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 - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/11-25-22-annual-phillies-minor-league-player-notes-outfielders-part-four
Group Five : Ricardo Rosario, Troy Schreffler, Chris Sharpe, Gavin Tonkel, Jordan Viars, Justin Williams, Ethan Wilson
So we continue - the fifth and final article in the series on outfielders - note that speed will be a predominant theme when discussing the outfielders ⚾️🤓.
Our next series will be on the strength of the minor league organization - the pitchers - we will profile 133 hurlers. 😳. Your option to not read at any time 😂.
Ricardo Rosario - 19 years old - Birthdate : 2/8/03 - signed as an international free agent 7/2/19 - Maracay, Venezuela - This Fan’s View - started the season in the Dominican Summer League with the Phillies White team before being promoted to the states on 6/17/22. He’s a very quick runner, the first week he was in Clearwater we saw him intentionally bunt to the first base side as a right handed hitter and flat out beat the play! Won’t turn 20 till February - his speed enables him to play all outfield positions, coupled with strong throwing abilities - evidenced by four assists from right field in the FCL. Had a strong finish to the FCL season hitting .313 in August. Speed is an asset and can keep slumps at bay - Ricardo is yet another young outfielder in the organization with above average wheels. 2023 Projection - should compete for a full season role in spring camp.
Troy Schreffler - 22 years old - Birthdate : 10/27/00 - 2022 15th round draft selection - University of Maryland - This Fan’s View - played in 27 games with Clearwater - 106 PA’s - 5 doubles, a triple, 1st pro HR and stole 4 bases in 4 attempts. He’s a graduate of Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg, PA - is a “toolsy” player who fits the theme of good wheels with the ability to steal bases and impact games with speed. We’ve seen a few BP sessions - has a level swing and seems to be able to drive the ball to all fields - has pop to go yard. Wore one of the more creative Halloween costumes to the complex during Fall Instructs 🤓. 2023 Projection - will compete for a role with Jersey Shore in spring camp.
Chris Sharpe - 26 years old - Birthdate : 6/6/96 - signed as a minor league free agent 5/5/22 from Pirates - This Fan’s View - played in 80 games ( 283 PA’s ) between Reading & Lehigh Valley providing outfield coverage in all three positions - primarily center and left fields. Good defensive skills - never got going consistently on the offensive side - had 15 doubles during the year.
2023 Projection - elected minor league free agency
Gavin Tonkel - 20 years old - Birthdate : 11/6/02 - 2021 9th round draft selection - Heritage High School, Brentwood, CA - This Fan’s View - suffered a 2022 season ending injury during an early extended spring training game - he hit an outfield pole flush attempting to catch a fly ball at the Yankees complex. He was back working towards a 2023 return during Fall Instructs. We’ve seen him in action prior to the injury, another very fast runner who also has pop - plays the game hard - we are anxious to see him back on the field. 2023 Projection - is on track to return to action in spring camp - hasn’t played much - likely will return to extended spring and FCL but with a good camp could push for a Clearwater roster spot.
Jordan Viars - 19 years old - Birthdate : 7/18/03 - 2021 3rd round draft selection - Reedy High School , Frisco, TX - This Fan’s View - quick bat and easy power. Attacks the baseball. He’s a powerfully built young man that plays the game as if his hair is on fire - all out all the time. Patience isn’t a strength as he pushes himself to excel - his first season as a pro was a learning experience in adapting both physically and mentally and learning the pro game in extended spring and with the FCL Phillies. After the FCL year concluded Jordan was added to the Threshers roster where he played in 8 games to finish the season. The hit tool is his ticket - finding consistency as well as being able to adapt approaches and incorporate adjustments are keys to un-locking full potential. Defensively he has better speed than one might think - once he’s going he’s like a very fast tank approaching - we’ve seen him in the corner outfield spots and at first base - there’s a bit of rawness at both but that will be refined - has athleticism to develop into a solid defender. Battled the injury bug his first year - hopefully that’s now behind him. Just gonna take some time and patience. 2023 Projection - we think he will be with the Clearwater Threshers on opening day.
OF Justin Williams - 27 years old - Birthdate : 8/20/95 - signed as a minor league free agent 3/3/22 from Cardinals - This Fan’s View - suffered a shoulder injury in spring training - took almost all summer to recover - was activated by Lehigh Valley on 7/22/22 but then placed back on the IL on 8/31/22 - only played in 19 games with the Iron Pigs - just never got on track. We had a nice chat one day at the complex while he was going thru rehab - fun to talk baseball with the pro players - had about a half hour or so discussion - interesting young man. Had 119 AB’s with the Cardinals in the show in 2021 - hopeful for another chance somewhere this coming season. 2023 Projection - elected minor league free agency
Ethan Wilson - 23 years old - Birthdate : 11/7/99 - 2021 2nd round draft selection - South Alabama - This Fan’s View - played in 130 games and posted 536 plate appearances ( second to only Johan Rojas in the organization) in 2022 with Jersey Shore and Reading. He’s a good all around baseball player who posts everyday - facing better pitching than he’s previously seen was a learning curve in his first pro season but the confidence didn’t wane - when he barrels the ball it flys - development work is to find the approach - has power however also has shown an ability to drive the ball to all fields and get on base - I see a glimpse of Matt Carpenter in his swing as a left handed hitter. Hard worker and coachable. Defensively is capable of playing either corner spot - will get to most balls - average thrower. In my opinion he will do better at the AA level than High A - pitching is better there but more prevalent in the zone which will allow him to adapt a philosophy and apply it. The hit tool is his ticket - numbers will come when consistency is found. 2023 Projection - likely returns to Reading to start the season.
Top to Bottom - Left to Right - Chris Sharpe, Ethan Wilson with Shawn Williams, Gavin Tonkel, Troy Schreffler, Jordan Viars ( middle ) Justin Williams ( bottom middle ) & Ricardo Rosario - photos by Mark Wylie, George Youngs Jr & 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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