Two key members of the 21-6 Clearwater Threshers have been promoted to the High A level Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Catcher/First Baseman Caleb Ricketts and RHP Orion Kerkering have joined the BlueClaws in Greensboro for this week’s action.
Orion Kerkering was named the April minor league pitcher of the month in the organization and posted a 0.00 ERA and 0.29 WHIP in 9 games (10 1/3 IP) with 18 strikeouts 😳 against just one walk, one hit batter and two hits allowed while at Clearwater this season. He recorded one hold and four saves, opposing hitters hit a meager .061 against him, dominance in its truest form. Orion (pronounced O Ryan) features three outstanding pitches, a fastball (both sinker & four seamer) that sits in a range of 97 to 100 mph and a wipeout slider that ranges from 87 to 89 mph but also has elite spin rates ranging from 2,800 rpm’s to over 3,000. Orion was the Phillies 5th round draft selection in the 2022 draft from the University of South Florida. He’s 22 years old.
Caleb Ricketts leaves Clearwater amongst the leaders in the Florida State League in multiple categories. His .379 batting average (33 for 87) is currently third in the league. He’s fifth in slugging percentage (.552) and seventh in OPS (.954). His 22 RBIs is third, 33 hits are second and 8 doubles are third. Caleb was the Phillies 2022 7th round draft selection from the University of San Diego. He is 22 years old and is a left handed hitter.
In addition Catcher Ryan Leitch and RHP Jonathan Petit have been promoted to Clearwater from the Player Development Center.
Congrats to all the young men on their well deserved promotions!
Photos by Rebecca Alexander
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