Last off-season I started a different writing venture - rather than producing a hard copy version of what was an annual Phillies Minor League Digest I went with a new approach and posted a series of articles on the webpage instead. A large portion of the digest was my player notes - views that are not entirely built upon seasonal or short term stats - while I referenced them I relied more upon my observations and feedback from players and coaches.
This off-season we continue the series “Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes”with profiles presented in groupings by defensive positions. I intend to offer notes on every stateside player I watched perform this past season that finished the 2023 season with the organization. I can attest that I actually watched most every Phillies minor league game each evening, attended practices and interacted with a vast amount of players, coaches, scouts and front office folks. Recently I sent a couple questions to the players - asked them what was their biggest personal takeaway from the 2023 season and what they are focusing on this off-season to prepare for 2024. Where I have responses I will include them in the notes. Also where I’m able I will include feedback from coaches and player development leadership.
The initial set of twenty articles were on the pitchers - if you missed them here’s a link to article 20, it contains within it links to the other 19 pitcher’s articles - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-17-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-pitchers-part-twenty.
The second set was four articles on the catchers - if you missed them here’s a link to article 4, it contains within it links to the other 3 catchers articles - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-21-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-catchers-part-four
The third set was eight articles on the infielders - if you missed them here’s a link to article 8, it contains within it links to the other 7 infielders articles - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-29-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-infielders-part-eight
Today we focus on group three of the outfielders :
Group Three : Brewer Hicklen, Marcus Lee Sang, Junior Marin, Simon Muzziotti, Jhailyn Ortiz
Link to previous outfielder articles :
Group One : Emaarion Boyd, Jared Carr, Justin Crawford, Carlos De La Cruz, Ezra Farmer - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-30-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-outfielders-part-one
Group Two : Cade Fergus, Yemal Flores, Jorge Garcia, Yhoswar Garcia, Raylin Heredia - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/12-1-23-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-outfielders-part-two
The following players will be discussed in future articles :
Group Four : Avery Owusu-Asiedu, Dustin Peterson, Leandro Pineda, Baron Radcliff, Gabriel Rincones Jr
Group Five : Albert Rodriquez, Johan Rojas, Ricardo Rosario, Troy Schreffler, AJ Shaver, Cal Stevenson
Group Six : Gavin Tonkel, Santiago Torres, Jordan Viars, TayShaun Walton, Ethan Wilson
So we continue - the third article in the 2023 series on outfielders ⚾️🤓.
Brewer Hicklen - 27 years old - acquired in a trade with Royals for cash considerations - 8/22/23
2023 Stats : played in 11 games for Lehigh Valley - .250/.413/.472 slash line with a .885 OPS in 46 plate appearances with 2 doubles, 2 home runs and 4 RBIs with 10 walks, stole 6 bases in 6 attempts. Defensively played both left and right field - 1.000 fielding percentage at both spots.
2023 Notes : right handed hitter was a late season acquisition, had a big year in 2022 when he hit 28 home runs,had 85 RBIs and stole 35 bases for Kansas City’s AAA affiliate Omaha. Had good success with Lehigh Valley, is very athletic and has big pop.
2024 Projection : signed with the Milwaukee Brewers 11/28/23 as a free agent
Marcus Lee Sang - 22 years old - drafted in 11th round of the 2019 draft from Northern HS, Owings, MD
2023 Stats : played in 124 games between Jersey Shore and Reading producing a .258/.357/.414 slash line with 26 doubles, 7 triples, 11 home runs and 59 RBIs. He stole 22 bases in 32 attempts. When he was promoted from Jersey Shore to Reading on 8/15/23 was fourth in the South Atlantic League in runs scored (68), fourth in hits (99), fifth in doubles (20), third in triples (7), second in walks (58) and 8th in OBP (.372). Defensively played all three outfield positions, is a very good defender - in center field had a 1.000 fielding percentage in 145 chances, in left field - .963 fielding percentage in 81 chances and in right field - .962 fielding percentage in 26 chances, he had 12 outfield assists.
2023 Notes : left handed hitter and thrower who has multiple tools, a very strong defender (arm & tracking), quick bat, decent speed and the ability to drive the ball out of the park. Was named the organization player of the month for May when he posted a .352 batting average (31 for 88) with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs and 18 RBIs. He walked 24 times which contributed to his .491 OBP for the month and recorded a 1.048 OPS. Is a very popular teammate, pleasant personality, upbeat with a welcoming attitude and smile. Works hard, is coachable and plays the right way. When he was promoted to Reading things may have gotten a bit fast for him but I have no doubt that he will make adjustments and get after it this coming season. Another young man who’s parents we’ve come to know a bit, very supportive family, good people.
Marcus’s reflections : “Just keep going! As a player there are going to be a ups and downs during the season. A few hot stretches and some games where the ball doesn’t seem to fall, sticking to my plan and controlling the things I can control have helped me become a more consistent ball player. This off season I’m really dialing in on my approach at the plate and sticking to my plan at the plate. I’m excited for this next season to come and I believe it’s going to be a special one!”
Former Reading Hitting Coach Tyler Henson : “ “has the ability to drive the ball the other way, that’s a plus. I think there are times when he will have to pick his spots to pull the ball. The other thing is that when you advance to upper levels you really need to have a detailed two strike approach. That’s one we attacked when he came to Reading, his mindset became “you may beat me but you won’t fool me” and to be more disciplined. Made some good adjustments with that, needs more AB’s to display what his true potential can be.”
2024 Projection : a return to Reading as a lineup regular
Junior Marin - 19 years old - acquired in trade with Royals in exchange for RHP James McArthur - 5/8/23
2023 Stats : a right handed hitter, played in just 5 games in the FCL before being placed on the IL - .294/.316/.412 slash line with 2 doubles, an RBI and a walk. Defensively played 12 innings at first base and 8 in left field, handled all chances without error.
2023 Notes : was placed on the IL on 6/20/23 and spent the balance of the season there. We saw him a bit in extended spring, was working with coaches to transition to first base, had played corner outfield exclusively in Royals system. He’s a big fella and has shown a power stroke in BP sessions we’ve watched, sends a lot of souvenirs over the fences. Is working on conditioning during the off-season.
2024 Projection : if healthy will compete for the FCL Phillies
Simon Muzziotti - 24 years old - signed as an international free agent - 7/5/16 - Cumana, Venezuela
2023 Stats : had a very strong season with AAA Lehigh Valley - .296/.358/.404 slash line in 124 games - 524 plate appearances with 22 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs and 61 RBIs, stole 26 bases in 38 attempts and walked 45 times. He tied for 5th in the International League in hits (140), 11th in stolen bases and tied for 10th in batting average. Defensively played primarily left field - .986 fielding percentage in 145 chances although also played center field - .965 in 85 chances and right field briefly - 17 innings there. Had 10 outfield assists.
2023 Notes : a left handed hitter and thrower who generally puts the ball in play and has good speed. Prior to this season wasn’t much of a free pass acceptor, set a career season high in that regard. Also showed this year that he can drive the baseball out of the yard, also drove the ball into the gaps consistently. Has the tools to be a major league contributor, is a very good defender in ability to track balls and arm accuracy. He made some spectacular plays in left field this summer. Missed a great deal of playing time the past three years due to Covid work stoppage, injuries and visa issues. Had a really good comeback season and now continues to rack up playing time in the Venezuelan Winter League playing for Aguilas del Zulia.
2024 Projection : is on the 40 man roster - will be in spring training, has an option left - likely back to LHV as depth.
Jhailyn Ortiz - 24 years old - signed as an international free agent - 7/10/15 - Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic
2023 Stats : played in 94 games between Lehigh Valley and Reading - .228/.322/.387 slash line in 383 plate appearances with 12 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs and 45 RBIs, walked 43 times. Defensively played first base for the first time - .983 fielding percentage in 298 chances. Also played right field - .978 fielding percentage in 45 chances.
2023 Notes : Jhailyn has a golden personality, great teammate and is a very loyal young man. Was taken aback when designated and out-righted in April. Came to the complex and worked directly with hitting coach Edwar Gonzalez. He returned to LHV and had a good month of April - .290/.405/.516 in 31 AB’s. On 6/17/23 he was assigned to Reading to learn how to play first base. He did a decent job doing so but never got un-tracked offensively. He can crush middle in fastballs and has prestigious power but has had difficulty with plate discipline, will chase. Defensively he’s got a big league arm, can throw the ball extremely well and loves the challenge to show it off. He moves quite well for a big fella. The glimpses of what he might become as a power bat have always been intriguing.
2024 Projection : minor league free agent
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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