Each Monday this year for the Phillies minor league full season affiliates is a scheduled off day. They get to re-charge from a six day run of games before starting on another stretch the next day.
Here’s a review of the past week with a spot light on players from each team who had good, even great numbers and performances.
Lehigh Valley ( Overall Record 27-38 1-5 during the past week) - next series @ home vs Worcester ( Red Sox affiliate )
UTL Dalton Guthrie had an outstanding week going 14 for 25 ( .560 😳) with 6 doubles. The 25 year old 6th round draft choice from the 2017 draft out of the University of Florida is another player in the mold of great defensive versatility, he was an outstanding shortstop in college but has played 2B,SS, 3B, LF and CF as a pro. Dalton is the son of former major league pitcher Mark Guthrie. He’s having a offensive breakout month of July hitting .440 ( 22 for 50 ) but his hot streak actually dates back to June 9th when he was with Reading … since that date he’s gone 40 for 105 ( .381 ). Perhaps another unheralded player from the organization akin to Luke Williams, Nick Maton and Matt Vierling who will push his way to the show by performance … hard to ignore consistent success 💪🤓
OF Mickey Moniak - went 10 for 22 ( .455 ) for the week with 3 doubles, a triple, 2 home runs and 9 RBIs. For the month of July he’s hitting .333 ( 17 for 51 ). Mickey is 23 years old and has also played very solid defensively, primarily in center field. After a very slow start to the season he’s now raised his batting average to .245 and has 10 home runs and 43 RBIs.
Strong Pitching :
RH Mike Adams - has quietly moved up the ladder and pitched very well. He made two appearances this past week and posted 3 1/3 scoreless innings yielding no hits, two walks and punching out three batters. Mike generally sits in the mid 90’s with his FB but reaches higher than that on multiple pitches. The 26 year old was promoted from High A Jersey Shore on June 25th and in six appearances with the Iron Pigs ( 7 2/3 IP ) he’s posted a 1.17 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. In July he’s been in four games to date ( 6 IP ) and hasn’t yielded a run. Overall this season he’s pitched in 20 games ( 18 1/3 IP ) with a 4.91 ERA but he’s yielded just one run in his last 11 games pitched ( 12 1/3 IP ) which equates to a sparkling 0.72 ERA over that span 💪.
Reading ( Overall Record 26-40, 0-6 during the past week) - next series @ New Hampshire ( Blue Jays affiliate )
UTL Arquimedes Gamboa - went 8 for 21 ( .381 ) during the week and added 3B to his defensive positions played. The 23 year old has now played 2B,SS,3B and CF this season.
SS Bryson Stott - had a good week going 7 for 21 ( .333 ). Hits have been tough to find for Bryson in early July but he’s heating up again going 9 for 28 ( .321 ) in his last 7 ballgames. He’s still drawing walks including 6 this past week.
1B Luke Miller - he’s played sparingly but got into three games this week and went 3 for 10 ( .300 ) and hit his 10th home run of the season.
Strong Pitching :
RH Francisco Morales - went 6 scoreless innings on 7/15 allowing just 1 hit, 4 walks while striking out 5 batters. It’s his fifth consecutive solid start - he’s went 26 2/3 innings over that stretch with a 1.37 ERA and has recorded 34 K’s against 11 walks. For the month of July he’s posted a 1.06 ERA in 17 IP with 17 K’s and a 0.88 WHIP. We knew it was coming, just a matter of confidence, a better pitch sequence and command. Francisco has all the tools to be a big leaguer, the 21 year old took his lumps earlier in the season but that’s also part of the learning experience, the young man can handle both the adversity and the good times … that’s excellent.
LH Nick Lackney - threw five shutout innings in two appearances on 7/13 & 7/17 allowing just three hits. In the month of July he’s appeared in 4 games ( 11 IP ) and has a 0.82 WHIP and 0.82 ERA For the season he’s 2-0 with a 1.41 ERA in 19 games ( Clearwater/Jersey Shore/Reading ) in 32 IP with a 1.28 WHIP.
RH Braden Zarbnisky - threw three scoreless frames over two appearances ( 7/14 & 7/17 ). The 24 year old power arm pitcher has posted a 0.98 WHIP between Jersey Shore and Reading this season in 21 games ( 33 2/3 IP ). He’s been even better at AA Reading with a 0.85 WHIP in 28 1/3 IP. Braden has 37 K’s and 7 BB in 21 games. He was signed as an un-drafted free agent out of West Virginia University on 7/21/20.
Jersey Shore ( Overall Record 29-37, 3-3 during the past week) - next series @ Winston Salem ( White Sox affiliate )
Strong Pitching :
RH Jonathan Hughes - pitched 4 2/3 shutout frames on 7/13 - 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K’s … in the month of July in three games he’s posted a 2.13 ERA in 12 2/3 IP. He’s having a very solid first season as a pro … 12 games - 42 IP, 40 K’s, 20 BB - 1.52 WHIP
LH Ethan Lindow - 5 shutout innings on 7/16 - 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s - it follows 6 scoreless innings on 7/10 against Wilmington in his last start. Since transferring to Jersey Shore he’s posted a 2.89 ERA in 7 games ( 37 1/3 IP ) with a 1.15 WHIP. The 22 year old was the club’s 5th round draft selection in the 2017 draft from Locust Grove, GA.
RH Dominic Pipkin - 5 strong innings on 7/15 - 1 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K’s - a great bounce-back performance from a rough outing on 7/9. Dominic is 21 years old and has big arm talent … capable and often pitches in the upper 90’s. The 2018 9th round draft choice from Pinole Valley, CA is 4-1 this season with a 4.53 ERA in 13 games ( 45 2/3 IP ) with a 1.29 WHIP and 53 K’s/16 BB. He’s fun to watch when he’s commanding the zone.
Three right handed relievers continue to shine ….
Carlo Reyes earned two wins … on 7/14 with two shutout frames to close out the game … he struck out 3 batters. He threw another scoreless inning on 7/18. For the season between Clearwater and Jersey Shore he’s 4-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 21 games ( 32 2/3 IP ) with a WHIP of 1.01. The 23 year old has 51 K’s vs just 11 walks.
Aidan Anderson threw three scoreless frames on 7/15 allowing just one hit. For the season between Clearwater and Jersey Shore he’s recorded a 2.52 ERA in 15 games ( 25 2/3 IP ) with a 1.29 WHIP, the 24 year old was signed by the Phillies on 6/18/19 as an UDFA.
Tyler Burch made two appearances and threw 2 2/3 scoreless frames … 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s. The 23 year old has posted a 1-0 record in July in 5 games with a 0.00 ERA and 0.45 WHIP in 6 2/3 IP with 9 K’s and just 1 walk. Since his promotion from Clearwater on 6/24 he’s yet to yield a run in 8 IP and has converted 3 saves in 3 chances. Tyler has struck out 11 batters for JS … features a fast ball in the mid 90’s coupled with an starter’s arsenal of secondary pitches as a closer. He went to Lewis-Clark State … the same school as Connor Brogdon - could just push up the ladder the same as his former college teammate has done.
Clearwater ( Overall Record 32-33, 1-5 during the past week) - next series @ Tampa ( Yankees affiliate )
OF Baron Radcliff - he went 8 for 21 ( .381 ) during the week and had a seven game hitting streak dating back to the prior week ( 11 for 27 - .407 ) which ended on Sunday. Baron also hit his 6th and 7th home runs of the season, a very patient hitter ( leads the organization in walks with 55 ) he was more aggressive early in the count this week … the young man hits the ball extremely hard when he makes contact, he’s 22 years old and was the club’s 2020 5th round draft selection out of Georgia Tech.
OF Jadiel Sanchez - went 5 for 16 ( .313 ) during the week and is riding a seven game hitting streak where he’s 9 for 28 ( .321 ). The 20 year old was drafted in the 12th round of the 2019 draft from Arroyo, Puerto Rico and is yet another talented young hitter in the system. In 13 games with the Threshers he’s hitting .310 ( 13 for 42 ) after being promoted from the FCL Phillies on 7/2.
UTL Nicolas Torres - went 7 for 23 ( .304 ) during the week. In his last 12 games he’s 15 for 47 ( .319 ). The very versatile defender has brought his season average to .249.
OF Ben Pelletier - went 3 for 10 in three games with a double and home run after being activated off the injured list … that followed going 6 for 9 ( .667 ) with 3 walks during his four game rehab stint with the FCL Phillies. The 22 year old has tremendous power, hopefully he’s about to go on a tear. He also made a terrific leaping catch against the fence to pull a HR back into the yard.
SS/2B Luis Garcia - had a big game on 7/16 with two home runs, a double and four RBIs,he scored twice. Luis now has 7 home runs for the season.
1B Rixon Wingrove hit two home runs and had four RBIs on Sunday … he’s now got 10 home runs for the season.
Strong Pitching :
LH Erik Miller - made his 2021 Thresher’s debut going 2 2/3 innings on 7/16 allowing 2 hits, 2 walks while striking out 3 batters on 7/16. Albeit 3 runs scored against him they were all unearned. Erik ( 23 yrs old ) has battled his way back from shoulder discomfort this spring. The 2019 4th round draft choice from Stanford touched 97 on the radar during his outing and threw a four seamer, sinker, slider and changeup. He was on a pitch count for the 7/16 outing but as he builds up stamina expect that he likely moves up the system ladder quickly.
RH Mick Abel - went 3 scoreless innings on 7/15 … he was taken out as a precaution after experiencing stiffness but is fine now. In 13 starts he’s posted a 3.92 ERA with 63 K’s and 22 BB in 41 1/3 IP. The 19 year old 2020 1st round draft selection from Portland, OR shows tremendous poise on the hill and can flat out dominate hitters with his stuff. The development plan has been very focused from game to game placing an emphasis on different pitches in different games to further strengthen his full arsenal. Don’t be fooled by the numbers, if he threw all fastballs he would blow away most hitters … the development strategy now however will make him better when he reaches the upper rungs, he’s a very real talent.
Florida Complex League - Phillies ( 8-6 ) - 5-1 during the past week
SS/2B Jamari Baylor - had a strong week going 5 for 12 ( .417 ) and hit his first professional home run on 7/15 ( and I was there to see it 😃 ). He drove in five runs during the week and stole a couple bases. Jamari also walked four times. He hits third in the FCL Phillies lineup, very quick hands and bat speed generation. Hits the ball hard.
Strong Pitching :
RH Josh Gessner - threw 4 shutout innings vs Tigers West on 7/16 allowing just 2 hits, no walks and striking out 9 batters. The 21 year old Australian has recorded a 1.17 ERA in 3 games ( 7 2/3 IP ) this season with a 0.78 WHIP and 14 K’s
LH Jaylen Smith - threw 3 perfect innings over two appearances this week ( 7/13 & 7/17 ) and recorded his second professional save. Over four total appearances he hasn’t yielded a run in 5 1/3 IP and has a 0.38 WHIP. The 21 year old was the 29th round draft pick in the 2018 draft out of Corpus Cove, Texas.
RH Victor Lopez - made two scoreless appearances ( 7/15 & 7/17 ) pitching 2 1/3 perfect innings and earning his first pro save. The 21 year year old pitched in the Dominican Summer League in 2019 when he started 14 games and recorded a 2.29 ERA in 51 IP. This season he’s been in 4 games, all as a reliever and has a 0.43 WHIP in 4 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 BB and 4 K’s
LH Corey Phelan - the 19 year old threw 3 scoreless innings on 7/16 yielding just a hit and a walk while striking out three batters. He made his pro debut on 7/10 going two scoreless frames. Corey was signed on 8/12/20 as an Un-drafted free Agent from Long Island, NY. We saw him in his pro debut, very smooth and compact delivery who gets after the hitters, no fear … in 5 IP he’s posted a 0.80 WHIP with 1 BB and 4 K’s.
Dominican Summer League : both Phillies White & Phillies Red opened the season 0-4
OF Yemal Flores - the 17 year old highly touted signing began his pro career with a bang hitting a three run home run on 7/15. In four games played during the week he went 4 for 15 with a double, home run and three RBIs. He also scored three runs.
RHP Giuseppe Vasquez - the 18 year old tossed four scoreless innings as the starter in his pro debut allowing two hits and three walks while striking out six batters on 7/16.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️