PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 28: David Dombrowski, president of baseball operations for the Philadelphia Phillies, applauds during a pre game ceremony before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on March 28, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rangers won 5-4 in 10 innings. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
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The Philadelphia Phillies have enjoyed one of the best records in baseball after appointing Don Mattingly as the interim manager and they are surging into the National League playoff picture.
And now, one of the club’s rapidly rising pitching prospects appears to be putting himself in position for a promotion that could soon help the big-league roster with that push.
Philadelphia Phillies Boss Dave Dombrowski Sends Promotion Message on Alex McFarlane
During a recent appearance on WIP Sports Radio, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski offered a notable endorsement of Double-A Reading reliever Alex McFarlane, whose dominant recent stretch caught the attention of the organization.
“If he keeps this up, I don’t think he’ll be in Double-A much longer,” Dombrowski said of McFarlane during a pregame show, according to Crossing Broad’s Luke Arcaini.
The comment comes after a remarkable month for the right-hander, who turned 25 earlier this week.
“Over 10 appearances in May, the 24-year-old McFarlane did not allow an earned run across 10.1 innings pitched,” Jake Starr noted for the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils, as McFarlane was named the organization’s co-pitcher of the month. “He paired that with 14 strikeouts and allowed just seven hits, along with going three-for-three in save opportunities. He also held opposing hitters to a .189 batting average (7-37).”
Last month, McFarlane ranked first in saves, third in ERA and fourth in strikeouts per nine innings among qualified relievers in the league.
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McFarlane’s emergence has been especially noteworthy considering the path he took to reach this point.
“McFarlane, 25 in June, was a fourth-round pick in 2022,” Darragh McDonald noted for MLB Trade Rumors. “The Phils tried him as a starter in the lower levels without much success. He underwent Tommy John surgery late in 2023 and missed all of 2024. Back on the mound in 2025, the Phils tried stretching him out again for a while, but moved him to a relief role late in the year.”
That move increasingly appears to be paying dividends. The Phillies have received strong performances from multiple young pitchers throughout their system in recent years, and McFarlane’s ability to miss bats while limiting damage has put him firmly on the organization’s radar.
While it seems most likely that McFarlane would need to prove himself in Triple-A before earning a role with the big-league club, there could be room for a promising arm in the bullpen sooner or later. Or Dombrowski could consider flipping McFarlane as he turns heads and acquiring some additional win-now talent for a playoff push.