Phillies Prospect Watch: Wood, Youngerman Star in Piggyback Start

Phillies minor league affiliates went 3-1 with a pair of extra innings walk-off wins and strong pitching performances from young prospects on Thursday, April 9.

Single-A Clearwater suffered the only loss but enjoyed some of the best performances: 2025 first round pick Gage Wood went 3.1 innings, allowing one run but striking out eight batters on an efficient 57 pitches (40 strikes). Sean Youngerman, a fourth round selection in Wood’s class, piggybacked for 3.2 innings and one earned run, striking out four batters on 56 pitches.

Despite the solid ramp-up performance, the lone run allowed tagged Wood with a loss as the Threshers’ offense continued to vacillate. 2025 13th round pick Jack Barker went 1-for-3 with a double, playing left field and notching his team’s only extra base hit.

Triple-A Lehigh Valley won 8-2, catcher Caleb Ricketts hitting a pair of doubles; Alan Rangel, who made his big league debut last season, churned through six innings on 75 pitches, striking out three batters and allowing one run.

Double-A Reading won their second game in a row, walking off the Hartford Yard Goats 3-2 on an Austin Murr home run. Dante Nori went 1-for-4 with a double, Alex Binelas slugged another home run and starting pitcher Anthony Seminaris worked through traffic throughout his 5.2 innings, allowing six hits but just one earned run as he fanned eight batters. Alex McFarlane continued to provide stability out of the bullpen with a scoreless inning.

High-A Jersey Shore’s walk-off came via a Devin Saltiban single; the infielder hit a triple earlier in the game, accounting for two of the BlueClaws’ three hits.