Here is the analysis of the position players in the FCL, which was posted yesterday.
The FCL Phillies finished the season with a 16–42 record, and much of that struggle stemmed from inconsistent pitching. The staff allowed 311 runs over 58 games, with 241 of those earned. That translated to a team ERA of 5.94, which ranked last in the league. The group also posted a WHIP of 1.71, indicating frequent traffic on the bases.
Despite the rough overall numbers, the staff was young and developmental. The average age of pitchers was 20.4 years, slightly below the league average. Many were making their professional debuts or adjusting to stateside competition.
Here’s a breakdown of key contributors and trends:
Top Performers
Eligio Arias (RHP, age 22)
Arias was one of the few bright spots. He posted a 2.45 ERA over 22 innings, striking out 27 and walking just 6. His WHIP was a solid 1.09, and he held opponents to a .198 batting average. Arias worked mostly in relief but showed starter potential with his command and poise.
Joel Heredia (RHP, age 21)
Heredia threw 30.2 innings across 11 appearances, finishing with a 3.82 ERA and 35 strikeouts. His fastball touched the mid-90s, and he showed flashes of a sharp slider. Walks were a concern (18), but the strikeout rate was encouraging.
Brad Pacheco (RHP, age 20)
Pacheco led the team in innings pitched with 38.1. His ERA was 4.93, and he struck out 42 while walking 22. He gave up 5 home runs but showed durability and a competitive edge. His WHIP was 1.56, and he often pitched deep into games.
James Tallon (LHP, age 21)
Tallon was the top lefty on the staff. He posted a 3.68 ERA in 19.2 innings, with 21 strikeouts and 8 walks. His delivery was deceptive, and he handled right-handed hitters better than expected. He could be a bullpen option at higher levels.
Developmental Arms
Luis Gonzalez (RHP, age 19)
Gonzalez had a tough season statistically (7.88 ERA in 24 innings), but he showed flashes of a live arm. He struck out 28 and walked 17, with a WHIP of 1.96. His control needs work, but the raw stuff is there.
Cody Bowker (RHP, age 21)
Bowker pitched 20.1 innings with a 6.64 ERA. He struck out 19 and walked 12. His fastball-slider combo was inconsistent, but he showed improvement late in the season.
Matthew Potok (RHP, age 22)
Potok had a 5.40 ERA in 18.1 innings. He struck out 16 and walked 10. His mechanics were a work in progress, but he flashed a decent changeup.
Cole Gilley (RHP, age 24)
Gilley was one of the oldest pitchers on the roster. He posted a 6.75 ERA in 16 innings, with 14 strikeouts and 9 walks. He served as a mentor to younger arms and helped stabilize the bullpen.
Team Pitching Stats
The staff struggled with control, issuing nearly 4.8 walks per nine innings. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio was 1.84, which ranked near the bottom of the league. Opponents hit .278 against them, and the team allowed 9.3 hits per nine innings.
Injuries and Transitions
Several pitchers missed time due to injury or were promoted mid-season:
- Wilmer Blanco and Alexander De Los Santos were placed on the 60-day injured list early in the year.
- Alirio Ferrebus, though primarily a catcher, was briefly listed as a pitcher before his promotion to Clearwater.
- Naoel Mejia was on the full-season injured list and did not appear in a game.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 FCL Phillies pitching staff was a developmental group with plenty of growing pains. The ERA and WHIP numbers were high, and walks were a major issue. But there were signs of progress. Arias, Heredia, and Tallon showed real promise, and several others flashed tools that could be refined.
In rookie ball, results often take a back seat to growth. The Phillies used this season to evaluate arms, build routines, and introduce young pitchers to professional expectations. With offseason work and continued instruction, some of these pitchers could take meaningful steps forward in 2026.
Philly Baseball News 