LHP Bailey Falter made his big league debut today for the Phillies against the Rockies. We couldn’t be more pleased for Bailey and his family. The 24 year old has a classic long arm delivery and hides the ball well ... he’s a strike thrower with strong command and is very composed. I’m sure the jitters were fluttering in his debut as many of his pitches today were up in the zone, that’s not normal for him but he pushed through it and went two innings ... the only blemish was a tater hit by CJ Cron. The young man has big league skills ... just needs the innings built up, likely to head back to Lehigh Valley and join the rotation there once the minor league season starts ... for now though we’re happy he got into his first big league contest. 👏
LHP Ranger Suarez made his Alt Camp debut today ... pitched three innings against the Yankees squad allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out one batter. Ranger got a late start to training this season due to visa issues and some nagging injuries. He was recently promoted to Allentown from Clearwater after getting his initial work completed down here. We believe he’s a viable option to join the Phillies as a starter in the near term if chosen to do so, his next outing at Alt Camp should extend him to four or possibly five innings ... that should be either on 4/30 in camp day action or on 5/1 ... the last scheduled scrimmage with the Yankees. Stay tuned 🧐
RHP Francisco Morales went 3 2/3 innings today in Alt Camp action and struck out eight batters ... retired 11 of the last 12 hitters he faced. Francisco gave up two triples and a single to the first three he faced but then settled in nicely. The young man has terrific stuff, upper nineties heat and very good secondaries with sharp break. The issues have been reeling in the command ... when that clicks - watch out 🔥. We’d expect him to head to Reading to lead the rotation there once minor league season starts but it’s not out of the question that Francisco is challenged by being included in the Iron Pigs opening rotation, he’s got the skills and the moxy to do so.
We haven’t had many opportunities to watch the Low A or Rookie level groups play here in Clearwater so we went over to the complex to watch them square off in a morning Intra squad scrimmage on Roberts field, our view was behind the outfield fences on the Rheam Wilson Trail. The game started at 10 AM, we were tardy and got there at around 11 or so 🤦♂️. Saw one of our favorites, Rixon Wingrove, get a knock and even a stolen base ... the twenty year old seems destined for the Clearwater Threshers opening roster as the starter at first base. He will be fun to watch. Other position players we think will be opening day Threshers include Kendall Simmons, DJ Stewart, Casey Martin, Baron Radcliffe, Andrik Nava, Guarner Dipre and Johan Rojas ... should be a solid offensive attack. Young hurlers like Eduar Segovia, Victor Vargas, Fernando Lozano and possibly Mick Abel will give the Threshers some exciting arms in what’s likely going to be a piggyback rotation of multiple hurlers. We’re looking forward to seeing them perform in the stadiums after watching most of them on the backfields the last couple of years.
Just some thoughts on a lazy Sunday afternoon and evening 🤓
Back at em tomorrow.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
