7/20/26 : Alex McFarlane to the show
- Steve Potter
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
It is with great pleasure that I am able to write that one of my favorite players in the system is being promoted to the big leagues! RHP Alex McFarlane has gotten the call and will join the Phillies bullpen for this evening’s game.
Alex is a genuinely good person - he reached out to me shortly after my son passed away with his sincere condolences and when I told him that it eased my pain a bit to watch and write about players like him continue to develop he responded “I’ll always be thankful I get to put on the uniform and play for good people like you Steve.”
The numbers speak for themselves - he’s posted a 2.06 ERA in 32 games at Reading this year in 35 IP with 47 K’s and 18 walks - opponents hit just .187 against him as he converted 12 of 13 save opportunities.
Alex features a high octane sinker (upper 90’s to triple digits) along with a put away splitter and slider. He has a tremendous appreciation and approach to both life and the game - he told me “I allow hard work to push me to where I need to be in my career and take it one day at a time winning each day.”
He grew up and played baseball thru the 11th grade in the US Virgin Islands - “Growing up in the USVI I was exposed to a very passionate baseball culture that not a lot of people would think is down there. A lot of league play and not so much high school baseball. I wasn’t always a pitcher, I played center field.”
Alex had to transfer stateside for his senior year due to the effects hurricanes Irma and Maria had when they hit the Islands. Playing for Habersham Central High School in Mt Airy, Georgia Alex was named the team MVP and its best hitter - was then drafted in the 25th round of the 2019 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He chose to attend the University of Miami instead and played there three years before being drafted by the Phillies. Had TJ surgery in September of 2023 and missed the entirety of the 2024 season rehabbing at the complex in Clearwater. He worked hard, in fact was an example to others in his work ethic telling me at the time “It’s been all about keeping a positive mindset throughout it. It’s a long grind so I have to make the best of each day.”
Now the very likable young man (is one of the most popular teammates in the clubhouse) will get his chance to shine in the show. I wish him nothing but the best - the talent is there to do very well!
Congrats Alex!
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