Four Trends from Reading's Series against New Hampshire

(Reading, PA) — The Reading Fightin Phils kicked off a two-week home stand with a series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Reading won three-of-six games and three consecutive from Thursday to Saturday.

Here are four intriguing trends that stick out from the Fightin Phils series against New Hampshire:

Offensive explosion

The Fightin Phils bats came to play against the Fisher Cats, turning in three games with seven or more runs to break off a three-game winning streak. On the week overall, Reading’s slugging percentage (.468) and OPS (.827) both ranked second in the Eastern League, trailing just first-place Binghamton.

Reading also reached base at a .359 on-base clip, which ranked first in the Eastern League. The Fightin Phils breakout came as multiple players found power surges. Outfielder Felix Reyes recorded a remarkable 1.420 OPS on the week, slugging five extra-base hits in 18-at bats. He recorded 19 total bases.

Alex Binelas and Cade Fergus also impressed. Binelas, a former third-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers, ripped two home runs and an Eastern-League high 9 RBI. He tallied a career-high 5 RBI on June 12 to help Reading to victory. Fergus mashed two home runs and five RBI on the week despite striking out six times.

The Fightin Phils' improvements at the plate built off of its success last week against Harrisburg. They belted nine home runs against the Senators and this week tallied seven to tie for third in the league. All of Reading’s offensive success came with top hitter Keaton Anthony’s promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after game one, and Phillies No. 2 prospect Aidan Miller playing in just the first two games of the series.

Neunborn excels

Mitch Neunborn pitched both the opener and finale of Reading’s six-game set versus New Hampshire and gave the R-Phils opportunities to win each time. He allowed just one run across 7.0 innings but recorded a no-decision and a loss.

Used largely as an opener-type pitcher to set the tone for a bullpen game, Neunborn allowed four hits and no runs across 4.0 innings on June 10 to hand the bullpen a 2-0 lead in the fifth. The Fightin Phils then allowed three runs to erase Neunborn’s work, but he still recorded three strikeouts and lowered his ERA.

Looking to secure the series win on June 15, Neunborn started with two scoreless innings but allowed a run to score in the third. He kept runners off base by recording zero walks and struck out a tied-for-season-high five batters. The run in the third was enough to give him the loss, as Reading’s offense was shutout on the day.

Neunborn’s two terrific starts resulted in a 1.29 ERA on the week. His eight total strikeouts tied for seventh in the Eastern League and the two performances lowered his season ERA to 2.97 in 36.1 innings. The 27-year-old pitcher seems to have found his role with the Fightin Phils.

DeMartini’s debut

As the Phillies’ 2024 fourth-round pick, DeMartini has worked efficiently through their farm system. He received the promotion to Double-A Monday after two home runs the day before for Jersey Shore, where he improved his OPS to .876. In his first week with Reading, DeMartini hit .320 with eight hits and one double.

DeMartini was shifted to play shortstop for four games with Miller out of the lineup and he recorded three errors. But in his two games at third, he made four-of-five plays and looks to become a staple at the hot corner when Miller returns to action.

The 22-year-old slotted into the two-hole in Reading’s lineup for five-of-six games and reached base in all but one game. His best performance came on June 12, where he recorded three singles and a walk and scored twice. In his Double-A debut two days earlier, DeMartini recorded two hits. He’s also made his mark on the base paths, stealing four bases through six games.

DeMartini is yet to show the power he produced in Jersey Shore but he’s consistently reached base and spread the ball around the diamond. With Miller’s soon return and him likely in the leadoff spot, DeMartini will have more run-producing opportunities to continue his hot start in Double-A.

No free passes

The Fightin Phils pitching staff came to play against the Fisher Cats and didn’t give up many free passes. Reading recorded a 2.39 BB/9 ratio, which ranked second in the Eastern League behind only the Akron RubberDucks. Its 14 walks were nearly tripled by 49 strikeouts.

Reading’s starters found success in the strike zone for the most part. Neunborn walked just one batter in seven innings while Will Crowe walked one in five and Braeden Fausnaught walked two in six. Chuck King impressively walked zero batters he faced in 6.0 innings and Jean Cabrera walked three in 5.0 innings but countered the missteps with five strikeouts and only two hits allowed.

Out of the bullpen, John McMillon walked zero batters in 3.0 innings, as did Nelson Alvarez and Josh Hejka. Jack Dallas walked no batters in 2.0 innings of work.

The lack of walks from the Fightin Phils’ pitching staff was a step in the right direction. On the season, Reading ranks sixth in the Eastern League in BB/9 with a 3.82 ratio. Erie ranks in first with a 3.04 mark. A few more strong weeks could have Reading closer to the top of the league’s pitching.

The 2025 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.