9/15/26 : Phillies Arizona Fall League Contingent
The Arizona Fall League will commence play on October 3rd. The Phillies are sending nine players, eight will be part of the Surprise Saguaros (joined by the Mets, Guardians, Rangers and Royals) while one will participate as a member of the Scottsdale Scorpions.
Phillies Position Players :
Dante Nori - 21 years old - drafted in 1st round of the 2024 draft from Northville HS, Northville, MI - spent a large part of the year on the IL and working with the rehab team in Clearwater recovering from a pelvis injury. Returned to action on 8/25 with Reading after rehab assignments in Clearwater and Jersey Shore. In his first game back with Reading hit a game winning home run. Was also assigned to the AFL last season and did very well with a .308/.386/.436 slash line with a .822 OPS in 44 plate appearances - 2 doubles, 1 home run, 7 RBIs, 5 walks, 7 strikeouts, 2 stolen bases. He’s a dynamic talent with multiple skills including being an excellent defender - this season’s AFL assignment is predominantly to make up for lost time but it’s also a showcase for his talent to be on display.
Aroon Escobar - 21 years old - signed as an international free agent - 1/15/22 - Caracas, Venezuela - played the entire season at Reading gaining valuable experience - ended up with 569 plate appearances - drove in 69 runs, had 17 doubles, 12 home runs and 27 stolen bases - slashed .372/.460/.674 in 43 September games to finish the regular season. He plays with great enthusiasm and has the ability to drive the baseball to all parts of the field. He was annoyed that he wasn’t selected last season to play in Arizona which reflects his competitiveness, he was likely very excited when told he was going this year. Has all the tools along with the passion and desire to reach the majors as a lineup regular - loves the game and playing it, plays hard - shines thru. I think that he will surprise some folks in Arizona and utilize the experiences gained at Reading this summer to his advantage. Played both second and third base this summer as in prior years - I like him at second better, really good on DP turns at the bag.
Luke Davis - 23 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent - 7/23/24 - Long Beach Community College - the Scottsdale Scorpions team (Astros, Brewers, Giants, Rays & Tigers) had an opening for a catcher and the Phillies agreed to fill it with Davis. He’s also coming back from an injury (hamate) which cost him playing time. Luke played in 46 games this summer (45 with Jersey Shore & 1 on rehab assignment with Clearwater). He’s a very selective hitter who draws a lot of walks and has always posted a high OBP (.379 career mark in 475 PA’s). This season with Jersey Shore he had 38 walks and 30 hits (including 4 home runs) in 184 PA’s posting a .370 OBP. In his career he’s walked 109 times while striking out 108 times - he’s got some pop - 9 home runs in 359 career AB’s. Will get the opportunity to make up lost time with Scottsdale.
Kehden Hettiger - 22 years old - drafted 11th round -2023 draft from Sierra Canyon HS, Chatsworth, CA - also missed time this year on the IL with a knee injury in both June and at the end of July then missing the entire month of August. Kehden was relatively inexperienced as a catcher when he signed with the Phillies but he’s worked hard and has come a long way in throwing, set up, receiving and game calling. Offensively he scrapped being a switch hitter and instead focused on being a full time left handed hitter last season where he’s displayed pull side power. Struggled with the batting average portion of his slash line and punches out at a high rate however also continued to show raw power and improved skills as a receiver. The knee hampered his efforts, in the AFL will be afforded opportunities to make up for lost time both at and behind the dish. The potential is there to continue to advance upwards.
Phillies Pitchers :
RH Ryan Dromboski - 23 years old - signed as un-drafted free agent - 8/1/24 - University of Pennsylvania - had a relatively solid season at Jersey Shore making 17 appearances (16 starts). He lost the entire month of action on the IL in July but returned in August to post a strong 1.72 ERA in four starts (15.2 IP). He’s a very pleasant and energetic young man, the excitement and enthusiasm to become a Phillie was evident in his voice when we first spoke shortly after he first arrived at the Clearwater Complex after signing. His fastball is generally in the 90-94 mph range, also throws a sinker, slider, curve, change up and cutter. He has shown that he will throw each pitch in any count with the slider as his go to pitch. Finishing the year with Reading. Knows how to pitch, will be good to watch how he does against some very good hitters in Arizona.
RH Estibenzon Jimenez - 24 years old - signed as international free agent 11/27/19 - San Felipe, VZ - nicknamed “Jimmy” he converted full-time to the bullpen after incurring some shoulder discomfort earlier that placed him on the IL to begin the season. He missed April game action working with the rehab team in Clearwater instead, went on rehab assignment with the FCL and Jersey Shore in May and returned to Reading on June 6th. He put up very good numbers for Reading as a back end reliever - 28 appearances (31.2 IP) with a 2.84 ERA and 7 saves. He’s a warrior on the mound who plays to win and is a strike thrower - gotta like that - features a very good changeup, a four seam fastball that ranges from 92 to 97 mph along with a slider, curve, change up and this season a sweeper. He’s slated for minor league free agency - the AFL will serve as a showcase opportunity to earn a new contract - hopefully with the Phillies - in my humble opinion he can become a major league contributor as soon as next season.
LH Kevin Warunek - 23 years old - drafted in 18th round of the 2024 draft from Longwood University - is another player who lost a good part of his season to time on the IL with shoulder discomfort - missed April, made rehab game appearances in May with the FCL and Clewarwater before returning to the IL for June and July. He was activated with Jersey Shore on August 7th and posted strong numbers for the month - a 1.93 ERA in seven appearances (9.1 IP) with 16 K’s and 5 walks. Finishing the season with Reading. Features a four seam fastball (92-96 mph), slider, sinker and change-up from a lower slot - is an intriguing hurler at 6’4” - will be good to see him in the AFL against strong hitters, has tools.
RH Keegan Batka - 24 years old - signed as an un-drafted free agent 7/22/25 - Davenport University, MI - in his first full pro season made a very good impression. It started with a strong Spring Camp. He was then assigned to Clearwater where in ten appearances (12.1 IP) he posted a 0.00 ERA, .119 BAA and a 0.89 WHIP with 18 K’s and 6 walks. Keegan was promoted to Jersey Shore on 5/13 and continued to pitch well - in 24 High A appearances he recorded a 3.62 ERA (37.1 IP) with a .182 BAA, 47’s and 18 walks. Finishing the season with Reading. Throws from a three quarter arm slot - he’s got pop - has both a four seamer and sinker in the 92-96 mph range supported by a slider and cutter. Perhaps a hidden gem found in the un-drafted free agent category.
RH Jose Pena Jr - 23 years old - drafted in 6th round of the 2021 draft from Tampa Prep HS, FL - also spent a lot of time this season on the IL - was placed there on 6/22 with elbow discomfort. Prior to that he had appeared in 19 games with Jersey Shore recording a 2.59 ERA in 24.1 IP and a 0.99 WHIP, 34 K’s and 13 walks. Jose had also pitched winter ball in Puerto Rico appearing in 11 games (12.1 IP). Is often used in inherited runners situations and more often than not leaves those runners stranded. He has a power curve/slider that is a swing and miss pitch - it is an out maker that compliments a 92-96 mph fastball. He’s a highly energetic young man who wears his emotions on his sleeve. A couple off-seasons ago he began to train in the Dominican with a personal trainer, the maturity that process helped deliver is evident. He not only throws strikes but quality ones and handled the pressures of high impact game situations. Could blossom even further and contribute at the highest level in his future years.
Phillies Coach :
Hitting Coach - Jeff Livesey - this was his first year with the Phillies, was the hitting coach at Reading - a veteran coach who was the hitting coach for the Nationals AA affiliate in Harrisburg the in 2024 and 2025. Prior to joining the Nationals he spent four seasons (2020-23) as Miami’s Minor League hitting coordinator. He coached 16 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, including five seasons on their Major League staff from 2014-18. Livesey also worked in Japan as the bench coach for the Hiroshima Carp and the Rakuten Eagles. He played eight professional seasons in New York’s (AL) Minor League system before joining the coaching ranks in 1996.
Phillies Trainer :
Athletic Trainer - Marissa VanHassel - served this season at Jersey Shore - was at Clearwater in 2025 - prior two seasons in the DSL - began with the organization in March of 2023 as an Athletic Trainer Associate - hired as Dominican Academy Trainer in October of 2023 - graduated from the University of Georgia in 2021 with a BS degree in Athletic Training.
We wish all of this year’s AFL contingent well in their 2026 endeavor.
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