5/31/26 : Phillies Minor Leagues : week in review (5/25 - 5/31)

Compiled and written by Steve Potter

This week’s Spotlight Player : Robert Phelps  - Clearwater - 22 years old - drafted in 19th round of the 2025 draft from Reinhardt University, Georgia

A big week for the Clearwater infielder (has played 2B, SS and 3B this season) as he went 10 for 27 (.407) with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs. Included in those numbers was a walk off game winning double on 5/28 along with other clutch hits in the series against Dunedin. It’s been a very strong month for Robert - in 20 games he posted a .333/.424/.551 slash line and a .975 OPS in 92 plate appearances with three doubles, a triple, four home runs and twelve RBIs as well as stealing four bases.

Drafted from NAIA level Reinhardt University last season he went 3 for 4 with a double in just his second pro game with the Threshers and played in 12 games before an injury ended his season prematurely. This year he’s been a lineup regular posting a very solid .271 batting average and an outstanding .407 OBP in 162 plate appearances.

He’s from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Allderdice HS. Robert attended Harford Community College where he played two seasons before transferring to the the University of West Virginia then to Reinhardt University in Georgia. In an article written by Rob Taylor Jr in the Pittsburgh Courier Robert was quoted as saying “I’ve loved baseball  since I was a little kid, it’s always been what I’ve done, it’s always been my dream.” About being drafted - “For the dream to come true is amazing.” Taylor wrote that Phelps’ family has always supported his baseball dreams and that he even lived in the Dominican Republic from the age of 13 to 16 to play, before returning to Pittsburgh to attend Allderdice.

I met him for the first time this year in spring training - he’s very welcoming, has a terrific smile and is full of energy. It’s very clear he wants to excel and climb the ladder to the show. A spark plug type player who exudes confidence and enthusiasm - his former summer ball coach Jake Lanferman of the Edmonton RiverHawks said this “"He is a special type of player with multiple pro tools, Robbie has been a spark plug for us as our leadoff hitter all summer. He has one of the best gloves I've seen come through our program and he's always competing with a huge smile on his face."  Sounds akin to the attitude and approach of Phillies great Jimmy Rollins. Great to see the young man excelling!

International League (AAA) : Lehigh Valley (27-30)

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

A good week for the IronPigs in Buffalo, one that included multiple day games.

Felix Reyes had another strong week going 9 for 29 (.310) with 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 7 runs scored and 8 RBIs. He was optioned to Lehigh Valley from the Phillies on 5/18/26 after appearing in 12 major league games, the big league numbers weren’t good in a limited 38 plate appearances however in my opinion it was due more to over anxiousness to succeed rather than being over matched. Felix is a very aggressive hitter who makes hard contact however he will also chase as his bat to ball skills are excellent and there’s no delivery he doesn’t feel as if he can’t reach. That was more prevalent in his last few plate appearances in his first stint in the show.

That being said he returned to LHV and immediately began to mash. Since returning to the IronPigs he’s 18 for 53 (.340) with 3 doubles, 6 home runs and 17 RBIs. The big fella can hit, I have no doubt he can hit major league pitching productively if given an extended chance - that may not come with the Phillies but other organizations should definitely have him on their radar as a middle of the lineup bat. As the Buffalo game announcer said this week “he hits the baseball so hard it leaves little time for the fielders to react.” That’s good stuff.

This week’s standouts :

At Bat :

Paul McIntosh - 6 for 17 (.353) with 3 doubles, HR, 4 RBIs

Dylan Moore - 5 for 15 (.333), HR

Felix Reyes - 9 for 29 (.310) with 2 doubles, 3 home runs and 8 RBIs with 7 runs

Liover Peguero - 7 for 23 (.304), double, grand slam HR, 7 RBIs - .370 OBP

Gabriel Rincones Jr - 5 hits, 4 walks in 24 PA’s - .375 OBP

On The Hill :

RH Drake Fellows - 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K’s

RH Bryse Wilson - 5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 K’s

RH Seth Johnson - 3 appearances - 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s

RH Chuck King - 5+ IP, 2 R - 1 earned, 2 H, 2 HB, 3 BB, 3 K’s

RH Max Lazar - 2 appearances - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 2 K’s

Eastern League (AA) : Reading (23-28)

The Fightin Phils went 2-4 for the week against Harrisburg (Nationals affiliate).

After a two week road trip the Fightins were home this week before returning to the road for their next series in Binghamton. Professional “competition eater” Joey Chestnut was on hand for a cheeseburger dog event (he downed 10 in 83 seconds 😳). The Fightins got some strong efforts on the mound as starters Braydon Tucker, Luke Russo and Gage Wood ate up the Harrisburg bats in their outings (see what I did there 🥸). Alex McFarlane continued his dominance out of the bullpen with two more scoreless appearances - on the season he’s now appeared in 19 games and has posted a 0.48 ERA in 18.2 IP with 26 strikeouts and 10 walks, opponents are hitting just .172 against him.

This week’s standouts :

At Bat :

Austin Murr - 8 for 19 (.421) with 4 doubles, HR, 5 RBIs, 2 walks - .476 OBP

Erick Brito - 6 for 17 (.353) with 2 doubles , 2 walks - .421 OBP

Raylin Heredia - 8 for 24 (.333) with 2 doubles, HR, 6 RBIs

Bryson Ware - 6 for 20 (.300) with 2 doubles, 4 RBIs

On The Hill :

RH Braydon Tucker - 7 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s - - another very strong outing for Braydon. Gotta like how he competes - sinker (92-94 mph), sweeper, cutter and change up - throws strikes - hides the ball well, good extension - just gets batters out - season ERA is 1.43 in 8 starts (44 IP) with 40 K’s & 15 walks. Folks should take notice.

RH Gage Wood - 4 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s - FB 94-97 mph - touched 99 in 4th inning. Threw his slider often early in the count, run scored in the fourth on a bloop hit against the slider. Another good outing. Now has 33.1 IP on the season in ten starts.

RH Luke Russo - 5 IP, 2 R - 1 earned, 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K’s

RH Alex McFarlane - 2 appearances - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 4 K’s

RH Evan Gates - 2 appearances - 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s

RH Colin Peluse 2 appearances - 3.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K

South Atlantic League  (High A) : Jersey Shore (21-29)

The BlueClaws went 3-3 for the week against Frederick (Orioles affiliate)

Jersey Shore won three games in a row after dropping the series opener and then lost the last two - RHP Sam Highfill was outstanding in his start on 5/28 striking out ten batters in five scoreless frames of work and is now riding a thirteen inning scoreless streak. RH reliever Wen-Hui Pan has been dominant for the BlueClaws - in six outings he’s posted seven scoreless innings yielding just one walk and three hits while striking out seven batters as he’s returned from missing the entire 2025 season rehabbing from TJ surgery. RHP Luke Gabrysh was very good on 5/30 tossing five scoreless innings and striking out ten batters.

This week’s standouts :

At Bat :

Luke Davis - 3 for 6 (.500)

Keaton Anthony - 5 for 12 (.417), 3 RBIs, 5 walks, 4 runs - .526 OBP

Joel Dragoo - 7 for 19 (.368), 3 doubles, 5 RBIs, 3 walks - .478 OBP

Luis Caicuto - 5 for 14 (.357), double, HR, 5 RBIs, 2 walks - .389 OBP

Carter Mathison - 4 for 12 (.333), 5 walks - .529 OBP

Kodey Shojinaga - 4 for 13 (.308), 5 walks - .526 OBP

Tyler Pettorini - 7 for 23 (.304), double, 3 walks - .407 OBP

On The Hill :

RH Sam Highfill - 5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 HB, 2 BB, 10 K’s  - is now riding a thirteen inning scoreless streak. 10 K’s is a career high.

RH Luke Gabrysh - 5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 6 K’s

RH Jose Peña Jr - 2 appearances - 3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s

RH Gabriel Barbosa - 2 appearances - 2.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s

RH Wen-Hui Pan - 2 appearances - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - has thrown seven consecutive scoreless inning over his last six appearances - 97/98 mph heat coupled with downward spiral splitter

RH Estibenzon Jimenez - 2 appearances - 4.2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K’s- Jimmy looks strong - had a back and elbow issue that delayed the start to his season - in his rehab appearances (FCL/CW/JS) since he’s posted a 1.42 ERA over 12.2 IP.

RH Brandon Beckel - 2 appearances - 3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K’s

Florida State League (Low A) : Clearwater (31-20)

The Threshers went 5-1 for the week against Dunedin (Blue Jays affiliate)

Clearwater slugged their way to a series win scoring double digit runs in three of the games and 58 overall - several players had strong offensive weeks including my spotlight player of the week Robert Phelps (see above). RHP Wilmer Blanco made his Threshers debut and tossed two scoreless innings in relief.

This week’s standouts :

At Bat :

Juan Villavicencio - 4 for 8 (.500), 2 doubles, 2 RBIs - .500 OBP

Robert Phelps - 10 for 27 (.407), 2 doubles, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 3 walks - .467 OBP

Victor Cardoza - 5 for 13 (.385), 2 doubles, 4 RBIs, 2 walks - .467 OBP

Alirio Ferrebus - 8 for 22 (.364), 3 doubles, 2 RBIs, 1 walk - .417 OBP

Will Vierling - 4 for 11 (.364), double , 2 RBIs, 2 walks - .462 OBP

Matthew Ferrara - 7 for 20 (.350), double, triple, HR, 3 walks - .462 OBP

Pedro Leon - 2 for 6 (.333), 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 2 BB - .500 OBP

TJayy Walton - 4 for 12 (.333), 2 RBIs, 2 walks - .429 OBP

Nolan Beltran - 6 for 19 (.316), 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 1 walk - .364 OBP, 1.153 OPS

Griffin Burkholder - 5 for 16 (.313), 2 doubles, 3 walks - .450 OBP

Jonathan Hogart - 4 for 14 (.286), 2 doubles, 7 RBIs, 2 walks - .412 OBP

On The Hill :

RH Cole Gilley - 2 appearances - 5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 4 K’s

RH Ramon Marquez - 4.2 IP, 3 R - 1 earned, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K’s

LH Cade Obermueller - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s

RH Wilmer Blanco - 2 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s

RH Jacob Pruitt - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s

RH Tegan Cain - 2 appearances - 2.1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s

RH Tyler Bowen - 2 appearances - 2.2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s

Florida Complex League Phillies (6-14)

The Phillies went 1-3 for the week against the Blue Jays (1-1), Yankees (0-1) and Tigers (0-1).

This week’s standouts :

At Bat :

Jack Barker - 5 for 13 (.385) with 2 walks and 2 runs scored - .467 OBP

Anderson Araujo - 3 for 10 (.300) with a triple, 3 runs scored and 4 walks - .500 OBP

Jalvin Arias - 3 for 10 (.300) with a double

On The Hill :

LH Angel Liranzo - 4 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s

RH Matthew Fisher - 2.1 IP, 1 unearned R, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s

LH Yordanis Guerra - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s

RH Brian Keller - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K

Minor league stateside system transactions :

Lehigh Valley - INF Sergio Alcantara released. OF Gabriel Rincones Jr. returned from rehab assignment and reinstated from the 7-Day IL. C Lou Albrecht reinstated from the Development List. RHP Andrew Bechtold returned from rehab assignment and reinstated from the 60-Day IL. INF/OF Otto Kemp optioned (from PHI). RHP Nolan Hoffman and OF Steward Berroa recalled (to PHI). RHP Brian Keller added to the roster (from FCL). RHP Grant Holman placed on the 7-Day IL. RHP Jackson Rutledge placed on the 7-Day IL .RHP Max Lazar returned from rehab assignment, reinstated from PHI 60-Day IL, and optioned to LHV. RHP Lou Trivino placed on the Temporarily Inactive List. RHP Zach Pop returned from rehab assignment, reinstated from PHI 15-Day IL, and designated for assignment.

Reading - INF Bryan Rincon placed on the 7-Day IL. RHP Mitch Neunborn returned from rehab assignment and reinstated from the 7-Day IL. INF Erick Brito returned from rehab assignment, reinstated from the 60-Day IL, and added to the roster (from LHV). INF Bryan Rincon reinstated from the 7-Day IL on 5/30.

Jersey Shore - RHP Andrew Bechtold’s (LHV 60-Day IL) rehab assignment transferred to JS (from CLW). 1B Keaton Anthony’s (LHV 7-Day IL) rehab assignment transferred to JS (from CLW). OF/1B Manolfi Jimenez added to the roster (from CLW). INF Tyler Pettorini added to the roster (from CLW). INF Brady Day transferred to the 60-Day IL.INF Jose Colmenares placed on the 7-Day IL. INF Raider Tello placed on the 7-Day IL.LHP Kevin Warunek returned to IL from rehab assignment. C/UTIL Nikau Pouaka-Gregoadded to the roster (from REA).

Clearwater - RHP Cole Gilley reinstated from the Development List. RHP Richie Cortese placed on the 7-Day IL. OF Victor Cardoza added to the roster (from FCL). OF TJayy Walton returned from rehab assignment and reinstated from the 7-Day IL. RHP Sean Youngerman placed on the Development List. RHP Wilmer Blanco added to the roster (from FCL). RHP Micah Ottenbreit’s (JS 60-Day IL) rehab assignment transferred to CLW (from FCL). OF Pedro León’s (LHV 7-Day IL) rehab assignment transferred to CLW (from FCL).

FCL - OF Pedro León (LHV 7-Day IL) began a rehab assignment. C Cesar Mujica (CLW 60-Day IL) began a rehab assignment. RHP Eligio Arias placed on the 7-Day IL.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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