As we embark on the 11th week of the minor league season and close in on the conclusion of the first half of the season the Phillies Player Development department has made a few promotions to begin the week, all well deserved.
Casey Martin - SS - Jersey Shore to Reading :
The 24 year old was the 3rd round draft selection of the club in the 2020 draft from the University of Arkansas. This season he has had his most success posting a .280/.367/.456 slash line and .823 OPS with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs and stole 16 bases. He also played well defensively at shortstop with more range than most and a very strong arm.
Casey struggled offensively in his first two seasons particularly making consistent hard contact. This season he’s cut down on the swing and has shown better pitch recognition. It’s great to see his current success given the prior difficulties, it’s a testament to his perseverance. He will now likely get a chance to be the regular shortstop at the AA level.
Gabriel Rincones Jr - OF - Clearwater to Jersey Shore :
Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2022 draft from Florida Atlantic University the 22 year old has made a great impact in his first 48 professional games. He’s hit .264/.388/.444 with an .832 OPS in 214 plate appearances with 13 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 21 RBIs. He’s also drawn 28 walks and stolen 24 bases.
We first saw Gabriel’s swing shortly after the draft in BP on the backfields, he didn’t play in any 2022 games as he was rehabbing a shoulder issue but our first impressions watching BP was his power bat (drove a few onto the bank beyond the right field fences on Roberts field) but also an ability to drive pitches where they were delivered, the ability to hit to all fields. His presence was a big part of the first half playoff run for Clearwater, well liked and confident in his abilities. I remember Herbert Iser hitting a monstrous home run to right field in Jersey Shore last season, Gabriel has the skills to match that length, helmets suggested for fans standing beyond the outfield fences 🤓. He will play either left or right field and DH, is a better fielder than was reported pre draft and is sneaky fast with the wheels as witnessed by his 24 stolen bases.
Erick Brito - 2B/SS - Clearwater to Jersey Shore :
Signed 11/29/18 from Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela the 21 year old has made a steady progression in his pro career playing initially in the Dominican Summer League for two seasons before advancing to Clearwater last season where he was the primary shortstop. This season he’s posted a .278/.350/.361 slash line with 2 doubles, 2 triples and 2 home runs in 44 games (164 plate appearances), he’s stolen 14 bases.
Erick has played primarily second base this year but we’ve seen him play all four infield spots and the outfield before. He’s shown good defensive skills and we’ve witnessed some spectacular plays as well, good range and decent arm. In my view he’s likely going to play shortstop at Jersey Shore replacing Martin there, he’s very capable at the position. Brito currently has a seven game hitting streak and is 12 for 25 (.440) in June with a .462 OBP. He’s the cousin of former Phillies infielder Danny Brito and shares the engaging Brito family smile.
Jack Dallas - RHP - Clearwater to Jersey Shore :
The 24 year old was signed on 8/1/22 as an un-drafted free agent from Lamar University. He’s put up spectacular numbers this season with a minuscule 0.60 ERA in 19 games (30 IP) with 31 strikeouts and 12 walks. Jack has seven saves and a 1.23 WHIP.
Jack was the closer in college for Lamar - predominantly uses his fastball/sinker and curve/slider as out pitches. He attacks hitters and has consistently put the ball in good spots, pushes for contact and has been used to pitch out of inherited jams and then extend beyond that in games, capable of going multiple innings. Will not scare or be intimidated in any situation, knows how to pitch. His younger brother Chad pitches in the Blue Jays organization, he’s presently at the AA level.
Wesley Moore - LHP - Clearwater to Jersey Shore :
Wesley has posted a 0.72 ERA in 17 games (25 IP) with 39 strikeouts and 12 walks, his WHIP is 1.04 and opponents have hit just .157 against him. He’s 23 years old and was signed on 11/9/22 as an un-drafted free agent from Kansas State University and was born in Surrey, BC, Canada.
He’s been used by the Threshers as a back end of the game stopper both in inherited runner(s) situations and starting innings clean and has pitched multiple innings in nine of his appearances albeit never more than two innings. Wesley has a strong change up that he couples with a sinker as his primary mix. The change up comes from the same arm slot and has great downward movement and deception, it is a pitch that produces a lot of swings and misses. He will likely continue in a similar role with Jersey Shore.
Congrats to all and best wishes!
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Photos by Casey Burns, Rebecca Alexander and Michael Dolcemascolo
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