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

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 four of the outfielders highlighting the following, this is also the last in the 2025 thirty-two article series :

Felix Reyes

Gabriel Rincones Jr

Johan Rojas

Devin Saltiban

John Spikerman

Tjayy Walton

Bryson Ware

Felix Reyes  - 24 years old (25 on 3/26/26) - signed as an international free agent - 2/22/20 - Bani, Dominican Republic

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - played in 95 games - 395 plate appearances with Reading - .335/.365/.572 slash line and .937 OPS - 34 doubles, 4 triples, 15 home runs, 65 RBIs, 18 walks, 61 strikeouts and 13 stolen bases. Promoted to Lehigh Valley 9/16 - 6 games - 26 plate appearances - .261/.320/.391 slash line and .711 OPS with a home run and two RBIs - overall numbers - .331/.362/.562 slash line in 421 plate appearances - 34 doubles, 16 home runs, 67 RBIs - defensively played RF 29 games, LF 31 games, 1B in 18 games and 3B in 4 games. Won the Eastern League batting title and led the league in doubles, slugging percentage and OPS - was 5th in OBP.

2025 Notes : won the Eastern League MVP award - had an absolute breakout season after beginning the year in extended spring training. Felix is an aggressive hitter that puts the ball in play and consistently hits it extremely hard. He doesn’t walk (5 % of PA’s in his career) or strike at a high rate (17 % of PA’s in his career) and his bat to ball skills are excellent. Defensively he’s played mostly in the outfield corners, will surprise folks with his athleticism albeit foot speed will always be a challenge. He’s a very pleasant young man, has a great smile and is very well liked. Hitting rockets consistently is a good thing, he’s always done that including his seven Grapefruit League ST AB’s where he’s 3 for 7 with two doubles and five RBIs. He’s from the Dominican Republic and told me “I grew up in a small town in Bani called Catalina. I was born and still live in the same place. I'm proud to represent my family and my town for having one more of the professionals in baseball.”  He’s an upbeat young man - uses “the positive” as his social media handle : “Well, the positive means that I always believe in what I do, always positive that everything will turn out well for me. Never negative.”  He attributes his success this past season to his off-season work and 2024 winter league play in Colombia : “The winter league helped me a lot because I have played with a lot of experienced players. I changed my swing since I was hitting the ball too low. With the help of coordinator Manny Amador, I trained after playing in the winter league to adjust more.” He’s currently playing winter ball again - this time in the Dominican Republic for the Toros del Este. Felix is rule 5 draft eligible this off-season for the first time.  Don’t discount “El Gato” from getting to the show - he’s got the skills and a positive attitude to perhaps make that happen - it would be a great thing to see!

Gabriel Rincones Jr  - 24 years old (25 on 3/3/26) - drafted - 3rd round of the 2022 draft from Florida Atlantic University

2025 Stats :  LH hitter - RH thrower - played in 119 games - 506 plate appearances with Lehigh Valley - .240/.370/.430 slash line and .800 OPS - 22 doubles, 1 triple, 18 home runs, 73 RBIs, 80 walks, 114 strikeouts, 21 stolen bases. Defensively played 77 games in right field and 1 game in LF. In his career has played RF in 179 games and LF 44 games. Has 69 doubles, 44 home runs, 165 RBIs, 175 walks and 76 stolen bases in 307 career games.

2025 Notes :  he’s lived in Glenrothes, Scotland and also in Venezuela -  moved to the Tampa area to live with his uncle and play high school baseball. Graduated from H.B. Plant HS. Originally attended St. Petersburg College for two years (was drafted by the Padres in the 19th round of the 2021 draft) before transferring to Florida Atlantic where he hit 19 home runs and posted 69 RBIs with a .346/.451/.658 slash line and 1.110 OPS in 288 plate appearances in one season, was then drafted by the Phillies. I first met him shortly after he signed with the Phillies in a BP session on Roberts Field - he drove multiple baseballs over the right field fence and some into the tree line before the hill bank that leads up to Route 19. I introduced myself after the session and told him it was a tremendous display, he grinned and said there was more to come, loved his confidence both then and now. Gabriel is a big fella who’s muscularly built at 6’4”. The ball flies off his bat with easy power - has a “pretty lefty swing” - no wasted motion and direct thru the ball. Has the ability to drive the baseball to all fields. Confident in his abilities, won’t be intimidated by any situation. He’s a solid and steady defender, smart player who is also an excellent base runner. Was rule 5 eligible this year and was placed on the 40 man roster to protect him - has a chance this spring to make the major league roster and be a lineup regular.

Gabriel’s 2025 reflections :  “This season taught me a lot on how to be a disciplined professional, how to maneuver through ups and downs, and what it means to be the same guy every day. I’m not happy with how my first half of the season went but I’m thankful to Jesus that I was able to learn something from it. I plan on refining my swing, approach vs LHP, keeping my body in shape and staying active until next year. I don’t look that far ahead because no one knows what the future may hold but I’m definitely going to be training hard with the intention to help the big league team next year whether it be from the start or the end of the season. Wherever I’ll be I’m going to be ready.”

Johan Rojas  - 25 years old (26 on 8/14/26)  - signed int’l free agent - 1/18/18 - San Francisco de Macoris, DR

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - was optioned to Lehigh Valley on 8/1 - played in 35 games - 161 plate appearances - .279/.338/.361 slash line and .699 OPS with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 13 RBIs, 13 walks, 32 strikeouts and 8 stolen bases. Defensively played CF 28 games  and LF 7 games. Played in 71 major league games - 172 plate appearances - .224/.280/.289 slash line and .569 OPS - 3 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 18 RBIs, 13 walks, 40 strikeouts and 12 stolen bases - defensively played in 65 games in CF.

2025 Notes :  simply put he’s an outstanding defensive outfielder - reads and jumps are pristine, range is wide and tracking is top drawer - that’s been evident since the first day I saw him play on the backfields in 2019 Gulf Coast League action, he’s also got a howitzer for an arm. It’s the offensive contribution that has been the concern, at the big league level attempts have been made to shorten the swing, take pitches, work counts, bunt for hits and hit line drives and hard grounders in the holes, utilizing speed as an asset - sounds like what Justin Crawford already is. The issue with Johan is that just isn’t his game - he’s always been an aggressive hitter who swings full, sometimes even long - he generally makes contact, lacks sometimes in plate discipline although has outstanding eye/hand coordination, hits pitches that others may not because of that. When struggling he lacks patience in approach. At his best he plays with an unbridled passion and flare, brings an energy to the field just with his presence, to me that’s a great thing to have on any team. We’ve said all along that he can be a special player if can put it all together, felt that the first time I saw him play in the GCL at the complex and had our initial chat - very pleasant and likable young man. I still believe he can be very productive in the show but it can’t be in a mold that’s not his. In 2023 at Reading he put up the type of numbers I believe he’s capable of approaching - .306/.361/.484 slash line with an .845 OPS in 354 plate appearances with 20 doubles, 5 triples, 9 home runs, 45 RBIs, 24 walks, 59 strikeouts and 30 stolen bases - was called to the majors on 7/14 that season. The Reading hitting coach at the time was Tyler Henson - he told me then “when Johan started to go good at Reading it wasn’t about the swing, it was the routine and the work that he did that made him feel comfortable, he got in the box and it was about executing the plan. The quality of his at bats got better and better as the year went on.” I firmly believe that for a plan to come to fruition both the player and coaches need to adapt - Johan is capable of hitting in the majors but it has to be closer to his own accord/makeup - a comparison is Victor Robles who didn’t truly discover his stroke till he left Washington for Seattle - it might take a similar path to a new beginning and rediscovery elsewhere for Johan to blossom - just sayin. He’s now playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic for the Gigantes del Cibao and doing well - .347/.437/.467 slash line and .904 OPS in 20 games (88 plate appearances) with 26 hits, 11 walks, 10 stolen bases, 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 10 RBIs and 15 runs scored as of this writing.

Devin Saltiban  - 20 years old (21 on 2/14/26) - drafted in 3rd round of the 2023 draft from Hilo HS, Hilo, Hawaii

2025 Stats :  RH hitter/thrower - played in 66 games - 295 plate appearances with Jersey Shore - .190/.269/.308 slash line with a .577 OPS - 10 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 22 RBIs, 21 walks, 92 strikeouts and 19 stolen bases. Went on the IL 5/8 with a groin area issue that required surgery - sent on rehab assignment 6/26 with the FCL Phillies - 10 games - 41 plate appearances - a double, home run and RBI - rehab transferred to Clearwater 7/12 - played one game and went 3 for 5, was activated with Jersey Shore 7/18 and finished season with BlueClaws - finished the year strong - 6 for 18 in September after struggling most of the season - was really hot in May (8 for 17) before getting hurt. Defensively opened the year as a second baseman - 23 games - switched to CF - 37 games, also played RF in 4 games.

2025 Notes :  Devin was a center fielder in high school but was immediately converted to middle infield (initially shortstop) after his pro signing in hopes his offensive prowess (power bat) would come more to light - he hit 17 home runs in 2024 with Clearwater in his first full pro season playing exclusively as a second baseman. This year he got off to a really slow start with Jersey Shore (11 for 83 in April) but was heating up in May before a foul ball hit him in the groin area and forced him to the IL.  While rehabbing in Clearwater with the FCL Phillies on 6/28 he made his pro debut in center field and played there upon returning to Jersey Shore. He looks more comfortable in the outfield where he can utilize plus speed to track balls. Devin is a very pleasant young man and easy to interact with, he’s now on assignment with the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League where he is the regular center fielder. Entering his third pro season at just 21 years of age the path forward and upward is unleashing the power bat and providing solid defense - likely returns to Jersey Shore to begin 2026 with those objectives in mind.

John Spikerman  - 22 years old (23 on 4/2/26) - drafted in 3rd round of the 2024 draft from the University of Oklahoma

2025 Stats :  Switch hitter - RH thrower - opened the year on rehab assignment with the FCL Phillies on 5/3 after having a shoulder issue in spring camp and staying back at the complex to work thru it  - was transferred to Clearwater on 5/6 and in a freak mishap suffered a hamstring injury after hitting a home run and rounding the bases - was transferred back to the complex for rehab. Had a second rehab assignment with the FCL and Clearwater in June before being activated with the Threshers on 7/2 and then promoted to Jersey Shore on 8/4. He played in 10 games in the FCL going 5 for 26 and in 28 games - 115 plate appearances with Clearwater - .238/.330/.376 with a .706 OPS, 3 doubles, a triple, 3 home runs, 12 RBIs, 11 walks, 37 strikeouts and 12 stolen bases. With Jersey Shore played in 24 games - 106 plate appearances - .217/.362/.277 slash line with a .639 OPS - 3 doubles, 18 walks, 15 stolen bases. Overall for the season - 62 games - 257 plate appearances - .224/.355/.319 with a .674 OPS - 7 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 38 walks, 77 strikeouts and 30 stolen bases. Defensively played RF in 27 games, CF 16 games  and LF 5 games.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Montgomery, Texas and graduated from Lake Creek HS. Played three seasons at Oklahoma posting a .313/.423/.451 slash line and .874 OPS in 621 plate appearances with 50 stolen bases. He broke his hamate bone in his final year of collegiate competition but was able to return to action and played in 17 games with Clearwater in his first pro season. Injuries limited his play this season (shoulder and hamstring) - when he’s on the field speed is his biggest asset both on offense and defense - can play all three outfield positions well and has a very good arm. Was a participant in Fall High Performance Camp. Likely returns to Jersey Shore to begin the 2026 campaign.

TJayy Walton  - 20 years old (21 on 1/29/26) - drafted in 4th round of the 2023 draft from IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL

2025 Stats :  a second consecutive injury riddled season for the young man from Virginia - was placed on the 60 day IL 4/15 with a hammate injury - went on rehab assignment in the FCL on 6/3, activated with Clearwater on 6/24 but then returned to the IL on 8/19. Played in 11 games - 42 plate appearances with the FCL Phillies - .306/.381/.389 slash line and .770 OPS, 5 stolen bases - played in 34 games with Clearwater - 142 plate appearances - .200/.296/.256 slash line with a .552 OPS - 3 doubles, 2 triples, 12 RBIs, 15 walks, 48 strikeouts and 10 stolen base. Defensively played LF in 29 games and RF - 9 games.

2025 Notes :  he transferred in his senior season of high school to the IMG Academy from Emporia, Virginia and was committed to attend the University of Miami but signed with the Phillies instead. When I’ve seen him play he smokes the ball when impacting it but also has punched out a good amount - often times I’ve seen on called third strikes. TJayy is a physical specimen at 6’1” - built like a tank and has a great smile, outgoing and is a friendly fella. There have been glimpses of power, speed and baseball skills but just hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his brief career thus far to accumulate any consistency in reps. Hopefully this coming season that happens and the young man can show out on what his capabilities are.

Bryson Ware - 24 years old (25 on 12/28/25) - drafted in 8th round of the 2023 draft from Auburn University

2025 Stats :  played in 72 games - 281 plate appearances with Jersey Shore - .229/.326/.379 slash line and .705 OPS - 12 doubles, 8 home runs, 28 RBIs, 29 walks, 83 strikeouts and 5 stolen bases. Promoted to Reading 8/5 - played in 21 games - 87 plate appearances - .280/.322/.476 slash line and .798 OPS - 5 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 10 RBIs, 5 walks, 27 strikeouts and 2 stolen bases. Overall posted a .242/.325/.404 slash line and a.729 OPS in 368 plate appearances - 17 doubles, 11 home runs, 38 RBIs, 34 walks, 110 strikeouts and 7 stolen bases. Defensively played at six positions - 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, RF and LF.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Madison, Mississippi and graduated from Germantown HS. Played one year at Pearl River Community College before transferring to Auburn where he played three years - .297/.389/.574 slash line with a .963 OPS in 150 games, 540 plate appearances with 25 doubles and 31 home runs. He is a hard nosed, smart ball player, not a standout defender however his athleticism and intuition allows him to get the job done at each spot he’s played. He’s shown the willingness to step up to any challenge put before him, as a hitter will always be in each AB, battles, quick hands, ability to read and adjust to pitches - he’s a baseball player who does a lot of things well, the kind of player that winning teams have. Is a solid hitter, in my opinion the higher the levrl the better his numbers will be simply because he will see more strikes to hit. Likely returns to Reading to begin 2026.

As stated at the beginning this is the final article of the series. Hope they brought some insight and were enjoyable to read.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️ and Happy Thanksgiving!

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