Update : 11:27 AM - the game was cancelled due to rain
Phillies vs Pirates @ Clearwater @ 1:05 PM
Lineup :
Trea Turner 6
Kyle Schwarber DH
Bryce Harper 3
Alec Bohm 5
Nick Castellanos 9
Bryson Stott 4
JT Realmuto 2
Max Kepler 7
Oscar Mercado 8
Christopher Sanchez LHP
Minor League Call-Ups : - note that these players are reserves (may not play)
Pitchers : Nelson Alvarez, Andrew Bechtold, Braden Beckel, Jack Dallas, Chuck King
Infielders : Bryan Rincon
Outfielders : Leandro Pineda, Elio Prado
Notes on today’s minor league callups :
Bryan Rincon - 21 years old - 2022 14th round draft pick - Shaler Area High School , Pittsburgh, PA - spent most of the 2024 season at Carpenter Complex rehabbing from a hamstring injury (5/20 to 8/21). Played in a total of 35 games with Clearwater (rehab) and Jersey Shore - never got on-track from the injury time lost - played in 19 games in the Arizona Fall League - a total of 185 plate appearances for the year. He’s an excellent fielder at shortstop, has all the tools of a plus defender at the premium position. Offensively is a switch hitter who has strong bat to ball skills and a solid approach. He’s got pop, particularly from the left side - can turn on pitches as a lefty hitter, drives the ball. Has great energy and presence, really good eye-hand coordination and is baseball savvy.
Leandro Pineda - 22 years old - signed as an international free agent 7/6/18 - Valencia, Venezuela - added first base to his defensive repertoire this past season although most likely continues to see the majority of his time as a corner outfielder - played at Jersey Shore and Reading (promoted 7/16/24) in 2024 and posted very respectable numbers - .260/.331/.413 in 375 plate appearances with 14 doubles, 11 home runs and 52 RBIs - ended the season on the IL after requiring thumb surgery but is now healthy and ready to go again for 2025 - was on the Navegantes del Magallanes roster in the Venezuela Winter League - in addition recently got married 👏. I’ve long touted his game - left handed hitter and thrower - solid corner defender with a plus arm (right-fielder’s arm strength). Angular build - 6’1” frame who just looks like a ball player - plays hard and does things right - wants to continually improve, works to do so. Leandro’s career “surface” numbers don’t jump out at you so if that’s your only perspective you might discount him however there’s genuine baseball talent. The lefty swing he possesses is pure, generates both power and speed, coupled with an ability to recognize pitches along with driving the outside pitch the other way there’s a likelihood that the numbers will be much better going forward, just saying - he can play.
Elio Prado - OF - Baltimore Orioles - 23 years old - from Caracas, Venezuela - signed by the Boston Red Sox on 7/2/18 as an international free agent - was traded to the Orioles on 7/13/19 - played last season for High A Aberdeen - .223/.332/.327 slash line in 305 plate appearances with 11 doubles, 4 home runs and 31 RBIs - it was his second year at High A - has played mostly center field but has seen time in both corners as well. Is noted as a good defender, athletic with above average speed - known for his energy, enthusiasm and love of playing the game.
RH Nelson Alvarez - 26 years old - acquired in trade with Tampa Bay Rays 8/6/24 for cash considerations - was the New York Yankees 2019 13th round draft selection - University of South Florida - pitched in 11 games (15.1 IP) with Reading recording a 1.76 ERA with 21 K’s and 7 walks - was promoted to Lehigh Valley on 9/19/24 and appeared in one game striking out the side in a perfect inning. Overall for the 2024 season including his time with the Rays AA and AAA affiliates he appeared in 39 games (51.2 IP) with a 3.48 ERA notching 62 K’s while walking 29. He features a fastball/sinker (93 to 96 mph), slider, cutter and curve. Was a minor league rule 5 selection by Tampa from the Yankees in December of 2022. Has battled control issues at times - is a strikeout pitcher.
RH Jack Dallas - 26 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 - Lamar University - He came to pro ball as no stranger to high pressure relief game spots as he graduated from Lamar as their all-time leader in saves and appearances. In 2024 he began the year with High A Jersey Shore - appeared in 39 games (54 IP) posting a 3.50 ERA with 55 K’s and 18 walks - was promoted to Reading on 9/10/24 - pitched in two games - three innings pitched - one hit allowed with four K’s - a 0.33 WHIP - overall numbers - 41 appearances - 5-2 record - 57 IP, 59 K’s and 18 walks - a 3.32 ERA. His fastball, a sinker, generally is in the 91 to 94 mph range and he also features a cutter, slider, curve and change up. Gets tremendous spin/movement on his cutter and curve in particular, above the big league average. The movement on those pitches makes it very difficult for hitters to square them up. Is a great competitor and shows excellent composure in high impact game situations. He reminds me a great deal of Mark Leiter Jr in build, moxie and approach. His brother Chad is a pitching prospect in the Blue Jays organization.
RH Chuck King - 27 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 2/6/24 - Texas Christian University - The 6’6” right hander pitched collegiately at TCU from 2017 to 2021 accumulating a 16-12 record in 78 appearances (22 starts) with a 3.93 ERA in 254.1 IP. King posted 186 strikeouts and 58 walks with a 1.337 WHIP. After his time at TCU he became a Sports Science Intern with the San Diego Padres and then moved into a full time role in the organization in November of 2022 as a Performance Analyst. Chuck continued to train as a pitcher after his collegiate career ended and on 1/28/24 performed for scouts in a pro day at Driveline Baseball. He showed a slider (85-86 mph range), a splitter (85-87 mph) and a fastball (sat 96-97 mph - reached 98 mph). On 2/2/24 he signed a minor league contract with the Phillies! Chuck started 2024 with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws - he went on the IL on 6/10/24 and spent time in Clearwater at the complex with the rehab team, he was sent on rehab assignments with the FCL Phillies and Clearwater Threshers and returned to Jersey Shore on 7/23/24 - was promoted to Reading on 9/11/24 where he pitched in one game (1.1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K). His overall numbers for the season - 34 appearances (41.1 IP), 3.92 ERA, 7 holds, 2 saves in 3 chances, 45 K’s, 16 walks.
RH Brandon Beckel - 23 years old - 2023 12th round draft selection - Texas Tech University - began the 2024 season with Clearwater - 25 appearances (three as an opener) - 46.2 IP with a 3.28 ERA - 51 K’s, 17 walks - promoted to Jersey Shore on 8/17/24 - five appearances (7.1 IP) with a 3.68 ERA - 14 K’s, 5 walks. He’s a reliever who can stretch out to three or four frames as needed. Has a sharp slider that he keeps down in the zone, a pitch that’s heavy and is a ground ball maker. Decent fastball - 92-94 mph that has been up to 95 mph.
RH Andrew Bechtold - 28 years old - signed a minor league free agent contract with the Phillies on 1/31/25. He is from Glenn Mills, PA and attended Garnett Valley High School where he was a 2014 graduate. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 37th round of the 2014 draft but enrolled at the University of Maryland instead where he received a medical redshirt his freshman year. The following season he was the Terrapins starting third baseman. In 2017 he transferred to Chipola JC in Florida where he hit .419 in 60 games. The Minnesota Twins drafted him in the 5th round of the 2017 draft and he signed. Bechtold played primarily third base in the Twins organization from 2017 to 2023 but also saw time at catcher, first base and second base. In 2023 he converted to a two way player pitching in 20 games at the AAA level (18 IP) while also making 502 plate appearances as a hitter. He was in the Twins organization till December of 2023 when he was signed as a free agent by the Blue Jays. Andrew converted to a full time pitcher in 2024 with the Blue Jays as a reliever making most of his 33 appearances (29) at AA New Hampshire before finishing the season at AAA Buffalo. I did a spotlight article on him and asked the following :
You’ve converted to pitching after initially starting as an infielder - what learning curves have you encountered and how do you feel you’re progressing?
“I think the more I’m on the mound the better that I get, obviously most guys in pro ball have been pitching their whole lives so I’m behind them in reps but my time as a catcher with pitch calling and game planning as well as reading swings I think has helped me progress at a quicker rate. Last year I seemed to get better as the year went on and I started to understand more about what I was trying to do out there on the mound.”
What is your pitch arsenal, your go to pitch?
“I have a carry four seam fastball that’s 97-100 mph, it averaged 97.1 last season. Also a new cutter that’s 90-93 and then a slider which was my best pitch last year as far as swing and miss which is 87-91.”
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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