The Phillies contingent will be part of the Glendale Desert Dogs. This year the organization has nine players on the team.
RHP Christian McGowan
LHP Tristan Garnett
LHP Wesley Moore
RHP Wen Hui Pan
RHP Griff McGarry
INF Otto Kemp
OF Gabriel Rincones Jr.
SS Bryan Rincon
C Jordan Dissin
Coach : Greg Brodzinski
Trainer : Meaghan Flaherty
Glendale Desert Dogs: Cardinals, Dodgers, Phillies, Reds, White Sox
Mesa Solar Sox: Angels, Athletics, Cubs, Rays, Red Sox
Peoria Javelinas: Braves, Brewers, Mariners, Marlins, Padres
Salt River Rafters: D-backs, Nationals, Rockies, Twins, Yankees
Scottsdale Scorpions: Blue Jays, Giants, Mets, Pirates, Tigers
Surprise Saguaros: Astros, Guardians, Orioles, Rangers, Royals
Here are some notes on the players, coach and the trainer selected.
Christian McGowan - 24 years old - 7th round draft selection (2021) - Eastern Oklahoma State JC
Notes - Spent the majority of the 2023 year at the complex with the rehab team returning from TJ surgery. This season opened the year later (activated by Reading 4/17/24) after spending time in extended spring working thru some shoulder discomfort. Was placed on the IL on 5/9/24 and didn’t return to the mound till 7/5 on a rehab assignment with the FCL Phillies. Was activated by Reading on 7/25/24. He totaled 40.1 innings this season in 14 appearances (11 starts). Competes with passion, plays hard, gets after it - fun to watch. The arsenal - four seam and sinking fastball (sits in a range of 92 to 96 mph - flashes higher), slider and change-up. Has the talent to perform at the upper levels and in the show. His sinker is a pitch of intrigue, coupled with the four seamer and hard slider it provides three out pitches with the changeup being another potential put away, particularly to left handers. No one will outwork this young man, he’s got a down to earth, no frills, straight at ya, get it done persona who’s easy to root for. He is Rule 5 eligible for the first time this off-season - this will be his second stint in the AFL as he went last season (2023) and made four starts - 17 IP, 3.71 ERA, 1.647 WHIP, 12 K’s, 7 walks.
Tristan Garnett - 26 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/20/21 - Cal State Dominguez Hills
Notes - Release point comes on a downhill plane, he’s 6’6” - put away pitch is his changeup, excellent deception from the same arm slot as the heater and no slowing of his arm motion. We’ve seen the fastball up to 94 mph, generally in the 91 to 93 mph range. Tristan will also throw a cutter and slider to keep batters honest, has the look, moxy and stuff of a big leaguer. He made six appearances in this year’s big league spring training (4 IP, 2.25 ERA, 6 K’s) and was assigned to Reading to open the season. Went on the IL with a medical issue in early July after experiencing a rare bad outing on 7/5 where he was tagged for four runs in just 2/3 of an inning. We caught up with him at Carpenter Complex after he was put on the 60 day IL and the issue had been addressed, same upbeat persona we’ve come to admire and respect. Afterwards returned to action - a couple rehab appearances with Clearwater and then activated on 9/4/24 with Reading. Was promoted to Lehigh Valley for the last week of the year and appeared in one game throwing a scoreless frame. Is Rule 5 eligible for the first time this off-season. One of the nicest young men we’ve met and is highly respected by teammates in the organization.
Wesley Moore - 25 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 11/9/22 - Kansas State University
Notes : opened the ‘24 season with a return to Jersey Shore (after making 25 appearances there to end 2023 - 1.91 ERA) and continued to dominate (9 appearances - 2.61 ERA). Was promoted to Reading on 5/7/24 - after three appearances was placed on the IL on 5/19/24 - returned to Jersey Shore on rehab assignment on 7/20/24 (made 3 appearances) and then activated by Reading on 7/30/24 where he finished the year making 16 appearances at the AA level - in his last nine games (9 IP) did not allow a run and only four hits while striking out seven batters. Wesley attended and played for Vauxhall High School in Vauxhall, Alberta, Canada as well as the Team Canada Junior National Team, pitched in the 18U World Cup as a teenager. A scout from another organization who saw him a lot as an amateur said that Wesley impressed as a strong competitor who seemingly always shined in big moments, no fear, that’s carried thru as a pro. He features a sinking fastball (sits in the 92 to 94 mph range) curve and changeup with the change being a plus pitch,it is a swing and miss delivery. He has repeatable mechanics and a very good speed differential with the change-up off the fastball. His release point and arm speed are aligned on all of his pitches, hides the ball, making it difficult to distinguish the various pitches out of his hand.
Wen Hui Pan - 21 years old - signed as an international free agent 1/15/23 - Hualien, Taiwan
Notes - Was injured early in the year and placed on the 60 day IL on 3/20/24 with a broken bone in his hand. Spent the majority of the summer at the complex working with the rehab team. Went on rehab assignment 6/21/24 with the FCL Phillies and then Clearwater before being re-activated by Jersey Shore on 7/19/24. Made 14 appearances with the BlueClaws (21 IP) and posted a strong 1.29 ERA with 22 K’s. Pan has focused on a three pitch mix, a fastball (96 to 100 mph), splitter and slider. He’s got an easy motion, starts in the stretch, one side step, a rock and fire delivery. The fastball has great life and movement and has often dominated hitters. He features the splitter as a secondary. Needs to get innings under his belt - has pitched mostly in bulk relief but could be considered for a starting role next spring.
Griff McGarry - 25 years old - 2021 5th round draft selection - University of Virginia
Notes - has worked thru mechanical changes the past couple seasons to try to find a consistent release point and arm slot. When he maintains a pitch path and stays linear to his target he has the mix to be a major leaguer, the battle has been to do so - when he struggles both control and command are the problem - rarely gets hit hard - walks are the primary issue. Switched to a full time reliever this season and focused on throwing a four seamer (95-97 mph) and cutter occasionally mixing in his slider and changeup. He’s made progress but has also been inconsistent - made 29 appearances with Lehigh Valley this year posting a 4.55 ERA in 29 appearances (30.2 IP) with 40 K’s and 36 walks - is rule 5 eligible for the first time this off-season. Competing against highly regarded prospects and performing well should earn him a 40 man roster spot.
Otto Kemp - 25 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 from Point Loma Nazarene University in California
Notes - began the year on the IL with an oblique strain - was placed on rehab assignment with the Threshers in early April and played five games there before joining Jersey Shore where he posted a .333/.440/.533 slash line and .973 OPS in 182 plate appearances. Was promoted to Reading on 6/11/24 - at the AA level he hit .258/.353/.476 with an .829 OPS with 60 hits in 273 plate appearances - 38 runs scored, 12 doubles, 3 triples, 11 home runs, 39 RBIs and 23 walks. Promoted to AAA Lehigh Valley on 9/6/24 - overall for the season in 123 games had 216 total bases, 126 hits, 82 runs scored, 24 doubles, 9 triples, 16 home runs and 66 RBIs - drew 52 walks, stole 20 bases and posted a .285/.392/.489 slash line and .881 OPS in 529 plate appearances. Throughout his career to date he has been an on-base machine showing patience at the plate and a willingness to accept walks while also being a reliable run producer. Can drive the baseball, particularly into the gaps however we’ve also seen the ability to take the ball out of the yard. Gives a professional effort in each plate appearance. Defensively he learned to play second base after diligent work in practice beginning with efforts shortly after signing however he excels at third base, makes spectacular plays there. Strong arm and great instincts. Good all around ball player.
Gabriel Rincones Jr. - 23 years old - 2022 3rd round draft selection - Florida Atlantic University
Notes - opened the season with Reading on a tear hitting .300 in 50 AB’s and posting a .417 OBP with four home runs in 13 games - suffered a thumb injury which required surgery and was placed on the 60 day IL on 4/25/24. Spent the next couple of months at the complex working with the rehab team - served a rehab assignment with the FCL Phillies from 7/5/24 till being re-activated by Reading on 7/19/24. Posted solid numbers with Reading - .263/.357/.487 slash line in 258 plate appearances with 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 29 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. We saw him in BP for the first time in 2022 Fall Camp - ball absolutely flies off the bat with easy power - left handed hitter who drove multiple baseballs over the right field fence on Roberts Field that day and some into the tree line before the hill bank that leads up to Route 19. He has a “pretty lefty swing” using an old baseball term - no wasted motion and direct thru the ball. Has the ability to drive the baseball to all fields. Played in the Arizona Fall League last season becoming a league all-star posting a .293 batting average and .416 OBP in 101 plate appearances. Confident in his abilities, won’t be intimidated by any situation. He’s a good defender, plays primarily right field, smart player. Strong frame who’s a team leader, major league skill set.
Bryan Rincon - 20 years old - 2022 14th round draft selection - Shaler Area HS, Pittsburgh, PA
Notes - missed the majority of the season with hamstring injury playing in just 35 total games and just 28 defensively at shortstop. Is an outstanding fielder who has also shown the ability to drive the baseball out of the yard as a switch hitter although we’ve seen most of that pop as a left handed hitter. Is very athletic and is a base stealing threat when healthy. Is a very smart player with good eye-hand coordination - will take his walks - selective approach at the plate. Has all the tools to play at the highest level as a shortstop - needs to get game reps at this point to make up for lost time.
Jordan Dissin - 22 years old - 2022 12th round draft selection - Saddleback JC, Saddleback, CA
Notes - played the majority of the season with Jersey Shore - promoted to Reading on 9/6/24 for the last week of the season. Is an outstanding thrower - threw out 33 of 108 base stealers during the year. Offensively has pop (hit 9 home runs this season) -had a very solid month of June hitting .300 with a .375 OBP showing the ability to get on base consistently - is a clutch hitter - drove in 41 runs - many in key game situations. Big frame who provides a good pitch target behind the dish, calls a decent game and has solid defensive mechanics. Will get a chance to play a bit in the AFL as the catching spot is thin on the Glendale roster - look for him to shine.
Athletic Trainer - Meag Flaherty - served as Athletic Trainer for Reading this season and with Jersey Shore in 2023 - was Assistant Athletic Trainer with Lehigh Valley in 2022 - was the Athletic Trainer for the Clearwater Threshers in 2021 and the FCL Phillies the year prior. Graduate of the University of Massachusetts - Amherst with a Masters of Science in Athletic Training from Bridgewater State University.
Greg Brodzinski - finished his second consecutive year as Jersey Shore BlueClaws manager and was named the South Atlantic League Manager of the year - served in 2022 as bench/third base coach for AAA Lehigh Valley -prior to that spent two seasons as a bullpen catcher/catching coach with the major league team. He had previously coached at Williamsport and Reading. Greg was drafted by the Phillies in the 18th round of the 2015 draft. He played one season before switching over to coaching for the 2016 season. He’s a very hard worker and has a great baseball mind.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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