Four Trends from Reading’s Series Versus Erie

(Reading, PA) — The Reading Fightin Phils ended the month of May and kicked off June with a series against the Erie SeaWolves. Reading won the series opener and secured a victory Friday night on a walk-off wild pitch.

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

Anthony continues scorching start

Keaton Anthony has acted as one of Reading’s most consistent bats all season, becoming an extra-base hit machine. The Iowa product went undrafted in 2023, but the Phillies signed him as a free agent and they’ve got their money's worth.

Against the SeaWolves, Anthony hit .409 with a .980 OPS. The totals came off 22 at-bats, recording nine hits and three doubles. Reaching second base has become a fixture of his game. He leads the Eastern League with 19 two-baggers and is fourth in the league in total hits at 51.

Anthony’s prowess versus Erie was on full display as he recorded two hits in three-of-six games including the final two. He recorded 12 total bases and at least two in five-of-six. His best day was on May 29 in a doubleheader, combining for three hits and three RBI on the day. In game two, the Fightin Phils attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh and Anthony singled to score two.

With a stellar finish to May, Anthony’s numbers from the month are remarkable. He recorded a slash line of .385/.442/.603 which resulted in a 1.045 OPS. The numbers bring his totals for the season to a team-high .333 batting average and .898 OPS.

Strikeouts at a minimum

The Fightin Phils pitching staff found trouble striking out Erie batters this week. The unit struck out only 38 batters in 50.0 innings of work, a 6.84 SO/9 ratio.

The strikeout total on the week tied for 10th in the Eastern League and the SO/9 ratio was only ahead of Harrisburg and Altoona. Reading’s best strikeout game of the week came on Saturday night. Led by starter Jean Cabrera, the Fightin Phils pitching staff struck out 10 Erie Batters. Though, twice in the series, Reading recorded only four strikeouts.

The Fightin Phils showed progression in their pitching with a shutout victory on Tuesday but adding more strikeouts can limit opportunities for opposing offenses to jump ahead.

Crowe cruises through two starts

Starting pitcher Will Crowe posts one of the best resumes in the Eastern League. At 30 years old, he’s appeared in 94 Major League games, with a career-high 60 in 2022. Crowe’s career has featured stints as a starter and out of the bullpen.

So far with Reading, he’s being used as an opener, as he's posted three innings before giving way to the bullpen in his two starts last week. Crowe has played that role to perfection so far. Against the SeaWolves, he allowed just one hit in six innings of work, not giving up a run. The Fightin Phils won in his first start on May 27 but fell on June 1 after being shut out.

Crowe is largely a pitch-to-contact weapon. He struck out three in his first start and only one in his second. The two starts were a welcome sign for Reading as it was a major bounce back from Crowe’s first and only appearance for the squad. He came out of the bullpen on May 22 and walked four batters to allow two runs.

His MLB experience mixed with spending 2024 in the KBO gives Crowe a good base to work off of, and a veteran presence for the rest of the Fightin Phils staff. A 2.57 ERA and .048 batting average against are signs of a consistent option.

Limited stolen bases

Advancing on the base paths puts pressure on defenses while creating scoring opportunities. The Fightin Phils struggled in stealing bases against Erie, recording just one in six games.

The SeaWolves post an impressive catching tandem that cut down on Reading’s base runners. Tigers No. 5 prospect Thayron Liranzo caught multiple games and limited base runners along with Erie’s pitchers. Aidan Miller’s stolen base in game two on May 29, however, was the only attempt the Fightin Phils made all series.

While Miller ranks fourth in the Eastern League with 16 stolen bases, Reading overall ranks ninth at 43. Miller has only been caught twice. His personal totals on the team are a welcome sign for his development, as he’s just seven away from his total in 102 games in 2024. The next closest on the Fightin Phils' current roster is Cade Fergus with five (Trent Farquhar recorded 11 before being assigned to High-A Jersey Shore).

The Fightin Phils return to the field on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against the Harrisburg Senators and starting pitchers have yet to be announced. Pregame coverage is underway at 6:15 p.m. on the Reading Fightin Phils Radio Network. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils return home from Tuesday, June 10, through Sunday, June 22, against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Hartford Yard Goats. On Tuesday, the first 2,000 adults receive a R-Phils Throwback Jersey T-Shirt, thanks to Berks County Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Program. The first 2,000 kids, 12 and under, receive a free Hershey Park admission ticket on Wednesday. Thursday features a Roger Maris bobblehead for the first 2,500 adults, presented by Feesers. The night also includes the 2025 Reading Hall of Fame Induction of Dusty Wathan, Trevor May and Darin Ruf, sponsored by Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center; and the night concludes with fireworks, thanks to your local Kia dealers. Friday showcases fireworks, thanks to Silverline Trailers - Pottstown. Saturday is a Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks Show, presented by Diamond Credit Union and a Tribute to Taylor "Swifties Celebration." The series ends Sunday as first 3,000 men, 18 and older, receive a Father's Day Hawaiian Shirt, thanks to Redner's Markets & Quick Stops, "Preferred Grocery Store of the R-Phils." Tickets are available at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

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.