11/3/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Part Sixteen - Pitchers

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 Sixteen of the pitchers highlighting the following :

Matt Potok

Jacob Pruitt

Danyony Pulido

Alan Rangel

Alex Rao

RH Matt Potok - 22 years old (23 on 6/2/26) - drafted in 18th round of the 2025 draft from Coastal Carolina University

2025 Stats :  did not pitch in a game after signing, instead worked with the group in the draftee mini camp at the Complex. He threw four side bullpens in August before breaking camp. He recorded a 2.52 ERA in 21 appearances (one start) in his 2025 season at Coastal Carolina totaling 35.2 IP with 33 K’s and 8 walks. Made 49 collegiate appearances overall (13 starts) with a 4.57 ERA in 106.1 IP, 101 K’s, 29 walks. He pitched five innings over three appearances in the 2025 College World Series Tournament going 2-0 allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks while posting two strikeouts.

2025 Notes :  I have yet to see him throw in person. He’s from Jackson, New Jersey and graduated from Jackson Memorial High School where he lettered four years in baseball. Had elbow surgery in 2024 and missed that collegiate season. Known for his bulldog competitive spirit, unflappable demeanor, strong command and control, he is a strike thrower. Features a fastball, slider and changeup. He’s participating in Fall High Performance Camp.

RH Jacob Pruitt - 22 years old (23 on 8/14/26). - drafted in 15th round of the 2025 draft from Mississippi State

2025 Stats :  did not pitch in a game after signing, instead worked with the group in the draftee mini camp at the Complex. He threw side bullpens in August before breaking camp. Pitched in 36 collegiate games (eight starts) over three seasons posting a 5.07 ERA in 81.2 IP with 105 K’s and 48 walks.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Yorktown, Indiana and graduated from Yorktown High School. Originally attended Indiana State where he pitched for two seasons before transferring to Mississippi State. He was in the process of transferring to the University of Missouri before signing with the Phillies. I have yet to see him throw in person. Features a fastball (91-93 mph), swing and miss slider and changeup. He’s participating in Fall High Performance Camp.

Jacob’s 2025 reflections :  “I learned a lot about what I need to do as a player to perform on a daily basis as a professional. It was obviously not a very long first season (I didn’t throw in games) but I saw how to prepare and learned to both trust the process and question some things if they don’t make sense to me. I’m happy with the progress, obviously a long way to go but definitely feel like getting my feet wet and understanding the mentality/routine will help me a lot next season. This off-season I will be doing as much as possible to prepare for my first full pro season, lifting, conditioning, throwing, and mentally preparing for the grind of a season. I am back in Clearwater for HP camp and then will go from there. My mindset for the spring is to just show up and put in the work, I don’t have any expectations going into camp. I hope to break camp wherever the organization sees me excelling and growing the most, and wherever that may be I’m going to work my hardest to improve each day.”

RH Danyony Pulido  - 23 years old (24 on 10/19/26) - signed international free agent 2/2/21 - Caracas, Venezuela

2025 Stats :  began the year on the IL with shoulder discomfort - was sent on rehab assignment to the FCL Phillies on 5/13 - appeared in six FCL games (10 IP) recording a 0.90 ERA with 14 K’s and 2 walks. Activated with Clearwater on 6/12 - became the team’s closer appearing in 22 games (30.2 IP) posting a 1.17 ERA with 5 saves in six opportunities - 35 K’s and 19 walks, 1.01 WHIP, 10.84 K/9 rate. Had been a starting pitcher from 2021 to 2024 - three years in the DSL - 36 appearances - 21 starts there. Made 18 appearances in 2024 with the FCL Phillies and Clearwater - 15 starts - 3.72 ERA in 65 IP.

2025 Notes :  he’s a power arm that excelled this season when moved to the bullpen - has reached triple digits with his four seam fastball - generally in the 94 to 98 mph range with a slider as primary secondary pitch - also has a curve, change-up and an infrequently used cutter. Showed this season that he can be a dominant reliever - had great numbers throughout the season yet finished even stronger - in his last ten appearances posted a 0.60 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP over 15 IP with 17 K’s, still has some control issues even in those last ten games with nine walks but has put-away stuff. He will pitch for the Adelaide Giants this off-season in the Australian Baseball League as a reliever and projects to break 2026 Spring Camp with Jersey Shore at the least. If he throws like he did this past season could climb quickly.

RH Alan Rangel  - 28 years old (29 on 8/21/26) - signed as a free agent 7/16/24

2025 Stats :  made 25 starts (124.2 IP) for Lehigh Valley posting a 4.55 ERA with 131 K’s and 40 walks. Threw strikes at a 67% rate - went five or more innings in 19 of his appearances - longest outing was seven innings on 9/11. Also made his major league debut on 6/6 in Pittsburgh - made five MLB appearances overall (all in relief) recoding a 2.45 ERA in 11 IP with 8 K’s and 6 walks.

2025 Notes :  is on the 40 man roster with one minor league option remaining, provides quality starting pitching depth for the big league club and has the ability to pitch out of the bullpen as well. Features a four seam fastball (92-96 mph), slider, change-up and curve. He was originally signed by the Atlanta Braves on 7/2/14 from Hermosillo, Mexico. He became a minor league free agent and signed with the Angels in November of 2023, was released by the Angels and signed by the Phillies in 2024. Pitched winter ball for his hometown team Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League from 2019 to 2024. Likely could play in the majors for multiple teams, can never have enough pitching - good fella to have in the organization.

RH Alex Rao  - 26 years old (27 on 10/25/26) - drafted in 8th round of the 2022 draft from University of Notre Dame

2025 Stats :  did not pitch in games during the year, instead worked with the rehab team at the Complex recovering from Tommy John surgery.  Alex hasn’t pitched in a game since 6/1/24. He finished his time in rehab camp with six side bullpens in August and a couple live BP’s.

2025 Notes :  it’s been a long road back from TJ surgery for Alex - should be ready to compete for a full season roster spot this spring - before the injury he had added a cutter to a previous three pitch mix (fastball -sits in a range of 93 to 96 mph - max 98, slider, splitter) and hopes were to extend him out as a starting pitcher, he was a reliever in college (49 appearances - 4 starts). He’s got a big frame (6’4”) with a plus splitter that when coupled with his fastball are quality pitches that can propel him to the show - just needs repetitions to refine them. Very nice young man who always says hello whenever I’ve seen him.

Alex’s 2025 reflections :  “Hey Steve, Very excited for the offseason to build up and be ready for whatever comes next year. Rehab was an up and down grind like it is for most people, but I feel like I came out a better player than how I entered. The off-season plan is to train hard and build up to get thru 2026 strong and healthy.”

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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