It’s always an interesting and cool story when a local athlete gets a chance to play for the pro team in the city they grew up in or around. Last season Tyler Phillips and Buddy Kennedy each got to experience that at the major league level with the Phillies. Both remain on the 40 man roster heading into spring training.
By my count there are now eleven players in the organization with “local ties” - Tyler Phillips, Braeden Fausnaught, Buddy Kennedy, Danny Wilkinson, Eli Trop (he’s from Seattle but pitched collegiately at the University of Pennsylvania), Luke Gabrysh, Ryan Dromboski, Andrew Bechtold, Erik Ritchie, Gabe Mosser and Zack Tukis.
In this article we spotlight RHP Ryan Dromboski.
Ryan was signed as an un-drafted free agent on 8/1/24 after playing collegiately at the University or Pennsylvania. In three years pitching for the Quakers he posted a 10-8 record in 33 appearances (26 starts) with a 5.24 ERA in 139 IP. During his sophomore year in 2023 he was recognized as Ivy League Pitcher of the Year and earned a first-team All-Ivy selection. He posted a 7-3 record with a 3.17 ERA across 13 starts, striking out 97 batters and walking 35.
He was pitching for Hyannis in the Cape Code Summer League (1.80 ERA in 3 starts - 10 IP) when he signed on with the Phillies. Ryan attended North Burlington County High School in Columbus, NJ where he played both baseball and soccer.
He’s a very pleasant and energetic young man, the excitement and enthusiasm to become a Phillie was evident in his voice when we first spoke this summer shortly after he arrived at the Clearwater Carpenter Complex. He’s now participating in Winter High Performance Camp at the Complex.
I recently asked Ryan a few questions about growing up in the Philly area and his time now with the Phillies.
Were you a Phillies fan growing up and if so did you get to many games at CBP?
“I was born and raised a Phillies fan and I was able to attend some of the games at Citizens Bank. But a lot of the time it was hard because of my own baseball schedule, still tho, nothing beat going to the Bank.”
What was your reaction when you found out the Phillies were interested in you and when you signed a contract with them?
“My reaction when I found out the Phillies were signing me was pure shock. It was seriously a “dream come true moment” and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
How cool is it to now be training in the same facility in Clearwater that has housed Phillies legends in prior years?
“It’s awesome to be at the facility where all the big leaguers have come through because it gives you something to keep working towards. Seeing their successes in making the show makes you want to follow in their footsteps.”
Who would you like to meet on the current Phillies major league roster and chat baseball with?
“I would love to meet and talk shop with Aaron Nola or Zack Wheeler, I think it would be cool to see how they go about their start days and how they prepare for every fifth day that they’re going.”
You’re currently participating in Winter High Performance Camp - what are your thoughts on the “Phillies Way” of training and how amped are you for the season to begin?
“Winter camp is really awesome, the training program is not too complex and is catered to what you need to work on. And the throwing program that’s been setup for me is also very easy to follow and I feel like I’m making strides each day. I’m very amped for the season because I think it’s a chance to prove myself and just compete in a longer season than what I’m used to in college.”
What is your pitch arsenal, your go to pitch and what goals have you set for this coming season?
“My pitch arsenal is sinker, slider, changeup. My go to would definitely be my slider, but I feel confident in each of my pitches to be executed when I need to. A few goals I have would be to make it to High A and to stay healthy for the entire season. I’m just excited to have this opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it.”
I thank Ryan for answering my inquiries. We wish him well this season and in years to come. The pro baseball season is a grind - energy, want to and talent are must parts of the equation to excel. Ryan has all those qualities, I anticipate that it will be fun to watch him perform.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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