Phillies vs Braves @ Clearwater @ 1:05 PM
Lineup :
Trea Turner 6
Bryce Harper 3
Alec Bohm 5
Kyle Schwarber DH
JT Realmuto 2
Max Kepler 7
Bryson Stott 4
Brandon Marsh 8
Oscar Mercado 9
Christopher Sánchez LHP
Minor League Call-Ups : - note that these players are reserves (may not play)
Pitchers : Jack Dallas, Andrew Bechtold, Paxton Thompson, Jonah DiPoto
Infielders : Trent Farquhar, Leandro Pineda , Zach Arnold
Outfielder : Carter Mathison, Elio Prado
Catcher : Jared Thomas
Notes on today’s minor league callups :
INF Trent Farquhar - 24 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/19/23 - Michigan State University - played at four levels in 2024 (3 games - FCL (rehab), 32 games - Clearwater, 38 games - Jersey Shore and 5 games - Reading) - was on the IL from 5/29 to 7/20 with a broken hamate bone - still managed to play in 78 games and posted a .285/.433/.374 slash line in 410 plate appearances with 15 doubles, 3 triples, a home run and 23 RBIs - walked 59 times versus 63 strikeouts - stole 28 bases - led off most games he played in. Defensively saw action at second base, shortstop and third base. So far in his pro career he’s been an on-base machine - this past summer I wrote a spotlight article on him and asked Trent about offensive approach - “For my approach I like to hunt fastballs in the middle of the plate early. However, I’m very comfortable hitting with one or two strikes so that allows me to be able to be picky early in the count and get a pitch I can drive. I’ve been blessed with good pitch recognition and being stingy to my approach.” He played winter league baseball in Australia as a member of the Adelaide Giants. A high baseball IQ and an ability to consistently get on base - both great qualities to have.
OF/1B Leandro Pineda - 22 years old - signed as an international free agent 7/6/18 - Valencia, Venezuela - added first base to his defensive repertoire this past season although most likely continues to see the majority of his time as a corner outfielder - played at Jersey Shore and Reading (promoted 7/16/24) in 2024 and posted very respectable numbers - .260/.331/.413 in 375 plate appearances with 14 doubles, 11 home runs and 52 RBIs - ended the season on the IL after requiring thumb surgery but is now healthy and ready to go again for 2025 - was on the Navegantes del Magallanes roster in the Venezuela Winter League - in addition recently got married 👏. I’ve long touted his game - left handed hitter and thrower - solid corner defender with a plus arm (right-fielder’s arm strength). Angular build - 6’1” frame who just looks like a ball player - plays hard and does things right - wants to continually improve, works to do so. Leandro’s career “surface” numbers don’t jump out at you so if that’s your only perspective you might discount him however there’s genuine baseball talent. The lefty swing he possesses is pure, generates both power and speed, coupled with an ability to recognize pitches along with driving the outside pitch the other way there’s a likelihood that the numbers will be much better going forward, just saying - he can play.
OF Carter Mathison - 22 years old - 2024 5th round draft selection - Indiana University - played in 11 games with the Clearwater Threshers after signing - hit .207/.477/.241 in 44 plate appearances - 1 double and and whopping 11 walks - stole 6 bases - LH hitter and thrower - was in Fall and Winter HIgh Performance Camp - solid build at 6’2” - he’s another young man who’s very capable of developing as a center fielder - has good speed and reads - has played all three outfield spots in his brief pro tenure. Will likely slot as a right fielder - projection is as a power bat, offense is his ticket - can hit it out to all fields, is a very patient hitter witnessed by his initial OBP in his first 44 PA’s.
OF Elio Prado - 23 years old - selected in the 2024 minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft from the Baltimore Orioles organization - is from Caracas, Venezuela - signed by the Boston Red Sox on 7/2/18 as an international free agent - was traded to the Orioles on 7/13/19 - played last season for High A Aberdeen - .223/.332/.327 slash line in 305 plate appearances with 11 doubles, 4 home runs and 31 RBIs - it was his second year at High A - has played mostly center field but has seen time in both corners as well. Is noted as a good defender, athletic with above average speed - known for his energy, enthusiasm and love of playing the game.
Jared Thomas - 24 years old - 2023 15th round draft pick - Loyola Marymount University - played in games at three levels in 2024 - Clearwater (39 games), Jersey Shore (7 games) and Lehigh Valley (4 games) - is an excellent defender, perhaps the best overall defensive receiver in the minor league system. Began the year in extended spring camp due to an injury - would have likely been assigned to Jersey Shore opening day roster otherwise. Offensively has shown patience at the dish, willingness to accept walks. Strong plate discipline was a remark made about him in Baseball America’s pre draft profile. Is a left handed hitter which is always a plus for the catching position in a potential tandem role. Played his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Miami before transferring to Loyola Marymount where he became the primary catcher.
Zach Arnold - 23 years old - 2023 14th round draft selection - University of Houston. Played at two levels in 2024 - 75 games at Jersey Shore and 19 with Reading (was promoted 8/13/24). Hit .233/.309/.294 overall in 354 plate appearances with 7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs and 37 RBIs. Had an outstanding month of July with Jersey Shore (.361/.431/.410 in 72 plate appearances with 11 RBIs). Played the majority of his time at 3B in 2024 but also saw action at 1B, 2B, SS and LF. Was Houston’s primary shortstop in college transferring from LSU after his sophomore season. Is regarded as having very good athleticism and power potential.
Pitchers :
RH Andrew Bechtold - 28 years old - signed a minor league free agent contract with the Phillies on 1/31/25. He is from Glenn Mills, PA and attended Garnett Valley High School where he was a 2014 graduate. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 37th round of the 2014 draft but enrolled at the University of Maryland instead where he received a medical redshirt his freshman year. The following season he was the Terrapins starting third baseman. In 2017 he transferred to Chipola JC in Florida where he hit .419 in 60 games. The Minnesota Twins drafted him in the 5th round of the 2017 draft and he signed. Bechtold played primarily third base in the Twins organization from 2017 to 2023 but also saw time at catcher, first base and second base. In 2023 he converted to a two way player pitching in 20 games at the AAA level (18 IP) while also making 502 plate appearances as a hitter. He was in the Twins organization till December of 2023 when he was signed as a free agent by the Blue Jays. Andrew converted to a full time pitcher in 2024 with the Blue Jays as a reliever making most of his 33 appearances (29) at AA New Hampshire before finishing the season at AAA Buffalo.He has a four seam fastball that’s 97-100 mph, it averaged 97.1 last season. Also a new cutter that’s 90-93 and then a slider which was his best pitch last year as far as swing and miss which is 87-91.
RH Jonah Dipoto - 28 years old - acquired in trade with KC Royals 5/26/24 for cash considerations - was the Royals 2019 35th round draft selection - University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA - is the son of Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry DiPoto - pitched in 19 games with the 2024 IronPigs (22.2 IP) with a 4.37 ERA - 18 K’s, 12 walks. Prior to that he pitched in 10 games for Omaha in the Royals system - overall numbers for 2024 at the AAA level - 29 appearances (37 IP) with 31 K’s and 20 walks. He has a career 3.44 minor league ERA in 153 games (212 IP). He’s a fastball (91 to 94 mph), slider and cutter pitcher with the slider bring the standout delivery and the one most used (it has above average big league spin rates). He has battled command and control issues.
RH Jack Dallas - 26 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 8/1/22 - Lamar University - He came to pro ball as no stranger to high pressure relief game spots as he graduated from Lamar as their all-time leader in saves and appearances. In 2024 he began the year with High A Jersey Shore - appeared in 39 games (54 IP) posting a 3.50 ERA with 55 K’s and 18 walks - was promoted to Reading on 9/10/24 - pitched in two games - three innings pitched - one hit allowed with four K’s - a 0.33 WHIP - overall numbers - 41 appearances - 5-2 record - 57 IP, 59 K’s and 18 walks - a 3.32 ERA. His fastball, a sinker, generally is in the 91 to 94 mph range and he also features a cutter, slider, curve and change up. Gets tremendous spin/movement on his cutter and curve in particular, above the big league average. The movement on those pitches makes it very difficult for hitters to square them up. Is a great competitor and shows excellent composure in high impact game situations. He reminds me a great deal of Mark Leiter Jr in build, moxie and approach. His brother Chad is a pitching prospect in the Blue Jays organization.
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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