When the Phillies resume play on Friday in Pittsburgh so will their four minor league affiliates in three game weekend series.
Here’s a look at how each affiliate roster and the FCL club presently enters the last portion of the season.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (12-6, 46-45)
The IronPigs entered the break playing very well. Key contributors include infielders Buddy Kennedy (.355/.470/.636/.1.107 in 28 games), Scott Kingery (17 home runs, 45 RBIs, 15 stolen bases) and Darick Hall (9 home runs, 42 RBIs) along with center fielder Cal Stevenson (.301/.406/.485/.891, 18 doubles, 44 walks, 23 stolen bases). Kody Clemens has returned from a stint with the Phillies, in addition to the infield he’s likely to continue to see action in left field. Outfielder Carlos De La Cruz has played six games at the AAA level to date and should continue to be a lineup regular. Outfielder Simon Muzziotti served a rehab assignment with Jersey Shore before the break and will return to AAA duty shortly. Outfielder Matt Kroon will go out on rehab assignment in the near future. Infielder Rodolfo Castro began a rehab assignment today with the FCL Phillies, after a few games a return to LHV to play shortstop where he impressed this spring will likely follow.
The starting rotation will in the interim include Nick Nelson. Others slated as starters are Mick Abel, Kolby Allard, Max Castillo and Freddy Tarnok with David Buchanan and Ricardo Pinto serving in bulk reliever roles. Max Lazar and Tyler Gilbert are the designated closers, Griff McGarry began a rehab assignment with Jersey Shore before the break, he could bump up to Reading to continue that. Newly signed Alan Rangel will either join LHV or Reading from the development center in Clearwater once he’s ready, he began play today with the FCL Phillies. As the AAA roster is highly predicated on what the major league club does it’s probable that players return to LHV from Philadelphia (Rafael Marchán, Michael Mercado) and some move to Philly (Lazar).
International League : Average Age (before the break) - hitters - 26.5 - LHV - 28.3 - pitchers - 27.2 - LHV - 27.5 (Baseball Reference)
Reading Fightins (6-12,37-49)
An influx of new players just promoted from Jersey Shore will take the field on regular occasion for a reinforced Reading roster including twenty year old center fielder Justin Crawford (.301/.349/.438/.787 with 14 doubles, 6 home runs and 27 stolen bases at JS). Outfielder/First Baseman Leandro Pineda (11 doubles, 8 home runs, 45 RBIs at JS) and versatile infielder Erick Brito (.352 OBP, 15 doubles, 14 stolen bases at JS) will garner consistent AB’s. Outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr has played the past couple weeks with the FCL Phillies on rehab assignment and is likely to return to Reading shortly. Otto Kemp is slated as the ongoing regular third baseman - he’s had a productive season over three levels posting 12 home runs with 45 RBIs. He’s a very good all-around player, strong defensively at third base. Of those who’ve played the entirety of the year at Reading first baseman Carson Taylor has been very solid (.289/.383/.489/.872 - 11 home runs, 58 RBIs). Kendall Simmons, Robert Moore, Marcus Lee Sang and Caleb Ricketts should all continue to be lineup regulars.
The starting rotation likely consists of Lachlan Wells, Matt Osterberg, Robinson Pina, Samuel Aldegheri, Jean Cabrera and Eiberson Castellano (just promoted from Jersey Shore) with Noah Skirrow, Konnor Ash, Cristian Hernandez and Carlos Francisco providing multi inning relief. Newly promoted Andrew Walling (from Jersey Shore) will join the back end bullpen crew with Andrew Baker, Tommy McCollum, Daniel Harper, Dominic Pipkin and Andrew Schultz. Wesley Moore is going out on rehab assignment and Tristan Garnett has joined the rehab group at the complex eyeing a possible August return. Power sinker baller Christian McGowan will make a rehab start with Clearwater soon and isn’t far removed from a return to Reading. Lefty Jordan Fowler is also close to returning to active duty - he’s currently on rehab assignment with Clearwater - he spent last season with Jersey Shore but seems as a logical candidate to join the Reading staff when activated.
It’s easily the most talent placed on the Reading roster this season to date.
Eastern League : Average Age (before the break) - hitters - 23.7 - REA - 24.2 - pitchers - 24.6 - REA - 25.2 (Baseball Reference)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws (11-10, 49-38)
The BlueClaws also have an adjusted roster heading into action after the break. New arrivals from Clearwater include twenty one year old outfielder Jordan Viars (14 doubles, 12 home runs, 39 RBIs - .491 slugging percentage) who will garner time as both a DH and corner defender. Pierce Bennett comes up from Clearwater and will make an impact - he works the count (35 walks, .385 OBP) and is a team oriented player. Infielder Trent Farquhar has rehabbed this week with the FCL Phillies coming back from hand surgery and is likely to join JS soon - he had great numbers (.314/.493/.429/.922 in 144 PA’s) at Clearwater before being injured. Trent can defend at 2B,SS and 3B. Aidan Miller is back from the Futures game and some recent lost time to deal with a nagging hamstring issue and will be the ongoing lineup feature at shortstop. The twenty year old has all the tools to succeed including a great outlook.
Nineteen year old William Bergolla has put up very good numbers this season at JS (.290 BA, .351 OBP - 15 stolen bases in 230 PA’s) and has also been solid defensively at second base, he will continue as a lineup regular. First baseman Keaton Anthony has quietly posted outstanding offensive numbers (.370 BA in 15 games with JS - an overall .333/.439/.467/.906 slash line in 236 PAs between CW/JS). Twenty year old outfielder Emaarion Boyd will take an expanded role as the primary center fielder - he’s very good defensively and has come on with the bat as of late (.323 BA, .382 OBP thus far in July) as has catcher Jordan Dissin (.296 BA, .367 OBP in July). The hottest bat in July thus far has been twenty-year old corner outfielder Hendry Mendez (.432/.500/.622) - he will continue as a top of the order lineup regular.
The revamped starting rotation likely includes Braeden Fausnaught, Casey Steward, Luke Russo, Braydon Tucker, George Klassen and Mitch Neunborn. Russo and Steward are newly promoted from Clearwater where both were solid performers - in fact four of this group of six started their year with Clearwater and were key members of the first half Florida State League West Division championship run. Fausnaught has posted a good season to date in fifteen JS appearances (77.2 IP). Expect to see twenty-one year old Wen Hui Pan rejoin the JS staff either in bulk relief or as a starter, big arm. Multi inning relievers include Jaydenn Estanista, Estibenzon Jimenez, Jack Dallas and Paxton Thompson. The later innings will be handled by Gunner Mayer, Trey Dillard, Benyony Robles and Danny Wilkinson. Chuck King started a rehab assignment this week with the FCL Phillies and will re-join the JS bullpen crew at some point.
South Atlantic League : Average Age (before the break) - hitters - 22.2 - JS - 21.5 - pitchers - 23.1 - JS - 23.4 (Baseball Reference)
Clearwater Threshers (7-14,50-37)
Clearwater is already guaranteed post season play by virtue of winning the first half FSL West Division title. Once some of the 2024 signed draftees and un-drafted free agents are acclimated to pro life with a mini camp and playing time in the newly formed “Bridge” Training League they will likely join the Threshers to finish the year and be situated as 2025 opening day CW roster members. I anticipate that center fielder Dante Nori, outfielders Griffin Burkholder, Carter Mathison, infielders John Spikerman, Carson DeMartini, Raider Tello and catcher Kodey Shojinaga will be amongst those chosen along with multiple pitchers.
In the interim expect versatile Bryson Ware to see the majority of innings at shortstop with Diego Gonzalez also garnering time there, both will likely get consistent AB’s at multiple positions. Nineteen year old second baseman Devin Saltiban has had a nice debut season to date with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs while learning a new defensive position, he’s definitely got tools. Nineteen year old Infielder Nikau Pouaka-Grego will continue to accumulate AB’s - it’s the most he’s played since returning from a major knee injury, he looks to finish strong. Outfielder Raylin Heredia (20 years old) will continue as a lineup regular in his first full year of affiliate play - he’s shown flashes of the baseball talent he possesses in a year of learning. Twenty year old outfielder Yemal Flores will also continue to get AB’s - has a ton a power and ability - hopefully blossoms. Nineteen year old Tjayy Walton is back to good health and will see regular playing time, he is also a very powerful hitter.
The starting rotation will include twenty year old Mavis Graves (he’s had a great year - 98 K’s in 65.2 IP, 3.15 ERA in 14 appearances) albeit innings management will be factored. Nineteen year old Enrique Segura along with Micah Ottenbreit will remain in the rotation with Danyony Pulido, Jonathan Petit, Brandon Beckel, Jonh Henriquez and Jake Eddington all probable starters/bulk relievers. Jose Pena Jr has had a very solid year in multi inning relief and will continue there along with Ethan Chenault who’s been productive as well. Drew Garrett and Luis Avila have the later innings with Saul Teran as the primary closer. We can expect to see some of the new signees interspersed as well along with some fellas coming up from the FCL.
Florida State League : Average Age (before the break) - hitters - 21.0 - CW - 21.2 - pitchers - 22.1 - CW - 22.3 (Baseball Reference)
Florida Complex League Phillies (28-24)
The FCL regular season concludes on 7/25 - the Phillies have a fighter’s chance to still earn a playoff spot with seven games left to play. Standout performers include seventeen year old catcher Eduardo Tait (.316/.377/.509/.886 - 199 PA’s - 13 doubles, 6 HR, 46 RBIs - outstanding throwing arm) and eighteen year old shortstop Starlyn Caba (.436 OBP in 211 PA’s - 36 stolen bases - gold glove defense). Before a combination of injuries cost him lost time nineteen year old infielder Aroon Escobar slashed .338/495/.481/.976 in 104 plate appearances. Catcher Alirio Ferrebus impressed (.324 BA in 10 games - 37 AB’s) before suffering an ankle sprain this week. Catcher Guillermo Rosario (9 doubles, 4 HR, 26 RBIs), outfielders Junior Marin (.310 BA, 3 HR’s, 17 RBIs), Jerffson Pena (.281/.379/.447/.826 in 132 PA’s - 8 doubles, 3 HR’s & strong defense in CF), Manolfi Jimenez (3 HR, 12 RBIs) Ezra Farmer (.295 BA, .413 OBP in 75 PA’s) and infielders Rickardo Perez (.290/.362/.462/.824 - 5 HR, 22 RBIs), Nolan Beltran (.398 OBP in 98 PA’s, 3 HR) and Juan Villavicencio (.351 OBP in 168 PA’s, 6 doubles, 3 triples - very strong arm - middle infield) have all had shining moments.
From my perspective pitchers Juan Amarante (2.70 ERA in 14 appearances - 5 starts - 40.2 IP) and Pedro Reyes (3.32 ERA in 10 appearances - 6 starts - 40.2 IP) have stood out with Josbel Garcia (3.62 ERA - 12 games - 27.1 IP) and Adilson Peralta (3.33 ERA in 14 games - 27 IP) having shining moments. Alexis De La Cruz has perhaps the best pure stuff but needs to harness control and command, when he does he dominates. Orlando Gonzalez has pitched well but also battles throwing strikes consistently. Note that the statistics are prior to today’s game.
After the FCL season concludes some players may move to the Threshers, some will join the new draft class as teammates in the Bridge Training League.
Florida Complex League : Average Age - hitters - 19.3 - PHL - 19.3 - pitchers - 20.7 - PHL - 20.6 (Baseball Reference)
Just my opinions and thoughts for whatever they’re worth (not much 🤓).
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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