11/15/26 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Infielders - Part One
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 one - infielders, highlighting the following :
Jonathan Alcantara
Keaton Anthony
Nolan Beltran
Nick Biddison
Alex Binelas
Jonathan Alcantara - 18 years old (19 on 2/24/27) - signed as an international free agent - 6/17/25 - Dominican Republic
2026 Stats : LH hitter - played in 33 games in the FCL - .232/.283/.364 slash line with a .647 OPS, 18 runs, 23 hits, 4 doubles, 3 home runs, 12 RBIs, 7 walks, 30 K’s, 36 total bases. Played 2B (14 games), CF (13 games), SS (one game) and 3B (one game).
2026 Notes : first season stateside - had three games in May (21st, 23rd and 28th) in which he hit 3 home runs and drove 8 runs which showed his offensive potential. The FCL team struggled in general, partially due to inexperience and youthful age - Alcantara was one of the better players on the squad - hitting home runs on the backfields is no easy task as the fields are large in outfield space - it was impressive that he did so in three straight games played, one at home on Roberts Field, one in Dunedin against the Blue Jays and one in Tampa against the Yankees. He also showed defensive versatility playing both the infield and outfield. The 2027 FCL team will be reinforced with some very talented DSL graduates - I believe that Alcantara could fit well into that mix.
2027 Outlook : likely returns to the FCL.
Keaton Anthony - 25 years old (26 on 6/24/27) - signed as un-drafted free agent 7/18/23 - University of Iowa
2026 Stats : RH hitter - began the year on the IL with a fractured foot. Played in 11 rehab games with Clearwater and Jersey Shore - 46 plate appearances - went 13 for 34 (.382) with 2 home runs and 8 RBIs. Activated by Lehigh Valley on 6/2 - 328 PA’s, 40 runs, 80 hits, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 11 home runs, 50 RBIs, 36 walks, 51 strikeouts, 130 total bases - .282/.363/.458 slash line and .821 OPS - single season career high in home runs. Played in 70 games at first base - .998 fielding percentage.
2026 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. Is a pure professional gap to gap line drive doubles machine with occasional over the fence pop, also repeatedly drives outside pitches the opposite way - won a minor league gold glove at first base in 2024. Is not a fleet runner which limits him defensively, has all the other skills to become a major leaguer - especially his hitting capability. This was his second season at the AAA level albeit hasn’t played a full season there he’s pretty much shown he’s ready to bump up, just needs the right opportunity. Played some left field in spring training before getting injured - his bat is big league caliber.
2027 Outlook : is Rule 5 eligible for the first time this season.
Nolan Beltran - 21 years old (22 on 1/24/27) - signed as an international free agent 1/15/22 - Barranquilla, Colombia
2026 Stats : LH hitter - played in 98 games (405 PA’s) for Clearwater - .272/.385/.382 slash line, .767 OPS, 67 runs, 91 hits, 22 doubles, 5 home runs, 60 RBIs, 56 walks, 55 strikeouts, 128 total bases. Played in two games with Reading early in the season when they were short handed. Defensively played five positions - 3B (35 games), 1B (25 games), LF (20 games), 2B (14 games) and SS (4 games).
2026 Notes : breakout season - was fully healthy for first time in his three years stateside. He showed the same defensive versatility as in years past even adding 1B as a new position. Has strong bat to ball skills and good plate discipline - in his five year career has 134 walks and 138 strikeouts in 978 plate appearances. Set career season highs in multiple offensive categories. Nolan plays winter league ball in his native Colombia each off-season as a utility player - this season at Clearwater showcased those capabilities along with an offensive prowess that portrays a bright future ahead.
2027 Outlook : is Rule 5 eligible for first time, likely opens the season with Jersey Shore.
Nick Biddison - 26 years old (27 on 7/30/27) - acquired in trade with Dodgers 6/25/25 - was the Dodgers 2022 4th round draft pick - Virginia Tech
2026 Stats : RH Hitter - played the majority of the year at Jersey Shore - 84 games (350 PA’s) - .274/.384/.409 slash line and .793 OPS, 51 runs, 81 hits, 16 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs, 40 RBIs, 47 walks, 86 strikeouts, 20 stolen bases, 121 total bases. Promoted to Reading 8/5 - 12 games - 39 PA’s, 1 home run, 6 RBIs. Transferred to Lehigh Valley 9/13 - 6 games (24 PA’s), 4 for 19, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts filling in for an injury riddled squad the last series of the season. Defensively played 3B (20 games), RF (24 games), 2B (51 games) and one game each at 1B, SS and LF.
2026 Notes : is from Glen Allen, Virginia and graduated from St. Christopher’s HS. The Phillies acquired him in a cash transaction. He’s an 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. Was the “veteran presence” on the Jersey Shore squad for most of the year, bumped up to Reading in a reserve role and then filled in at Lehigh Valley for a week. Will work counts as a hitter, has the ability to drive the ball with pull side power. Is a smart player who’s well schooled.
2027 Outlook : a likely return to Reading to start the season.
Alex Binelas - 26 years old (27 on 5/26/27) - signed as a minor league free agent 5/26/25 - was the Brewers 2021 3rd round draft pick - Louisville
2026 Stats : LH hitter - played in 116 games (479 PA’s) for Reading with a .267/.382/.509 slash line, .891 OPS, 73 runs, 107 hits, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 26 home runs, 78 RBIs, 72 walks, 140 strikeouts, 5 stolen bases, 204 total bases. Transferred to Lehigh Valley 8/31/26 - played in 3 games (9 PA’s) going 2 for 9 - placed on the IL 9/4, ended season there. Defensively played 1B (87 games) with a .994 fielding percentage. Was the DH in 31 games.
2026 Notes : is from Oak Creek, Wisconsin and graduated from Oak Creek HS. Signed a two year contract in 2025 with the Phillies after being released by the Red Sox. Was traded by the Brewers 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, has shown good power. Had a breakout year for Reading, an MVP type season. Set career season highs in hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs. Tied for the Eastern League leadership in home runs, was the anchor to the Reading lineup, a true team leader. Suffered a hip injury at the end of the year that sidelined him. Is a solid baseball player who has spent at least parts of the past five seasons in the Eastern League with either Portland (Red Sox) or Reading (2025 & 2026) and has consistently hit for power (69 home runs) and been a run producer (259 RBIs).
2027 Outlook : free agent
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