The break camp roster consists of 17 pitchers, 4 catchers, 6 infielders and 4 outfielders.
Pitchers : 17
Starters :
A six man rotation with interchangeable parts is the norm for the A level of play. Bulk relievers often have an impact on the six game sets each week and some weeks they even move into the weekly starter log. With that being said I believe that seven pitchers will be in the mix of starters/bulk relievers to open the season for Jersey Shore.
Aaron Combs (23 yrs old) came to the Phillies via a trade with the White Sox on 1/1/25 - he was a back end reliever in college for the national champions at the University of Tennessee and his younger brother Ryan is on the squad there this year. The Phillies saw a starter’s mix this spring in Combs with his four pitches - he has a “Nola like” curve ball which we saw in camp and were impressed with. Casey Steward (21 yrs old) also had an impressive spring camp, he earned a spot in the 3/14/25 Breakout game and posted 98 mph with his fastball that day, he later told me it was an adrenaline rush but his velocity has indeed consistently been on the rise. Casey pitches with intensity and features a four pitch mix, he’s an innings eater on the verge of a big season who very likely bumps up to Reading before year’s end. Alex McFarlane (23 yrs old) is returning to game action after missing all of last season working back from TJ surgery - he regularly hit 99 mph with his fastball this spring, an innings limit will likely be imposed on his first year’s return total. Lefty Mavis Graves (21 yrs old) moves up a notch from Clearwater where he started sixteen of his eighteen appearances in 2024, also moving up a notch is Micah Ottenbreit (21 yrs old) who started 19 games for Clearwater in 2024 - both young hurlers pitched in the Spring Breakout game - Ottenbreit came into a bases loaded no out jam and stranded all three runners in the 6th inning. Luke Russo (24 yrs old) and Braydon Tucker (25 yrs old) return to Jersey Shore, Russo appeared in seven games (six starts) for the BlueClaws after being promoted from Clearwater on 7/16/24 - he made 14 starts with the Threshers. Tucker made 8 starts with Jersey Shore after his 7/16/24 promotion after making 9 of his 15 Clearwater appearances as starts - both Russo and Tucker pitched very well for the BlueClaws last season.
Relievers :
Big arm relievers are throughout the organization and Jersey Shore will also have their share. Luis Avila (21 yrs old), Augusto Calderon (24 yrs old) and Andrew Baker (24 yrs old) are all capable of posting triple digits while Jaydenn Estanista (23 yrs old) and Tommy McCollum (25 yrs old) are upper nineties capable. Ethan Chenault (23 yrs old) and Drew Garrett (24 yrs old) have put away breaking pitches but also sit mid nineties with their four seamers. Estibenzon Jimenez (23 yrs old), Paxton Thompson (25 yrs old) Brandon Beckel (23 yrs old) are capable multi inning, multi day hurlers.
Catchers : 4
Jordan Dissin (22 yrs old) returns for his second opening day with Jersey Shore, he played in 78 games with the BlueClaws in 2024 before finishing the season with Reading and then participating in the Arizona Fall League. Luis Caicuto also returns to the BlueClaws for a second year, the 22 year old was promoted from Clearwater on 6/11/24 and played in Australia this off-season, he’s a very good defender. Jared Thomas (24 yrs old) played most of his 2024 season with Clearwater but also filled in at Jersey Shore and Lehigh Valley - he’s perhaps the best defensive receiver in the minor league system. Luke Davis (22 yrs old) was signed as an un-drafted free agent on 7/29/24 from Long Beach City College - he’s yet to play in an official minor league game however he’s impressed with his hitting in practices and receiving skills earning him an opening day spot at High A - he can also play first base.
Infielders : 6
The primary starting infield is likely Eduardo Lopez (22 yrs old) at first base, he was taken in the minor league rule 5 draft this past December from the Red Sox organization and can play first base as well as all three outfield spots. Devin Saltiban (20 years old) will be the second baseman, he’s perhaps the most athletic player in the minor league organization and has big time power as he’s shown repeatedly this spring and last season with Clearwater (17 home runs). Bryan Rincon (21 yrs old) returns to Jersey Shore after an injury riddled 2024, he did finish the year in the Arizona Fall League and has been a very productive hitter this spring including going 3 for 9 (.333) with a double and triple in Grapefruit League action. Third base is likely manned most nights by Carson DeMartini (22 yrs old) who’s had a very impressive spring camp including two home runs in Grapefruit League play and one more in the Spring Breakout game. Both Bryson Ware (24 yrs old) and Zach Arnold (23 yrs old) can play all four infield positions and the outfield, their versatility and hitting ability will garner multiple AB’s each week.
Outfielders : 4
Dylan Campbell (22 yrs old) was acquired in a trade with the Dodgers this off-season for cash considerations, he’s a very capable defender at all three spots and is known for a compact line drive swing, we saw that this spring. Raylin Heredia (21 yrs old) projects as a corner but is athletic and is able to play center field as well, he’s a power bat. Pierce Bennett (23 yrs old) and Jordan Viars (21 yrs old) both return for a second stint at Jersey Shore - both are strictly corner defenders, each has pop.
That’s the camp breakout roster - best wishes for a successful year all around.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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