High Performance Camp - Clearwater
For the past three days my baseball buddy Jim Peyton and I have ventured to the complex each morning (we get there at around 9:30 or so) to watch players participating in High Performance Camp, chat with a few of them along with any others we are able to garner a few minutes of time with.
High Performance Camps are dedicated to strength and conditioning however this year’s version has incorporated some light throwing as well (usually about 15 minutes of catch and throw in the outfield with a throwing partner). That’s by design to keep the arms limber and break up the monotony of the impacts on soft tissue from weight lifting. They also do quite a bit of outdoor running and cardio work along with various other drills specifically designed by the training staff. Some look silly from afar but I can assure you there is always a purpose.
There are eight players here working with the rehab training group. Two (Aroon Escobar and Griffin Burkholder) have taken ground balls each day - Escobar (19 years old) has a wide shouldered muscular build - he missed the majority of the 2024 season with what was thought initially to be a day to day lower leg issue that lingered - in the 24 FCL games he did play Aroon posted a .338/.495/.481 slash line in 104 plate appearances with two doubles, three home runs and 17 RBIs. He’s got tremendous power potential but has also displayed a patient approach (65 career walks - 49 K’s in 424 PA’s) and a strong bat to ball ability. In a recent podcast on the Phillies Show (hosted by Todd Zolecki, Jim Salisbury and Ruben Amaro Jr) Phillies Assistant General Manager Preston Mattingly called Escobar his “sleeper” candidate as a breakout player for 2025 and stated that the plan was for him to open and spend the season in full season play with the Clearwater Threshers. I was able to chat briefly with Preston yesterday and he reiterated that outlook - I concur that Aroon has an exciting skillset - he plays both second and third base defensively however I’ve seen him more at third - strong arm and good range. His ticket though will be as a hitter - if things go right this young man could be a middle of the order presence - stay tuned.
Griffin Burkholder is an outfielder however taking ground balls in his rehab certainly doesn’t hurt - the nineteen year old suffered a lower leg injury on August 13th in his first and only game thus far with the Threshers. In the little we’ve seen of him in various practices and BP’s along with the past three days he’s very athletic - just looks like a player. He should also be part of the 2025 Threshers lineup.
Got to chat with LHP Mavis Graves and OF Emaarion Boyd yesterday - Mavis had a great season in 2024 (3.64 ERA in 18 games - 117 K’s, 36 walks in 84 IP). The twenty year old continues to grow into his 6’6” frame - HP camp is great for adding muscle bulk. The big lefty is on target to advance to High A Jersey Shore next season - he’s an exciting prospect who has developed a five pitch mix (four seamer, sinker, cutter, curve and change up) and has truly progressed in his command, sequencing and velocity (was up to 94 mph this summer). I think there’s a very bright future ahead for him - reminds me a great deal of Sammy Aldegheri.
Emaarion is a soft spoken young man who’s now 21 years old - he’s progressed a great deal both in skillset and interactive ability since being drafted out of Batesville, MS high school in the 11th round of the 2022 draft. He’s got a slender build but is wiry strong - I talked with him about the long home run he hit on Roberts Field this past spring that cleared the scoreboard, has a very quick bat and hands that can turn around inside heat, told him it surprised quite a few onlookers. Maury is a hard worker, he told me he’s focused on driving the ball more but also continuing to use his plus plus speed with bunts to get on base. He ended the 2024 season strong for Jersey Shore hitting .280 in 75 August AB’s with a .360 OBP. Defensively he can track balls as well as anyone and made quite a few outstanding catches this past summer. Confidence is not an issue, he responds to challenges well and relishes in proving doubters wrong. Really like the young fella - he reminds me of my son in his determination and demeanor. With added strength he likely returns to JS to begin 2024 as the everyday center fielder.
Trades, Acquisitions and Sendoffs :
Infielder Scott Kingery was traded today to the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations, he was due to become a minor league free agent. The Angels will add him to their 40 man roster and hopefully Scottie can make their big club in spring training. He was always a pleasant and approachable person during his time with the Phillies - we wish him well.
The Phillies signed free agent RHP Cody Stashak on Wednesday to a minor league contract. The 30 year old reliever pitched in the major leagues in parts of the 2019 to 2022 seasons with the Minnesota Twins after being selected in the 13th round of the 2015 draft from St John’s University. He’s appeared in a total of 55 major league games and has a 4.13 ERA in 72 IP. For the past two seasons he’s been in the San Francisco Giants organization and pitched in 27 games for their AAA affiliate in 2024 posting a 5.45 ERA in 36.1 IP. Over the course of his career he’s shown great control - generally doesn’t walk batters or beat himself - Stashak had shoulder surgery in 2023 for a torn labrum. He’s a slider, fastball (low 90’s) and changeup pitcher who relies on movement - he uses his slider as a primary pitch. Will receive a non-roster invite to big league spring training.
We got to chat a bit this summer with RHP Dylan Covey as he spent a good part of the season at Clearwater on rehab working back from a shoulder strain. Dylan declared free agency after the season and has now signed a contract with the New York Mets. The 33 year old pitched well for AAA Lehigh Valley when he returned to action last summer posting a 2.66 ERA in 18 appearances (all in relief) over 20.1 IP. He signed a major league contract with New York.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
High Performance Camp this week
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