Phillies Prospect Watch: Sean Youngerman Converting to Starter?

Phillies affiliates endured another rough slate on Friday, April 17, going 1-3. Single-A Clearwater managed the lone win despite struggles from 2025 fourth round pick Sean Youngerman, who served as a reliever with Oklahoma State last season but had the opportunity to start for the Threshers. He’s appeared in at least three innings in each of his first three games for Clearwater, indicating that the Phillies might see him as a future starter. Friday served as a bump in the road as Youngerman allowed three runs over 2.2 innings.

Catcher Alirio Ferrebus homered and center fielder Nathan Humphreys went 2-for-5 with a double from the leadoff spot, helping Clearwater recover.

Felix Reyes hit two home runs for Triple-A Lehigh Valley but both came with the bases empty, limiting the IronPigs’ ability to do damage. The outfielder added a single and pushed his OPS to .999 on the season, but Lehigh Valley lost 7-4 after 28-year-old starting pitcher Connor Gillispie got shelled for seven runs in 4.1 innings.

Double-A Reading lost 9-8 in the tenth inning, reliever Alex McFarlane suffering the first blemish on his record this season. The hard-throwing right-hander conceded a double and a walk-off sacrifice fly, the lone earned run to his name across six appearances. Prior to that point, second baseman Aroon Escobar, catcher Kehden Hettiger and infielder Bryson Ware all homered.

High-A Jersey Shore wasted a gem from University of Pennsylvania alumnus Ryan Dromboski, who pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just three singles. The BlueClaws took a 2-0 lead in the fourth, putting Dromboski in position for the win, but reliever Titan Kennedy-Hayes gave up three runs in the seventh and Jersey Shore never recovered. Catcher Luis Caicuto, batting as designated hitter, went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk.