2/23/25 : Grapefruit League Lineup/Minor League Game Day call-ups

Phillies vs Orioles @ Clearwater  @ 1:05 PM

Lineup :

Kyle Schwarber DH

Nick Castellanos 9

Brandon Marsh 8

Edmundo Sosa 6

Kody Clemens 3

Garrett Stubbs 2

Cal Stevenson 7

Buddy Kennedy 4

Christian Arroyo 5

Tyler Phillips RHP

Minor League Call-Ups : - note that these players are reserves (may not play)

Pitchers : Konnor Ash, Trey Dillard, Carlos Francisco, Gunner Mayer, Cody Stashak and Paxton Thompson

Notes on today’s minor league callups :

RH Konnor Ash - 25 years old, turns 26 in March - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/20/21 - University of Missouri - has a big breaking curve ball and a deceptive delivery - hides the ball really well - seems to come from behind his front knee with arm slot and leg kick. The full arsenal is a fastball (sits in a range of 90 to 93 mph), change up, curve and occasional slider.  Primary off speed pitches are the curve and change up, gets a really high arm extension and release point bringing the baseball from a downward plane path, very effective for the curve and change up in particular. Will take the baseball every day - very durable.  Just might find a niche in a big league bullpen where he can utilize his arsenal and delivery to contribute.  Is a bulldog competitor - won’t scare or back away from pressure situations.  Konnor had a nice year with Reading in 2024 appearing in 35 games (10 as an opener) accumulating 63.2 IP and posting a 3.53 ERA with 66 K’s.

RH Trey Dillard - 26 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent - 7/25/23 - Texas A&M University -  motion reminds me of former Phillies minor leaguer Grant Dyer (he’s now a firefighter in California btw) who had a big arm to couple with a 12 to 6 hook. We have seen similar action with Trey’s pitches and mechanics - jumps at the hitter. Trey had two Tommy John surgeries as an amateur pitcher (2020 and 2021) but battled back to earn a chance with the Phillies as a professional.  He was selected in the 16th round of the 2018 draft by the Dodgers but did not sign. Pitched for the University of Missouri before transferring to Texas A&M. Throws a fastball (93 to 97 mph), sinker, slider, curve and cutter.  In 2024 he began the year with Clearwater - 5 games (8 IP) with a 3.38 ERA - promoted to Jersey Shore 4/28/24 - 30 appearances (36.2 IP) - 5.15 ERA - 44 K’s and 30 walks.

RH Cody Stashak - 30 years old - signed as a minor league free agent 10/30/24 - was the 2015 13th round draft selection of the Minnesota Twins - St John’s University - is from Somers Point, NJ - appeared in 27 AAA level games in 2024 for the Giants affiliate in Sacramento in the hitter friendly PCL - 36.1 IP, 5.45 ERA, 44 K’s, 12 BB. Has pitched in 55 major league games (2019 to 2022) with the Minnesota Twins and has a career 4.13 ERA in 72 IP with 83 K’s and a minuscule 12 walks. He elected free agency in 2022 after being out-righted (was coming off of shoulder surgery for a torn labrum) and signed with the San Francisco Giants on 8/25/23 after initially pitching in the independent Atlantic League for the Lancaster Barnstormers. He features a low nineties four seamer, slider (uses as a primary pitch), change-up and last year the addition of a cutter. The south Jersey native has been a consistent strike thrower throughout his career, has strong mechanics, hides the ball well and is a strong competitor - he didn’t start pitching full time till college ball - played primarily shortstop as a high schooler.

RH Gunner Mayer - 24 years old - 2019 5th round draft selection - San Joaquin JC, Stockton, CA - converted to a reliever in 2024 after being a starter during his first four seasons - spent most of this past year with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws - 41 appearances - 52.2 IP (4.10 ERA) with a 3-3 record and 4 saves in five chances - 68 K’s and 36 walks - promoted to Reading on 9/10/24 - appeared in two games - one unearned run in two innings pitched - 4 hits, no walks and 4 strikeouts.  Gunner converted to pitching in junior college after primarily playing shortstop in high school - he’s developed a lively pitch mix. Raw stuff has upper level potential, command and control have been issues to conquer. The fastball sits in a range of 90 to 94 mph - also throws a change up, slider and curve. Gets scouts attention with stuff, if combining it with increased pitch-ability that provides the potential to reach the top.

RH Carlos Francisco - 25 years old - 2019 28th round draft selection - Hillsborough CC, Tampa, FL - appeared in 41 games with Reading in 2024 accumulating 54 innings with a 5.17 ERA - 52 K’s and 32 walks. Carlos has proven to be a workhorse reliever over his career.  He also pitches winter league baseball in Puerto Rico before heading to spring camp including this past winter when he posted a 1.17 ERA in 21 appearances (23 IP) for league champion Mayaguez.  Features a fastball (92-95 mph, reached 97), splitter (changeup) and slider, a power pitcher approach. From my perspective he’s always been a pitcher that’s intrigued me, an under the radar type that is attempting to make a path to the show by performing at a steady pace. He has a strong demeanor and work ethic and a sneaky fast heater offset by a splitter that’s got swing and miss qualities. Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert : “An interesting bullpen arm that made strides in both his strike throwing and walk prevention but also his splitter usage. It can be a very effective pitch when ahead in the count to both handed hitters. He has a unique delivery that gives him some deception advantage.”

RH Paxton Thompson - 25 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent - 8/4/23 - University of Charlotte - before pitching for Charlotte he pitched a year at the University of Mary (North Dakota) and a year at Bradley University. Started the 2024 season with Clearwater - 19 appearances - 3.62 ERA in 27.1 IP with 30 K’s and 9 walks - promoted to Jersey Shore on 7/1/24 - was excellent at High A - 1.64 ERA in 16 appearances (22 IP) with 23 K’s and just 6 walks - had a 0.95 WHIP.  He’s a strike thrower who can pitch two inning stints (did so in 15 of his 34 games) - throws a cutter, sinker (90-93 mph), slider and change up.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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