11/19/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Infielders - Part Five

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 five of the infielders highlighting the following :

Bryan Rincon

Jose Rodriquez

Carson Taylor

Raider Tello

Luis Verdugo

Juan Villavicencio

Brock Vradenburg

Bryan Rincon  - 21 years old (22 on 2/8/26) - drafted in 14th round of the 2022 draft from Shaler Area HS, Pittsburgh, PA

2025 Stats :  Switch hitter - RH thrower - played in 84 games - 359 plate appearances - .181/.304/.298 slash line with a .602 OPS - 13 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs and 31 RBIs, 50 walks, 103 strikeouts and 40 stolen bases. Defensively played in 80 games at shortstop - .975 fielding percentage in 285 chances. Was placed on the IL on 8/6 (hamate bone injury) and ended regular season there - played in the Arizona Fall League for second consecutive season.

2025 Notes :  Scouts rank Bryan highly for his defensive prowess at shortstop and for good reason, he has all the attributes of a superior fielder. It’s the offense that’s lagged behind - last season a hamstring injury held him to just thirty-five games and this year a hamate bone injury ended his season early. He was slated to continue rehab work at the complex but was chosen to replace Aidan Miller in the AFL instead. Bryan hit multiple balls hard in the AFL but the offensive numbers weren’t good. He loves baseball - is from Venezuela but left home at the age of 16 to move in with his Uncle in Pittsburgh in order to play high school baseball in the United States. He had committed to play for San Jacinto Junior College but instead signed with the Phillies. I first saw him play in the FCL - noted the power from the left side of the plate and of course the defense. He’s still a very young player, a very hard worker and a good young man - always says hello when I see him - hopefully it all clicks for him this spring along with an injury free season and he shows out all around.

Jose Rodriguez - 24 years old (25 on 5/13/26) - acquired in trade with White Sox 4/5/24

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - returned from suspension on 6/5 - played 11 games - 44 plate appearances with Clearwater - .273/.273/.318 slash line - transferred to Reading 6/24 - played in 26 games - 108 plate appearances - .303/.343/.384 slash line with .727 OPS - 5 doubles, home run, 16 RBIs, 6 walks, 16 strikeouts and 5 stolen bases. Was placed on IL 7/9 - on 8/12 sent on rehab assignment with Jersey Shore - played four games there - 13 plate appearances - posted a .333/.385/.333 slash line - returned to Reading 8/19.  Defensively played shortstop in 15 games - .938 fielding percentage, second base in 18 games - .988 fielding percentage and in the outfield for the first time in his career seeing action in center field two games and left field in one.  Is on the winter league roster of Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League. He played in one major league game with the White Sox in 2023.

2025 Notes :  originally signed by the Chicago White Sox on 2/13/18 as an international free agent from Valverde, Dominican Republic. He’s been a decent offensive player throughout his career - the Phillies acquired him for cash as the White Sox were in a roster crunch and needed to remove him from their 40 man roster. Jose was suspended in June of 2024 for one year for violating MLB’s betting policy - was suspended for betting $724 on MLB games. After his suspension ended this June the Phillies non-tendered him to clear a 40 man roster spot and then signed him back to a minor league contract. He was slated for minor league free agency but re-signed with the Phillies for the 2026 season. He’s an aggressive hitter with a gap to gap approach and some pop, will chase pitches out of the zone. Good range and decent arm as a middle infielder - sometimes the motor wanders - that needs to be more consistent. He hits the baseball hard, potential double digit home run prowess. Has been given a second chance to play pro ball - has talent - could be a lineup regular at either Reading or Lehigh Valley.

Carson Taylor - 26 years old (27 on 6/2/26) - selected in minor league Rule 5 Draft - 12/6/23

2025 Stats :  LH hitter - RH thrower - played in just three games with Lehigh Valley - went 5 for 7 (.714) with two doubles, a home run and two RBIs  - had labrum surgery and was placed on the full season IL on 4/12. The young man can flat out hit when healthy - in 2024 with Reading (109 games) and Lehigh Valley (6 games) posted a .279/.396/.458 slash line and .854 OPS in 477 plate appearances with 16 doubles, 16 home runs, 77 RBIs, 73 walks and 98 strikeouts.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Duluth, Georgia and graduated from Greater Atlanta Christian HS. He is the only player in the school’s history to complete a season without ever striking out😳. Enrolled at Virginia Tech and became their regular catcher - posted a .332/.436/.495 slash line and .931 OPS there in 237 plate appearance (two seasons) - was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 4th round of the 2020 draft. Played three seasons with the Dodgers and reached the AA level primarily playing catcher (153 games) but transitioning to first base in 2023. The Phillies converted him to a full-time first baseman in 2024. He told me in April of 2024 - “I’ve had a great time learning how to play first base.  Definitely still lots of room for growth for me in getting better there but feel like I’m making strides each day. I think being a first baseman has really helped me in terms of how I feel each day and being able to go out and play each and everyday.”  In regards to his hitting approach Carson told me “I want to give a huge shoutout to Casey Smith with Out Front hitting, he and I worked super hard in building the swing I have now. I made some pretty big changes and it’s really exciting to be hitting the way that I am. I think my best qualities as a hitter are that I take good at bats, I’m consistent day in and day out, and forcing pitchers to make their best pitch each time.”  Carson is a very positive young man who’s overcome injuries before in his career (broke his hamate bone in his freshman year of college) - he’s mentally tough and can freaking hit. Has transformed to a full time left handed hitter after initially switch hitting - is athletic - I think he can play third base (has done so before) or left field - was moved from behind the plate to focus on the offense. He’s got a big league bat - when he’s healthy again will continue his push to reach the show.

Carson’s 2025  reflections :   “Off-season approach for me is to get healthy and make sure I’m ready to go for next spring training so I can pick up where I left off. For next year I want to be ready to prove I’m healed and coming back better than before. I want to show that I’m going to be a consistent contributor at the big league level when my number is called and I’ll make the most of whatever level I’m at.”

Raider Tello - 24 years old (25 on 2/25/26) - signed as an un-drafted free agent - 7/23/24 - University of Iowa

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - played in 101 games - 398 plate appearances - .277/.347/.398 slash line and .745 OPS with 19 doubles, 8 home runs, 55 RBIs, 32 walks and 93 strikeouts. Defensively he played five different positions - first base in 44 games - .997 fielding percentage, third base in 34 games - 1.000 fielding percentage, second base in 9 games - .914 fielding percentage, shortstop in 14 games - .979 fielding percentage and right field in two games - 1.000 fielding percentage. Had two very good months in July and August - 41 for 136 - .301 batting average, .388 OBP in 157 plate appearances with 9 doubles, 3 home runs and 28 RBIs.

2025 Notes :  a smart, heady player who posts everyday and offers versatility with good defense at multiple positions. He’s from El Monte, California and graduated from Arcadia HS. Began his collegiate career at Pasadena City College. Transferred to Iowa and played two seasons there. He recorded a .335/.419/.500 slash line in 541 plate appearances at Iowa with 33 doubles, 11 home runs and 110 RBIs. He played third base exclusively for the Hawkeyes. When I’ve watched Raider play I’ve always seen a professional approach and effort, he gives it all he has - a good player. Will likely break spring camp with Jersey Shore but I think he can do well at Reading as well - wouldn’t be a surprise to see him on that roster.

Raider’s 2025 reflections :  “This past season I learned that one bad game, bad week, or bad month doesn’t dictate your entire season, I had a pitiful June and still finished really well with my year so I need to understand that  I’m going to struggle at times but that is part of the game of baseball. My off season approach is initially to take it light on the baseball related activities but lifting and cardio remained the same. Mid-October I started to do my baseball things again. Next year I’ve decided I will let the cards play where they fall, I don’t want to get myself overly excited if it’s not the plan god has intended for me.”

Luis Verdugo - 25 years old (26 on 10/12/26) - signed as a minor league free agent - 12/12/24

2025 Stats : RH hitter/RH thrower - split time with Reading and Lehigh Valley - played in 46 games - 170 plate appearances with Reading - .177/.272/.293 slash line with 8 doubles, 3 home runs and 19 RBIs, 18 walks, 47 strikeouts. With Lehigh Valley - 31 games - 109 plate appearances - .180/.234/.260 slash line with 2 home runs, 9 RBIs, 7 walks, 35 strikeouts. Defensively played third base in 38 games, shortstop in 8 games, second base in 5 games and first base in 24 games.

2025 Notes :  originally signed by the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent from Mexico on 7/2/17. Played in the Cubs organization till signing with the Phillies as a free agent. Reached the AA level with the Cubs, has and continues to play winter ball in the Mexican Pacific League with the Tomateros de Culiacan. Has been a good defender throughout his career who has struggled offensively.  Is once again a minor league free agent.

Juan Villavicencio - 20 years old (21 on 11/24/25) - signed as an international free agent - 1/15/22 - Maracaibo, VZ

2025 Stats : LH hitter - RH thrower - was on the IL for the majority of the season - began there on 4/4 - placed on rehab assignment with the FCL Phillies 6/12 - played in 7 games - 22 plate appearances - .286/.318/.524 slash line with .842 OPS - transferred to Clearwater 6/24 - played in 26 games - 104 plate appearances - .146/.298/.207 - 2 doubles, 1 home run, 13 RBIs, 17 walks, 30 strikeouts, 9 stolen bases. Placed on IL 8/7 - finished the year with the rehab team at the Complex. Defensively played 30 games at shortstop - .957 fielding percentage.

2025 Notes :  was slated to be Clearwater’s opening day shortstop but was injured in spring training - never got uncoiled in an injury riddled season. I’ve seen him play quite a bit in past years - is an excellent middle infield defender. Known as a practical joker he keeps teammates both loose and on their toes in the clubhouse - has a popular and outgoing persona. Hits left handed - reminds me a bit of former Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez in build, makeup and skill set. Has continued to work with the rehab team thru the off-season. Has some pop in his bat - hopefully is heathy in upcoming spring camp and can resume play.

Brock Vradenburg - 23 years old (24 on 3/20/26) - signed as a minor league free agent - 8/6/25

2025 Stats :  LH hitter - RH thrower - played in 15 games - 59 plate appearances with Jersey Shore - .205/.390/.318 slash line with .708 OPS - 2 doubles - 1 home run, 4 RBIs, 14 walks, 18 strikeouts - defensively played first base in 14 games - .975 fielding percentage. Played in 66 games with Beloit (Marlins High A affiliate) hitting .172 in 215 AB’s - released 8/4.

2025 Notes :  was the Marlins 3rd round draft choice in the 2023 draft from Michigan State. He’s from Pasadena, California and graduated from Maranatha HS. Played three seasons at Michigan State - .326/.416/.551 slash line and .967 OPS in 530 plate appearances - was a collegiate teammate of fellow Phillies minor leaguer Trent Farquhar. Brock is a big fella at 6’7” who was noted as a gap to gap hitter in college - has struggled to find his offense as a pro.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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