Phillies Prospect Watch: Matt Ferrara Dominating Single-A

Phillies affiliates went 0-4 on April 16 despite a series of standout performances at the plate.

Single-A Clearwater lost in the tenth inning for the second consecutive day but shortstop Matt Ferrara, the Phillies’ ninth round pick in 2025, came a single shy of the cycle, hitting two doubles, a triple and a home run. Third round pick Cody Bowker continued to struggle, allowing three runs in three innings, and four errors added to a long night for the pitching staff.

Center fielder Steward Berroa homered for the second time in three games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and added an outfield assist, cutting down a runner at home plate. Starting pitcher Alan Rangel allowed two runs over five innings, striking out five batters. While Rangel struggled throughout his performance, allowing six hits and four walks and throwing just 52 of 89 pitches for strikes, he managed to limit the damage.

Double-A Reading hit five home runs but still lost 9-7. First baseman Alex Binelas hit two, adding a double and a walk; right fielder Raylin Heredia homered and tripled, and Dante Nori and Carson DeMartini also cleared the fences. Solo shots prevented the Fightin Phils from piling on, however, and a DeMartini error at third turned a potential inning-ending play into a three-run home run the following at-bat, one that proved the difference.

Saint Joseph’s product Luke Gabrysh pitched four innings for High-A Jersey Shore, striking out three batters and allowing a two-run home run. Gabrysh worked efficiently, needing 57 pitches (39 strikes) to complete his outing. Right-hander Giussepe Velasquez piggybacked off Gabrysh and added 3.2 scoreless frames, but the BlueClaws couldn’t generate much offense. Shortstop Jose Colmenares’ two singles and a walk accounted for three of their five base runners on the day.