9/7/25 : Phillies Minor Leagues : week in review (9/2- 9/7)

Written by Steve Potter

Spotlight Hitter of the week :

1B/3B/OF Felix Reyes (Reading) was was 11 for 26 (.435) during the week with two doubles, a home run and twelve RBIs. The twenty four year old from the Dominican Republic was named the Eastern League Player of the Month for August in which he hit .374/.400/.565 in 115 AB’s with 13 doubles, 3 home runs and 24 RBIs. He’s had a remarkable season - began the year in extended spring training albeit assigned to the Reading roster - played his first game with Reading on April 17th and has posted a sparkling .339/.370/.569 slash line and .939 OPS with 30 doubles, 4 triples, 14 home runs and 62 RBIs in 91 games (376 plate appearances). He’s on pace to win the league batting title and also leads in doubles, slugging percentage and OPS. Early in his career scouts I know doubted his defensive skills but he’s markedly improved as a corner infielder (1B & 3B) and outfielder (LF & RF), he’s no gazelle but is far from slow either, a big body at 6’4” once he’s in motion can run very well.  He’s also shown his athleticism - I saw him play shortstop in Extended Spring Camp years back. This kid has consistently hit the ball as hard as anyone I’ve watched in my eleven years of covering Phillies Player Development and it all came together this summer for him statistically - very happy for the very popular young man. I have no doubt he can hit big league pitching when given the chance, I see him as a left fielder or first baseman in the show with the potential to be a solid lineup regular. To some he came out of nowhere - to those who watch closely it was a projection we’ve been waiting for to happen - big Felix can flat out mash!

Spotlight Pitchers of the Week :

RH Sam Highfill (Jersey Shore) pitched six no run, no hit innings on Thursday, he only allowed one walk and a hit batter while striking out five batters. Sam (24 years old) was signed on 7/23/24 as an un-drafted free agent from North Carolina State. He began his season this year with Clearwater appearing in 18 games (16 starts) amassing 75 innings and recording a 4.80 ERA. Promoted to Jersey Shore on 7/29/25 he made six starts (31 IP) for the BlueClaws posting a 2-1 record and a 3.77 ERA in 31 innings of work. Capping his season on Thursday with his best results to date provisions an upward outlook to the off-season.  In his first full pro season he totaled 106 innings with an overall 4.50 ERA (91 K’s & 33 BB - a 2.76 K/BB ratio). Coming into 2026 ST camp he’s put himself in a position to compete for a role at AA Reading.

RH Ryan Dromboski (Jersey Shore) pitched five shutout innings (two hits, seven strikeouts) on Sunday. In his last six appearances (five starts) to finish the season he threw 30.1 innings posting 32 K’s and 7 walks allowing 8 earned runs for an ERA of 2.37.  Ryan (22 years old) was signed on 8/1/24 by the Phillies as an un-drafted free agent from the University of Pennsylvania.  In his first full pro season he pitched 17 games (9 starts) for Clearwater recording a 2.63 ERA in 54.2 IP and was promoted to Jersey Shore on 8/6/25. With the BlueClaws he pitched in five games (4 starts) recording a 2.80 ERA in 25.2 IP.  For the season he posted 80.1 IP with a 2.69 ERA, 76 K’s and 24 walks.  A very good year for the young man who will come into 2026 spring camp looking to bump up another notch. Good stuff!

International League (AAA) : Lehigh Valley (35-27, 81-55)

The IronPigs went 4-2 hosting Toledo (Tigers affiliate).

At Bat :

On Tuesday Gabriel Rincones Jr had three hits, three runs scored and an RBI. Brewer Hicklen had two hits (single & HR) with a walk and three RBIs. Johan Rojas had two hits (single & double) with an RBI and run scored. Otto Kemp had three hits (two singles and two run home run) on Wednesday. Brewer Hicklen hit two home runs (one in a suspended game carried over from Thursday) on Friday.  Brewer Hicklen had two hits (single and double) on Sunday.

For the Series : Gabriel Rincones Jr was 7 for 17 (.412) with two doubles, a HR, 5 RBIs and 6 walks - a .565 OBP in 23 PA’s. Payton Henry went 5 for 13 (.385). Donovan Walton was 8 for 21 (.381), Brewer Hicklen went 6 for 15 (.375) with 3 HR’s and 7 RBIs. Johan Rojas was 7 for 23 (.304) with 4 walks - .407 OBP in 27 PA’s.

On The Hill :

In Tuesday’s win four relievers pitched scoreless baseball - RH Ryan Cusick (1.2 perfect IP - 4 K’s), RH Devin Sweet (1 IP), RH Daniel Harper (1 perfect IP) and RH Nolan Hoffman (1 IP). RH Alan Rangel pitched 6.2 innings (two runs) on Friday. RH Walker Buehler pitched three innings on Saturday (two runs - one earned). RH Jacob Waguespack pitched 2.1 scoreless innings behind him. RH Ryan Cusick threw three scoreless innings in relief on Sunday (one hit).

For the Series :  RH Lucas Sims (3 IP) and RH Ryan Cusick (5 IP) made three scoreless appearances in relief.

Eastern League (AA) : Reading (27-36, 52-78)

Reading was 3-3 visiting Hartford (Rockies affiliate).

At Bat :

On Tuesday Aidan Miller homered while Felix Reyes and Caleb Ricketts each had two hits. On Wednesday Felix Reyes had three hits (single, double and three run home run), five RBIs and two runs scored, Jose Rodriquez had three hits (singles). On Thursday Aidan Miller had two hits (single & double) and walked twice. Bryson Ware had four hits (single & three doubles) with two RBIs on Friday while Felix Reyes (single & triple) and Dylan Campbell had two hits (single & double). On Saturday Jose Rodriquez had three hits (singles) and scored three runs - unfortunately he pulled a hamstring rounding third base to score in the eighth inning. Felix Reyes had two hits (singles), walked and posted four RBIs. Bryson Ware had two hits (singles). Bryson Ware hit a two run home run on Sunday -Aidan Miller had two hits (singles), an RBI, run scored and stolen base (52), Dylan Campbell had two hits (singles), a walk and stolen base (30).

For the Series : Bryson Ware went 7 for 16 (.438) with three doubles and a home run. Felix Reyes was 11 for 26 (.435) with two doubles, a home run and twelve RBIs. Aidan Miller went 8 for 19 (.421) with a double and HR, he walked nine times for an OBP of .607 in 28 PA’s. Jose Rodriquez went 7 for 19 (.368) and Dylan Campbell 8 for 25 (.320) with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. Caleb Ricketts was 5 for 16 (.313).

On The Hill :

RH Estibenzon Jimenez pitched six innings (two runs) on Tuesday. RH Chuck King pitched five innings (two runs) on Wednesday and RH Alex McFarlane (one scoreless IP) made his AA debut. RH Jean Cabrera pitched five innings (one run) on Thursday. RH Griff McGarry pitched five scoreless innings (two hits) on Friday. On Saturday RH Gabriel Barbosa pitched three scoreless innings in relief (two hits). Three relievers threw scoreless ball on Sunday - RH Andrew Baker - 1.1 IP, LH Tristan Garnett - 1.2 IP and RH Tommy McCollum - 1 perfect IP.

For the Series : LH Andrew Walling (2 IP) and LH Tristan Garnett (2.2 IP) eachmade two scoreless relief appearances.

South Atlantic League  (High A) : Jersey Shore (37-27, 62-65)

The BlueClaws were 4-1 hosting Brooklyn (Mets affiliate). Saturday’s game was rained out.

At Bat :

Devin Saltiban, Jose Colmenares and Raylin Heredia each had two hits on Tuesday. On Wednesday John Spikerman walked and stole three bases - he became the 8th Phillies minor leaguer this year with 30 or more stolen bases tying an organizational record. Raylin Heredia had two hits (single and three run home run) with five RBIs on Thursday. On Friday Aroon Escobar had two hits (single & HR) with a walk, RBI and two runs scored. John Spikerman tripled on Sunday.

For the Series :Raylin Heredia was 5 for 9(.556) with a home run and six RBIs, Devin Saltiban 6 for 18 (.333) and Aroon Escobar 5 for 17 (.294) with a home run and 4 walks - .429 OBP in 21 PA’s

On The Hill :

RH Reese Dutton pitched five innings (two runs - one earned) on Tuesday. RH Brandon Beckel pitched five innings (two runs) on Thursday, RH Saul Teran stranded the placed runner in a perfect tenth inning posting two strikeouts. RH Sam Highfill pitched six no run, no hit innings on Thursday. RH Luke Gabrysh pitched five innings (one run) on Friday.  RH Ryan Dromboski pitched five scoreless innings on Sunday (two hits) striking out seven batters.

For the Series : RH Casey Steward (3 IP) allowed just one unearned run in three relief appearances. LH Wesley Moore (1.1 IP), RH Jose Pena (2 IP), LH Erik Ritchie (2 IP), LH Cristhian Tortosa (2 IP) and RH Saul Teran (2 IP) each made two scoreless appearances during the week.

Florida State League (Low A)  : Clearwater (32-30, 68-60)

The Threshers went 2-3 hosting Tampa (Yankees affiliate). Friday’s and Sunday’s games were cancelled due to rain. They qualified for the Florida State League playoffs and will play Lakeland in a best of three Division Series beginning on 9/9.

At Bat :

On Tuesday Jonathan Hogart and Manolfi Jimenez each had two hits. The Threshers were no hit in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday. On Thursday Raider Tello had three hits (two singles & double) and Nolan Beltran had two hits (singles) and four RBIs. On Saturday Nate Humphreys had two hits (single & two run HR) with a walk, two RBIs and a run scored. Logan Dawson got his first pro hit in that game - a single.

For the Series : Nate Humphreys went 5 for 10 (.500) with 4 walks - .643 OBP in 14 PA’s. Nolan Beltran was 3 for 10 (.300) with 5 RBIs. Jonathan Hogart was 3 for 11 (.273) and walked three times in 16 PA’s  - .438 OBP.

On The Hill :

On Tuesday RH Danyony Pulido closed out a ten inning win with one and a third scoreless innings of work. RH Peyton Havard (one scoreless IP) and RH Cole Gilley (two scoreless IP) made their pro debuts on Wednesday. RH Luis Avila pitched three no run, no hit innings with five strikeouts to close the game on Thursday. On Saturday RH Gage Wood pitched two innings (one run, one hit, two walks, five strikeouts) - four seam FB (94-97 mph), sinker (94-97 mph), curve ball, slider and cutter - the young man competes - a balk call on him in the first inning resulted in a run scoring, he was visibly irritated with the call even after a mound visit by pitching coach Gustavo Armas. Overall first impression is that he attacks hitters- quality stuff - I’m sure his emotions were high - will need to reel that in a bit going forward though. Solid pro debut in general.  RH Gabe Craig threw a perfect inning in relief behind him.

For the Series : RH Gabe Craig (2 IP) and RH Danyony Pulido (2 IP) each made two scoreless appearances. RH Luis Gonzalez pitched four innings (one run).

2025 Phillies Minor League Stolen Base Leaders : new single season organization records - 5 players with 40 or more SB - 9 players with 30 or more SB.

Aidan Miller - REA - 52

Dante Nori - JS/CW - 50

Justin Crawford - LHV - 46

Carson DeMartini - REA/JS - 45

Bryan Rincon - JS - 40

Oscar Mercado - LHV - 38

Avery Owusu-Asiedu - JS/CW - 32

John Spikerman - JS/CW - 30

Dylan Campbell - REA/JS - 30

Extra Extra !

In addition to the nightly minor league roundups appearing on my website and most social media outlets I wrote five extra spotlight this week - link below :

9/1/25 : August Standouts - Phillies Minor Leagues  - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/9-1-25-august-standouts-phillies-minor-leagues

9/1/25 : Phillies Minor league Stats leaders - pitching - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/9-1-25-phillies-minor-league-statistical-leaders-pitching

9/1/25 : News and Notes - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/9-1-25-news-and-notes

9/2/25 : Paul Owens Award Nominees - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/9-2-25-paul-owens-award-nominees

9/5/25 : This and That - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/9-5-25-this-and-that

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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