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. 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 focus the spotlight on RHP Gabe Mosser.
The Phillies signed 28 year old RHP Gabe Mosser to a 2025 minor league contract on 11/13/24. The 6’4” hurler was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 27th round of the 2018 draft from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, PA. He has spent his entire professional career to date in the Padres organization and appeared in 28 games (26 starts) last season at AAA level El Paso where he went 7-7 with a 5.40 ERA in 133.1 IP posting 103 strikeouts and 48 walks. In his career he’s appeared in 112 games (76 starts) and has a 4.45 ERA in 440.2 IP. He has yet to pitch in the major leagues.
Mosser is from Laurys Station, PA and attended Parkland High School in Allentown where he earned all-state honors his senior year when he went 9-2 with a 0.69 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) and recorded a school-record 106 strikeouts in 60.2 innings pitched. He then pitched four collegiate seasons at Shippensburg posting a 23-16 record in 50 games (38 starts) and a 4.41 ERA over 237 IP.
This past season Gabe changed his arm slot to a 3/4 delivery which he credits with improving his pitch shapes and command, he also moved to the third base side of the rubber. Those changes allowed him to establish a new career high for his most innings pitched in a season. He is known as being a strike thrower who won’t beat himself, having good control of deliveries along with command of a four pitch mix. He gives the Phillies starting depth at the AAA level who could potentially help this summer with the big club while he also gets the added bonus of playing where he grew up in the Lehigh Valley!
I recently asked Gabe a few questions about growing up in the Philly area and now being part of the Phillies.
Were you a Phillies fan growing up and if so did you get to many games at CBP?
“Yes I was a fan of the Phillies growing up. I actually still have my first Phillies game ticket. It’s was August 25th, 2000 against the San Francisco Giants. Went to a couple of opening days.”
What was your reaction when you found out the Phillies were interested in you and when you signed a contract with them?
“I was super pumped to hear that the Phillies were interested. It was a really cool moment for not only me but also for my family who also are Phillies fans.”
How cool will it be train in the same facility in Clearwater that has housed Phillies legends in prior years?
“Super excited to be playing and training in the same facility as Philly greats. Another cool experience was when Cole Hamels was with the Padres we were rehabbing together. I got to know him pretty well and to hear the stories he had of some other Phillies legends, it was pretty awesome.”
Who would you like to meet on the current Phillies major league roster and chat baseball with?
“It would be awesome to meet and talk to Nola, Wheeler and JT. The knowledge of the game between them is incredible, which shows with the success they’ve had in their careers. Just to meet and talk baseball with everyone on that roster would be great. I’m sure they all have such a knowledge of the game that I can learn from everyone. They all seem like great dudes but those three in particular would be particularly awesome.“
What is your pitch arsenal, your go to pitch and what goals have you set for this coming season?
“I throw sinker, sweeper, cutter and splitter. Go to pitch would be my sweeper. I feel that I have the most control of it and am comfortable in any count throwing it. This year my goal is to help contribute to the big league team in whatever way they need me. Bring a World Series back to the home town team. That would be the ultimate goal!”
I thank Gabe for answering my inquiries. We wish him well this season and in years to come.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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