The Philadelphia Phillies prospect strange season in the minor leagues has seen pitcher Jean Cabrera struggle . Cabrera started the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley before being demoted to Double-A Reading for performance reasons. Overall this year Cabrera has a 2-4 record with a 10.29 ERA and a 5.77 FIP in 11 minor league outings. Additionally Cabrera has a 2.19 WHIP as well as a 1.46 K/BB rate. Opposing batters have a .360 average and a .419 BABIP against Cabrera this season. For comparison, last season Cabrera had a 6-9 record with a 3.81 ERA and a 3.99 FIP in 26 Double-A starts. Cabrera had a 1.23 WHIP and a 2.08 K/BB rate.
The #Phillies were hoping Jean Cabrera would take the next step in Lehigh Valley this year.
Instead, it’s been a nightmare for one of the top pitching prospects in the organization.
Cabrera had a 9.32 ERA in Lehigh Valley and was sent down to Reading.
He gave up 9 runs in 1…
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrPHL) June 3, 2026
The Phillies added Cabrera to their 40-man roster entering the 2025 season as part of tough Rule 5 Draft protection decisions that offseason. Cabrera has one minor league option year remaining after this season. Alan Rangel is currently the lone healthy Triple-A starting pitcher on the Phillies 40-man roster. Seth Johnson used to be a starter but is now a relief pitcher in Triple-A and the same for Alex McFarlane in Double-A. This is something that the Phillies need to address before the trade deadline. Furthermore the Phillies also lack a true long relief pitcher in the bullpen. They do have multi-inning options though.
Phillies Prospect Strange Season
Stat Comparisons By Level For Cabrera
The Phillies prospect strange season has applied to both Double-A and Triple-A. Cabrera recorded a 1-2 record and a 9.32 ERA and 5.68 FIP in seven Triple-A starts before being demoted. Furthermore Cabrera has a 2.11 WHIP and a 1.05 K/BB rate in Triple-A this season. Cabrera has a 1-2 record with a 12.21 ERA and 5.94 FIP in four Double-A starts. To add to that Cabrera has a 2.36 WHIP and a 3.50 K/BB rate at Double-A this year. Opposing batters have a .328 average and a .379 BABIP against Cabrera in Triple-A this year compared to a .414 average and a .491 BABIP against Cabrera in Double-A this season.
Major League Starting Pitching Concerns
Struggles at the major league level make the Phillies prospect strange season even more notable. Aaron Nola has been searching for answers this season but seems to be turning a corner in recent starts. Meanwhile Andrew Painter has been going through growing pains adjusting to the major leagues. Painter has a 1-6 record with a 5.74 ERA and a 4.75 FIP in 11 outings. To add to that Painter has a 1.52 WHIP and a 2.53 K/BB rate. Opposing batters have a .295 average and a .333 BABIP against Painter this year. Painter can be optioned to the minor leagues. However, the Phillies are correct to let Painter learn in the majors for now.
How To Go About Addressing The Lack Of Depth At The Position
The Phillies did not make signings to improve their depth in the starting pitching department heading into the regular season. At the time Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski indicated that was something they wanted to work on. Recently the team has added relief pitchers Jackson Rutledge and Grant Holman through waiver claims. The Phillies should add a swingman pitcher with minor league options before the deadline. They will have to navigate a currently full 40-man roster though. The Phillies prospect strange season makes this a more urgent need than it otherwise would have been.
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
