Position Players of the Week :
IF Diego Gonzalez - Florida Complex League ( FCL ) Phillies - went 10 for 22 ( .455 ) with two doubles and 4 RBIs out of the lead off spot in the order. He posted a .478 OBP for the week - he’s a 19 year old from Barquisimeto, Venezuela and came stateside a couple weeks ago ( we first saw him play on May 21st ). Diego played primarily 2B-SS in his first pro season last year in the Dominican Summer League playing for Phillies Red. He posted a .274/.331/.356 slash line in 43 games ( 146 AB’s ) in 2021. We’ve seen him mostly at second base over the past two weeks, has shown good range and quick hands and feet. Off to a great start in his first “official” week of stateside play.
IF Nikau Pouaka-Grego - Florida Complex League ( FCL ) Phillies - was 7 for 16 ( .438 ) with two doubles, four RBIs and four walks ( .571 OBP ). - he’s the youngest on the club at just 17 years of age - was born in Christchurch, New Zealand but grew up and lives in Australia. We had the honor of meeting his father and grandfather a few weeks back when he first reported to the Complex. Nikau is a left handed hitter with a short swing, hand speed is very evident - quick thru the baseball and has shown the ability in the brief times we’ve watched of making consistent contact. This past week he’s played primarily third base but we’ve seen him play second base for the most part in extended spring. He gets good reads on the ball off the bat enabling him to cover a lot of territory. A personable young man who brings energy and passion to the field, in his first week of games that count he got the game winning knock in a walk off win on Thursday against the Yankees.
Nikau Pouaka-Grego & Diego Gonzalez - photo by Mark Wylie
Pitchers of the Week : The Jersey Boys ( JS Blue Claws ) - quality starts in 4 of 7 games - 23 IP, 3 R, 11 H, 5 BB, 34 K’s - 1.17 ERA
RH Kyle Glogoski - 6/7 - 5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 8 K’s - 66 pitches - 45 strikes ( 68 % ) - great command and mix. Kyle has made three starts for Jersey Shore and has yet to give up a run in 12 IP ( 8 H, 4 BB, 12 K’s ). The inactivity of 2020 had a huge impart on the New Zealander as he was unable to continue his normal routine of competing in the Australian Baseball League during the winter months. Kyle started the season in extended spring training after a spring camp used to build back velocity and pitching stamina. The velo reads still aren’t back to where they were ( mid 90’s ) pre-pandemic however the pitching savvy and off speed offerings have returned. The 23 year old is back on track to success, in 2019 he posted a 1.68 ERA in 19 games ( 80 1/3 IP ) with Lakewood & Clearwater.
RH Griff McGarry - 6/8 - 6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K’s - 86 pitches - 52 strikes - fastball was mid to upper nineties but the key was control and command in the zone. Griff has big league skills to become a dominant hurler, when he’s struggled it’s been with the inability to harness the stuff to throw strikes. This past week’s outing was a sampling of what he’s capable of when mechanics, focus and stuff all come together. The 23 year old 2021 5th round draft selection from the University of Virginia has a big time strikeout repertoire( 48 K’s in 9 starts this season - 29 1/3 IP ) which can play at any level. When delivery consistency clicks and prevails he’s tough to beat.
RH Mick Abel - 6/10 - 6 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K’s - 93 pitches - 62 strikes ( 67 % ) - I’ve watched Mick pitch quite a bit in his two years in the organization, the skillset the 20 year old possesses is undeniably major league projectable. He can seemingly throw his fastball ( 96 -100 MPH ) past any batter at any time. He’s worked diligently with his coaches to utilize his complete arsenal and to sequence pitches that will keep advanced hitters at bay. This week was a strong effort in that regard, he was able to use secondaries as weapons as well - even with runners on base the young hurler stuck with the plan and was able to pitch out of situations. He can be a strikeout machine ( 57 K’s in 10 games - 43 IP ) yet also has the mix to push longer into games with less pitches. He’s already reached the innings count where he was shut down last season - it’s been fun watching the learning curve of being a premiere professional pitcher take place - he’s a great competitor, can feel the fire and passion that burns. I liked this week’s outing the most of all I’ve seen because it included elements of everything the inquisitive student is learning - good stuff !
RH Ben Brown -6/11 - 6 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 11 K’s - 84 pitches - 60 strikes ( 71 % ) - was outstanding, he had a nasty hook and changeup working which he was using to offset his fast ball which sat consistently in the 94 to 97 mph range during the game, he baffled the Hudson Valley hitters keeping them off balance and making seemingly “perfect” pitches one after another - totally dominated the outing. The big fella has been hot for the last month, great to see and fun to watch - in his last six starts : 29 1/3 IP, 17 H, 4 ER, 7 BBs, 47 Ks - a minuscule 1.22 ERA - coming off a pitcher of the month award for May he’s begun June in similar form. It’s been a pleasure to watch the 22 year old grow up in the system, we believed he had big league skills the first time we saw him on the backfields in 2017.
Left to right ( top to bottom ) : Ben Brown, Kyle Glogoski, Mick Abel & Griff McGarry - photos by Michael Dolcemascolo
Position Player standouts :
Lehigh Valley :
IF Yairo Munoz was 7 for 21 ( .333 ) for the week with 3 home runs and 6 RBIs. The versatile infielder is hitting .345 for the month of June in 29 AB’s with a .367 OBP. He’s hitting .319 for the season in 163 AB’s with a .345 OBP and has played 2B,SS and 3B for the Iron Pigs this season.
C Rafael Marchan went 5 for 16 ( .313 ) for the week with a double and 3 RBIs. The 23 year old has now accumulated 47 AB’s in 14 games on his rehab assignments since opening the season on the major league 60 day IL.
Reading :
OF/1B Aldrem Corredor went 6 for 19 ( .316 ) including hitting a grand slam home run on the 8th. The 26 year old has been versatile defensively as well playing both corner outfield spots as well as first base.
C/OF/1B Vito Friscia was 5 for 15 ( .333 ) with five walks ( .500 OBP ). Vito homered in the game on the 10th and is hitting .363 ( 12 for 33 ) for the month. He’s got a .405 OBP for the season in 41 games played.
Jersey Shore :
1B Rixon Wingrove - was 8 for 22 ( .363 ) with a home run and 5 RBIs. Since being promoted to Jersey Shore he’s hit at a .353 clip ( 18 for 51 ) with 4 home runs and 11 RBIs.
OF Johan Rojas - had a strong week going 9 for 26 ( .346 ) with 2 doubles and a home run - he also stole 5 bases during the week giving him 30 for the season. Johan has a hit in 10 of the 12 games he’s played in June and is hitting .355 for the month with 8 stolen bases. The mercurial 21 year old has gotten hot along with the weather after a cool couple months of April and May.
Clearwater :
OF Marcus Lee Sang was 7 for 21 ( .333 ) with 4 walks ( .440 OBP ) - 1 double, 2 home runs and 3 RBIs. The 21 year old ( 2019 11th round draft selection ) has been solid all season for the Threshers - quick hands and bat speed from the left side of the dish - has the full array of tools to advance.
Florida Complex League :
OF Albert Rodriguez - was 5 for 13 ( .385 ) with a double and 5 RBIs ( 4 RBIs in the 6/11 game vs Tigers ) - 19 years old from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Quick and fleet footed he’s a young man who can play all three outfield positions but this week settled in as the center fielder. He had nine doubles in 35 games ( 101 AB’s ) in his first pro season in 2021 with the Dominican Summer League Phillies White club. We’ve not seen enough of him in action to comment just yet on overall skillset but the quickness immediately stood out. Great start to his stateside play this past week.
IF Jehisbert Sevilla - 6 for 15 ( .400 ) and had a .438 OBP for the week - from Maracay, Venezuela. First impressions of his play at shortstop is that he’s shown a very strong arm - able to make throws from deep in the hole with seemingly relative ease. Footwork and glove may not be as smooth as others yet in the organization but the 19 year old seems to have the tools to be a very good middle infield defender. He played his first pro season in 2021 in the Dominican Summer League for Phillies White and posted a .261/.346/.362 slash line in 44 games ( 138 AB’s ). We like what we’ve seen thus far - this past week he drove the baseball well with a double, triple and three RBIs - had a three hit game on Thursday followed by two hits on Friday - both games against the Yankees.
1B/OF Lou Helmig - 5 for 14 ( .357 ) with a .438 OBP. He had 3 hits and 5 RBIs vs Tigers on Saturday. The 19 year old hails from Paderborn, Germany and is a big left handed hitter at 6’5”. He’s got the look of a ball player, very angular. On the few occasions I’ve seen him the skill set is evident albeit raw. He plays with a ton of energy - seems more comfortable at first base than the outfield at this point. According to an article written by Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports in January “the Helmig name is synonymous with German baseball. The young player's father, Martin, grandfather, Claus, and great uncle, Jurgen, are all enshrined in the German Baseball Hall of Fame. Claus Helmig played in the Baltimore Orioles farm system in 1956. Martin Helmig played college ball in the United States and went on to a professional playing and coaching career in several European countries.” So far the young fella is showing his baseball pedigree !
Dominican Summer League :
Phillies Red :
OF Jerffson Pena - 5 for 14 ( .357 ) - played in all five games - .438 OBP. - 18 years old from Montecristi, Dominican Republic. Signed on 11/16/21 - played in all three outfield positions during the week, seeing the most time in center field.
Phillies White :
OF Ricardo Rosario - 9 for 21 ( .429 ) with 3 doubles, a triple, 3 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. 19 years old from Maracay, Venezuela - signed 7/2/19 - had 162 AB’s in 2021 in the DSL.
Pitching standouts :
Starters :
Lehigh Valley :
LH Michael Plassmeyer - 6/10 - 5 IP, 2 R - 1 earned, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s - 85 pitches - 56 strikes
LH Bailey Falter -6/11 - 7 IP, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 78 pitches - 52 strikes - outstanding outing - a pro’s pro effort
Reading :
LH Ethan Lindow - 6/10 - 5 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K’s - 72 pitches - 49 strikes - excellent outing - no hitter thru 4 innings
RH Colton Eastman - 6/11 - 6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s - 84 pitches - 52 strikes
Jersey Shore : ( see pitchers of the week above )
Clearwater :
LH Gabriel Cotto - 6/8 - 5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 K’s - 77 pitches - 50 strikes
RH Jean Cabrera - 6/11 - 5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s - 72 pitches - 47 strikes - 1st stateside W
LH Kent Emmanuel - 6/9 - 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 39 pitches - 26 strikes - 1st rehab appearance
Florida Complex League :
RH Fernando Lozano - 6/7 - 4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - faced 13 batters
RH Jonathan Petit - 6/11 - 5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s - faced 18 batters
Relievers :
Lehigh Valley :
LH Jonathan Hennigan - 6/7 - 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 19 pitches - 13 strikes & 6/11 - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 13 pitches - 9 strikes - continues to make his case for a shot at the show.
LH Jose Alvarado - 6/7 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 19 pitches - 10 strikes & 6/8 -1 perfect IP - 3 ground outs - 10 pitches - 6 strikes - recalled to big leagues on 6/12
RH Nick Duron -6/8 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 8 pitches - 6 strikes & 6/10 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 9 pitches - 6 strikes
LH Zach Warren - 6/10 - 1 perfect IP - 1 K - 9 pitches - 6 strikes & 6/12 - 1 perfect IP - 1 K - 11 pitches - 6 strikes
LH Braedon Ogle - 6/10 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 18 pitches - 9 strikes & 6/12 - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 12 pitches - 7 strikes
LH Jeff Singer - 6/9 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 15 pitches - 13 strikes & 6/12 - 1 perfect IP - 1 K - 7 pitches - 5 strikes
RH Mark Appel - 6/10 - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 14 pitches - 7 strikes - FB 95-96 mph
Reading :
LH Brian Marconi - 6/8 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 19 pitches - 14 strikes & 6/9 - 1 perfect IP - 9 pitches - 7 strikes
RH Billy Sullivan - 6/8 - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s - 34 pitches - 20 strikes - opener & 6/11 - 1 1/3 IP, 1 unearned R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 30 pitches - 16 strikes
RH Bubby Rossman-6/9 - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 30 pitches - 17 strikes - opener & 6/12 - 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 21 pitches - 12 strikes - retired all 4 batters faced
RH Tyler McKay - 6/9 - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 27 pitches - 19 strikes & 6/12 - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s - 15 pitches - 10 strikes
RH McKinley Moore -6/9 - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s - 28 pitches - 19 strikes & 6/12 - 1 2/3 IP, 1 unearned R, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s - 42 pitches - 23 strikes
Jersey Shore :
RH Andrew Schultz - 6/7 - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 15 pitches - 9 strikes & 6/10 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 16 pitches - 11 strikes
RH Aidan Anderson -6/8 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 21 pitches - 16 strikes & 6/10 - 2 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 26 pitches - 21 strikes - 4th save
RH Carlo Reyes -6/8 - 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 1 inherited runner scored - 41 pitches - 26 strikes
Clearwater :
RH Tommy McCollum -6/8 - 1 1/3 IP - struck out all 4 batters he faced - 16 pitches - 13 strikes & 6/12 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 17 pitches - 9 strikes
RH Konnor Ash - 6/7 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 14 pitches - 7 strikes & 6/11 - 1 perfect IP - 1 K - 8 pitches - 5 strikes - 3rd save
RH Rodolfo Sanchez - 6/7 - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 HB, 3 K’s - 26 pitches - 19 strikes & 6/11 - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 31 pitches - 16 strikes
RH Alex Garbrick - 6/9 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 18 pitches - 8 strikes & 6/12 - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 20 pitches - 11 strikes
LH Ryan Sherriff ( rehab ) - 6/9 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 13 pitches - 10 strikes & 6/11 - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K’s - 13 pitches - 9 strikes
LH Gabriel Yanez -6/8 - 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 21 pitches - 15 strikes & 6/12 - 1 perfect IP - 1 K - 9 pitches - 6 strikes
RH Carlos Betancourt - 6/10 - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s - 31 pitches - 24 strikes & 6/7 -2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s - 25 pitches - 18 strikes
Florida Complex League :
RH Jayden Estanista - 6/6 - 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s
RH DJ Jefferson 6/10 - 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s
RH Sam Jacobsak - 2 appearances - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 HB, 0 K’s
2022 season win/loss records :
Lehigh Valley went 4-2 during the week and is 34-26 overall
Reading went 3-3 during the week and is 24-33 overall
Jersey Shore went 3-4 during the week - now 22-34 overall
Clearwater went 3-3 during the week and is 29-27 overall
FCL Phillies went 4-1 during opening week
DSL Phillies Red went 2-3 during opening week
DSL Phillies White went 4-2 during opening week
This coming week’s schedule :
AAA - Lehigh Valley will host Buffalo ( Blue Jays affiliate )
AA - Reading will host Portland ( Red Sox affiliate )
High A : Jersey Shore will host Aberdeen ( Orioles affiliate )
Low A : Clearwater will host Palm Beach ( Cardinals affiliate )
Florida Complex League - home games - 6/13 ( Tigers ), 6/16 ( Jays ) & 6/18 ( Yankees ) - away 6/14 ( Jays ), 6/17 ( Yankees )
Dominican Summer League :
Phillies White plays this week - Tex Blue, Brewers1, Rockies, D-Backs Black, Brewers2
Phillies Red plays this week - Brewers1, Cubs Red, Colorado ( 2 ), Tigers2
Minor League Player Awards to Date
Ethan Wilson - Bill Giles Award - Spring Training
Oswald Medina - Larry Rojas Award - Spring Training
Darick Hall - Phillies Minor League Hitter of the Month (April)
Andrew Painter - Phillies Minor League Co-Pitcher of the Month (April)
Corey Phelan - Phillies Minor League Co-Pitcher of the Month (April)
Hao Yu Lee - Phillies Minor League Hitter of the Month (May)
Ben Brown - Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month (May)
Darick Hall - International League Player of the Week (4/18-24)
Darick Hall - International League Player of the Week (4/25-5/1)
Jhailyn Ortiz - Eastern League Player of the Week (5/9-15)
Hao Yu Lee - Florida State League Player of the Week (5/9-15)
Logan O’Hoppe - Eastern League Player of the Week (5/16-22)
Andrew Painter - MLB Pipeline Prospect Team of the Week (4/18-24)
Francisco Morales - MLB Pipeline Prospect Team of the Week (4/25-5/1)
Hao Yu Lee - MLB Pipeline Prospect Team of the Week (5/9-15)
Logan O’Hoppe - MLB Pipeline Prospect Team of the Week (5/16-22 and 5/30-6/5)
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️