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Phillies Future on Full Display in Spring Breakout Game

Observations from Spring Breakout Game and Phillies Spring Training
By Jake Starr/Reading Fightin Phils
March 15, 2025

(Clearwater, FL) - For the 6,347 fans that filled Baycare Ballpark on Friday afternoon, a brief look into the future of the Philadelphia Phillies was on full display. The Phillies prospects took down the Pirates 5-3 on a beautiful afternoon, but what happened between the first pitch and final out

(Clearwater, FL) - For the 6,347 fans that filled Baycare Ballpark on Friday afternoon, a brief look into the future of the Philadelphia Phillies was on full display.

The Phillies prospects took down the Pirates 5-3 on a beautiful afternoon, but what happened between the first pitch and final out continued to inject a new-sense of excitement into a rebuilt Phillies farm system. It started when Moises Chace, acquired in last year's Gregory Soto trade, mowed through the top of Pittsburgh's order with two strikeouts in a perfect frame.

Chace showcased his electric fastball in Reading last season. Over four starts with Reading, the right-handed arm struck out 35 batters over 19.2 innings pitched, good for a 16 strikeout-per-nine-inning mark. His season highlight was a 13-strikeout performance on Aug. 31 at Somerset. Following an impressive season and with the Rule-Five Draft looming, the Phillies added Chace to the 40-man roster.

Following Chace, another 2024 Fightin Phil and recent addition to the 40-man roster, Jean Cabrera took the ball for two-scoreless innings. Cabrera struck out a batter and worked around a couple of hit batters to keep the Pirates off the board, all while not allowing a hit. Cabrera, who won the 2021 Paul Owens Award as the Phillies best minor league pitcher, could also begin the season with the Fightin Phils.

After the potential 1-2 punch of the 2025 Fightin Phils rotation were finished, bullpen arm Daniel Harper dazzled with a strikeout in a perfect inning of work. Harper's fastball reached upwards of 98 miles per hour, similar to what Fightin Phils' fan saw from the former Kentucky Wildcat late in games in 2024.

Offensively, Justin Crawford nearly stole the show like he did all of last season. In his second at bat, the Phillies third-ranked prospect singled on a high chopper hit to third, then promptly stole second base easily. This came after Crawford stole 42 bases between two levels in 2024.

A couple of at bats later, Crawford showcased the potential pop his bat has to offer. He lined a triple of the wall in left-center field and raced his way to third easily. Crawford would score a few pitches later on a wild pitch.

While Aidan Miller had a quiet day at the plate, he dazzled with a couple of impressive plays in the field. Miller started the day at short stop and had an impressive backhanded play there. He later moved to third base and showcased his range with a charging throw out on a slow roller down the line. Whether it be at short stop of third base, Miller offered a glimpse at the potential he'll offer on the left side of the infield.

Though nothing is set yet, there is potential that Crawford and Miller could anchor the top of the Fightin Phils lineup to open the 2025 season. Behind them, could be Gabriel Rincones Jr, who hit clean up in Friday's Spring Breakout game. In his final at bat of the game, Rincones Jr. lined a double down the right field line and late came around to score. After being limited to just 59 games with Reading in 2024 due to injury, Rincones Jr. has caught the eye of Phillies fans with three home runs and seven RBI with the big club this spring.

Otto Kemp, who appeared in games at four levels in 2024, started the game at first base, which is a newer position for Kemp. He mostly played third base with Reading last season, but saw a few games at second too. Kemp had some nice plays at first base on Friday and expects to see more time there this season as he continues to increase his versatility.

In total, nine former Fightin Phils appeared in the game: Crawford, Miller, Rincones Jr, Kemp, Chace, Cabrera, Harper, Griff McGarry and Keaton Anthony.

A Glimpse to the Future of Baseballtown

Many of the players showcased in Friday's Spring Breakout could either break camp with the Fightin Phils or join the roster during the 2025 season. Hendry Mendez, who subbed into the game at left field, was acquired from the Brewers prior to the 2024 season and spent all of last year with High-A Jersey Shore. Bryan Rincon played shortstop later in the game and could appear in Baseballtown at some point this season after playing with the BlueClaws in 2024.

2024 draft pick Carson DeMartini and Dante Nori both were slotted into the starting lineup for the Phillies. Nori had a quiet day offensively, but the first round pick from last year will likely begin the season with Single-A Clearwater. DeMartini hit the eventual game-winning home run in the seventh inning to left-center field. The former Virginia Tech Hokie hit .315 over 24 games with the Threshers after being drafted and also hit a home run earlier in Spring Training for the Phillies.

Many eyes were also on catching prospect Eduardo Tait. The 18-year old may be another year or two away from Reading, but he's worth following closely for Fightins' fans. Tait didn't have a hit in the game, but showcased his arm strength behind home plate when he threw a runner out stealing earlier in the game. Also, earlier on in the game Devin Saltiban and Aroon Escobar had back-to-back doubles, showcasing the pop that has the Phillies excited about both prospects.

On the mound, Mavis Graves, Alex McFarlane, Casey Steward and Aaron Combs all impressed in the victory. Graves, McFarlane and Steward are likely closer to Reading and are arms worth paying attention to going into this season. Combs was acquired from the White Sox in January for Tyler Gilbert after pitching six games for Single-A Kannapolis. He was drafted out of Tennessee in 2024 and is likely to open up the season with Clearwater.

Painter Update

Phillies top prospect, and 2022 Fightin Phil, Andrew Painter did not pitch in the breakout game, but did throw his first live bullpen of the spring on Friday. The Phillies will be slowly ramping up Painter and it may be another month or two until he pitches in a live game. In his first game action in the Arizona Fall League last fall, Painter shined with a 2.30 ERA over six starts.

Painter told the Fightin Phils that he continues to feel good and is excited to return to game action soon. It remains to be seen where the 2021 first-round pick ends up when he begins pitching live games, but there remains optimism that he could make a return to Baseballtown as he ramps himself up for an eventual big league debut.

Catching up with Former Fightin Phils

While down at Spring Training, the R-Phils had a chance to catch up some former members of the team. We talked with Orion Kerkering who pitched for Reading in 2023, the same season he made his major league debut. Kerkering is continuing to earn the trust of the Phillies and is poised for more high leverage innings this season following the departures of Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez.

Tyler Phillips spent part of 2021 and much of the 2023 season with Reading, before being promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The South Jersey native grew up a Phillies fan and made his big league debut in July of 2024. One of the highlights of his time up with the Phillies was his first-career nine-inning complete-game shutout against the Cleveland Guardians on July 27.

Phillips looks to slot in with the Phillies this season as either a depth arm in the rotation or possibly as a long-relief option in the bullpen.

Opening Day in Baseballtown is fast approaching and the roster for the Fightin Phils will begin to take shape soon. Following the excitement of Friday's Spring Breakout Game, fans can catch the R-Phils and Jersey Shore BlueClaws in a preseason exhibition game on April 1 at 5 p.m. Tickets for the game are $5 and benefit Baseballtown Charities and can be purchased HERE.

Following the exhibition, the Fightin Phils open up the 2025 season at home for the first time since 2022 on Friday, April 4, at 6:45 p.m. against the Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online HERE, 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.