11/5/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Part Eighteen - 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 Eighteen of the pitchers highlighting the following :

Raymon Rosario

Saul Teran

Paxton Thompson

Cristhian Tortosa

Eli Trop

Braydon Tucker

Zack Tukis

LH Raymon Rosario  - 20 years old (21 on 6/6/26) - signed as international free agent 6/13/23 - Santiago, DR

2025 Stats : began the season with the FCL Phillies - 13 appearances (one start) - 22.2 IP - 7.54 ERA - 21 K’s, 15 walks - transferred to Clearwater 8/24 - 5 appearances - 7.1 IP - 8.59 ERA - 6 K’s, 3 walks. Best month was in June - 5 appearances (one start) - 2.70 ERA - 10 IP - 9 K’s, 3 BB - 0.90 WHIP, .176 BAA.

2025 Notes :  a young lefty who was brought stateside after posting 46.1 innings in 12 DSL starts in 2024 - features a four seam fastball in the 91-95 mph range, slider, change up and sinker. Had his struggles with both command and control this summer - in June had a run which showed what he might become - was used as a multi inning reliever (usually one plus to three innings).  Decent stuff, interested to see how he performs this coming season.

RH Saul Teran  - 23 years old (24 on 3/20/26) - signed international free agent 2/2/21 - Caracas, Venezuela

2025 Stats :  began the season with Clearwater - 15 appearances - 18 IP, 4 saves in 4 chances, 1.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 31 K’s, 3 walks, 10.33 K/BB ratio - promoted to Jersey Shore on 6/2 - 22 games - 1.38 ERA, 11 saves in 12 chances, 26 IP, 23 K’s, 13 BB, .184 BAA - promoted to Reading 9/10 - 3 appearances - 4.1 IP, 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 2 K’s - overall great numbers for the season - 5 wins, 1 loss, 15 saves, 1.30 ERA in 48.1 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 56 K’s, 16 walks, .196 BAA - all were career bests!

2025 Notes :  features a slider, four seam fastball (sits 92 to 96 mph) and also throws a sinker. Was named the organization’s Pitcher of the Month for May when he posted a 1.64 ERA in 11 IP over eight appearances. He is a very athletic pitcher who has really good stuff - slider is a swing and miss delivery with sharp break and action, perhaps the best slider in the player development group this year. Four seam fastball gets great ball movement. Has the potential to be a high impact inning reliever in the big leagues. Is rule 5 eligible this off-season.

RH Paxton Thompson  - 26 years old  (27 on 10/5/26) - signed un-drafted free agent 8/4/23 - UNC Charlotte

2025 Stats :  appeared in 27 games (37 IP) for Jersey Shore recording a 5.59 ERA with 30 K’s and 15 walks - had a strong month of July - 0.00 ERA in four appearances (5.1 IP) with an 0.75 WHIP. He was placed on the IL on  8/19 and concluded the season with the rehab team at the Complex - now throwing live BP’s.

2025 Notes :  still working back from injury setback at the complex, when healthy features a low nineties four seam fastball, slider/curve, change up and cutter. He’s from St. Michael, Michigan and graduated from St. Michael-Albertville High School. Initially attended Bradley College, then transferred to the University of Mary before finishing his collegiate career at UNC Charlotte where he pitched for two seasons before signing with the Phillies. Likely competes for a roster spot with Reading in 2026 Spring Training Camp.

LH Cristhian Tortosa  - 27 years old (28 on 10/30/26) - signed as free agent 5/15/25

2025 Stats :  made 27 appearances for Jersey Shore (34.1 IP) recording a 3.93 ERA with 53 K’s and 21 walks - opponents hit just .187 against him. Promoted to Reading on 9/11 - appeared in two games (2.2 IP) with four K’s and a walk. After struggling in May and June had a decent month of July (3.68 ERA in 6 appearances - 7.1 IP) followed by a very strong August (1.46 ERA in 8 games - 12.1 IP, 22 K’s, 5 walks) and a decent September (3.86 ERA in 4 appearances - 4.2 IP, 7 K’s, 1 walk).

2025 Notes :  originally signed by the Detroit Tigers on 7/6/15 he pitched in their organization till 11/6/23 when he declared minor league free agency. He did not pitch during the summer of 2024 but returned to pitch in the Puerto Rico Winter League for the 2024-2025 season. Was pitching for the Schaumburg Boomers in the Frontier League this summer (two games - 3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 6 K’s) when he signed a two year minor league contract with the Phillies on 5/15. Has big arm capabilities - a four seam fastball in the 93-98 mph range, slider, change up and cutter. He is now pitching for the Cardenales de Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League. Should compete for a Reading roster spot in 2026 spring training camp.

RH Eli Trop  - 23 years old (24 on 5/4/26) - drafted in 16th round of the 2024 draft from the University of Pennsylvania

2025 Stats :  appeared in 23 games - 30.2 IP with the Clearwater Threshers - 6.46 ERA, 31 K’s, 31 BB, .216 BAA. Best month was April - 2.70 ERA in 5 games - 6.2 IP - .130 BAA, 8 K’s, 7 BB.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Seattle, Washington and graduated from Lakeside High School. Played three seasons at the University of Pennsylvania and four games with the Trenton Thunder in the MLB Development League. He was slated to transfer to the University of Texas for his senior season but chose to sign with the Phillies instead. Had his struggles with both command and control this season - was used as a multi inning reliever, usually one plus to three innings. Features a four seam fastball (90-92 mph) with a slider, change up, sinker and curve. Has a lower release point from a big frame (6’4”) who reportedly can reach mid to upper nineties with his fastball. I believe the focus is on harnessing command/control - if that happens could unleash the higher velocities. Will likely compete for a spot with Jersey Shore this spring.

RH Brayden Tucker - 26 years old (27 on 7/19/26) - signed un-drafted free agent 7/19/23 - Lipscomb University

2025 Stats :  made 19 appearances (12 starts) for Jersey Shore totaling 84.2 IP recording a 3.19 ERA with 61 K’s and 21 walks. Promoted to Reading on 8/19 - four starts - 3.98 ERA in 20.1 IP, 14 K’s, 12 walks. Overall was 5-4 in 23 games (16 starts) posting a 3.34 ERA - 105 IP, 75 K’s, 33 walks. Recorded a 3.00 ERA in 5 June appearances (19 IP, 15 K’s, 1 BB) followed by two outstanding months in July and August (1.52 ERA in 47.1 IP over 8 starts - 29 K’s, 11 walks, 0.95 WHIP).

2025 Notes :  Brayden is from Brazil, Indiana and graduated from Northview High School. Originally attended Indiana University before transferring to Lipscomb. A very solid pitcher who eats innings and just gets batters out - has a 66% strike throwing rate in his minor league career. Brayden has pitched both as a starter and bulk reliever - in 17 of his 23 appearances went four or more innings - in 13 of his 16 starts went five innings or more - in nine of those he went beyond five innings. Throws from a three quarter arm slot and his sinker generally sits 90-95 mph, also has a split finger change up, cutter and slider. Gets after it, competes, throws strikes with strong command/control and hides the ball well with his delivery. He told me at this year’s All-Star break “The thing I enjoy the most about playing is having the resources around me to deal with any possible problems or challenges that may come up throughout a season. I like being around my teammates at the field and having road trips. I have learned bits and pieces throughout the year but the main focus has been execution of pitches in two strike counts.” Brayden competes and seemingly always keeps his team in the game with a chance to win, he’s an under the radar fella who to me has the tools, makeup and moxie to continue to push his way up the ladder - including to the show.

RH Zack Tukis  - 23 years old (24 on 9/10/26) - signed un-drafted free agent 7/23/24 - Millersville University

2025 Stats :  appeared in 28 games (six as the starter) totaling 50.2 IP with a 7.82 ERA, 53 K’s and 52 walks for the Clearwater Threshers.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Mechanicsburg, PA and graduated from Cumberland Valley HS. Didn’t pitch or play in high school, trained at a baseball training center (Full Reps Training Center) where he worked alongside Phillies LHP Tim Mayza who mentored him. Zack walked on at Millersville making the team and reaching the upper nineties with his fastball plus developing a hard slider. This year with the Threshers he showed a four seamer (94-98 mph), slider, cutter and sinker. Struggled with control (9.24 BB/9) and command yet with his raw overpowering stuff produced a lot of punch outs (9.41 K/9) as well. Zack is a big fella at 6’5” who with his size and arsenal remains an intriguing developmental prospect - hopefully can find a consistent approach that unleashes his vast potential.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

Note : I've partnered  with Fanatics on Phillies Merchandise - if you would like to help support my website and articles here's a link to order merchandise - I get a small commission on any sales - thanks for the support.

http://fanatics.93n6tx.net/NKjZkK