Before the 2020 season began I wrote a series of articles on select minor league players of interest. Now that 2021 Spring Training is seemingly upon us ( although I am still skeptical given the Covid conditions here in FLA ) I thought I’d revisit highlighting a few of the fellas.
I’ll begin with one of my favorites ( yeah I know ... they are all my favorites 🤦♂️🤓 ) LHP Jeff Singer.
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Signed as an Undrafted Free Agent 10/15/15 - Rutgers-Camden University ... 27 years old
I remember meeting him for the first time at the Complex during extended spring camp in 2016. Jeff’s a local Philly product and first impressions were a big fastball with put away stuff. Subsequently I’ve gotten to know his dad, a ballplayer/pitcher himself still in a men’s amateur league in New Jersey. The Singer family are lifelong Philly fans and very passionate in their support of Jeff ... I used to kid that if I wanted to bump up “likes” on my Phillies Facebook page all I had to do was write about Jeff 🤓.
During June of 2016 he was assigned to a roster, Williamsport to start with and had a very good first year posting a 1.79 ERA at three levels of play in 23 games ( 40 IP - 46 K’s -12 BB ) ... ending the season with Advanced A Clearwater.
2017 was another strong season beginning with Clearwater and ending with a promotion to Reading. Jeff suffered some arm fatigue and soreness during 2018 ST camp ... he began the year with Clearwater before eventually being bumped back up to Reading and ending the season with four games at AAA Lehigh Valley.
Jeff had a very good 2019 season at Reading with a 7-0 record and a 2.34 ERA in 61.2 IP with 74 K’s and 22 walks ... he has worked diligently at developing his secondary pitches ( change up & slider ) to go along with what can be a dominant FB - natural lefty tail.
He’s got a deceptive delivery with a full arm extension from behind his body, hides the baseball well and it seems to jump out of his hand. In 2020 spring training he struck out the side in a perfect inning in one of two big league game appearances ... overall he’s pitched in seven Grapefruit League games with appearances each year from 2017 to 2020 and has yet to yield a run in 6 IP with 8 K’s and 1 BB allowing just 1 hit. He was also a participant in the 2020 Alternative Camp at Lehigh Valley.
At the least Jeff would seem destined to be part of the 2021 Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs bullpen but those of us who’ve watched his development believe that he is very capable of being a contributor at the big league level.
There’s no better story than having a local kid pitch for his hometown team ... with a mid 90’s FB along with a “Philly attitude” and competitive spirit all he needs is the opportunity ... I’m a believer he will excel when the chance presents itself !
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
