11/13/26 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Catchers - Part Three
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 three - catchers - highlighting the following :
Angel Mata
Paul McIntosh
Tyler Minnick
Scott Mudler
Cesar Mujica
Angel Mata - 21 years old (22 on 1/4/27) - signed as an international free agent - 4/14/22 - Cumana, Venezuela
2026 Stats : RH hitter - played the majority of the season with Clearwater - appeared in 36 games - 131 PA’s - .202/.292/.237 slash line with a .529 OPS, 23 hits, 4 doubles, 13 RBIs, 11 walks, 25 strikeouts, 27 total bases. Transferred to Jersey Shore 8/4/26 - 10 games - 33 PA’s - 6 hits, 4 BB, 12 K’s. Overall numbers - 46 games, 164 PA’s, .203/.294/.238 with .592 OPS, 34 total bases, 14 RBIs, 15 BB, 37 K’s.
2026 Notes : is one of the top defensive catchers in the system - has thrown out 58 of 204 (28%) base stealers in his career. Has shown good receiving and blocking skills as well. Better offensive output would garner more consistent playing time.
2027 Outlook : likely returns to Jersey Shore to start the season.
Paul McIntosh - 28 years old (29 on 11/20/26) - acquired in trade with Marlins - 12/22/24
2026 Stats : RH hitter - played in 78 games for Lehigh Valley - .244/.336/.417 slash line in 292 PA’s - 17 doubles, 9 HR’s, 38 RBIs, 29 BB, 62 K’s, 34 runs, 106 total bases. From June thru August hit .281 (40 for 142) with 6 home runs and 23 RBIs.
2026 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 hit the baseball hard, he’s a very strong young man who can drive the ball out of the yard. Has made improvements defensively particularly in throwing and pop times.
2027 Outlook : likely returns to Lehigh Valley.
Tyler Minnick - 22 years old (23 on 8/26/27) - signed as an un-drafted free agent - 7/24/26 - Middle Tennessee State
2026 Stats : RH hitter - spent the majority of his time working at the complex in “draft camp” learning the regimen of pro baseball life and working on skills, strength and conditioning along with mental skills. Was activated with Clearwater on 8/31 - played in two games - went 2 for 7 (singles) with 3 RBIs.
2026 Notes : is from Smyrna, Georgia where he graduated from Mount Paran Christian School. He was rated as the #2 catcher in the state of Georgia in 2023 , was a member of the 2021 state championship team. He played in 43 games at Georgia Tech in 2023 and 2024 before transferring to Middle Tennessee State where he played the last two seasons appearing in 111 games, hit .298/.398/.518 in his senior year with a .917 OPS clubbing 18 doubles and 10 home runs. Can also play first base. Won the Conference USA Spirit of Service Award for significant community endeavors primarily working with the Special Olympics. Was named the Conference scholar athlete of the year for baseball. He was the Middle Tennessee State team captain, noted for leadership skills.
2027 Outlook : likely opens the season with Clearwater
Scott Mudler - 23 years old (24 on 6/3/27) - signed as an un-drafted free agent - 6/26/26 - University of Oklahoma
2026 Stats : LH hitter - played in 16 games with FCL Phillies - 54 PA’s - .191/.283/.383 - 7 runs, 9 hits, double, triple, 2 HR’s, 5 RBIs, 3 BB, 10 K’s. Transferred to Jersey Shore 7/31 - 25 games - 85 PA’s - .181/.294/.222 - 6 runs, 3 doubles, 7 RBIs, 11 BB, 21 K’s. After a year of inactivity and rehab work not unexpected numbers didn’t pop. Showed ability to drive the ball though. Defensively threw out 14 of 38 base stealers (37 %). Also played first base.
2026 Notes : he’s from Johns Creek, GA and graduated from Chattahoochee HS. Initially attended Northwest Florida State College before transferring to Oklahoma where he played two seasons - was a lineup regular. Became a student-coach for this year’s NCAA championship squad. Was originally going to sign with the Braves following the 2025 season but needed to have shoulder surgery and went back to school as a student-coach instead. Is noted as a good defender with some pop - showed that straight away with two FCL home runs.
2027 Outlook : likely returns to Jersey Shore to start the season.
Cesar Mujica - 19 years old (20 on 3/30/27) - signed as an international free agent - 1/15/24 - Barquisimeto, Venezuela
2026 Stats : RH hitter - played in 19 games (53 PA’s) posting a .163/.321/.256 slash line with 7 hits, 1 double, 1 home run, 4 RBIs, 7 BB, 18 K’s , 11 total bases. Played in three games with Clearwater - went 1 for 6 with a walk and two strikeouts. He spent most of April and May working with the rehab team at the complex with a wrist injury.
2026 Notes : has good size at 6’2” - pops the ball out of the yard frequently in the BP sessions I’ve watched - strong throwing arm - just needs to gain playing experience to see how he progresses.
2027 Outlook : needs to stay healthy and hit to advance.
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