5/5/25 : Opportunities Taken

Taking advantage of opportunities to play are many times more essential for some players than others. Those who have earned the status of being lineup regulars aren’t often as subjected to short term tenures of consistent playing time (PT)… unless a substitute earns a chance to be in the lineup more. Baseball seasons are long, slumps and injuries occur - it’s often during those times that others are asked to both step in and step up.

Johan Rojas was afforded the chance to do so recently when Brandon Marsh was out at the big league level and performed very well.  As I’ve always stated the young man performs best when he plays with aggression, albeit controlled aggression is the ongoing goal. Sometimes aggression will result in mistakes, it does with just about every player who plays like their head is on fire (superstar Bryce Harper comes to mind). The social media geniuses have said that Johan “isn’t a major league player” - far from the truth, he’s still very much a developing talent and recent stints like he’s just went thru showcase his abilities. A few games back I noticed a shot of him in the dugout after being removed for a pinch hitter, he seemed a bit down, akin to another time much earlier in his career down here in Clearwater that I saw when he believed that he should have made the major league roster. His energy is his game, both times I sent him a note telling him to use the disappointment as fuel, to play like I’ve seen him do before, with the fire and passion that got him noticed in the first place.  I’m proud for Johan the way he’s stepped up, “brother Marsh” is now back off the IL so it’s likely that PT will once again be limited but at the least the skipper is more aware of another option when needed.

Twenty four year old outfielder Cade Fergus reported to minor league mini-camp along with his buddy outfielder Troy Schreffler on their own dime as they wanted to get a head start on their seasons. I had the chance to speak with each during the camp, both very pleasant young men who are very popular and respected teammates regardless of what roster they are on, they both play with all-out hustle. Troy was traded to the New York Mets before camp broke, Cade was assigned to the Reading roster as part of a five man outfield group. Throughout his career (began in 2022 after being drafted in the 13th round from George Washington) he’s been in the mix of playing time yet never as a full time regular.  Cade initially was in the spotlight on 3/16/23 when he hit a Grapefruit League ninth inning grand slam in Lakeland as a game day call-up.  He hit twelve home runs for the Clearwater Threshers that summer and was a clubhouse leader on a team that posted a 44-21 first half record. Last season he spent time at Lakewood, Reading and a few games as a fill in with Lehigh Valley. This spring he was assigned to Reading and broke camp with them. When Cal Stevenson was called to the majors as Brandon Marsh’s backfill Cade was assigned to Lehigh Valley once more to provide outfield reserve coverage … but then he took advantage of opportunity. On April 24th he subbed in as Marsh’s replacement after Brandon made three plate appearances. The game ended up going into extra innings and in the bottom of the tenth Cade smoked a curve ball for a two run walk off home run!  The next night it was the same routine - Cade subbed in for Marsh after he got his four AB’s and in the eighth inning he got his only AB of the game - he hit a first pitch slider over the outfield wall for a two run home run 👀.  Now LHV manager Anthony Contreras is a smart man so he rewarded Cade with a start on 4/27 - Fergus didn’t disappoint as belted a 3-1 fastball over the fence in his third AB of the game. Another start was afforded on 4/30 and again Cade went yard - this time on a 1-2 sweeper in the ninth inning for three runs!  His four home runs in four consecutive game appearances tied a LHV team record 👏.  Cade has since made three more starts and has posted a .407/.448/.963 slash line with a 1.411 OPS in 29 plate appearances. I am pretty sure the original intent was for him to return to Reading once Marsh rejoined the big club and Stevenson returned from Philly (which has now happened) but Cade has posted such great numbers that he’s very likely changed those plans 🤓.  Opportunity knocked and he stepped up and in.

Twenty four year old Felix Reyes was originally signed by the Phillies on 2/22/20 from the Dominican Republic. After limited playing time last season with Jersey Shore he requested and was permitted to play winter ball this off season in Colombia and hit the baseball very well posting a .344 batting average in 93 at bats. The affable big fella (6’4”) is very well liked amongst players, coaches and staff.  Every time I’ve watched him hit whether it be in BP or game action he seemingly always hits at least one rocket - has a very powerful swing. I thought he had a very good spring camp this year  - Felix was assigned to the Reading roster however was placed on the development list and stayed in Clearwater to work with the extended spring training group.  He went about his business as is his usual course and was called to Reading on 4/15 when outfielder Marcus Lee Sang suffered a season ending lower leg/ankle injury after making a spectacular wall crashing catch in Somerset in the 4/13 game. Felix was in the Reading lineup on 4/17 and has posted a .306/.333/.583 slash line with a .916 OPS in 39 plate appearances since including a game winning walk off home run last night in the tenth inning against Harrisburg. “El Gato” isn’t the best of defenders (he can play 1B/3B and the outfield corners) but is both energetic and willing to play anywhere (he played SS a few years back in the FCL when the club needed him to) and always gives a honest effort. He can smoke the baseball though with his bat - I’ve seen many long majestic drives from him. He’s also a clutch hitter, when runners are in scoring position he’s more apt to deliver than not  - in 2023 he produced 62 RBIs in just 67 games with the Threshers and has 171 RBIs in 266 career games - some folks discount the importance of the RBI - I’d say those folks never stood in the box with runners on and felt the pressure of delivering 😂. The big fella had to wait a bit this season before getting his chance to play, so far he’s stepped up when opportunity came.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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