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 fifth 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. The fourth was on middle infielders - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-22-24-system-review-middle-infielders
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 center fielders.
AAA Lehigh Valley :
Cal Stevenson - 28 years old - acquired off waivers from the San Francisco Giants 5/26/23 - had a very strong 2024 season - hit .302/.421/.486 in 397 plate appearances with AAA Lehigh Valley with 25 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, 44 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. He played in 18 major league games and posted a .250/.333/.375 slash line in 27 plate appearances with 3 doubles and 6 RBIs. It was the best offensive season in his professional career (was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 10th round of the 2018 draft from the University of Arizona). Cal is also a very good defensive center fielder - he’s a left handed thrower and hitter. Originally out of options going into 2025 MLB reinstated one thus allowing Cal to become once again a very valuable insurance commodity if he doesn’t make the big league roster out of spring training camp.
Matt Kroon - 27 years old, turns 28 in December - 2018 18th round draft selection - Oklahoma State University - after electing free agency he re-signed with the Phillies this off-season. Matt lost a good bit of time in the 2024 season due to injuries - he played in just 80 games for AAA Lehigh Valley and posted a .251/.325/.441 slash line in 280 plate appearances with 14 doubles, 11 home runs, 38 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He’s a versatile defender who played exclusively in the outfield during 2024 (18 games in CF, 43 games in LF and 15 games in RF) but he’s also played a good amount of time at both 1B and 3B - it’s that versatility that makes him a valuable player on any team he’s on. Matt has above average speed and a short swing. He’s a diligent worker who is a baseball rat, gets after it and loves to play. He likely receives an invitation to major league spring training and then returns to Lehigh Valley as a lineup regular to begin the 2025 season.
Marcus Lee Sang - 23 years old, turns 24 in January - 2019 11th round draft selection - Northern HS, Owings, MD - played the majority of the season at AA level Reading - was promoted to AAA Lehigh Valley on 9/5/24 and played two games with the IronPigs - overall he hit .241/.300/.396 in 435 plate appearances with 12 doubles, 5 triples, 13 home runs and 47 RBIs, stole 12 bases. Defensively he played 63 games in CF, 13 in LF and 20 in RF. He’s a very good defender in all three positions, gets great jumps and reads, has a strong and accurate arm and is sure handed. A left handed hitter and thrower with a quick bat, decent speed and the ability to drive the ball out of the park. Is a very popular teammate, pleasant personality, upbeat with a welcoming attitude and smile. Works hard, is coachable and plays the right way. Likely opens the ‘25 season as a lineup regular for Lehigh Valley.
AA Reading :
Justin Crawford - 20 years old, turns 21 in January - 2022 1st round draft choice - Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, NV - LH hitter, RH thrower - had a very strong second full season as a professional - began the year with Jersey Shore and posted a .301/.349/.438 slash line with a .787 OPS in 317 plate appearances - 14 doubles, 4 triples, 6 home runs and 35 RBIs - 27 stolen bases. Was promoted to Reading 7/12/24 - finished with a .333/.380/.455 slash line and .835 OPS in 180 plate appearances at the AA level with 11 doubles, 3 home runs, 26 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Overall for the season played in 110 games with 497 plate appearances hitting .313/.360/.444 with a .804 OPS - 143 hits, 25 doubles, 4 triples, 9 home runs, 61 RBIs, 32 walks and 42 stolen bases, 203 total bases. He earned the 2024 Paul Owens Award. Very strong and accurate arm defensively, quick as all get out in running ability, covers a lot of ground - is a solid defender. Can drop down a bunt at will, in fact his first professional hit was a bunt single. Is an immediate threat on the bases, gets good reads as a baserunner and uses his speed as a distinctive advantage. Has shown the ability to drive the baseball out of the yard - from my observations will continue to get stronger - has all the attributes and skills to be an everyday major leaguer. Has put himself in a position that with continued success next season (likely begins at Reading) could be a 2025 major league contributor - will get a look in spring camp. He just completed playing in the Premiere 12 Tournament for Team USA as part of a bronze medal winning club. Very cordial and well received young man - popular teammate - truly enjoys playing baseball - that shines thru when watching him play.
Cade Fergus - 24 years old - 2022 13th round draft selection - George Washington University - began the 2024 season with High A Jersey Shore - made one cameo appearance with AAA Lehigh Valley and then was assigned to AA Reading on 6/8/24 - played in 72 games (34 - Jersey Shore, 37 - Reading and 1 LHV) accumulating 255 plate appearances and posting a collective .215/.339/.369 slash line with 8 home runs and 29 RBIs - sort of a disjointed season for him. When I’ve watched him play I’ve noted good hands and bat speed as a hitter, turns on fastballs, has pop. He is an outstanding outfield defender, premium speed, excellent throwing arm, can cover a lot of ground. Cordial young man, pleasant personality. Loves to play, plays hard. Likely returns to Reading out of spring training as part of an outfield rotation.
High A Jersey Shore :
Emaarion Boyd - 21 years old - 2022 11th round draft pick - South Panola HS, Batesville, MS - played in 96 games in 2024 for Low A Jersey Shore hitting .239/.316/.330 in 400 plate appearances - 13 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs and 40 RBIs - 27 stolen bases - had a strong month of August - .280/.361/.413 in 86 plate appearances. Is an excellent outfielder, mercurial speed, good reads, accurate arm - has made quite a few spectacular plays - he played mostly left field (42 games) when Justin Crawford was with JS but also amassed 52 games in center, became the primary CF’er after Justin moved to Reading. He had some nagging leg injuries over the course of the season along with normal growing pains for a young player. Is a quiet person who has great determination and “want to” - excellent bat speed, more power than folks realize, when he gets it the ball carries a long ways. Speed is his game though and he knows that, is a willing worker on getting stronger and improving his on base skills inclusive of bunting. Once on base is an instant base stealing threat - has 91 stolen bases in 198 career games. There’s genuine talent - just needs time and repetition. I think he is a likely candidate to open 2025 as the BlueClaws primary center fielder once again.
Avery Owusu-Asiedu - 21 years old - 2023 9th round draft selection - Southern Illinois-Edwardsville University - played the entire 2024 season with Low A Clearwater, most of which was spent as the everyday center fielder. He’s perhaps the fastest runner in the entire organization, is another strong outfield defender with plus speed, reads, arm and route running. Struggled a bit offensively posting a .192/.287/.327 slash line in 357 plate appearances with 11 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs and 27 RBIs, stole 17 bases. Has great size at 6’4” and is very athletic in frame and build. Finished the season strong with two home runs in his last four games. Reminds me a little of former Phillie Aaron Altherr. Has a great attitude, hard worker and will to win - good pop - could progress to a double digit HR hitter. I think he’s likely to open 2025 with Jersey Shore seeing time in all three outfield positions.
Low A Clearwater/Extended Spring Training :
Dante Nori - 20 years old - 2024 1st round draft selection - Northville HS, Northville, MI - played in 14 games after signing with the Clearwater Threshers - .240/.424/.280 in 66 plate appearances with a triple, 9 RBIs and 4 stolen bases, I also saw him play in a couple “Bridge League” games. Has a great personality - can tell he’s a hard worker by his actions in practices we’ve seen including the most recent High Performance Camp. Has shown a short and direct swing, quick hands. Defensively is another burner who can cover alot of ground - I’ve seen an accurate and above average throwing arm as well. Left handed hitter and thrower who’s likely ticketed to begin 2025 with the Threshers - should be fun to watch him continue to develop.
Griffin Burkholder - 19 years old - 2024 2nd round draft selection - Freedom HS, South Riding, VA - played in one game with the Threshers before incurring an injury - ever since he’s been working with the rehab team at the complex. The only time I’ve seen Griffin hit personally was in a BP session a week ago - 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 athletic and 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. As mentioned before he’s very athletically built - I was truly impressed by the session and yes it’s one in November so that certainly has to be factored but first impressions are sometimes just as telling - he continually squared up and drove thru the baseball - he hit one off the scoreboard. It was line drive after line drive in his session - really good stuff and fun to watch - certainly something to take into the balance of the off-season and come into next spring on a high note with - glad we got to see it 🤓.
Jerffson Peña - 20 years old, turns 21 in December - signed as an international free agent 11/16/21 - Montecristi, Dominican Republic - played in 41 games for the FCL Phillies in 2024 - posted a .267/.364/.427 slash line in 151 plate appearances with 10 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs and 10 RBIs with 12 stolen bases. Is another very strong defender - I saw him run down plenty of long flies this summer, accurate arm, good wheels, well schooled - is a left handed hitter and right handed thrower - has shown good pop in his brief career with 8 home runs on the expansive back fields in the DSL and FCL. Will compete for a Threshers roster spot in 2025 spring camp.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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