Pan's Futures Game Journey
Phillies Pitching Prospect Wen-Hui Pan Makes Futures Game Debut, Expresses Excitement
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Phillies pitching prospect Wen-Hui Pan got his first taste of Citizens Bank Park on Saturday — not as a visitor, but as a participant in the MLB Futures Game. The Double-A right-hander from Taiwan was selected to pitch for the National League squad, a major milestone for the 22-year-old who was signed by Philadelphia in 2023 without any recent international showcase appearances, according to The Morning Call.
The NL Futures team fell 6-1 to the AL, but the scoreline barely dimmed Pan's excitement. "I'm very happy," Pan said through a translator after the game. For a pitcher who had to rebuild his career from scratch after Tommy John surgery in 2024, simply taking the mound at a major league park was a big deal.
How Pan Went From Taiwan Signing to Futures Game
Pan was not a celebrated international signing. The Phillies signed him in Taiwan in 2023 without fanfare — no big bonus, no prospect hype. He quietly worked his way through the minor league system, showing enough promise to earn a Double-A assignment with the Reading Fightin Phils, according to Daily Local News.
His climb stalled in 2024 when he needed Tommy John surgery, a procedure that repairs the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. Recovery typically takes 12 to 18 months. Pan pushed through the rehab and returned to action in 2025, earning his Futures Game selection despite the setback. MLB.com currently ranks him as the No. 12 prospect in the Phillies organization.
Gage Wood Starts, Pan Follows in NL Loss
Gage Wood, the Phillies' No. 2 overall prospect per MLB.com, started the Futures Game for the NL. Wood ran into early trouble. He gave up a run on a bloop single, surrendered two stolen bases and allowed an RBI groundout before exiting, according to The Reporter Online.
Pan came in behind Wood as part of a bullpen effort for the NL squad. The final score of 6-1 was lopsided, but the game served its real purpose — giving young players like Pan and Wood a chance to perform on a big stage in front of scouts, executives and fans.
What the Futures Game Means for Pan's Path Forward
The Futures Game is designed to spotlight the sport's best young talent. Being selected at all is a sign that the Phillies and MLB see real potential in Pan. At just 22, and with Double-A experience already on his resume, he has time to develop before a big-league call could come, according to Pottstown Mercury.
Pitching at Citizens Bank Park — even without a crowd packed in for a regular-season game — gave Pan a preview of what his future could look like. "It's a great experience," he said. The Phillies have built a pipeline of young arms. Pan is now firmly on the radar as one of them.
Phillies Prospect Pipeline Gets a Spotlight Moment
Having two prospects — Wood at No. 2 and Pan at No. 12 — both appear in the same Futures Game is a sign of organizational depth. The Phillies have focused on building pitching from within. Wood is considered a near-term big-league option, while Pan projects as a longer-term development piece, according to Delco Times.
For Pan specifically, the road from an unsigned prospect in Taiwan to a Futures Game participant at a major league ballpark is a story worth watching. The surgery setback could have ended his momentum. Instead, he used it as a reset. At 12th in the Phillies system, there is still room to climb.
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