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 eighteen articles previously published - see the links if you missed them. Today we focus on group nineteen.
Group 19 : Noah Skirrow, Saul Teran, Paxton Thompson, Braydon Tucker, Erich Uelmen, Guissepe Velasquez
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 15 : Matt Osterberg, Micah Ottenbreit, Andrew Painter, Wen Hui Pan, David Parkinson - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-12-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-fifteen
Group 16 : Jose Pena Jr, Hector Perez, Jonathan Petit, Tyler Phillips, Dominic Pipkin - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-13-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-sixteen
Group 17 : Michael Plassmeyer, Alex Rao, Jason Ruffcorn, Matt Russell, Luke Russo - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-14-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-seventeen
Group 18 : Rodolfo Sanchez, Brett Schulze, Andrew Schultz, Eduar Segovia, Enrique Segura, Casey Steward - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-15-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-eighteen
The following group will be discussed in a future article :
Group 20 : Ezequiel Ventura, Jace Vines, Andrew Walling, Jeremy Walker, Danny Wilkinson, Cam Wynne
So we continue - the nineteenth article in the 2023 series on pitchers ⚾️🤓.
RHP Noah Skirrow - 25 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 6/16/20 - Liberty University
2023 Stats : posted an 8-4 record in 24 appearances (14 starts) totaling 101.2 IP for Lehigh Valley with 79 strikeouts and 53 walks - averaged 18.50 pitches per inning pitched and had a 59 % strike ratio.
2023 Notes : Noah is a great competitor - will throw strikes and challenge hitters. Began the year as a starter, converted to a bulk reliever on July 15th and adapted to the role throwing four or more innings in six of his ten appearances thereafter. Features a four pitch mix - four seam fastball (sits in a range of 91 to 95 mph), slider, split finger change up and sinker.
2024 Projection : a return to Lehigh Valley is likely
RHP Saul Teran - 21 years old - signed as an international free agent 2/2/21 - Caracas, Venezuela
2023 Stats : appeared in 20 regular season games (15 with FCL Phillies and 5 with Clearwater Threshers) totaling 33.2 innings with 30 strikeouts and 11 walks. Posted a 1.19 WHIP averaging 9.48 pitches per inning pitched with a 72 % strike ratio (77 % in FCL and 66 % with Threshers). Pitched two scoreless/hitless innings in 9/15/23 playoff game vs Lakeland with three strikeouts and a walk.
2023 Notes : is a very athletic pitcher who has really good stuff - slider is a swing and miss delivery with sharp break and action. Four seam fastball velocity sits 92 to 94 mph but flashes higher, gets great ball movement. Also throws a cutter and sinker. Has the potential to be a back end reliever and closer as he continues to progress.
Saul’s reflections : “I realized more confidence in myself. And next year the main thing is to work on my pitches.”
2024 Projection : an opening day roster spot with the Clearwater Threshers is likely.
RHP Paxton Thompson - 24 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/4/23 - UNC Charlotte
2023 Stats : appeared in five games (4 with Clearwater Threshers and 1 with FCL Phillies) - pitched 4.2 innings. Pitched two thirds of an inning in the playoffs on 9/17/23. Averaged 18 pitches per inning pitched and posted a 65 % strike ratio.
2023 Notes : made his pro debut on 8/22/23 vs FCL Blue Jays with a perfect inning, two strikeouts. He features a fastball (91 to 94 mph), slider and changeup. He was primarily a reliever during his two years at Charlotte appearing in 30 games (5 starts) posting 73 strikeouts in 70 IP with 30 walks. Before pitching for Charlotte he pitched a year at the University of Mary (North Dakota) and a year at Bradley University.
2024 Projection : will be in the mix for an opening day roster spot with the Threshers.
RHP Braydon Tucker - 24 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/19/23 - Lipscomb University, TN
2023 Stats : appeared in 5 regular season games (1 with FCL Phillies and 4 with Clearwater Threshers) amassing 5.2 IP, 6.35 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. He also pitched two thirds of an inning on 9/14/23 in a playoff game against Lakeland. Had a 58 % strike ratio in his outings.
2023 Notes : pitched for Lipscomb University (Nashville, TN) for the 2023 collegiate season where he posted a 3.97 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) in 93 innings pitched. He spent the first three years of his collegiate career at the University of Indiana. He’s from Terre Haute, Indiana and attended Northview High School. Throws from a three quarter arm slot and his sinker generally sits 90-93 mph, also has a split finger change up, curve and slider. We’ve seen him in bullpen session and in his pro debut on 8/19/23 in the FCL.
Brayden’s reflections : “My personal takeaway from the season was just using the valuable resources the Phillies provide on a daily basis to maintain health, and always have an “attack the hitter” mindset! My main focus this offseason is to work on my stuff from an analytical standpoint and make things more repeatable.”
2024 Projection : should be in the mix for a Threshers opening day roster spot in spring camp.
RHP Erich Uelmen - 27 years old - acquired in a trade from Cubs 1/4/23 for cash
2023 Stats : appeared in 14 games (all in relief) for AAA level Lehigh Valley - 15.2 IP, 4.02 ERA with 14 strikeouts and 8 walks, 1.66 WHIP, averaged 18.51 pitches per inning pitched and had a 61 % strike ratio. Was placed on the IL three different times during the season - longest stint was from 7/25/23 to 9/7/23 - made two rehab appearances with the Clearwater Threshers including one in the playoff round and one with Reading. Pitched one game in the major leagues with the Phillies on May 19th against the Cubs
2023 Notes : spent good amount of time at the complex in Clearwater working with the rehab team. Pitched in 25 major league games for the Cubs in 2022. Features a four seam fastball generally in the 92 to 94 mph range along with a sinker, slider and changeup.
2024 Projection : minor league free agent
RHP Guissepe Velasquez - 20 years old - signed as an international free agent 7/2/19 - Porlamar, Venezuela
2023 Stats : was excellent in the FCL appearing in eight games (two starts) and posting a 1.35 ERA in 20 innings pitched with 28 strikeouts and 9 walks. Was named a league all-star. Promoted to the Threshers on July 23rd and made five starts thereafter amassing 21.2 innings with 22 strikeouts and 11 walks. For the combined season he appeared in 13 games (seven starts) totaling 41.2 innings with 50 strikeouts, 20 walks, a 3.46 ERA, 1.18 WHIP with a 66 % strike ratio averaging 12.74 pitches per inning pitched. He was placed on the full season injured list in late August, we saw him at a playoff game with the TJ sleeve on, confirmed with him later that he had TJ surgery.
2023 Notes : first saw him on video when he made fourteen starts in the 2021 Dominican Summer League accumulating 52.1 innings and recording a 2.75 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 19 walks. He came stateside to compete in 2022 and appeared in 9 Florida Complex League games amassing 11 innings. The arsenal includes a four seam fastball (90 to 93 mph), big time spin curve ball, changeup and sinker. He gets great spin and movement on all four deliveries. Another very pleasant young man who will now go thru the rehab process to find his way back to action. We will be there to encourage him on his path.
2024 Projection : will spend the season working with the rehab team at the complex.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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