Rafael Marchan

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #26 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 35/Medium
  
  Track Record: Marchan, who appeared in 20 games for the Phillies in 2021, had several stints on the injured list in 2022, first missing time with a left hamstring strain to start the year and then missing time in August. The slick-fielding backstop received two call ups to the major leagues in 2022, but did not see any game action, and spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
  
  Scouting Report: Marchan is one of the best defensive catchers in the minor leagues, with above-average blocking skills, good leadership skills and excellent catch-and-throw ability, with pop times in the 1.8-second range. Despite strong strike-zone awareness skills and low whiff and chase rates, he's a below-average hitter, with below-average bat speed and a high groundball rate. He has well below-average power, as evidenced by his 84.2 mph average exit velocity in 2022, and the organization has worked with him on adding some loft in his swing to hit the ball in the air more frequently. He's a solid runner for a catcher.
  
  The Future: Marchan's excellent defense should translate to a solid big league career as a second-division backup, but he's currently blocked in Philadelphia by backup Garrett Stubbs and Donny Sands.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 30. Speed: 40. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #9 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Marchan’s excellent defense in 2020 spring training impressed Joe Girardi, and after spending time at the alternate training site he made his big league debut in September, collecting four hits in eight at-bats. Marchan spent the 2021 season getting juggled back and forth between Triple-A and the majors, struggling mightily with the bat and posting a .203 average in 67 games at Triple-A and a .231 average in 20 games with the Phillies.
  
  Scouting Report: Marchan makes his money behind the dish, where he’s a plus-plus defender thanks to above-average blocking skills, a strong throwing arm and the ability to handle pitchers. Marchan has a patient approach at the plate, with some of the lowest whiff and chase rates in the organization and does a good job of putting the ball in play. He needs to improve his bat speed, however, to get more impact on the ball. Marchan is working on reducing his groundball rate and needs to develop more physicality, with well below-average power currently. His plus-plus defense gives him the floor of a big league backup catcher, but if he improves his bat speed and power he could turn into an everyday player.
  
  The Future: With J.T. Realmuto entrenched at catcher in Philadelphia, the best role Marchan can aspire to is backup. He might fill a share of that role in 2022 if the Phillies don’t sign a veteran backstop this offseason.
  
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #5 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 45. Power: 30. Run: 40. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60.
  TRACK RECORD: Marchan played shortstop as an amateur in Venezuela but moved behind the plate before signing with the Phillies for $200,000 in 2015. He caught manager Joe Girardi’s eye in big league camp for his defense and intelligence and was added to the Phillies’ 60-man player pool. The Phillies called him up on Sept. 14 and he went 4-for-8 and hit his first professional home run.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Marchan’s calling card is his excellent defense behind the plate. He has above-average blocking skills, a plus arm and maturity beyond his years for handling pitchers. He runs well for a catcher and is a good athlete. Marchan is firmly defense-first, but he has taken steps forward as a hitter. He has solid bat-to-ball skills and bat control that allows him to line the ball to all fields. He showed a knack for hitting breaking balls at the alternate training site and seemed to gain confidence the more he faced advanced pitchers. Marchan’s flat swing isn’t conducive to home runs, but he showed he could drive the ball with an average exit velocity of 92 mph in his limited big league sample.
  
  THE FUTURE: Marchan handled his own against advanced competition in 2020. He should, at the very least, provide topflight defense and plus makeup behind the plate.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #6 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: As a kid, Marchan had dreams of emulating Omar Vizquel as defensive wizard at shortstop. But Marchan is both shorter and stockier than Vizquel, so at a 15U tournament he tried catching and quickly found it suited him. Marchan has impressed defensively wherever he has played. What he hasn't done is hit for any sort of power—his next home run will be his first.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Marchan's an excellent defensive catcher with few weaknesses behind the plate. He is an agile backstop with soft, quiet hands that pluck strikes from the bottom and sides of the strike zone. He also embraces the challenge of working with pitchers on calling a good game, and he also has an accurate, plus arm that can produce 1.9-second pop times on throws to second base. Marchan's glove is going to need to be excellent because he doesn't provide much value as a hitter. The switch-hitter has a flat swing geared to produce line drives, and he has a solid understanding of what he wants to do, but he has below-average bat speed and well below-average power. He runs well for a catcher.
  
  THE FUTURE: Marchan's excellent defense should give him a solid path to a big league job. Most players with his profile end up as backups, but Marchan's glove will give him plenty of at-bats over the next decade to develop offensively. Every now and then, someone with Marchan's profile ends up exceeding offensive expectations and becomes a regular.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #23 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Marchan played shortstop and was the top offensive performer on Venezuela's U-15 World Cup team in 2014, but his stocky build and lack of range didn't fit at shortstop, so he moved behind the plate and signed with the Phillies for $200,000. Marchan didn't do much when he got to the U.S. in 2017, but hit well as a 19-year-old in the short-season New York-Penn League in 2018.
  
  Scouting Report: Marchan's best attribute is his knack for putting the ball in play. His swing is short and flat, staying through the hitting zone a long time. He has a contact-oriented approach, striking out in just nine percent of his plate appearances last season while spreading line drives around to all fields. Marchan is mostly a singles hitter--he has yet to homer in 125 career games--and while he can shoot a ball into the alleys, he doesn't project to crack double-digit home runs. Marchan conquered throwing issues from earlier in his career and improved his arm strength to become an above-average tool. There are still some questions about whether Marchan will stick behind the plate, as he will need to improve his ability to block pitches in the dirt.
  
  The Future: Marchan's hitting ability could carry him as an offensive-minded catcher, though he will need to get stronger to do more damage on contact. Low Class A Lakewood is up next.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked New York-Penn League #12 prospect in 2018
  While the Phillies invested millions into outfielder Jhailyn Ortiz in July 2015, they were also able to come to an agreement with Marchan for $200,000 during that same international signing period. The converted shortstop-turned-catcher produced a .301/.343/.362 slash line in his second year stateside. While he has yet to produce a home run in more than 125 minor league games, Marchan has shown solid feel for hitting. He is contact oriented, and his raw power tool is developing into becoming solid-average. For a catcher, he can run quite well and won't clog up the bases. His defense is solid, as managers have noted that he has a good throwing arm and is improving at blocking pitches in the dirt. His detractors will point to his size (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) and struggles to block balls as areas that cause concern. An average defensive profile that features a contact-oriented bat with improving power makes him a good candidate to continue his ascension through the minors.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 35/Medium
  
  Track Record: Marchan, who appeared in 20 games for the Phillies in 2021, had several stints on the injured list in 2022, first missing time with a left hamstring strain to start the year and then missing time in August. The slick-fielding backstop received two call ups to the major leagues in 2022, but did not see any game action, and spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
  
  Scouting Report: Marchan is one of the best defensive catchers in the minor leagues, with above-average blocking skills, good leadership skills and excellent catch-and-throw ability, with pop times in the 1.8-second range. Despite strong strike-zone awareness skills and low whiff and chase rates, he's a below-average hitter, with below-average bat speed and a high groundball rate. He has well below-average power, as evidenced by his 84.2 mph average exit velocity in 2022, and the organization has worked with him on adding some loft in his swing to hit the ball in the air more frequently. He's a solid runner for a catcher.
  
  The Future: Marchan's excellent defense should translate to a solid big league career as a second-division backup, but he's currently blocked in Philadelphia by backup Garrett Stubbs and Donny Sands.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 30. Speed: 40. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 35/Medium
  
  Track Record: Marchan, who appeared in 20 games for the Phillies in 2021, had several stints on the injured list in 2022, first missing time with a left hamstring strain to start the year and then missing time in August. The slick-fielding backstop received two call ups to the major leagues in 2022, but did not see any game action, and spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
  
  Scouting Report: Marchan is one of the best defensive catchers in the minor leagues, with above-average blocking skills, good leadership skills and excellent catch-and-throw ability, with pop times in the 1.8-second range. Despite strong strike-zone awareness skills and low whiff and chase rates, he's a below-average hitter, with below-average bat speed and a high groundball rate. He has well below-average power, as evidenced by his 84.2 mph average exit velocity in 2022, and the organization has worked with him on adding some loft in his swing to hit the ball in the air more frequently. He's a solid runner for a catcher.
  
  The Future: Marchan's excellent defense should translate to a solid big league career as a second-division backup, but he's currently blocked in Philadelphia by backup Garrett Stubbs and Donny Sands.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 30. Speed: 40. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Marchan&#39s excellent defense in 2020 spring training impressed Joe Girardi, and after spending time at the alternate training site he made his big league debut in September, collecting four hits in eight at-bats. Marchan spent the 2021 season getting juggled back and forth between Triple-A and the majors, struggling mightily with the bat and posting a .203 average in 67 games at Triple-A and a .231 average in 20 games with the Phillies.
  
  Scouting Report: Marchan makes his money behind the dish, where he&#39s a plus-plus defender thanks to above-average blocking skills, a strong throwing arm and the ability to handle pitchers. Marchan has a patient approach at the plate, with some of the lowest whiff and chase rates in the organization and does a good job of putting the ball in play. He needs to improve his bat speed, however, to get more impact on the ball. Marchan is working on reducing his groundball rate and needs to develop more physicality, with well below-average power currently. His plus-plus defense gives him the floor of a big league backup catcher, but if he improves his bat speed and power he could turn into an everyday player.
  
  The Future: With JT Realmuto entrenched at catcher in Philadelphia, the best role Marchan can aspire to is backup. He might fill a share of that role in 2022 if the Phillies don&#39t sign a veteran backstop this offseason.
  
  Scouting Grades:
  Hit: 45. Power: 30. Speed: 40. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Marchan’s excellent defense in 2020 spring training impressed Joe Girardi, and after spending time at the alternate training site he made his big league debut in September, collecting four hits in eight at-bats. Marchan spent the 2021 season getting juggled back and forth between Triple-A and the majors, struggling mightily with the bat and posting a .203 average in 67 games at Triple-A and a .231 average in 20 games with the Phillies.
  
  Scouting Report: Marchan makes his money behind the dish, where he’s a plus-plus defender thanks to above-average blocking skills, a strong throwing arm and the ability to handle pitchers. Marchan has a patient approach at the plate, with some of the lowest whiff and chase rates in the organization and does a good job of putting the ball in play. He needs to improve his bat speed, however, to get more impact on the ball. Marchan is working on reducing his groundball rate and needs to develop more physicality, with well below-average power currently. His plus-plus defense gives him the floor of a big league backup catcher, but if he improves his bat speed and power he could turn into an everyday player.
  
  The Future: With J.T. Realmuto entrenched at catcher in Philadelphia, the best role Marchan can aspire to is backup. He might fill a share of that role in 2022 if the Phillies don’t sign a veteran backstop this offseason.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 45. Power: 30. Run: 40. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60.
  TRACK RECORD: Marchan played shortstop as an amateur in Venezuela but moved behind the plate before signing with the Phillies for $200,000 in 2015. He caught manager Joe Girardi's eye in big league camp for his defense and intelligence and was added to the Phillies' 60-man player pool. The Phillies called him up on Sept. 14 and he went 4-for-8 and hit his first professional home run.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Marchan's calling card is his excellent defense behind the plate. He has above-average blocking skills, a plus arm and maturity beyond his years for handling pitchers. He runs well for a catcher and is a good athlete. Marchan is firmly defense-first, but he has taken steps forward as a hitter. He has solid bat-to-ball skills and bat control that allows him to line the ball to all fields. He showed a knack for hitting breaking balls at the alternate training site and seemed to gain confidence the more he faced advanced pitchers. Marchan's flat swing isn't conducive to home runs, but he showed he could drive the ball with an average exit velocity of 92 mph in his limited big league sample.
  
  THE FUTURE: Marchan handled his own against advanced competition in 2020. He should, at the very least, provide topflight defense and plus makeup behind the plate.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 45. Power: 30. Run: 40. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60.
  TRACK RECORD: Marchan played shortstop as an amateur in Venezuela but moved behind the plate before signing with the Phillies for $200,000 in 2015. He caught manager Joe Girardi’s eye in big league camp for his defense and intelligence and was added to the Phillies’ 60-man player pool. The Phillies called him up on Sept. 14 and he went 4-for-8 and hit his first professional home run.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Marchan’s calling card is his excellent defense behind the plate. He has above-average blocking skills, a plus arm and maturity beyond his years for handling pitchers. He runs well for a catcher and is a good athlete. Marchan is firmly defense-first, but he has taken steps forward as a hitter. He has solid bat-to-ball skills and bat control that allows him to line the ball to all fields. He showed a knack for hitting breaking balls at the alternate training site and seemed to gain confidence the more he faced advanced pitchers. Marchan’s flat swing isn’t conducive to home runs, but he showed he could drive the ball with an average exit velocity of 92 mph in his limited big league sample.
  
  THE FUTURE: Marchan handled his own against advanced competition in 2020. He should, at the very least, provide topflight defense and plus makeup behind the plate.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 45. Power: 30. Run: 40. Fielding: 70. Arm: 60.
  TRACK RECORD: Marchan played shortstop as an amateur in Venezuela but moved behind the plate before signing with the Phillies for $200,000 in 2015. He caught manager Joe Girardi’s eye in big league camp for his defense and intelligence and was added to the Phillies’ 60-man player pool. The Phillies called him up on Sept. 14 and he went 4-for-8 and hit his first professional home run.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Marchan’s calling card is his excellent defense behind the plate. He has above-average blocking skills, a plus arm and maturity beyond his years for handling pitchers. He runs well for a catcher and is a good athlete. Marchan is firmly defense-first, but he has taken steps forward as a hitter. He has solid bat-to-ball skills and bat control that allows him to line the ball to all fields. He showed a knack for hitting breaking balls at the alternate training site and seemed to gain confidence the more he faced advanced pitchers. Marchan’s flat swing isn’t conducive to home runs, but he showed he could drive the ball with an average exit velocity of 92 mph in his limited big league sample.
  
  THE FUTURE: Marchan handled his own against advanced competition in 2020. He should, at the very least, provide topflight defense and plus makeup behind the plate.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: As a kid, Marchan had dreams of emulating Omar Vizquel as defensive wizard at shortstop. But Marchan is both shorter and stockier than Vizquel, so at a 15U tournament he tried catching and quickly found it suited him. Marchan has impressed defensively wherever he has played. What he hasn’t done is hit for any sort of power—his next home run will be his first.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Marchan’s an excellent defensive catcher with few weaknesses behind the plate. He is an agile backstop with soft, quiet hands that pluck strikes from the bottom and sides of the strike zone. He also embraces the challenge of working with pitchers on calling a good game, and he also has an accurate, plus arm that can produce 1.9-second pop times on throws to second base. Marchan’s glove is going to need to be excellent because he doesn’t provide much value as a hitter. The switch-hitter has a flat swing geared to produce line drives, and he has a solid understanding of what he wants to do, but he has below-average bat speed and well below-average power. He runs well for a catcher.
  
  THE FUTURE: Marchan’s excellent defense should give him a solid path to a big league job. Most players with his profile end up as backups, but Marchan’s glove will give him plenty of at-bats over the next decade to develop offensively. Every now and then, someone with Marchan’s profile ends up exceeding offensive expectations and becomes a regular.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: As a kid, Marchan had dreams of emulating Omar Vizquel as defensive wizard at shortstop. But Marchan is both shorter and stockier than Vizquel, so at a 15U tournament he tried catching and quickly found it suited him. Marchan has impressed defensively wherever he has played. What he hasn't done is hit for any sort of power—his next home run will be his first.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Marchan's an excellent defensive catcher with few weaknesses behind the plate. He is an agile backstop with soft, quiet hands that pluck strikes from the bottom and sides of the strike zone. He also embraces the challenge of working with pitchers on calling a good game, and he also has an accurate, plus arm that can produce 1.9-second pop times on throws to second base. Marchan's glove is going to need to be excellent because he doesn't provide much value as a hitter. The switch-hitter has a flat swing geared to produce line drives, and he has a solid understanding of what he wants to do, but he has below-average bat speed and well below-average power. He runs well for a catcher.
  
  THE FUTURE: Marchan's excellent defense should give him a solid path to a big league job. Most players with his profile end up as backups, but Marchan's glove will give him plenty of at-bats over the next decade to develop offensively. Every now and then, someone with Marchan's profile ends up exceeding offensive expectations and becomes a regular.