4/18/25 : Minor League Roundup

Written by Steve Potter

International League ( AAA ) - Lehigh Valley 5 (13-6) Gwinnett 3 (9-9)

Coolray Field•Lawrenceville, GA

Scoring Summary :

Eddys Leonard hit a two run home run for Gwinnett in the second inning.

Cal Stevenson singled in the third inning, Justin Crawford doubled to score Stevenson.

Gabriel Rincones Jr singled in the sixth inning, Otto Kemp doubled. Buddy Kennedy singled to score two runs.

Oscar Mercado reached on an error in the seventh inning, stole second and went to third on a single by Rafael Lantigua. Justin Crawford hit a sacrifice fly to score him.

Otto Kemp homered in the eighth inning.

At Bat : 5 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 11 K’s

Otto Kemp had two hits (double & HR) with an RBI and two runs scored. Justin Crawforddoubled and walked, posted two RBIs.

Buddy Kennedy singled to score two runs

On The Hill : 3 R, 9 H, 2 BB, 7 K’s

RH Nabil Crismatt - 6 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 80 pitches - 57 strikes

RH Koyo Aoyagi - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 19 pitches - 10 strikes

LH Nick Vespi - 2/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 13 pitches - 9 strikes

RH Joel Kuhnel - 1/3 IP - retired only batter he faced - 1 pitch - 1 strike

RH Max Lazar - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 13 pitches - 10 strikes

Did Ya Know 🧐 :

KING CRAW OF CONTACT: Put the ball in play and good things will happen. Three of Justin Crawford’s four hits on Thursday registered less than 100 MPH exit velos. Among hitters with at least 50 PAs at triple-A this season, Crawford ranks 18th in average launch angle at 4 degrees. Among those 18 hitters, Crawford ranks second in average exit velocity of 92.5MPH. Crawford ranks 22nd in SwStr% (7.9%) and 3rd in GB% (64.8). - Sam Jellinek - Manager, Broadcasting & Media Relations - Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Eastern League ( AA ) - Binghamton 6 (5-6) Reading 5 (5-8)

Reading, PA - First Energy Stadium

Scoring Summary :

A walk, fielding error (pitcher Griff McGarry) and double scored two runs for Binghamton in the third inning.

Three walks and two singles scored three runs for Binghamton in the fifth inning.

A triple and balk scored a run for Binghamton in the sixth inning.

Cole Roberts singled in the 6th inning, Keaton Anthony doubled. Luis Verdugo doubled to score them.

Elio Prado reached on a fielding error in the 8th inning, Aidan Miller walked, they both advanced on a ground out. Prado scored on a passed ball.

Jordan Dissin singled in the ninth inning and scored on a Cade Fergus home run.

At Bat : 5 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 9 K’s

Jordan Dissin had two hits (singles). Felix Reyes, Luis Verdugo and Keaton Anthony doubled.  Verdugo had two RBIs.  Cade Fergus hit a two run home run.

On The Hill : 6 R, 6 H, 7 BB, 8 K’s

RH Griff McGarry - 4 IP, 2 unearned R, 2 H, 4 BB, 3 K’s - 70 pitches - 38 strikes

RH Travis Kuhn - 1 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 0 K’s - 34 pitches - 17 strikes

RH Mitch Neunborn - 2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 31 pitches - 20 strikes

RH Gunner Mayer - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 31 pitches - 22 strikes

Did Ya Know 🧐 :

Robert Moore turned in one of his best games as a pro in Tuesday night’s win againt Binghamton. He had three hits, three runs, two home runs and five RBI in the victory. The two home runs and five RBI matched career highs, that he set June 1 of last season at Hartford. His three runs scored also tied a career high for Moore. He homered in back-to-back at bats in the fifth and seventh innings, becoming the first Fightin Phils to homer in consecutive at bats since himself on June 1, 2024, at Hartford. Entering play today, Moore is tied for seventh in the Eastern League in RBI with nine. - Jake Starr - Reading Director of PR/Media Relations, Client Fulfillment & Broadcaster

South Atlantic League ( High A )  - Greensboro 10 (9-4) Jersey Shore 9 (5-8)

First National Bank Field•Greensboro, NC

Scoring Summary :

Bryan Rincon reached on a fielding error in the first inning. Carson DeMartini was hit by a pitch. Dylan Campbell tripled to score two runs. A wild pitch scored Campbell.

Zach Arnold and Bryan Rincon singled in the second inning, Arnold scored when Devin Saltiban reached on a fielding error. Dylan Campbell hit a three run home run.

A walk and two singles scored a run for Greensboro in the second inning. Javier Rivas hits a grand slam home run to score four more.

Bryan Rincon homered in the fourth inning.

Esmerlyn Valdez homered for Greensboro in the bottom of the fourth.

Two walks and a single (Dylan Campbell) loaded the bases for Jersey Shore in the 6th inning, a wild pitch scored a run.

A single and double scored a run for Greensboro in the bottom of the sixth.

Lonnie White Jr. hit a two run home run for Greensboro in the bottom of the seventh.

A lead off double, stolen base, two intentional walks and a single scored the game winning walk off run for Greensboro in the ninth inning.

At Bat : 9 R, 9 H, 7 BB, 12 K’s

Dylan Campbell had four hits (two singles, triple, HR), scored twice and posted five RBIs. Bryan Rincon had two hits (single & HR) scored three times and had an RBI. Luke Davis walked four times.

On The Hill : 10 R, 16 H, 7 BB, 15 K’s

LH Mavis Graves - 2.2 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 6 K’s - 75 pitches - 45 strikes

RH Brandon Beckel - 2.1 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 34 pitches - 23 strikes

RH Andrew Baker - 1.2 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 39 pitches - 27 strikes

RH Jaydenn Estanista - 1.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 25 pitches - 16 strikes

RH Ethan Chenault - 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K’s - 16 pitches - 9 strikes

Did Ya Know 🧐 :

Pierce Bennett (6-27 to start the year) has two home runs already, including one on Thursday at Greensboro (3rd professional home run), 30 miles from Wake Forest where he played his college baseball…He also hit one on 4/10 in Lakewood against aerdeen…Bennett had a big night in the 4/8 home opener – a two run single and a two run double in the 8-3 win…Bennett’s four RBIs were a career-high (he had two, three-RBI games with the BlueClaws last year)…It was the first four-RBI game by a BlueClaws player since Keaton Anthony on July 10th last year against Hudson Valley…Bennett was a 20th round pick in the 2023 draft from Wake Forest. - Greg Giombarrese - Vice President - Communications - Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Florida State League ( Low A )  - Clearwater 6 (8-5) Palm Beach 4 (8-5)

Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium•Jupiter, FL

Scoring Summary :

Three walks loaded the bases for the Threshers in the second inning, Avery Owusu-Asiedu doubled to score two runs.

Carter Mathison walked in the third inning, stole second and scored on a single by Kodey Shojinaga.

A double, triple and double scored two runs for Palm Beach in the fourth inning. Two walks and a wild pitch scored a third run.

Dante Nori walked in the fifth inning, Eduardo Tait singled. A balk moved them up a base. Kodey Shojinaga singled to score them, he advanced to second on a fielding error and scored on a single by Raider Tello.

Two singles, a walk and ground out scored a fifth inning run for Palm Beach.

At Bat : 6 R, 7 H, 8 BB, 8 K’s

Eduardo Tait had two hits (singles) as did Kodey Shojinaga (two singles, two walks, three RBIs, two runs). Avery Owusu-Asiedu doubled and had two RBIs.

On The Hill : 4 R, 9 H, 4 BB, 10 K’s

RH Andrew Painter - 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s - 49 pitches - 35 strikes - FB 96-98 mph, slider & cutter

RH Marcus Morgan - 1.1 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 1 K - 49 pitches - 25 strikes

RH Jose Pena Jr - 2/3 IP - retired both batters he faced - 1 K - 5 pitches - 5 strikes

RH Ryan Degges - 2 perfect IP, 1 K - 24 pitches - 18 strikes

RH Titan Hayes - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 33 pitches - 23 strikes

Extended Spring Training :

Players on rehab assignment continue their efforts towards getting back into game action. Today I watched RHP Guissepe Velasquez do an up-down bullpen session on Roberts Field. He’s returning from TJ surgery and hasn’t pitched in a game since the 2023 season. Today I saw him throw both breaking balls and heaters. When he’s fully able the arsenal includes a four seam fastball (90 to 93 mph) and a big spin curve ball (76 to 79 mph - 2600 to 2900 rpm’s - well above big league standard), changeup and sinker. Hopefully he completes his rehab work in the near term and gets time on the hill this year in game action - when he’s ready to go Guissepe will provide a strong option as a starter/bulk reliever likely in the Threshers or BlueClaws mix. I was the only non-employee on hand to watch today’s session - I sit quietly and generally go un-noticed like the nobody some refer to me as - at least it’s easy to blend in.

System Transactions :

Lehigh Valley :  C Colton Bender has been signed to a minor league contract and added to the LHV roster. C Lou Albrecht placed on the 7-day IL (retroactive to 4/17). Bender was released by the San Diego Padres on 3/23/25 - he was their 10th round draft selection in the 2021 draft from Quinnipiac. He was playing at the High A level in the Padres organization before being released.

Reading : RHP Mitch Neunborn reinstated from the Development List. RHP Andrew Schultz placed on the 7-day IL.

Clearwater : RHP Cam Brown has been placed on the Development List (retroactive to 4/17).  RHP Marty Gair has been reinstated from the Development List.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

Guissepe Velasquez BP session today on Roberts Field.

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