As the Philadelphia Phillies prepare for the 2026 season, several prospects who were not initially ranked in the organization’s preseason Top 10 are poised to make significant strides. These Phillies 2026 breakout prospects possess the potential to elevate their status and impact the Major League roster in the near future. Identifying these rising players offers a glimpse into the Phillies’ promising future and their efforts to deepen pitching and pitching depth within the organization.
Profile of Matt Youngerman: Power Arm with Starting Potential
Matt Youngerman, who transferred to Oklahoma State for his draft season after two years at Westmont College and collegiate summers in California and Cape Cod leagues, impressed scouts with his strikeout ability, tallying 59 strikeouts against only eight walks over 52 innings. Selected by the Phillies in the fourth round, Youngerman’s early professional development took place primarily at the team’s minor league training complex in Florida, following his draft signing.
Youngerman’s fastball is a standout feature, consistently sitting between 93-95 mph and touching 98 mph, enhanced by movement that gives it extra effectiveness despite its velocity. Complementing this are a slider-cutter hybrid with horizontal break and a changeup in the mid-80s that sinks heavily against right-handed batters. Both offspeed pitches show promise to become average big-league weapons. Known for his precise strike-throwing, the Phillies envision Youngerman as a starter who will begin his pro journey at High-A Jersey Shore in 2026.
With scouting grades of 55 for both fastball and control, and 50 for slider and changeup, Youngerman’s tools position him as a potential back-end rotation starter. His progression in improving secondary pitches in the Phillies’ developmental system will be critical to his success as he transitions to professional baseball competition.
Adrian Marquez: Rising Right-Hander Building Momentum
Adrian Marquez, originally from Phoenix, signed with the Phillies out of Mexico for $10,000 in early 2025. He quickly established himself as one of the organization’s top arms at lower levels, beginning in the Florida Complex League before earning a promotion to Low-A Clearwater in August. Despite initial challenges during his full-season debut, Marquez closed the year strongly, allowing three earned runs across 14 innings, striking out 18, and walking just two in that span.
Marquez’s main weapons include a fastball that ranges from 92-96 mph with ride-run movement and an effective changeup featuring a sharp drop and an impressive 62.1% miss rate. His slider shows flashes of fringe-average potential but requires further refinement to reach consistent effectiveness. A compact, repeatable delivery has contributed to his excellent control, evidenced by just 17 walks in 55 innings pitched. Physically, Marquez needs to develop greater strength to withstand a full workload, and the Phillies may experiment with adding a two-seam fastball to expand his repertoire.
Projecting forward, Marquez is expected to start 2026 back at Low-A, with the outlook of evolving into a back-end rotation possibility. His scouting grades stand at 55 for fastball, 60 for changeup and control, and 40 for slider, underscoring the areas where continued progress is essential.
Abe Craig: Experienced College Arm with Strikeout Upside
Abe Craig’s path to the Phillies includes six college seasons, featuring time at Tyler Junior College, Texas A&M, and Baylor. His final collegiate campaign was dominant, yielding just 13 hits and three walks over 32 innings with a remarkable 45.1% strikeout rate over 113 batters faced. Drafted in the fifth round of 2025 and signed for a below-slot bonus of $197,500, Craig’s initial professional experience was limited to relief appearances at Low-A Clearwater.
Craig’s pitch arsenal features a mid-90s fastball with lively riding life and a slider graded as one of the best in the Phillies system. The slider spins in the mid-80s and delivers sweeping movement that confounds hitters. He operates with a low arm slot and athleticism on the mound, and his strike-throwing improved significantly over his final college season, suggesting potential for average control in the pros. There is a possibility he could introduce a two-seam fastball moving forward.
The Phillies view Craig as a candidate to advance rapidly through the minor leagues, aiming for at least Double-A by showing continued command and pitch development. His scouting grades reflect a 60 on fastball, 70 on slider, and 50 for control, indicating the strength of his secondary offerings.
Outlook for Phillies’ Minor League Future
These Phillies 2026 breakout prospects—Youngerman, Marquez, and Craig—embody a mix of raw talent, promising pitch mixes, and growing command that the organization hopes will bolster the pitching corps in coming seasons. Their diverse backgrounds, from college dominance to international signings, highlight the Phillies’ multifaceted pipeline. As the Phillies focus on refining these arms’ offerings and building endurance, each player has the opportunity to impact the Major League roster, either as starting pitchers or valuable bullpen contributors.
The developmental progress of these players will likely influence how the Phillies address rotation depth in the near future, offering hope as the team navigates the competitive landscape. Monitoring their performance through 2026 will be crucial for fans and management eager to see homegrown talent ascend and contribute at the highest level of baseball.
“Youngerman has the qualities needed to project as a back-end starter. Now, he’ll need to bring his offspeed offerings forward a few clicks in the Phillies’ pitching lab. He has the pedigree to start his career at High-A Jersey Shore.” ?Baseball America 2026 Prospect Handbook
“After a fantastic debut, Marquez should return to Low-A to begin 2026. He has a chance to fit toward the back of a rotation once he’s fully formed.” ?Baseball America 2026 Prospect Handbook
“Craig has the kind of pitch mix that can help him buzzsaw through the minor leagues. At the very least, he should reach Double-A. If his strike-throwing improvements are sticky, he could be an impact reliever.” ?Baseball America 2026 Prospect Handbook
