5/2/25 : Florida Complex League (FCL)
- Steve Potter
- 13 hours ago
- 11 min read
The Florida Complex League is slated to open the 2025 season tomorrow and will play games thru Thursday, July 24th. The league has fifteen teams within three divisions - East (Astros, Cardinals, Marlins, Mets, Nationals), North (Blue Jays, Phillies, Tigers, Yankees) and South (Braves, Orioles, Pirates, Rays, Red Sox & Twins). The season will consist of 59 games per team for teams in the North/South Divisions and 56 games per team for the East Division. Teams only play opponents within their division during the regular season. Each Division winner advances to the playoff round along with one wildcard (non-division winner with best record). The playoff round is a one game knockout with two teams advancing to the best of three championship series. Last year’s champion was the wild card qualifying Tigers who swept the Pirates in the championship series.
Weekday games are 12:00 noon starts - Saturday games, doubleheaders and completion of suspended games will begin at 10:00 AM. The North/South Divisions are scheduled to play five games per week with off-days on Wednesdays and Sundays. The East Division will play between four and six games per week with off-days on Sundays and varying week day off days.
Usage of the pitch clock is optional (both clubs must agree) - if teams choose to use the pitch clock they must staff a trained Field Timing Coordinator (can be an existing employee but can’t be a player). When the pitch clock is not used there will be limitations on disengagements and batter timeouts.
The Phillies team is managed by Shawn Williams who is joined on staff by Hitting Coaches Rafael Delima and Darnell Sweeney, Pitching Coaches Alex Concepcion and Jarrod Parker, Development Coach Adam Cecere and legendary coach Roly deArmas who serves at the complex as a coach in various capacities. Home games are generally played on Roberts Field with occasional games on Ashburn Field. The team has been participating in extended spring training (XST) which concludes today.
Here’s a look at the opening day roster as I understand it, there will be rehab assignment players interspersed as well :
Pitchers : (16)
RH Brad Pacheco - 19 years old - signed 5/18/23 - from Venezuela - has electric stuff, have seen him in a couple bullpen sessions and an extended spring game - FB sits in the 95-97 mph range - has dealt with health issues in his brief career to date limiting him to just five appearances last season in the DSL where in 17 IP he posted a 1.59 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 23 K’s and just 3 walks.
RH Alexander De Los Santos - 18 years old - signed 1/15/23 - from Dominican Republic - pitched last two years in Dominican Summer League (DSL) - 14 appearances - 9 starts - 2.88 ERA - 41 K’s - 25 BB - FB range 93-96 mph in extended spring outings.
LH Angel Liranzo - 18 years old - signed 1/15/23 - from Dominican Republic - a promising lefty in the mold of Ranger Suarez with a solid change up, he’s a strike thrower with four pitches - was stateside last summer at the age of 17 - mostly training at the complex after being placed on the long term IL in May - made his lone appearance with the Threshers on 8/30/24 going 2.1 innings - has been in the 87-92 range with his fastball in extended spring action.
RH Joel Heredia - 21 years old - signed 7/29/22 - from Dominican Republic - pitched the last two seasons in the DSL - 6’6” frame - in 23 DSL appearances (21 starts) has pitched 82.2 IP with a 4.35 ERA - was in the 93-96 mph range with his fastball in his last extended spring outing.
RH Luis Gonzalez - 19 years old - signed 1/15/22 - from Venezuela - pitched last season in the FCL after spending his first two years in the DSL - was selected as a DSL All-Star in 2023 - 4-1 record in 2024 with a 4.13 ERA in 10 appearances (two starts) accumulating 32.2 IP - has been in the 91-94 mph range with fastball in extended spring training.
RH Wilmer Blanco - 21 years old - signed 12/14/21 - from Venezuela - pitched last season in the FCL after spending his first two years in the DSL - had a 6.70 ERA in 12 appearances (10 starts) in 47 IP - has been in the 91-95 mph range with fastball in extended spring training.
LH Juan Amarante - 21 years old - signed 1/28/22 - from Venezuela - pitched last season in the FCL (15 games - 6 starts) and with the Clearwater Threshers (7 games - 5 starts) after spending his first two years in the DSL - had a combined 4.56 ERA in 22 appearances (11 starts) in 73 IP - has been in the 90-94 mph range with fastball in extended spring training.
RH Maxwell Hernandez - 21 years old - signed 10/26/21 - from Dominican Republic - pitched last season in the FCL after spending his first two years in the DSL - had a 4.95 ERA in 12 appearances (8 starts) in 40 IP - has been in the 92-96 mph range with fastball in extended spring training
RH Pedro Reyes - 22 years old - signed 1/4/20 - from Mexico - pitched last season in the FCL (11 games - 6 starts) and with the Clearwater Threshers (5 games - 3 starts) after spending his first three years in the DSL - had a combined 2.92 ERA in 16 appearances (9 starts) in 64.2 IP - has been in the 92-94 mph range with fastball in extended spring training.
RH Josbel Garcia - 21 years old - signed 10/21/21 - from Venezuela - pitched last season in the FCL (14 games - 5 starts) and with the Clearwater Threshers (1 game) after spending his first two years in the DSL - had a combined 4.58 ERA in 15 appearances (5 starts) in 37.1 IP - has been in the 92-98 mph range with fastball in extended spring training.
RH Adilson Peralta - 21 years old - signed 11/16/21 - from Dominican Republic - pitched last season in the FCL after spending his first two years in the DSL - had a 4.26 ERA in 16 appearances in 31.2 IP - has been in the 92-95 mph range with fastball in extended spring training
RH Alexis De La Cruz - 20 years old - signed 1/15/23 - from Dominican Republic - pitched last season in the FCL after spending his first year in the DSL - had a 8.84 ERA in 12 appearances (1 start) in 18.1 IP - has been in the 91-95 mph range with fastball in extended spring training
RH Eligio Arias - 22 years old - signed 12/2/23 - from Dominican Republic - pitched last season in the DSL - had a 7.44 ERA in 13 appearances (5 starts) in 32.2 IP - has been in the 90-96 mph range with fastball in extended spring training
RH Naoel Mejia - 22 years old - signed 4/9/23 - from Dominican Republic - pitched last two seasons in the DSL - had a 2.65 ERA in 17 appearances last season in 17 IP - has been in the 90-95 mph range with fastball in extended spring training
RH Fernando Ramos - 22 years old - signed 1/15/24 - from Cuba - pitched last season in the DSL - had a 2.79 ERA in 13 appearances in 29 IP, 26 K’s, 9 BB - has been in the 91-94 mph range with fastball in extended spring training. He left Cuba in August 2023 bound for the Dominican Republic, where he signed with the Phillies. When in Cuba he was a reliever in 25 games with a record of 5-3, 2.84 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 44.1 innings. Fastball - 90 to 93 mph - reaches 94-95, change up(splitter), cutter, slider.
LH Raymon Rosario - 19 years old - signed 6/13/23 - from Dominican Republic - pitched last two seasons in the DSL - had a 5.67 ERA in 17 appearances (13 starts) in 52.1 IP - pitched this year in three games with the Clearwater Threshers - has been in the 90-93 mph range with fastball in extended spring training
Catchers : (3)
Alirio Ferrebus - 19 years old - signed 1/15/23 - from Venezuela - had a strong first year in DSL in 2023 - .339/.453/.435 with an .888 OPS in 75 plate appearances - followed that with 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 13 RBIs and a .375/.471/.725 slash line in 14 DSL games (51 PA’s) - promoted stateside 6/25/24 and played in 10 FCL games - .324/.366/.378 slash line in 41 PA’s before suffering an ankle injury that ended his season. Has fun playing the game, outgoing personality- had a very solid spring training camp - played in the Spring Breakout game - excellent bat to ball skills, barrels the baseball - big body at 6’2”, athletic frame - solid defensive skills.
Yhoan Escolona - 19 years old - signed 1/15/23 - from Venezuela - has played 3B in extended spring training and can also play 1B. Big frame at 6’2” - has had a good extended spring training camp. Is officially on the Threshers developmental list at present.
Cesar Mujica - 18 years old - signed 1/15/24 - from Venezuela - He played for the DSL Red team last summer and posted a .306 OBP in 160 plate appearances over 43 games with four doubles and nine RBIs - he stole nine bases in eleven attempts. Cesar can also play first base.
Infielders : (6)
Jaeden Calderon - 19 years old - signed 1/15/23 - was born in Florida - coming off two very solid DSL seasons- big body - good hands at 1B, can also play OF corners - in two DSL seasons posted a .279/.423/.453 slash line with .876 OPS - 7 HR’s and 47 RBIs.
Jose Familia - 17 years old - signed 1/15/24 - from Dominican Republic - slender and tall LH hitter - has pop - played just one season in DSL exclusively at SS - will play both 2B and SS this season - good defensive instincts - very young. We’ve seen some outstanding defensive plays already in XST.
Meylin De Leon - 18 years old - signed 1/15/24 - from Dominican Republic - played one season in DSL - can play 2B,SS and 3B - got 177 PA’s in DSL posting a .350 OBP - have seen him a few times at SS - athletic and quick.
Francisco Loreto - 17 years old - signed 1/15/24 - from Venezuela - slight build - can play Catcher, 2B and 3B - has shown pop in extended spring action including a home run, quick bat - posted a .358 OBP in 106 DSL PA’s in 2024 - another very young player.
Rickardo Perez - 21 years old - signed 2/2/21 - from Venezuela- begins his third season in the FCL - was suspended in 2023 for disciplinary reasons, missed the entire year - originally signed as a catcher he now plays 1B almost exclusively - have seen him catch sides and live BP - lefty hitter who can swing the bat - in three pro seasons (one in DSL) has a.295/.374/.384 slash line and .758 OPS - 7 HR’s, 49 RBIs. - Good numbers in 2024 in the FCL - .297/.368/.486 in 125 PA’s with 6 home runs and 26 RBIs.
Nikau Pouaka-Grego - 20 years old - signed 1/17/22 - from Australia - partially due to a significant knee surgery a little over two years ago has only played in 89 career games, missed the entire 2023 season. Was on the Threshers 2024 roster but struggled - sent back to the complex to finish the year - played for Adelaide in the Australian Baseball League this past off-season primarily at second base. Will see time at 2B, SS and 3B - when he’s on his game generates pop as a left handed hitter and has had stretches of strong offensive output.
Outfielders : (4)
Victor Cardoza - 19 years old - signed 1/15/23 - from Venezuela - played two seasons in DSL - RH hitter - breakout year in 2024 - .333/.390/.562 slash line in 178 plate appearances with a .952 OPS - 12 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs and 25 RBIs - 16 stolen bases - athletic build - can play all three outfield positions - primarily center field.
Manolfi Jimenez - 20 years old - signed 1/15/22 - from Dominican Republic - begins his second FCL season - LH hitter - good defender - can play all three positions. Modest offensive output in his three seasons to date but has shown pull side power - three home runs in FCL last year.
Isaias Dipre - 21 years old - selected in Minor League Rule 5 draft on 12/11/24 from the Pirates organization - from Dominican Republic - signed by Pittsburgh 8/12/19 - played three seasons in DSL - .281/.390/.472 slash line in 442 career plate appearances with 30 doubles, 11 home runs and 56 RBIs - has played 1B,2B, 3B, LF and RF in his career - mostly RF and as a DH. Slender build - played winter ball in Colombian Winter League this off-season.
Jorge Julio Jr - 18 years old - signed 1/15/23 - from Venezuela - big body corner outfielder, can also play 1B - played last two years in the DSL - good 2024 season - .276/.392/.398 slash line in 148 PA’s with 7 doubles and 4 home runs - his father pitched in the Major Leagues for ten years with eight different organizations.
I think that another player that folks should know about is a young catcher returning from knee surgery - he’s not formally listed on the FCL roster but rather is on the IL of the Clearwater Threshers however he has played the past week or so in extended spring training games (since they were training games a formalized roster wasn’t required) - following are notes on him :
Catcher/1B Angel Mata - 20 years old - signed 4/14/22 - from Venezuela - had knee surgery in April of 2024 and missed the entire season working his way back with the rehab team - have seen him catch multiple side and live bullpens - he started playing in extended spring training games on 4/19/25. He is very smooth behind the dish as a receiver, his stillness and calm catching the baseball is something that isn’t easily taught but rather is a talent realized on its own merit. The way he blocks pitches in the dirt are textbook. It puts me in mind of the first time I saw Rafael Marchan catch in a Fall Instructs game way before folks knew his name. Angel is now back to full heath, has gained “good” weight and is physically toned. He can also throw, has good release mechanics and is perhaps the most skilled defensive catcher in the system with development room to get even better. An offensive output is also indicated by his initial two years in the DSL (2022 & 2023).
In addition OF John Spikerman and RHP Orlando Gonzalez have been playing in extended spring games, both are on the seven day IL (Spikerman with Jersey Shore and Gonzalez with Clearwater). In order for an IL (Injured List) player to participate in the upcoming formalized FCL games they would have to be put on a rehab assignment, that’s TBD in each of these fellas regard.
The Phillies concluded Extended Spring Training games yesterday and finished with a 6-7 record.
Extended Spring Training Scores :
4/11 - Phillies 13 Empire Grays (Independent Team) 1
4/14 - Yankees 3 Phillies 2
4/15 - Blue Jays 9 Phillies 8
4/17 - Phillies 6 Yankees 0
4/18 - Phillies 6 Tigers 4
4/19 - Phillies 7 Canada 0
4/21 - Tigers 2 Phillies 1
4/22 - Blue Jays 12 Phillies 10
4/24 - Yankees 8 Phillies 1
4/25 - Phillies 4 Blue Jays 0
4/28 - Blue Jays 7 Phillies 5
4/29 - Phillies 8 Blue Jays 4
5/1 - Yankees 13 Phillies 4
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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