The Phillies are promoting five minor league players to the next level of play. Infielder Otto Kemp and catcher Andrick Nava move from High A Jersey Shore to AA Reading while shortstop Aidan Miller, RHP George Klassen and catcher Luis Caicuto move from Low A Clearwater to High A Jersey Shore.
Otto Kemp is 24 years old and has been a key cog to the BlueClaws offense this season. He was signed as an un-drafted free agent on 8/1/22 from Point Loma Nazarene College in Point Loma Nazarene, CA (San Diego). Otto was named as the Phillies minor league hitter of the month for May posting a .337/.453/.581 slash line in 106 PA’s - 1.034 OPS with 7 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs and 13 RBIs. He walked 15 times and scored 19 runs. In 202 plate appearances this season (Clearwater & Jersey Shore) he posted a .348/.460/.573 slash line with a 1.033 OPS - 10 doubles, 6 triples, 5 home runs and 25 RBIs with 24 walks and 10 stolen bases. He’s played first base, second base, third base and right field this year and is an excellent defender particularly at third base. He played a total of 72 games at Jersey Shore (31 last year and 41 this season). Otto leaves Jersey Shore as a South Atlantic League league leader in multiple categories - 1st in batting average (.333) and OBP (.440), 2nd in triples (5), 6th in slugging (.533), 6th in runs (35) and 3rd in OPS (.973).
Andrick Nava is 22 years old and was signed on 7/2/18 from Cabimas, Venezuela as an international free agent. He’s improved a great deal defensively since we first saw him play on the backfields in 2019 in the then Gulf Coast League. Andrick has always shown the ability to hit - this season he’s posted a .314/.388/.490 slash line with a .878 OPS in 121 plate appearances at Jersey Shore with 7 doubles, a triple, 3 home runs and 21 RBIs. This past winter Andrick played in Australia for the ABL champions Adelaide Giants as their primary receiver. He’s got a great personality and has earned his promotion by playing in 117 games for Jersey Shore over three seasons beginning in 2022 as a twenty year old.
Aidan Miller just turned 20 years old yesterday and is the number one draft choice of the Phillies (27th overall) from the 2023 draft from Mitchell High School in Trinity, FL. He’s played exclusively at shortstop for the Threshers this season and has proven more than capable of handling the position. Offensively Aidan has posted a .275/.401/.483 slash line in 182 plate appearances with an OPS of .884. He’s hit 16 doubles and 5 home runs, has 26 RBIs, 26 walks and 10 stolen bases. In total he played 49 regular season games as a Thresher (10 last season) amassing 226 plate appearances - he’s a pure hitter and gamer who’s more than ready for the next level. Aidan leaves the Florida State League as the league leader in doubles, 13th in batting average, 6th in OBP, 2nd in slugging and 2nd in OPS.
George Klassen is 22 years old and is the 6th round draft choice of the Phillies in the 2023 draft from the University of Minnesota. He’s dominated his appearances as a Thresher - in 9 starts George has posted a 0.71 ERA in 38 innings pitched worth a 0.87 WHIP - 57 K’s and only 12 walks, opponents are hitting .160 against him. George is a high velocity hurler who’s fastball is upper nineties to over 100 mph. In a previous spotlight article on him Minor League Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert told me “He has both a four seamer and a two seamer. The two seamer has a little bit of arm side movement, which helps him vs right handed hitters. He has a curve ball which is more of a power slurve and a slider that flys more like a hard cutter. George wants to be great. He continues to learn and grow every day, from how he prepares for each start to learning his craft as a pitcher.” George indeed has the tools to be great, a new level awaits him.
Luis Caicuto is a 21 year old that was taken in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft this past off-season from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He was originally signed by Arizona on 7/2/19 from Lecheria, Venezuela. Luis is bilingual and is a leader behind the dish, he’s shown very strong defensive skills as a Thresher and a take charge, can do approach. He’s a very good thrower with a quick release and has thrown out 16 of 66 would be base stealers (24 %). Offensively he’s posted a .244/.338/.325 slash line with a .663 OPS in 143 plate appearances with 10 doubles, 19 RBIs and 12 walks. Luis is a career .272 hitter in 287 plate appearances - this will be his first experience at the High A level as was his time at Clearwater his first time playing full season baseball.
Congratulations to all five very deserving young men - we wish them continued success at their new level of play.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Written by The Joke 🤪
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