Showing posts with label Marchan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marchan. Show all posts

Sunday, January 11, 2026

2025 Chachi #11 Rafael Marchan


Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'9"  Weight:  210
Opening Day 2025 Age:  26
Born:  June 30, 1993, Boynton Beach, FL
Acquired:  February 25, 1999, San Cristobal, Venezuela
Contract Status:  Signed through 2029
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2020-21, 2024-25

2025 Topps Update #US289
Rafael Marchan beat out Garrett Stubbs for the back-up catcher role in 2025, and he'd play in a career-high 42 games while batting .210 with four doubles, a pair of home runs and 13 RBIs.  Marchan made 30 starts behind the plate, giving J.T. Realmuto an occasional day off.  I've been guilty of complaining about Topps' lack of quality control over the years, and admittedly until posting this card, I had no idea I had used the same exact photo on Marchan's 2024 Chachi card.  I'm not sure how that happened, but I guess I really liked the photo, and I'll be slightly more lenient towards Topps going forward.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2021 Toppy Gypsy Queen #144
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2):  2021, 2025
Favorite 2025 Card:  2025 Topps Update #US289
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  15 as of 12/28/25, 3 added in 2025
TCDB Stats: 808 total as of 12/28/25, my 15 cards overall are ranked 7th, 1st is herkojerko with 68

Complete Chachi Checklist

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Game 152 - Marchan Shocks Dodgers with Ninth Inning Homer

Philadelphia Phillies  9 
Los Angeles Dodgers  6 

2021 Topps Chrome Platinum
Anniversary #76
Late Tuesday Night, September 16th
Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, CA
91-61, 1st Place, 12 1/2 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies scored nine runs after being no-hit by Shohei Ohtani through five innings in this this thrilling 9-6 win over the Dodgers.

What It Means:  The Phillies won the season series over the Dodgers, which gives them the tiebreaker if needed for home field advantage, if the teams finish with identical records.

What Happened:  Absolutely nothing happened for the Phillies' offense until Ohtani was removed from the pitching mound, as the Dodgers held a 4-0 lead through five innings.  The Phillies plated six runs in the sixth to take a 6-4 lead, doing most of the damage against reliever Justin Wrobleski.  Rafael Marchan, Harrison Bader and Kyle Schwarber all singled to load the bases with one out.  Bryce Harper connected for a two-run double, scoring a pair.  Brandon Marsh then hit a three-run home run to give the Phillies a 5-4 lead.  After Wrobleski was relieved by Edgardo Henriquez, Max Kepler hit a solo home run to give the Phillies a two-run lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Ohtani hit his 50th home run of the year to welcome David Robertson to the game.  The Dodgers would tie the game before Robertson was able to get out of the inning.  With two outs in the top of the ninth, Weston Wilson doubled, Bryson Stott was intentionally walked and Rafael Marchan hit a three-run home run to give the Phillies an improbable 9-6 lead.  Jhoan Duran set the Dodgers down in order in the bottom of the ninth and the night again belonged to the Phils.

Featured Card:  The Rafael Marchan Game!  I admittedly went to bed early, having watched all of Monday night's game.  But I awoke to gleefully read about Marchan's heroics and what could be his career highlight game with the team.  I added this card last week, giving me 14 Marchan cards so far in my Phillies Collection.

Transaction:  Edmundo Sosa (inf) was placed on the injured list with a mild right groin strains and Rafael Lantigua (inf) had his contract purchased from Lehigh Valley.  Brewer Hicklen (of) was designated for assignment to make room for Lantigua on the 40-man roster.

Monday, August 25, 2025

Game 130 - Suarez, Bullpen Hold Off Nats

Washington Nationals  2 
Philadelphia Phillies  3 

2025 Philadelphia Phillies Photocards
Sunday Afternoon, August 24th
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
76-54, 1st Place, 7 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Ranger Suarez struck out a career-high 11 and Tanner Banks starred in relief in this 3-2 win over the Nationals.

What It Means:  The Phillies will look to widen the gap in the East between them and the Mets with three games in Flushing beginning on Monday night.

What Happened:  Suarez improved to 10-6, allowing three hits with no runs or walks while striking out a career-best 11 over seven innings.  Jose Alvarado loaded the bases in the eighth and departed without recording an out.  Banks entered, cleaned up the mess by only allowing a run, and got the Phillies out of the inning.  Orion Kerkering allowed a ninth inning solo home run to Luis Garcia Jr. before recording the final out and earning his fourth save.

The Phillies scored all their runs early, thanks to back-up catcher Rafael Marchan.  Marchan doubled home a pair in the second inning, and he walked with the bases loaded in the third inning.

Featured Card:  So far, this is Marchan's only 2025 baseball card, and it's a tough one to find at that.  He's not appeared on a mainstream baseball card since 2022, and hopefully he gets included on the Topps Update checklist or the Topps Heritage High Numbers release.

Friday, May 30, 2025

Game 55 - Marchan Stars in Game One Win

Atlanta Braves  4 
Philadelphia Phillies  5 
Game 1

2021 Stadium Club #52
Thursday Afternoon, May 29th
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
36-19

One Sentence Summary:  Rafael Marchan starred at and behind the plate as the Phillies held on (barely) to win this game, 5-4.

What It Means:  The rain in the area washed out Wednesday night, resulting in a day-night double header on Thursday.

What Happened:  Marchan hit his first home run of the year, a two-run shot in the second inning, giving the Phillies an early lead.  With the score tied 4-4, and the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, Marchan was hit with a pitch by Daysbel Hernandez to drive home the eventual winning run.  He also threw out two would-be basestealers on the day.  Not to be completely lost in Marchan's shadow, Nick Castellanos was 4 for 4.  Kyle Schwarber hit his 19th home run of the season, a solo shot, in the seventh.  Only Shohei Ohtani has more with 20.

The bullpen took over for Cristopher Sanchez after 5 2/3 innings.  Matt Strahm coughed up a two-run lead in the top of the eighth, and Jordan Romano loaded the bases in the top of the ninth before somehow avoiding disaster and recording his eighth save.

Featured Card:  Marchan hasn't appeared on a mainstream baseball card since 2022!  He received a bunch of rookie cards in 2021, including this card in the Stadium Club set.

Transaction:  Brett de Geus (rhp) was recalled from Lehigh Valley as the 27th man for the double header.  de Geus was selected off waivers from the Marlins on April 1st.

Friday, January 24, 2025

2024 Chachi #39 Rafael Marchan


#13 / Rafael Alejandro Marchan / Catcher
Bats:  Both  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'9"  Weight:  170
Opening Day Age:  25
Born:  February 25, 1999, San Cristobal, Venezuela
How Obtained:  Signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent, July 2, 2015
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2026
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2020-21, 2024

2024 Philadelphia Phillies Photocards
Injuries have hampered the one-time catching prospect's time in the majors, as has the reality the Phillies currently have one of the best catchers in baseball in J.T. Realmuto.  Rafael Marchan was recalled from Lehigh Valley on June 11th when Realmuto was placed on the injured list in need of right knee surgery.  Marchan and Garrett Stubbs bore the catching duties while the All-Star catcher was out, with Marchan getting 14 starts behind the plate.  His first action in the majors since 2021 came on June 12th.  Overall, Marchan batted .294 with three home runs and six RBIs in 17 games for the Phillies in 2024.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2021 Toppy Gypsy Queen #144
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2021
Favorite/Only 2024 Card:  2024 Philadelphia Phillies Photocards
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  12 as of 12/23/24, 1 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #39

Friday, June 21, 2024

Game 72 - Phils Pound Out 18 Hits Against Padres

2021 Topps Heritage #718
Phillies 9
Padres 2
Game 72 - Monday Night, June 17th in Philadelphia
Record - 48-24, 1st Place, 8 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber hit a pair of home runs, Trea Turner returned to the line-up and Cristopher Sanchez had a solid outing against the Padres in this 9-2 win.

What It Means:  From the third inning onwards, this was one of those games there was absolutely no doubt the Phillies were going to win.

What Happened:   Sanchez picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching seven innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out five.  Turner went 2 for 5 in his return and seven of the nine players in the starting line-up had at least two hits.  Schwarber hit his 15th and 16th home runs, both two-run shots, in the third and sixth innings.  Alec Bohm added a three-run home run in the fifth.

Featured Card:  Catcher Rafael Marchan, filling in for an injured J.T. Realmuto, had his first four-hit game of his career, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs.  This is the first time he's been featured on the blog in nearly two years!

Transaction:  Turner (ss) was activated from the Injured List and Johan Rojas (of), who has never played in Triple-A, was optioned down to Lehigh Valley to work on his offense.

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

2022 Chachi #48 Rafael Marchan


#13

Rafael Alejandro Marchan
Catcher

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'9"  Weight:  200
Opening Day Age:  23
Born:  February 25, 1999, San Cristobal, Venezuela
How Obtained:  Signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent, July 2, 2015
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2025, free agency eligible 2028
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2020-2021

First Phillies Minor League Card:  2018 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #17
First Phillies Card:
  2021 Topps #622
Newest Card Added:  2021 Topps Big League #181
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2021

11 - Marchan baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 7/19/22.
2021 Topps #622


Friday, June 4, 2021

2021 Chachi #43 Rafael Marchan


#12
Rafael Alejandro Marchan
Catcher

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'9"  Weight:  170
Opening Day Age:  22
Born:  February 25, 1999, San Cristobal, VZ
How Obtained:  Signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent, July 2, 2015
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2020-
First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2018 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #17
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A

Newest Card Added:  2019 Choice Medusas de Lakewood #14

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A

4 - Marchan baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 6/3/21.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2019 Chachi BlueClaws Signing Autographs #10
2020 Chachi #51
2021 Chachi #43

Rafael Marchan's meteoric rise through the Phillies system saw him playing with the Low-A BlueClaws in 2019, appearing with the Phillies in spring training in 2020, getting added to their Player Pool last July and then making his big league debut last season on September 14th.  Marchan wore #13 when he was called up last season, but with Brad Miller now wearing that number in 2021, he's switched to #12.

I have four Marchan baseball cards in my collection so far, all from recent minor league team sets.
2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Game 51 - 2018 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #17 Rafael Marchan

Phillies 8
, Blue Jays 7 (Game 2 - 7 Innings)
Game 51 - Friday Night, September 18th in Philadelphia
Record - 26-25, 3rd Place, 4 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Huge clutch hits from Rafael Marchan and Bryce Harper gave the Phillies an improbable 8-7 win and a sweep of the Friday double header with the Blue Jays.

What It Means:  This was the first double header sweep by the Phillies since September 2012, over eight years ago.

What Happened:  David Hale drew the short straw and started this game for the Phillies, and he did a respectable job.  Hale pitched three scoreless innings before tiring in the fourth and combining with JoJo Romero to allow five Blue Jays runs.  Marchan hit his first professional home run in the fourth, a three-run shot off A.J. Cole, to tie the game 5-5.  The Blue Jays retook the lead quickly in the fifth, courtesy of Heath Hembree.

In the bottom of the sixth, Mickey Moniak walked, Marchan singled and then Harper doubled them both home to tie the game 7-7.  Alec Bohm grounded to second (it was ruled a single and an error on second baseman Joe Panik) scoring Harper with the go-ahead run.  Hector Neris allowed a pair of walks (one intentional, one not) in the bottom of the seventh before locking down his fifth save.

Featured Card:  I only have four Marchan baseball cards in my collection to date, and I've already featured two of them.  This is his first baseball card from the 2018 Williamsport Crosscutters team set.  I was really hoping he'd get a Topps Now card to celebrate his big home run, but he was omitted from this day's offerings.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Thursday, September 17, 2020

2020 Chachi #51 Rafael Marchan


#13
Rafael Alejandro Marchan
Catcher

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'9"  Weight:  170
Opening Day Age:  21
Born:  February 25, 1999, San Cristobal, VZ
How Obtained:  Signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent, July 2, 2015
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2020
First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2018 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #17
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A

Newest Card Added:  2019 Choice Medusas de Lakewood #14

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A

4 - Marchan baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 9/15/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2019 Chachi BlueClaws Signing Autographs #10
2020 Chachi #51

Rafael Marchan's meteoric rise through the Phillies system saw him playing with the Low-A BlueClaws last summer, appearing with the Phillies in spring training, getting added to their Player Pool in July and then making his big league debut on September 14th.  He switched his uniform number from 85 to 13 for the occassion.

I have four Marchan baseball cards in my collection so far, all from recent minor league team sets.
2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Game 46 - Farewell and Good Riddance to the Marlins

Marlins 6Phillies 2
Game 46 - Monday Afternoon, September 14th in Miami
Record - 23-23, 3rd Place, 4 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies continued their struggles against the Marlins, losing this game 6-2, and wrapping up the 7-game series with a 2-5 record.

What It Means:  When these game summary posts start to become more chore-like than enjoyable, I know we're in trouble.  This loss dropped the Phillies back to .500 and to third place behind the Braves and Marlins.

What Happened:  Vince Velasquez and a lack of offense happened.  Velasquez was chased after 3 2/3 innings having allowed four runs on seven hits.  David Phelps allowed two more home runs to put the game virtually out of reach.  Velasquez's ERA is now 6.46 while Phelps, since being acquired from the Brewers, has allowed eight runs in  5 1/3 innings for an impressive ERA of 13.51.

Andrew McCutchen hit a lead-off home run for the depleted offense, as the Phillies were without J.T. Realmuto (hip) and Rhys Hoskins (arm).  Scott Kingery added a solo home run in the eighth.

Featured Card:  Rafael Marchan, who began the 2019 season at Low-A Lakewood, started behind the plate and collected his first big league hit in the third inning off Pablo Lopez.  In an afternoon of rough baseball, Marchan's energetic presence was a small highlight.

Transaction:  Ramon Rosso (rhp), the 29th man from Sunday's double header, was sent back to Lehigh Valley.  Kingery (inf) was activated from the injured list, with Ranger Suarez (lhp) optioned down.  Additionally, Neil Walker (inf) officially cleared waivers and elected free agency rather than report to Lehigh Valley.

Arrived During the 2020 Season
  • David Hale (rhp) - 8/21/20, Acquired from the New York Yankees for Addison Russ (rhp).
  • Brandon Workman (rhp) and Heath Hembree (rhp) - 8/21/20, Acquired from the Boston Red Sox with cash and a player to be named later for Nick Pivetta (rhp) and Connor Seabold (rhp).
  • David Phelps (rhp) - 8/31/20, Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers for three players to be named later.
Departed During the 2020 Season 
  • Nick Williams (of) - 8/15/20, Selected off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds. 
  • Edgar Garcia (rhp) - 8/18/20, Traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later.
  • Nick Pivetta (rhp) - 8/21/20, Traded to the Boston Red Sox with Connor Seabold (rhp) for Brandon Workman (rhp), Heath Hembree (rhp), a player to be named later and cash.
  • Austin Davis (lhp) - 8/26/20, Traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later and  cash.
  • Deivy Grullon (c) - 9/3/20, Selected off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.
  • Neil Walker (inf) - 9/15/20, Cleared waivers and elected free agency.
2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Grapefruit Game 6 - 2019 Choice Medusas de Lakewood #14 Rafael Marchan

Phillies 5Twins 4
Spring Training Game 6 - Wednesday Afternoon, February 26th in Fort Myers
Record - 4-1-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies scored three late runs to mount an impressive comeback victory in this 5-4 win over the Twins.

What It Means:  On the strength of these first six meaningless games in spring training, I'm now convinced the Phillies will win the 2020 World Series.

What Happened:  Zach Eflin started and pitched two scoreless innings.  The late inning rally started when Mickey Moniak tripled home Ali Castillo in the eighth.  Nick Maton's single scored Moniak and tied the game.  Arquimedes Gamboa hit a solo home run in the ninth to complete the comeback and Adonis Medina pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth for the save.

Featured Card:  Both manager Joe Girardi and bench coach Rob Thomson have praised the work of catcher Rafael Marchan who has been a frequent guest invited to the big league games despite the team already having 70 players in camp.  Marchan has been solid behind the plate and he added two more hits in this game to raise his early spring average to .750.  He spent time in 2019 with both Low-A Lakewood and High-A Clearwater.

Camp Head Count:  70

Monday, July 15, 2019

Game 92 - Nats Stun Phils; 7th Annual BlueClaws Outing


We missed the majority of the Phillies' Saturday night loss as we were enjoying our 7th annual outing to First Energy Park in Lakewood to watch the Low-A BlueClaws take on the Hagerstown Suns.  It was Margaritaville Night at the ballpark with all players wearing a Jimmy Buffett inspired jersey.  It was hot, but once the sun went down it was actually quite comfortable.


Prior to the game, it seemed as if most of the team made their way over to the stands to sign autographs for the half dozen or so assembled fans (mostly kids).  Doug was able to secure a South Atlantic League baseball and collected autographs from most of the team on either the baseball or on BlueClaws baseball cards.  I've created cards for most of the players and coaches who signed for Doug as I missed getting pictures of catcher Abraham Gutierrez and coach Adam Godwin.


We also won and bid on a Kevin Gowdy game-used jersey and following the game we waited patiently for Gowdy to arrive and deliver his jersey.  The young pitcher apparently didn't get the message that he was supposed to wait around, as he signed his jersey and departed for the evening.  A few other players were available though, and the boys added their autographs to their growing collection.

It was another fantastic night, and although the BlueClaws lost 2-0, we had a great time and we'll be back in 2020.

Memory Lane 
2013 BlueClaws Game
2014 BlueClaws Game
2015 BlueClaws Game
2016 BlueClaws Game
2017 BlueClaws Game
2018 BlueClaws Game 1 and Game 2
2019 BlueClaws Game

Meanwhile in Philadelphia . . .

Nationals 4Phillies 3
Game 92 - Saturday Night, July 13th in Philadelphia
Record - 47-45, 3rd place, 8 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  With two outs in the top of the ninth, Juan Soto stunned the Phillies with a two-run home run off Hector Neris to give the Nationals a 4-3 win and the eventual win.

What Happened:  Neris' blown save wasted another fine effort from Aaron Nola.  Maikel Franco continued to swing a hot bat, hitting his 14th home run in the second.

Transactions:  J.T. Realmuto returned from paternity leave and Rob Brantly was designated for assignment.  Sean Rodriguez landed on the injured list with an abdominal strain and Adam Haseley was recalled from the IronPigs.