The Fightins will compete in the Double A North East League - North East Division. Their entire 120 game schedule will be played against five opponents ... Binghamton, NY, Hartford, CT, New Hampshire ( Manchester, NH ), Portland, ME and Somerset, NJ.
There are 28 active spots on the roster with an allowance of 2 more players ( inactive ) that will form the squad. There is no requirement to carry the extra two inactive players however if teams chose to do so they are ineligible for games unless activated ... 28 is the maximum allowance for game day activations.
The season starts on May 4th .
Manager : Shawn Williams
Pitching Coach : Brad Bergensen
Hitting Coach : Tyler Henson
Athletic Trainer : Kris Terrian
Strength & Conditioning Coach : Kenny Matanane
Pitchers : 16
RHP Mark Appel - 29 years old - coming back from retirement - he threw a couple innings on the last day of camp - doesn’t have full velocity back yet - likely will be in used in short stints to begin with
RHP Andrew Brown - 23 years old - played in Clearwater in 2019 - had a solid camp - can pitch multiple innings out of the pen
RHP Tyler Carr - 24 years old - played in Clearwater/Reading in 2019 - solid big league camp and then alternate camp - will be part of backend of the pen
RHP Joel Cesar - 24 years old - played at Advanced A/AA - 2019 - Pirates - big arm with short compact delivery - acquired in Austin Davis trade - reliever
RHP Colton Eastman - 24 years old - played in Lakewood/Clearwater/Reading in 2019 - likely starter in a six man rotation - strike thrower in the mold of Eshelman/Seabold
LHP Ethan Evanko - 25 years old - played in Lakewood/Clearwater in 2019 - multi inning reliever to start the season I believe - tall lanky lefty
RHP Julian Garcia - 25 years old - played in Clearwater/Reading in 2019 - had an outstanding minor league camp - will be part of the six man rotation
RHP Kyle Glogoski - 22 years old - played in Lakewood/Clearwater in 2019 - outstanding young hurler - one to watch - will be part of the starting rotation
LHP Jonathan Hennigan - 26 years old - played at Reading in 2019 - fills the backend of the pen roll - could be the closer
LHP Jakob Hernandez - 24 years old - played at Reading in 2019 - a solid bullpen option - big overhand delivery
LHP Taylor Lehman - 25 years old - played in Williamsport/Lakewood in 2019 - another multi inning option out of the pen - Penn State alum
LHP Ethan Lindow - 22 years old - played in Lakewood/Clearwater in 2019 - will be part of the starting rotation - had a very solid camp, strike thrower - 2019 Paul Owens Award winner
RHP James McArthur - 24 years old - played in Lakewood/Clearwater in 2019 - will be in the starting rotation - has ticked velocity up into the mid 90’s ... flashing 97
RHP Francisco Morales - 21 years old - played at Lakewood - 2019 - outstanding young arm - power stuff - just needs consistency of command and he’s a big leaguer
RHP Austin Ross - 26 years old - played in Clearwater in 2019 - will provide multiple innings from the pen - solid pitcher
LHP Zach Warren - 24 years old - played at Clearwater in 2019 - big curve and FB - will pitch at the back end of the bullpen
Catchers : 3
Colby Fitch - 25 years old - played at Clearwater - 2019 - an excellent defender - returns to action after knee surgery ended his 2019 campaign
Rodolfo Duran - 22 years old - played at Clearwater - 2019 - also coming off of knee surgery in 2019 - solid offensive receiver with plus arm
Nick Matera - 24 years old - played at 5 levels - 2019 - had an outstanding camp, hit the ball on the screws - maybe the best defender on a very good defensive catching corps in Reading
Infielders : 7
Daniel Brito - 23 years old - played at Clearwater in 2019 - had a very good winter league campaign in Venezuela and has been solid in alternate camp - outstanding defender - minor league gold glove winner at 2B - coming into his own with the bat
Arquimedes Gamboa - 23 years old - played at Reading in 2019 - returns to hold down SS - had a solid minor league camp especially offensively which has been his past struggles - if that carries over he’s back in the prospect mix
Dalton Guthrie - 25 years old - played at Clearwater in 2019 - solid defender at all infield positions and has pop in his bat
Luke Miller - 24 years old - played at Lakewood/Clearwater in 2019 - just a very good and smart baseball player - fits the mold of a “St Louis Cardinal type” player - will hold down 1B for the majority of innings
Madison Stokes - 24 years old - played at Clearwater in 2019 - another very heady and versatile player - even played RF in minor league camp - solid baseball player
McCarthy Tatum - 24 years old - played at Williamsport/Lakewood in 2019 - had a very good camp and pushed his way onto the Reading roster - likely gets the majority of innings at third base but can also play LF and 1B too.
Sal Gozzo - 23 years old - played in GCL in 2019 - is a solid defensive middle infielder ... played predominantly short stop in minor league camp but is versatile
Outfielders : 2
Matt Kroon - 24 years old - played at Lakewood/Clearwater in 2019 - has played infield the majority of his minor league career but was in CF in minor league camp and looked really good out there - has some legit pop in his bat as well
Matt Vierling - 24 years old - played 2019 in Clearwater - participated in both big league camp and at the Alternate site - will get steady AB’s at Reading and can play all three outfield spots effectively - also can play 1B if needed.
Hope the team has a great season !
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Steve Potter is the co-author with Larry Shenk of “Life In The Minors, 5th annual Phillies Minor League Digest” now available on amazon.com. He can be followed on www.PhilliesBaseballFan.com).