I’ve entitled this series “Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes” and will break down the presentations into defensive categories. I intend to offer notes on every player I watched perform this past season that finished the 2022 season with the organization.
The initial set of articles was on catchers - we chatted about 18 receivers and posted three articles. The next group was on Infielders - we chronicled 40 different players broken down into five postings. I will list below the article links to the catchers and infielders notes previously published if ya missed them.
The next group of articles is Outfielders - I’ll discuss 36 different players broken down into five postings ( alphabetical order ) :
Group One : Jorge Bonifacio, Emaarion Boyd, Chris Burke, Jared Carr, Justin Crawford, Carlos De La Cruz, Jefferson Encarnacion - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-21-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-outfielders-part-one
Group Two : Ezra Farmer, Cade Fergus, Yemal Flores, Wilfredo Flores, Jorge Garcia, Yhoswar Garcia, Dalton Guthrie, Darium Gutierrez - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-22-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-outfielders-part-two
Group Three : Raylin Heredia, Dakota Kotowski, Matt Kroon, Marcus Lee Sang, Simon Muzziotti, Jhailyn Ortiz, Jerffson Pena - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-23-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-notes-outfielders-part-3-happy-thanksgiving-tomorrow
Group Four : Dustin Peterson, Leandro Pineda, Baron Radcliff, Felix Reyes, Gabriel Rincones Jr, Albert Rodriquez, Johan Rojas
Group Five : Ricardo Rosario, Troy Schreffler, Chris Sharpe, Gavin Tonkel, Jordan Viars, Justin Williams, Ethan Wilson
So we continue - the fourth article in the series on outfielders - note that speed will be a predominant theme when discussing the outfielders ⚾️🤓.
Dustin Peterson - 28 years old - Birthdate : 9/10/94 - acquired via trade with Brewers 4/19/22 for cash - This Fan’s View - hit 22 doubles, 9 home runs and drove in 47 runs in 437 PA’s with Lehigh Valley. Provided middle of the lineup support. The 2nd round draft selection of the Padres in the 2013 draft out of high school was a steady lineup presence. 2023 Projection - elected minor league free agency
Leandro Pineda - 20 years old - Birthdate : 6/4/02 - signed as an international free agent - 7/6/18 - Valencia, Venezuela - This Fan’s View - played half the season as a teenager and held his own with Clearwater and Jersey Shore ( promoted 8/25/22 ). Had a solid month of July posting a .278 batting average and .363 OBP with Clearwater in 79 AB’s. Tied for second in the organization with seven triples - has good speed. Left handed hitter and thrower - solid corner defender. Has a bit of a buggy whip swing which generates speed but also leaves holes for swing and misses. Angular build - 6’1” frame - room for growth and strength - was in Fall Instructs and follow on Strength & Conditioning camp. Just looks like a ball player - plays hard and does most things right - wants to improve, will work to do so. 2023 Projection - likely starts the year with Jersey Shore however a return to Clearwater for more AB’s not out of the question - still a very young player.
Baron Radcliff - 23 years old - Birthdate : 2/9/99 - 2020 5th round draft selection - Georgia Tech University - This Fan’s View - lefty hitting power potential is very evident - came to fruition in August when he hit 8 of his 17 home run total for the season with Jersey Shore. Hit .347 that month with a .430 OBP ( 8 HR, 24 RBIs ) in 75 AB’s - was named organization player of the month. Reverted to his college swing he used when he was named All ACC, simplified approach with shorter drive thru the ball. Has tremendous strength and can go yard in Yosemite even with a short swing. Is a decent corner defender - we’ve seen a couple wall jumps to rob the opposition of extra bases. Although we’ve corresponded since he first signed got to meet him for the first time in this year’s Fall camp at the complex - has an imposing frame ( 6’4” ) but a great smile - good dude. If can stay consistent with the approach and provision contact regularly has a good chance to reach the top rung. We can see that happening. 2023 Projection - likely breaks spring camp headed to Reading - would like to see him get some Grapefruit League AB’s as well.
Felix Reyes - 21 years old - Birthdate : 3/26/01 - signed as an international free agent - 2/22/20 - Bani, Dominican Republic - This Fan’s View - right handed hitter - enormous strength and power - when he connects the ball goes a very long way. The primary development needs are consistent contact & pitch recognition. Felix, like most power bats, tends to get long in his swing and stride - he’s a big fella at 6’4” and seemingly ( at least when we’ve seen him ) does well when he can extend the arms but opposing hurlers tend to pound him deeper inside, especially early in counts, and then get him to dive at pitches away. The physical tools are imposing - defensively he’s gotten better as a first baseman where he splits his time with the outfield being primary, foot work and understanding of the position is far improved from when we first saw him there in 2021 FCL play. Has a decent arm in the outfield but foot speed is a challenge in regards to range - likely a left fielder at higher levels. It’s just that sound when a powerful hitter squares the ball up that gets ya off your feet to see how far it went that remains the intrigue - key question is can he be taught to use those tools to become a consistent threat. Can’t teach the strength he possesses. 2023 Projection - targeting a full season assignment in spring camp.
Gabriel Rincones Jr - 21 years old - Birthdate : 3/3/01 - 2022 3rd round draft selection - Florida Atlantic University - This Fan’s View - has yet to play in a professional game - went on the IL after signing - played with a torn labrum his last season in college and still pounded 17 doubles and 19 home runs with a .346 average and .451 OBP in 288 PA’s. We saw him in BP for the first time in 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 and some into the tree line before the hill bank that leads up to Route 19. We approached him thereafter and told him it was both fun and exciting to watch - what we saw is a pure hitter - can drive the ball to any field - did so with authority repeatedly. The ball pops off the bat - has a “pretty lefty swing” using an old baseball term - no wasted motion and direct thru the ball. It was only BP and I’m not usually one to get worked up over BP sessions but we saw him in a few sessions and all were impressive. We have a feeling that the young man is gonna rake when he gets into games. 2023 Projection - when he’s given the green light physically may head initially to Clearwater but if what we project comes to fruition he will be in Jersey Shore soon thereafter. Hitting tool will carry him up the ladder.
Albert Rodriquez - 19 years old - Birthdate : 12/11/02 - signed as an international free agent 11/25/19 - San Pedro de Marcoris, Dominican Republic - This Fan’s View - angular build allows him to move quickly - Albert has decent speed but also has some pop as well - we were there for his first pro home run this summer in FCL action - in fact made the long trek beyond the left field fences of Roberts Field to retrieve it for him on a very hot day - this old man just about passed out 🥵. He had a strong month of June to start the FCL season ( .441 OBP in 32 PA’s ) but tailed off thereafter and with the new draft and free agent signing arrivals played sparingly in August. Defensively played all three outfield spots although saw most of his time in center field - good first step to the ball off the bat. What we saw in June was of intrigue - hopefully future play is of that sort. 2023 Projection - a return engagement in extended spring and the FCL could be on the docket.
Johan Rojas - OF - Birthdate : 8/14/00 - signed as an international free agent - 1/18/18 - San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic - This Fan’s View - the mercurial young man from San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic swiped 75 bases this season between High A Jersey Shore , AA Reading and the Arizona Fall League - was caught only 5 times. Johan is an outstanding defender in center field, there’s seemingly no fly ball he can’t get to and he also has an exceptional throwing arm. Routes and reads off the bat are top drawer. Offensively he generally makes hard contact and has shown the ability to drive the ball however hitting is the part of his game that is the improvement focus, more discipline and better pitch selection - his outstanding eye to hand coordination allows him to get his bat on pitches most cannot which is sometimes a hindrance. There’s not a lot of patience in his current approach as he’s a very aggressive hitter. Had a strong Arizona Fall League hitting .310 with a .423 OBP in 52 PA’s - stole 13 bases in 13 attempts. Turns singles into doubles with his wheels. He plays with an unbridled passion and flare - something ( the flare ) that may not be as welcomed by “traditional” baseball folks. He brings an energy to the field just with his presence, to me that’s a great thing to have on any team. Was added to the 40 man roster on 11/15/22 - can be a special player, we felt that the first time we saw him play in the GCL at the complex and had our initial chat - very pleasant and likable young man. 2023 Projection - will be in big league spring training - thereafter likely returns to Reading to start the season as the everyday center fielder.
Top to bottom ( left to right ) - Dustin Peterson, Johan Rojas, Leandro Pineda, Gabriel Rincones Jr, Felix Reyes, Albert Rodriquez & Baron Radcliff - photos by Mark Wylie, Michael Dolcemascolo & Cheryl Pursell
Prior Reports - Catchers & Infielders :
Catchers :
Group 1 : Jack Conley, Arturo DeFreitas, Jordan Dissin, Vito Friscia, Herbert Iser and Ryan Leitch. - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-9-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-catchers
Group 2 : Rafael Marchan, Nick Matera, Adony Mejia, Andrik Nava, Rickardo Perez & Jackie Pertuz - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-10-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-catchers-part-two
Group 3 : Anthony Quirion, Caleb Ricketts, Leanardo Rondon, Donny Sands, Gustavo Sosa & Micah Yonamine - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-11-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-catchers-part-three
Infielders :
Group One : Matt Alifano, Alexeis Azuaje, Jamari Baylor, William Bergolla, Erick Brito, Johan Camargo,Ali Castillo, Chad Castillo - article posted 11/14/22 - link - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-14-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-infielders-part-one
Group Two : Aldrem Corredor, Aroon Escobar, Diego Gonzalez, Sal Gozzo, Jonathan Guzman, Darick Hall, Lou Helmig, Otto Kemp - article posted 11/15/22 - link - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-15-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-infielders-part-two
Group Three : Scott Kingery, Hao Yu Lee, Casey Martin, Nick Maton, Freylin Minyety, Cole Moore, Yairo Munoz, Josh Ockimey - article posted 11/16/22 - link - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-16-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-infielders-part-three
Group Four : Nikau Pouaka-Grego, Ty Penner, Wendell Rijo, Brian Rincon, Daniel Robertson, Jehisbert Sevilla, Kendall Simmons, Marco Soto - article posted 11/17/22 - link - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-17-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-infielders-part-four
Group Five : Madison Stokes, McCarthy Tatum, Will Toffey, Nicolas Torres, Randy Vasquez, Kevin Vicuña, Uziel Viloria, Rixon Wingrove - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-18-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-infielders-part-five
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