6/10/25 : Eighteen Minor League Transactions

In case ya missed it there were eighteen Phillies minor league players affected by transactions on Sunday and Monday. When minor league players move up or down levels it’s not something that casual fans generally take notice of, even more ardent fans aren’t necessarily aware. I write about these things because it’s important to at least those 18 people and their friends and families as to their new updated playing status.

Of note (from my view) is the return of OF Matt Kroon to the LHV active roster from the IL - the IronPigs are coming off a 2-4 week in Charlotte with a magic number of nine to clinch the International League first half title (and year end playoff spot) - there are twelve first half games remaining. Matt played in seven rehab games with Jersey Shore last week, he’s capable of going on hot streaks with the bat and hopefully does so this week in Allentown. Matt only knows one speed in playing - all out - he has no fear of outfield walls in pursuit of fly balls 😳. The IronPigs have long led the International League in attendance - it would be really cool to see both the LHV organization and fans rewarded with a playoff berth - hopefully Matt and his teammates can get it done.

IF Carson DeMartini’s promotion to Reading from Jersey Shore is very much deserved, the 2024 fourth round draft selection from Virginia Tech excelled at High A with a .284 batting average and .402 OBP in 229 PA’s. He’s coming off a 9 for 25 (.360) week of play against Bowling Green with seven runs scored, three home runs and six RBIs. Carson is a left handed hitter who’s shown from day one a professional approach at the dish (very much reminds me of Otto Kemp but from the opposite batters box). It’s likely he gets the brunt of game action at Reading as their third baseman however he can play any of the four infield spots. The Reading club can definitely use an offensive boost and hopefully Carson acclimates quickly and provides it. Luis Verdugo returns to Reading after a short stint with LHV as a backup for them last week - Luis played one game with the Iron Pigs and went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs - tough work to then get transferred back 😎.

Catcher Caleb Ricketts continues his rehab work this week with Jersey Shore - last week in his initial return to action he tore it up with Clearwater going 7 for 13 (.538) with three doubles, two home runs, five RBIs and six runs scored in the series against Bradenton. Caleb has often battled the injury bug in his brief career since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 draft but when he’s been healthy he’s generally been able to produce. Hopefully his presence in the JS lineup this week is a successful as it was with Clearwater last week.

Catcher Alirio Ferrebus is a very talented player on both sides of the ball - we’ve watched him throw out runners and show good form as a catcher in the FCL the past two years along with having offensive pop both years and in this year’s spring camp. He’s coming off a 7 for 22 (.318) week in the FCL and has posted four home runs overall this season on the expansive backfields.  I’ll miss seeing his enthusiasm and propensity to break out in song from my backfield perch at the Complex but the nineteen year old definitely has earned his chance at full season play - now coupled with 18 year old Eduardo Tait as a catching tandem once again they represent two very realistic major league backstop projections.  Should be fun to see them both in the lineup - Alirio plays first base as well and certainly will see some time there.

The waiver claim of RHP Ryan Cusick sort of went under the radar - he’s a big arm who was highly regarded coming out of the 2021 draft as the Braves first round selection from Wake Forest. The Braves traded him to Oakland as part of the 3/14/22 Matt Olson deal. Cusick has struggled throwing strikes and also commanding the zone when he does - he will begin his Phillies time at the Carpenter Complex working with the good people in the pitching lab to ascertain whether there are mechanical tweaks that can harness both. I think the Phillies development staff is very good and hopefully they can unleash the talent that young Mr. Cusick (he’s just 25 years old) possesses.

C/1B Guillermo Rosario struggled offensively at Clearwater and returns to the FCL backfields for a re-set - never give up on talent and I think the young man (20 years old) has it - hopefully he gets on track.

System Transactions :

Lehigh Valley : OF Matt Kroon returned from minor league rehab assignment and reinstated from 7-day IL. RHP Daniel Robert optioned to Lehigh Valley (from Philadelphia). C Josh Breaux transferred from Reading. RHP Kyle Tyler has been designated for assignment (retroactive to 6/8).

Reading : IF Carson DeMartini transferred from Jersey Shore. INF Luis Verdugotransferred from Lehigh Valley.

Jersey Shore : IF Cole Roberts transferred from Reading. C Caleb Ricketts' (Reading 7-day IL) minor league rehab assignment transferred to Jersey Shore from Clearwater.

Clearwater : C/3B Yhoan Escalona transferred from Lehigh Valley. C Alirio Ferrebus transferred from FCL Phillies.

FCL : RHP Ryan Cusick has been claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and optioned to FCL (from PHI) (retroactive to 6/8). C/1B Guillermo Rosario added to the roster (from CLW)

DSL Red :RHP Josias Utrera has been signed to a minor league contract and added to the roster. OF Winifer Castillo and INF Samuel Salcedo added to the roster (from DSL White)

DSL White : RHP Luis Quintero has been signed to a minor league contract and added to the roster. INF Roiner Cespede and C Rey Cruz added to the roster (from DSL Red)

Did Ya Know 🤔

It was a great night last evening for the newest Phillies major leaguer Otto Kemp as he went 3 for 5 in his CBP debut - he got the full experience of some boos from the fickle fans who do such things on his error and cheers on his hits and the diving catch he made at third base. As we’ve said all along Otto won’t necessarily be the best fielder when he’s out there but he certainly can make most of the plays and every now and again will flash the leather to greater heights. We’ve watched his progression from the initial days on the backfields learning how to play second base till now where he’s very capable of manning at least four positions - yes he can play left field for those that wonder.

Here’s an updated list of current active major leaguers who originated as either Phillies signed draft picks, un-drafted free agent signings or as international signings. There are 26 current active major leagues who meet the criteria. Of the 26 eighteen were originally signed in the most recent ten years (2015-2024) - four from 2015, two from 2016, two from 2017, five from 2018, two from 2019, one from 2020 and two from 2022.

Here’s  the list :

Travis d’Arnaud - Angels - 2007 - C-A round

Hector Neris - Angels - 2010 international signing   

Ranger Suarez - Phillies - 2012 international signing

Seranthony Dominguez - Orioles - 2012 international signing   

Hoby Milner - Rangers - 2012 7th round

JP Crawford - Mariners - 2013 1st round

Mark Leiter Jr - Yankees - 2013 22nd round

Rhys Hoskins - Brewers - 2014 5th round

Rafael Marchan - Phillies - 2015 international signing

Luke Williams - Braves - 2015 3rd round

Scott Kingery - Angels - 2015 2nd round

Bailey Falter - Pirates - 2015 5th round

Jo Jo Romero - Cardinals - 2016 4th round

Mickey Moniak - Rockies - 2016 1st round

Connor Brogdon - Angels - 2017 10th round

Ben Brown - Cubs - 2017 33rd round

Alec Bohm - Phillies - 2018 1st round

Johan Rojas - Phillies - 2018 international signing

Matt Vierling - Tigers - 2018 5th round

Logan O’Hoppe - Angels - 2018 23rd round

Curtis Mead - Rays - 2018 international signing

Bryson Stott - Phillies - 2019 1st round

Erik Miller - Giants - 2019 4th round

Mick Abel - Phillies - 2020 1st round

Orion Kerkering - Phillies - 2022 5th round

Otto Kemp - Phillies - 2022 un-drafted free agent signing

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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