11/4/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Part Seventeen - 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 Seventeen of the pitchers highlighting the following :

Erick Ritchie

Luke Russo

Lucas Sims

Casey Steward

Devin Sweet

James Tallon

LH Erick Ritchie  - 22 years old (23 on 6/22/26) - drafted in 19th round of the 2024 draft from East Carolina

2025 Stats :  spent most of the year with Clearwater - 21 appearances (29 IP) with an 8.07 ERA, 31 K’s, 25 walks. Went on a re-set assignment with the FCL Phillies 5/20 - three appearances (5 IP) - 1.80 ERA, 4 K’s, 4 walks - returned to Clearwater on 6/5 - promoted to Jersey Shore 8/20 - made 4 appearances with BlueClaws - 5.1 IP, 8 K’s, 2 walks. After a rough first three months statistically bounced back with a 1.86 ERA in five July appearances (9.2 IP) with 10 K’s and 6 walks and in August (five appearances - 2.35 ERA - 7.2 IP - 10 K’s, 4 walks). Erick was part of a three pitcher no hitter on 8/15 against Lakeland going the final two innings allowing just one walk while striking out two batters.

2025 Notes :  He grew up in Telford, PA. A native of Bucks and Montgomery counties Erick graduated from Souderton High School where he lettered three years in baseball. In 2019 (his sophomore season) the team went 24-4 and won the 6A PIAA state championship. At East Carolina Erik was a six time member of the Director of Athletics honor role and was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Grew up a Phillies fan and said this about his initial experience training at the complex as a member of the organization -  “The first time you walk through the complex entrance you get hit with that surreal feeling of everyone who has gone through the process before. It’s cool to see what everyone who got to where you want to be went thru themselves.”  He features a four seamer, curve ball, cutter and splitter - fastball range generally 91 to 93 mph. Likely returns to Jersey Shore to begin the 2026 season.

RH Luke Russo  - 24 years old (25 on 2/21/26) - drafted in 16th round of the 2023 draft from Eastern Michigan University

2025 Stats :  began the year with Jersey Shore - seven appearances (23.2 IP) with a 2.28 ERA, 32 K’s and 8 walks. Promoted to Reading on 5/15 - made three starts (14 IP) with a 5.14 ERA, 12 K’s, 8 walks. Placed on the IL with forearm discomfort on 5/31 and finished the season with the rehab team in Clearwater - finished camp with multiple side bullpens and three live BP sessions - should be ready to go for 2026 spring training.

2025 Notes :  We first met Luke at Carpenter Complex shortly after he signed, due to a big collegiate workload that year he didn’t pitch in a pro game but rather did focused work at the complex on conditioning and mechanics. He’s a big fella at 6’4” - strong build - he will use a full mix of pitches and often pitch “backwards” leading with his slider followed by a sinker and change up, also has a four seamer (90-94 mph) and curve ball. Began the 2025 season as a bulk reliever with Jersey Shore and pitched very well earning a bump up to Reading where he returned to a starting role before being sidelined by injury. He’s from Howell, Michigan and graduated from Howell High School before attending Eastern Michigan. In high school he tore his UCL in his senior year however recovered to be a cog on the Eastern Michigan staff - he was in the process of  transferring to the University of North Carolina before being selected by the Phillies in the draft. Will likely compete for a spot on the Reading roster this spring.

RH Lucas Sims  - 31 years old (32 on 5/10/26)  - signed as free agent 5/20/25

2025 Stats :  appeared in 34 games (34 IP) posting a 5.56 ERA with 36 K’s and 29 walks for Lehigh Valley. Finished the season strong with seven scoreless appearances (7 IP) - 8 K’s, 1 H, 3 BB in September. Has appeared in 263 major league games (318.1 IP) with Atlanta, Cincinnati, Boston and Washington with a career 4.86 ERA.

2025 Notes :  was originally drafted by the Braves in the first round of the 2012 draft from Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. Features a mid nineties fastball and sweeper as primary pitches. Struggled with control and was hit hard in the big leagues this past season after signing with the Nationals and was released on May 10th. Signed with the Phillies in hopes of regaining form and returning to the majors - was inconsistent with LHV and that never materialized. He is a minor league free agent this off-season.

RH Casey Steward  - 24 years old (25 on 8/2/26) - drafted in 19th round of the 2023 draft from Washburn University, KS

2025 Stats :  appeared in 25 games (19 starts) for Jersey Shore totaling 88 IP with a 5.93 ERA, 80 K’s and 44 walks. Converted to a reliever on 8/22 - made his last six appearances (seven IP) of the season out of bullpen, one unearned run, four hits, three walks and nine strikeouts. In 2024 he was a full-time starter appearing in 22 games (102.2 IP) with a 3.42 ERA.

2025 Notes :  has an upper nineties fastball which plays strong as a reliever - it’s where he will be used in 2026 - struggled this past summer as a starter with control and command in finding a consistent release point both in the windup and stretch. Features a four seam fastball (sits 94-96, reaches 98), slider,change up and cutter. He’s a diligent worker and battler on the mound. Casey graduated from East High School in Wichita, Kansas where he lettered three years in baseball. As a freshman at Washburn University he redshirted - named to the MIAA (Mid Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Academic Honor Roll which is an honor he earned all four years as a student - in his last two years there he earned MIAA Scholar Athlete honors majoring in Kinesiology. Casey is a twin, his brother Calvin was also on the Washburn baseball team. He’s got a quiet demeanor but a big presence both physically (6’5”) and as a pitcher. I have always believed he’s got the talent, smarts and makeup to pitch in the major leagues - nothing has changed my mind in that regard. This young man is a winner and will succeed.

Casey’s 2025 reflections :  “This season had more downs than ups and I learned a lot, more than I would have if it had went the other way around. I learned more about my routine and what works for me and what doesn’t. What gets my mind right and what distracts it. I am happy with the way the season ended because I found what worked. This off season I’m planning on building towards being more explosive and strengthening my mobility - two areas I can really improve on. Going into next year I plan on being a bullpen guy.”

RH Devin Sweet - 29 years old (30 on 9/6/26) - acquired from Tigers in trade 11/4/24

2025 Stats :  appeared in 46 games (51.1 IP) for Lehigh Valley recording a 5.08 ERA with 49 K’s and 27 walks, 6 holds and 2 saves in 2 opportunities. His best month was August - seven appearances (7.2 IP) with a 2.35 ERA, 8 K’s and 3 walks. He appeared in seven major league games (8.2 IP) with Seattle and Oakland in 2023.

2025 Notes :  is now a minor league free agent - also is pitching in the Mexican Winter League for the Yaquis de Obregón team.  Was originally signed by the Seattle Mariners in 2018 from North Carolina Central University as an un-drafted free agent. He was claimed off waivers by Oakland on 9/2/23. The Detroit Tigers claimed him off waivers on 1/18/24. Features a low nineties four seamer, slider and change-up.

LH James Tallon - 22 years old (23 on 9/29/26) - drafted in 6th round of the 2025 draft from Duke University

2025 Stats :  did not pitch in any games after signing - instead worked at the complex in a draftee mini camp. He finished in August throwing four side bullpens during the month before breaking camp. Appeared in 68 games at Duke in his collegiate career there (four starts) totaling 101.2 IP with a 3.63 ERA, 141 K’s and 48 walks - had 14 saves including 12 his freshman year.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Arlington, Virginia and graduated from Yorktown High School. Is 6’5” and throws from a low slot - features a four seam fastball in the 90-95 mph range with a slider and change-up as secondary pitches. I have yet to see him throw in person. Likely will compete for a Clearwater roster spot in spring camp.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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