The following players will begin new assignments on Friday when the affiliate minor league season resumes.
Promotions :
From Clearwater to Jersey Shore :
OF Jordan Viars - 20 years old - drafted in 3rd round of the 2021 draft from Reedy HS, Frisco, TX
In 64 games this season has posted a .252/.355/.491 slash line with a .846 OPS in 265 PA’s with 14 doubles, 2 triples, 12 home runs and 39 RBIs. He’s played a total of 221 games in his career to date with 155 of them as a Thresher. Has big time power - 23 career home runs to date.
We’ve interacted with and watched Jordan since he first arrived and played on the backfields. He’s a very pleasant young man who’s engaging and well liked by everyone. Has terrific family support. Jordan has outstanding power and it’s shown more this season in the numbers. The power stroke has been evident from day one, he’s fun to watch in BP. In his first few years as a pro there’s been some injuries that caused lost time but he’s been able to avoid those the last couple years. This young man works hard, he wants to succeed and from my perspective is a bit too hard on himself in his impatience to do so. He’s a competitor who’s love for the game is obvious when ya watch him play. Isn’t the quickest afoot but has improved a great deal as a corner outfielder since we first saw him, there was a brief attempt to teach him first base and that may return at some point but he’s got skills to stay in the outfield. Has hit some prestigious home runs, the right field berm in Lakewood should be an area that will be a target 🤓.
OF - Pierce Bennett - 23 years old - drafted in 20th round of the 2023 draft from Wake Forest University
In 54 games with the Threshers this season he’s posted a .249/.383/.303 slash line with a .688 OPS in 231 plate appearances. He’s walked 35 times and scored 34 runs. Pierce has been a versatile defender playing 2B, RF and LF.
Pierce is a fun player to watch simply because he’s the epitome of a throwback baseball ballplayer. He’s a guy who knows how to win and will do the little things to do so. Is a guy who’s very likely to have a dirty uniform at games end. He’s the kind of player that every winning team has.
RHP Luke Russo - 23 years old - drafted in 16th round of the 2023 draft from Eastern Michigan University, MI
Has made 15 appearances (14 starts) and thrown 66.2 innings - 88 K’s, 26 walks. Great competitor and has starters stuff, is ready for the next level.
We first met Luke shortly after he signed. He didn’t pitch professionally last season as he threw a lot of innings in college so the initial introduction to pro life was conditioning and review of mechanics. He’s a bulldog type pitcher, will get after hitters and challenge them with his best stuff. Luke is a pleasant young man to chat with, he smiles wide and the eyes light up when he talks about pitching, it’s evident he really loves his job.
RHP Braydon Tucker - 24 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/19/23 - Lipscomb University, TN
Made 15 appearances (nine starts) posting a 2.94 ERA in 64.1 IP with 62 K’s and 13 BB. Finished strong at CW in his last start going six no hit/no run innings striking out six batters.
Braydon has thrown the ball really well this season. He’s an under the radar guy that has really good stuff. Uses a mix of pitches and attacks - is a competitor who’s also very well grounded in his approach. In my interactions and correspondence I’ve found him to be a well thought out person who has a drive and vision on how to succeed. He’s also seemingly very coachable, wants to learn and is receptive to all concepts and teaching. Can fill both a starters role and bulk relief.
From Jersey Shore to Reading :
OF Justin Crawford - 20 years old - drafted in 1st round of the 2022 draft from Bishop Gorman HS , Las Vegas, NV
In 70 games at Jersey Shore has posted a .301/.349/.438 slash line with a .787 OPS - 14 doubles, 4 triples, 6 home runs and 35 RBIs with 21 walks and 27 stolen bases. Justin has all the tools to advance to the major leagues.
One of the first times I saw him in person was shortly after he arrived at the complex after signing in 2022, he was participating in new draftee workouts. There weren’t many folks (maybe five in total) there to watch however one gentleman who was in attendance was an active serviceman visiting from MacDill Air Force Base. He wasn’t necessarily a Phillies fan but told me he was a huge baseball fan. He asked me who were the players on the field and I told him the new draftees. After the workout the players walked by us on their way to the clubhouse. Justin stopped on his own accord and thanked folks for coming out to watch. The gentleman from MacDill engaged him in a conversation, he told Justin it was a thrill to see him play - Justin’s response was telling about him to me - he told the serviceman it was his honor to have him there to watch and thanked him again and for his service. From that point on I knew that the Phillies had signed a good person who was grounded in life - even at such a young age. He’s been that same person ever since, has always been cordial and receptive. He can play baseball really well but he’s also a very sincere young man.
RHP Eiberson Castellano - 23 years old - signed as an international free agent 7/2/18 from Maracaibo, Venezuela
Has pitched in 14 games (12 starts) totaling 63.1 IP with 86 K’s and 20 BB. He’s always been a talent that scouts have highlighted. Went six innings in his last start with Jersey Shore striking out ten batters.
I first saw Eiberson in Fall Instructs of 2021, he was part of a really good group of pitchers brought over from the Dominican Academy. Eiberson has the frame of a big leaguer, strong build. He impressed me early not only with velocity but also with his ability to throw a really good bender (slider/curve). We’ve corresponded as he’s climbed the ladder from there, has a passion to succeed - his time with the Threshers last season being acclimated to a collaborative team environment was very beneficial to him, it made a positive impression. Eiberson’s stat numbers don’t pop off the chart but scouts who’ve watched him are well aware of what he might become. There’s a legit chance to advance to the highest level with continued hard work and focus.
LHP Andrew Walling - 24 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 - Mississippi State
In 30 appearances this season he’s posted an outstanding 1.73 ERA and a 7-0 record as a reliever. Has thrown 36.1 innings and posted 43 Ks and 24 walks - BAA is .161. Has mid to upper nineties FB and a very good slider which is a put away pitch.
First met Andrew shortly after he signed, knew that he had a big arm but sometimes struggled with command and control. The Phillies pitching coaches and support staff are very good at identifying and addressing mechanics and focus. After his first camp and introduction to the pro process Andrew came to 2023 spring camp and turned heads. I had a scout one day flag me down on Carlton Field and ask me to come over to Ashburn Field where Andrew was throwing a live BP. He was amazed when I told him that Andrew was an un-drafted signee because he was popping the mitt mid to upper nineties with movement and also showing a put away slider. The scout told me the Phillies got a steal! Since then we’ve come to know Andrew a bit, he’s driven to excel and sometimes loses patience to get there (as we all do). When he throws strikes he’s very difficult to hit as evidenced by a career .186 BAA. We think he’s got a real chance to advance to the highest level, am anxious to see him perform against more disciplined hitters at the AA level.
IF - Erick Brito - 22 years old - signed as an international free agent 11/29/18 - Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela
Has had a very solid season - .263/.352/. 358 slash line in 276 PA’s with a .710 OPS. Posted 15 doubles 1 triple and 2 home runs with 20 RBIs and 30 walks. Defensively has played 2B, SS and 3B this season.
Erick is the younger cousin of former Phillie Danny Brito. Similar to Danny he plays the game with unbridled passion and fun. He’s got pop in his bat although his numbers don’t reflect that in regard to home run count. Erick is a versatile defender who has shown well at shortstop in particular, he can make all the plays - sometimes loses focus on the routine ones. We’ve watched him progress from extended spring training in 2022 to being brought up to fill a need with the Threshers that season and performing so well he forced his way there as a lineup regular. Erick can turn on fastballs, I remember him doing so in a ST scrimmage against a AAA level pitcher. From my perspective his ticket is versatility - a team oriented role that every club needs and every manager loves to have.
OF Leandro Pineda - 22 years old - signed as an international free agent - 7/6/18 - Valencia, Venezuela
In 78 games (327 PA’s) has posted a .260/.327/.394 slash line with a .721 OPS - 11 doubles, 2 triples, 8 home runs and 45 RBIs. Has earned the promotion - played in 201 games over the past three seasons at Jersey Shore. Defensively has added 1B to his repertoire along with RF - has an outstanding throwing arm.
I’ve been touting Leandro’s skillset since we first saw him in 2021 on the backfields. He’s a very good baseball player who can do a lot of things right. Once again the season numbers aren’t gonna pop out at ya but he’s talented. Has a very strong arm as a right fielder, is an accurate thrower. As a hitter he’s a gap to gap line drive guy who will occasionally pop it out of the park. The Reading right center field alley will likely be his friend albeit perhaps not as much as it would have been before the new clubhouse building behind it cut off some of the wind tunnel effect. Leandro has had runs where he’s shown a skillset that makes ya project a high level future, it’s a matter of finding consistency for a full season. He’s added first base as a defensive position this year. I see the talent here and can tell ya as well he’s a good person - he’s always played at levels as one of the younger players and has handled it well. Will be fun to watch him at AA - has the tools to shine.
Releases : IF/C Leonardo Rondon, IF Esteban Quiroz, C Jose Godoy, OF Baron Radcliff, RHP Matt Russell and RHP Efrain Contreras.
It’s the worst part of the development process when players are informed they have been released. With the 165 player roster limit imposed by MLB and the draft introducing new players to the process many players who may not have been released previously now are. We wish all six young men the best in their future endeavors - we hope that they left with the attitude that as one door closes another one opens.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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