The second annual MLB sponsored Spring Breakout games will continue today, the Phillies will host the Pirates in their version of the event at BayCare Ballpark in a 1 PM contest.
As one who covers Phillies player development on a daily basis it makes me very happy to see the spotlight shine on these fellas on a broader scale. I’ve written and profiled, at some point, about each and every player on this year’s roster so won’t go into great detail on anyone here as I do that pretty much as a routine. I will, however, offer some thoughts and details about today that perhaps those less familiar won’t have.
Pitchers :
Both Andrew Painter and Mick Abel are on the roster but neither will pitch in the game. Andy is on a planned slow ramp up to his season. Mick threw earlier this week in Fort Myers in a Grapefruit League game. Moises Chace has also previously been in a slow ramp-up due to a lack of off-season opportunity to build his arm back up - however he has now progressed to a point where he’s able to start today’s game, will be fun to watch. Casey Steward has had very solid camps (Winter HP, Mini Camp and Minor League ST) and will pitch today, he’s a name to take note of - velocity is up and he’s a bulldog on the mound. Jean Cabrera who is coming off a strong season at Jersey Shore/Reading will pitch in today’s game. I’m excited for Alex McFarlane who’s back to competing after a year of work with the rehab team returning from TJ surgery, the ball has been coming out of his hand really well in the live BP’s I’ve watched, he’s slated to pitch in the game today as well. Aaron Combs has been a strong addition to the player development roster, acquired from the White Sox organization this off season in a trade he’s being built up as a starter and will see action in today’s game. Mavis Graves had a solid season at Clearwater last year as a starter, the lefty is scheduled to pitch in the game today as well. Daniel Harper is someone I’ve been touting all winter and spring - the hard throwing reliever will see action today.
Luis Avila is a back end reliever who’ve also been in all of the camps held to date - he has big arm capabilities that would be fun to see in the contest, recently popped 99 mph with the heater. Gunner Mayer also earned a spot in the game with his camp performances to date, is throwing with a lot of confidence. Micah Ottenbreit has been a starter thus far in his career - he spent the entire 2024 season in Clearwater and has also been in all the camps, knows how to pitch and is in his second season back from TJ surgery. Griff McGarry has the tools to be a big leaguer but consistency in both command and control have hindered his path, can’t teach the big arm talent he has though so am hopeful he can get on track. The hidden gem on the roster just may be 19 year old Brad Pacheco who’s been limited by injuries to date to just five games (17 IP) last summer in the Dominican Summer League - the young man has electric stuff with high octane - am eager to see him this summer in his first time stateside. He’s on the roster today but is not expected to pitch in the contest.
Catchers :
I recently wrote a spot light article (https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/2-27-25-four-catchers-framing-upwards ) on both Eduardo Tait and Alirio Ferrebus - teenagers with a very bright futures. Eduardo is a legit prospect at the very young age of eighteen, he’s an exciting player to watch, especially as a hitter - can flat out rake. Ferrebus is a name folks will come to know more as well this summer, the nineteen year old has excellent tools in his own right. Caleb Ricketts was on the initial roster but suffered a concussion in practice this past week and thus is in protocol - he’s being replaced by Jordan Dissin who’s coming off a decent season at Jersey Shore/Reading and a stint in the Arizona Fall League.
Infielders :
Aidan Miller is a shortstop, plain and simple - he’s continually proven that in his brief career, fresh off his first big league camp invitation.
The twenty year old has the all around tools to be an impact player in the show at the premium position, just a matter of patience, development and time. Bryan Rincon is a slick glove at shortstop but also has some pop, he showed that in a recent Grapefruit League game in which he tripled. From my observations I categorize Otto Kemp, Keaton Anthony and Carson DeMartini as “professional hitters” - they each have great approaches, quick hands, solid mechanics and the ability to drive the baseball. Anthony was a gold glove winner last summer in the minors, Kemp is rock solid at third base and DeMartini can handle three infield spots, he may just be having the best minor league camp of anyone to date including hitting a dinger in a Grapefruit League game. Aroon Escobar and Devin Saltiban are both twenty year old second basemen with big thunder in their bats, each can turn on pitches and hit them a very long way. Aroon showed the Philly faithful what he can do by hitting a rocket home run on the first pitch he saw in recent Grapefruit League action along with making a great play in the field, he can also play third base.
Outfielders :
Justin Crawford is coming off a very solid first appearance in big league camp, he played right field for the first time, saw action in left for just the second time (the only other occasion was in last spring’s Breakout game against the Tigers) and made an outstanding diving catch as a center fielder. The kid can play, is noticeably bigger than when we first met him as was expected as he grows into his frame - also works his tail off with a smart and dedicated plan. Folks can worry all they want about him lifting the ball as a hitter, I’m not one of them - with his speed and capabilities and further development including swing adjustments he’s on target to be a big leaguer who can impact games. Just sayin. We’ve also touted Gabriel Rincones Jr in the past, he showed in big league camp this spring the power impact he can deliver - very confident and capable player. Both Dante Nori and Griffin Burkholder impress each day I watch them progress, Dante has adjusted his hitting approach via the tutelage of Phillies coaches in camps this past fall and winter - he’s impacting the baseball with even more authority. Burkholder has all the tools to excel, his BP sessions are really cool to see, well schooled and very talented, it’s gonna be fun to see them both in the Clearwater Thresher’s outfield this summer. Griffin unfortunately recently tweaked his hamstring a bit and as a precaution will not play in today’s game - he’s been replaced on the roster by TJayy Walton who’s an exciting up and coming power bat. TJayy battled the hamstring injury bug himself last season and was limited in action however he’s now ready to go. Hendry Mendez has had outstanding camps to date this winter/spring - the twenty-one year old is hammering the baseball with power that some had previously had concerns was there - I can attest that it’s there as I’ve witnessed each day I’ve seen him hit this year - the young man has already shown very strong bat to ball skills - another “professional hitter” type - from what I’ve seen I think there’s also double digit home run capacity, that makes him very interesting indeed - another just sayin 🤓.
Should be a fun game to watch, especially for folks not so familiar with these players on the rise.
By the way there are five former Phillies minor leaguers on Spring Breakout rosters of other organizations - Starlyn Caba (Miami), Hao-Yu Lee (Detroit), TJ Rumfield (NY Yankees), George Klassen (LA Angels) and William Bergolla (Chicago White Sox).
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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