Phillies vs Tigers @ Lakeland @ 1:05 PM
Lineup :
Johan Rojas DH
Kody Clemens 5
Edmundo Sosa 8
Cal Stevenson 9
Buddy Kennedy 7
Garrett Stubbs 2
Rodolfo Castro 4
Christian Arroyo 3
Aidan Miller 6
Aaron Nola RHP
Minor League Call-Ups : - note that these players are reserves (may not play)
Pitchers : Jonah Dipoto, Enmanuel Mejia, Mitch Neunborn, Josh Hejka
Infielders : Trent Farquhar, Keaton Anthony, Aroon Escobar
Outfielders : Dante Nori
Notes on today’s minor league callups :
INF Trent Farquhar - 23 years old, will be 24 in March - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/19/23 - Michigan State University - played at four levels in 2024 (3 games - FCL (rehab), 32 games - Clearwater, 38 games - Jersey Shore and 5 games - Reading) - was on the IL from 5/29 to 7/20 with a broken hamate bone - still managed to play in 78 games and posted a .285/.433/.374 slash line in 410 plate appearances with 15 doubles, 3 triples, a home run and 23 RBIs - walked 59 times versus 63 strikeouts - stole 28 bases - led off most games he played in. Defensively saw action at second base, shortstop and third base. So far in his pro career he’s been an on-base machine - this past summer I wrote a spotlight article on him and asked Trent about offensive approach - “For my approach I like to hunt fastballs in the middle of the plate early. However, I’m very comfortable hitting with one or two strikes so that allows me to be able to be picky early in the count and get a pitch I can drive. I’ve been blessed with good pitch recognition and being stingy to my approach.” He played winter league baseball in Australia as a member of the Adelaide Giants. A high baseball IQ and an ability to consistently get on base - both great qualities to have. I think he should be in the mix for a versatile infield role with Reading in 2025 spring training camp.
1B Keaton Anthony - 23 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent on 7/18/23 - University of Iowa - winner of the 2024 minor league gold glove for first basemen - began the year with the Low A level Clearwater Threshers and was a key contributor to the team’s Florida State League first half championship run, he posted a .322/.446/.470 slash line in 44 games and a .916 OPS in 186 plate appearances with 10 doubles, 4 home runs and 21 RBIs drawing an equal amount of walks and strikeouts (28). On June 25th he was promoted to High A level Jersey Shore where he continued to rake - in 53 games (232 plate appearances) he had a .356/.418/.483 slash line with a .901 OPS - 10 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs and 45 RBIs with 21 walks and 34 strikeouts. He was promoted to AA level Reading on 9/6/24 to finish the 2024 season. Overall he hit .327/.414/.454 in 444 plate appearances with 20 doubles, 8 home runs and 67 RBIs - drew 50 walks and struck out just 68 times.
INF Aroon Escobar - 20 years old - signed as an international free agent 1/15/22 from Caracas, Venezuela - 2024 was his first stateside season and he hit .338/.495/.481 with a .976 OPS in 104 plate appearances with 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 17 RBIs, 21 walks, 10 strikeouts and 9 stolen bases for the FCL Phillies. He did not play after 6/8 with lower leg issues - never went on the IL but worked with the rehab team at the Complex the balance of the year. Aroon has a thick body with a very muscular build, wide shoulders. This summer and in past times when I’ve seen him play in the DSL (on video) he’s shown incredible power along with bat speed, a “professional hitter” that works counts, controls his at bats and generally puts the ball in play. He’s got a chance to be a star in the making. Defensively he’s played more second base than third base, I like his instincts and glove work at each position, has always shown a strong arm as well. Plans are for him to be part of the 2025 Clearwater Threshers opening day roster, will very likely see time at both second and third - could even play some outfield as he’s looked very comfortable out there as well in drills this fall. A name to remember - I’ve got a feeling he’s gonna excel - A cousin of Ronald Acuna Jr.
OF Dante Nori - 20 years old - 2024 1st round draft selection - Northville HS, Northville, MI - played in 14 games after signing with the Clearwater Threshers - .240/.424/.280 in 66 plate appearances with a triple, 9 RBIs and 4 stolen bases, I also saw him play in a couple “Bridge League” games. Has a great personality - can tell he’s a hard worker by his actions in practices we’ve seen including the most recent High Performance Camp. Has shown a short and direct swing, quick hands. Defensively is another burner who can cover alot of ground - I’ve seen an accurate and above average throwing arm as well. Left handed hitter and thrower who’s likely ticketed to begin 2025 with the Threshers - should be fun to watch him continue to develop.
Pitchers:
RH Jonah Dipoto - 28 years old - acquired in trade with KC Royals 5/26/24 for cash considerations - was the Royals 2019 35th round draft selection - University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA - is the son of Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry DiPoto - pitched in 19 games with the 2024 IronPigs (22.2 IP) with a 4.37 ERA - 18 K’s, 12 walks. Prior to that he pitched in 10 games for Omaha in the Royals system - overall numbers for 2024 at the AAA level - 29 appearances (37 IP) with 31 K’s and 20 walks. He has a career 3.44 minor league ERA in 153 games (212 IP). He’s a fastball (91 to 94 mph), slider and cutter pitcher with the slider bring the standout delivery and the one most used (it has above average big league spin rates). He has battled command and control issues.
RH Josh Hejka - 27 years old - acquired from Mets for cash considerations 2/5/25 - was signed by the Mets on 6/27/19 as an un-drafted free agent from Johns Hopkins University. He pitched last season at three levels - at High A he posted a 1.22 ERA in 22 games (35.2 IP), moved up to the AA level on 7/1/24 and appeared in 14 games with Binghamton recording a 6.30 ERA in 20 IP - he was moved to the AAA level on 9/6/24 and appeared in two games. It was a comeback season for Heika as he had missed the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery. He’s a side armer with an upper eighties arsenal with the slider being his out pitch. “Throughout his time with the Mets’ organization, Hejka’s fully embraced the analytical movement. He’s worked with several third-party organizations, such as Driveline, to fully optimize his unique delivery. He features a sinker, rising slider and cutter.” - Mets Minors dot net Over his four year minor league career he’s appeared in 126 games and has a 3.73 ERA with 12 saves in 193 IP. I saw him pitch in live BP last week - extreme sidearm - Quisenberry like - interesting movement on pitches.
RH Emmanuel Mejia - RHP - 26 years old - taken from Rays in December’s minor league portion of Rule 5 draft - from Bonao, Dominican Republic - signed by the Pirates as an international free agent 2/20/19 - taken by the Rays in the 2022 Rule 5 minor league draft - last season he was a reliever for the Rays AAA affiliate Durham where he appeared in 42 games (5 starts) and recorded a 7.83 ERA in 54 IP with 59 K’s and 34 walks. The year before he split time at the AA and AAA levels and recorded a 3.91 ERA in 50.2 IP with 74 K’s and 29 walks. He features a fastball that is in the 94 to 98 mph range, slider/curve and changeup. Pitches for the Gigantes del Cibao team in the Dominican Winter League. He’s a big fella with a big arm.
RH Mitch Neunborn - 27 years old - signed as an international free agent - 6/5/23 - born in Johannesburg, South Africa - pitched internationally in the Australian Baseball League - features three pitches, a fastball (92 to 95 mph), slider and split finger change up. Throws his splitter with a Vulcan grip between his ring and index finger, creates good deception, reduction in velocity and downward movement, will throw it often and for strikes. Began 2024 with Reading, was transferred to Jersey Shore on 6/1/24 where he became part of the starting rotation - returned to Reading on 9/12/24. At Jersey Shore he was 5-5 in 14 games (all starts) accumulating 67.2 IP and posting a 2.39 ERA with 70 K’s and 24 walks. At Reading he was 2-1 in 15 games (one start) in 23.2 IP with a 5.32 ERA - 26 K’s and 18 walks. Overall he pitched in 29 games (91.1 IP) with 96 K’s and 42 walks - a 3.15 ERA.
Mitch has also been a previous standout for the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League putting up stellar numbers out of the bullpen in the 2022-2023 season for the league champions. He has been used as both a starter and bulk reliever, his repertoire of pitches and command enable him to throw multiple innings. Mitch pitched collegiate baseball for Phillies Minor League Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert at North Iowa Community College who told me that “Mitch has a good feel for his arsenal. He has a tremendous change-up. We feel he can gain a few ticks on the fastball and be a valuable bulk reliever in the upper levels.”
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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