Phillies vs Blue Jays @ Dunedin @ 1:07 PM - Split Squad
Lineup :
Trea Turner 6
Brandon Marsh 8
Bryson Stott 4
Max Kepler 7
Rafael Marchan 2
Kody Clemens 3
Gabriel Rincones Jr 9
Cal Stevenson DH
Rafael Lantigua 5
Taijuan Walker RHP
Minor League Call-Ups : - note that these players are reserves (may not play)
Pitchers : Carlos Francisco, Wesley Moore, Braeden Fausnaught, Konnor Ash
Catchers: Luis Caicuto, Jared Thomas
Infielders : Trent Farquhar, Erick Brito
Outfielders : Hendry Mendez, Leandro Pineda, TJayy Walton
Notes on today’s minor league callups :
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.
Catcher Jared Thomas - 24 years old - 2023 15th round draft pick - Loyola Marymount University - played in games at three levels in 2024 - Clearwater (39 games), Jersey Shore (7 games) and Lehigh Valley (4 games) - is an excellent defender, perhaps the best overall defensive receiver in the minor league system. Began the 2024 year in extended spring camp due to an injury - would have likely been assigned to Jersey Shore opening day roster otherwise. Offensively has shown patience at the dish, willingness to accept walks. Strong plate discipline was a remark made about him in Baseball America’s pre draft profile. Is a left handed hitter which is always a plus for the catching position in a potential tandem role. Played his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Miami before transferring to Loyola Marymount where he became the primary catcher.
INF Erick Brito - 22 years old - signed as an international free agent 11/29/18 - Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela - played at two levels in 2024 - 70 games with Jersey Shore and 41 with Reading (promoted 7/16/24). Overall hit .243/.319/.326 with 22 doubles, 2 home runs, 30 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 437 plate appearances. Played defensively at 2B, SS and 3B in 2024 but has also played 1B and all three outfield spots. Erick has made a steady progression in his pro career playing initially in the Dominican Summer League for two seasons before advancing to Clearwater in 2022 where he was the primary shortstop. In 2023 he began at Clearwater as the primary second baseman, was promoted to Jersey Shore on 6/13/23 and played mostly shortstop thereafter for the BlueClaws. We have seen him play all four infield spots, has shown good defensive skills and has made some spectacular plays as well, good range and decent arm wherever he plays. Offensively has shown some pop, will generally give a good plate appearance each time, battles and has delivered some key hits. He will surprise you with his power, we’ve seen him turn pitches around quickly and deep beyond the fences. Plays hard and smart baseball, knows how to win.
INF Trent Farquhar - 24 years old - 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.
OF/1B 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.
Hendry Mendez - 21 years old - acquired in trade with Milwaukee Brewers 11/14/23 for infielder Oliver Dunn - was signed by Brewers as an international free agent on 1/15/21 from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - played the entire 2024 season at Jersey Shore - was selected as the August organizational hitter of the month when he posted a .352/.452/.535 slash line with a .988 OPS in 84 PA’s with 25 hits, 16 runs scored, 6 doubles, 2 triples, a home run and 7 RBIs - walked 12 times and struck out just 7 times. Overall he hit .284/.386/.391 in 373 plate appearances with 19 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs and 41 RBIs - struck out and walked 52 times. Excellent bat to ball skills, eye hand coordination and ability to hit to all fields. Power will come - big frame, was in this year’s High Performance Camp. Just twenty one years old but coupled with his time in the Brewers organization has already accumulated over 500 AB’s at the High A level - is ready to move up to the AA level and new challenges. Hendry is an average runner but has a plus arm - he can handle right field - had some injury issues in 2024 that limited his defensive time - was DH’d in 43 of the 90 games he played in - pleasant young man, big smile - LH hitter - big frame at 6’3” - when he adds more pop to his offensive game could put himself into a position that gets folks attention. Won’t turn 22 till next November.
TJayy Walton - 20 years old - 2023 4th round draft selection - IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL - was a lost year to injuries in 2024 for TJayy as he battled leg ailments - spent the majority of the summer at the Complex working with the rehab team - appeared in just 40 games with the FCL Phillies and Clearwater Threshers and never really got on track in 159 plate appearances. Has big power and is very physically fit - good size at 6’3”. RH hitter and thrower. When I’ve seen him play he’s shown glimpses of what might be - athletic enough to play center field but likely lands in a corner - hits the ball hard when he puts it in play - power will come as he matures and swing further develops, just needs reps to establish what type of hitter he’s gonna become.
Pitchers :
RH 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.
RH Carlos Francisco - 25 years old - 2019 28th round draft selection - Hillsborough CC, Tampa, FL - appeared in 41 games with Reading in 2024 accumulating 54 innings with a 5.17 ERA - 52 K’s and 32 walks. Carlos has proven to be a workhorse reliever over his career. He also pitches winter league baseball in Puerto Rico before heading to spring camp including this past winter when he posted a 1.17 ERA in 21 appearances (23 IP) for league champion Mayaguez. Features a fastball (92-95 mph, reached 97), splitter (changeup) and slider, a power pitcher approach. From my perspective he’s always been a pitcher that’s intrigued me, an under the radar type that is attempting to make a path to the show by performing at a steady pace. He has a strong demeanor and work ethic and a sneaky fast heater offset by a splitter that’s got swing and miss qualities. Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert : “An interesting bullpen arm that made strides in both his strike throwing and walk prevention but also his splitter usage. It can be a very effective pitch when ahead in the count to both handed hitters. He has a unique delivery that gives him some deception advantage.”
LH Wesley Moore - 25 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 11/9/22 - Kansas State University - opened the ‘24 season with a return to Jersey Shore (after making 25 appearances there to end 2023 - 1.91 ERA) and continued to dominate (9 appearances - 2.61 ERA). Was promoted to Reading on 5/7/24 - after three appearances was placed on the IL on 5/19/24 - returned to Jersey Shore on rehab assignment on 7/20/24 (made 3 appearances) and then activated by Reading on 7/30/24 where he finished the year making 16 appearances at the AA level - in his last nine games (9 IP) did not allow a run and only four hits while striking out seven batters. Wesley attended and played for Vauxhall High School in Vauxhall, Alberta, Canada as well as the Team Canada Junior National Team, pitched in the 18U World Cup as a teenager. He features a sinking fastball (sits in the 92 to 94 mph range) curve and changeup with the change being a plus pitch, it is a swing and miss delivery. He has repeatable mechanics and a very good speed differential with the change-up off the fastball. His release point and arm speed are aligned on all of his pitches, hides the ball, making it difficult to distinguish the various pitches out of his hand. Pitched in the Arizona Fall League appearing in 6 games (5.2 IP).
LH Braeden Fausnaught - 25 years old - signed as un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 - West Chester University, West Chester, PA - It was a whirlwind 2024 season of baseball for Braeden. He pitched for the Adelaide Giants in December of ‘23 into January of ‘24 in the Australian Baseball League producing a 4-2 regular season record along with a 2.53 ERA in 10 games (32 IP) helping the club win it’s second consecutive league championship (Braeden also pitched in two post season games - 4 scoreless frames). He broke spring training camp in March of ‘24 as a member of the High A level Jersey Shore BlueClaws and went 8-3 in 19 appearances (18 starts) recording a 3.65 ERA in 98.2 IP with 90 K’s and 32 walks. On 8/13/24 he was promoted to AA Reading and finished the season making five starts (27.1 IP) posting a 3.27 ERA with 32 K’s and 8 walks for the Fightins. From December thru September (Adelaide,Jersey Shore & Reading) he accumulated 162 innings pitched while posting a 14-8 win loss record and a 3.36 ERA with 159 strikeouts and 60 walks. He is a battler on the mound - features a low 90’s fastball, cutter, slider and change-up - a pitch to contact hurler who produces outs with mix, consistency of delivery and arm slot along with good differentials in both pitch shape and velocity. A throwback to the “crafty left hander” description. He’s not intimidated by any situation and has both started and pitched in bulk relief. He told me this past summer “my biggest learning as a pro is that you are never out of a count and making pitch to pitch adjustments is huge. I try to take it one pitch and game at a time and make the right adjustments as needed.”
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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