11/9/26 : Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes - Pitchers - Part Twenty-One
Written by Steve Potter
This Phillies off-season I 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 five players per article. Here is pitchers - part twenty-one, highlighting the following :
Giussepe Velasquez
Andrew Walling
Brian Walters
Kevin Warunek
Josh Winder
RH Giussepe Velasquez - 23 years old (24 on 4/30/27) - signed as an international free agent 7/2/19 - Porlamar, Venezuela
2026 Stats : in his first full season coming back from TJ surgery he split time between Clearwater and Jersey Shore - made 8 appearances with Clearwater (one start) posting a 2.16 ERA in 16.2 IP, 21 K’s, 8 BB. At Jersey Shore made 18 appearances (one start) totaling 50.1 IP with a 5.36 ERA, 45 K’s, 22 walks. Made a cursory appearance with Reading - 3 IP. Overall numbers - 27 appearances, 70 IP (career high), 4.89 ERA, 67 K’s, 34 BB.
2026 Notes : a true “pitch-ability” pitcher who changes speeds, hits locations and uses mix to force contact from hitters. Is a welcoming young man who’s always greeted me with a fist bump and smile. 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’s now pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League for the Águilas del Zulia as a starter and has performed very well - five games - three starts, 19 IP, 1.42 ERA, 24 K’s, 6 BB.
Giussepe’s thoughts on pitching in the Venezuelan League : “I feel super proud to have another season here in my home country.”
2027 Outlook : free agent.
LH Andrew Walling - 27 years old (28 on 10/29/27) - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 - Mississippi State
2026 Stats : spent the majority of the season on the IL with elbow discomfort working with the rehab team at the complex. Went on the IL 5/10 - transferred to the 60 day IL 7/24 - finished the season there. Did pitch in 11 games with Lehigh Valley prior to going on the IL - 10.1 IP, 16 K’s, 15 BB - an uncharacteristic 9.58 ERA - career ERA is 3.68 in 178.1 IP. Assigned to the Arizona Fall League to make up innings - has appeared in seven games - six IP.
2026 Notes : first time in his pro career which he lost significant time on the IL - 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 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. He is from Castle Rock, Washington and originally attended Oregon State before transferring to Eastern Oklahoma State College and then Mississippi State.
2027 Outlook : hopefully a full season of good health - likely return to Lehigh Valley
RH Brian Walters - 23 years old (24 on 11/28/26) - drafted in 8th round of the 2025 draft from the University of Miami
2026 Stats : made 26 appearances (two starts) totaling 52 IP posting a 4.67 ERA with 60 K’s and 34 BB for Clearwater in his first full pro season. Had a very strong month of July recording a 2.19 ERA in six appearances - 12.1 IP, 14 K’s, 5 BB.
2026 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 in 2025. Walters has high velocity capability with a fastball that clocked in the 94-97 range this season and flashed 98/99. It’s coupled with a hard downward slope slider/curve and sweeper. Command was key, when he controlled the zone he had success as the stuff certainly plays however without throwing quality strikes success wanes - story of any hurler who’s ever taken the mound. To me, the 2026 season for him was a learning stepping stone to bigger and better things to come - really like the pop he has.
2027 Outlook : a bump up to Jersey Shore to open the season seems likely.
LH Kevin Warunek - 23 years old (24 on 11/19/26) - drafted in 18th round of the 2024 draft from Longwood University
2026 Stats : opened the season on the IL with a shoulder issue - made four rehab appearances with the FCL Phillies in May - 4.2 IP, no runs allowed, 6 K’s, 3 BB. Was transferred to Clearwater and made three appearances before shutting down again on the IL till 8/4. He made four appearances in total for the Threshers - 4.2 IP. Was activated with Jersey Shore on 8/7 - 8 appearances - 1.69 ERA in 10.2 IP with 14 K’s and 7 walks. Transferred to Reading 9/12 and made one scoreless appearance (1 IP). Overall numbers - 3.43 ERA in 17 games - 21 IP, 26 K’s, 13 BB. Assigned to the Arizona Fall League - has appeared in six games to date - 6.2 IP.
2026 Notes : 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 in the spring of 2025, 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 and pitches down hill - has a good deal of potential with the ability to climb the ladder - particularly as a lefty bullpen option.
2027 Outlook : likely returns to Jersey Shore to begin the year with an eye upwards.
RH Josh Winder - 30 years old (31 on 10/11/27) - signed as a minor league free agent -9/1/26 - was the Twins 2018 7th round draft pick from Virginia Military Academy (VMI)
2026 Stats : did not pitch in a game - after signing a two year deal with the Phillies he worked at the complex in preparation for next season. Working his way back from TJ surgery.
2026 Notes : pitched for the Twins organization thru the 2024 season, he then signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on 1/23/25 but did not pitch for them as he underwent Tommy John surgery, the Diamondbacks released him on 3/28/25. Winder made 38 major league appearances (11 starts) with the Twins from 2022 to 2024 recording a 4.39 ERA in 110.2 IP with 85 K’s and 33 walks. In the minors he made 100 appearances (51 starts) with a 3.71 ERA in 334.1 IP with 355 K’s and 91 walks. The 6’5” hurler is noted as having the ability to repeat his delivery and consistently throw strikes - his fastball generally sat in the 93-95 mph range but had trended up to touch 97-98 with heavy sink. Secondaries include curve, slider and change up. His last game appearance was 8/30/24 for AAA St. Paul in the Twins organization.
2027 Outlook : continued work towards getting back on the mound - hopefully ready to go at some point during the season.
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