4/6/25 : Phillies Minor Leagues : First Two Week’s Review
- Steve Potter
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
International League (AAA) : Lehigh Valley (7-2)
After going 2-1 against Scranton Wilkes Barre in their home opening weekend of play (3/28 - 3/30) the Iron Pigs went 5-1 in Rochester this past week. Solid pitching performances from the starters to date include a six inning scoreless effort by Mick Abel on 4/5 in which he struck out seven batters while walking none, two very solid outings by Seth Johnson (9.2 IP - 3 runs allowed) and two one run outings in a double header sweep on 4/3 by Kyle Tyler and Allan Rangel. Nasbill Crismatt bounced back from a subpar performance in his first start against Rochester earlier in the week with a five inning one run effort on Sunday.
Offensively the top of the order has been a key component thus far - Otto Kemp has three home runs along with a double and triple with seven RBIs in his first 42 plate appearances. He’s shown defensive versatility as well having already played 1B,2B and 3B. Catcher Payton Henry has two doubles and two home runs in 26 PA’s with eighth RBIs while catching partner Garrett Stubbs has posted a .412 OBP in 17 plate appearances. First baseman Carson Taylor got off to a smoking hot start going five for seven with two doubles and a home run before an injury set back put him on the IL. Veterans Christian Arroyo (ten hits) and Oscar Mercado (nine hits) have driven in fourteen combined runs to date. Gabriel Rincones Jr has two doubles, a triple and a home run in his first 31 AB’s and speedster Justin Crawford has ten hits in 35 AB’s including a triple and four stolen bases in his first eight games played.
Eastern League (AA) : Reading (0-3)
Outfielder Hendry Mendez continued his hot hitting from spring training by going three for nine in the initial three games with four walks for a .571 OBP. Aidan Miller and Paul McIntosh hit the first two home runs of the season, McIntosh posted four RBIs in two games played.
Right hander Jean Cabrera had a good outing as the opening day starter going 4.2 innings yielding one run on two hits. The bullpen however has struggled with the exception of Daniel Harper (1.2 scoreless innings) and Andrew Walling (struck out the side in a perfect frame) - Manager Al Pedrique had to use outfielder Cade Fergus as a pitcher in game one in a blowout loss. On Sunday two very strong pitching performances were turned in - RH starter Griff McGarry was outstanding - a perfect four innings with eight strikeouts landing 38 of his 55 pitches for strikes. LH Braeden Fausnaught threw 4.1 innings in bulk relief allowing just two hits while striking out five batters, some shaky fielding behind him resulted in three unearned runs.
South Atlantic League (High A) : Jersey Shore (1-2)
Bryan Rincon had a strong spring camp and has carried that into his first three games going four for thirteen with a double and four stolen bases. Carson DeMartini has drawn five walks in his first thirteen plate appearances and has a .615 OBP. Raylin Heredia had two doubles in three at bats in his first game action on Sunday.
Right hander Casey Steward was excellent as the opening day starter (5 scoreless innings - one hit allowed) with Tommy McCollum pitching a perfect ninth inning with two punch outs to close out the win. RH Luke Russo pitched well in bulk relief in game two (4 IP, 1 R, 3 H). LH Mavis Graves struck out seven batters in three innings of work on Sunday allowing one run on two hits.
Florida State League (Low A) : Clearwater (2-1)
RH Sam Highfill pitched well as the opening day starter going 3.2 innings allowing one run - closer Titan Hayes threw a perfect inning in his initial outing with two strikeouts and earned his first save in his second appearance striking out two more batters in an inning of work, Hayes has been upper nineties with his fastball in both outings. RH Ryan Degges pitched very well on Sunday in bulk relief going three scoreless frames allowing only one hit.
Aroon Escobar came out of the gate strong going three for ten continuing his hot hitting from spring camp. Kodey Shojinaga is four for twelve with two doubles while Brady Day is four for ten. Eduardo Tait is five for fourteen with two doubles and three RBIs. Dante Nori has a .400 OBP in his first fifteen plate appearances.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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