pitching. Still a relatively young player that initially signed as a teenager with the Phillies, is the cousin of Daniel Brito. Is playing winter ball in the Venezuelan Winter League for the Leones del Caracas club.
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