Lehigh Valley IronPigs (7-2)
Pitching Highlights:
Zack Wheeler: 2 GS, 6 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, HR, 2 HBP
Orion Kerkering: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 K
Jean Cabrera: 1 GS, 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, BB, 5 K
Alan Rangel: 2 GS, 10.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 10 K
Connor Gillispie: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K, HBP
Hitting Highlights:
Bryan De La Cruz: 8 G, 28 AB, .179/.378/.500, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 9 BB, 9 K Felix Reyes: 8 G, 36 AB, .250/.289/.500, 3 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 6 K Garrett Stubbs: 2 G, 7 AB, .714/.778/.1.857, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, K,
SB Robert Moore: 3 G, 13 AB, .308/.357/.615, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB, 3 K
Two important major league pieces on rehab in AAA for the Phillies. Zack Wheeler had one promising start and one not-so-good one where his velocity wasn’t quite where it needed to be. He’ll likely need a couple more starts before re-joining the major league rotation. Orion Kerkering, however, is very close to rejoining the Phillies. It will be interesting to see who they send down to make room for him.
The offense this year (so far) doesn’t have too many highlights for LHV with Aidan Miller and Gabriel Rincones Jr. still unable to play. Two guys to keep an eye on in the meantime are corner OFer Felix Reyes and middle infielder Robert Moore.
Reading Fightin Phils (0-3)
Pitching Highlights:
Alex McFarlane: 1 G, 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K
Andrew Baker: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K
Daniel Harper: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
Hitting Highlights:
Dante Nori: 2 G, 9 AB, .222/.222/.222, RBI, 2 K
Aroon Escobar: 3 G, 11 AB, .273/.429/.273, RBI, 3 BB, 5 K
Carson DeMartini: 2 G, 6 AB, .167/.375/.167, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 SB
Dylan Campbell: 3 G, 11 AB, .000/.083/.000, BB, 4 K
Bryan Rincon: 2 G, 6 AB, .333/.429/.333, BB, 2 K, 2 SB
Reading has an interesting offense…and a much less interesting starting rotation. The bullpen should be notable for the time-being with McFarlane, Baker, Harper and Garnett. The offense didn’t get off to the hottest start, but they are littered with guys with major league starting potential in Nori, Escobar and DeMartini.
Jersey Shore BlueClaws (1-1)
Pitching Highlights:
Giussepe Velasquez: 1 G, 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Luke Gabyrsh: 1 G, 1 GS, 3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, BB, 4 K
Ryan Dromboski: 1 G, 1 GS, 3.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R 3 ER, 6 BB, K, HBP
Hitting Highlights:
Devin Saltiban: 2 G, 11 AB, .273/.273/.455, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 4 K, SB
Joel Dragoo: 1 G, 4 AB, .500/.667/.750, 1 2B, RBI, 2 BB, K
Trent Farquhar: 2 G, 7 AB, .429/.556/.714, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB, K
Raider Tello: 2 G, 11 AB, .364/.364/.636, HR, 5 RBI, 3 K
Jersey Shore won’t be too interesting until some of the 2025 draft class starts getting promotions to High-A. Dromboski was an interesting guy last year as a undrafted free agent, but was roughed up in his first start. Devin Saltiban is a perennial potential breakout guy. Much of the BlueClaw offense is kinda old for this level ball.
Clearwater Threshers (2-1)
Pitching Highlights:
Gage Wood: 1 G, 1 GS, 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K
Gabe Craig: 1 G, 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 K
Sean Youngerman: 1 G, 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
Cody Bowker: 1 G, 1 GS, 2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HBP
Hitting Highlights:
Griffin Burkholder: 1 G, 4 AB, .500/.600/.500, RBI, BB, SB, CS
Alirio Ferrebus: 3 G, 10 AB, .400/.455/.500, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K, SB
Will Vierling: 2 G, 8 AB, .250/.250/.375, 2B, 3 K, CS
Matthew Ferrera: 3 G, 10 AB, .300/.364/.300, RBI, 4 K, 2 CS
The Threshers had their 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th round picks take the mound this past week in Wood, Bowker, Youngerman and Craig to varying degrees of success. It will be interesting to see how fast Gage Wood potentially moves through the system if he excels. You’d also have to assume Wood is also on an innings limit of sorts with having thrown so few innings in 2025. Griffin Burkholder is healthy to start the season? Color me surprised! The 2024 2nd round pick has struggled to stay healthy the last two years and has hindered his development. It may shock you, but a number of prospect folks had Burkholder ranked higher than Dante Nori (a fellow centerfielder) post-draft.
