With roster restrictions the Phillies have signed fewer undrafted free agents than they have in the past, but they still sign a handful each year. The majority will be pitchers, but I expect them to add a catcher, a corner infielder, and maybe another infielder. This isn’t a place with many stars, but the Phillies have had some success, with Keaton Anthony, Trent Farquhar, and Braydon Tucker all making notable impacts, while previous signees Otto Kemp, Andrew Walling, and Tommy McCollum all are on Reading’s roster.
RHP Zack Tukis, Millersville
Tukis is similar to most of the players the Phillies drafted today. He struggled with control as a junion, but missed bats. He is big (6’5″) and throws a fastball (94-97 T98), sweeper, and cutter which is really a Phillies relief pitcher starting kit.
3B Raider Tello, Iowa
Tello follows 2023 teammate and 2023 Phillies UDFA Keaton Anthony from Iowa to a corner infield spot in the Phillies org. Tello hit .358/.434/.575 this season with all of his starts coming at third. He looks to have more gap than home run power, but had just 31 strikeouts to go with 27 walks.
C Luke Davis, Long Beach City JC
Davis is a switch hitting catcher, who has played three years of college ball and was once viewed by Baseball Prep Report and Perfect Game as the best HSer in the 2022 draft class before reclassifying into the 2021 draft. He looks to have barely played prior to 2024, but was dominant this year htting .373/.555/.727 in 45 games with 13 home runs, 61 walks, and 33 strikeouts. He is currently playing well in the Northwoods League hitting .259/.474/.435 in 34 games with 45 walks to 28 strikeouts for the La Crosse Loggers.
RHP Sam Highfill, NC State
Highfill was on Baseball America’s Top 500 the last two years, but was not drafted in either year, and returned to NC State for a 5th year. He was a workhorse in 2021 and 2024, throwing 87 innings across 17 starts. Outside of 2021, his stats have not been particularly great, though he has missed more bats in relief, and 2024 also represented a career worse walk rate. Previous reports place him as a sitting in the low 90s, up to 95 with great vertical movement. He throws a slider and changeup as well. Given how the Phillies use their pitchers, I could see him entering as a bulk arm and then going to pure reliever or the rotation depending on how things go.
RHP Reese Dutton, Kansas
RHP Ryan Dromboski, Pennsylvania