7/7/26 : Minor League Roundup
- Steve Potter
- 1 minute ago
- 8 min read
Compiled and written by Steve Potter
International League (AAA) - Lehigh Valley 3 (7-6, 42-46) Columbus 2 (7-6, 48-39) - Allentown, PA - Coca-Cola Park - ten innings
At Bat : 3 R, 8 H, 6 BB, 8 K’s
Keaton Anthony (single, double) and Dylan Moore (single, double) each had two hits. Bryan De La Cruz also had two hits (single & double) and walked twice. Otto Kemp had the walk off game winning hit (single), he also walked once and was hit by a pitch.
On The Hill : 2 R, 8 H, 3 BB, 10 K’s
RH Brian Keller - 6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K’s - 74 pitches - 53 strikes
LH Kirby Snead - 1.1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K’s - 33 pitches - 18 strikes
RH Nolan Hoffman - 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 22 pitches - 14 strikes
RH Michael Mercado - 2 perfect IP, 1 K - 25 pitches - 16 strikes
Note : Brian Keller has pitched very well since joining the IronPigs - in seven starts (30.1 IP) he’s recorded a 2.37 ERA with 32 K’s and 11 walks - the 32 year old veteran hadn’t pitched in affiliated baseball since 2022 when he was in the Red Sox organization making 30 appearances (20 starts) for AAA Worcester. He had Tommy John surgery in late 2023 after playing for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan and since has worked his way back to this opportunity with the Phillies organization.
Did Ya Know 🧐 :
THE ORIGINAL 'PIG: Columbus Clipper manager Andy Tracy returns to Coca-Cola Park for a second straight season, as the one-time 'Pig (and face of the franchise) is in his sixth year at the helm for Columbus. Tracy's name is littered across the 'Pigs record book and he was the franchise's all-time home run king before Darick Hall dethroned him in 2024. - Sam Jellinek - Manager, Broadcasting & Media Relations - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Eastern League (AA) - Reading 2 (8-5, 38-44) Somerset 1 (5-8, 42-40)
Bridgewater, NJ - TD Bank Ballpark
At Bat : 2 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 10 K’s
Pedro Leon had two hits (singles). Raider Tello doubled. Raylin Heredia hit a two run home run, his 17th of the season.
Note : 22 year old Raylin Heredia may be the organization’s best kept secret - he’s posting a .291 batting average in 323 AB’s with 24 doubles, 17 home runs and 48 RBIs - Raylin played winter ball in Australia for ABL champion Adelaide. He’s a doubles machine, has put up strong numbers in his first full season at the AA level - drives the ball with authority into the gaps, good wheels and can pop it over the fence. Defensively has shown a great arm, power, decent wheels and a passion to play. He’s a prototype right fielder in my view with a chance to develop into an everyday power bat run producer - plays with confidence and enthusiasm, very likable person and teammate.
This past off season I wrote this about him “the past two summers have included a good bit of lost time spent on the IL and in recovery mode at the complex - when he’s on the field has shown a great arm, power, decent wheels, bat speed and a passion to play. He’s a right fielder in my view with a chance to develop into a power bat run producer - plays with confidence and enthusiasm. When we first saw him play in the FCL (2023) he dominated (.326/.415/.532 in 164 PA’s) and that ability still comes thru during good runs. He will need to adjust as pitchers adjust to him, can square up any velocity of heat.” Raylin should be catching folks attention.
On The Hill : 1 R, 9 H, 0 BB, 11 K’s
RH Gage Wood - 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s - 38 pitches - 27 strikes
RH Evan Gates - 2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 30 pitches - 22 strikes
RH Jack Dallas - 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 27 pitches - 21 strikes
RH Estibenzon Jimenez - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s - 9 pitches - 8 strikes
RH Alex McFarlane - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 15 pitches - 11 strikes
Did Ya Know 🧐 :
Last One Before the Break - The Fightin Phils are back on the road for the final series before the All-Star Break against the Somerset Patriots, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. It is the 13th-of-18 matchups between the teams this season and seventh-of-12 at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. Entering play on Tuesday, the season series is tied 6-6 after the teams split a series in Somerset (Apr. 14-19) and at Reading (May 5-10). This is the final series of the season between the teams. - Jake Starr - Reading Director of PR/Media Relations, Client Fulfillment & Broadcaster
South Atlantic League (High A) - Frederick 8 (9-6, 50-29) Jersey Shore 7 (2-13, 28-52) - Frederick, MD - Nymeo Field - eleven innings
At Bat : 7 R, 15 H, 3 BB, 10 K’s
Devin Saltiban had three hits (singles) and two stolen bases. Luis Caicuto had two hits (singles) Trent Farquhar also had two hits (single & double). Tyler Miller hit a two run home run. Brandon Lewis had two hits (single & HR) with three RBIs. Tyler Pettorini had two hits (singles) and a stolen base. Carter Mathison hit a solo home run. Daunte Stuart doubled.
On The Hill : 8 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 14 K’s
RH Reese Dutton - 6 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 HB, 1 BB, 7 K’s - 84 pitches - 48 strikes
RH Keegan Batka - 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 26 pitches - 19 strikes
RH Gabe Craig - 2/3 IP, 4 R - 2 earned, 2 H, 1 HB, 2 BB, 1 K - 36 pitches - 19 strikes
RH Titan Kennedy-Hayes - 1.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 19 pitches - 13 strikes
RH Brandon Beckel - 1/3 IP, 1 unearned R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s - 5 pitches - 3 strikes
Did Ya Know 🧐 :
The Keys to Victory…The BlueClaws are in Frederick for a six game series with the Keys (Orioles affiliate)…Frederick and Jersey Shore split six games in Lakewood through May 31st and Frederick took five of six from the BlueClaws in a series that ended on Mother’s Day…Frederick is in their first season back as the Orioles High-A affiliate (since 2019) after playing the last five years in the MLB Draft League. - Greg Giombarrese - Vice President - Communications - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
Florida State League (Low A) - Tampa 7 (12-4, 47-35) Clearwater 0 (8-8, 48-34)
Tampa , FL - George M Steinbrenner Field
At Bat : 0 R, 1 H, 5 BB, 7 K’s
On The Hill : 7 R, 11 H, 7 BB, 12 K’s
LH Cade Obermueller - 3.2 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 7 K’s - 81 pitches - 51 strikes
RH Brian Walters - 2.1 IP, 1 unearned R, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s - 49 pitches - 26 strikes
LH Juan Amarante - 1/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 28 pitches - 20 strikes
RH Jacob Pruitt - 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 18 pitches - 12 strikes
Did Ya Know 🧐 :
POTENTIAL PLAYOFF PREVIEW: The Clearwater Threshers will face the Tampa Tarpons for the third time in 2026 and first time in the second half in their final series before the MLB All-Star Break. The Threshers clinched the first half, and after two and a half six-game series, the Tarpons have emerged with the lead in the West Division for the second half. The Tarpons begin the six-game set 2.5 games clear in first place of the FSL West Division with an 11-4 record in the second half. The Threshers and Tarpons split each of their first two series in the first half and will face each other in August at BayCare Ballpark for another potential playoff preview. - Josh Sperber - Clearwater Threshers Broadcaster
Florida Complex League - Tigers 8 (23-25) Phillies 0 (18-30)
Lakeland, FL - Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium - seven innings
At Bat : 0 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 7 K’s
Note :
Nineteen year old outfielder Josueth Quinonez who was traded by the Phillies on 7/31/25 for RHP Matt Manning is hitting .392 (20 for 51) in 23 games for the FCL Tigers.
On The Hill : 8 R, 10 H, 5 BB, 5 K’s
LH David Hernandez - 3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 K’s
RH Naoel Mejia - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s
LH Aneury Montilla - 1 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K
LH Raymon Rosario - 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s
Dominican Summer League - Phillies (17-10) Twins (6-19)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Twins Complex
Game One : Phillies 13 Twins 10 - seven innings - completion of game from 6/25 - picked up in bottom of third inning
At Bat : 13 R, 10 H, 8 BB, 3 K’s
Juan Parra had three hits (single, two doubles) with two runs and two RBIs. Edwin Ramirez had two hits (single, triple) with an RBI and two runs scored. Nelson Prieto singled and posted five RBIs in the game. Dayber Cruceta doubled, walked, had two RBIs and a run scored. Elian Adames singled with two RBIs. Javen Maduro singled and walked three times. Francisco Renteria singled and walked twice.
On The Hill : 10 R, 9 H, 7 BB, 8 K’s
LH Samuel Ortiz - 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - from 6/25
RH Albertt Medina - 1 perfect IP, 1 K - from 6/25
RH Rene Yrish - 2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 2 K’s
RH Alexandre Moreti - 1.1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K
RH Francisco Mercedes - 1 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 K’s
RH Wandelin Garcia - 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Game Two : Phillies 12 Twins 6 - 5.1 innings - weather shortened
The game went into weather delay (lightning) with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
At Bat : 12 R, 12 H, 5 BB, 3 K’s
Elian Adames had two hits (double & two run HR) posting four RBIs. Edwin Ramirez hit a three run home run and walked twice. Juan Parra had two hits (singles) with two runs and a walk. Jose Tovar had three hits (two singles & double) with two RBIs and two runs scored. Francisco Renteria singled and scored twice. Dayber Cruceta had two hits (single & double) with a run scored.
On The Hill : 6 R, 9 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s
LH Samuel Ortiz - 3 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s
LH Yoel Zambrano - 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s
System Transactions :
Lehigh Valley - INF Liover Peguero returned from rehab assignment and reinstated from the 7-Day IL.
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Brian Keller - photo by Cheryl Pursell
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