8/8/25 : News and Notes - This and That

The Art of the Steal :

Phillies minor leaguers have stepped up their running game this season with three players (Carson DeMartini - 41, Aidan Miller - 40, Bryan Rincon - 40) already with forty or more swipes and with Justin Crawford - 35 and Dante Nori - 31 with thirty or more.  Oscar Mercado had 35 before he requested and was granted his release. Avery Owusu-Asiedu (26), Dylan Campbell (23) and Cal Stevenson (22) are all on pace for 30 or more stolen bases.

Last season there were only two Phillies minor leaguers (Starlyn Caba - 50, Justin Crawford - 42) with thirty or more steals.  The last time the organization had three or more players with 40 or more steals was in 2009 (Anthony Gose - 76, Quintin Berry - 48, Harold Garcia - 42) and before that in 2000 (Jay Sitzman - 53, Anthony Hensley - 43, Marlon Byrd - 41). The last time there were four or more players with 40 plus stolen bases for the Phillies in the minor leagues was in 1983 (Jeff Stone - 90, Jose Leiva - 78, Juan Samuel - 52, Keith Washington - 40). By the way Jeff Stone stole an amazing 123 bases in 134 games played in the 1981 season as a twenty year old at A level Spartanburg 😳.

A Strong Start :

Twenty one year old infielder Robert Phelps is off to a great start for his professional career - in three games played with the Clearwater Threshers he’s 5 for 12 (.417) with a double, three walks, two stolen bases and three RBIs posting a .533 OBP in his first 15 plate appearances. Robert was the Phillies 19th round draft selection this season from Reinhardt University in Waleska, GA.  He grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Allderdice High School. He is a proud product of Pittsburgh’s inner city baseball program having played in the 14th Ward Baseball Association. “I’ve been playing in the city league since I was seven years old and to be 21 now and still have the connections and the friends that are still coming out to support me, it’s unbelievable,” Phelps told Channel 11. - clip from WPXI news article.

In an article from the Pittsburgh Courier written by Rob Taylor Jr on August 2nd it was noted that Phelps dedication and love for baseball shines bright as did his excitement in turning pro - “I’ve loved it since I was a little kid, it’s always been what I’ve done, it’s always been my dream, for the dream to come true is amazing, and it’s just the first step.” Robert even spent time living in the Dominican Republic from ages 13 thru 16 to play baseball. He was playing for the Edmonton Riverhawks in the Canadian West Coast League (a college summer league) when he was drafted and posted a .284/.367/.396 slash line in 158 PA’s for them with 6 doubles, 3 triples, a home run and 14 RBIs.  Robert played shortstop in college and for Edmonton - in his three games with Clearwater thus far he’s played two at second base and one at shortstop. We wish nothing but continued success for Robert as he continues living his dream job as a pro baseball player - good stuff!

Turned Corner :

Outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu had his struggles last summer in his first full pro season with the Clearwater Threshers posting a .192/.287/.327 slash line in 357 plate appearances but the now 22 year old old ninth round draft selection from the 2023 draft (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville) has turned the corner. He began the 2025 season with Clearwater as a lineup regular after a strong showing in spring camp and earned a promotion to Jersey Shore on 6/24 after posting solid numbers with the Threshers (.268/.382/.402 in 218 PA’s with 7 doubles, 5 home runs and 23 RBIs) and had a great month of July with the BlueClaws (.313/.395/.448 in 67 AB’s with six extra base hits). Last night he produced the game winning walk off hit (single) in a 2-1 victory for Jersey Shore over Hub City. He’s a very good defensive outfielder who’s got great size (6’4” 230) and speed - one of the fastest runners in the organization.  I was recently asked my impressions of him - my response was this “Big body - very athletic - super fast - as fast as Crawford straight line. Was slow to adapt to pro pitching last season but has turned a corner now - has big power potential - decent arm, very good defender who could play center field -likely projects more in LF.”  He’s also a very upbeat and pleasant young man to chat with - when I first met him a couple years back I struggled with his last name - he told me not to worry - just call him Avery 🤓.  One to watch as he continues to progress - just sayin.

Pitchers Notes :

Some folks seem to have gotten a bit excited with recent transactions noting the additions of 2025 Phillies draftees to the FCL Phillies roster - players are “assigned” to the lowest level rosters (FCL/AZL) upon signing but not “activated” for inclusion against the 165 minor league player limit till 15 days after signing if not activated on a roster who’s season is still in play - the FCL Phillies season ended in July so the recent transactions were the 15 day activations towards the player limit. All of the pitchers drafted by the Phillies this summer are continuing their professional ramp ups at Carpenter Complex in “Draft Mini Camp”.  Some including 1st round draft selection Gage Wood will throw their first side bullpens either today or tomorrow which will likely lead to at least one live BP session at some point. There’s no urgency to get them in games this season albeit after eventually progressing to live BP sessions at the complex some indeed may see 2025 game time with the Threshers. Player development is a process of patience and perseverance - not an overnight progression.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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