11/6/25 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Part Nineteen - 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 Nineteen of the pitchers highlighting the following :

Luis Gonzalez

Giuseppe Velasquez

Jacob Waguespack

Andrew Walling

Brian Walters

Kevin Warunek

RH Luis Gonzalez  - 20 years old (21 on 7/15/26)  - signed as an international free agent 1/15/22 - Barquisimeto, VZ

2025 Stats :  began the season with the FCL Phillies - 12 appearances (seven starts) - 47.1 IP - 3.04 ERA - 33 K’s, 13 walks - 2.54 K/BB - promoted to Clearwater 8/26 - two starts - 7 IP - 5 K’s, 4 BB - had an outstanding month of July - 0.57 ERA in 3 appearances (one start) - 15.2 IP - 0.96 WHIP, 11 K’s, 5 walks.

2025 Notes :  he is a generally a strike thrower - fastball range is 90 to 93 mph, also throws a slider, change up and cutter. Was his second season stateside this past summer after being a DSL All-Star in 2023. Knows how to pitch, mix and hit spots, smooth athletic delivery. Will compete for an opening day roster spot with Clearwater in 2026 spring camp - is on the roster of the Cardenales de Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League.

RH Giuseppe Velasquez - 22 years old (23 on 4/30/26) - signed international free agent 7/2/19 - Porlamar, Venezuela

2025 Stats :  returned on 6/19 with the FCL Phillies after almost two years of rehab work coming back from Tommy John surgery.     Made five appearances (two starts) totaling 16.2 IP with a 0.54 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 20 K’s and 2 walks. Promoted to Clearwater on 6/26 - made eight appearances (seven starts) totaling 33.2 IP posting a 6.42 ERA, 21 K’s and 15 walks. Overall threw 52.1 innings over 14 appearances (he pitched two scoreless innings in a FSL playoff game on 9/11).

2025 Notes :  He’s a true “pitch-ability” pitcher who changes speeds, hits locations and uses mix to force soft contact from hitters. Is a welcoming young man who’s always greeted me with a fist bump and smile. He pitched in the FCL IN 2022 and also began there in 2023 before being promoted to Clearwater on 7/23/23 where he made five starts. He was placed on the full season injured list in late August that year, we saw him at a playoff game with the TJ sleeve on, he acknowledged later to me in a text that he had underwent the surgery. Guissepe missed the entire 2024 season and spent the year at Carpenter Complex working with the Rehab team. The arsenal includes a four seam fastball (90 to 93 mph), a tumbling curve ball, changeup and sinker. When he’s at his best he can carve up opposing hitters with mix, deception and location - as a former pitcher it’s fun to watch. He will pitch for the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League this off-season.

RH Jacob Waguespack - 32 years old (33 on 11/5/26) - signed as a free agent 8/4/25

2025 Stats :  appeared in ten games with Lehigh Valley totaling 13.1 IP with a 5.40 ERA, 13 K’s and 7 walks - opponents hit just .191 against him. Prior to re-joining the Phillies organization this past season he appeared in 15 games for the Rays AAA affiliate in Durham totaling 19.2 IP with 18 K’s and 4 walks, a 0.71 WHIP and a .149 BAA. He has appeared in 31 major league games (14 as a starter) in 2019, 2020 and 2024 with the Blue Jays and Rays totaling 105.2 IP, 5.11 ERA, 90 K’s and 48 walks.

2025 Notes :  Jacob originally signed with the Phillies on 6/22/15 out of the University of Mississippi as an un-drafted free agent - he was one of the first players I interacted with at the complex as a writer. He pitched in the Phillies organization till 7/31/18 when traded to the Blue Jays for LHP Aaron Loup. On 11/7/21 he became a free agent and signed with Orix in the Japanese Professional League where he pitched for two seasons. Signed with the Tampa Rays on 1/15/24 and pitched for their organization  till 7/27/25 when they released him. He’s a big fella at 6’6” and throws relatively hard - features a four seamer (93-97 mph), cutter, curve and changeup. Is a minor league free agent again this off-season.

LH Andrew Walling  - 26 years old (27 on 10/29/26) - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 - Mississippi State

2025 Stats : began the year on the IL with shoulder discomfort - worked with the rehab team in the spring - made an appearance with Jersey Shore on 5/23 - one scoreless IP. Activated with Reading on 5/27 - made 37 appearances - 4.10 ERA in 41.2 IP, 45 K’s and 18 walks, .203 BAA, 11.04 K/9, 2.37 K/BB. Promoted to Lehigh Valley on 9/9 - made 5 appearances - 5 IP, 3.60 ERA, 7 K’s, 4 walks, .167 BAA. Overall - 43 games, 47.2 IP, 3.97 ERA, 54 K’s, 22 walks, .204 BAA. A very solid season.

2025 Notes :  one of my favorites - a likeable young man whose desire to excel shines thru, can handle pressure spots in games, has baseball savvy and moxie - strong competitor. Reminds me a bit of former Phillie Jake Diekman in his stuff, motion and arm slot. He can double up on innings in his outings. He was signed by Mike Stauffer who told me a great story how he discovered him - Andrew didn’t pitch much in college as he battled to throw strikes but Mike had seen him in a blowout game and noted the superior stuff he saw regardless of the location of his deliveries - he continued to follow him and then signed him to a contract after he went un-drafted - Andrew had pitched only 13 innings in collegiate play. He features a four seam fastball (93-97 mph), slider and cutter. A couple years ago now Lehigh Valley Pitching Coach Phil Cundari told me this about Andrew - “I don’t know what’s tougher, playing catch with him or trying to hit him. He’s got electric stuff, very strong young man who throws a bowling bowl of a cutter, varies his slider from a cutter to one that has more sweep, both have great velocity, exceptional breaking stuff. Has a strong fastball already but I believe that velocity down the road with the fastball will be sitting 96–98 mph.” Andrew is from Castle Rock, Washington and originally attended Oregon State before transferring to Eastern Oklahoma State College and then Mississippi State. He’s got the goods to become a major leaguer.

Andrew’s 2025 reflections :  “What I learned about myself this past season is that I have the ability to throw at the major league level. Just continue to be as consistent as I can and my abilities will allow me to compete at that level. Very happy with how the season ended up and I think I continued to improve throughout the season. Off season training approach will be to maintain health and gain back strength that inevitably goes throughout a season. Prepare myself to show up ready to compete for a job come spring. I look to show up with the mindset to go earn whatever I may get and make the most of those opportunities.”

LH Brian Walters  - 22 years old (23 on 11/28/25) - drafted in 8th round of the 2025 draft from the University of Miami

2025 Stats :  did not pitch in games after signing - instead worked at the complex in a draftee mini camp. He finished in August throwing four side bullpens in August before breaking camp. Appeared in 38 games in college with Miami posting a 4.64 ERA in 66 IP with 80 K’s and 22 walks - made seven starts out of twenty one appearances in 2025.

2025 Notes :  he’s from Palm Bay, Florida and graduated from Bayside High School. Comes from a very athletic family, his dad played collegiate football, his mom collegiate softball and his brother Andrew played collegiate baseball (also at Miami) and is now in the Cleveland Guardians system (2023 round CB-B selection) while his uncle Matt played collegiate football at Miami and then in the NFL with the Jets and Dolphins. Brian originally attended Eastern Florida State before transferring to Miami, he had Tommy John surgery in 2023 in his inital season at Miami. Was selected in the 2024 draft by the Seattle Mariners in the 19th round but chose to return to school, led the Hurricanes with eleven saves this past season. Walters has high velocity capability with a fastball that has been clocked at 100 miles per hour (sat 94-95 mph in college) and a hard downward slope slider/curve. He is now participating in Fall High Performance Camp. If he stays as a reliever could be one that climbs up the ladder quickly however he could also begin as a starter to incorporate another off speed pitch with a determination made later what role he best fits. A hidden gem that will turn heads when he gets into game action.

LH Kevin Warunek  - 22 years old (23 on 11/19/25)  - drafted in 18th round of the 2024 draft from Longwood University

2025 Stats : began the season on the IL working his way from elbow discomfort - was activated with Clearwater on 4/22 - made 19 appearances (34 IP) out of the bullpen recording a 2.91 ERA with 44 K’s and 11 walks, a 1.06 WHIP, .198 BAA. Promoted to Jersey Shore 8/4 - made seven appearances (7.2 IP) posting a 5.87 ERA with 9 K’s and 6 walks. Had an outstanding month of April (0.00 ERA in 3 appearances - 3 IP, 4 K’s, 0 walks) and June (4 appearances - 9 IP, 2.00 ERA, 12 K’s, 4 walks, .192 BAA). Pitched two or more innings in nine of his 26 appearances. Totals for the season - 26 games, 41.2 IP, 3.46 ERA, 53 K’s, 17 walks, .224 BAA, 11.45 K/9, 3.12 K/BB - 63% strike throwing rate - very good first season of action.

2025 Notes :  Kevin graduated from Patriot High School and is from Gainesville,Virginia. He pitched three seasons at Longwood University making 38 appearances - 14 starts - is versatile and willing to take the ball in any situation. Was in process of transferring to Coastal Carolina before signing with the Phillies. I first met him at the complex last spring, very pleasant young man, really loves baseball - comes thru in conversation about his craft of pitching. Features a four seam fastball (92-96 mph), slider, sinker and change-up from a lower slot. He’s got a 6’4” frame with room for good weight - he is participating in Fall High Performance Camp. Should be in the mix for a Jersey Shore spot this spring camp.

Kevin’s 2025 reflections :  “This past season helped show that it’s the same game I’ve been playing since I could walk. Coming out of rehab to start the season, I’m definitely glad I was able to complete my first pro season healthy and competitive. There are obviously things to grow upon and learn still, but health was my biggest obstacle that I climbed this last season and is still going to be a big component of my training progression.”

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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