Phillies vs Orioles @ Sarasota @ 1:05 PM
Lineup :
Trea Turner 6
Bryson Stott 4
Max Kepler 7
Edmundo Sosa 5
Brandon Marsh 8
Kody Clemens 3
Rafael Marchan 2
Oscar Mercado 9
Johan Rojas DH
Jesus Luzardo LHP
Minor League Call-Ups : - note that these players are reserves (may not play)
Pitchers : Konnor Ash, Gunner Mayer, Emmanuel Mejia, Paxton Thompson
Infielders : Felix Reyes, Diego Gonzalez, Bryan Rincon, Robert Moore
Outfielder : Matt Kroon, Troy Schreffler
Catcher : Lou Albrecht, Luis Caicuto
Notes on today’s minor league callups :
Catcher Lou Albrecht - 23 years old - signed 7/21/23 as an un-drafted free agent - Central Arizona JC, Coolidge, AZ - played sparingly in 2024 appearing in 13 games with the Clearwater Threshers. He played in the 2025/2025 Australian Baseball League as part of the Phillies contingent on the Adelaide Giants. Prior to playing for Central Arizona he attended and played for Washington State University. Lou is from Renton, Washington and attended Kentridge High School. He was ranked as the No. 1 catcher in Washington by Perfect Game while in High School.
Catcher Luis Caicuto - 22 years old - selected in the minor league portion of the 2023 Rule 5 draft from the Arizona Diamondbacks - was signed by Arizona on 7/2/19 from Lecheria, Venezuela - he began the 2024 campaign as the primary catcher with Low A Clearwater before being promoted to High A Jersey Shore on 6/11/24. Defensively he’s well rounded and has displayed a quick release and strong accurate arm. He’s shown coaches a great work ethic and always brings energy to the field. Luis played for the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League this winter.
1B Felix Reyes - 23 years old - signed as an international free agent 2/22/20 - Bani, Dominican Republic - Felix is a right handed hitter with enormous strength and power, when he connects the ball goes a very long way. We’ve now seen him play four seasons after he first arrived at Carpenter Complex in 2021. He’s a big fella at 6’4” - foot speed is a challenge however we’ve seen him make multiple athletic plays. It would be a mistake to label him as a “DH type”, he transitioned to third base nicely in 2023, has a decent arm and quick instincts. It’s that sound when a powerful hitter squares the ball up that gets ya off your feet to see how far it went that remains the intrigue, Felix has that capability. The challenge ahead is maintaining consistency, can’t teach the power and strength he possesses. He’s also a favorite amongst his teammates, upbeat and a great attitude. In 2024 with Jersey Shore he posted a .243/.280/.375 slash line in 353 plate appearances with 19 doubles, 8 home runs and 50 RBIs. He played 27 games at third base and 45 at first base during the season. Played winter ball in the Colombian League.
INF Diego Gonzalez - 21 years old - signed as an international free agent 7/2/19 from Barquisimeto, Venezuela - began the 2024 season in extended spring camp and then with the FCL Phillies - selected to Clearwater Threshers on 5/30 - played in 44 games with Threshers - 152 plate appearances - .265/.362/.394 with 6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs and 21 RBIs. Was transferred to AAA Lehigh Valley as a fill-in for four games - finished the season with Jersey Shore - 9 games. Defensively played mostly third base but also saw time at second base and shortstop. Played winter league baseball with the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League.
OF Matt Kroon - 28 years old - 2018 18th round draft selection - Oklahoma State University - after electing free agency he re-signed with the Phillies this off-season. Matt lost a good bit of time in the 2024 season due to injuries - he played in just 80 games for AAA Lehigh Valley and posted a .251/.325/.441 slash line in 280 plate appearances with 14 doubles, 11 home runs, 38 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He’s a versatile defender who played exclusively in the outfield during 2024 (18 games in CF, 43 games in LF and 15 games in RF) but he’s also played a good amount of time at both 1B and 3B - it’s that versatility that makes him a valuable player on any team he’s on. Matt has above average speed and a short swing. He’s a diligent worker who is a baseball rat, gets after it and loves to play.
OF Troy Schreffler - 24 years old - 2022 15th round draft pick - University of Maryland - played for Jersey Shore in 2024 - .227/.296/.396 slash line in 285 plate appearances with 11 doubles, 4 triples, 8 home runs and 39 RBIs - stole 23 bases. Is a very good defender who can play all three outfield spots - in ‘24 he played in 21 games each in left and center and 34 in right field. Is another speedster in the organization - gets good reads and is a heady base runner - decent pop.
INF Robert Moore - 22 years old - acquired in trade with Milwaukee Brewers for Oliver Dunn 11/14/23 - was the Brewers 2022 CB-B round draft pick - University of Arkansas - played in 107 games (435 plate appearances) for Reading in 2024 posting a .240/.323/.364 slash line with 20 doubles, 9 home runs, 41 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Walked 39 times and struck out in 73 plate appearances. Defensively played 61 games at shortstop and 41 at second base. Has a high baseball IQ, plays smart baseball, good hands and shows patience as a hitter, generally won’t get himself out. He’s the son of Dayton Moore - former President of KC Royals.
INF 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. He will sub in at shortstop tomorrow.
Pitchers :
RH Paxton Thompson - 25 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent - 8/4/23 - University of Charlotte - before pitching for Charlotte he pitched a year at the University of Mary (North Dakota) and a year at Bradley University. Started the 2024 season with Clearwater - 19 appearances - 3.62 ERA in 27.1 IP with 30 K’s and 9 walks - promoted to Jersey Shore on 7/1/24 - was excellent at High A - 1.64 ERA in 16 appearances (22 IP) with 23 K’s and just 6 walks - had a 0.95 WHIP. He’s a strike thrower who can pitch two inning stints (did so in 15 of his 34 games) - throws a cutter, sinker (90-93 mph), slider and change up.
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 Gunner Mayer - 24 years old - 2019 5th round draft selection - San Joaquin JC, Stockton, CA - converted to a reliever in 2024 after being a starter during his first four seasons - spent most of this past year with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws - 41 appearances - 52.2 IP (4.10 ERA) with a 3-3 record and 4 saves in five chances - 68 K’s and 36 walks - promoted to Reading on 9/10/24 - appeared in two games - one unearned run in two innings pitched - 4 hits, no walks and 4 strikeouts. Gunner converted to pitching in junior college after primarily playing shortstop in high school - he’s developed a lively pitch mix. Raw stuff has upper level potential, command and control have been issues to conquer. The fastball sits in a range of 90 to 94 mph - also throws a change up, slider and curve. Gets scouts attention with stuff, if combining it with increased pitch-ability that provides the potential to reach the top. One who can throw multiple innings in his outings.
Konnor Ash - 26 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/20/21 - University of Missouri - has a big breaking curve ball and a deceptive delivery - hides the ball really well - seems to come from behind his front knee with arm slot and leg kick. The full arsenal is a fastball (sits in a range of 90 to 93 mph), change up, curve and occasional slider. Primary off speed pitches are the curve and change up, gets a really high arm extension and release point bringing the baseball from a downward plane path, very effective for the curve and change up in particular. Will take the baseball every day - very durable. Just might find a niche in a big league bullpen where he can utilize his arsenal and delivery to contribute. Is a bulldog competitor - won’t scare or back away from pressure situations. Konnor had a nice year with Reading in 2024 appearing in 35 games (10 as an opener) accumulating 63.2 IP and posting a 3.53 ERA with 66 K’s.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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