11/2/26 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Pitchers - Part Fouteen
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 pitchers - part fourteen, highlighting the following :
Naoel Mejia
Michael Mercado
Kobe Minchey
Jesus Montiel
Aneury Montilla
RH Naoel Mejia - 24 years old (25 on 7/5/27) - signed as an international free agent 4/29/23 - Santo Domingo, DR
2026 Stats : made nine appearances with the FCL Phillies totaling 10.1 IP recording a 5.23 ERA with 13 K’s and 7 walks.
2026 Notes : missed the entire 2025 season recovering from TJ surgery in May of that year - began a rehab assignment with the FCL Phillies on 6/23/26 - big arm capabilities - 96-99 mph sinking fastball and slider. Has battled throwing strikes in the 37 career games he’s pitched in (2023 & 2024 in DSL, this year in FCL) with a 6.89 BB/9 career projection but when he’s in the zone is very difficult to square up. Has a big frame at 6’5” - pitches downhill.
2027 Outlook : with good health and a spring camp showing he can throw strikes a full season assignment to either Clearwater or Jersey Shore seems within reach.
RH Michael Mercado - 27 years old (28 on 4/15/27) - acquired in a trade from Rays 11/6/23
2026 Stats : spent the early part of the season on the IL - made 5 rehab appearances beginning on 4/14 with Clearwater (two games - 2.1 IP) and Jersey Shore (three games - 5 IP) before returning to Lehigh Valley on 5/2 - made 36 appearances - 4.64 ERA in 52.1 IP, 54 K’s, 28 BB - had outstanding months of June & July - 15 games - 2.31 ERA, 30 K’s, 10 walks.
2026 Notes : has a power arm - four seamer (95-98 mph), sinker, cutter, big break curve and change-up. A tall (6’4”) and slender young man who pitches downhill - has had control issues in throwing repeated strikes - when he throws quality strikes has the stuff to succeed as a major leaguer. Was the Rays 2nd round draft pick in the 2017 draft from Westview HS in San Diego, CA. Quiet demeanor, likable young man - he was a Stanford commit before signing with the Rays.
2027 Outlook : free agent
RH Kobe Minchey - 23 years old (24 on 6/30/27) - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/24/26 - Tarleton State
2026 Stats : pitched in one game (1 IP) with the Threshers in September - worked the majority of his time after signing at the complex in “draft camp” learning the regimen of pro baseball life and working on skills, strength and conditioning along with mental skills.
2026 Notes : is the son of Nate Minchey who pitched in the major leagues for Boston and Colorado (1993, 94, 96, 97) and then in Japan where he continues to work as an international scout for the Yomiuri Giants while also owning a construction company. Kobe was born in Japan but grew up in Jarrell, Texas - he was home schooled yet played high school baseball for the Austin Royals and Waco Wind. He originally enrolled at the University of Texas where he made nine appearances as a freshman - he then transferred to Dallas Baptist and then Tarleton State. His fastball has been clocked in the 99 to 100 mph range and also features a slider and change up.
2027 Outlook : likely opens the season with the Clearwater Threshers.
RH Jesus Montiel - 20 years old (21 on 9/24/27) - signed as an international free agent 7/23/24 - Mexico
2026 Stats : was promoted to the FCL Phillies from the Dominican Academy on 4/1 - made two appearances - 4 IP, 4.50 ERA, 4 K’s, 2 BB - placed on the IL 5/23 - transferred to 60 day IL 6/19 with a pectoral strain. He had made 11 starts the year before (39 IP) in the DSL posting 46 K’s and 14 walks with a 6.23 ERA.
2026 Notes : showed a fastball in the 90-93 range, slider, change up and cutter in the DSL - in his two FCL appearances this year that remained consistent.
2027 Outlook : likely returns to the FCL.
LH Aneury Montilla - 20 years old (21 on 7/11/27) - signed as an international free agent 2/27/25 - Dominican Republic
2026 Stats : made 19 FCL appearances - 30 IP - 6.00 ERA, 29 K’s and 19 BB - was promoted from the DSL 4/1/26. Made 13 appearances (ten starts) in the DSL in 2025 posting a 6.43 ERA in 35 IP, 39 K’s, 17 BB.
2026 Notes : - 87-91 mph sinker, slider and changeup - consistent velocity and mix in his first two pro seasons.
2027 Outlook : likely returns to the FCL perhaps as a starter.
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