Fueled by Determination and Doubt
The Wilmington Blue Rocks have had a lot of roster changes throughout the 2024 season, including players coming and going from injuries, promotions, and rehabilitation assignments.
The Wilmington Blue Rocks have had a lot of roster changes throughout the 2024 season, including players coming and going from injuries, promotions, and rehabilitation assignments.
Phillip Glasser was one of the team’s mid-season additions.
Unlike most minor league players, Glasser spent less than a year in Low-A before being promoted to the Blue Rocks. He began the 2024 season with the Fredericksburg Nationals and, after excelling and being named the Carolina League Player of the Week, joined the High-A team in late April. Now performing at the top of his game and acting as a main contributor to the Blue Rocks’ offense, Glasser took some time to reminisce on his path to pro ball ahead of the MLB All-Star Week festivities.
Born and raised outside of Canton, Ohio, Glasser recalls his earliest memories of playing baseball with his dad.
“My dad and I would always go to the field, ever since I was five years old. And my mom would always have to get me because we'd be up until 11 on school nights.”
Glasser continued playing the game he fell in love with into high school as his school’s shortstop, and admits that he had a slight disadvantage to other players regarding college recruitment.
“I was kind of a late bloomer out of high school and in college,” Glasser says. He accepted his only D1 offer from Youngstown State University, a small school near his hometown in Ohio, and began building his career from the ground up.
Glasser spent three years at Youngstown State pursuing his passion for baseball and a degree in finance. Following his junior year in 2021, he entered the transfer portal.
“I just wanted to see what was out there,” Glasser says, adding that he knew a lot of D1 coaches that were familiar with Indiana University head coach Jeff Mercer, and ultimately decided to spend the next two years there. “It was just a really good fit.”
Glasser continued to improve his personal game while contributing to the Hoosiers’ achievements. The team had “ups and downs” his first year there, but had an overwhelmingly successful 2023 season. All in the span of a few months, Indiana University went 43 and 20 and was one game away from the Super Regionals, Glasser received his graduate certificate in cybersecurity, and, most notably for him, he was selected in the MLB Draft.
Sitting at his parents’ home in Ohio, Glasser patiently waited for his name to be called.
“Every minute was like an hour,” he remembers. “I was just sitting there with my parents and girlfriend, and then that 10th Round came around and the Nationals called and selected [me].”
As the 285th pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Glasser joined the Washington Nationals organization, something that, to others, seemed impossible just a short time ago.
“I have such a long list of people who said I couldn’t play in college and I couldn't play Division 1 at Youngstown,” he recalls. “And then it was that I ‘couldn’t play at Power Five,’ and then I ‘couldn’t play pro ball.’”
So much negativity could easily steer someone off their dream path, but Glasser took it in a different and more productive direction.
“It fuels me. It fuels me a lot.”
Along with this long-burning flame to drive him, Glasser has dedicated every aspect of his life to baseball.
“I’m here for baseball. And that's my number one priority and it affects all the decisions I make,” he explains, adding that everyday decisions like going to bed early, eating right, and getting to the ballpark early are all based on furthering his career.
“Your work ethic, how you take care of your body, all those small things add up.”
This mindset is paying off, and the 24-year-old is well on his way to proving that he can reach great success within the Nationals’ organization. Since joining the Blue Rocks in April, he leads the team in four different statistics including batting average (.297) and OPS (.798).
When asked about his goals for the second half of the season, Glasser finds that his achievements come when he focuses on the present.
“Just being where my feet are. I think some people get stuck on looking ahead or to the future,” he says. “Going about my day the best I can, doing everything I can for this day, and doing it again tomorrow. Pretty simple.”
Blue Rocks Fall In Series Finale With Jersey Shore; 6-4
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (14-25) were defeated by the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (14-23) on Sunday, May 18 by a final score of 6-4 in the final game of the six-game series between the South Atlantic League North Division rivals.
Stellar Pitching Secures Series Win For Wilmington In 2-0 Victory
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (14-24) defeated the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (13-23) by a final score of 2-0 on Saturday, May 17 at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium, marking the team’s fourth win in their last five games.
Wilmington Outlasts Jersey Shore In 2-1 Win
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (13-24) battled the elements in a 2-1 win over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (13-22) on Friday, May 16, at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium.
Blue Rocks Split Doubleheader With Jersey Shore
WILMINGTON, DE - A complete game shutout from Travis Sthele and six-run first inning forced the Wilmington Blue Rocks (12-24) and Jersey Shore BlueClaws (13-21) to split the day-night doubleheader by scores of 1-0 in favor of Wilmington and 8-2 in favor of Jersey Shore on Thursday, May 15 at
Morning Shines Bright For Wilmington In 7-2 Win Over Jersey Shore
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks claimed the first game of their series with a 7-2 victory over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws on Education Day at Frawley Stadium.
Wilmington Close Out Their Series Against Hudson Valley With A 9-1 Loss
WILMINGTON, DE - A trio of home runs propelled the Hudson Valley Renegades (23-9) to a 9-1 win over the Wilmington Blue Rocks (10-23) in the series finale on Sunday, May 11.
Wilmington Suffer Extra-Innings Loss To Hudson Valley
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (10-22) fell to the Hudson Valley Renegades (22-9) by a final score of 5-2 at Frawley Stadium on Saturday, May 10th.
Blue Rocks Fall 3-1 To Hudson Valley
WILMINGTON, DE - After suffering back-to-back 12–1 losses, the Wilmington Blue Rocks once again fell to the Hudson Valley Renegades by a score of 4–1.
Wilmington Falters Once More In 12-1 Loss To Hudson Valley
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (10-20) fell to the Hudson Valley Renegades (20-9) by a final score of 12-1 at Frawley Stadium on Thursday, May 8th.
Wilmington Falters In 12-1 Loss To Hudson Valley
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (10-19) were defeated by the Hudson Valley Renegades (19-9) by a final score of 12-1 on Wednesday, May 7 at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium.
Two-Run Walk-Off Home Run Secures 4-3 Win For Wilmington
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (10-18) opened their series against Hudson Valley Renegades (18-9) on the right foot after a walk-off two-run home run from Brandon Boissiere gave Wilmington the 4-3 win on Tuesday, May 6.
High-Scoring Affair Leads To 10-7 Loss For Wilmington
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (7-14) fell to the Aberdeen IronBirds (9-12) by a final score of 10-7 in the series finale at Frawley Stadium. Despite the loss, Wilmington still came away with a 4-2 series victory.
Blue Rocks Secure First Series Win Of 2025 With 6-3 Victory Over Aberdeen
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (7-13) beat the Aberdeen IronBirds (8-12) by a final score of on Saturday night at Frawley Stadium. The win clinched a series victory for Wilmington, their first of the season.
Wilmington Stumbles In 4-3 Loss To Aberdeen
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (6-13) fell late to the Aberdeen IronBirds (8-11) by a score of 4-3 on Friday, April 25.
Blue Rocks Keep Rolling Against Aberdeen Following 2-1 Victory
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks beat the Aberdeen IronBirds by a final score of 2–1 on Wednesday night at Frawley Stadium, securing their third consecutive win.
Extra-Innings Needed In 3-2 Win For Wilmington
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (5-12) took down the Aberdeen IronBirds (7-10) by a final score of 3-2 in 10 innings on Wednesday, April 23 at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium.
Blue Rocks Open Series At Home With 6-2 Win Over Aberdeen
WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (4-12) kicked off their week-long homestand against the Aberdeen IronBirds (7-9) with a 6-2 win in the series opener on Tuesday, April 22.
Wilmington Captures Series Split With Hub City Following An Emphatic 7-1 Win
WILMINGTON, Del. - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (3-6) secured a series tie against the Hub City Spartanburgers (5-4) on Sunday, April 13 by a final score of 7-1 at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium.
Blue Rocks Split Doubleheader Against Hub City
WILMINGTON, Del. - The Wilmington Blue Rocks and Hub City Spartanburgers split their double header on Saturday at Frawley Stadium, losing game one 3-1 while taking game two 6-0.
Wilmington Captures First Win Of The Season In Walk-Off Fashion
WILMINGTON, Del. — The Wilmington Blue Rocks got their win of the season with a 4-3 win over the Hub City Spartanburgers on Thursday night at Frawley Stadium.
Blue Rocks Drop Home-Opener 6-1 To New Arrival Hub City
The Wilmington Blue Rocks dropped their home opener to the Hub City Spartanburgers by a score of 6-1 on Tuesday, April 8.
Mr. Celery Voted #2 Mascot in all of Minor League Baseball
WILMINGTON, DE – The Wilmington Blue Rocks are thrilled to announce that one of their beloved mascots, “Mr. Celery,” has been voted the best minor league mascot in the eastern United States and the second-best mascot in all of Minor League Baseball by USA Today and 10Best.com in their fan
Blue Rocks Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
WILMINGTON, DE – On Thursday, March 13 the Wilmington Blue Rocks released their 2025 promotional and theme night schedule. This season kicks off at Frawley Stadium on Tuesday, April 8, as the Blue Rocks welcome fans back to the ballpark for an exciting six-game series against the brand-new Hub City
2024 Holiday Packages On Sale Now
Our popular holiday packages are back for the 2024 holiday season! Choose from four packages to place under the Christmas tree for the Blue Rocks fan in your life to enjoy! Package items range from certificates that can be used for tickets and throwing out a First Pitch to a
Washington Nationals Farm Report - 2024 Season Recap
Hundreds of games were played this season throughout the entirety of the Washington Nationals organization. While the Wilmington Blue Rocks’ season is over, all three of the Nationals’ other affiliates are continuing to play into the second half of September. Double-A Harrisburg Senators and Triple-A Rochester Red Wings are wrapping