The Phillies have historically issued “Minor League Player of the Month” awards for position players and pitchers. Below are a few nominations for the May awards 🤔🤓.
Position Players
Austin Wynns - photo by Cheryl Pursell & Logan O’Hoppe - photo by George Youngs Jr
Catcher Austin Wynns - Lehigh Valley - in 21 games the 31 year old veteran catcher posted a .429 batting average ( 30 for 70 ), a .560 OBP and a .629 slugging percentage. He had 5 doubles, 3 home runs and 15 RBIs and drew 20 walks while striking out just 11 times. He has reached based in 21 straight games. Austin has established himself as a top of the order presence in the Iron Pigs lineup while also providing leadership behind the dish and is hitting a lofty .381 with a .520 OBP for the season in 97 AB’s. He was the Orioles 10th round draft selection in the 2013 draft from Fresno State and has played in 115 big league games ( 2018 - 2021 ) all with the Orioles.
Catcher Logan O’Hoppe - Reading - had a great month posting a .309 ( 25 for 81 ) batting average and .411 OBP along with a .593 slugging percentage in 23 games. Included in the mix was an 11 game hitting streak and a current 15 game on base streak. Logan ( 22 yrs old - 2018 23rd round draft selection from Saint John the Baptist High School, West Islip, NY ) hit 5 doubles, 6 home runs and drove in 12 runs during the month. On the season he’s got a .294 batting average in 143 AB’s with 8 home runs and 24 RBIs with a .406 OBP and .531 slugging percentage.
INF Hao Yu Lee - Clearwater - hit .292 ( 28 for 96 ) during the month with a .405 OBP. He hit 5 doubles, a triple and 6 home runs and posted 28 RBIs. Lee also drew 15 walks. He’s 19 years old and was signed on 6/15/21 from New Taipei, Taiwan as an international free agent. A very popular teammate who plays with great passion and can fire up his squad with his reactions after a good hit or play. Defensively he’s played 2B, SS and 3B this summer and has handled all well. On the season his batting average is .283 ( 45 for 159 ) with a .385 OBP. He’s driven in 37 runs and has 7 home runs. Still very young in his career but he’s already showing the characteristics of being a “professional hitter”.
INF Yairo Munoz - Lehigh Valley posted a .333 ( 25 for 75 ) batting average for the month with 5 doubles, 2 home runs and 10 RBIs. Signed as a minor league free agent on 2/1/22 from the Boston Red Sox organization he was originally signed by the Oakland A’s in 2012 and has now played with four organizations ( A’s, Cardinals, Red Sox & Phillies ).
INF Nick Maton - Lehigh Valley - went 23 for 77 ( .299 ) with 10 doubles, a home run and 17 RBIs. Nick had a four hit game on 5/20 with three doubles and posted a .411 OBP for the month drawing 15 walks in 92 plate appearances. He was the club’s 7th round draft selection in the 2017 draft and is on the 40 man roster. Has played primarily shortstop this season for LHV but saw action at second base in the major leagues last year as well.
1B Darick Hall - Lehigh Valley - drove in 23 runs during the month with 5 doubles & 6 home runs. He’s second in the league in RBIs with 51 and tied for first with 15 home runs. The 26 year old 14th round draft selection from the 2016 draft won the April player of the month award and is thus far having a standout season.
1B Josh Ockimey -Reading - .400 OBP ( 42 for 105 ) for the month. He had 18 walks - 5, doubles 6 home runs and 17 RBIs - .540 slugging percentage. The 26 year old was signed as a minor league free agent on 2/14 from the Red Sox organization.
INF McCarthy Tatum - Jersey Shore - before being placed on the 7 day IL on May 21st McCarthy was having a standout month posting a .319 batting average ( 15 for 47 ) and a .383 OBP. He had 3 doubles, a triple and 2 home runs while driving in 12 runs with a .553 slugging percentage. The 26 year old 2019 10th round draft choice from Fresno State even played two new defensive positions making appearances at both shortstop and second base.
OF Wilfredo Flores - Clearwater - hit .315 ( 23 for 73 ) during the month. The 22 year old from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic has played all three outfield positions this season for the Threshers after primarily being an infielder for the first three seasons of his career. He’s always hit well - has a career .322 batting average and .373 OBP in 482 AB’s. This season has been his first extended action with a full season squad.
Pitchers :
My selection as Pitcher of the Month : RH Ben Brown - Jersey Shore - made 4 starts ( 18 1/3 IP ) and recorded a 0.98 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, struck out 30 batters and held opposing hitters to a .129 batting average. He has a 16 1/3 inning scoreless streak going over his last three starts during which he struck out 27 batters and walked just three ! Ben can bring the heat in the mid nineties range ( 93 to 97 mph ) and uses his 6’6” frame to extend his release point and make the stuff play even higher. He features an electric fastball with carry & run, a power curveball and a late short sweeping slider. The 22 year old was the club’s 33rd round draft selection in the 2017 draft from Ward Melville High School in East Setauket, NY. It’s been a long journey to return to good baseball health since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2019 ( appeared in just 7 games last season - 16 IP ). He struggled with control and command in April after a strong spring camp - looks like things are back on track big time for the very popular young man, great personality and family support.
Ben Brown - photo by Michael Dolcemascolo
RH Francisco Morales - Lehigh Valley - appeared in 10 games ( 2 with the Phillies, 3 with Reading, 5 with LHV ) during the month accumulating 14 IP and posted a 1.29 ERA in his total appearances yielding just two earned runs. He struck out 20 batters. In his two major league appearances he pitched 3 innings, allowed no earned runs, four walks and struck out three in 3 IP earring a save against the Dodgers on 5/13. The 22 year old from San Juan de los Morros, Venezuela was signed as an amateur free agent on 7/2/16 by scout Jesus Mendez. He features a wipeout slider that’s become his predominant pitch but can also bring the heat in the mid to upper nineties.
RH Mark Appel - made 7 appearances ( 10 IP ) and posted a 1.80 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP punching out 10 batters while walking just 2. Included in the effort were 3 perfect innings in a game on May 6th against Syracuse when he struck out four batters. The 30 year old former # 1 overall draft pick of the Houston Astros in the 2013 draft has settled nicely into a relief role with the Iron Pigs and has a 2.11 ERA overall in 13 appearances totaling 21 1/3 IP. He’s shown a mid nineties two seam fastball along with a slider and changeup and much better command than we saw last season when he returned to action.
LH Jonathan Hennigan - made 8 appearances ( 11 1/3 IP ) posting a 2.38 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. In six of the eight appearances he yielded no runs and in fact had a 15 2/3 scoreless inning streak dating back to April 15th carry into his first three appearances in May. The 27 year old from Texas was drafted in the 21st round of the 2016 draft from Texas State and has been a consistently reliable reliever for the Iron Pigs with 14 appearances over all ( 22 IP ) posting a 2.86 ERA ( 0.87 ERA in 12 of those games over 20 2/3 IP ). He features a fastball in the 92-94 mph range, splitter and slider.
LH Christopher Sanchez - made three appearances ( two starts ) for the Iron Pigs during the month accumulating 10 1/3 IP and posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He also pitched in two games with the Phillies ( 4 IP ). Christopher ( 25 years old ) has been remarkably consistent in his minor league games given his yo-yo status this season of being in essence on call to the majors when a need arises. He was acquired from the Rays in a 11/20/19 trade for infielder Curtis Mead. Sanchez has big arm capabilities with a fastball that generally sits in the 94 to 96 mph range.
LH Ethan Lindow - Reading/Jersey Shore had one bad outing during the month in his second start for Reading but otherwise was stellar. After being promoted from Jersey Shore on May 24th he threw five solid innings in his start against Binghamton. Prior to that he had posted a 1.86 ERA in 4 May appearances ( 9 2/3 IP ) with Jersey Shore - 14 K’s & 2 BB. He had a 1.33 ERA in 20 1/3 IP with the Blue Claws with 31 K’s and 7 walks - a 0.93 WHIP. Drafted in the 5th round of the 2017 draft he’s now 23 years old.
RH Billy Sullivan - Reading - 1.46 ERA in 10 games - 12 1/3 IP - 1.30 WHIP - 18 K’s, 8 walks. Billy has a 2.50 ERA for the season in 16 appearances. The 23 year old fireballer was signed on 6/16/20 as an amateur free agent from the University of Delaware. He can dominate hitters when he’s commanding the zone and was doing that to end the month - 7 game scoreless streak totaling 9 innings with 12 strikeouts 🔥.
RH Bubby Rossman -Reading - posted a 2.03 ERA in 9 games with 18 K’s - 3 as opener - 13 1/3 IP - 1.05 WHIP - the 29 year old reliever was signed on 11/9/21 from the independent league team York Revolution. He’s a power pitcher who features a big break splitter/changeup.
LH Erik Miller - Reading - made 6 May appearances ( 4 as an opener ) and posted a 2.53 ERA in 10 2/3 IP. Opponents hit just .182 against him. For the season he’s got a 1.74 ERA in 11 games ( 20 2/3 IP ) and a 0.97 WHIP. Erik has struck out 26 batters and walked nine. The power hurler continues to build arm strength and endurance with an eye on moving up the ladder. He was the team’s 4th round draft selection in the 2019 draft from Stanford.
RH Aidan Anderson - Jersey Shore - made 7 scoreless appearances during the month pitching a total of 10 innings and posting a WHIP of 0.70. Opponents hit just .171 against him. The 24 year old was added to the Jersey Shore roster on April 27th after beginning the season in extended spring and then appearing in two games with the Clearwater Threshers. He throws a four seamer as well as a sinker/slider with a change up - strike thrower - only one walk in 15 1/3 IP this season. Fastball sits in the 91 to 94 mph range. He’s got a 13 1/3 inning no earned run streak dating back to 4/21 - over that 9 game stretch only 1 unearned run has been scored against him. On the season he’s posted a 1.17 ERA in 15 1/3 IP with a 0.78 WHIP. The native Texan was signed on 6/18/19 as an amateur free agent from McNeese State. His twin brother Grant pitches in the Texas Rangers organization.
Aidan Anderson - photo by Michael Dolcemascolo
RH Tyler McKay - 1.13 ERA in 6 games ( 8 IP ) as a reliever. Converted to a relief pitcher this season the 24 year old 2018 16th round draft selection has a 2.95 ERA for the season in 13 games ( 18 1/3 IP ).
RH Andrew Painter - Clearwater - made 5 starts ( 20 2/3 IP ) and posted a 2.18 ERA with 30 K’s and 12 walks. He went a season long 6 innings in his start on 5/28 and posted his first professional win. The 19 year 2021 first round draft selection from Calvary Christian in Fort Lauderdale, FL has been everything as advertised thus far in his young career. For the season he’s made 8 starts and has a stellar 1.38 ERA in 32 2/3 IP with a whopping 60 K’s 💪. That’s pretty good eh 😂
Andrew Painter - photo by Mark Wylie
RH Konnor Ash - Clearwater made 9 relief appearances during the month and recorded a 1.35 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 13 1/3 IP with 21 K’s and just 5 walks. In his 3 inning appearance on 5/22 he didn’t allow a run even though each inning started with a placed runner on second base ( an extra inning game ) and he struck out an amazing 8 batters in the outing without allowing a hit and just one walk. The 23 year old from Missouri was signed as an un-drafted free agent on 7/20/21. He started this season in extended spring but since being added to the Threshers roster on April 27th he’s been outstanding. Konnor has a unique delivery where the ball hides behind a high knee kick position just before release and he’s got a wipeout curve ball.
RH Tommy McCollum - Clearwater made 9 appearances ( 12 1/3 IP ) with 16 K’s posting a 1.46 ERA and holding opposing batters to a .128 batting average. The 22 year old power pitcher ( FB ranges 94-97 mph ) has battled command ( 11 walks ) but when he’s in the zone he has shown put away stuff including a very good split finger ( fork ball ) changeup. He too was signed as an un-drafted free agent on 7/20/21 from Wingate University in Wingste, NC. Tommy hails from Georgia. He’s a big fella at 6’5” who uses his height to extend his release point. On the season he’s got a 1.86 ERA in 14 games ( 19 1/3 IP ) with 32 K’s.
Prior Month Awards
April Player of the Month - Darick Hall - Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
April Pitchers of the Month - Andrew Painter - Clearwater Threshers & Corey Phelan - GCL Phillies
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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