4/19/26 : Phillies Minor Leagues : week in review (4/14 - 4/19)
- Steve Potter
- 2 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Compiled and written by Steve Potter
This week’s Spotlight Player :
Nineteen year old shortstop Matt Ferrara had quite a week for the Clearwater Threshers going 9 for 20 (.450) with seven runs scored, two doubles, two triples, two home runs and eight RBI’s - he walked twice and struck out six times posting an on-base percentage of .478 in 23 plate appearances with a 1.050 OPS. He also impressed with his defensive play at shortstop showing range, athleticism and a strong arm. Matt was the club’s 9th round draft selection in the 2026 draft from Toms River East High School in New Jersey. He’s a plus runner and has swiped two bases in the thirteen games he’s played thus far.
He had a solid minor league Spring Training Camp - I tracked him playing in eleven minor league games where he went 11 (nine singles, two doubles) for 42 (.262 batting average) with five walks posting a .340 OBP and four stolen bases. He did strike out a bit (15 times).
I asked Director of Player Development Luke Murton about what went into the decision in placing Ferrara on the Clearwater roster out of spring camp, he is one of only eight players in the Florida State League under the age of twenty where the average position player age is 21.3 and average pitcher’s age is 22.4 - “Matt has real talent on both sides of the ball. He is able to commit to development more than most guys mentally and physically. We wanted him to be challenged and give him more development opportunities everyday.”
Great job this week for the young man who reminds me a bit of Trea Turner in his skill set.
International League (AAA) : Lehigh Valley (11-10)
The Iron Pigs went 2-4 for the week against St Paul (Twins affiliate)
This week’s standouts :
At Bat :
Felix Reyes - 8 for 20 (.400) - 3 doubles, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs - has not walked in 64 April PA’s - hit .344 (22 hits). Called to major leagues 4/18/26
Christian Cairo -13 for 26 (.500), 2 doubles, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, .536 OBP
Carter Kieboom - 11 for 23 (.478), 3 doubles, 2 RBIs, 1 walk
Steward Berroa - 11 for 29 (.379), 2 doubles, 2 HR’s, 5 RBIs, 1 walk
Bryan De La Cruz - 9 for 27 (.333), 2 doubles, HR, 6 RBIs, 2 walks
Garrett Stubbs - 5 for 16 (.313), double, HR, 3 walks - .450 OBP - 20 PA’s
Sergio Alcantara - 6 for 21, 2 doubles, 2 HR’s, 4 RBIs, 5 walks - .423 OBP -26 PA’s
On The Hill :
RH Nolan Hoffman - 2 appearances - no runs or hits - 3 IP - 7 K’s, 1 BB
RH John McMillon - 3 appearances - one unearned run - 3 IP - 3 K’s, 3 BB
RH Alan Rangel - 1 start - 5 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 4 BB, 5 K’s
Eastern League (AA) : Reading (7-8)
The Fightin Phils went 3-3 for the week against Somerset (Yankees affiliate)
This week’s standouts :
At Bat :
Raylin Heredia - 10 for 24 (.417), 5 doubles, triple, HR, 2 walks, .481 OBP (27 PA’s)
Bryson Ware - 6 for 17 (.353), double, 3 HRs, 5 RBIs
Alex Binelas - 5 for 16 (.313), double, 2 HRs, 4 walks (.476 OBP -21 PA’s)
Dylan Campbell - 6 for 23, 3 doubles, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs
Jordan Dissin - 3 for 8 (.375), HR, 3 RBIs
On The Hill :
RH Braydon Tucker - 1 start -5 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s - 1.29 ERA in 3 starts (14 IP)
LH Tristan Garnett - 2 appearances - 3 scoreless IP, 1 hit, 5 K’s, 1 BB
RH Andrew Baker - 2 appearance - 3 scoreless IP, 1 hit, 4 K’s, 1 BB
RH Evan Gates - 2 appearance - 3 scoreless IP, 1 hit, 5 K’s, 0 BB
RH Lenny Torres Jr - 2 appearance - 2 scoreless IP, 1 hit, 4 K’s, 0 BB
RH Zack Wheeler - 2 rehab starts, 9.2 IP, 7 R, 10 H, 1 BB, 13 K’s
South Atlantic League (High A) : Jersey Shore (9-5)
The BlueClaws went 4-2 for the week against Rome (Braves affiliate)
At Bat :
This week’s standouts :
John Spikerman - 6 for 17 (.353) - four games - double, triple, four RBIs, 3 walks, 2 stolen bases - .450 OBP - 20 PA’s
Director of Player Development Luke Murton : “Spikerman had a great off season making some swing adjustments. Has obviously dealt with some injuries over the years so excited to see him get to play with some of the adjustments he has made.”
Jose Colmenares - 9 for 18 (.500), HR, 4 RBIs, 4 walks, .591 OBP (22 PA’s)
Joel Dragoo - 4 for 11 (.364), 4 RBIs, 5 walks - .529 OBP - 17 PA’s
Kodey Shojinaga - 5 for 17 (.294), 3 doubles, 7 RBIs, 1 walk -.400 OBP (20 PA’s)
Brock Vradenburg - 5 for 18, 3 doubles, 3 RBIs, 3 walks - .381 OBP (21 PA’s)
On The Hill :
Reese Dutton - 2 appearances, 8 IP, no runs, 2 hits, 2 walks - 6 K’s
Ryan Dromboski - 1 start - 6 IP, no runs, 3 hits, 2 BB, 3 K’s
Mavis Graves - 1 start - 4 IP, no runs, 1 hit, 1 BB, 9 K’s
Brandon Beckel - 1 appearance, 3 IP, no runs, no hits, 1 walk - 5 K’s
Giuseppe Velasquez - 1 appearance, 3.2 IP, no runs, 3 hits, 1 walk - 2 K’s
Jose Peña Jr - 2 appearances - 2 perfect IP, 1 K
Danyony Pulido - 2 appearances, 2.2 IP, no runs, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 K
Sam Highfill -1 start - 5 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 HB, 2 BB, 3 K’s
Florida State League (Low A) : Clearwater (8-7)
The Threshers went 3-3 for the week against Dunedin (Blue Jays affiliate)
This week’s standouts :
At Bat :
Matt Ferrara - see remarks above
Nolan Beltran - 4 for 9 (.444), 9 walks, 2 RBIs - .722 OBP in 18 PA’s
Nate Humphreys - 7-21 (.333),3 doubles,2 HR’s,4 RBIs ,4 walks - .440 OBP
Juan Villavicencio - 6 for 16 (.375), triple, 4 RBIs, 2 walks, .421 OBP - 19 PA’s
Robert Phelps - 6 for 16 (.375), double, 4 RBIs, 3 walks - .474 OBP in 19 PA’s
On The Hill :
RH Michael Mercado - 2 appearances, 2.1 IP, no runs, no hits, 1 walk - 4 K’s
RH Gage Wood - 1 start, 4 IP, no runs, 1 hit, 3 walks - 4 K’s
RH Keegan Batka - 2 appearances, 3 IP, no runs, 1 hit, 2 walks - 7 K’s
RH Tanner Gresham - 2 starts - 6 IP, 3 runs, 7 hits, 2 walks, 10 K’s
Player Development Center - Extended Spring Training
The Extended Spring team went 4-0 for the week against the Yankees, Blue Jays and a touring national team from Canada.
This week’s standouts :
At Bat :
Angel Mata - 5 for 9 (.556), 4 walks (.692 OBP), two home runs, five RBIs
Anderson Araujo - 7 for 16 (.438), 2 walks (.500 OBP), HR, four RBIs
Victor Cardoza - 5 for 16 (.313), two walks (.389 OBP), HR, two RBIs
Logan Dawson - double and two triples in 12 AB’s - 7 walks (.526 OBP in 19 PA’s)
Tjayy Walton - triple & HR - .417 OBP in 12 PA’s (2 hits, 3 walks)
Esterling Rodriguez - two doubles, triple - .333 OBP in 15 PA’s (4 hits, 1 walk)
On The Hill :
RH Luis Gonzalez - 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K’s
RH Eligio Arias - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s
RH Wilmer Blanco - 4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s
RH Ramon Marquez - 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 4
RH Anderson Navas - 2 appearances - 3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Matt Ferrara
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