4/13/25 : Phillies Minor Leagues : week in review (4/7 - 4/13)

International League (AAA) : Lehigh Valley (11-4)

The IronPigs went 4-2 against Syracuse at home in less than ideal weather conditions. On the pitching side of the equation RH Seth Johnson had another good outing on Thursday going five solid innings allowing just one run, in his three starts so far this season he’s posted a 1.88 ERA over 14.1 IP with 17 K’s and 7 walks. When I chatted with him in ST he said he hoped at some point this season for an opportunity to redeem his initial major league appearance last year when he got hit around, if he continues to pitch like he has thus far he’s certainly high on the depth chart should a need arise. RH Alan Rangel also had a strong outing this week - on Wednesday he went five shutout frames with seven strikeouts and no walks, the sneaky fast hurler impressed me in spring camp, I didn’t realize till I saw him up close how quick his fastball is. RH Mick Abel made one bad pitch to former Phillies minor leaguer Joey Meneses in his start on Saturday and it resulted in three runs, Mick threw well otherwise in my opinion in five innings of work - he and catcher Garrett Stubbs seem to click (I don’t think Stubbs gets enough credit for his skillset and baseball acumen). Relievers Joel Kuhnel and Nicholas Padilla threw well in appearances this week as did newcomer Brett de Geus and big arm Guillo Zuniga.  All are potential big league help if needed. RH Nabil Crismatt pitched six scoreless frames on Sunday allowing just one hit while setting a new career high for strikeouts with nine.

Generally this season the top of the order features Justin Crawford, Otto Kemp and Gabriel Rincones Jr. The IronPigs version of the DayCare group has done well to date. Crawford had two multi hit games this week, Rincones hit two doubles and two home runs while Kemp also had two multi hit games, two doubles and a home run and posted a .480 OBP (12 for 25) for the week. Garrett Stubbs had another solid week (.438 OBP - 7 for 16), the young man plays the game the right way, he’s become a clubhouse presence and team leader. Unfortunately first baseman Carson Taylor was transferred to the 60 day IL with a torn labrum, surgery will be required, we wish the very pleasant young man a full recovery, it’s a big loss to the lineup as he’s a very good hitter.

Eastern League (AA) : Reading (3-6)

Reading also battled the weather elements along with their opponents in Somerset, NJ as they went 3-3 in the week of play against the Yankees affiliate.

Second baseman Trent Farquhar has been the leadoff hitter in all nine games this season and he’s been on base consistently - this week he was on base 14 times (5 hits, 9 walks) in 27 plate appearances (.519  OBP).

On the pitching side Griff McGarry had another excellent outing as he went four no hit, no run innings on Saturday showing a great slider that was a put away pitch, mixed his pitches well - FB generally in the 93-95 range from what I tracked - hit 97 at least once - the composure and ability to stay square to his target consistently stood out - I watched him this spring and it was similar to last year where he fell off to the side and couldn’t command or control the deliveries - what a difference the first two outings (8 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 13 K’s) with Reading have been as a starter so far - whomever decided to make him a starter again is looking like a freaking genius 🤓 - the decision was made later in camp and he’s not fully stretched out which explains the lower pitch counts in the two appearances but so far it’s been lights out - really fun to see and watch!  RH Eiberson Castellano had an excellent  outing on Wednesday going three perfect frames in relief posting five strikeouts - he’s building up to a starter’s role as he spent the spring with the Minnesota Twins pitching out of their bullpen as a Rule 5 consideration - had an outstanding curve ball (his signature pitch) this week.

South Atlantic League  (High A) : Jersey Shore (3-6)

Jersey Shore went 2-4 at home hosting Aberdeen (Orioles affiliate). Cold and rainy elements were part of the playing conditions - after a Saturday double header concluded Jersey Shore broadcaster Greg Giombarrese made me giggle with one the most appropriate lines I’ve heard to end the weather enduring marathon - he said “thank god it’s over.” 🤓

RH Casey Steward had another strong start going four innings on Thursday allowing one unearned run on three hits - in his two outings to date he’s pitched nine innings allowing just the one run - I thought he pitched really well in Minor League Mini Camp and ST - wouldn’t have surprised me if he broke camp with Reading instead of Jersey Shore - a continuance of his first two outings will get him there sooner than later. RH Tommy McCollum has overpowered hitters in his three relief outings to date including two this week - he’s posted two saves in 3.1 IP with a 0.00 ERA and 0.30 WHIP and is pushing for a return to Reading. Right hander Luke Russo pitched well in a three inning relief appearance yielding one run - he is starting the year as a tandem reliever (coupled with Alex McFarlane) with extended innings expected. RH Aaron Combs opened two games (6 IP, 2 R - 1 earned) in the series pitching on Tuesday and Sunday.

Outfielders Raylin Heredia (6 for 14, 5 RBIs), Zach Arnold (4 for 11) and Pierce Bennett (5 for 15) had good weeks in an otherwise offensively challenged series for the BlueClaws.

Florida State League (Low A)  : Clearwater (6-3)

Clearwater went 4-2 during the week hosting Daytona (Reds affiliate). Weather was great in sunny Florida.

Catcher Eduardo Tait clubbed three home runs in the series and drove in five runs - “easy power” is how Threshers broadcaster Josh Sperber described him. The 18 year old, as we’ve stated here many times, is legit. So is 20 year old teammate infielder Aroon Escobar who went 7 for 19 for the week with seven runs scored, two doubles, a home run and nine RBIs. He’s hitting .345 (10 for 29) in the early going. Outfielder Carter Mathison belted two home runs against Daytona while infielder Raider Tello went 7 for 19 with a walk off double on Sunday and outfielder Joel Dragoo 5 for 16.  Catcher/First Baseman Kodey Shojinaga was 4 for 9.

On the pitching side a fella named Ranger Suarez pitched three scoreless innings in a rehab start on Thursday while another fella named Andrew Painter returned to affiliate action with an appearance on Friday - he popped upper nineties on the gun. Lesser known fellas Jose Pena Jr (3 perfect IP on Wednesday - 6 K’s - best I’ve seen him throw and another perfect frame on Sunday to earn a W), Jake Eddington (3 scoreless innings- 1 hit, 5 K’s on Wednesday) and Gabriel Barbosa (3.1 IP, 0 R, 4 H on Saturday) had strong outings during the week. Another lesser known fella named Sam Highfill had an outstanding outing going 3.1 scoreless frames on Thursday allowing just one hit while striking out eight - the 24 year old un-drafted free agent from NC State had a strong spring camp and has carried that into the season - in his first two appearances he’s pitched 7.1 IP posting a 1.23 ERA with 11 K’s and just 1 walk - the right hander is garnering deserved attention. RH Ryan Degges also deserves a shout out - he pitched three solid innings on Saturday striking out seven. RH Reese Dutton made two appearances during the week working 8.2 innings allowing three runs on eight hits - ate up some important innings in two games the Threshers won.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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