9/10/25 : Phillies Arizona Fall League Contingent

The Arizona Fall League will commence play on October 6th. The Phillies are sending eight players (including five pitchers) and a coach and will be part of the Surprise Saguaros (joined by the Brewers, Guardians, Rangers and Royals). The team will be managed by Jesus Azuaje - a longtime minor league coach/manager who in 2025 managed the Royals High A affiliate Quad Cities.

Phillies Position Players :

Shortstop Aidan Miller : 2023 1st round draft selection - Mitchell HS, New Port Richey, FL.  Just recently promoted to AAA level Lehigh Valley on 9/8/25 from AA Reading he will be the Phillies primary player in the AFL - in 109 games thus far this season has a .258/.385/.425 slash line in 494 PA’s with an .810 OPS - 25 doubles, 2 triples, 13 home runs and 41 RBIs - 76 walks and a system leading 55 stolen bases. The 21 year old is athletic and a very smart ball player with a lineup regular’s big league skillset both offensively and as a fielder at shortstop.

Outfielder Dante Nori : 2024 1st round draft selection - Northville HS, Northville, MI.  Just recently promoted to AA level Reading from High A Jersey Shore on 9/8/25 and to High A from Low A Clearwater on 8/26/25. In 121 games thus far this season has a .263/.364/.373 slash line and .737 OPS in 561 PA’s with 18 doubles, 11 triples, 4 home runs, 47 RBIs, 74 walks and 51 stolen bases in his first full season of professional baseball. He’s 20 years old (turns 21 on 10/7/24) and is a very good defender in primarily center field who’s game and build reminds me distinctly of former Phillie Lenny Dykstra. Dante has all the tools to play in the major leagues - plays the game aggressively and makes things happen.

Infielder Carson DeMartini - 2024 4th round draft selection - Virginia Tech University. Is currently on the seven day IL (9/5/25). The 22 year old has played at two levels in his first full pro season (began the year at High A Jersey Shore and was promoted to AA level Reading on 6/9/25). To date has posted a combined .237/.340/.367 slash line and .707 OPS in 521 PA’s with 20 doubles, 4 triples, 10 home runs, 52 RBIs, 59 walks and 45 stolen bases. He’s got that “sweet lefty swing” when going well as a hitter with pop and the ability to drive the ball out of the yard. Defensively has shown steady improvement throughout the season playing primarily third base with time also at shortstop and second base. He reminds me a great deal of Otto Kemp just from the opposite side of the box in his moxy, makeup, mindset, abilities, savvy and team spirit. I can definitely see him in the major leagues at some point.

Phillies Pitchers :

RH Eiberson Castellano - was signed 7/2/18 from Maracaibo, Venezuela - won the Paul Owens Award last season as the system’s top pitcher - was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Minnesota Twins and spent 2025 big league spring training camp with them before being returned to the Phillies. This year has moved back to the bullpen with AA level Reading after pitching as a starter in 2024. Spent a large portion of the season on the IL (5/29 to 7/26) and therefore has been limited to 34.2 IP in 20 appearances posting a high 6.75 ERA with 37 K’s and a high walk rate with 17 BB. When Eiberson is pitching well he features both a four seam and two seam fastball in the 93-96 mph range which has been up to 97 mph. He has a power slurve in the low 80’s and is continuing to develop a change up. He’s slated for minor league free agency this off-season - the AFL assignment affords an opportunity to showcase the talent we know he possesses and earn another contract. Eiberson is 24 years old.

RH Jack Dallas - was signed 8/1/22 as a non-drafted free agent from Lamar University - currently on the IL with AA Reading - pitched in 30 games this season with Reading posting a 3.54 ERA in 48.1 IP with 49 K’s and 14 walks. Was a closer in college and has been used in high leverage situations throughout his brief pro career to date. Jack is a multi inning reliever who often goes two innings in his appearances, a fella who would no doubt take the ball every day if needed. His fastball, a sinker, generally is in the 91 to 94 mph range and he also features a cutter, slider, curve and change up. Gets tremendous spin/movement on his cutter and curve in particular, above the big league average. The movement on those pitches makes it very difficult for hitters to square them up. He is Rule 5 eligible this off-season,reminds me a great deal of Mark Leiter Jr in his mix, approach and build.  Jack is 26 years old.

RH Daniel Harper - 2022 17th round draft selection - University of Kentucky - is currently pitching for AAA level Lehigh Valley where he was promoted to from Reading on 7/4/25. Has had a couple stints on the IL this summer with shoulder discomfort.

Daniel’s fastball ranges from 92 to 95 mph - it has touched 98.  He was a FB/Cutter closer at Kentucky, as a pro he’s incorporated a couple more pitches including a slider (gyro type) and sinker (split finger action). When he’s on the stuff is major league quality - has had his struggles this summer but also has had shining stints as well - in the month of August made five scoreless appearances - is Rule 5 eligible this off-season - he’s 26 years old.

RH Tommy McCollum - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/20/21 from Wingate University - has had a very good season - began with Jersey Shore - promoted to AA level Reading on 5/1/25 - in 43 total appearances this year has a 2.94 ERA in 52 IP with 12 saves, 57 K’s, 14 walks and a 1.04 WHIP. Is the definition of a strikeout pitcher with two put-away deliveries, a heavy fastball that generally sits in the 93-96 mph range but can reach upper nineties and a splitter that drops off the table. Tommy is an imposing figure on the hill at 6’5” and has an easy downward plane delivery, the baseball gets on the batter quickly and comes out of the hand with lots of movement. He is Rule 5 eligible this off-season. He is 26 years old.

RH Jaydenn Estanista - signed 11/8/19 from Willemstad, Curacao - this season began with High A Jersey Shore - promoted to AA Reading on 7/4/25 - his fast ball range of 93 to 96 mph and touches 97 mph - features a four seamer, slider, cutter and curve. Jaydenn is a big arm reliever who’s appeared in 38 total games this summer (42 IP) with 42 K’s and a high 29 walks - his ERA to date is 5.14.  He is one of my favorite personalities in the organization - always welcoming and courteous - has a big league arm and when he’s in the zone does very well.  Jaydenn is 23 years old and is Rule 5 eligible this off-season.

Phillies Coach :

Pitching Coach Riley McCauley  - spent his second consecutive season this year with AA level Reading - worked 2023 at the complex as pitching coordinator, joined the Phillies in July of 2022 taking the helm as FCL pitching coach - was Assistant Baseball Coach at Troy University prior to that as well as a Pitching Coach at Cressy Sports Performance - played professionally in the Cubs organization from 2018 to 2020 after playing collegiately at Michigan State University.

We wish all of this year’s AFL contingent well in their 2025 endeavor.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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