11/24/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Outfielders - part three

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 three of the outfielders highlighting the following :

Jorge Julio

Marcus Lee Sang

Carter Mathison

Oscar Mercado

Dante Nori

Avery Owusu-Asiedu

Leandro Pineda

Jorge Julio Jr - 19 years old (20 on 8/4/26)  - signed international free agent - 1/15/23 - Barquisimeto , Venezuela

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - played in 26 games - 91 plate appearances with the FCL Phillies - .253/.297/.301 with a .598 OPS - 4 doubles, 10 RBIs, 6 walks, 18 strikeouts and 2 stolen bases. Defensively he played RF - 14 games and LF - 9 games.

2025 Notes :  this was his first season stateside after two years in the DSL - had a decent year - is a big fella who’s likely gonna need to continually work on his conditioning. Showed solid baseball skills and acumen - not surprising as he’s the son of Jorge Julio who pitched nine years in the major leagues from 2001 to 2009. Junior is physically built like Senior. Will likely return for a second FCL season in 2026.

Marcus Lee-Sang - 24 years old (25 on 1/2/26)  - drafted in 11th round of the 2019 draft from Northern HS, Owings, MD

2025 Stats :  LH hitter/thrower - played in just 4 games with Reading - on 4/13 in Somerset Marcus suffered a serious injury making a tremendous running catch in right center field - his foot jammed into the outfield wall and he suffered a displaced and fractured tibia as well as a right ankle dislocation. He underwent surgery the next day and was later placed on the long term IL. After initially recovering from surgery at home he spent the balance of the season at the Complex working with the rehab team. In his Phillies minor league career to date he’s posted a .249/.328/.399 slash line and a .727 OPS with 61 doubles, 17 triples, 42 home runs, 162 RBIs and 71 stolen bases. Defensively he has played all three outfield positions and is a plus defender.

2025 Notes :  Marcus is one of the most pleasant, happy and welcoming young men you will ever meet. He has great faith which continues to serve him well in his recovery from a major injury. I don’t doubt that he will return to play - he’s now a minor league free agent - whichever team signs him will get a true asset. When healthy he’s a very good defender in all three outfield  positions, gets great jumps and reads, has a strong and accurate arm and is sure handed. As a hitter - 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.

Marcus’s 2025  reflections :  in September he told me : “I learned so much about myself as a player and person during my time in rehab. I learned life is about perspective and perseverance. In the moment I went down I knew god had a plan. It may have not been the path I knew but it’s gods path I’d take. I’ve also learned to take the small wins. Rome wasn’t built in a day but one block at a time. I have made incredible progress in my recovery thanks to the rehab staff and I’m back on my feet running again. As I continue to rehab to full health I do so with optimism of the future and a positive attitude everyday. I hope to get back on the field again next year and let my love of the game show everyday. As I finish the final year of my rookie contract with the Phillies I wanted to thank Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies front office for making my dream come true at 18, I’d like to thank the staff for providing me with knowledge and insight from years of experience, I would like to thank all my teammates for sharing life long memories that I will cherish forever and I’d like to thank the fans for for their undying support every night at the ballpark. I’m grateful for all of the experiences this game has given me and I am excited for what the future holds.”

Carter Mathison  - 22 years old (23 on 1/26/26) - drafted in 5th round of the 2024 draft from the University of Indiana

2025 Stats :  LH hitter/thrower - played in 70 games - 269 plate appearances with Clearwater - .200/.313/.338 slash line and .651 OPS with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, 32 RBIs, 32 walks, 94 strikeouts and 9 stolen bases. Had a brief stint with the FCL Phillies playing in four games. Best months were May - .281/.397/.456 slash line in 68 plate appearances and August - .263/.383/.316 slash line in 47 plate appearances. Defensively played RF in 59 games, LF in 7 games and 7 games in CF.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated from Homestead Senior HS. He was voted Indiana’s Mr. Baseball in his senior year. Played three years at Indiana University - was the third player (Alex Dickerson; Kyle Schwarber) in program history with at least 40 home runs in their first three seasons of college baseball … ended his three-year IU career as No. 6 in home runs (42) on the all-time program list. That power has come thru in spots as a pro although he hit all seven home runs this season in the first three months of the season. Has a solid build at 6’2” and athleticism, good speed and quickness. Is noted as a hard worker, particularly in the weight room - will come into spring camp looking to advance a notch to Jersey Shore.

Oscar Mercado  - 30 years old (31 on 12/16/25) - signed as minor league free agent - 2/14/25

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - played in 115 games - 477 plate appearances with Lehigh Valley - .249/.369/.373 slash line and .742 OPS with 13 doubles, 1 triple, 11 home runs, 65 RBIs, 69 walks, 68 strikeouts and 40 stolen bases. Defensively played LF 28 games, CF 7 games and RF 50 games. Briefly left the organization on 8/4 after requesting and was granted his release but then re-signed 8/13 to finish the year. Has played in 298 major league games with Cleveland, the Phillies and St. Louis from 2019 thru 2023 with 46 doubles, 26 home runs, 100 RBIs and a .237 BA in 890 AB’s. He’s also played in the minor leagues in the Padres, Tigers and Dodgers organizations.

2025 Notes :  he graduated from Gaither HS in Tampa, Florida and was the 2nd round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2013 draft - was born in Cartagena, Colombia. Had committed to play collegiate baseball for Florida State but signed with the Cardinals instead. He became an American citizen in 2018. This past season Oscar was a veteran stabilizing presence for LHV - played excellent defense and often provided timely hits. Well regarded as a teammate and clubhouse presence - simply did his job and went about his business. Has the skill and mindset to contribute in the major leagues - can adapt and play a reserve role. Is now a minor league free agent.

Dante Nori - 21 years old (22 on 10/7/26)  - drafted in 1st round of the 2024 draft from Northville HS, Northville, MI

2025 Stats :  LH hitter/thrower - played at three levels in his first full pro season - began with Clearwater - 109 games - 502 plate appearances - .262/.363/.381 slash line and .744 OPS with 63 runs, 16 doubles, 11 triples, 4 home runs, 43 RBIs, 66 walks, 75 strikeouts and 37 stolen bases. Promoted to Jersey Shore 8/26 - 11 games played - 53 plate appearances - .279/.396/.326 slash line, .722 OPS with 8 runs scored, 2 doubles, 4 RBIs, 8 walks, 8 strikeouts and 13 stolen bases. Promoted to Reading on 9/8 - played in 5 games - 22 plate appearances - 1 double, 2 stolen bases. Overall regular season numbers - .261/.361/.372 slash line in 577 plate appearances - 18 doubles, 12 triples, 4 home runs, 47 RBIs, 75 walks, 85 strikeouts and 52 stolen bases. Finished 3rd in the Florida State League in hits (111), second in doubles, seventh in stolen bases, seventh in BA, OBP and OPS and 9th in OPS amongst qualifiers. Defensively played CF in 98 games and LF - 4 games. Was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League and did very well - finished the regular season there with a .308/.386/.436 slash line with a .822 OPS in 44 plate appearances with 2 doubles, 1 home run, 7 RBIs, 5 walks, 7 strikeouts and 2 stolen bases.

2025 Notes :  I first met Dante’s dad Micah Nori at Roberts Field watching Dante in one of his initial workouts after signing - Dante then introduced himself later - both very down to earth folks who are cordial and respectful - when they chat or correspond about baseball their love of the game shines thru - my kind of people. My very first impression of Dante in his build, carry and play was that I was watching Lenny Dykstra play again - Dante didn’t know who that was when I told him but their games are very similar - speed, defense, works counts, take walks, puts the ball in play, hates to strikeout and plays with unbridled passion to win. That’s what I see in Dante - his confidence in his abilities and want to succeed is top drawer. The first couple months of the this past season were a bit of a struggle but he never stopped posting up, a switch to the infamous “Torpedo” bat brought success, he lets the ball get deep and the extra girth of those bats allows him to make a more solid impact than a thin handled one. He had a strong month of June (.304/.387/.391 in 106 plate appearances) and an even better July (.324/.446/.541 and .986 OPS in 93 plate appearances) winning the organization’s co-player of the month award. The young man is a hard worker, there were times when I saw him in the morning hours taking extra BP at either the complex or stadium when he was at Clearwater. Defensively he’s a very good center fielder with strong reads and routes. He has excellent speed and utilizes it both on the base paths and defense - 52 stolen bases was quite a feat in his first year - there’s capabilities for more, is a true burner with instincts and a desire to run. He went to the AFL and continued to shine. I really enjoy watching the young man play and getting his feedback afterwards - very advanced approach for a fella so young - this kid will not only play in the show someday but he will be a spark-plug energizer ala Lenny Dykstra back in the day. Count on it.

Dante’s 2025  reflections :  “I learned that I still had a lot more in the tank as the season went on than I anticipated. I was happy with my progression, especially playing three levels in a one year span. Each off season I make sure to keep getting stronger and stronger. This year I will shoot for the same goal. Also relax the body from the past year. I hope I have the opportunity to be with the big league club for spring training as well as breaking camp with Reading.”

Avery Owusu-Asiedu  - 22 years old (23 on 6/16/26) - drafted - 9th rd of the ‘23 draft - Southern Illinois-Edwardsville , IL

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - played in 58 games - 218 plate appearances with Clearwater - .268/.382/.402 slash line and .784 OPS with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 23 RBIs, 30 walks, 52 strikeouts, 16 stolen bases. Promoted to Jersey Shore 6/24 - 49 games - 207 plate appearances - .247/.350/.368 slash line and .718 OPS with 9 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs, 21 RBIs, 28 walks and 17 stolen bases. Had a very strong July - .313/.395/.448 in 77 plate appearances. Overall numbers - .258/.366/.385 slash line and .751 OPS in 425 plate appearances with 16 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 44 RBIs, 58 walks, 102 strikeouts and 33 stolen bases. Defensively played LF in 57 games, CF 33 games and RF 6 games.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Waukesha, Wisconsin and graduated from Waukesha West HS where he played basketball, soccer and baseball and earned National Honor Society membership. He was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada where he lived till he was almost five years old then his dad’s job as an animal nutritionist took the family to England before they returned to North America. He spent three seasons in college before being drafted and signing with the Phillies. I first met him shortly after he signed and butchered his last names - he laughed and told me to just call him Avery.  Has a great attitude and belief in his capabilities. Avery showed marked improvement over 2024 in pitch recognition, swing reduction, bat to ball skills and patience - he had a total of 37 walks in 2024 and had 58 this year. He has outstanding speed and is a very good outfielder, is a big fella at 6’4” 230 but the 22 year old can flat out fly, one of the fastest runners in the organization. He’s also a very good defensive outfielder in all three positions. Has power hitting potential. It was evident in spring camp that he was going to have a much better season this year - was a participant in Fall High Performance Camp.

Leandro Pineda  - 23 years old (24 on 6/4/26)  - signed international free agent - 7/6/18 - Valencia, Venezuela

2025 Stats :  LH hitter/thrower - played in 105 games - 394 plate appearances with Reading - .211/.320/.364 slash line with a .684 OPS - 46 runs, 22 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 37 RBIs, 47 walks, 90 strikeouts and 7 stolen bases. Defensively played RF - 89 games and 1B - 7 games. Had a very slow start in April (7 for 67) which hindered his season totals.

2025 Notes :  Leandro has always been one of my favorite people in the organization, he’s got a great smile and personality.  This past season was his seventh of play in the organization therefore he’s now a free agent. It’s fun to watch some of the fellas grow up from teenagers to young men, he got married last November, really cool life event. He was always one of the younger players at each level he played at, we’ve seen both the good and bad in results - has a pure lefty swing with some pop - once he gets comfortable in his environment is a steady player and lineup contributor. Has a strong throwing arm, pure right field skills, added first base to the defensive repertoire in 2024. He is playing winter ball again in Venezuela. It seems doubtful the Phillies re-sign him, perhaps another organization will - has talent and is just 23 - might just blossom yet.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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