9/14/26 : News and Notes
The Top 100 :
This past week shortstop Bryan Rincon was added to MLB’s top 100 prospect list giving the Phillies four players on the “daunted” list. I guess that makes Bryan a better player than he was before now that he’s “ranked”. I’ve long had a cynical view of these lists and of those who treat them as validation. Also this week Baseball America published an article highlighting pitchers Cody Bowker and Brad Pacheco as “really good sleeper prospects” who could excel in 2027. The same publication that ranks the Phillies organization low in their polls now feeling compelled to recognize there is indeed rising talent within - Just sayin.
Minor League Playoffs :
Reading qualified for the Eastern League playoffs this past week becoming the third Phillies affiliate to earn a playoff spot in 2026. Of the 30 MLB organizations eleven have three or more playoff qualifiers amongst their affiliates with the Giants and Rays currently leading the way with four apiece. Five organizations have no minor league playoff qualifiers to date - the Braves, Mets, Red Sox, Orioles and Twins.
Upper Level “depth” :
Speaking of Reading’s playoff team the roster is full of players who were originally signed by the organization and have progressed to what many consider the highest level of development (with AAA being more of a “stay ready” level filled by players able to fill short term needs if required at the big league level). Starting pitchers Gage Wood, Luke Russo, Braydon Tucker and Cody Bowker are all home grown - the bullpen which has become a team strength has had strong second half contributions by Mavis Graves, Christian McGowan, Wen-Hui Pan, Jack Dallas, Daniel Harper and Estibenzon Jimenez. Position players originally signed by the organization who’ve played well include Caleb Ricketts, Carson DeMartini, Aroon Escobar (has really picked it up as of late in regard to hits and power - .372 BA in September), Aidan Miller, Bryan Rincon, Raider Tello, Bryson Ware, Raylin Heredia and Dante Nori.
Of those players six posted OBP’s of .320 or better with four being above. 350. Five had ten or more home runs - three with 16 or more, three had 60 or more RBIs, five had 15 or more stolen bases. On the pitching side three relievers had ERA’s under 3.00. Just sayin the upper level depth isn’t so bad after all.
Did Ya Know :
Philadelphia raised Scott Bandura made his major league debut yesterday with the San Francisco Giants. The 25 year old outfielder was a teammate of Mo’ne Davis on the 2014 Little League World Series Philadelphia Dragons team that made it to Williamsport as Mid Atlantic region champions.
Power Supply :
The Phillies had four minor league players hit 20 or more home runs, score 60 or more runs, drive in 60 or more and post 15 or more doubles this season - Bryan Rincon - 26 HR’s, 92 runs, 67 RBIs, 24 doubles, Raylin Heredia - 23 HR’s, 84 runs, 74 RBIs, 35 doubles, Alex Binelas - 26 HR’s, 73 runs, 78 RBIs, 15 doubles, Felix Reyes - 22 HR’s 61 runs, 72 RBIs, 18 doubles. Both Reyes and Binelas ended the season on the IL else their numbers would have been higher. A fifth Phillies minor league - outfielder Kameron Misner (acquired in 7/25 trade from the Royals) has a combined season total when including his numbers with KC of 21 HR’s, 59 runs, 71 RBIs and 18 doubles with a week left to play for Lehigh Valley.
Last season the only Phillies minor leaguer to do so was Otto Kemp - 24 HR’s - 16 in the minors & 8 in the big leagues, combined 90 runs, 95 RBIs, 35 doubles.
Oh by the way two former Phillies original signees also did the feat - Avery Owusu-Asiedu - 2023 9th round draft pick - 70 runs, 27 HR’s, 72 RBIs, 17 doubles in the Arizona organization at the High A/AA level and Eduardo Tait - 2023 international signee - 69 runs, 22 HR’s, 73 RBIs, 25 doubles at the High A level in the Minnesota organization.
Clearwater Renovations :
The Tampa Bay Business Journal published an article on 9/4 written by Emma Behrmann highlighting that the organization has secured $115 million in Florida tourism tax dollars from Pinellas County and the city of Clearwater for it’s BayCare BallPark and Carpenter Complex renovations with the full tab of the overhaul expected to be beyond the $200 million mark.
According to the article the first phase of project work is expected to begin this week. The renovations include an approximately 35,000 square foot three story expansion of the northwest corner of the stadium along with concourse and training area modifications and a new synthetic turf practice field. When fully completed the renovations will have built an additional two-story center field building with a rooftop fan deck. Refurbished seating, suites and club areas are included in the stadium upgrades as well. At Carpenter Complex a new baseball lab, renovation of existing buildings, a new groundskeeping building, field reconfigurations along with drainage and infrastructure upgrades are in the plans. Parking will be expanded, flood mitigation, utility upgrades and service roads built and a campus wide Wi-Fi enabled. The team has committed to stay at the site till at least through 2047 which will be the 100th anniversary of spring training there for the Phillies. Renovations will be done in stages so as to not disrupt current operations and are expected to be completed by 2029. I didn’t read anywhere the mention of a work space for yours truly 😭😂😎.
Off-Season Workload :
Each off season I write profiles on every minor player that finished the season in the Phillies organization and post them on my website in groups of five entitled Annual Phillies Minor League Player Notes. I am in process of beginning the series now with thoughts also of bringing back a published hard copy. It’s a bit of an effort but provides reference notes for the entire upcoming season that I use frequently.
My son’s birthday :
Today is my departed son Dan’s birthday - always in our thoughts - his parting still raw in reality.
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