9/21/26 : It’s All Part of It
Perseverance, self belief and team spirit are key elements in any profession but are vital to success in baseball player development. Baseball seasons are long roller coaster rides with ups and downs intertwined. Outside critiques are seemingly frequently expressed regardless of the knowledge of those stating them. Ignoring the negativity is not only an impossibility but rather an important part of individual progress to overcome, especially for those who play for northeastern US based organizations where “keeping it real” is a mantra of pessimism.
The Reading Fightin Phils played a poetic baseball game last evening in Erie, PA. It was a singular testament to what has become a signature season of perseverance, belief and spirit leaving them just one more win shy of an Eastern League championship.
Last night’s 1-0 win showcased outstanding pitching efforts by starter Luke Russo (6 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s) and relievers Mavis Graves (two perfect IP, 4 K’s), Wen-Hui Pan (1 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K) and Estibenzon Jimenez (one perfect IP, 1 K). Each has their own story of perseverance.
Russo missed significant time last season due to forearm discomfort limiting him to just ten appearances - he worked his way back this year to make 24 starts (including last night) and toss a career high 126.1 innings pitched. He’s shown flashes of brilliance like last night and at the least has put himself into consideration for promotion next spring. Graves ended last season with elbow discomfort and worked both the off-season and early spring camp with the rehab team - he opened the season on time with Jersey Shore as a starter making 16 starts but was converted to a reliever upon his promotion to Reading. Mavis has excelled in his new role - he posted a 0.96 ERA in 14 regular season appearances (18.2 IP - 31 K’s) and has thrown 3.1 hitless frames in the postseason. The Erie broadcasters made a prudent statement about him in last night’s game - when he gets ahead in the count (which he did with all six batters in the game) he’s impossible to hit with how he then spins his secondaries. As a lefty reliever he’s popping the mitt with a 94 mph sinker with natural lefty tail along with a cutting slider, sweeping curve and changeup. It’s opened a clearer path to the show for him.
Pan missed all of last season after having TJ surgery in November of 2024 - in fact he had missed significant time in 2024 as well due to a finger injury. He made 38 regular season appearances this season (23 with Reading) and has shown the power arm we first saw in 2023 when he arrived in training camp from Taiwan. In two post-season appearances he’s thrown two scoreless/hitless frames with three strikeouts. His velocity was mid nineties last night but he’s got triple digit capability with a tumbling splitter as an offset - when he commands the zone he’s nasty. Jimenez had shoulder soreness this spring which delayed the start to his season, he’s also overcome medical issues in his past and always competes to his fullest. This season “Jimmy” converted to a full time reliever making 35 appearances (28 in Reading) recording an overall ERA of 2.38 with 51 K’s. He’s shown no fear of any game situation in his new role and is a big strike thrower that enters each appearance fully on attack. It’s a refreshing approach out of the pen with an arsenal of a mid nineties heater coupled with a very good change up and slider - like Graves the move to the pen has turned heads his way and has opened a more projectable path upwards.
Defensively in the game there were two key double plays turned by Reading. One in the eighth inning was a great over the head snag by shortstop Bryan Rincon on a semi line drive in short left field after which he pivoted and threw a hard one hopper to second base where Aroon Escobar snagged it on a short hop like a first baseman to double off a wandering base runner. Rincon has had a breakout season persevering from prior season injuries to his hamstrings, oblique and hamate. Escobar had early career shin splints and heard critiques of his regular season this summer at Reading but is now as hot as anyone at the dish and has always played second base well. Third baseman Aidan Miller made a brilliant back hand snag on a bullett ground ball and a strong throw to first base to record the initial out in the ninth inning. He also started a 5-4-3 double play earlier in the game. Aidan’s lost season has been well documented with his back injury - his recovery shows his perseverance and self belief to return.
Caleb Ricketts had two of the team’s four hits in the game along with a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly out to right field in the ninth that scored the only run in the contest. Caleb began the year at the AAA level and transferred to Reading on 6/9 … he didn’t sulk but rather became a team leader both with his play on the field and presence off it. He too has persevered thru prior injuries to continue to play - this season he set high marks in games played (97) and plate appearances (398).
It’s great to see these young fellas have both individual and group success and enjoy the team camaraderie and spirit that comes with it. Here’s hoping that they can finish the job and have a championship celebration - it’s always been my belief that winning is an important developmental process as well - it’s all part of it.
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