5/10/26 : Phillies Minor Leagues : week in review (5/4 - 5/10)

Compiled and written by Steve Potter

This week’s Spotlight Player : Alirio Ferrebus (Clearwater) - 20 years old - signed as international free agent 1/15/23 - Maracaibo, Venezuela

Alirio gave us a scare on Thursday against Daytona when he was hit on the wrist by an upper nineties fastball and had to leave the contest- he returned to game action however on Saturday. On Sunday he had a four hit game - so much for any injury concern!

Ferrebus had an outstanding week going 11 for 20 (.550) with 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 9 RBIs and even two stolen bases - he had a .545 OBP in 22 plate appearances and an incredible 1.495 OPS. The twenty year old catcher/first baseman (he won’t be 21 till September) is having a standout season thus far with a .368/.421/.613 slash line in 121 PA’s and a 1.034 OPS with 11 doubles, 5 home runs and 31 RBIs. He’s at the top or amongst the Florida State League leaders in seven offensive categories.

Phillies Director of Player Development and Director of Hitting Luke Murton told me regarding Alirio’s success “the biggest thing is him understanding how to get "behind the ball better".  Always did a good job of making contact and hitting the ball hard. So him getting behind the ball better has helped his quality of contact resulting in more homeruns. Hope he keeps it going!”

Alirio played this off-season for league champion Adelaide in the Australian Baseball League where he hit .279 in 117 PA’s. He told me this off-season before departing to Australia “Hello sir, this past season was one of learning and gaining strength mentally. I am already preparing for next year and working towards the big goal of reaching the major leagues, I will go to Australia and come back ready for the next season and give something for you to write about in the best way!” The affable young man who is seemingly always singing whenever I see him is certainly doing just that. Good stuff!

International League (AAA) : Lehigh Valley (19-20)

The Iron Pigs went 2-4 for the week against Buffalo (Blue Jays affiliate)

This week’s standouts :

Starting pitching depth is always an area of focus - this week veteran LH Tucker Davidson turned in a scoreless appearance. Davidson matched his six inning scoreless effort on 4/26 with six innings this week - finding ongoing consistency is key for the lefty who returned to the US this year after pitching last season in the Korean Baseball Organization for Lotte.

At Bat :

Carter Kieboom - 6 for 15 (.400) with 2 doubles

Otto Kemp - 7 for 24 (.292), 3 HRs, 11 RBIs , 2 walks - .370 OBP

Steward Berroa - 5 hits, 8 walks - .464 OBP in 28 PA’s

Bryan De La Cruz - 7 for 22 (.318), 2 doubles, HR, 4 RBIs

Liover Peguero - 6 for 21 (.286), 4 doubles , 3 walks - .375 OBP

On The Hill :

LH Tucker Davidson - 6 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s

LH Genesis Cabrera - 2 appearances - 3.1 scoreless IP, 1 H, 0.60 WHIP

RH Ryan Cusick - 4.1 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s

RH Seth Johnson - 2 appearances - 2 scoreless IP, 1 H, 4 K’s

RH Nolan Hoffman - 2 appearances - 2 scoreless IP, 0 H, 0.50 WHIP, 3 K’s

Eastern League (AA) : Reading (16-16)

The Fightin Phils went 3-3 for the week against Somerset (Yankees affiliate)

This week’s standouts :

Offensive output was the story of the series against Somerset as it matched the top-two teams in home runs across the Eastern League. Alex Binelas continued his hot hitting with 9 hits in 20 AB’s (.450) and 6 RBIs. Aroon Escobar had a strong week posting a .333 batting average and .400 OBP in 25 plate appearances while Bryan Rincon and Dylan Campbell each homered twice during the week.

Despite the offensive prowess on display strong pitching performances were also turned in by lefty Adam Seminares who threw five scoreless frames in his start and continued his solid pitching for the season (2.86 ERA in 7 starts - 34.2 IP), RH Kyle Brnovich pitched six scoreless frames on Sunday in his second start of the week bouncing back from getting tagged for 8 runs in four innings on Tuesday and RH Luke Russo went five innings yielding just one run in his start. Relievers Aaron Combs, Alex McFarlane, Levi Stoudt, Tristan Garnett and Jack Dallas each had solid weeks as well.

At Bat :

Alex Binelas - 9 for 20 (.450), double, HR, 6 RBIs - 4 BB, 1.192 OPS

Aroon Escobar - 7 for 21 (.333), 2 doubles, HR, 4 RBIs, 3 BB -.400 OBP

Dylan Campbell - 7 for 22 (.318), triple, 2 HR’s, 7 RBIs

Bryan Rincon - 2 HR, 5 RBIs

On The Hill :

LH Adam Seminares - 5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s

RH Luke Russo - 5 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K’s

RH Alex McFarlane - 3 scoreless appearances - 3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s

RH Aaron Combs - 2 scoreless appearances - 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s

RH Jack Dallas - 2 scoreless appearances - 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K

RH Levi Stoudt  - 2 scoreless appearances - 2 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 2 K’s

LH Tristan Garnett - 1.2 scoreless IP, 1 H

South Atlantic League  (High A) : Jersey Shore (15-17)

The BlueClaws went 1-5 for the week against Frederick (Orioles affiliate)

This week’s standouts :

Devin Saltiban had a great week for Jersey Shore going 12 for 28 (.429) with 3 doubles, a home run and 10 RBIs. Saltiban is the youngest BlueClaw at 21 years of age. He was also the youngest BlueClaw last year. Last season was one hindered by injury - he went on the IL on 5/8 with a groin area issue that required surgery and wasn’t re-activated with Jersey Shore till 7/18 - he finished the year strong however going 6 for 18 in September after struggling offensively most of the year. He also switched defensively to the outfield from second base.

Devin was a center fielder in high school but was converted to middle infield (initially shortstop) after his contract signing in hopes his offensive prowess (power bat) would come more to light - he hit 17 home runs in 2024 with Clearwater in his first full pro season playing exclusively as a second baseman. While rehabbing in Clearwater with the FCL Phillies last season he made his pro debut in center field and played there upon returning to Jersey Shore. He looks more comfortable in the outfield where he can utilize his plus speed to track balls. This season he’s also seen time in right field in addition to center.

He is a very pleasant young man and easy to interact with, played this winter with the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League (ABL) where he was the regular center fielder posting a .321/.370/.529 slash line in 36 regular season games (154 PA’s) with 14 doubles, 5 home runs and 29 RBIs - also had 9 stolen bases and 22 runs scored in helping the Giants win the ABL championship. In fact he was named the league championship series MVP!

Nick Biddison and Raider Tello also had strong weeks at the dish. Lefty Mavis Graves punched out nine batters allowing just one run in his five innings of work for the week.

At Bat :

Devin Saltiban - 12 for 28 (.429), 3 doubles, HR, 10 RBIs - 1.143 OPS - 28 PA’s

Nick Biddison - 9 for 23 (.391), 4 doubles, 4 walks  - 1.046 OPS - 27 PA’s

Raider Tello - 7 for 23 (.304), 3 doubles

On The Hill :

LH Mavis Graves - 5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K’s

RH Reese Dutton - 6 IP, 4 R - 2 earned, 1 HB, 1 BB, 3 K’s

Florida State League (Low A) : Clearwater (20-13)

The Threshers went 4-2 for the week against Daytona (Reds affiliate)

This week’s standouts :

Alirio Ferrebus was my spotlight player of the week however outfielder Griffin Burkholder also had an outstanding week - the twenty year old posted a .529 batting average and smoked four doubles and two home runs and I do mean smoked - all hit hard! - thus far he’s been playing three games each series (this week he played four) and continues strength and conditioning work on his hamstrings during non playing days. Griffin has loads of talent but has been sidelined most of the past two seasons with hamstring issues - this week’s production shows what he’s capable of.  A breakout week with a .529/.526/1.118 slash line in 19 plate appearances with an off the charts OPS of 1.644 😳👀🔥.

Three pitchers stood out this week - right handers Brad Pacheco, Cody Bowker and Ramon Marquez each had strong outings - it was Ramon’s first game action of the year - he’s been sidelined with shoulder tenderness - in his start on Saturday the fastball sat in the 95-97 mph range and he showed his signature plus change up - he struck out the first seven hitters he faced! Ramon is a twenty year old from Mexico that should be on everyone’s radar - a very talented young pitcher.

At Bat :

Alirio Ferrebus - 11 for 20 (.550), 2 doubles, 2 HR’s, 9 RBIs - 1.495 OPS

Griffin Burkholder - 9 for 17 (.529), 4 doubles, 2 HR’s, 6 RBIs - 1.644 OPS

Jonathan Hogart - 6 for 17(.353), 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBIs, 4 walks  - 1.206 OPS

Robert Phelps - 4 for 13 (.308), 5 walks - .500 OBP in 18 PA’s

Mathew Ferrara - 3 hits (double, triple, HR) and 7 walks - .417 OBP in 24 PA’s

Victor Cardoza - 5 for 6 (.833), double, 2 RBIs - 1.857 OPS in 2 games - he was 3 for 8 early in the week with the FCL Phillies - combined numbers - 8 for 14 (.571) with a double, HR and 5 RBIs 👏👀

On The Hill :

RH Cody Bowker - 4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K’s

RH Brad Pacheco - 4 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 K

RH Ramon Marquez - 4 IP, 2 unearned R, 1 H, 2 BB, 9 K’s

Florida Complex League Phillies (2-4)

The FCL Phillies  went 2-3 for the week against the Blue Jays, Yankees and Tigers. They defeated the winless Tigers twice.

This week’s standouts :

Logan Dawson and Jack Barker had standout weeks - both are 2025 draft selections who are just 19 and 20 years old respectively. Continued weeks like this one will push them up the ladder. Another young player - seventeen year old shortstop Romeli Espinosa hit his first stateside home run - he’s got a great personality - always smiling - even when he gets hit by a pitch 😳🤓. The kid can also play!

At Bat :

Logan Dawson - 4 for 13 (.308), 2 2B, HR, 5 RBIs, 3R, 1 HBP, 6 BB - .550 OBP - 20 PA’s - 1.242 OPS - hit his first professional HR!

Jack Barker - 5 for 17 (.294), 2 2B, HR, 6 RBIs, 4 BB - .429 OBP - 21 PA’s -1.017 OPS

Jonathan Alcantara - 4 for 13 (.308)

Victor Cardoza - 3 for 8 (.375), HR, 3 RBIs - transferred to Threshers 5/8/26

On The Hill :

LH David Hernandez - 2 appearances - 3.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 K’s

RH Estibenzon Jimenez - 2 appearances - 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s - rehab

LH Kevin Warunek - 2 appearances - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 2 K’s - rehab

RH Tegan Cain - 2 appearances - 2.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s

RH Jesus Montiel - 1st stateside game - 2 scoreless IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s

RH Mitch Neunborn - 1 perfect IP, 1 K - rehab assignment

Dominican Republic :

Three exhibition games against Rangers (W), Marlins (L) and A’s (W) - 2-1

This week’s standouts :

At Bat :

Francisco Renteria - 7 for 12 (.583), 2 doubles, 1 BB, 2 RBIs, 2 SB

Javen Maduro - 5 for 10 (.500), 2 double, RBI, walk

On The Hill :

RHP Yilmar Samudio - 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K’s - FB 92-95

RHP Albertt Medina - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - FB 89-93

RHP Alexandre Moreti - 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - FB 85-89

RHP David Victorino - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s - FB 90-95

RHP Justin Burgos - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - FB 89-91

RHP Luis Mirabal - 1 perfect IP, 2 K’s - FB 92-94

Minor league stateside system transactions :

Lehigh Valley - INF José Rodríguez released. RHP Connor Gillispie transferred to the Full-Season IL. RHP Grant Holman claimed off waivers from the Detroit Tigers and optioned to LHV (from PHI). INF/OF Dylan Moore (DFA on 5/2) cleared waivers and outrighted to LHV (from PHI). RHP Zach Pop (PHI 15-Day IL) began a major league rehab assignment

Reading - RHP Max Lazar’s (PHI 60-Day IL) rehab assignment transferred (from JS).RHP Ryan Dromboski added to the roster (from JS). C Lou Albrecht reinstated from the 7-Day IL. INF Carson DeMartini placed on the 7-Day IL. RHP Braydon Tucker placed on the 7-Day IL (retroactive to 5/5). LHP Wesley Moore transferred to the 7-Day IL.

Jersey Shore - RHP Wilmer Blanco transferred from the FCL Phillies.

Clearwater - OF Gabriel Rincones Jr. (LHV 7-Day IL) began a rehab assignment. LHP Zuher Yousuf placed on the Development List. RHP Ramon Marquez added to the roster (from FCL). OF Victor Cardoza added to the roster (from FCL). OF Nate Humphreysplaced on the Temporarily Inactive List.

 FCL - RHP Naiker Velazquez placed on the 60-Day IL. C Rey Cruz placed on the 60-Day IL. OF Nathan Cijntje placed on the Full-Season IL. RHP Estibenzon Jimenez (REA 7-Day IL) began a rehab assignment, LHP Kevin Warunek (JS 7-Day IL) began a rehab assignment. OF TJayy Walton (CLW 7-Day IL) began a rehab assignment. RHP Mitch Neunborn (REA 7-Day IL) began a rehab assignment. C Gabriel Azocar added to the roster (from DR).

 Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

Alirio Ferrebus

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