9/14/25 : Phillies Minor Leagues : week in review (9/9- 9/14)
- Steve Potter
- 1 minute ago
- 5 min read
Written by Steve Potter
Spotlight Hitter of the week :
Utility player Rodolfo Castro (Lehigh Valley) went 9 for 23 (.391) for the week with two doubles and five RBIs. The 26 year old who was acquired from the Pirates on 8/1/23 in a trade for LHP Bailey Falter and then re-signed this past off-season as a minor league free agent has quietly had a decent season for the IronPigs. He’s belted 23 doubles, 19 home runs and posted 81 RBIs with 18 stolen bases primarily from the lower third of the order. Castro has been the primary shortstop this season for Lehigh Valley making 107 starts there but has also played third base, center and right field. In his career he’s also played second base. Rodolfo has 22 career major league home runs in 627 plate appearances with the Pirates and Phillies (2021 to 2023). He was injured for most of the 2024 season but has bounced back nicely this summer.
Spotlight Pitchers of the Week :
RH Griff McGarry (Reading) pitched 5.1 innings on Friday (1 R, 2 H, 1 HB, 3 BB, 10 K’s - 95 pitches - 59 strikes). He walked three batters in the first inning then retired 14 of the next 17 batters thereafter - 7 by strikeout - it was a finish to a strong season for Griff at Reading - finishes with a 3.25 ERA in 72 IP - 103 K’s - 17 starts.
RH Andrew Painter (Lehigh Valley) pitched five scoreless innings (3 H, 0 BB, 6 K’s - 74 pitches - 47 strikes) on Wednesday. It was a very strong outing, he pitched ahead in the count to most every batter he faced. Looked very much “Painter like”. Fastball range was 96-98 mph and also threw change-ups, sliders and curves. Perhaps his best outing of the year, very composed both mechanically and strategically with mix.
International League (AAA) : Lehigh Valley (39-29, 85-57)
The IronPigs went 4-2 visiting Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Yankees affiliate).
At Bat :
Tuesday : Aidan Miller walked three times and stole three bases in his IronPigs debut. Oscar Mercado had three hits (singles). Gabriel Rincones Jr doubled, walked and scored twice. Johan Rojas had two hits (single & double) with two RBIs.
Wednesday : in an afternoon game Johan Rojas had two hits (single & double). Aidan Miller and Gabriel Rincones Jr each doubled. Oscar Mercado homered. Paul McIntosh had two hits (singles) and an RBI. Rafael Lantigua walked twice.
Thursday : Gabriel Rincones Jr and Brewer Hicklen each had two hits (single & double).
Friday : Aidan Miller had two hits (single & double) and was hit by a pitch, stole his 56th base of the year and scored three runs. Oscar Mercado had two hits (singles) and walked posting two RBIs - he also stole a base - his 40th of the season becoming the 6th Phillies minor leaguer this year with 40 or more stolen bases. Rodolfo Castro had two hits (single & double), a walk and two RBIs.
Saturday : Brewer Hicklen hit a two run home run. Rodolfo Castro had two hits (single & double).
Sunday : Rodolfo Castro had two hits (singles) and posted two RBIs. Josh Breaux doubled. Rafael Lantigua had two hits (singles). Christian Arroyo had three hits (two singles & double). Brewer Hicklen had two hits (singles).
For the Series : Rodolfo Castro went 9 for 23 (.391) with two doubles and five RBIs. Oscar Mercado was 6 for 18 (.333) with a home run and three RBIs. Brewer Hicklen went 6 for 20 (.300) and Aidan Miller 5 for 17 (.294) with 5 runs scored and 5 walks - .478 OBP in 23 plate appearances. Gabriel Rincones Jr was 6 for 21 (.286) with three doubles, six runs scored four walks and three RBIs - .444 OBP in 27 PA’s
On The Hill :
Tuesday : RH Gabe Mosser pitched five innings (two runs on two hits).
Wednesday : RH Andrew Painter pitched five scoreless innings (three hits, no walks, six strikeouts). RH Jacob Waguespack threw two perfect innings behind him - LHV pitchers retired 18 SWB batters in a row from the second out of the third inning thru the first out of the ninth inning in the game.
Thursday : RH Alan Rangel pitched seven innings (two runs, six hits).
Friday : Seven pitchers hurled in the victory - RH Michael Mercado threw two scoreless frames and RH Daniel Harper pitched 1.2 shutout innings.
Sunday : RH Gabe Mosser pitched scoreless five innings (three hits) in his second start of the series.
For the Series : Two appearances - no runs allowed - RH Phil Bickford (2 IP), RH Lucas Sims (2 IP). RH Alan Rangel (7 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 8 K’s) and RH Andrew Painter (5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 6 K’s) made quality starts. RH Gabe Mosser made two starts (10.1 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 6 BB, 11 K’s).
Eastern League (AA) : Reading (30-39, 55-81)
Reading was 3-3 hosting Somerset (Yankees affiliate) in their final week of play.
At Bat :
Tuesday : Felix Reyes had two hits (doubles) and an RBI. Robert Moore had two hits (single & double). Erick Brito had three hits (singles). Caleb Ricketts hit a two run home run. Dylan Campbell stole two bases and Dante Nori stole one.
Wednesday : Felix Reyes doubled twice - he also posted an RBI and scored two runs. Kehden Hettiger hit a walk-off two run home run in the bottom of the tenth inning!
Friday : Alex Binelas had two hits (double & HR). Felix Reyes homered. Bryson Ware had two hits (bunt single & triple). Erick Brito walked four times. Nick Dunn had two hits (single & walk off grand slam home run!)
Saturday : Aroon Escobar had two hits (single & triple) and an RBI. Robert Moore had two hits (single & double).
Sunday : Dante Nori had three hits (two singles & triple). Cade Fergus homered. Alex Binelas hit a two run home run, walked and scored twice.
For the Series : Alex Binelas was 5 for 17 (.294) with two home runs - he walked 4 times - .429 OBP in 21 plate appearances.
On The Hill :
Tuesday : RH Estibenzon Jimenez pitched five innings (two runs on three hits).
Wednesday : RH Saul Teran (one hit) and RH Alex McFarlane (no hits - 95 to 99 mph fastball/sinker 🔥) each threw two scoreless innings in relief.
Friday : RH Griff McGarry pitched 5.1 innings (one run, two hits, ten strikeouts) and RH Gunner Mayer went the final three innings (one unearned run) in relief in a thirteen inning win.
Sunday : RH Braydon Tucker pitched five innings (one run, two hits).
For the Series : Two appearances - no earned runs allowed - RH Eiberson Castellano (3.1 IP - 2 unearned runs), RH Jaydenn Estanista (2.2 IP), LH Tristan Garnett (4 IP - 1 unearned run).
Florida State League (Low A) Playoffs : Clearwater (0-2)
The Threshers went 0-2 in their best of three Division Series against Lakeland (Tigers affiliate).
At Bat :
Matt Ferrara had three hits (singles), a walk, RBI and stolen base and Luke Davis had two hits (singles) on Tuesday. Will Vierling had three hits (singles) and an RBI on Thursday.
On The Hill :
LH Zuher Yousef pitched four innings (one run on two hits) on Tuesday - the Threshers used six pitchers in the game. RH Danyony Pulido pitched a scoreless inning in relief on Thursday.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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