12/30/25 : Depth and Potential - an early look - lower levels 👀
- Steve Potter
- 2 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Every MLB organization attempts to build quality coverage each off-season to provision the upcoming elongated professional baseball season else success is generally not found. While the primary focus is on constructing the forty man roster to compete in spring training for opening day roster spots it’s also vital that minor league depth along with providing for player development is accounted for.
Yesterday I published part one of this two part series on the AAA and AA levels - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/12-29-25-depth-and-potential-an-early-look-upper-levels - today here’s a look at where things presently stand (from my view) for the Phillies at the lower levels (High A and Low A) :
High A level - Jersey Shore BlueClaws :
Starting Pitching :
Lefty Juan Amarante, Ryan Degges (RH),Luke Gabrysh (RH), Ryan Dromboski (RH), Sam Highfill (RH), Camron Hill (LH) and RH Ramon Marquez seem as likely competitors for the High A Jersey Shore rotation. Giuseppe Velasquez (RH) is probably in the mix either as a starter or in bulk relief. Some of the 2025 draft picks might also break spring camp with Jersey Shore.
Relievers :
Jake Eddington (RH), Maxwel Hernandez (RH), Nathan Karaffa (RH), Titan Kennedy-Hayes (RH), Erik Ritchie (LH), Paxton Thompson (RH), Danny Wilkinson (LH) and A.J. Wilson (LH) are probable returnees to the BlueClaws bullpen. Luis Avila (RH), Marty Gair (RH), Orlando Gonzalez (RH), Adilson Peralta (RH), Danyony Pulido (RH), Eli Trop (RH) and Zack Tukis (RH) will be in the mix of competition to move up from Clearwater. Wen Hui Pan (RH) is hopefully on track to return to action at some point after missing the 2025 season rehabbing from TJ surgery.
Catchers :
Luis Caicuto, Luke Davis, Will Vierling and Kodey Shojinaga would seemingly be in the hunt for roster spots behind the dish with Jersey Shore - all can also play first base and presumably would see time there as well.
Infielders :
Brock Vradenburg was signed on 8/6/25 and finished the season with the BlueClaws - he likely returns to open 2026. Raider Tello is set to move up from Clearwater and can play all four infield positions albeit primarily saw time at first and third base last year. Nikau Pouaka-Grego and Juan Villavicencio along with Tyler Pettorini are candidates to open the season as middle infielders along with perhaps a return engagement for Bryan Rincon at shortstop. Brady Day likely opens the year as the primary third baseman with Nick Biddison and Tello also in the mix at the hot corner.
Outfielders :
Devin Saltiban is having a strong winter league season in Australia as the primary center fielder for the Adelaide Giants and is slated to continue that role this summer - could bump up to Reading but seems more probable to open 2026 with the BlueClaws. Joel Dragoo and John Spikerman are candidates to return with Carter Mathison, Jonathan Hogart and Nathan Humphreys likely to be given opportunities this spring to earn promotions from Clearwater.
Low A levels - Clearwater Threshers and FCL Phillies :
Starting Pitching :
Right hander Keegan Batka, Cody Bowker (RH), Angel Liranzo (LH), Cade Obermueller (LH), Brian Walters (RH),
Jonathan Gonzalez (LH), Zuher Yousef (LH), Matthew Fisher (RH) and Brad Pacheco(RH) are candidates for starting pitching assignments at Low A Clearwater or in the FCL along with James Tallon (LH - was a reliever in college but might be considered for a starting role - had a strong draft camp) and Gage Wood (RH). RH Deiry Gonzalez could come stateside from the Dominican Academy.
Relievers :
Josbel Garcia (RH), Cole Gilley (RH), Luis Gonzalez (RH), Peyton Havard (RH), Raymon Rosario (LH) are probable returnees to the 2026 Threshers opening day bullpen crew with 2025 draft picks Sean Youngerman (RH), Tyler Bowen (RH), Jacob Pruitt (RH), Richie Cortese (LH), Matthew Potok (RH) projected to make their pro debuts in 2026 with Clearwater. I mentioned Gabe Craig (RH) as a potential upper level placement out of spring camp but the more conservative move would be an opening day slot in the Threshers bullpen. Eligio Arias (RH) and Joel Heredia (RH) could bump up from the FCL Phillies. Tegan Cain (RH) is hopefully on track to return to action after missing the 2025 season rehabbing from TJ surgery. Marcus Morgan (RH) is another hopeful early season return after an injury riddled season last summer. Newly signed amateur free agent RH MT Morrissey will also compete this spring for a Low A roster spot.
Catchers :
Alirio Ferrebus, Yhoan Escolona, Angel Mata, Cesar Mujica, Guillermo Rosario and Anderson Araujo likely make up the crews at Clearwater and the FCL.
Infielders :
The middle infield should have some intriguing players for the 2026 Threshers with 2025 draft picks Robert Phelps, Matthew Ferrera and Logan Dawson in the mix. Third base candidates include Nolan Beltran and Francisco Loreto. First base could be manned most nights by one of the catchers as they all are adept at the position. Adrian Garcia, Jose Familia and Meylin DeLeon seem likely to return to the FCL Phillies with perhaps Romeli Espinosa and Maylerson Casanova joining them from the Dominican Academy.
Outfielders :
Jack Barker, Griffin Burkholder, Manolfi Jimenez, TJayy Walton, Victor Cardoza, Jaeden Calderon and Jorge Julio are returnees in the mix for jobs at Clearwater with the Threshers or FCL Phillies. Elian Adames and Eduardo Guillen may come over from the Dominican Academy to claim FCL roles.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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