Phillies vs Orioles @ Clearwater @ 1:05 PM
Lineup :
Kyle Schwarber 7
Trea Turner 6
Bryce Harper 3
JT Realmuto 2
Max Kepler DH
Nick Castellanos 9
Edmundo Sosa 4
Otto Kemp 5
Oscar Mercado 8
Ranger Suarez LHP
Minor League Call-Ups : - note that these players are reserves (may not play)
Pitchers : Jonah Dipoto, Emmanuel Mejia, Mitch Neunborn, Andrew Bechtold
Infielders : Keaton Anthony, Aroon Escobar, Aidan Miller, Erick Brito, Luis Verdugo
Notes on today’s minor league callups :
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.
2B 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. 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.
SS Aidan Miller - 20 years old - 2023 1st round draft pick - Mitchell High School, New Port Richey, FL - 2024 was the first full professional season for Aidan and he played at three levels (Clearwater - 39 games, Jersey Shore - 58 games, Reading - 5 games). He posted a .261/.366/.446 slash line in 462 plate appearances with 28 doubles, 6 triples, 11 home runs and 60 RBIs, 56 walks and 23 stolen bases. Aidan has shown the ability to turn pitches around with authority along with strong bat to ball skills, is a smart hitter who gives a competitive AB each time he’s in the box. He’s also played good defense at shortstop and has convinced everyone who has watched him perform there that it is the position where he belongs. He’s shown baseball instincts, a strong arm, solid range and a good glove, multiple scouts have told me they believe he projects as a major league shortstop. He is a diligent worker - a baseball gym rat who takes great pride in his work - he told me this summer in regards to his fielding “For me I like to do some kind of glove work everyday, whether it’s double play feeds or cuts and relays. I like to prepare for the game knowing I’ve done some kind of fielding practice before it starts.”
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 Luis Verdugo - 24 years old - signed as a minor league free agent 12/12/24 - was in the Chicago Cubs organization prior to electing free agency. He was signed by the Cubs as an international free agent on 7/2/17 from La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Luis played the 2024 season at the AA level for the Tennessee Smokies and posted a .257/.313/.328 slash line in 447 plate appearances with 21 doubles, 2 home runs and 42 RBIs. Defensively he played all four infield positions but primarily saw time at third base. In his minor league career he’s played in 456 games making 1,824 plate appearances and has a .246/.311/.358 slash line with 94 doubles, 26 home runs and 207 RBIs. He also played in the Mexican Winter Pacific League this year for Tomateros de Culiacan and hit .286/.320/.471 in 77 plate appearances with 5 doubles and 2 home runs. He’s noted as a solid hitter with a selective approach who can hit to all fields - has been known as a streaky hitter. He’s given good grades as a fielder with good footwork and soft hands along with a plus arm - noted for excellent athleticism.
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 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.
RH Andrew Bechtold - 28 years old - signed a minor league free agent contract with the Phillies on 1/31/25. He is from Glenn Mills, PA and attended Garnett Valley High School where he was a 2014 graduate. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 37th round of the 2014 draft but enrolled at the University of Maryland instead where he received a medical redshirt his freshman year. The following season he was the Terrapins starting third baseman. In 2017 he transferred to Chipola JC in Florida where he hit .419 in 60 games. The Minnesota Twins drafted him in the 5th round of the 2017 draft and he signed. Bechtold played primarily third base in the Twins organization from 2017 to 2023 but also saw time at catcher, first base and second base. In 2023 he converted to a two way player pitching in 20 games at the AAA level (18 IP) while also making 502 plate appearances as a hitter. He was in the Twins organization till December of 2023 when he was signed as a free agent by the Blue Jays. Andrew converted to a full time pitcher in 2024 with the Blue Jays as a reliever making most of his 33 appearances (29) at AA New Hampshire before finishing the season at AAA Buffalo.He has a four seam fastball that’s 97-100 mph, it averaged 97.1 last season. Also a new cutter that’s 90-93 and then a slider which was his best pitch last year as far as swing and miss which is 87-91.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Note : I've partnered with Fanatics on Phillies Merchandise - if you would like to help support my website and articles here's a link to order merchandise - I get a small commission on any sales - thanks for the support.