Position Players of the Week :
C Donny Sands - Lehigh Valley - 9 for 22 ( .409 ) with a HR and three RBIs - has a 11 game hitting streak dating back to 5/7 ( 16 for 37 - .432 )- all he does is rake 🤓. The 26 year old can hit the baseball, makes consistent hard contact. Came back from a plantar fasciitis set back on June 26th and seemingly hasn’t missed a beat. He’s hitting .342 for the year with a .462 OBP in 34 games ( 143 Plate Appearances ).
3B Will Toffey - 12 for 27 ( .444 ) with 3 doubles, a home run and 4 RBIs - was named the organization’s minor league player of the month during which he posted a .338 batting average ( 68 AB’s ) and a .459 OBP. He’s riding a seven game hitting streak ( 17 for 35 - .486 ). 🔥
1B Josh Ockimey - 10 for 24 ( .417 ) including 2 games with Reading before being promoted on 6/30. With LHV he went 6 for 17 ( .353 ) with two doubles and triple. Josh has an overall OBP of .408 this season and leads the organization with 57 walks. He’s a patient hitter who can drive the ball when it’s in his hitting zone.
OF Jorge Bonifacio - Lehigh Valley - 10 for 27 ( .370 ) with 4 doubles, 3 home runs and 7 RBIs. The 29 year old stepped into the power void left when Darick Hall was promoted to the big leagues and gave LHV the offensive production they needed. He’s now posted 10 home runs and 40 RBIs for the season.
L to R ( Top to Bottom ) - Will Toffey, Josh Ockimey, Donny Sands & Jorge Bonifacio - photos by Cheryl Pursell & George Youngs Jr
Pitchers of the Week :
RH Griff McGarry - Jersey Shore -6/29 - 6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 4 BB, 11 K’s - 96 pitches - 59 strikes - Griff was selected as the organization’s Pitcher of the Month for June and was also promoted to Reading for his next start. The 23 year old pitched at least five innings in each of his five June starts. When he’s commanding the zone his stuff is top notch, upper nineties fast ball and big time secondaries.
RH Mick Abel - Jersey Shore 7/1 - 6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K’s - 92 pitches - 55 strikes - the 20 year old continues to learn his craft, he’s got exemplary stuff, desire to learn and work ethic. While some folks may have concern about this season’s stats I don’t share in such worry, when you watch him pitch you can see the ongoing maturity in his approach and how he’s learning to handle different situations. Those are things that will bode well for his future and the big club he eventually pitches for.
RH Colton Eastman - Reading - 6/29 - 7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s - 73 pitches - 48 strikes - Colton had an outstanding month of June for Reading posting a 1.80 ERA in 4 games ( 25 IP ). He was transferred from Lehigh Valley on June 9th where he struggled to find consistency in his outings. Sometimes it takes a perceived step back to move forward. The 25 year old has generally been a reliable starter in his four year career ( 3.58 ERA in 264 IP ) to date. Getting him back on track at Reading could prove to be a prudent move.
LH Ethan Lindow - Reading - 6/30 - 6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 5 K’s - 76 pitches - 55 strikes- in his last three starts Ethan ( 23 yrs old ) has pitched 16 innings and posted a 2.25 ERA during which he’s struck out 17 batters and walked just 2. When he’s at his best he’s the ultimate command hurler - has the ability to locate all of his pitches in spots where he intends. That was on display this past week as he frustrated Somerset hitters with location, mix and savvy. Could be ready to go on a roll in the second half.
RH Andrew Schultz - Jersey Shore - 6/28 & 7/1 - two relief appearances - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 1 earned R in last 13 appearances ( 0.69 ERA ) - 13 IP - 26 K’s, 4 BB. The 24 year old fires the heater in the 96 to 100 mph range with a wipeout slider to boot, when he’s commanding the zone he can dominate.
RH Ben Brown - Jersey Shore 7/3 - 7 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 10 K’s - 91 pitches - 69 strikes - FB range 94-97 mph - strong outing - actually pitched in relief but in essence was a start. Now has 80 K’s in 57 IP - 2017 33rd round draft selection - Ward Melville High School, East Setauket, NY - 22 years old.
RH Noah Skirrow - Reading -6/28 - 7 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s - 82 pitches - 54 strikes - Noah continues to pursue consistency from outing to outing which thus far this season has been elusive. This past week’s first outing was his longest of the season and it was vintage in regards to his approach - pound the strike zone with quality pitches and induce weak contact. Noah struggled in outing number two on Sunday 7/3 - 4 1/3 IP, 6 R, 10 H, 2 BB, 6 K’s - 96 pitches - 60 strikes which from what I’ve seen is more often the case than not with pitchers going Tuesday/Sunday against the same team since minor league baseball adopted the six game series format last season. If the 23 year old can somehow find a way to string together good outings he will gain attention - I like the mix and velocity uptick we’ve seen this year - hopefully a string of good outings follows.
L to R ( top to bottom ) - Colton Eastman, Ben Brown, Mick Abel, Noah Skirrow, Griff MacGarry, Andrew Schultz - photos by George Youngs Jr, Michael Dill & Michael Dolcemascolo
Other Position Player standouts :
Lehigh Valley :
OF Dustin Peterson - 11 for 29 ( .379 ) with a home run and 4 RBIs - has a nine game hitting streak going - 16 for 41 - .390
C Rafael Marchan - 6 for 16 ( .375 ) with 2 doubles, a home run and 4 RBIs.
Reading :
OF Johan Rojas - 5 for 16 ( .312 ) with Reading after being promoted on 6/30 from Jersey Shore. Was 6 for 24 combined for the week ( including Jersey Shore ). Stole five bases giving him 37 for the season. Has a five game hitting streak going.
IF Wendell Rijo - 6 for 14 ( .428 )
IF Kevin Vicuna - 6 for 17 ( .353 ) with 5 RBIs
Jersey Shore :
OF Ethan Wilson - 7 for 21 ( .333 ) with 3 doubles and a home run. Had a hit in all five games of the series against Wilmington. Stole two bases giving him 21 for the season. 2021 2nd round draft selection from South Alabama University.
SS Casey Martin - 6 for 22 ( .273 ) with 2 doubles, 2 home runs and 6 RBIs - 3rd round draft selection in 2020 draft - University of Arkansas
Clearwater :
SS Erick Brito - 7 for 16 ( .437 ) - hit his first professional HR and had two doubles - also drew 3 walks - .526 OBP for the week
OF Wilfredo Flores - 8 for 24 ( .333 ) - .281 batting average for season in 192 AB’s
OF Leandro Pineda - 6 for 16 ( .375 ) with a double, triple, HR and 4 RBIs
IF Luis Garcia - went 4 for 7 with 2 walks in 3 rehab appearances ( 1 with FCL Phillies & 2 with Threshers ) - the 21 year old is returning from a broken hamate bone. Should be back with Jersey Shore this week.
FCL Phillies :
OF Yemal Flores ( 18 yrs old ) hit his first two stateside home runs this week. OF/1B Felix Reyes ( 21 yrs old ) also homered and OF Albert Rodriquez ( 19 yrs old ) hit his first professional home run on 7/2/22 vs the Blue Jays.
DSL Phillies Red :
IF Marco Soto was 8 for 16 ( .500 ) and also drew two walks for an OBP of .556. The 18 year old had three multi hit games in the four he played in. For the season he’s now hitting .311 in 61 AB’s with a .386 OBP. Marco has played 2B,SS and 3B thus far this year in 16 games. Signed in February of 2021 from Maturin, Venezuela he played in 23 DSL games last year.
IF Fernando Hernandez went 7 for 14 ( .500 ) with two walks for an OBP of .562. The 19 year old had his best week by far to date, signed in July of 2019 from Cabudare, Venezuela - this is his second year of DSL play. He’s seen action at all four infield positions.
OF Jose Leanez was 5 for 15 ( .333 ) with 3 doubles and 6 RBIs. The 19 year old from Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela was signed on August 4th, 2019 from Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. He’s played all three outfield positions this year plus some first base and is hitting .333 with an OBP of .435 in 16 games this year. Jose posted a .306/.398/.375 slash line in 52 games ( 144 AB’s ) during the 2021 DSL season.
C Jorge Mendez ( 18 yrs old ) played in three games during the week and went 4 for 7 including a 3 hit game on 7/2. He’s hitting a lofty .481 in 27 AB’s for the season with an OBP of .600. Signed in August of 2019 from Maracay, Venezuela, this is his second season in the DSL.
The DSL is a young man’s league ( teenagers & early 20’s ) but it’s rare that 16 and 17 year old signees see action. Most of their initial playing time occurs in what’s referred to as the “tricky league” which is unpublished game action held on the DSL diamonds. For those who’ve inquired about William Bergolla ( 17 yrs old ) that’s likely where he’s playing. Every now and again some of the younger fellas will get into DSL games - this week OF Neify Rosario ( 17 yrs old ) went 6 for 8 ( .750 ) 😳 in three games including hitting three doubles on July 2nd against the Brewers1 team. Rosario is from San Antonio de Guerra, Dominican Republic and was signed on 1/15/22. He’s garnered 42 AB’s in the DSL this season to date.
DSL Phillies White :
OF Dariam Gutierrez ( 20 yrs old ) was 6 for 11 ( .545 ) including a four hit game on 6/27 against TexRed in which he had a double, home run and four RBIs. He also walked twice in that contest. Signed on December 5th, 2021 from La Habana, Cuba this is his first season of DSL play. He’s appeared in 16 games ( 41 AB’s ) and has posted a .390 OBP. Defensively he’s played both corner outfield positions.
OF Raylin Heredia was 5 for 15 ( .333 ) including a 4 hit game on 6/27 vs TexRed. The 18 year old from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic appeared in four games during the week. He was signed on 2/2/21 and is in his first full season of action in the DSL after appearing in 2 games in 2021. This year he’s played in 19 games and has 14 RBIs in 64 AB’s.
IF Juan Villavicencio ( 17 yrs old ) was 5 for 15 ( .333 ) including hitting his first professional HR on 6/27 against TexRed. As mentioned above it’s rare for 17 year olds to garner consistent playing time in the DSL but the 1/15/22 signee from Maracaibo, Venezuela has done just that posting a .273/.368/.424 slash line in 19 games ( 66 AB’s ) with 5 doubles, a triple and home run. He’s also stolen 7 bases without being caught. Defensively he’s played 2B and SS.
Other Pitching standouts :
Starters :
Lehigh Valley :
LH Christopher Sanchez - 3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s - 58 pitches - 36 strikes
LH Kent Emmanuel - 6 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 69 pitches - 48 strikes
LH Ricardo Sanchez - 5 2/3 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s - 91 pitches - 62 strikes
Jersey Shore :
RH Matt Russell - 5 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s - 85 pitches - 54 strikes
RH Dominic Pipkin - 5 IP, 2 R - 1 earned, 2 H, 3 BB, 0 K’s - 66 pitches - 38 strikes
RH Andrew Painter - 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 28 pitches - 20 strikes - FB sat 96-98 mph, slider and curve also used - first appearance since June 12th
Clearwater :
LH Rafael Marcano - 4 IP, 2 R - 1 earned, 6 H, 1 BB, 6 K’s - 63 pitches - 43 strikes - promoted to Jersey Shore 7/2
RH Eiberson Castellano - 5 IP, 2 R - 1 earned, 5 H, 1 BB, 7 K’s - 64 pitches - 45 strikes
LH Jordi Martinez - 5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K’s - 65 pitches - 42 strikes
RH Jean Cabrera - 4 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 4 BB, 4 K’s - 68 pitches - 40 strikes
DSL Phillies Red :
RH Jeffery German ( 17 yrs old ) - 5 IP, 1 unearned R, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K’s - 2.50 ERA in 4 games ( 18 IP ) with 18 K’s
RH Luis Gonzalez ( 16 yrs old ) - 5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s
RH Fernando Ortega ( 20 yrs old ) - 6 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s
DSL Phillies White :
RH Maxwell Hernandez ( 19 yrs old ) - 5 IP, 1 unearned R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 0.00 ERA in 4 games ( 17 2/3 IP )
RH Ezequiel Ventura ( 20 yrs old ) - 5 IP, 1 unearned R, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K’s - 2.29 ERA in 4 games ( 19 2/3 IP )
Relievers :
Lehigh Valley :
LH Jace Fry - three appearances - 3 1/3 IP, retired every batter faced - 6 K’s
RH Joe Gatto - two appearances - 2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K’s
LH Jakob Hernandez - two appearances - 3 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s
RH James Marvel - 3 IP, 1 unearned R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 52 pitches - 32 strikes
RH Jake Newberry - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s - 38 pitches - 24 strikes
LH Ryan Sherriff - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 1 K - first appearance since 6/17/22
Reading :
RH Carlo Reyes - 2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 22 1/3 inning scoreless streak dating back to 5/17 - 10 games with Jersey Shore/Reading - overall 2.90 ERA in 18 games - 31 IP - May move into “Opener” role
RH Braden Zarbnisky - two appearances - 2 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s - stranded 3 inherited runners
LH Jo Jo Romero - two appearances - 3 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s
RH McKinley Moore - two appearances - 3 2/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s
RH Bubby Rossman - three appearances - 2 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 3 K’s
RH Billy Sullivan - 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K’s
RH Mike Adams - 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 1 K - one inherited runner scored
RH Matt Seelinger - 1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 0 K’s
Carlo Reyes - photo by George Youngs Jr
Jersey Shore :
RH Jonathan Hughes - two appearances - 1 1/3 IP, 1 unearned R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s
RH Aidan Anderson - two appearances - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 K’s
RH Jason Ruffcorn - 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 17 pitches - 13 strikes
Clearwater :
RH Alex Garbrick - two appearances - 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s - only 2 runs allowed in last 9 appearances ( 13 1/3 IP ) - 1.35 ERA over that span - 13 K’s
RH Rodolfo Sanchez - two appearances - 2 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s - in last 11 appearances has a 1.26 ERA in 14 1/3 IP with 20 K’s
LH Gabriel Yanez - two appearances - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s
RH Carlos Betancourt - two appearances - 4 IP, 1 earned R, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s
LH Tristan Garnett - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 27 pitches - 16 strikes
LH Jared Wetherbee - 1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 0 K’s
RH Sam Jacobsak - 1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K
RH Alex McKenney - 2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s
FCL Phillies :
RH Jayden Estanista - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s
RH Gunnar Mayer - 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - rehab assignment
RH Nicoly Pina - 2 appearances - 2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s - rehab assignment
LH Taylor Lehman - 1 perfect IP - 1 K, fly out & line out - first rehab appearance
RH Brett Schulze - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K - first rehab appearance
RH Buddy Hayward - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 1st appearance since 6/18
DSL Phillies Red :
RH Carlos Millan ( 18 yrs old ) - 3 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s
RH Enrique Segura ( 17 yrs old ) - 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s
RH Edgar Zuniga ( 19 yrs old ) - 3 1/3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K
DSL Phillies White :
RH Danyony Pulido ( 19 yrs old ) - 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 4 BB, 4 K’s
LH Joalbert Angulo ( 20 yrs old ) - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s
2022 season win/loss records :
Lehigh Valley went 2-4 during the week and is 42-36 overall
Reading went 4-2 during the week and is 33-42 overall, 4-2 second half
Jersey Shore went 2-3 during the week and is 27-47 overall, 2-6 second half
Clearwater went 1-5 during the week and is 37-37 overall, 2-7 second half
FCL Phillies went 1-2 during the week and is 8-10 overall
DSL Phillies Red went 5-0 during the week and is 14-6 overall
DSL Phillies White went 2-2 during the week and is 11-9 overall
This coming week’s schedule :
AAA - Lehigh Valley will host Rochester ( Nationals affiliate )
AA - Reading will visit Richmond ( Giants affiliate )
High A : Jersey Shore will host Hudson Valley ( Yankees affiliate )
Low A : Clearwater will visit Dunedin ( Blue Jays affiliate )
Florida Complex League opens - home games - 7/5 ( Yankees ) & 7/7 ( Tigers ) & 7/9 ( Blue Jays ) - away 7/4 ( Yankees ), 7/8 ( Tigers )
Dominican Summer League :
Phillies White plays this week - Tigers2 (7/4), Tex Blue ( 7/5 ), Tex Red (7/7 ), Tex Red (7/8 ), Mets1 ( 7/9 )
Phillies Red plays this week - Brewers1 ( 7/4 ), Tigers2 (7/5 ), Twins ( 7/7 ), Tex Blue ( 7/8 ), Nationals ( 7/9 )
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 )
Griff McGarry - Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month ( June )
Will Toffey - Phillies Minor League Hitter of the Month ( June )
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 ⚾️