Phillies release minor leaguers ahead of amateur draft

Leibrandt w/ Reading in 2017, image-Jay Floyd

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On Monday I learned that roughly two dozen Phillies minor leaguers were released over the weekend as the organization prepares for this year's amateur draft.

Via sources, I quickly confirmed a few of the individuals, namely righty hitting outfielder Ben Aklinski along with lefty pitcher Brandon Leibrandt.  I also communicated with lefty reliever Aaron Brown, who confirmed to be that he had been released by the organization.

Aklinski, 23, with the Phils' 32nd round draft pick in 2018.  He notched a .560 OPS last year with Class A Advanced Clearwater.  

Leibrandt had been out of action since July of 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.  The 27-year-old was a 6th round pick in 2014.  In five pro seasons, Leibrandt tallied a 2.88 ERA with a .235 batting average against and a 7.0 K/9 mark.

Brown was a 3rd round pick in 2014 and had reached Double-A as an outfielder before converting to pitching.  He posted a 3.82 ERA and an 11.0 K/9 mark in 45 relief outings with Double-A Reading last season.  Brown was set to be a free agent following the 2020 season.

As the evening rolled in on Monday, a complete list of 26 minor leaguers released by the Phillies became available.

In addition to Brown, Aklinski and Leibrandt, the Phils also parted ways with LHP Junior Tejada, 3B Ali Castillo, 3B T.J. Rivera, RHP Carlos Bustamante, RHP Sandro Rosario,  RHP Tyler Hallead, C Willie Estrada, RHP Waylon Richardson, RHP Michael Gomez, SS Raul Rivas, 2B Hunter Stovall,  RHP  Brian Auerbach, C Juan Mendez, OF Jordan McArdle, RHP Joan Hernandez, SS  Raibently Mercalina, RHP Cristofer Adames, LHP Daivin Perez, LHP  Alberto Torres, LHP Nathanael Bido, LHP Camilo Hinestroza, RHP Jason Lott and RHP Raul Mendoza.

Gomez, an undrafted right-handed pitcher, notched a 1.15 ERA, a .174 batting average against and a 9.8 K/9 mark in 18 professional games across three levels last year.  The 23-year-old wrapped up his season with Class A Advanced Clearwater last year.

Stovall, a 23-year-old infielder, was acquired by the Phils in April 2019 as part of a trade with the Rockies.  Stovall posted a .663 OPS in 89 Class A games last year.

Lott, an Australia native, was signed by the Phillies in March this year as an international free agent.  The 25-year-old did not pitch in a single regular season game for the Phils.