The Philadelphia Phillies need to start planning for life after J.T. Realmuto. The 33-year-old catcher will turn 34 days before the season opener, and he’s heading into a contract year in 2025.
Realmuto has been among Major League Baseball’s best all-around backstops and has been a leader with the Phillies in his first six seasons in the City of Brotherly Love. His future is uncertain with his pending free agency, so who do the Phillies have as Realmuto’s potential successor?
The immediate answer would be Rafael Marchán. The 25-year-old switch-hitting catcher has appeared in 40 games for the Phillies since 2020. He’s proven to be able to hold his own at the major league level in his limited opportunities. The main knock on Marchán is his ability to stay healthy.
Phillies' international free agent signing you forgot about may be getting overlooked
The catching prospect in the Phillies' organization getting the most attention is 18-year-old Eduardo Tait. He’s the Phillies’ No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
An under-the-radar catching prospect who may be getting overlooked is Alirio Ferrebus. The Phillies signed Ferrebus during the 2023 international signing period, giving him $70,000. He’s the organization’s No. 28 prospect and third-best catching prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
Ferrebus is listed at 6-foot-2 and 174 pounds. The 19-year-old has been playing at the rookie level for the past two years, the lowest level of minor league baseball.
The young catcher has impressed in his short time with the Phillies organization. Ferrebus slashed .339/.453/.435 with a .888 OPS, four extra-base hits, nine RBI, seven walks and just 15 strikeouts in 62 at-bats in 2023 playing in the Dominican Summer League.
Across 24 games between the DSL and Florida Complex League in 2024, Ferrebus slashed .351/.424/.558 with a .982 OPS, 10 extra-base hits, 19 RBI, eight walks and only nine strikeouts in 77 at-bats. The right-hander primarily plays the catcher position, but the Phillies have experimented with him at first base at times.
Ferrebus is a big, strong and physical catcher who has a good approach at the plate. The Phillies believe his power will continue to get better over time with more reps and experience. He’s a solid defender with the traits to be successful at the major league level.
At 19 years old and playing at such a low level in the minor leagues, Ferrebus has a long way to go until his potential debut in the big leagues. As long as he continues to develop his game and stay healthy, he has a bright future ahead of him.
The Phillies may not have much to worry about in life after Realmuto. Tait and Ferrebus are off to impressive starts in their young professional careers.