7/5/24 : Recent Promotions/Transfers
- Steve Potter
- Jul 5, 2024
- 6 min read
Twelve minor league players were transferred to higher levels this week. Here’s a look at each.
RHP Andrew Baker was returned to Reading from Jersey Shore. Andrew struggled with command and control in his first stint with Reading this year both with walks and location. He was sent to Jersey Shore on May 7th and while working with the BlueClaws staff has returned to the form that had folks previously excited about his prospects. He posted a 1.59 ERA in 16 games with the BlueClaws in 17 IP. More importantly his WHIP was a stellar 0.88 with 30 strikeouts and 8 walks. In his initial outing upon return to Reading he threw a perfect inning on Tuesday. The stuff is big league caliber, an upper nineties to triple digits fastball with a slider/curve knee buckling off speed combination as well. He’s one of my favorites in the organization, I’ve never doubted the capability nor should he, setbacks are temporary if learned from, this young man has the skillset to contribute in the show.
RHP Paxton Thompson was promoted to Jersey Shore from Clearwater. Paxton was signed as an un-drafted free agent on 8/4/23 from the University of Charlotte. He’s a strike thrower who’s been used as a multi-inning reliever (has pitched two innings in ten of his twenty appearances including his BlueClaws debut on Wednesday). With the Threshers he posted 27.1 IP in 19 appearances this season with a 3.62 ERA and 1.28 WHIP (26 H, 9 BB, 30 K’s). He’s a sinker/slider pitcher who will also mix in a changeup and cutter, will go at the hitters.
RHP Max Castillo was returned to Lehigh Valley from Reading. Max was claimed this off-season on waivers from the Red Sox. The twenty-five year old has prior major league experience (21 games) with the Blue Jays and Royals, he pitched well this spring in big league camp (is on the 40 man roster) and opened the year with LHV. In seven starts he struggled throwing both strikes and quality pitches and was sent to the Complex in Clearwater to strengthen his mechanics. I chatted with him one day and he was confident that he was back on track. Initially sent to Reading afterwards he made three starts there and walked just one in nine innings of work. In his first game back with LHV this week he went four scoreless innings on Wednesday but still battled control with three walks and a hit batter. Max features a four seamer that is generally 92 to 93 mph but flashes higher and and decent changeup and slider.
Infielder/Catcher Leonardo Rondon was transferred to Jersey Shore from the FCL. A very energetic young man (20 years old) who we watched play quite alot last season in the FCL. He put up solid numbers in 2023 (.286/.389/.377 in 92 PA’s) while playing second, third and continuing to learn the catcher position. This season his play has been more infrequent as others moved up from the DSL into the positions he played. He was assigned to Clearwater on 6/14 but didn’t get into a game and then transferred to Jersey Shore on 7/2. Leonardo is a skilled hitter who likely would play more extensively in a less crowded organization, he can play - just needs the opportunity to do so.
Outfielder AJ Shaver was transferred to Lehigh Valley from Clearwater. LHV has been short on outfielders with the recent injuries to Jordan Luplow, Simon Muzziotti and Matt Kroon along with David Dahl, Johan Rojas and Kody Clemens being transferred to the Phillies to fill in there. It’s unusual for a player to bump to the AAA level from Low A but that’s what AJ did on Wednesday. It’s likely a temporary assignment but he posted two hits in three ABs in the second game of a doubleheader upon his arrival. The 22 year old is a very solid defender who can play all three outfield spots and has some pop as well.
RHP Eury Ramos was returned to Lehigh Valley from Reading. The 26 year old was signed on 4/5/24 after spending the early part of the season playing in Japan. He had been in the Chicago Cubs organization after signing with them on 8/16/14 as an international free agent and reached the AAA level with Chicago before being released on 9/18/22. In 14 games with Reading he’s posted a 3.05 ERA in 20.2 IP with 20 K’s and 7 walks, a 0.92 WHIP and .162 BAA. He made one appearance with LHV on 5/24. He’s shown a fastball in the 93-96 mph range with a deceptive low release point and a decent change up.
RHP Dominic Pipkin was activated from the 60 day IL and returned to Reading off rehab assignment with Jersey Shore. Dominic had off season shoulder surgery after pitching in the Arizona Fall League last year and had been working back with the Complex rehab team most of the year. He made a couple rehab appearances with the FCL Phillies beginning on 6/18 and then three more with Jersey Shore. In his last JS appearance on Monday he went 1.1 innings and was popping 99 mph on the radar. Dominic is a power arm who converted to back end relief work last season after spending the previous years of his career as a starter. He was the 2018 9th round draft choice from high school in Pinole, CA. A tall and lanky young man he’s got the goods to move up the ladder even further, TJ surgery cost him most of 2023 and the shoulder set him back this year, he’s still just 24 years old and has big league velocity, am anxious and hopeful he’s back in action to stay, another one of my favorites to chat with.
Outfielder Yemal Flores was promoted to Clearwater from the FCL Phillies. Yemal has been stateside for four seasons now even though he’s just 20 years old. Originally signed on 2/2/21 from San Isidiro, Dominican Republic he strugglef his first two seasons in the FCL as a 17 and 18 year old but was starting to blossom last season when the injury bug limited him to just 14 games - he posted a .417 OBP in 48 plate appearances. He’s got big time strength and power along with athleticism as a fielder, I’ve seen both spectacular plays from him and head scratchers but regardless the talent has always been evident when you watch him on a regular basis. He’s posted 4 home runs and 18 RBIs this year in the FCL with a .273/.380/.530 slash line in 79 PA’s. Last night in his first AB in his initial game as a Thresher he smoked a long towering fly ball over the fence in left field that appeared to go over the foul pole but the home plate umpire ruled otherwise - so a few innings later Yemal crushed another one - this time to left center field where there was no doubt in the home run ruling 😎. He went 2 for 4 for the game, btw he won’t turn 21 till November - sometimes ya gotta actually watch to see the talent within and hopefully watch it blossom - this kid has tools.
RHP Danyony Pulido was promoted to Clearwater from the FCL Phillies. He pitched in seven FCL games this season (six starts) and posted a 3.90 ERA in 27.2 IP with 35 K’s and 15 walks. The 21 year old pitched three previous seasons in the DSL after signing on 2/2/21 from Caracas, Venezuela. He features a four seamer that sits 94-97 mph along with a mid 90’s two seamer and a power slider in the mid 80’s along with power change up. Danyony made his Threshers debut last night.
RHP Elicier Bata was promoted to the FCL Phillies from the Dominican Summer League. I’ve seen him throw once when he was in Clearwater on rehab assignment. He’s a power arm twenty year old who was signed 12/5/21 from Achaguas, Venezuela. This season in the DSL he posted a 2.03 ERA in five appearances - 13.1 IP with 12 K’s and 3 walks - can pitch both as a starter and reliever.
Catcher/First Baseman Brahian Silva was promoted to the FCL Phillies from the Dominican Summer League. Brahian is 21 years old and was signed 7/2/19 from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. He’s played in four seasons in the DSL and is noted as a strong defender. Last year he posted a .288/.397/.348 slash line in 78 plate appearances.
Btw both RHP Christian McGowan and OF Gabriel Rincones Jr began their rehab appearances today with the FCL Phillies on- will report on that in tonight’s minor league round up.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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