Clearwater won Sunday and took their second series win of the season. Lehigh Valley, Reading, and Jersey Shore each lost giving up lots of runs and double-digit hits.
Still, under the weather. Cliff notes again. I’ll publish a new Phillies discussion Monday.
Lehigh Valley (6-6) lost to Durham, 12-9. The IronPigs fell behind 12-2 before rallying for 7 runs over the final three innings. Kolby Allard gave up 6 runs in four innings and couldn’t get an out in the fifth. Griff McGarry stranded an inherited runner and pitched two, one-run innings. David Parkinson got smacked for 5 runs in one inning. Zac Houston pitched 1.1 scoreless innings but left with a couple runners on base. Tyler McKay Faced one batter to get the final two outs stranding two runners. Believe it or not, the Pigs had an early lead on Weston Wilson’s first-inning sac fly. Scott Kingery (3) and Jordan Luplow (3) had solo HRs. Simon Muzziotti hit a 3-run HR.
Reading (3-6) lost to Portland, 9-5. The Phils fell behind early and didn’t have the guns to challenge. Noah Skirrow gave up 6 runs (3 ER) in two innings. Zach Haake gave up 2 runs in two innings. Tristan Garnett and Max Lazar pitched two scoreless innings each. Carlos Francisco gave up a solo HR in one inning. Gabriel Rincones went 2-5 with 2 RBI and his third HR.
Jersey Shore (5-4) lost to Hickory, 10-8. The BlueClaws fell behind early then scored 5 runs in the ninth to make the game appear close. Estibenzon Jimenez gave up 8 runs in four innings. Andrew Walling pitched a scoreless inning but loaded the bases. Danny Wilkinson tossed a clean inning. Jonathan Petit gave up 2 runs in one inning on one hit, a HR after a walk. Wesley Moore survived a leadoff double. Zach Arnold (1) and Cade Fergus (1) hit solo HRs. Hendry Mendez had 2 hits and an RBI. Leandro Pineda had 2 hits. William Bergolla had 2 hits and 2 RBI. Jordan Dissin had 2 RBI.
Clearwater (6-3) beat Fort Myers, 5-3. Mavis Graves gave up 3 runs in 1.2 innings. Then the bullpen shut the mussels down. Braydon Tucker stranded 2 runners, pitched 4.1 innings, scattered 2 hits and a walk, and struck out three for the win. Drew Garrett, Ethan Chenault, and Saul Teran each tossed a scoreless inning. Teran got his 2nd save. TJayy Walton had a day – double, first HR, and all 5 RBIs.
Gameday Link for Lehigh Valley.
Gameday Link for Reading.
Gameday Link for Jersey Shore.
Gameday Link for Clearwater.
Transactions
4/14/2024 – Phillies activated RHP Orion Kerkering from the 15-day IL
4/14/2024 – Phillies optioned RHP Nick Nelson to Lehigh Valley
4/14/2024 – Lehigh Valley activated RHP Nick Nelson.
4/14/2024 – Reading transferred RHP Efrain Contreras to the Development List
4/13/2024 – Clearwater placed OF Raylin Heredia on the 7-day IL
Phuture Phillies 
Trying to think of a comp for Rincones Jr…getting a Matt Vierling with a little more pop vibe. Something like .250/.310/.760 OPS slash. 20+ homers. Thoughts?
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I don’t think Rincones is the athlete that Vierling is but he has more power. At his best, Rincones could be a 260/30 type of hitter.
I’m also excited by what TJayy Walton might become. Yesterday was his breakout game after a slow start. He’s a BIG man with lots of power if he makes contact.
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260 with 30 homers would be a dream outcome. Imo the hope for Rincones is that he is MLB ready by the time Schwarber’s contract ends. They can move Castellanos to DH for the final year of his contract.
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very true but I feel like the dream outcomes are what we hope for. Chances of reaching that level are not great obviously but that’s the “type” of hitter he is, or at least wants to be.
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My comp is Raul Ibanez. Same build, very similar swing, and he has a decent eye at the plate with some pop.
Let’s hope that he breaks out earlier than Ibanez.
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Some video of Crawford
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I’m excited for Crawford. I think he’ll be in ST in 2026 (at age 22) looking for that CF job.
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Another outing with McGarry generally throwing strikes. 29 pitches and 20 strikes is a good ratio.
Not sure about his “stuff” in the outing but had 4 Ks so was missing some bats.
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His walk rate is great, his hit rate not so much. I wonder if he’s sacrificing velocity for control.
Either way, with Hoffman a pending FA, you figure there will be 1-2 open spots in the bullpen next season. If McGarry wants to be part of that mix, this season is the year for him to show it. And he’ll have some competition from Michael Mercado and Tyler McKay.
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I like McKay. But, I don’t think he fits the Phillies mold for a reliever. Maybe, as bulk innings guy. I don’t think he has the velocity that the Phillies like to see in their other situational bullpen guys. He’s a low 90s guy.
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Poor command doesn’t only show in walks. It shows in bad strikes that are over the plate.
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