Are you struggling to watch the Phillies? Are you constantly wondering is there someone down in the minors who can replace a few members of the MLB club? Well, you found your spot. Welcome to the first addition of Mack's Minors Report.
Throughout the season we will check in with 3 off the Phillies minor league affiliates; Clearwater Thrashers (A), Reading Fightin Phils (AA). and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA).
To keep up to date on all news Phillies and their farm system, make sure you follow AATSports and Adam Mack.
Clearwater Thrashers (6-4)- A
The biggest issue for the Phillies has been pitching as the offense has been off to a hot start. Clearwater has a much different situation. The pitching has been lights out while the offense has been off to a slow start. So far this season, the Thrashers have thrown a combined no-hitter and are one of the best minor league teams in strikeouts. Alex McFarlane (#8 prospect) has appeared in two games and has 10 strikeouts, while only giving up 3 runs. In each of his starts the offense failed to get going and he suffered the loss in each of his two appearances (sound familiar?) 21-year-old Samuel Aldegheri has also appeared in two games, has an era of 1.13 and 11 K's in 2023.
Justin Crawford (#5 prospect) has a slash line of .278/297/361all while leading the team in RBIs with 5. The 19-year-old has been one of the more consistent hitters for the club in 2023. Not far behind him is Gabriel Rincones Jr. (#7 prospect) with a slash line of .207/410/379. He also has added 1 HR and 6 stolen bases.
Reading Fightin Phils (3-7)- AA
Mick Abel (#2 prospect) is off to a very slow start. He is 0-1, 5.79 ERA, 6 K's, 6 BB's, and has appeared in two games. In his season debut Abel failed to make it out of the first inning after giving up 4 walks in the inning. Abel who was invited to major league spring training camp for the first time had a strong spring for his first time being in major league camp but has failed to continue that same production in AA. Many fans were hoping to see Abel make his MLB debut, but for right now he still needs more work in the minor leagues.
Everyone is waiting for the season debut of top prospect Andrew Painter, who still remains sidelined with an UCL injury. Painter has continued to make progress as he keeps increasing his long toss distance. Griff McGarry (#3 prospect) many people expected he would get called up to the big leagues at some point in 2023 has still not made his 2023 debut.
Carlos De La Cruz (#9 prospect) has been the hottest hitter for the club in 2023. In 10 games his slash line is .308/372/590. He leads the team with 3 HR's and leads the team with 12 RBI's. Johan Rojas (#6 prospect) has a slash line of .275/341/375 while being 2nd on the team in hits with 11 and adding 4 RBI's.
Lehigh Valley Ironpigs (5-10) - AAA
The IronPigs resemble the Phillies perfectly. The bats are hot while the pitching is cold. When the pitching has been on point the bats go cold. McKinley Moore (#20 prospect) has not made an appearance in AAA, as he was called up to the MLB. He recently was sent back down and will be making his IronPigs debut soon. Yunior Marte was awful while pitching in the MLB, but has been lockdown reliever while appearing in 2 games for the IronPigs.
Christopher Sanchez has made 2 rehab appearances in AAA and is expected to take one more than make his way back up to the big leagues. He received the no decision in both games, has an era of 1.04 while striking out 11. Michael Plassmeyer who is part of the Phillies 40-man roster, has appeared in 3 games, he is 0-1, 7.94 ERA, 12 strikeouts, and 3 walks.
Dalton Guthrie has been right on the cusp of playing in the MLB but was sent down to AAA after Opening Day in favor of Kody Clemens. In 13 games in AAA, he has a slash line of .311/436/511 while adding 1 HR. Simon Muzziotti (#10 prospect) has a slash line of .314/340/392. Jordan Qsar leads the team with 11 RBI's and has been a lockdown defender in LF.
With guys on the Phillies like Jake Cave ,Kody Clemens, and Christian Pache not being as efficient as expected, Guthrie and Muzziotti are two guys to keep an eye on as possible call ups. Pitching is a concern for both the MLB club and AAA, however Sanchez has looked great in AAA and could return to the MLB after his next rehab start.
With the news of Bryce Harper and Ranger Suarez both making considerable progress in their rehab from injuries, all these guys could stay down in AAA for the time being. However, Guthrie Muzziotti, Sanchez Francisco Morales (#20 prospect) are 4 names that could get called up soon.