Phillies Prospect Watch: Cody Bowker Continues to Improve

Phillies affiliates went 1-3 on Tuesday, April 28, with Single-A Clearwater picking up the lone win behind a strong opening from 2025 third round pick Cody Bowker and a grand slam from first baseman Jaeden Calderon.

Bowker started the season with an ERA north of 10 but has allowed just one earned run over his last six innings pitched; he struck out seven batters in three innings on Tuesday, landing 28 of his 42 pitches for strikes. A former two-way player at Vanderbilt, some growing pains were expected for Bowker as he converted to the mound full-time: while he still needs to build up his innings and pitch count, he’s striking out nearly two batters per inning this season.

Left fielder Manolfi Jimenez, who put on a defensive show over the weekend, also homered and drew two walks for the Threshers.

The rest of the organization struggled mightily. Triple-A Lehigh Valley lost 10-4 with fringe big leaguer Carter Kieboom generating most of the offense; Christian Cairo managed to draw a pair of walks, but the IronPigs couldn’t keep up late as their bullpen ran into trouble.

Double-A Reading managed just two hits, both off the bat of outfielder Raylin Heredia; shortstop Bryan Rincon drew two walks in a 3-1 loss. High-A Jersey Shore lost 9-5. Third baseman Brady Day went 1-for-3 with a homer and a walk, while light-hitting outfielder Carter Mathison, a 2024 fifth round pick, went 1-for-3 with a walk, a steal and his first home run of the season. Center fielder John Spikerman drew three walks and stole two bases, and starting pitcher Mavis Graves allowed three runs in three innings.