11/28/25 : Minor League starting pitching depth

Over the course of the long professional baseball season pitching depth is a vital need. Starting pitching in particular is a key element of organizational building. While establishing a strong rotation at the major league level is primary the need to also build minor league staffs with pitchers capable of at least filling in if needed at the top is also very important.

My recent series detailing all of the players who completed the 2025 season in the Phillies minor league organization just completed - I won’t rehash those details. At present the starting pitching depth at the AAA and AA levels include Andrew Painter (hopes are he breaks spring camp with the Phillies), Jean Cabrera, Alan Rangel, Griff McGarry, Chuck King , Adam Seminaris (recently signed free agent) and Mitch Neunborn as Lehigh Valley potential rotation members with Reese Dutton, Luke Gabrysh, Mavis Graves, Estibenzon Jimenez, Luke Russo, Brayden Tucker, Gabriel Barbosa and Brandon Beckel as likely competitors for Reading rotation spots.

Here’s a look at some current minor league free agents that might be considered as additions to the starting pitching crew at the AAA/AA levels.

LHP Joel Valdez - 25 years old - was originally signed by the Phillies 9/22/18 - traded to the Yankees 11/19/21 as part of the package to acquire Nick Nelson and Donny Sands. Was selected by Reds in the 2024 minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft. I’ve always liked his game - in 2025 he made 35 appearances for the AA/AAA affiliates of the Reds posting a 2.34 ERA - was a starter in Yankees organization till mid 2023. He’s a ground ball producer with a sinker that sits in the 90-94 mph range but touches 97 along with a changeup and slider.

RHP Carlos Duran - 24 yrs old - 6’7” power arm who underwent TJ surgery in 2022 - made 19 starts in 2023 (innings limit) and pitched mostly out of bullpen last year for AAA Las Vegas (A’s) but might be able to return to a starting rotation - fastball in the 93-96 range - has reached 98 - plus pitch is a slider and has a change up - was at one time considered one of the Dodgers top prospects - was traded to the A’s 4/25.

RHP Ian Anderson - 27 years old - 2016 first round draft pick of Atlanta Braves - had TJ surgery 4/23 - missed two months in ‘25 with elbow inflation. Made 12 starts in 2025 in the minors at the AA/AAA levels - was a stalwart in Braves rotation in 2021 and 2022 - would be a project working his way back but upside is if he regained form could become a viable major league starter.

RHP Bryan Mata - 26 years old - signed by Red Sox from Venezuela in 2016 - has made 101 starts in his 150 minor league appearances - pitched exclusively out of bullpen last year for AAA Worcester (Red Sox) - is now a starting pitcher for Magellanes in the Venezuelan Winter League - a power pitcher who has struggled with control and injuries - fast ball 94-96 mph - has reached 100, slider, change up and curve.

RHP Jean Pinto - 24 years old - small in stature but with a big arm - fastball jumps up to 97 mph which he couples with a changeup, curve and slider - throws strikes - has been in three organizations (signed by Angels in 2019, traded to Orioles 2020 and taken by Astros in minor league rule 5 draft 2024) - made 14 2025 appearances (10 starts) at High A for the Astros in 2025 - still young enough to be considered a “prospect” - should be ready to bump up to the AA level in 2026. He is currently pitching for the Tigres de Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League where he’s a starter.

RHP Evan Fitterer - 25 years old - has drawn comparisons to Kyle Hendricks in his style of pitching - features a sinker that sits 92-94 and touches 95, change up, slider and curve. Was a starter thru most of his career - made 10 starts in 33 appearances this past season at the AA level (Marlins) - 94 IP, over 100 IP each year from 2022 to 2024 - was the Marlins 5th round draft pick in the 2019 draft out of Aliso Niguel HS in California and has spent his entire pro career in the Miami organization.

RHP Owen White - 26 years old - fastball sits in the 92-96 mph range with slider being his go to offering, also throws a change up and curve. Was the Rangers 2nd round draft choice in the 2018 draft out of Carson HS in North Carolina. He has pitched in eight major league games including three last season with the Rangers and White Sox. Traded by the Rangers to the Reds for cash 1/6/25, White Sox claimed him off waivers - he made 20 appearances (17 starts) for AAA Charlotte recording a 4.44 ERA - was more of an opener than starter as the year progressed - threw 81 total innings.

RHP Wilkel Hernandez - 26 years old - mid nineties fastball that he couples with a slider and changeup. Slider is an out maker. Pitched 114.1 innings for Toledo (Tigers AAA affiliate) in 2025 in 34 games (19 starts) with a 4.80 ERA - has pitched over 100 innings in each of the past three seasons.

RHP Chris Kachmar - 29 years old - is from Pennsburg, PA and graduated from Upper Perkiomen HS - an arms and legs high angle motion and delivery from 6’3” frame - 90-94 mph fastball and good slider, cutter and curve. Made 24 starts in 2025 for the Cubs organization at the AA/AAA levels eating up 112 IP.

RHP Jose Gonzalez - 24 years old - had a strong season posting a combined 2.97 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) totaling 115 IP at the High A and AA levels in the Texas Rangers system. Excellent K/BB ratio of 4.75 (114 K’s/ 24 BB). He features a four seamer, sinker, slider and splitter - fastballs generally sits 92-93 mph - is a pitch-ability guy at 6’3” with all four pitches considered as above average. Was originally signed by the Rangers from Venezuela on 5/28/19 - is pitching winter ball in the Venezuela Winter League.

RHP Adam Kloffenstein - 25 years old - is a ground ball generator who pitches backwards with a sweeping slider as primary, sinker and four seamer (low nineties) next followed by a change up and cutter. Is a big fella at 6’5” - was the Blue Jays 2018 third round draft pick from Mgnolia HS in Texas. Last season made 21 appearances (18 starts) for the Toronto organization most of which were at the AAA level - was traded to the Cardinals in the 2023 Jordan Hicks trade but then re-signed with the Blue Jays on 11/22/24 and pitched for them again in 2025.

RHP Robinson Pina - 26 years old - was with the Phillies organization in 2024 and did well at Reading and Lehigh Valley when he pitched 129.1 innings - he pitched last season in the Marlins (signed as a free agent 11/20/24) and Blue Jays systems - Toronto traded for him on 6/24/25. Overall in 2025 he made 17 minor league appearances (13 starts) amassing 65.1 IP along with making his major league debut (pitched in two games). Robinson was on the IL from 8/6 till the end of the season with a UCL sprain but is expected to be ready for 2026 spring training. He’s a strike thrower with a four pitch mix (sinker, four seamer, slider and splitter) with the heat sitting 92-94 mph but touching 95/96. Was originally signed by the Los Angeles Angels from the Dominican Republic in 2017.

Note that Juan Amarante, Ryan Degges, Ryan Dromboski, Sam Highfill, Camron Hilland Ramon Marquez seem to be likely current competitors for the High A Jersey Shore rotation while Keegan Batka, Cody Bowker, Angel Liranzo, Cade Obermueller,  Brian Walters, Gage Wood, Guissepe Velasquez, Jonathan Gonzalez, Zuher Yousef, Matthew Fisher and Brad Pacheco seem as likely candidates for starting pitching assignments at Low A Clearwater and in the FCL with a few potentially even bumping up to Jersey Shore from spring camp.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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