5/12/25 : Around the Horn - State of the System (from this fan’s view)

Written by Steve Potter

A glance at depth in the player development organization with notes on players who have stood out thus far.

Starting Pitchers :

The immediate reserve at Triple A Lehigh Valley for the Major Leagues has performed great. Mick Abel has been outstanding thru eight starts as has veteran Nabil Crismatt with Alan Rangel and Kyle Tyler throwing well and Andrew Painter now in the rotation mix. Both Rangel and Tyler are on the 40 man roster. Normally veterans who sign minor league free agent contracts like Crismatt did this off-season will usually include an opt out clause, I would believe his does as well so there’s likely a decision looming for him at some point. With quite a few major league teams clamoring for starting pitching, Crismatt shouldn’t have any worries in finding a major league deal.

At Reading the team has struggled but starting pitching has had some highlights. Jean Cabrera is coming off a six inning scoreless effort and has posted five or more innings in each of his last four starts. Moises Chace continues to build up strength and endurance along with velocity. Braeden Fausnaught gives a solid professional effort every time out. Chuck King has been hot and cold in his first season as a starter but has big arm capabilities. Eiberson Castellano made a couple starts before going on the IL with shoulder discomfort - he’s expected back soon - he spent Spring Training with the Twins as a reliever so a build up will continue when he returns. Griff McGarry was lights out in three starts before going on the IL with elbow concerns on 4/21/25 but word is he’s expected to return relatively soon.

Jersey Shore and Clearwater utilize tandem pitching plans quite a lot with the starter and a bulk reliever sharing games. It’s to both build up and protect - for example a fella like Alex McFarlane who’s returning this year from TJ rehab - Alex posted 97 mph on the heater last time out and did not yield an earned run in his last three starts - his longest outing to date is 4.1 IP which was last week. Casey Steward has had one bad outing in his six starts thus far but a correction to mechanics from that one got him back on track - in five of his six starts he has a 1.44 ERA covering 25 of his 27 IP to date - he’s been very good. Both Brandon Beckel and Luke Russo have been consistently strong in the bulk relief role.

At Clearwater Ryan Dromboski has pitched very well (1.86 ERA in 29 IP) in a hybrid starter/bulk relief role as has Ryan Degges (0.50 ERA in 18 IP). Luke Gabrysh and Sam Highfill have had some shining moments but are still searching for consistency. Lefty Kevin Warunek is one to watch as he gets stretched out more - he has impressed thus far in his six outings - am eager to see if he stays as a one inning reliever or builds into a longer role - Kevin got a late start due to shoulder discomfort so caution will be used.

In the FCL lefty Juan Amarante has stood out to date however I think teenagers Angel Liranzo and Brad Pacheco are also ones to watch as they develop past initial nerves and continue to learn how to utilize the standout stuff each possesses.

Relievers :

The Lehigh Valley bullpen had a two game glitch in Rochester but other than that has matched the starters in performance. There are multiple options in regards to who’s throwing well - Brett de Geus, Seth Johnson, Max Lazar, Michael Mercado, Daniel Robert and Devin Sweet are all on the 40 man roster - the new kid is Robert (acquired in trade with Texas for RH Enrique Segura) and he’s impressed - to me he’s a very viable big league option and both de Geus and Johnson have also stood out. Others who’ve thrown well include veterans Joel Kuhnel, Nicholas Padilla, Guillo Zuniga and Koyo Aoyagi.  Zuniga’s got big arm stuff - Kuhnel has been to the show (as has Zuniga) - Joel has had a rough couple May outings but was excellent in his other 11 appearances to date. There are various big league choices if required, definitely in the short term need category.

Reading’s bullpen has struggled mightily especially in holding inherited leads - I think changes to the mix may be brewing. Tommy McCollum recently returned from Jersey Shore where he was dominating as the closer. Jaydenn Estanista has been the most reliable non-bulk reliever at Jersey Shore but others have struggled to date.  At Clearwater Jose Pena Jr, Saul Teran and Titan Hayes have been outstanding at the back end of games and AJ Wilson has been good as well in a middle innings role.  In the FCL Josbel Garcia is a big arm to watch progress.

Catchers :

Seems like just about every year I’ve been covering Spring Training there’s alot of fan chatter and concern over who mans the backup catcher role and then when the season gets underway and whomever won the job doesn’t put up stellar numbers folks dump their emotions on them. Here’s some facts - one, with JT Realmuto as the starter the backup rarely plays, two - when he does play it’s most difficult as there’s no rhythm of consistency and three - the bigger impact of the role is in staff preparation and game planning. All that being said next spring will be no different than times past - unless of course JT signs elsewhere this off-season.

Garrett Stubbs has been outstanding at LHV in multiple ways, hitting, receiving, throwing, mentoring, leadership, attitude and clubhouse presence - he’s a big reason for the IronPigs early success. I like Payton Henry’s skillset there as well but he’s been injured for a good chunk of the schedule thus far. At Reading injuries have prevented anyone from taking control of the number one spot - Paul McIntosh is now back and Josh Breaux was transferred from LHV but both Caleb Ricketts and Jordan Dissin are currently on the IL. Same goes for Jersey Shore where Jared Thomas might have gotten significant innings had he not been placed early and now remains on the IL. Luke Davis has a great OBP but hasn’t swung the bat consistently well - Kehden Hettiger is now on board and has posted some big knocks since moving up from Clearwater, he also plays first base. Clearwater is the home of the system’s top catching prospect, Eduardo Tait - the very talented 18 year old has not disappointed showing a power bat, the ability to drive in runs, a strong arm and solid defensive mechanics - he’s caught a lot in the early going and has the bumps and bruises to show for it - definitely has big league projection. In the FCL Alirio Ferrebus is a name to remember, he’s got alot of tools to work with on both sides of the equation.  Angel Mata is another very good catching prospect in my view, especially as a defender - Marchan like skills.

Infield :

First Base :  the position is manned as sort of a mixed bag throughout the system with players in the lineup at 1B who’s primary defensive spot is elsewhere with the exception of Reading where 2024 minor league gold glover Keaton Anthony plays the bag as his only defensive spot. He continues to hit as he’s done throughout his career - presently has a .308 batting average and leads the Eastern League in doubles.  At Clearwater Raider Tello has been solid in a semi-regular role.

Second Base :  the system standout is by far 20 year old Aroon Escobar in Clearwater who’s combination of brute power and bat to ball skills are exceptional. He’s also a very solid defender, good range, a rocket arm and very good catch and release skills on the double play relay. Definitely projects as a big leaguer. Devin Saltiban was starting to come on at Jersey Shore after a very slow start but suffered a significant groin injury this week when a foul ball bounced up and hit him at the plate, he is going to be out for awhile. Robert Moore has quietly had a very good start at Reading, he’s been a bright spot for a struggling lineup. Lehigh Valley uses multiple players at second base with veteran Rafael Lantigua there the most - he hasn’t hit much but walks a lot and plays good defense.

Shortstop :  Erick Brito and Rodolfo Castro have done a commendable job defensively at LHV - Castro hasn’t hit much which opened the door for Brito who’s put up very solid numbers in his opportunities. Aidan Miller has had his struggles both offensively and defensively at Reading in the early season as he’s battled weather conditions, both nagging and growing pains, the grind of pro baseball and dealing with getting acclimated to a higher level of play - he will be just fine though as the projectable skillset remains intact. Bryan Rincon is going thru similar struggles at Jersey Shore but I’m confident he too will break out of it as the weather gets nicer. Juan Villavicencio was slated to be the Clearwater primary shortstop but has been on the IL all season instead. Nolan Beltran was just sent back to the FCL and is also now in the IL - Nikau Pouaka-Grego and Diego Gonzalez now are sharing the position. There’s a seventeen year old in the FCL named Jose Familia who is intriguing both defensively and as a left handed power bat - I’ve been impressed thus far.

Third Base :  Otto Kemp has been an offensive juggernaut in the early going - he’s in the upper echelon of the International League in multiple categories including hits (48). One of the social media criticisms of him is his ability to hit off-speed pitches - well 28 of his hits are against secondary deliveries other than a fastball - that’s also amongst league leaders - so there’s that 🤓.  Otto is not a stellar defender but he certainly can do the job and in my opinion has a big league future somewhere - he’s able to play multiple defensive spots which is a boon. Buddy Kennedy has also played third (albeit mostly at first base) and also hit well for LHV. Luis Verdugo has been the primary third baseman at Reading but has truly struggled - big Felix Reyes is on the roster and can play there - he’s hit well since joining the club from extended spring training but has played mostly outfield corner or DH.

Carson DeMartini is a left handed hitting clone type of Kemp (Otto hits right handed) who’s been solid at Jersey Shore - he’s played quite a bit at third base - can also play the other infield spots - like Otto he’s a professional hitter that’s not necessarily strong defensively. Brady Day has been very good as the every day third baseman for Clearwater - he’s been strong both on defense and as a middle of the order bat - solid player.  Francisco Loreto is a teenage player on the FCL roster who’s shown some big pop capabilities in both BP and games so far.

Outfield :

Justin Crawford is unorthodox in his offensive approach - who cares 🤔😄 - all the kid does is consistently hit above .300, get on base, steal bases and score runs - there is no doubt the 21 year old is a future major leaguer.  If we wanted cookie-cutter baseball we’d have robo umps … oh wait 😂. Seriously I could care less how many ground balls the young man hits as long as he continues to perform. It’s an old and tired discussion. Gabriel Rincones Jr has shown flashes of success, he’s the LHV three hole hitter most often when he plays - the power numbers will be there when all is said and done, he’s a grinder with skills - I also believe he’s a future big leaguer.  Veteran Oscar Mercado has been solid all around for the IronPigs.

Marcus Lee Sang made a tremendous running catch on 4/17/25 in Somerset but unfortunately slammed his ankle and lower leg into the wall doing so. It was a season ending injury for him as surgery was required - the always upbeat young man will be in Clearwater this week to begin the rehab process - he’s currently in a walking boot. Cade Fergus was a short term fill in at Lehigh Valley and all he did was clobber five home runs - he’s now back with Reading and will be the primary center fielder. Hendry Mendez has been very solid as the Reading every day left fielder while right field has not been claimed by anyone in a regular role to date. Pierce Bennett has been a super utility player at Jersey Shore even adding center field to his defensive mix this week - very solid offensive numbers. Raylin Heredia was putting up good numbers as the JS right fielder before breaking his pinkie finger and going on the IL. The outfield is in flux at Jersey Shore - opportunities are there to step up to.

At Clearwater Dante Nori is coming off a productive week after a slow start to the season, including hitting his first pro home run. He’s shown multiple skills both as a hitter and defender - just a matter of getting into a rhythm. Avery Owusu- Asiedu has put up solid numbers playing primarily left field. Griffin Burkholder recently returned to Threshers action - he started to look more comfortable this past week - had some really good swings - like Nori it takes a bit for young first full year pros to get going but I’ve seen them both enough in practice and games to know that the production will indeed come. John Spikerman suffered another setback as he injured his hamstring this past week and is back on the IL where he opened the year with a shoulder issue.  Those wondering where TJayy Walton got to, he had hamate surgery and is with the rehab team working his way back. On the backfields of the FCL both Manolfi Jimenez and Victor Cardoza have played well - Cardoza actually played in a game for the Threshers last week in St Lucie.

By the way - the FCL game was rained out today so I wrote this article instead 🤓.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

Aaron Barrett - Rehab Pitching Coordinator - one of my favorites coaches - Photo by Cheryl Pursell

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