7/24/25 : 2025 FCL Phillies Season Review

The 2025 version of the FCL Phillies (16-42) had the fifth youngest group of position players in the fifteen team FCL (Florida Complex League) - (19.2 Avg age - league Avg 19.5) along with the third youngest group of pitchers (20.4 Avg age - league Avg 20.9). Of the 27 position players (including rehab assignments) eleven were teenagers with six being 18 years of age or younger.  On the pitching side 24 hurlers (including rehab assignments) pitched for them with five being teenagers and two being just 18 years old.

The team struggled mightily defensively committing 106 fielding/throwing errors resulting in 70 unearned runs. Seventeen year old shortstop Jose Familia had 25 errors in 45 games played while eighteen year old third baseman Francisco Loreto had 23 errors learning a new position. However both showed flashes of defensive prowess along with offensive skills that project for future success in a year of growing pains for each as two of the younger players in the league.

Twenty year old outfielder Manolfi Jimenez had the best offensive numbers of all the players on the roster - the left handed hitter/thrower played his second season in the FCL and posted a .306/.339/.529 slash line and a .868 OPS in 46 games (171 PA’s) with 13 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs and 21 RBIs after posting a .261/.317/.380 slash line and .862 OPS in 31 games (101 PA’s) with 3 home runs and 13 RBIs in 2024. He played in three games with the Clearwater Threshers in late June and was transferred to their roster once again on 7/23/25 presumably to finish the season.

I watched Loreto both in person and multiple times on game video - he’s got offensive skills to further develop as reflected by 10 doubles, 5 home runs and a .332 OBP in 193 plate appearances. The same goes for 18 year old middle infielder Adrian Garcia who posted a .262 batting average and .329 OBP in 143 plate appearances - he also turns double plays at second base really well and has a very strong arm - another teenager who should benefit from the 2025 experience of stateside play even though going thru some struggles.

Twenty year old catcher Angel Mata returned to game action after missing the 2024 season following knee surgery, he’s a very good defender who showed flashes of offensive skills posting 10 doubles and driving in 20 runs in 44 games (162 PA’s). Outfielders Victor Cardoza and Jorge Julio are two more teenagers that had their struggles yet also showed projectable skillsets. Catcher Alirio Ferrebus (19 yrs old) began the year with the FCL crew but was promoted to Clearwater on 6/10/25 and has a bright future ahead of him. Nineteen year old outfielder Griffin Burkholder has been hampered by ongoing hamstring issues and has spent the brunt of his playing time this season in the FCL - when he’s healthy his skills are very evident, hopefully the issues subside and he’s able to perform like he can.

Three starting pitchers stood out to me this season for the FCL squad - eighteen year old LH Angel Liranzo made 10 starts in 12 appearances posting a 3.60 ERA in 55 IP with 46 K’s and 18 walks, he’s fun to watch - a true pitcher with a very solid change up. Nineteen year old Ramon Marquez won the system Pitcher of the Month Award for June posting a 2.57 ERA in 5 starts (21 IP) with 26 K’s and 5 walks -  he posted a 3.44 ERA in nine of his ten appearances (34 IP) - he was tagged for six runs in four innings of work in the other one inflating his full season ERA to 4.50 in 38 IP - point is short of one bad outing he was generally very good. Same goes for twenty year old RH Brad Pacheco who gave up seven earned runs in his first outing (1/3 of an inning) and five earned runs on May 30th in four innings of work but posted a 4.17 ERA in the remaining 10 of his outings over 41 IP - still not a great number but he’s a power arm who could develop into a big leaguer and the learnings on the backfields should help that progression  - he posted 46 K’s against 14 walks and showed streaks of dominance as reflected by his three July starts (16 IP) with a 1.13 ERA and 19 K’s against 4 walks. These three young pitchers from my view have the ability to climb the ladder.

Nineteen year old lefty Zuher Yousef was promoted to the FCL on 6/26 from the DSL and pitched very well in his four appearances (three starts) posting a 1.89 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 19 IP, he’s a competitor who gets after it - like his fire. RH reliever Fernando Ramos had good numbers - the twenty-two year old from Cuba had a 2.54 ERA in 14 appearances (28.1 IP) and from June 1st thru season’s end posted a 1.96 ERA in 18.1 IP.  Twenty year old RH Luis Gonzalez also finished strong recording a 0.57 ERA in three July appearances (15.2 IP) and a 0.96 WHIP - he made 12 appearances overall (seven starts) totaling 47.1 IP with a 3.04 ERA - absent a 5/24 outing where he gave up five earned runs in four IP his ERA over 43.1 IP was a stellar 2.28.  LH Camron Hill (2024 8th round draft pick - Georgia Tech) injured his shoulder in spring camp but pitched six and two thirds innings over three appearances (1.35 ERA) on rehab assignment in the FCL in July - the 22 year old should continue his season with the Threshers in Clearwater. In fact a few of the FCL hurlers likely bump up to finish the year out with Clearwater.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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