​Phillies’ catcher putting up impressive numbers in Winter League originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Philadelphia Phillies season might be done and dusted for the year, but that doesn’t mean that players throughout the organization sit and wait for things to return. Some of them see it as an opportunity to continue to build and add to their game, which is the case for one of their catchers, Rafael Marchan.Marchan is one of the few catchers that the team puts out when J.T. Realmuto needs a rest, or in the case of Garett Stubbs for the most part, when Aaron Nola takes the mound. Despite being in Philadelphia for five seasons, he’s never really found his footing, never making more than 42 appearances in a season, averaging a career .202/.259/.326 slash line with nine home runs and 32 RBIs thus far.But one thing is apparent: Marchan is working hard to improve in the offseason.Marchan has some promising numbers in the Venezuelan Winter LeagueRafael Marchan is off to a hot start in the Venezuelan Winter League! 21 AB | 7 H | 2 2B | 0 HR | 4 RBI 2 BB | 3 K | .333/.417/.429 | .845 OPS https://t.co/94Mu9Tzgyc— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) October 25, 2026For those looking at international winter leagues, it’s clear to see that Marchan is going off in the Venezuelan Winter League, recording seven hits and four RBIs while slashing .333/.417/.429.Participating in the Winter League isn’t out of the ordinary for Marchan, as it’s been a staple of his offseason regimen since the 2021-22 season, when he first played for the team that he’s with now, La Guaira. Across his five seasons of Winter Ball action, Marchan has always found success from the batter’s box, recording a .317 average with five home runs.Now it’ll be up to Marchan to replicate those numbers when spring training and the regular season roll around in a few months’ time.More Phillies news:Phillies get positive update on All-Star pitcher’s rehab progressPhillies give positive update on Luis Arraez following injury scarePhillies get several prospects highlighted in recent MLB rankingsPhillies’ top prospect is “feeling healthy” in Fall League action