Steve Potter
Players of the Week :
OF Matt Vierling was 8 for 21 ( .381 ) for the week including a four hit game on Sunday. He had two doubles, a triple, home run and four RBIs. Matt ( 25 yrs old ) has been leading off and playing primarily center field since being optioned from the Phillies on May 11th. He’s hitting .271/.347/.459 in 21 games ( 85 AB’s ) with Lehigh Valley this season. Was drafted in the 5th round of the 2018 draft from the University of Notre Dame.
C Logan O’Hoppe was 5 for 16 (.312 ) with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs. One of the dingers was a grand slam. Logan posted a .389 OBP for the week and is once again over the .300 batting average mark for the season as he’s 47 for 156 ( .301 ) with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs. The 22 year old just finished a very strong month of May during which he hit .309 in 81 AB’s with 6 home runs - he’s already halfway to that HR total in just four June games 💪.
Logan O’Hoppe ( photo by George Youngs Jr ) & Matt Vierling ( photo by Cheryl Pursell )
Pitchers of the Week :
RH Mick Abel - Jersey Shore - was excellent in his start on 6/3 - 5 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 8 K’s throwing 93 pitches - 63 strikes ( 67 % ). Mick is capable of upper nineties to triple digits fast ball deliveries but also has solid secondary pitches which he’s continually learning to sequence and use to his advantage. The 93 pitch count I believe was a season high for the 20 year old but he showed no signs of tiring as was still firing upper nineties bullets in his last inning of work. He’s really fun to watch pitch as the stuff is top drawer, coupled with the ongoing tutelage of learning how to become a complete arsenal professional pitcher is very interesting to observe. He’s a well grounded young man as well, has the complete package to excel.
RH Andrew Painter -Clearwater - dominated in his outing on 6/4 - 6 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 9 K’s - 75 pitches - 52 strikes ( 69 % ). Andrew can seemingly throw his upper nineties ( and sometimes 100 plus ) fastball at any time by hitters yet to realize his full potential having strong complimentary pitches is essential. In his start this week he incorporated more curve balls ( 18 ) which ranged in speed from the low 70’s to low 80’s and had very good movement on which he had hitters off balance. In previous starts he had predominantly used his slider as a secondary, it’s also a very good pitch in his arsenal and he threw 11 of those on Saturday night as well. Mixing in an occasional changeup rounds out the repertoire. At the Low A level he’s shown that he can flat out dominate - FB 96-98 mph offset with high 80’s slider and a low to mid 70’s curve - just doesn’t seem fair 🤓.
Mick Abel & Andrew Painter - photos by Michael Dolcemascolo & Mark Wylie
Other Position Players with strong weeks :
Lehigh Valley :
IF Yairo Munoz went 5 for 12 ( .417 ) in the four games he played. Coming off a hot month of May ( 25 for 75 - .333 ) Yario continues to play both solid defense and produce offensively for the Iron Pigs. The versatile defender has played 3B, SS, 2B and LF this season and is hitting. 317/.347/.408 this season in 40 games ( 142 AB’s ). If there’s a need for an infielder at the next level the 27 year old has played in 213 major league games and has a .274 average in 521 AB’s.
1B Darick Hall posted an OBP of .391 ( 9 for 23 ) for the week including 5 hits and 4 walks. Scranton Wilkes Barre was very leary of him this past week as he torched them earlier this year ( 5 HR & 10 RBIs against them coming into the series ). He hit one home run and drove in four runs during the week.
Reading :
IF Ali Castillo was 8 for 24 ( .333 ) during the week occupying the leadoff spot in the order. The 32 year old veteran has been solid all season and has a .277 batting average in 137 AB’s ( 35 games ).
C/LF/1B Vito Friscia went 7 for 18 ( .389 ) for the week with a double and home run. He’s gotten a hit in six of his last eight games ( 9 for 25 - .360 ). The 25 year old was drafted in the 40th round of the 2019 draft from Hofstra. He can flat out hit the baseball consistently hard.
Jersey Shore :
3B/1B DJ Stewart was 7 for 17 ( .412 ) for the week including a three hit game on Memorial Day and a two hit game on June 1st. He had a double and triple during the week and scored four runs. The 23 year old 39th round draft selection from the 2017 draft is far too good a hitter to stay mired in the “mix up” at the dish he’s experienced to date this season - this week hopefully sets the stage for continued success.
OF Ethan Wilson was went ( 6 for 20 - .300 ) and had a 9 game hitting streak going ) ( ended Sunday ) during which he went 12 for 29 ( .414 ). During his last 27 games he’s posted a solid .284 batting average ( 27 for 95 ). The 22 year old 2nd round draft selection from the 2021 draft ( South Alabama ) got off to a slow season’s start during April but has shown the hitting ability he was touted for when drafted since. As hitting season approaches let’s hope the warmer weather make the numbers even better ⚾️.
OF Johan Rojas was 7 for 24 ( .292 ) during the week with three doubles and three RBIs. He stole two bases giving him 24 in 24 attempts for the season. Johan ( 21 years old ) has played stellar defense all season in center field, he’s another that has too much ability to remain mired in an offensive slump like he’s incurred thus far this year. The mercurial young man plays the game as if his hair is on fire, I’ve got a feeling that blaze is about to flame into an elongated offensive outburst.
Clearwater :
IF Kendall Simmons went 6 for 24 during the week and played very well defensively at second base ( a position I see as more fitted to his skills ). In his last 12 games Kendall has gone 13 for 46 with 2 doubles, a home run and six RBIs but more importantly has been selective and patient as a hitter. The young man ( 22 yrs old ) has tremendous power, this week he smoked a double off the center field fence which was a laser ( 5 HR and 21 RBIs this season ) - it’s just a matter of consistency which over the past couple of weeks has started to come to fruition.
OF Wilfredo Flores was 7 for 24 ( .292 ) leading off for the week and playing center field. The unheralded 22 year old from the Dominican Republic is hitting .313 for the season in 36 games. The young man can hit, has done so throughout his career to date as a .321 hitter in 502 AB’s.
1B/C Micah Yonamine had two game winning walk-off hits during the week - one a single and the other a dramatic home run ! Micah is 21 years old and was drafted in the 29th round of the 2019 draft from Iolani High School in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Other Pitchers with good weeks :
Starters :
Lehigh Valley :
RH Michael Mariot - 6/2 - 6 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s - 80 pitches - 51 strikes
LH Bailey Falter - 6/3 - 6 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 9 K’s - 78 pitches - 56 strikes
LH Ricardo Sanchez - 6/4 - 4 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 7 K’s - 88 pitches - 59 strikes
Reading :
RH James McArthur - 6/2 - 5 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K’s - 70 pitches - 49 strikes
Jersey Shore :
RH Kyle Glogoski - 5/31 - 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 HB, 5 K’s - 58 pitches - 37 strikes
RH Cristian Hernandez - 6/3 - 5 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s - 84 pitches - 59 strikes
RH Ben Brown -6/4 - 5 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 0 BB, 6 K’s - 77 pitches - 54 strikes
RH Matt Russell -6/5 - 6 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 0 BB, 5 K’s - 80 pitches - 54 strikes
Clearwater :
LH Jordi Martinez - 6/2 - 5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s - 77 pitches - 54 strikes
Relievers :
Lehigh Valley :
RH Corey Oswalt - 5/31 - Opener - 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 30 pitches - 20 strikes & 6/4 - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 11 pitches - 6 strikes
RH James Marvel - 5/31 - 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 37 pitches - 25 strikes
RH Francisco Morales - 5/31 - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 19 pitches - 11 strikes & 6/4 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s - 24 pitches - 12 strikes
LH Jose Alvarado - 6/2 - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 16 pitches - 10 strikes & 6/4 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 15 pitches - 9 strikes
RH Jake Newberry - 6/3 - opener - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 26 pitches - 18 strikes
RH Mark Appel -6/4 - 1 perfect IP, 1 K, ground out, pop out - 10 pitches - 7 strikes & 5/31 - 1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s - 13 pitches - 9 strikes - 2.01 ERA in 14 games ( 22 1/3 IP ) with 18 K’s & 1.03 WHIP for the season - 3 saves in 3 chances
RH Tyler Cyr - 6/2 - 1 perfect IP, 2 K’s - 11 pitches - 8 strikes & 6/5 - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H , 1 BB, 0 K’s - 16 pitches - 10 strikes
Reading :
RH Billy Sullivan - 5/31 - 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s - 32 pitches - 21 strikes - 7 consecutive scoreless appearances - 9 IP, 5 H, 12 K’s and no walks in last three games
RH Ofreidy Gomez - 6/2 - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 16 pitches - 13 strikes & 6/5 - - 1 perfect IP - 1 K - 16 pitches - 11 strikes
LH Brian Marconi - 6/2 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K - 23 pitches - 13 strikes & 6/5 - 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s - 15 pitches - 9 strikes
RH Julian Garcia -6/4 - 2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 21 pitches - 14 strikes
RH Braden Zarbnisky -6/5 - 2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 36 pitches - 24 strikes
LH Erik Miller - 6/2 - opener - 2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s - 47 pitches - 28 strikes
RH Matt Seelinger - 6/2 - 2 perfect IP - 4 K’s - 32 pitches - 22 strikes - excellent outing
Jersey Shore :
RH Aidan Anderson - 6/3 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 16 pitches - 10 strikes & 6/5 - 1 perfect IP - 1 K - 10 pitches - 8 strikes - 11 consecutive appearances with no earned runs allowed - only 1 run scored during that span - has a stellar 1.04 ERA in 12 games ( 17 1/3 IP ) with a 0.75 WHIP for the season.
Aidan Anderson - photo by Michael Dolcemascolo
RH Andrew Schultz - 5/31 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 32 pitches - 17 strikes & 6/3 -1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 14 pitches - 10 strikes - 5 consecutive appearances with no earned runs - 9 K’s, 1 BB in 5 IP
RH Andrew Baker - 6/1 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 24 pitches - 13 strikes & 6/4 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 14 pitches - 7 strikes
LH Erubiel Armenta - 6/1 - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s - 34 pitches - 18 strikes - 6 consecutive appearances with no earned runs allowed - 7 1/3 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 9 K’s
RH Tyler McKay -6/3 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 17 pitches - 11 strikes & 6/5 - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 19 pitches - 12 strikes
Clearwater :
RH Konnor Ash - 5/31 - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 25 pitches - 16 strikes & 6/4 - 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s - 12 pitches - 7 strikes
RH Alex Garbrick - 6/2 - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 26 pitches - 17 strikes & 6/5 - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 17 pitches - 7 strikes & 6/5 - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 17 pitches - 7 strikes
LH Jordan Fowler - 6/3 - 3 IP, 1 unearned R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 42 pitches - 32 strikes - 10 consecutive IP without giving up an earned run in his last three games -
RH Rodolfo Sanchez - 6/4 - 1 perfect IP, 2 K’s - 16 pitches - 9 strikes & 6/1 - 2 IP, 2 unearned R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 44 pitches -31 strikes
2022 season win/loss records :
Lehigh Valley went 5-1 during the week and is 30-24 overall
Reading went 2-4 during the week and is 21-30 overall
Jersey Shore went 3-3 during the week - now 19-30 overall
Clearwater went 3-3 during the week and is 26-24 overall
This coming week’s schedule :
AAA - Lehigh Valley will visit Omaha ( Royals affiliate )
AA - Reading will host Altoona ( Pirates affiliate )
High A : Jersey Shore will visit Hudson Valley ( Yankees affiliate )
Low A : Clearwater will visit Bradenton ( Pirates affiliate )
Florida Complex League opens - home games - 6/6 ( Jays ), 6/9 ( Yankees ) - away 6/7 ( Jays ), 6/10 ( Yankees ) & 6/11 ( Tigers )
Dominican Summer League opens 6/6 :
Phillies White plays this week - Giants Black, Tigers1, Tex Blue ( 2 ), Brewers1 & Phillies White
Phillies Red plays this week - Brewers1, Tex Blue ( 2) , Tex Red & Phillies Red
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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