8/24/25 : Phillies Minor Leagues : week in review (8/18- 8/24)

Written by Steve Potter

Spotlight Hitters of the week :

Twenty one year old Aidan Miller (Reading) was 12 for 23 (.522) with 5 doubles, 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, 5 runs scored and 2 stolen bases, he walked 4 times posting a .621 OBP in 29 plate appearances during the week. In the month of August he’s slashing .380/.474/.684 with a 1.158 OPS with 12 doubles, 4 home runs, 15 RBIs, 10 walks and 12 stolen bases. His 49 stolen bases to date are the most in a season at Reading since Quintin Berry (48) in 2009. The last to steal 50 in a season was Jose Leiva in 1987.

Twenty four year old Felix Reyes  (Reading) was 10 for 25 (.400) with 4 runs scored and 3 doubles. He has a ten game hitting streak in which he’s 18 for 43 (.419) with 8 doubles, a home run, 7 RBIs and 9 runs scored.

Twenty five year old Johan Rojas (Lehigh Valley) went 12 for 28 (.429) with 7 runs scored, a double, home run and 3 RBIs. He has revamped his swing, adding a higher leg kick and a more open stance.

Twenty five year old Otto Kemp  (Lehigh Valley) went 10 for 22 (.455) with 6 runs scored, 2 doubles, 4 walks  and 5 RBIs.

Twenty four year old Jose Rodriquez (Reading) was 8 for 17 (.471) with 2 runs scored, 2 doubles and 5 RBIs. He’s hitting .414 in 29 AB’s for the month (including a rehab assignment at Jersey Shore).

Spotlight Pitcher of the Week :

Twenty one year old LH Mavis Graves (Jersey Shore) pitched five scoreless innings in his start this week (two hits) and four relievers followed for a combined 2-0 victory shutout. In 4 starts (19 IP) in the month of August he’s posted a 0.95 ERA with 24 K’s and 11 walks - opponents are hitting just .159 against him during the month. In his last 7 starts (July & August) he’s pitched 34.2 innings and has a 1.30 ERA with 42 K’s and 15 walks. Mavis had a slow start to the season but has definitely picked up the pace. He features a five pitch mix - four seam fastball, two seamer/sinker, a cutter that’s basically a slider and curve ball that is more of a sweeper. Fastballs will  be in the 91-94 mph range. He told me at the mid season break that “this year has been a big year for development for me, I’ve had ups and downs and one of my main goals the first half was to get my routines down and I feel like I’ve came a long way with them. For the rest of the year I want to build consistent starts and start dominating hitters.”  In his last seven starts he’s well on his way to accomplishing that goal.

Nineteen year old RH Ramon Marquez (Clearwater) pitched five scoreless innings in his start this week allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out seven batters. In his three starts in August he’s pitched 14 innings and has posted a 1.93 ERA with 18 K’s and 2 walks (0.86 WHIP). This is his first professional season having signed on 1/15/25 as an international free agent from Mexico. He made 10 appearances (8 starts) in the Florida Complex League (38 IP) posting a 4.50 ERA with 50 K’s and 12 walks. Ramon has an outstanding changeup which many scouts rate as a plus pitch. His fastball generally sits 92-94 mph but has flashed 96 mph and he also throws a slider. The key to his success however is his knowledge of how to pitch using mix and location like a veteran well beyond his teenage years.  Has a chance to become a really good one as he continues to climb the ladder.

International League (AAA) : Lehigh Valley (27-24, 73-52)

The IronPigs went 6-0 hosting  Durham (Rays affiliate).

At Bat :

On Tuesday Justin Crawford had two hits (singles) and stole two bases. Johan Rojas had two hits (singles). On Wednesday Rafael Lantigua had three hits (two singles and a three run home run) - the homer was a two out walk-off game winner! Donovan Walton had three hits (singles) and a walk. On Thursday Johan Rojas had three hits (two singles & two run HR, 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs in total) and a stolen base. Otto Kemp had two hits (single & double) including the game winning walk off hit!  Otto Kemp had two hits (singles) and two RBIs on Friday. On Saturday Otto Kemp had three hits (two singles & double) and a sacrifice fly posting two RBIs. Johan Rojas had three hits (singles). On Sunday Johan Rojas had two hits (single & double). Justin Crawford also had two hits (single & HR).

For the Series : Otto Kemp  went 10 for 22 (.455) with 6 runs scored, 2 doubles, 4 walks  and 5 RBIs. Johan Rojas went 12 for 28 (.429) with 7 runs scored, a double, home run and 3 RBIs. He has revamped his swing, adding a higher leg kick and a more open stance. Donovan Walton  went 9 for 22 (.409) with 4 runs scored. Oscar Mercado was 4 for 11 (.364) with a home run and three RBIs. Payton Henry went 4 for 12 (.333)

On The Hill :

On Tuesday RH Alan Rangel pitched 3.2 scoreless innings while righty relievers Daniel Harper (1.1 IP), Jacob Waguespack, Phil Bickford and Michael Mercado each threw an inning or more of scoreless ball behind him. In a Wednesday bullpen game four relievers (RH Guillo Zuniga - 1 perfect IP, RH Daniel Robert - 1 perfect IP, RH Lou Trivino - 2 IP, RH Seth Johnson - 1 perfect IP) pitched scoreless baseball in the last five innings. RH Adonis Medina pitched five innings (two runs - one earned) on Thursday. RH Andrew Painter pitched five innings (one run) on Friday. RH Gabe Mosser pitched six innings (one run) on Saturday. RH Alan Rangel pitched five innings (two runs) on Sunday.

For the Series : reliever RH Daniel Harper made two scoreless appearances (2.1 IP) as did RH Seth Johnson (2 IP), Nolan Hoffman (2 IP), Lou Trivino (3 IP) and RH Daniel Robert (2 IP). RH Gabe Mosser, RH Andrew Painter, RH Alan Rangel and RH Adonis Medina made strong starts. Rangel made two starts (8.2 IP) striking out 11 batters against 3 walks (0.92 WHIP, 2.08 ERA).

Eastern League (AA) : Reading (22-29, 47-71)

Reading was 3-3 visiting Altoona (Pirates affiliate).

At Bat :

Paul McIntosh had two hits (single & double) on Tuesday. On Wednesday Aidan Miller had three hits (single and two doubles), walked and scored a run. Nick Dunn hit two two run home runs. On Thursday Aidan Miller had three more hits (single & two HR’s - 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored). Leandro Pineda had two hits (single & HR with 3 RBIs). Felix Reyes had three hits (two singles & double). On Friday Jose Rodriquez had three hits (two singles & double) with a walk and two RBIs. Felix Reyes had three hits (singles). On Saturday Aidan Miller had three hits (two singles & double, two RBIs, stolen base).  Jose Rodriquez had three hits (singles). Aidan Miller, Paul McIntosh and Caleb Ricketts each doubled on Sunday.

For the Series : Aidan Miller was 12 for 23 (.522) with 5 doubles, 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, 5 runs scored and 2 stolen bases, he walked 4 times posting a .621 OBP in 29 plate appearances. Felix Reyes was 10 for 25 (.400) with 4 runs scored and 3 doubles. He has a ten game hitting streak in which he’s 18 for 43 (.419) with 8 doubles, a home run, 7 RBIs and 9 runs scored. Jose Rodriquez was 8 for 17 (.471) with 2 runs scored, 2 doubles and 5 RBIs. Leandro Pineda was 4 for 11 (.364) with 2 doubles, a home run and 3 RBIs. Paul McIntosh was 4 for 13 (.308) with three doubles.

On The Hill :

RH Estibenzon Jimenez pitched six innings (one unearned run, eight strikeouts) on Wednesday and relievers LH Tristan Garnett, RH Andrew Bechtold and RH John McMillon each pitched a scoreless inning in a 7-1 win. RH Chuck King pitched 5.1 innings (one run) on Thursday. RH Jean Cabrera pitched five innings (one run, two hits) on Friday. RH Gunner Mayer pitched two scoreless innings in relief on Saturday.

For the Series : reliever RH Andrew Bechtold made two scoreless appearances (2 IP) as did LH Tristan Garnett (2 IP) and John McMillon (2 IP). RH Estibenzon Jimenez, RH Jean Cabrera and RH Chuck King made strong starts.

South Atlantic League  (High A) : Jersey Shore (30-23, 55-61)

The BlueClaws were 3-3 hosting Hudson Valley (Yankees affiliate).

At Bat :

John Spikerman had two hits (singles) on Tuesday. Raylin Heredia hit a two run home run on Friday. On Saturday Zach Arnold had two hits (single & HR, two RBIs). Kehden Hettiger tripled and had two RBIs. Raylin Heredia hit a three run home run and Jose Colmenares had two hits (single, two run HR), a walk and two runs scored on Sunday.

For the Series : Trent Farquhar went 5 for 16 (.313) with three runs scored.

On The Hill :

RH Brandon Beckel pitched five scoreless innings (one hit) on Thursday. LH Mavis Graves pitched five scoreless innings on Friday (two hits) and four relievers followed for a combined shutout. On Saturday LH Wesley Moore pitched two scoreless frames in relief to close out a win. RH Ryan Dromboski pitched five innings (one run) on Sunday - RH Alex McFarlane pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

For the Series : RH Brandon Beckel RH Ryan Dromboski and LH Mavis Graves made strong starts. Relievers RH Alex McFarlane (3 IP) and RH Titan Kennedy-Hayes (1.2 IP) each made two scoreless appearances. LH Kevin Warunek struck out the side in a perfect inning in his only appearance in the series.

Florida State League (Low A)  : Clearwater (29-22, 65-52)

The Threshers went 2-3 hosting Jupiter (Marlins affiliate).

At Bat :

Jonathan Hogart had two hits including a two run home run on Tuesday. Nathan Humphreys hit a two run home run (his first as a pro) on Thursday. On Friday Will Vierling had two hits (single & HR - his first as a pro). Nolan Beltran had three hits (singles). Carter Mathison had two hits (singles) on Saturday.

For the Series : Nolan Beltran went 4 for 13 (.308), Carter Mathison 3 for 10 (.300) and Robert Phelps 3 for 8 (.375) with 3 runs scored. Clearwater batters walked 42 times in the series including 16 in one game.

On The Hill :

RH Luis Avila pitched 2.2 innings and retired all eighth hitters he faced, two by strikeout on Tuesday. RH Ramon Marquez pitched five scoreless innings innings (one hit, seven strikeouts) on Wednesday and right handed relievers Adilson Peralta (3 IP, no runs) and RH Danyony Pulido (one perfect IP) were strong behind him in a 2-1 pitcher’s duel victory.  On Thursday RH Ryan Degges pitched four scoreless frames (one hit) followed by RH Eli Trop (one scoreless inning) and LH Zuher Yousuf (4 IP, one run). LH Danny Wilkinson pitched two perfect innings in relief on Saturday.

For the Series : RH Ramon Marquez and RH Ryan Degges made strong starts, LH Zuher Yousuf and RH Adilson Peralta made strong bulk relief appearances. Reliever LH Danny Wilkinson made two scoreless appearances (2.1 IP). RH Luis Avila pitched 5.2 innings (one run) in two appearances. RH Danyony Pulido made two appearances (4 IP - one unearned run).

Dominican Summer League Phillies Red (26-30)

The Red club went 0-2 during the week in the last two games of the season.

At Bat :

On Monday Winifer Castillo had three hits (single & two doubles) with two RBIs. On Tuesday in the season finale Jonathan Alcantara had three hits (singles) and a run scored.

Seventeen year old Catcher/First Baseman Anderson Araujo had a very productive first season as a pro - in 183 plate appearances he posted a .289/.377/.528 slash line and a .905 OPS with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 7 home runs and 29 RBIs, he even stole 11 bases. Eighteen year old Catcher/First Baseman Anderson Navas made progress in his second DSL season posting a .256 batting average in 164 AB’s with 10 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs and 21 RBIs.

On The Hill :

LH Carlos Duran pitched 4 innings on Tuesday (two runs - one earned).

Seventeen year old RH Deiry Gonzalez had a strong first pro season - in ten starts he had a 1.13 ERA (40 IP) with 34 strikeouts and 8 walks recording a 0.95 WHIP and .213 BAA.

Dominican Summer League Phillies White (13-42)

The White club went 0-2 during the week in the last two games of the season. They ended the season on a fourteen game losing skid.

At Bat :

Romeli Espinosa had two hits (single & triple) on Monday.

Seventeen year old outfielder Dayber Cruceta had a good first pro season with a .291/.438/.373 slash line and .811 OPS in 169 plate appearances, he had six doubles and twelve stolen bases.  Shortstop Romeli Espinosa (seventeen years old) stood out with a .282/.363/.430 slash line and .793 OPS in 168 plate appearances in what was also his first pro season - he was an All-Star game selection.

On The Hill :

RH Pedro Peralta pitched five innings (one run, two hits) on Tuesday.

Seventeen year old RH Albertt Medina had a good first season as a pro - in 14 appearances out of the bullpen he posted a 2.49 ERA in 25.1 IP with 20 K’s and 9 walks.

Extra Extra !

In addition to the nightly minor league roundups appearing on my website and most social media outlets I wrote five extra spotlights this week - links below :

8/18/25 : Pitching Thoughts : https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/8-18-25-pitching-thoughts

8/19/25 : Today at the Complex : https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/8-19-25-today-at-the-complex

8/21/25 : Offensive Prowess including the Steal : https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/8-21-25-offensive-prowess-including-the-steal

8/21/25 : Phillies minor leaguers swiping bags at a record setting pace : https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/8-21-25-phillies-minor-leaguers-swiping-bags-at-a-record-setting-pace

8/24/25 : Days at the Complex : https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/8-24-25-days-at-the-carpenter-complex-clearwater

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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