11/20/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Outfielders - part one

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 one of the outfielders highlighting the following :

Jack Barker

Griffin Burkholder

Dylan Campbell

Victor Cardoza

Justin Crawford

Joel Dragoo

Jack Barker - 20 years old (21 on 6/23/26) - drafted in 13th round of the 2025 draft from the College of Southern Idaho

2025 Stats :  LH hitter/thrower - spent the majority of his time training at the complex after signing in the draftee mini-camp - was activated on 8/26 with Clearwater - played in nine games - 37 plate appearances - .138/.324/.138 slash line and .462 OPS - 7 walks and 11 strikeouts - 1 stolen base. He posted a .456/.543/.750 slash line and a 1.293 OPS in 247 plate appearances with 22 doubles, 7 triples and 8 home runs plus 19 stolen bases in his last collegiate season. In his nine games with Clearwater he played left field five games, right field twice and was the DH twice.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Meridian, Idaho and graduated from Mountain View HS. He had committed to attend Colorado Mesa University after his two seasons at Southern Idaho but chose to sign with the Phillies instead. Prep Baseball’s report said that he’s a “a power-hitting left-handed outfielder known for his impressive swing and ability to drive the ball deep. With a strong athletic build, he combines speed and power, making him a formidable presence at the plate and a reliable fielder. Barker's keen eye for pitches allows him to recognize opportunities to capitalize on mistakes from opposing pitchers.”  Jack is participating in Fall High Performance Camp - I’ve yet to see him play in person - looking forward to that this spring.

Griffin Burkholder  - 20 yrs old (21 on 8/30/26)  - drafted 2nd round of the ‘24 draft - Freedom HS, South Riding, Virginia

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - injury setbacks (hamstring) limited him to 34 games played and misleading surface numbers - 15 games - 64 plate appearances with the FCL Phillies and 19 games - 81 plate appearances with Clearwater - an overall .197/.290/.386 slash line and .676 OPS with 10 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 13 RBIs, 12 walks and 42 strikeouts.  Defensively played right field in 31 games and center field in 3 games.

2025 Notes :  had committed to attend the University of West Virginia but signed with the Phillies instead. The first time I saw Griffin hit personally was in a BP session in November of 2024 - he started his session with one hand swings to establish keeping his front shoulder aligned and a consistent swing path. When he went to his full hitting approach we saw a very consistent swing alignment - the hip rotation was in sync with the upper body drive and swing path thru the ball, it was clinical to watch - this young man has been well schooled. He is very athletically built - I was truly impressed by the session - he continually squared up and drove thru the baseball - hit one off the scoreboard. It was line drive after line drive in his session - really good stuff and fun to watch. Was hoping that would carry into the season however injuries hindered him throughout the year and he spent the majority of his time at the Complex working with the rehab team. In my opinion he has the tools to be a major leaguer - just needs good health and prolonged play. Very nice young man who’s always accommodating to chat baseball.

Griffin’s 2025 reflections :  “I learned a lot about taking care of and how to fuel my body to be on the field everyday to perform at my best. I wasn’t the happiest with how the season ended since obviously I want to be healthy but I am happy with where I am at now and am excited for next season. I will be at the complex in Clearwater for pretty much the whole off season. Working to get ramped up back up to 100% and then working with the coaches and trainers to prepare for spring training and beyond. I just want to be back on the field and help the team that I get assigned to win games.”

Dylan Campbell  - 23 years old (24 on 7/2/26)  - acquired in trade with Dodgers - 1/17/25

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - began the year with Jersey Shore - 58 games - 243 plate appearances - .221/.302/.390 slash line with a .692 OPS - 11 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs, 35 RBIs, 22 walks, 58 strikeouts and 15 stolen bases. Promoted to Reading on 6/23 - 64 games - 271 plate appearances - .209/.295/.347 slash line with a .642 OPS - 12 doubles, 7 home runs, 25 RBIs, 29 walks, 52 strikeouts and 18 stolen bases. Overall regular season numbers - 23 doubles, 14 HR’s, 60 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. Set career highs for games played, plate appearances, home runs and RBIs. Best month was June - .321/.402/.487 in 92 plate appearances with 7 doubles and 2 home runs. Defensively played center field (87 games - .992 fielding pct), right field (18 games - 1.000 fielding pct), left field (5 games - 1.000 fielding pct) and second base (11 games - .955 fielding pct). Was selected to participate in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) and did well - 19 games - 74 plate appearances - .304/.419/.625 slash line and 1.044 OPS with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 16 RBIs, 14 walks, 17 strikeouts and 4 stolen bases. Added first base and third base to his defensive positions in the AFL.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Houston, Texas and graduated from Strake Jesuit HS - played varsity shortstop all four years of high school and also starred in football. Enrolled and played three seasons at the University of Texas - .295/.392/.529 slash line and .921 OPS in 564 plate appearances with 30 doubles, 24 home runs and 86 RBIs. Was then drafted in round 4C of the 2023 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Traded to the Phillies in exchange for International Pool allocations. I first saw him play at the complex in 2024 HP Camp Two - told him I thought he would either start or end up with Reading. He’s an excellent defensive outfielder with a plus arm whose ability to track the ball shines thru - saw that in a couple games in Reading when he played center field. Is a line drive hitter - his defensive versatility shined thru this season - he played six positions and performed well at each of them.  Could bump up a notch to AAA Lehigh Valley out of spring training camp.

Victor Cardoza  - 19 years old (20 on 1/19/26) - signed international free agent - 1/15/23 - Puerto Cabello, Venezuela

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - played in 46 games - 174 plate appearances with the FCL Phillies - .222/.287/.342 slash line and .629 OPS with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 15 RBIs, 13 walks, 55 strikeouts and 6 stolen bases. Played in one game with Clearwater in May and went 1 for 4. Defensively played in center field 33 games - .940 fielding percentage, right field 11 games - .935 fielding percentage and left field two games - 1.000 fielding percentage. Best month was June - .286/.322/.411 slash line with 4 doubles and a home run in 59 plate appearances.

2025 Notes :  it was Victor’s first time stateside as a player after having a standout 2024 season in the Dominican Summer League during which he posted a .333/.390/.562 slash line and .952 OPS in 178 plate appearances with 12 doubles and 7 home runs. We saw glimpses of that this summer - an aggressive hitter who was prone to strikeouts but also has some pop, defensively is decent in center field in regard to tracking, will make the routine plays and occasionally run down a ball that many cannot - throwing was a bit erratic. Is a very young player who likely returns for another season of backfield play.

Justin Crawford - 21 years old (22 on 1/13/26)  - drafted 1st round of the ‘22 draft - Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, NV

2025 Stats :  LH hitter - RH thrower - had an outstanding season - .334/.411/.452 slash line in 506 plate appearances with an .863 OPS in 112 games played for Lehigh Valley - 199 total bases, 88 runs, 23 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 47 RBIs, 58 walks, 91 strikeouts and 46 stolen bases. Won the International League batting title and also led the league in runs scored. He was in the top three in hits (2nd), stolen bases (3rd) and OBP (3rd). Defensively played center field in 76 games - .979 fielding pct and left field in 30 games - 1.000 fielding pct. His season ended on 9/5 when he collided with third baseman Otto Kemp on a fly ball down the left field foul line and suffered a concussion along with some displaced teeth. Finished the year on the IL. In his four year minor league career has a .322/.385/.446 slash line and a .831 OPS with 70 doubles, 17 triples, 19 home runs and 145 stolen bases in 1,459 plate appearances.

2025 Notes :  the first time I saw Justin play in an “official” game was in 2022 on the backfields - his pro debut in the FCL - in his very first plate appearance he walked and then immediately stole second base, he was hit by a pitch in his second plate appearance and walked again in his third PA promptly stealing another bag. In his second game a couple days later he delivered his first pro hit - a bunt single laid perfectly down the third base side - I marveled at how quickly he motored to first base! He then stole second base. His second hit was a soft line drive single to left field. I mention those first two games because they epitomize the type of player he’s consistently been since. Justin has elite speed and uses it to full extent. Folks who love the art of bunting are in for a treat when they see him for the first time as it’s definitely a part of his offensive repertoire. There’s a lot of discerning opinion about him hitting the ball on the ground too often to be an effective major leaguer - I am not of that opinion - in the many games and at bats I’ve actually watched him in he’s also produced line drive hits both of the flared and smoked varieties and has driven the ball as well. His stance is definitely unorthodox, holds his hands high and spreads out - it’s not the pretty cookie cutter left handed swing and there are often times where he looks bad on swings and misses yet he’s a career .322 hitter in an age where .300 plus hitters are infrequently found - the point is - he delivers. As a person he’s genuine - I remember a day at the complex where a man who was serving in the military was on hand watching - Justin sought him out and thanked him for coming out to watch, he was genuinely touched and grateful for this person, a complete stranger to him but someone he valued due to his work as a military member. Defensively folks doubt whether he can play center field and I admit that I’ve seen issues with balls hit right at him in regard to tracking them. However side to side he’s fine as his speed helps overcome whatever lack of reads he may get initially. There is no issue with arm strength - I’ve seen him put the ball on the fly into the catcher’s mitt at the plate from deep center field. Is he a better left fielder than center fielder at this point - probably - maybe even an elite one, doesn’t mean that he can’t develop more defensive acumen in center, he’s still a very young player and is a tremendous worker - with continued daily reps I think he will overcome the deficiencies that exist - the tools are there. As a hitter there’s pop and in my opinion he’s capable of double digit home run totals, that’s not his game but with added strength by growing into his body more I do believe that will come. Long story short he’s ready to be a major league regular at the young age of 22 this coming spring - that’s saying a lot - I firmly believe he will do very well.

Joel Dragoo  - 22 years old (23 on 1/8/26) - drafted in 7th round of the 2024 draft from Presbyterian College

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - was slated to break camp with Jersey Shore but was held back with an injury and instead initially worked in extended spring training - was assigned to Clearwater - stayed there till 6/24 when he was transferred to Jersey Shore. He played in 47 games - 194 plate appearances with Clearwater - .177/.294/.226 with a .520 OPS - 8 doubles, 12 RBIs, 27 walks and 57 strikeouts. With Jersey Shore he played in 28 games - 96 plate appearances - .169/.274/.253 slash line with .527 OPS - 5 doubles, 1 triple, 7 RBIs, 11 walks, 20 strikeouts and 2 stolen bases. Defensively he played left field in 33 games - .944 fielding pct. and right field in 27 games - 1.000 fielding pct.

2025 Notes : he’s from Beckville, Texas and graduated from Northside Christian Academy. In three seasons at Presbyterian posted a .305/.416/.562 slash line and .978 OPS with 34 doubles, 28 home runs and 107 RBIs in 151 games. During his 2024 collegiate season he set his program’s Division I single-season record with 18 home runs and 67 RBIs. Was regarded as having a strong offensive skillset however the slow start to his season set the tone this year and he never got going - he had a better August however posting a .353 OBP so there may be some light ahead - hopefully comes into spring camp healthy and gets after it.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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