3/8/26 : News and Notes
- Steve Potter
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
Major league camp breaks on March 23rd which is just fifteen days away - it seems like every ST that while you’re in the moment things seem slow but when the camp concludes that it went quickly - there’s a plethora of activity each day and when you add in the daily minor league camp work (they conclude on 3/30) it can be tiring however the daily grind of spring training prepares us all for what will come in the regular season - gotta love it!
Each year the Phillies reward an American player as well as a foreign player with the Bill Giles and Larry Rojas awards for outstanding minor league spring camps. Two young Phillies are already making a case for this year’s recognition. Twenty-two year old shortstop Bryan Rincon grew up in Venezuela, he was born in New York but his family moved to Venezuela when he was just three months old - Rincon moved back to the United States when he was 16 years old to live with his uncle and to play high school baseball and make himself draft eligible. He was drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round of the 2022 draft. Bryan has always shown outstanding defensive abilities and pop in his bat on occasion however this spring as a non-roster invitee to big league camp he’s shined at both as he’s stroked two doubles, a triple and a home run in 16 Grapefruit League at bats to date. Catcher Kehden Hettiger had a semi breakout season in 2025 playing at three levels (Clearwater, Jersey Shore and Reading) and was invited to big league camp as a non roster participant. The twenty one year old 2023 11th round draft selection from Chatsworth, California has turned heads with his classic left handed swing producing a double and home run in eight Grapefruit League at bats and smoking a hard double down the right field line in yesterday’s minor league scrimmage. He’s also shown consistent improvement as a receiver and has set himself up for an anticipated AA level assignment when camp breaks. Still a couple weeks to go before the awards are decided but these two fellas have served notice they are worthy.
Two teenage players who have made good impressions in minor league camp thus far are infielders Logan Dawson (nineteen years old - 2025 16th round draft pick - Eastern HS, Voorhees, NJ) and Matt Ferrrara (eighteen years old - 2025 9th round draft pick - Toms River East HS, Toms River, NJ). Dawson has shown a quick bat turning on high octane fastballs in some of the scrimmages I’ve watched and producing base knocks. Ferrara has shown a lot of athleticism in all aspects of practice, gives me the impression of a hard nosed, get it done, type player who can adjust to game situations in a flash, really good wheels as well. Matt has already seen time in a Grapefruit League game as a call up on 3/6 against the Pirates. Each player has seen practice time at second, shortstop and third base - two young men to watch grow as both ball players and people - they’ve both also been very receptive to fans and autograph seekers from what I’ve seen thus far as well.
I spent some time this morning at the complex watching batting practice on Roberts Field. There’s generally not a lot to tell about BP and when watching I focus on interactions more so than where the ball flys - however when someone has a strong round it’s worth mentioning. Luke Davis is an under the radar catcher/first baseman who hit below the Mendoza line last season at the A level of play but also drew 70 walks in 287 plate appearances - he was fifth in the organization in free passes. Thing is when I’ve watched him here I see a much better hitter than his numbers project - just the other day in a scrimmage he delivered a long home run and he’s always impressed me in BP with a strong swing and driving the baseball. With an emphasis on more aggression at the dish he’s one who could deliver some very good numbers this coming summer - just sayin.
Speaking of good numbers congrats to outfielder Dante Nori for his three for three performance for Team Italy yesterday with two home runs in the World Baseball Classic against Brazil in a big league stadium (Houston). Dante continues to show he’s on a path to the big leagues with a standout performance. Good stuff!
Good guy and former Phillies RHP Mick Abel had yet another strong Grapefruit League outing for the Twins yesterday going four scoreless innings allowing just two hits. In three starts so far he’s pitched ten scoreless frames allowing five hits, no walks and has struck out thirteen batters. Very happy for him.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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