Rafael Marchan #4

Rafael Alejandro Marchán (mahr-CHAN)… Hobbies: Spending time with family, going to the beach, watching movies and playing basketball… Signed by: Jesús Méndez.

2020

Batted .429 (3-7) in six spring training games...Was added to the club’s player pool during summer camp...Had his contract selected from Lehigh Valley prior to the second game of the doubleheader on 9/13 at MIA...On 9/14 at MIA, made his ML debut in a start at catcher and singled in his first career plate appearance...At 21 years, 202 days, became the youngest Phillie to collect a hit in his first ML plate appearance since Orlando Isales (20 years, 283 days) on 9/30/80 vs CHI...The last Phillie to make his ML debut as the starting catcher at a younger age was Mike Loan (17 years, 357 days) on 9/18/1912 vs STL (that was the lone game of Loan’s ML career)...Became the youngest Phillie to make his ML debut since Elizardo Ramirez (21 years, 118 days) did so on 5/25/04 at NYM...On 9/18 vs TOR (gm 2), hit his first career HR (A.J. Cole), a three-run, game-tying shot; it was also his first professional HR, having never homered in 765 career at-bats in the minor leagues...At 21 years, 206 days old, became the youngest Phillies catcher ever to homer in a game and the youngest Phillies player to homer since Scott Rolen (21 years, 155 days) on 9/6/96 vs CHI... The last catcher in the majors to homer at a younger age was Salvador Pérez for each of his first three career homers between 8/29-9/23/11 (between 21 years, 111 days and 21 years, 136 days for all three)...Following the season, was named the No. 5 prospect in the Phillies minor league system by Baseball America.

2019

Opened year with Lakewood (A)...Promoted to Clearwater (A) on 7/30 for the remainder of the season...Caught 36.5% (31-85) of runners attempting to steal in 70 games (68 starts) at catcher...Was on the IL, 5/2-24, with a left wrist contusion...Following the season, was named the No. 6 prospect and rated as the best defensive catcher in the Phillies minor league system by Baseball America.

2018

Named a New York-Penn League All-Star...Ranked 4th in the NYPL in AVG (.301)...Among qualifying hitters in the NYPL, was the 3rd-most difficult hitter to strike out (11.67 PA/SO)... Spent the entire season with Williamsport (A)...Led NYPL catchers in assists (57) and was T-1st in double plays turned (5)...Among qualifying NYPL catchers, ranked 4th in catcher caught stealing percentage (29.4%, 20 of 68) l Hit .377 (20-53) against LHP...Participated in Florida Instructional League.