5/6/25 : This Week in the Minors (Phillies Version)
- Steve Potter
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Lehigh Valley sits atop the International League standings entering the week with a 23-10 record and a one game lead over Durham (Rays affiliate) with Jacksonville (Marlins affiliate) two games behind and Memphis (Cardinals affiliate) three games back. Like most AAA level rosters the IronPigs have a good many acquired veteran players who’ve spent previous time in the major leagues but they also are getting significant contributions from “home grown” younger players such as utility player Otto Kemp (International League player of the month for April and Phillies system co-hitter of the Month), right handed pitcher Mick Abel (Phillies system pitcher of the month for April), outfielder Justin Crawford (.322/.390/.421 in 136 PA’s), outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr (7 doubles, 3 home runs, 13 RBIs), outfielder Cade Fergus (.407/.448/.963 and 5 home runs in 29 PA’s - Cade was re-assigned to Reading today) and infielder Erick Brito (.298/.400/.319 in 56 PA’s). Scheduled starters on the mound in this week’s six game set at home against Worcester (Red Sox affiliate) include Nabil Crismatt -his turn to start two games, Kyle Tyler, Andrew Painter (Thursday), Alan Rangel and Mick Abel.
Reading looks to propel Sunday night’s exciting ten inning walk off win against Harrisburg (Felix Reyes hit a two run home run) towards a successful series in Binghamton (Mets affiliate). The Fightins have struggled to find consistency in the early going - Reyes has been a bright spot since his promotion in mid April from extended spring training having posted a .306/.333/.583 slash line in 39 PA’s with four doubles and a couple home runs. Shortstop Aidan Miller had a decent week against Harrisburg (.375 OBP in 24 PA’s) and looks to continue building momentum. Outfielder Hendry Mendez has been Reading’s most consistent hitter (.284/.359/.358 in 93 PA’s) and catcher Paul McIntosh could return after a rehab stint last week with Jersey Shore. Scheduled pitching starters for the coming week include Moises Chace, Jean Cabrera, Chuck King, Gabe Mosser and Braeden Fausnaught.
Jersey Shore will be at home hosting Aberdeen (Orioles affiliate) -both squads have struggled to find the win column in the early going. The BlueClaws pitching staff ranks at the bottom in the South Atlantic League in team ERA, WHIP and BAA. Hopefully that changes course beginning this week. Infielder Carson DeMartini has a .408 OBP in 103 PA’s while second baseman Devin Saltiban is coming off a good week in Hudson Valley (7 for 21 with three doubles and a home run). Scheduled starting pitchers for the upcoming series include Aaron Combs, Casey Steward, Alex McFarlane, Mavis Graves and Micah Ottenbreit.
Clearwater travels to the east cost of Florida this week to play St Lucie (Mets affiliate). St. Lucie is 15-12 and currently holds first place in the Florida State League East Division. The Threshers (15-12) are tied for first in the West Division with Dunedin (Jays affiliate) and Lakeland (Tigers affiliate) with Fort Myers (Twins affiliate) just one game back. Second baseman Aroon Escobar is in the top ten in the league in hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, batting average, OBP, slugging, OPS and total bases - no wonder he was named the systems co-hitter of the month for April 👀. Catcher Eduardo Tait is tied for the league leadership in home runs (6) and is third in RBIs (19). The Threshers pitching staff leads the league in team WHIP (1.30) - six pitchers with four or more appearances have ERA’s under two - RHP Ryan Dromboski has a 1.77 ERA in 20.1 IP while reliever Saul Teran has a 0.00 ERA in 8 games (10 IP) including going three scoreless (two in extra innings) last week to close out a win against Bradenton. Scheduled starting pitchers for the upcoming series include Marcus Morgan, Zack Tukis, Luke Gabrysh, Sam Highfill, Ryan Degges and Ryan Dromboski.
The FCL Phillies opened their season on Saturday with a home loss against the Blue Jays - they avenged the loss yesterday with a 4-2 win on the road in Dunedin. Today they play the Yankees in Tampa and end the week with home games Thursday and Friday (in the stadium) against the Yankees and Tigers before closing the week with a road trip to Lakeland to play the Tigers on Saturday morning. Scheduled starting pitchers include Alexander De Los Santos, Pedro Reyes, Angel Liranzo and Brad Pacheco.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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