5/5/26 : April Minor League Players of the Month
- Steve Potter
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Phillies Press Release: 5/5/26
“GAGE WOOD AND ALEX BINELAS EARN ORGANIZATIONAL HONORS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL
Clearwater right-handed pitcher Gage Wood and Reading infielder Alex Binelas have been named Phillies Minor League Pitcher and Hitter of the Month, respectively, for April.
The 22-year-old Wood posted a 3.45 ERA (6 ER, 15.2 IP) with 25 strikeouts and seven walks while holding opponents to a .170 batting average (9-53) in five starts for single-A Clearwater in April. A native of Newport, Ark., he ranked sixth in strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched (14.36), tied for seventh in strikeouts and 10th in opponent’s batting average among Florida State League pitchers to throw at least 15.0 innings. Additionally, his average velocity of 96.3 mph on his four-seam fastball ranked sixth among the 29 FSL pitchers to throw at least 100 four-seamers during the month. Wood, who is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Phillies minor league system and the No. 95 prospect in all of baseball by MLB.com, struck out a career-high eight hitters on April 9 against Tampa. The righty entered the 2026 season with the best curveball in Philadelphia’s farm system, according to Baseball America. Selected by the Phillies in the first round (26th overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft, Wood was signed by Tommy Field.
Binelas, 25, slashed .268/.403/.786 (1.189 OPS), going 15-for-56 with two doubles, nine home runs, 19 RBI, 13 walks and 15 runs scored in 19 games for double-A Reading during the month. Among Eastern League batters (min. 70 PA) in April, the left-handed hitter ranked first in slugging percentage, tied for first in home runs, second in OPS and tied for seventh in RBI. On April 16 at Somerset, the Milwaukee native hit multiple homers in the same game for the fifth time in his professional career. Five days later, he clubbed the second grand slam of his career against New Hampshire. Originally selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Binelas was signed by the Phillies as a minor league free agent on May 25, 2025.”
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Note : I've partnered with Fanatics on Phillies Merchandise - if you would like to help support my website and articles here's a link to order merchandise - I get a small commission on any sales - thanks for the support.