Outfielder Johan Rojas has been promoted to the major leagues to replace Cristian Pache who has been placed on the IL. Johan has been having a great year at AA level Reading posting a .306/.361/.484 slash line with 20 doubles, 5 triples, 9 home runs, 45 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. The mercurial 22 year old has also continued to excel defensively where he plays center field at an elite level. We’ve watched him since he first arrived on the backfields where his energy lit up the field, that same energy still exists, very happy for the young man!
Infielder Drew Ellis has been promoted from Lehigh Valley to the Phillies to replace Josh Harrison while he’s on the injured list.
This will be Drew’s second stint with the big club this season, he hit .222 in seven games in 18 AB’s the first time with two home runs and three RBIs.
RHP Jacob Barnes requested and was granted his release from the AAA level Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. He posted a 4.15 ERA in eleven games (13 IP) with Lehigh Valley.
Two players have been promoted from Reading to Lehigh Valley. Infielder Nick Podkul moves up a notch, the 26 year old played at the AAA level last season with Buffalo when he was a member of the Blue Jays organization. This year at Reading in 45 games and 197 plate appearances he’s recorded a very solid slash line of .285/.396/.588 with 8 doubles, 3 triples, 12 home runs and 35 RBIs. Defensively Nick has seen time at both 1B and 3B.
Reliever RHP Tyler McKay has also earned a promotion from Reading to Lehigh Valley, he’s posted a 2.54 ERA in 25 appearances (28 1/3 IP) with a 1.02 WHIP and six saves. The 25 year old was drafted in the 16th round of the 2018 draft and has made steady progress in his career to date, he features a riding two seam fastball (93-95 mph), a sweeping slider and a bowling ball change up along with a cutter. Tyler reminds me a lot of soon to be teammate Connor Brogdon.
Reading gets infielders Pedro Martinez and Matt Kroon back from the injured list and pitchers Andrew Baker, Matt Seelinger and Adam Leverett from the development list. Baker spent the past couple of weeks in Clearwater refining his mechanics and incorporating an off speed delivery to keep hitters off balance from the heat he generates with his fastball. I believe in Andrew’s abilities and think a bounce back is in order. Can’t teach the velo and movement he gets on his fastball and slider, refining it in a better balance and sequencing deliveries are responses to lessons learned this season thus far, struggles are part of every players development, we truly believe Andrew will come back strong. Mick Abel, Tyler Phillips and Josh Hendrickson have been placed on the development list.
Catcher Arturo De Freitas has been activated from the development list for Jersey Shore.
RHP Drew Garrett has been returned from his rehab assignment, reinstated from the 60-day IL, and transferred to the FCL Phillies.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Nick Podkul, Johan Rojas, Drew Ellis and Tyler McKay - photos by George Youngs Jr
Note : I've partnered with Fanatics on Phillies Merchandise - if you would like to help support my website and articles here's a link to order merchandise - I get a small commission on any sales - thanks for the support.
Ok, I gotta ask: how exactly does this "developmental list" work, and why is Mick Abel on it? Thanks!