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Writer's pictureSteve Potter

11/22/24 :  System Review - Middle Infielders

By my count the Phillies presently have 153 players on their minor league roster, since it is the off-season they are permitted 175 spots.  Those remaining will be filled by free agent signings, perhaps some minor league rule 5 draftees and maybe a few trades.


This article is the fourth of a series on the minor league players I’ve yet to write about since the season ended - if you missed the first on the catchers - here’s the link - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-12-24-system-review-catchers. The second article was on third basemen - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-16-24-winter-league-roundup.  The third article was on first baseman - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-17-24-system-review-first-basemen.


My initial off-season article was on 10/14 on free agents to be https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-14-24-minor-league-free-agency.


That was followed by two articles on 10/20 https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-20-24-on-the-cusp-part-one-of-two and 10/21 https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/10-20-24-on-the-cusp-part-one-of-two about players on the cusp of contributing to the major leagues.  On 11/3 I wrote about Rule 5 considerations https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-3-24-rule-five-considerationsand then a spotlight piece on Alex McFarlane on 11/8 https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-8-24-spotlight-alex-mcfarlane.


The off-season roster build is in progress - I continue with a look (position by position) of returning players and where they might be assigned - this one on middle infielders.


AAA Lehigh Valley :


Weston Wilson - 30 years old - signed as a free agent from Brewers organization 1/11/23 - was the Brewers 16th round draft pick in the 2016 draft from the Clemson University - played in 71 AAA games for Lehigh Valley in 2024 - 18 home runs and 55 RBIs - played in 41 major league games - 98 plate appearances - .284/.347/.489 with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs and 10 RBIs - also played in two playoff games.  Weston has a minor league option left - he’s certain to get a chance to make the Phillies opening day roster out of spring training but if not is well regarded insurance at AAA.  He can play all four infield positions as well as the outfield. He’s proven himself to be a viable big league player - has shown power and ability to hit in the clutch and is a very good base runner as well (stole 46 bases over the past two minor league seasons).


Rodolfo Castro - 25 years old - acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates 8/1/23 for LHP Bailey Falter.  Was originally signed by the Pirates on 10/30/15 from Los Llanos, Dominican Republic.  Elected free agency this November but re-signed with the Phillies.  He was going to be the everyday shortstop for Lehigh Valley last season but was injured in spring camp and spent the majority of the year on the IL rehabbing at the complex in Clearwater.  Counting rehab appearances with the FCL Phillies, Clearwater and Jersey Shore and 19 games with the IronPigs he played in 23 games total hitting 3 home runs and driving in 9 runs.  Last spring was the first time I’ve seen him play in person, is very athletic - showed a good glove and arm.  Offensively has good pop, is a switch hitter who’s hit 22 major league home runs in 566 AB’s.  Provides system depth at three infield positions (2B,SS,3B) - will likely be a lineup regular out of spring camp for Lehigh Valley.


Trevor Schwecke and Otto Kemp are both capable of manning middle infield positions and would seem likely to garner innings there, Schwecke as a shortstop and Kemp at second base.  I discussed them both in my article on third baseman.  Buddy Kennedy is on the 40 man roster but is out of minor league options, he plays both second and third base.  In order for him to return to Lehigh Valley he’d have to be out-righted and clear waiver claims.


The organization will need to make additions to the roster to fill out the middle infield contingent at the AAA level.


AA Reading :


Aidan Miller - 20 years old - 2023 1st round draft pick - Mitchell High School, New Port Richey, FL - I first saw him play on the backfields of Carpenter Complex after he signed with the Phillies.  As is our custom we were there to video his initial professional hit on July 27th (a double in his first AB) in a Florida Complex League game on Roberts Field against the FCL Tigers.  Aidan went 3 for 4 in the contest with two doubles.  The video was added to our “first hits by first picks” collection on the backfields (Alec Bohm’s triple on Ashburn Field, Bryson Stott’s home run on Roberts Field and Justin Crawford’s bunt single on Roberts Field) and completed the cycle (single,double, triple, HR) for the last four Phillies position players #1 picks. 😳😎


2024 was the first full professional season for Aidan and he played at three levels (Clearwater - 39 games, Jersey Shore - 58 games, Reading - 5 games).  He posted a .261/.366/.446 slash line in 462 plate appearances with 28 doubles, 6 triples, 11 home runs and 60 RBIs, 56 walks and 23 stolen bases.  Aidan has shown the ability to turn pitches around with authority along with strong bat to ball skills, is a smart hitter who gives a competitive AB each time he’s in the box.  He’s also played good defense at shortstop and has convinced everyone who has watched him perform there that it is the position where he belongs.  He’s shown baseball instincts, a strong arm, solid range and a good glove, multiple scouts have told me they believe he projects as a major league shortstop.   He is a diligent worker - a baseball gym rat who takes great pride in his work - he told me this summer in regards to his fielding   “For me I like to do some kind of glove work everyday, whether it’s double play feeds or cuts and relays.  I like to prepare for the game knowing I’ve done some kind of fielding practice before it starts.”


The Phillies are committed to Aidan’s full development - he will open the season as the everyday shortstop for Reading but will also see time at second and third base.  The young man has genuine baseball talent and a great personality to boot, he’s good people.


Robert Moore - 22 years old, will be 23 in March - acquired in trade with Milwaukee Brewers for Oliver Dunn 11/14/23 - was the Brewers 2022 CB-B round draft pick - University of Arkansas - played in 107 games (435 plate appearances) for Reading in 2024 posting a .240/.323/.364 slash line with 20 doubles, 9 home runs, 41 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.  Walked 39 times and struck out in 73 plate appearances.  Defensively played 61 games at shortstop and 41 at second base.  Has a high baseball IQ, plays smart baseball, good hands and shows patience as a hitter, generally won’t get himself out.  Is a candidate to move up to AAA level in spring training.


Trent Farquhar - 23 years old, will be 24 in March - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/19/23 - Michigan State University - played at four levels in 2024 (3 games - FCL (rehab), 32 games - Clearwater, 38 games - Jersey Shore and 5 games - Reading) -  was on the IL from 5/29 to 7/20 with a broken hamate bone - still managed to play in 78 games and posted a .285/.433/.374 slash line in 410 plate appearances with 15 doubles, 3 triples, a home run and 23 RBIs - walked 59 times versus 63 strikeouts - stole 28 bases - led off most games he played in.  Defensively saw action at second base, shortstop and third base.  So far in his pro career he’s been an on-base machine - this past summer I wrote a spotlight article on him and asked Trent about offensive approach - “For my approach I like to hunt fastballs in the middle of the plate early.  However, I’m very comfortable hitting with one or two strikes so that allows me to be able to be picky early in the count and get a pitch I can drive.  I’ve been blessed with good pitch recognition and being stingy to my approach.”


Defense has also been a strong part of his game, I recall the first time I saw him in drills at the Complex, I made a point of telling Trent afterwards how impressed I was with the skillset.  He told me this summer “I just try and get better each day on my defense. Being intentional with every rep regardless if it’s live or in practice.  I try to make each rep a game rep. My favorite position would probably have to be shortstop because that’s where I played in high school but any position that gets me in the lineup works for me.”   He’s playing off-season baseball in Australia as a member of the Adelaide Giants.  A high baseball IQ and an ability to consistently get on base - both great qualities to have.  I think he should be in the mix for a versatile infield role with Reading in 2025 spring training camp, will likely get some Grapefruit League time as well.


Erick Brito and Zach Arnold have both played shortstop and second base in their careers.  Brito has played the majority of his innings as a shortstop and second baseman  - he’s very likely to see time at both.  I discussed them in my article on third baseman as that is also a position they will likely see time at - please refer to that article to read about them.


High A Jersey Shore :


Bryan Rincon - 20 years old, turns 21 in February - 2022 14th round draft pick - Shaler Area High School , Pittsburgh, PA - spent most of the 2024 season at Carpenter Complex rehabbing from a hamstring injury (5/20 to 8/21).  Played in a total of 35 games with Clearwater (rehab) and Jersey Shore - never got on-track from the injury time lost - played in 19 games in the Arizona Fall League - a total of 185 plate appearances for the year.  He’s an excellent fielder at shortstop, has all the tools of a plus defender at the premium position.  Offensively is a switch hitter who has strong bat to ball skills and a solid approach.  He’s got pop, particularly from the left side - can turn on pitches as a lefty hitter, drives the ball.  Has great energy and presence, really good eye-hand coordination and is baseball savvy.  One to watch when back to form - likely returns to Jersey Shore as the starting shortstop to make up for lost time.


Devin Saltiban - 19 years old, turns 20 in February - 2023 3rd round draft pick - Hilo High School, Hilo, HI - hit 17 home runs and posted 53 RBIs in 411 plate appearances for the Clearwater Threshers in his first full professional season.  Devin also had 13 doubles and stole 22 bases - he had an OBP of .346.  He transitioned to a new defensive position at second base after playing primarily outfield in high school and is a gifted athlete who performed the move well.  During his time with the Threshers he showed both bat speed and power which are his tickets up the ladder.  Plays with purpose and passion - it shines thru in his approach to the game and profession.  In my opinion he has the skillset to develop into a “professional hitter” type player, defensively he can progress into becoming a solid option at second base and might even some time in the outfield as well.  Is likely in line to move up a level and begin 2025 with Jersey Shore.


Bryson Ware, Diego Gonzalez and Carson DeMartini are also capable middle infielders, I discussed them in my article on third baseman as I see them playing that position as well - please refer to that article to read about them.


Low A Clearwater/Extended Spring Training :


Starlyn Caba - 18 years old, turns 19 in December - signed as an international free agent 1/15/23 - Bonao, Dominican Republic - one of the most pleasant and outgoing young people I’ve ever met - seems to always be upbeat with a smile on his face along with being welcoming and inclusive.  He’s especially talented as a defender at shortstop - I’ve heard scouts describe him as “Ozzie Smith like”.  This past summer I saw him make unbelievable plays on the backfields in FCL play including relay throws from deep in the outfield that he put directly on target with both velocity and accuracy.   He led the organization in stolen bases with 50 in 2024, was promoted to Clearwater from the FCL on 7/23/24 and posted an overall .385 OBP in 340 plate appearances.  He showed some pop as well with 7 doubles and a couple home runs.


The energy he brings each day to practice and games is both engaging and contagious.  When you watch Starlyn play you see constant movement and chatter - he’s into every pitch and is always anticipating the play.  I did a spotlight article on him this past spring and he told me “I love this sport, I have been playing it since I was 4 years old.  I love playing defense, because I can be creative and do unique things.  I came here for a dream and I know I'm going to achieve it because my mind is only on baseball.”  He is a very focused and determined young man and has the skills to advance to boot, he’s added strength and muscle in High Performance Camp and in my opinion has a very bright future ahead - likely begins 2025 as the Clearwater Threshers primary shortstop.


Brady Day - 22 years old, turns 23 in March - 2024 10th round draft selection - Kansas State University - played in 22 games with the 2024 Clearwater Threshers after signing and accumulated 87 plate appearances - defensively appeared at both second and third base.  Is a left handed hitter who coming out of college was “considered a contact-oriented hitter with a high on-base percentage, known for his ability to draw walks and put the ball in play consistently.”   Likely returns to Clearwater to begin 2025.


Juan Villavicencio - 19 years old, turns 20 on 11/24/24 - signed as an international free agent 1/15/22 - Maracaibo, Venezuela - is a sure handed defender with a very good arm, covers a great deal of ground at both second base and shortstop - can also play third base.  Appeared in 49 games with the FCL Phillies and Clearwater Threshers (promoted 9/4/24) and posted a .251/.352/.347 slash line with 7 doubles, 3 triples, a home run and 18 RBIs.  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.  Likely opens 2025 as a member of the Threshers.


Nikau Pouaka-Grego, Nolan Beltran, Yemil Rosario and Aroon Escobar were discussed in my article on third basemen - each is also likely to see middle infield time as well - please refer to the third basemen article to read about them.


Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️



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