Phillies Prospect Watch: 2025 Arms Make Season Debuts

Reading, Jersey Shore and Clearwater played their season openers last week, meaning 2026 is underway for all four of the Phillies’ minor league affiliates.

After starting the year on a 3-0 heater, Triple-A Lehigh Valley went 4-2 in their second week of play; Double-A Reading struggled to an 0-3 record, while the A-ball clubs dealt with rainouts. Here are the top performances as the various seasons began.

25-year-old right fielder Felix Reyes hit a pair of home runs for Lehigh Valley; he added two walks on Tuesday, March 31 but also struggled through a golden sombrero on April 2. Christian Cairo managed a pair of two-hit games, getting on base four times on March 31 and swiping two bases on April 3.

Phillies’ No. 14 prospect Jean Cabrera went 4.2 innings to start the week, striking out five batters, allowing one run and landing 52 of his 84 pitches for strikes in his session debut. Alan Rangel, who made his big league debut last season, went six scoreless with three walks and six strikeouts, while Phillies’ ace Zack Wheeler got blown up for five earned runs in three innings as he continues to work his way back from Thoracic outlet syndrome.

Season Debuts

Reading struggled mightily despite standout performances from a number of top prospects. Third baseman Carson DeMartini went 1-for-2 with two walks and two steals on April 2; reliever Alex McFarlane struck out the side later that day, firing 12 of 19 pitches for strikes, while Aaron Escobar picked up three hits and three walks but also got picked off second base.

Local kid Jordan Dissin, a catcher out of Pottstown, Pa., went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles on April 3.

High-A Jersey Shore began the season with a bang, pummeling Wilmington 19-5 on April 3; Devin Saltiban continued his hot hitting from the Australian League, going 3-for-7 with a triple and three RBI that day.

Single-A Clearwater split their April 3 doubleheader. 2025 first round pick Gage Wood went four scoreless innings in the second game of his professional career, striking out seven batters. He needed just 56 pitches to do so, flashing his efficiency. Cody Bowker, last year’s third round pick, took his lumps, allowing three walks and two runs in 2.2 innings. He managed to strike out five batters but struggled to find the zone, landing 27 strikes on 51 pitches.

The Phillies’ pitching onslaught from the 2025 draft continued with reliever Gabe Craig, who allowed two runs and struck out three batters across one inning; he was one of the top relievers in the NCAA with Baylor last season.

Notable Clearwater batters included Alirio Ferrebus, who went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double and a stolen base on April 4; Griffin Burkholder, a 2024 second round pick who dealt with injuries last year, went 2-for-4 with a walk that same day. He also stole a base and also got caught stealing.