Pitchers of the Week :
LH Jordy Martinez - Clearwater - on 6/17 the 21 year old pitched 5 innings of shutout ball allowing 5 hits and 3 walks - he threw 87 pitches of which 60 % he threw for strikes. Jordy has battled his way back from elbow injuries/concerns and has once again solidified a spot in the Threshers rotation. In his game this past week his four seam fastball reached 97 mph and generally sat in the 93 to 94 mph range. He also features a changeup, slider and sinker ( 92 to 95 mph ). We first noticed him in 2019 Fall Instructs in his first season stateside. The young man from Santiago, Dominican Republic is well regarded internally as well as by scouts I’ve chatted about him with. He’s always been a strike thrower with good movement on all of his deliveries, if he can maintain good health the future is bright. This past week we saw a glimpse of what he can do.
RH Colton Eastman - Reading - 6/17 - went 6 shutout frames allowing 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 batters. Colton threw 91 pitches, 54 for strikes. The 25 year old was drafted in the 4th round of the 2018 draft from Cal State Fullerton. He began the season with AAA Lehigh Valley and made 10 starts there ( 38 1/3 IP ) before being transferred to Reading on June 9th. In two starts with Reading he’s pitched 12 innings allowing just one run on eight hits and four walks while punching out eight batters. He’s not a strikeout pitcher but gets his share - his calling card is command and mix - a four pitch arsenal.
RH Carlo Reyes - JerseyShore made two scoreless appearances - ( 6/15 & 6/18 ) totaling five innings ( 4 of which came on 6/18 ) allowing just one hit and no walks - he struck out six batters. The 23 year old from Boca Chica, Dominican Republic has pitched 8 innings in June over three games and hasn’t allowed a run or walk while punching out nine batters. He’s got a nine game streak dating back to May 9th where he’s allowed no runs on just 6 hits over 17 1/3 IP - 6 H, 5 BB, 20 K’s. Featuring four pitches ( FB- sinker/four seamer, Curve & Changeup ) with the four seamer ranging 92-94 mph and sinker 90-93 mph, he gets great movement on each - primary secondary is the curve. Last season he earned a promotion to Reading and pitched at three levels - if he keeps throwing like he has then another jump to AA may soon be coming.
RH Tommy McCollum - Clearwater - made two appearances - ( 6/16 & 6/18 ) and threw 3 perfect innings with 3 K’s - his fastball reached 97 mph in his outings this week. The 23 year old hard thrower was signed as an un-drafted free agent from Wingate on June 20th, 2021 and has been outstanding this season for the Threshers. He’s posted a 1.69 ERA in 20 appearances ( 26 2/3 IP ) with 44 strikeouts and 15 walks, a 0.94 WHIP. In his last 8 appearances dating back to May 26th he’s allowed no walks in 9 1/3 IP and has 18 K’s 😳. He throws a fastball, slider and splitter with velocity generally in the 94 to 96 mph range on the heater - see our feature article on him posted on June 15th.
L to R ( top to bottom ) Carlo Reyes, Tommy McCollum, Colton Eastman, Jordi Martinez - photos by Michael Dolcemascolo, Mark Wylie & Cheryl Pursell
Position Player of the Week :
3B Will Toffey - Lehigh Valley - 8 for 16 - .500 for the week with 4 doubles, his OBP for the six games played was .600. Will was acquired from the SF Giants in a March 27th trade for Luke Williams. He’s 27 years old and was the 2017 4th round draft choice of the Oakland A’s out of Vanderbilt University. He’s played well defensively for the Iron Pigs at third base and has also seem time in Left Field. For the month of June he’s hitting .316 ( 12 for 38 ) with a .458 OBP.
3B/1B Randy Vasquez - FCL Phillies - 7 for 18 ( .389 ) with two doubles and a triple during the week. The 19 year old from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic had a hit in all five FCL games he played in this past week after being transferred back from the Threshers on June 13th. We’ve seen a quick bat and gap to gap power from him in extended spring camp as well as fall instructs from last season. Initially I had some doubts about his defensive abilities at third base but I’ve been converted into being a believer as we’ve witnessed some strong plays and a more than adequate throwing arm. Swings from the left handed batters box - interesting young player to watch continue to climb.
OF Carlos De La Cruz - Jersey Shore - 7 for 18 ( .389 ) with two doubles. He led off in Sunday’s game and had three hits. The 22 year old from New York was signed as a free agent on 8/23/17. We’ve watched him from the day he arrived at the complex, has big time power but has been susceptible because of a long swing at times. Adjustments have been made to shorten his approach - he’s had a good month of June thus far going 14 for 43 ( .326 ) with a .396 OBP. Glad to see the big fella ( 6’8” ) having success - hope that it continues.
L to R Top to Bottom - Will Toffey, Carlos De La Cruz & Randy Vasquez - photos by Cheryl Pursell, Michael Dolcemascolo & Casey Burns
Other Position Player standouts :
Lehigh Valley : the team hit .235 for the week ( 46 for 195 )
OF Dustin Peterson had a three hit game on 6/15
OF Jorge Bonifacio had three hits on 6/17
1B Darick Hall had three hits on 6/19 including two home runs
Reading : the team hit .206 for the week ( 36 for 175 )
IF Jonathan Guzman was 6 for 20 - .300 for the week. Jonathan has been hitting the ball hard the past couple weeks but a lot of ‘at em” balls. He ended this week with a four game hitting streak. The 22 year old from Esperanza, Dominican Republic has always been a slick fielder and that’s continued this season. Here’s to hoping this week helps pick up the offensive skills as well.
Jersey Shore : the team hit .197 for the week excluding the continued game from May ( 36 for 183 ) - was no hit on 6/18/22
C Herbert Iser went 5 for 12 ( .417 ) for the week. Since being transferred to JerseyShore on June 9th he’s went 6 for 15 ( .400 ) with a home run and four RBIs. The 24 year old 23rd round 2019 draft selection from Dallas Baptist University opened the season in extended spring camp as he suffered a hamstring injury in spring training. He’s a solid receiver who will likely see extensive action for the BlueClaws especially since Anthony Quirion recently suffered a broken bone in his hand after getting hit by a pitch. Nick Matera is already out with a wrist injury. Herbert would have broke spring camp with a full season club if he hadn’t been injured, it’s now his turn to step in.
Clearwater : the team hit .170 for the week ( 33 for 194 ) - was no hit on 6/15/22
Marcus Lee Sang hit two home runs and had seven RBIs during the week.
Jamari Baylor hit a grand slam on Saturday night 6/18
Kendall Simmons hit two home runs
Leandro Pineda had a three hit game on Sunday 6/19
FCL Phillies :
OF Ricardo Rosario went 4 for 8 ( .500 ) in this week’s play after being promoted from the DSL Phillies White team on June 17th. The 19 year old from Maracay, Venezuela had posted a .346/379/.538 slash line in the Dominican League in 26 AB’s. He was signed on July 2nd, 2019 and played in the DSL in 2021. I’ve yet to see him play in person but he’s certainly got off to a strong stateside start.
C Adony Mejia - 4 for 11 ( .364 ) during the week and hit his first two professional home runs against the Tigers on June 13th. The 21 year old receiver from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic is part of a strong quartet of catchers on the FCL roster along with Oscar Gonzalez, Rickardo Perez & Jackie Pertuz. He’s caught four games and appeared as the DH in six contests and has posted a .524 OBP in 21 plate appearances to start the season. We like his defensive actions as well, strong arm, soft hands whom we’ve seen catch many of the upper level rehab pitchers in live BP’s.
IF Nikau Pouaka-Grego - 6 for 18 ( .333 ) continues to solidly hit the baseball this past week. We were particularly impressed with how he purposely takes outside corner pitches to the opposite field, he’s just 17 years old but plays heady baseball from the small sample size we’ve seen thus far. In the 10 games he’s played to date Nikau has knocks in 8 of them. He hit his first MLB affiliated professional home run this past week against the Blue Jays.
DSL Phillies White :
OF Manolfi Jimenez - 6 for 16 ( .375 ) this week and has a six game hitting streak going in which he’s 9 for 23 ( .391 ). Manolfi is 17 years old and is from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was signed on January 15th of this year.
SS Nolan Beltran - 6 for 18 ( .333 ) for the week. The 17 year old from Barranquilla, Columbia has a hit in six of his last seven games played during which he’s 9 for 24 ( .375 ) and is off to a very solid start to his pro career after signing on January 15th of this year.
OF/1B Derek Escobar - 4 for 10 ( .400 ) with 5 walks and 2 HBP’s for an OBP of .647 this week. Derek is from Santci Spiritus, Cuba and is 20 years old. This is his third season of game play in the organization after signing on November 7th of 2018. Had a solid 2019 first year, the loss of the 2020 season set back some of his progression - hopefully back on track.
C Angel Mata - 4 for 8 ( .500 ) during the week. Another 17 year old - signed on April 14th of 2022. He’s from Cumana, Venezuela. Off to a great start with five hits in his initial 13 pro AB’s ( .385 average ).
DSL Phillies Red :
3B Aroon Escobar - 4 for 14 ( .285 ) and hit his 2nd home run of the season. The 17 year old from Caracas, Venezuela was signed on January 15th of this year and is noted as having excellent bat speed and power. He’s the cousin of Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. Aroon is hitting .290 in his first 31 AB’s with 2 homers and 5 RBIs.
IF Luis Pelegrín - was 3 for 8 ( .375 ) this past week in three games played. Luis is 19 years old and is from Pinar Del Rio, Cuba and was signed on September 14th of 2021. This is his initial season of pro ball, he stands out for his speed and bat to ball skills - defensively it’s noted that he has a very strong arm.
Other Pitching standouts :
Starters :
Lehigh Valley :
LH Ricardo Sanchez - 6/16 - 6 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K’s - 97 pitches - 60 strikes
LH Michael Plassmeyer - 6/17 - 5 2/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K’s - 96 pitches - 60 strikes
Reading :
RH Noah Skirrow - 6/14 - 4 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K’s - 69 pitches - 52 strikes
Jersey Shore :
RH Matt Russell 5/1 & 6/14 - 8 IP, 3 R - 2 earned, 8 H, 3 BB, 12 K’s - 129 pitches - 75 strikes - Matt pitched the first three innings on 5/1 - 6 K’s - 3 IP - 6 K’s - 5 IP - 6/14
RH Griff McGarry - 6/15 - 6 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 HB, 10 K’s - 98 pitches - 64 strikes - FB range : 94 -100 mph.
Clearwater :
LH Kent Emmanuel - 6/14 - 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 47 pitches - 33 strikes
RH Eiberson Castellano - 6/15 - 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2HB, 4 K’s - 57 pitches - 35 strikes
DSL Phillies White :
RH Maxwell Hernandez - 6/14 - 4 1/3 IP, 1 unearned R, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 HB, 7 K’s
RH Wilmer Blanco - 6/17 - 4 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s
RH Ezequiel Ventura - 6/16 - 5 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s
Relievers :
Lehigh Valley :
Multiple outings :
RH Corey Oswalt - two appearances - ( 6/14 & 6/19 )- 5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s
RH James Marvel - - two appearances - ( 6/14 & 6/19 )- 4 2/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s
LH Jonathan Hennigan - two appearances - ( 6/15 & 6/18 )- 3 1/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s
RH Jake Newberry - - two appearances - ( 6/16 & 6/18 )- 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s
RH Mark Appel - two appearances - ( 6/14 & 6/17 )- 2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s
LH Ryan Sherriff - two appearances - ( 6/14 ( Reading ) & 6/17 )- 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - rehab assignments
LH Jeff Singer - - two appearances - ( 6/15 & 6/18 )- 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s
LH Jakob Hernandez - - two appearances - ( 6/15 & 6/19 )- 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s
LH Zach Warren - two appearances - ( 6/16 & 6/19 )- 2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s
LH Braedon Ogle - - two appearances - ( 6/16 & 6/19 )- 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K’s
Reading :
Multiple outings :
RH Jack Perkins - - two appearances - ( 6/15 & 6/19 )- 4 2/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s
RH Tyler McKay - two appearances - ( 6/16 & 6/19 )- 3 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s
RH Matt Seelinger - two appearances - ( 6/16 & 6/19 )- 3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s
RH Ofreidy Gomez - two appearances - ( 6/14 & 6/17 )- 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s
LH Brian Marconi - two appearances - ( 6/14 & 6/17 )- 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s
Multi Inning Game :
RH McKinley Moore - 6/16 - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s - 26 pitches - 18 strikes
RH Julian Garcia -6/18 - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 K - 41 pitches - 25 strikes
Jersey Shore :
Multiple outings :
RH Cristian Hernandez -two appearances - ( 6/16 & 6/19 ) - 5 2/3 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s - opener on 6/19
RH Aidan Anderson - two appearances - ( 6/14 & 6/19 )- 2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s
LH JP Woodward - two appearances - ( 6/16 & 6/18 ) - 2 2/3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s
RH Carlos Francisco - two appearances - ( 6/17 & 6/19 ) - 2 2/3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s
RH Andrew Schultz - two appearances - ( 6/14 & 6/17 ) - 2 IP, 1 earned R, 1 H, 1 BB, 7 K’s
RH Andrew Baker - two appearances - ( 6/15 & 6/19 ) - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Multi Inning Game :
RH Jonathan Hughes - 6/16 - 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 28 pitches - 19 strikes
Clearwater :
Multiple outings :
LH Jared Wetherbee - three appearances - ( 6/14, 6/16 & 6/19 ) - 4 IP, 1 Unearned R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 HB, 5 K’s
RH Rodolfo Sanchez - three appearances - ( 6/15, 6/18 & 6/19 ) - 3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 4 K’s
RH Tommy McCollum - two appearances - ( 6/16 & 6/18 ) - 3 perfect IP, 3 K’s - velo topped out 97 mph
LH Tristan Garnett - two appearances - ( 6/15 & 6/18 ) - 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 4 K’s
LH Gabriel Yanez - two appearances - ( 6/15 & 6/16 ) - 2 IP, 1 Unearned R, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s
Multi Inning Game :
LH Rafael Marcono - 6/14 - 3 IP, 2 R - 1 earned, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K’s
LH Jordan Fowler - 6/16 - 3 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s
RH Carlos Betancourt - 6/16 - 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K
RH Konnor Ash - 6/17 - 2 perfect IP - 3 groundouts, 3 fly outs
RH Alex Garbrick - 6/19 - 2 perfect IP - 2 K’s
RH Victor Lopez - 6/19 - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s
RH Alex McKenney - 6/18 - 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 95 mph
Rehab Outing :
LH Jo Jo Romero -6/17 - 1 perfect IP - 1 K - opener - first rehab appearance - full season squad
FCL Phillies :
RH Albertus Barber - 2 appearances ( 6/14 & 6/18 ) - 3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 HB, 0 BB, 6 K’s
LH Sergio Sanchez - 6/16 - 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s
RH Jayden Estanista -6/17 - 2 perfect IP - 2 K’s
RH Sam Jacobsak - 6/17 - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s
DSL Phillies White :
RH Diego Linares - 2 appearances ( 6/14 & 6/17 ) - 4 2/3 perfect IP - 6 K’s
LH Alexis Garibaldi - 6/14 - 2 perfect IP - four groundouts
RH Hermes Astudillo - 6/17 - 2 IP, 1 unearned R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s
DSL Phillies Red :
LH Jared Loyo - 2 appearances ( 6/14 & 6/18 ) - 3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s
RH Luis Gomez ( 21 yrs old ) - 6/16 - 4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 HB, 3 K’s
2022 season win/loss records :
Lehigh Valley went 2-4 during the week and is 36-30 overall
Reading went 3-3 during the week and is 27-36 overall
Jersey Shore went 2-5 during the week and is 24-39 overall
Clearwater went 3-3 during the week and is 32-30 overall
FCL Phillies went 2-3 during the week and is 6-4 overall
DSL Phillies Red went 3-2 during opening week and is 5-5 overall
DSL Phillies White went 3-2 during opening week and is 7-4 overall
This coming week’s schedule :
AAA - Lehigh Valley will host Norfolk ( Orioles affiliate )
AA - Reading will visit Binghamton ( Mets affiliate )
High A : Jersey Shore will visit Brooklyn ( Mets affiliate )
Low A : Clearwater will visit Tampa ( Yankees affiliate )
Florida Complex League opens - home games - 6/20 ( Tigers ), 6/23 ( Jays ) & 6/25 ( Yankees ) - away 6/21 ( Tigers ), 6/24 ( Jays )
Dominican Summer League :
Phillies White plays this week - Tex Red, Phillies Red, Tex Blue, Giants Black, Tampa Bay
Phillies Red plays this week - Brewers2, Phillies White, Tigers2, Tex Red, Brewers1
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)
Jonathan Petit - Florida Complex League Pitcher of the week ( 6/6-12)
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️