LI Minor League Pitcher Corey Phelan Dies At 20

GREENLAWN, NY — Corey Phelan, a minor league pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies organization and Greenlawn native, has died after a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the Phillies announced Thursday. He was 20.

Phelan was a left-handed pitcher who was an undrafted free agent out of Harborfields High School. He was diagnosed with cancer in April, MLB.com reported.

"Corey Phelan and his family are beloved members of our Harborfields Family," Harborfields Superintendent Rory Manning told Patch in a statement. "His passing saddens all of us. Corey will always be remembered for his friendship and positive contributions to our community."

In his first professional season, he only allowed one run over 9-and-two-thirds relief innings in 2021 for the rookie-level Phillies in the Florida Complex League, according to MLB.com.

"The Phillies family is extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Corey Phelan," Phillies Player Development wrote in a statement posted to Twitter. "Corey’s positive presence and selflessness influenced everyone around him. While he was incredibly passionate about the game of baseball, his love for his family and his strong faith superseded everything else. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, as well as his teammates and staff who were by his side, providing emotional support throughout the course of his courageous battle with cancer."

Chris Phelan, Corey's father, said his son tried to hide the pain he was in the last few months, Newsday reported.

“He loved to be around his friends and family and he loved playing baseball,” Chris Phelan told Newsday. “He was the one who was sick, but he couldn’t bear the idea that we would suffer knowing how much pain he was in the last few months. He hid it from us to spare us...He was always thinking about those he loved.”