The Philadelphia Phillies have continued their impressive season and remain firmly in the National League playoff race following the appointment of Don Mattingly as interim manager. As the club looks to strengthen its roster for a postseason push, one emerging pitching prospect is beginning to generate serious attention within the organization.
Speaking recently on WIP Sports Radio, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski offered strong praise for Double-A Reading reliever Alex McFarlane, whose recent performances have made him one of the organization’s hottest pitching prospects.
“If he keeps this up, I don’t think he’ll be in Double-A much longer,” Dombrowski said of McFarlane during a pregame appearance, according to Crossing Broad’s Luke Arcaini.
The encouraging remarks follow an outstanding stretch from the hard-throwing right-hander, who celebrated his 25th birthday earlier this week.
“Over 10 appearances in May, the 24-year-old McFarlane did not allow an earned run across 10.1 innings pitched,” Jake Starr wrote for the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils after McFarlane earned the organization’s co-pitcher of the month honors. “He paired that with 14 strikeouts and allowed just seven hits, along with going three-for-three in save opportunities. He also held opposing hitters to a .189 batting average (7-37).”
His dominance extended across the league rankings as well. During May, McFarlane finished first in saves among qualified relievers while also placing third in ERA and fourth in strikeouts per nine innings.
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McFarlane’s recent breakout becomes even more impressive when considering the challenges he faced earlier in his professional career.
“McFarlane, 25 in June, was a fourth-round pick in 2022,” Darragh McDonald reported for MLB Trade Rumors. “The Phils tried him as a starter in the lower levels without much success. He underwent Tommy John surgery late in 2023 and missed all of 2024. Back on the mound in 2025, the Phils tried stretching him out again for a while, but moved him to a relief role late in the year.”
That transition to the bullpen appears to have unlocked his potential. The Phillies have developed several young pitching contributors in recent seasons, and McFarlane’s ability to generate strikeouts while limiting hard contact has quickly elevated his status within the organization.
Although a promotion to Triple-A may be the most logical next step before reaching the major leagues, McFarlane’s recent form suggests he could place himself in contention for a big-league bullpen opportunity sooner rather than later. At the same time, his rising value could also make him an attractive trade asset should the Phillies decide to pursue additional win-now pieces ahead of their playoff chase.