Am publishing this early this week as will be traveling tomorrow making our way to Philadelphia for a visit 😎.
Each Monday this year for the Phillies minor league full season affiliates is a scheduled off day. They get to re-charge from a six day run of games before starting on another stretch the next day.
Here’s a review of the past week with a spot light on players from each team who had good, even great numbers and performances.
Ruben Amaro Jr said on the big league broadcast Saturday that it’s important to have qualified evaluators on minor leaguers as there is a huge difference between the major and minor leagues. We agree with that assessment … one should keep that in mind when reading what’s written from this unqualified observer 🥴🤓.
Lehigh Valley ( Overall Record 50-62, 2-4 during the past week) - next series @ home vs Scranton Wilkes Barre
Both Darick Hall & CJ Chatham each went 6 for 21 for the week. Darick hit 4 doubles and had 3 RBIs … he’s driven in 28 runs in his last 35 games. CJ hit two home runs and drove in 4 runs on September 11th … he’s hitting .317 for the month ( 13 for 41 ).
Strong Pitching :
LH Christopher Sanchez, RH Mauricio Llovera, LH Kyle Dohy - combined on 9/10 for a 6-0 shutout … Sanchez - 5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 4 BB, 7 K’s , Llovera - 3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s and Dohy - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s
RH David Paulino - 9/12 - 5 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K’s
Reading ( Overall Record 44-64, DNP during the past week) - final series @ Binghamton ( Mets Affiliate )
Jersey Shore ( Overall Record 53-59, 4-2 during the past week) - final series @ Brooklyn ( Mets Affiliate )
OF Johan Rojas - went 10 for 24 ( .417 ) for the week with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs … he also stole 5 bases. Since being promoted to Jersey Shore he’s hit .366 ( 15 for 41 ) with 3 home runs and 7 RBIs. The mercurial 21 year old ( turns 22 in August ) has all the tools to be a very productive big leaguer ( take that with a grain of salt from a “non-evaluator” ) as we’ve stated since we first saw him play on the backfields. He leads the organization with 32 stolen bases and has put up solid numbers in his first full season schedule of play. He was drafted this week by Licey for the Dominican Winter League.
SS/2B Luis Garcia -went 8 for 19 ( .421 ) during the week with two doubles, a home run and six RBIs, he drew 7 walks. He also showed off his arm strength defensively at shortstop making a long throw from the hole to get a speedy runner on Saturday. He’s just 20 years old - turns 21 on October 1st. Luis has shown this summer an offensive prowess that some questioned in years past, he’s hit 18 doubles, 5 triples and 12 home runs this summer. Playing as a then 18 year old at low A in 2019 he struggled at the plate and the game plan was for him to repeat the level this summer which he did till being promoted on 9/2 to Jersey Shore. Luis is proving the spring development plan to be a prudent one for him as he’s excelled this summer, another young man that we foresee with a very bright future.
OF Simon Muzziotti - went 8 for 17 ( .470 ) for the week with a double and 3 RBIs … since his return to play the 22 year old ( turns 23 in December ) has posted a .367 average in 30 ABs with the FCL Phillies/Clearwater/Jersey Shore. He’s an outstanding fielder and a prototype lead off hitter. Just needs to play to make up for virtually two full seasons of game inactivity. May just be with Reading next week and Lehigh Valley to finish the month.
2B/SS Jonathan Guzman - 7 for 17 ( .412 ) for the week with a double, home run and three RBIs. It’s been a struggle this season offensively for the 22 year old but he’s hitting .321 ( 9 for 28 ) thus far in September.
UTL Nicolas Torres - 9 for 19 ( .474 ) - Nicolas is hitting a cool .389 for the month ( 14 for 36 ) and .413 since joining Jersey Shore ( 33 for 80 ) on 8/14. The 21 year old ( doesn’t turn 22 till next September ) is riding a super hot streak and has upped his season batting average to .284 in 90 games ( 306 AB’s ) between Clearwater and Jersey Shore. A big plus is his defensive ability to play eight spots … could probably even pitch if needed 👍.
Strong Pitching :
RH Tyler Phillips, RH Carlos Francisco, RH James McArthur - combined on 9/10 for a 6-0 shutout - Phillips - - 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K , Francisco - 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s and McArthur - 4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s
LH Gabriel Yanez - 9/8 - 3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s & 9/12 - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 6-0 and 2.16 ERA in 27 games ( 41 1/3 IP ) this season between Clearwater and Jersey Shore
Clearwater ( Overall Record 49-61, 2-5 during the past week) - final series @ Dunedin ( Blue Jays Affiliate )
INF Kendall Simmons - 7 for 23 ( .304 ) for the week, he doubled, tripled and hit two home runs … drove in six runs. Kendall has had an injury riddled season thus far, hopefully he can finish strong.
INF Freylin Minyety - was 6 for 20 ( .300 ) - the 21 year old was signed on 7/20/21 from Wabash Valley Junior College. He’s had a very solid start to his pro career hitting an even .300 in his first 70 AB’s.
OF Jared Carr - 7 for 22 ( .318 ) - he had a five hit game on 9/10 - Jared hit a double, home run and drove in six runs during the week. The 22 year old was the club’s 13th round draft pick in the 2021 draft from Shepherd University in West Virginia. He’s hitting .291 with 4 homers and 14 RBIs in his initial 27 pro games ( 86 AB’s ) with 14 walks, 18 runs scored and 6 stolen bases.
1B/3B TJ Rumfield - 6 for 14 ( .428 ) - he was the 12th round draft choice in 2021 from Virginia Tech University - the 21 year old is a left handed hitter.
Strong Pitching :
RH Christian McGowen - the 21 year old pitched a scoreless frame on 9/9 striking out two batters and another on 9/12 ( 1 H, 1 K ). He also tossed a scoreless inning on 9/6 in the FCL striking out the side … that was his pro debut. Christian was selected in the 2021 draft in round seven from Eastern Oklahoma Junior College. His showings thus far has the coaches who’ve worked with him very excited about his repertoire. The young man features a fast ball ranging between 94 to 96 mph with life/movement and three secondaries ( Curve, Slider, Change ) that makes him a viable starting pitching option next summer in full season play. We hope to get a glimpse of him this fall in instructs.
RH Cristian Hernandez - 9/12 - 5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s - he’s now recorded 90 K’s in 71 2/3 IP.
RH Matt Russell - 9/11 - 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - UDFA signed 7/21/21 from Missouri State.
RH Alex McKenney - 9/10 - 3 2/3 IP, 1 unearned R, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K’s - signed 7/21/21 - UDFA - Maine - 22 years old - 0.54 ERA in 8 games - 16 2/3 IP
LH Maikel Garrido - 9/10 - 2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 2 K’s - 21 years old - signed 2/19/18 - Tucacas, Venezuela
Florida Complex League : Phillies ( Overall Record 23-12, 3-1 during the past week - six upcoming games in final week of play
INF Kervin Pichardo - went 3 for 5 for the week … all three hits were in the 9/11 contest against the Blue Jays. The 19 year old has excelled in FCL play this summer ( .476 batting average in 21 AB’s ) and has also played in 19 games with the Threshers and one with Jersey Shore. He was signed 6/24/19 and played his first season in the DSL. Kervin was born in the Bronx, NY. We’ve seen him at three infield positions ( 1B, 2B, 3B ) … looks solid defensively at each.
1B Matt Goodheart - went 3 for 7 for the week, the UDFA from the University of Arkansas was signed on 7/20/21. He’s 22 years old and has shown a short compact “pretty” lefty swing at the plate. He’s 5 for 10 thus far in 4 games. Great start to his pro career 👍.
Strong Pitching :
RH Andrew Painter - made two appearances this past week - 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 K’s - fastball has sat in the 94-96 range - the 18 year old has dominated in his three appearances
RH Carlos Betancourt - don’t sleep on this 20 year old, he’s had more than his share of injury setbacks to date but he’s got electric stuff. Carlos returned to action this week and pitched a scoreless inning on Saturday.
Six Phillies hurlers combined on a complete game shutout on Saturday including both Painter and Betancourt. Kyle Glogoski, Jordan Fowler, Jose Pena Jr and Micah Ottenbreit each threw an inning in the seven inning contest.
Dominican Summer League Phillies :
Phillies Red ( Overall Record 24-18, 2-2 during the past week) - 2nd Place - South Division
Solardo Rodriquez - the 17 year went 6 for 14 ( .428 ) for the week with a double, triple and three RBIs playing two games in the outfield and twice as the DH. He was signed 2/2/21 as a catcher from Distrito Jimenez, Venezuela.
Strong Pitching
9/7/21 : RHP Manuel Urias pitched five innings ( 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s ), RHP Hermès Astudillo 2 innings ( 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s ) and RHP Diego Linares two innings ( 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s ) in a 4-0 shutout win.
9/10/21 : RHP Ezequiel Ventura pitched three frames ( 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s and RHP Jesus Querales went four innings ( 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s ).
Phillies White ( Overall Record 26-15, 2-2 during the past week) - 1st place in San Pedro Division
Jehisbert Sevilla - the 18 year old infielder was 4 for 6 in the three completed games he played in and also had three hits ( 3 for 3 ) and a triple in the suspended game ( rain ) on Saturday. He’s from Maracay, Venezuela and was signed 7/2/19.
Erick Brito - continues to excel going 5 for 10 in four games. He was 4 for 5 against the Giants Black team on 9/9. Erick had two more hits in the suspended game on 9/11. He’s 5th in the entire league in BA ( .346 ) and third in OBP ( .514 ). He was signed 11/29/18 from Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela, is 19 years old … won’t be 20 till next May. This is his second season in the DSL.
Strong Pitching
9/7/21 : RHP Jean Cabrera upped his record to 3-1 by pitching five innings ( 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 9 K’s ) with RHP Luis Gomez pitching the final two innings in the seven inning game, Gomez earned his first save ( 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s ).
9/9/21 : Twenty year old RHP Saul Alcala pitched four scoreless innings in relief … 1 H, 0 BB, 6 K’s … he got the win and improved his record to 4-2.
9/10/21 : RHP Eiberson Castellano threw three scoreless innings of relief ( 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s ).
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️