8/16/25 : Clearwater No hitter!

Three left-handed pitchers combined to pitch a nine inning no-hit/no-run game for the Clearwater Threshers on Friday night (8/15) in a 2-0 win against the Lakeland Tigers. The game was masterfully caught by Luke Davis (signed as a non-drafted free agent 7/23/24 from Long Beach CC in California).

Nineteen year old Angel Liranzo started the game in his second appearance for the Threshers since being promoted on August 7th from the FCL. I’ve touted the youngster in the past for his mix, moxy and pitch-ability as I’ve witnessed on the backfields since his arrival stateside in May of 2024. Angel was signed on 1/15/23 by the Phillies from the town of Sanchez in the Dominican Republic. Last night he featured his signature changeup (20 pitches - 83-87 mph), sinker (30 pitches - 91-93 mph) and slider (12 pitches - 81 to 85 mph) as he threw 62 pitches over four frames (61 % strike ratio). Angel posted a 3.60 ERA in 12 starts (55 IP) in the FCL this summer.

Liranzo was followed by twenty four year lefty reliever A.J. Wilson (12th round draft selection - 2024 draft - UNC Charlotte). A.J.features a unique delivery where he turns his back to the hitter before uncoiling with his pitch. He’s got a big curve ball/slider which he threw 15 times (76-81 mph) and a four seamer (19 pitches - 88-90 mph) as he went three innings (1 BB, 3 K’s) with a  62 % strike ratio in his 34 deliveries. A.J. has been solid in his first full season of pro ball - three of his 22 outings have inflated his season ERA to 6.06 over 32.2 IP however in the other nineteen appearances he’s posted a 2.64 ERA over 30.2 IP.

Erick Ritchie completed the game going the final two innings featuring a cutter (12 pitches - 86-91 mph), change up (8 pitches - 84-87 mph), four seamer (5 pitches - 90-93 mph) and slider (3 pitches - 82-83 mph). The twenty-two year old from East Carolina University was drafted in the 19th round of the 2024 draft.  He’s had his struggles this season with command and control but had a very strong month of July posting a 1.86 ERA in five appearances (9.2 IP).  Erick was in control last night as he threw 64 percent of his 28 pitches for strikes posting a walk and two strikeouts.

It seems like every no-hitter has at least one defensive gem - with two outs in the seventh inning center fielder Nate Humphreys (signed as a non-drafted free agent on 7/22/25 from Dallas Baptist University) delivered the standout play of the game! The Tigers Cristian Santana drove a liner towards the right center field gap - Humphreys made a tremendous long running and diving catch to rob a hit and end the inning! He literally caught the ball on the dive 👀👏 and came up smiling as right fielder Carter Mathison was there to greet him!

On the offensive side of the equation third baseman Raider Tello (signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/23/24 from the University of Iowa) accounted for both runs in the contest with an RBI single and solo home run, he’s been a solid performer all season posting a .281/.339/.401 slash line in 322 plate appearances while playing multiple positions (all four infield spots plus RF).  Dante Nori remained hot (he was the DH in this one) with two more hits (singles) - the twenty year old 2024 1st round draft pick from Northville, Michigan was the co-player of the month in July in the organization (.324/.446/.541 in 74 AB’s) and has good numbers for the season (.268/.365/.386 in 472 PA’s with 15 doubles, 10 triples and 33 stolen bases) while playing a strong center field.

The last Threshers no hitter was on 4/9/23 when five hurlers (LH Sam Aldegheri, RH Eduar Segovia, LH Andrew Walling, RH Orion Kerkering and LH Wesley Moore) no hit the Bradenton Marauders in Bradenton - two of those five have since made it to the major leagues.

Congrats to Angel, A.J. and Erik and their teammates for their outstanding collective efforts last night - not everyone can say they were part of a professional no hitter - these fellas now join others with that distinction!

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

A.J. Wilson, Erik Ritchie, Luke Davis and Angel Liranzo - photo by Nathan Ray

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