9/19/26 : State of the System
Eleven organizations had three or more affiliates qualify for their respective league playoffs this season - the Phillies are one of those with three (AA, Low A, DSL) of their six clubs making the playoffs and a heavily “home grown” lineup at Reading now entering the Eastern League championship series. From my perspective it’s an inadequate gage to evaluate a system as a whole without acknowledging point in time progression.
Here’s a position by position abbreviated look from this daily observer of the current state of the Phillies player development system.
Starting Pitching :
There’s certainly a lack of major league type quality depth at the AAA level - RH Alan Rangel is serviceable as a short term big league fill in and perhaps the other veterans on staff that were signed this year could be as well albeit none have pitched consistently well to date. “Homegrown” RH hurler Chuck King has shown quality stuff in flashes but also hasn’t been able to maintain consistency.
RH Gage Wood and RH Cody Bowker both have shown upward bound potential at Reading. It was the right move to promote Wood to AA early in the season and challenge him with better competition, he would have dominated the A level with his fastball which is often an elite delivery, at Reading he’s learned to incorporate mix albeit still relies predominantly on his heater. He’s a strike thrower (139 K’s - 30 BB - 95 IP). Still has to refine his secondaries, a national reporter recently wrote he had just started using a splitter, that’s inaccurate as he has been working with it since spring training. It wouldn’t be a bad thing for Gage to at least start 2027 again at Reading - he’s not big league ready just yet but has the tools to get there. Bowker has deception, moxy, mix, a unique arm slot and great extension - his ball jumps on hitters. In my opinion he’s further along as a starter at present than Wood but also could benefit by starting 2027 at Reading - each could progress next season to being at least capable big league fill ins as needed with even brighter futures beyond that. Right handers Luke Russo and Braydon Tucker have shown flashes of good things - both need to find consistency.
RH Tanner Gresham finished the season at High A - I see him as a distinct possibility for AA out of 2027 spring camp, he’s sneaky quick, battles each pitch and has projectable talent that went under the radar in his first pro season but I noticed as I am sure so did scouts. LH Juan Amarante is another fella that didn’t get as much ink as his skills warrant - he’s a hurler that also has projectable skills. LH Cody Obermueller lost time this past season to a lingering illness - he’s likely slated to return to Jersey Shore to begin 2027 with this season serving as a chalk up to experience.
RH Brad Pacheco is a hot commodity - the 21 year old had a very good year for Clearwater and has triple digit flashes with his four seamer that he couples with four secondaries including a splitter he added this season. Is also a strike thrower - 111 K’s, 22 walks - 101.1 IP -5.05 K/BB ratio. He’s likely slated for Jersey Shore to open 2027.
RH Chanmin Park (Korean) signed with the Phillies on 5/22/26 and is slated for stateside baseball in 2027 as are other highly regarded international signees such as RH Hua Ho (Taiwan), LH Samuel Ortiz (VZ), RH Cristian Rego (Cuba) and RH Yilmar Samudio (Panama).
The Bullpen :
There are generally three types of bullpen development in the organization, bulk relievers who can go three to four innings per outing, pitchers who can go one or two innings and lastly pitchers who are routinely held to one inning stints. Bulk relievers also factor in as spot starters.
At Lehigh Valley it’s a veteran mix with four of the current bullpen members also part of the 40 man roster. RH Max Lazar is the best of the lot in my humble opinion - veteran LH Kirby Snead deserves mention because he takes the ball seemingly every day and in any situation, has done a nice job with a 2.87 ERA in 33 appearances (47 IP).
Reading is where you will find the most robust group of developing bullpen arms - lefty Mavis Graves converted from being a starter at the lower levels to becoming a one to two innings reliever with Reading and has excelled, it’s opened a viable path to the show for him. Mavis gets natural lefty screwball like run on his fastball and has two put away breaking pitches with high spin - he’s excelled in the role. Right handers Christian McGowan, Wen Hui Pan and Estibenzon Jimenez also converted from previous starting pitching roles to full-time relievers. Jimenez has the ability to go two innings and has touched 97-98 mph with his fastball - has been consistently in the 94-96 range late in the season, possesses a deceptive change up and has always been a strike thrower - he’s gonna pitch in the Arizona Fall League - is slated for free agency but it would be prudent to re-sign him - has big league potential. McGowan has introduced a semi-sweeper to his arsenal and has regained velocity on his heavy sinker with it now sitting in the 94-96 mph range. Pan can heat it up into the triple digits and uses a downward spiraling splitter as an offset. Three definitely on the radar. Righties Daniel Harper and Jack Dallas have both been solid this season - projectable higher level skills.
RH Keegan Batka had a good first full pro season, primarily with Jersey Shore - he’s now ending the year with Reading. Throws from a three quarter arm slot - he’s got pop - has both a four seamer and sinker in the 92-96 mph range supported by a slider and cutter. He’s also headed to pitch in the Arizona Fall League. Lefty Camron Hill and RH Gerardo Lopez are two on the verge of breakthrough seasons in my opinion - both were at Jersey Shore as well this year. Lefty Kevin Warunek has always been interesting but has battled health issues - he’s finishing up the year with Reading and is then headed to the Arizona Fall League to compete.
RH Tegan Cain is an under the radar up and comer. This was his first season back from TJ surgery (ended the year with Jersey Shore) as he missed the previous two seasons - he’s a side winder who was popping mid nineties this summer and is very capable of getting into the upper nineties consistently next year. He gets a lot of movement on his pitches and with the arm angle has great deception. One to keep an eye out for. Remember the name of RH Kyler Carmack as well, he’s another power arm that returned to action this August at Clewarwater after two years of rehab work from TJ surgery.
Also at Clearwater RH Richie Cortese finished the season strong - was sitting mid nineties and flashing 98-99 mph at year end - big intimidating body with that kind of heat gets noticed - had some injury set backs this summer but when healthy is very interesting. RH Wilmer Blanco is an under the radar name to watch - sneaky quick - mid nineties heat that has touched 97 mph coupled with four secondaries - multi inning capability.
Catchers :
Paul McIntosh is a better player than folks acknowledge - he’s proven that both last season at Reading and this year with Lehigh Valley - is capable of being a big league back up. Caleb Ricketts transferred back to Reading after spending the first part of the season with Lehigh Valley - he provided stability and leadership for the group and is another who could catch at the big league level in a reserve capacity. Luis Caicuto played very well in a reserve role with both Jersey Shore and Reading - he’s heading for off season free agency. Kehden Hettiger has lefty pop but was slowed by a knee injury - he’s slated to play in the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost time.
Alirio Ferrebus had a breakout season with Clearwater before being promoted to Jersey Shore, then went on the IL with a sore shoulder. He found a consistent stroke this summer, the ability to stay behind the ball and drive it as a hitter and has also methodically improved as a catcher - still a ways to go but has skills to climb the ladder. Anderson Araujo showed continued progress with the FCL Phillies in his first stateside season before ending the season on the IL. 2026 draftee Macon Winslow impressed in his short stint with Clearwater. Will Vierling has a workmanlike persona, a decent bat and strong defensive skills.
Middle Infield :
It’s a system strength - particularly at shortstop with Aidan Miller, Bryan Rincon, Juan Villavicencio, Matthew Ferrara, Tyler Spangler, Reece Moroney and Juan Parra all are either already showing high level skills both offensively and defensively or are projectable as such. Miller is now healthy and didn’t miss a beat upon his return from the IL - he could play in the bigs next summer. It’s likely Aidan will also play in the Arizona Fall League to garner more game action. Rincon, Ferrara and Parra are in position to bump up a level next spring after productive years this summer, Rincon is in the running for the Eastern League MVP award. Villavicencio, Spangler and Moroney likely begin where they left off this summer to garner more experience. It’s a very good collection of talent - look at the progressive season numbers, not just the overall data, there’s plenty to get pumped about with this group.
Aroon Escobar finished his first full season at Reading with a flourish after struggling to find hits most of the year - it is a good sign for the talented young second baseman who will now venture into fall ball in the Arizona Fall League. Those who have discounted his abilities are mistaken, he was challenged this summer to play at the AA level at a younger than league average age and has gained valuable experience from it, the talent is now shining thru again, I have a feeling he’s gonna do very well this fall in the AFL. Robert Phelps is a favorite of mine, there’s ability there to be an on base machine, stumbled a bit after being promoted to Jersey Shore from Clearwater but has abilities to excel and it’s my belief he will do so next season with an opening day return to Jersey Shore likely.
Corner Infield :
Aidan Miller is a legitimate major league shortstop but he will also see action at third base to project getting his bat in the lineup in the show - he’s more than capable of playing there. Otto Kemp has quietly had a decent year at Lehigh Valley, he’s played third base quite a lot but continues to move around defensively wherever he’s needed.
Carson DeMartini has battled thru wrist injuries the past two seasons but is as hot as anyone at the dish right now for Reading and has played very well defensively at third base. He’s a better version of Cody Asche in my opinion, baseball smart, quick hands and able to drive the ball, has the ability to play middle infield or first base as well. There’s a path for him to the show in that realm.
Keaton Anthony and Felix Reyes can both flat out hit, they have big league caliber bats however first base is each young man’s best defensive position which is gonna be most difficult to get to in the show with the Phillies. In the right opportunity somewhere they could potentially become productive big leaguers.
Brady Day is unheralded but the young man can play, he hurt his knee early in the year with Jersey Shore (4/30) and spent most of the season on the IL - he was on his way to a very productive season at third base. He’s got solid defensive skills and is a patient hitter with some pop. Could bump up to Reading right out of spring camp next season.
Alex Binelas put up MVP caliber numbers as the primary first baseman for Reading before being promoted to Lehigh Valley, his season ended with a hip injury - I believe he’s a free agent at the end of this season, would be a good re-sign if healthy.
Utility :
Bryson Ware and Raider Tello stand out in this category - both can play multiple positions and both can hit. Developing a utility player isn’t necessarily any system’s focus but when fellas show all around skills it’s an upwards career path that not many can grab. With limited bench roster space in the bigs having the ability to play multiple positions, hit when playing irregularly and do so in a pinch are good skills to have. Nolan Beltran also had a very productive season in this type of role this summer for Clearwater. Just sayin - these fellas aren’t talked about often but they have skills that could get them a taste of the bigs in the right situations.
Center Field :
Johan Rojas had a significant injury this summer to his elbow and was placed on the IL before returning from his 80 game suspension. He’s got to prove himself once again when he’s able to return to action but I’ve seen too much talent in him to give up on his future projection just yet. At the least he’s capable of a Derick Hill type role.
Dante Nori had a very good World Baseball Classic tournament for Team Italy but suffered an injury during his initial time with Reading this spring that sidelined him for most the year. When he returned the talent of a Lenny Dykstra type top of the order player re-emerged. He will head to the Arizona Fall League after Reading finishes up their season to gain back some lost time. Dante is gonna play in the show at some point in his career, I have no doubt.
Griffin Burkholder didn’t put up numbers that turn heads this summer (started at Clearwater, ended with Jersey Shore) but that’s not necessarily unexpected given what he’s had to battle thru to get back on the field. The key for him was getting extended playing time without hamstring issues sidelining him and that was accomplished, it seems he now has an established routine - next season the numbers are more important - if you’ve seen this kid swing the bat in person there’s no reason to believe that they won’t pop in a positive way in 2027.
Will Gasparino made a good impression in his initial play at Clearwater after this year’s draft, he will likely return there to start next season.
The major excitement for next spring will be around teenage phenom Francisco Renteria as he makes his much anticipated stateside debut. The kid had a phenomenal first professional season winning the DSL MVP award - he’s got all the tools - lots of eyes will be on him in Clearwater next spring.
Corner Outfield :
Gabriel Rincones Jr got a taste of the big leagues this summer but it was a bitter one as he eventually was optioned back to AAA Lehigh Valley. He battled knee soreness most of the summer which hindered him showing what he’s capable of. Don’t count him out just yet. The Phillies added Kameron Misner to the AAA level mix in a July trade with the Royals - he can play all three outfield positions well and has the potential to be a lefty bat off the bench in the show.
A national writer had the audacity to refer to Raylin Heredia as a “non-prospect” which is in my humble opinion is complete BS. Raylin had a terrific year for Reading, is an outstanding defender in right field and has credible pop. He strikes out quite a lot but in my day it was a given that power hitters were gonna punch out (anyone watch Kyle Schwarber play 🧐) … just sayin. Raylin is very much a prospect, he’s also a proven winner having already claimed one minor league championship ring in the DSL and is now on the hunt for another with Reading.
Although both Devin Saltiban and Nathan Humphreys play primarily center field in my opinion they each project as corners. Each had decent runs this summer, just need to put together an elongated bucket of numbers to garner more attention.
Jonathan Hogart and Victor Cardoza both had strong years for Clearwater and have defensive versatility with each adding infield corner spots to their resume. Both young men should move up the chain in 2027. Jonathan was just added to the Lehigh Valley roster to finish the season as the illness bug has shortchanged the roster there and reinforcements are needed.
TJayy Walton has multiple skills and showed them during an abbreviated run at Jersey Shore, he needs a full season of good health to determine what he can do. Big power bat potential. Speaking of power bats, Caden Bogenpohl started his career with Clewarwater by smashing the ball at high impact rates but then an oblique injury sidelined him - hopefully he’s able to pick it right back up in spring camp.
Just a glimpse of the state of the system - if I am able I will write my off-season individual detailed profiles of every minor league player and start posting those in late October.
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