Previous position columns:
This position group may feel a bit thin, but in the upper minors you’ll often see some of the infielders getting some reps in the outfield in order to make themselves more position flexible. Carlos De La Cruz for instance, is now listed with the infielders after spending almost all of the second half of the 2023 season at first base–but has been working with the outfielders so far during 2024 Spring Training.
Here are some names to know as we begin to project the 2024 IronPigs roster:
40-Man Guys
LHB Jake Cave: Phillies fans can’t wait to get him off the roster. But all he did at Triple-A last year was mash out .346/.429/.684/1.113. He may not have options available so getting him back down to the IronPigs might be problematic. As a lefty, he may also keep his bench job in Philadelphia–much to the consternation of Phillies Phans everywhere. I’ll take him every day though–twice on Sundays.
RHB Cristian Pache: Pache is also out of options. He’s the one likely impacted the most by the signing of 2B/LF Whit Merrifield who is also RHB. Should they DFA Pache, he likely goes elsewhere rather than playing in East Allentown, but you never know. Keep an eye on him.
RHB Johan Rojas: (above) Rojas is not a finished product and has zero games at Triple-A. His development needs to continue on the MLB level and that means he needs to play. His CF ability–as in the playoffs–is enough to keep him in the lineup many nights, but watch to see if he struggles thorough the spring games or if he’s sitting a lot, then he may need to be on the IronPigs to continue to play every day. I trust the current administration in Philadelphia more than a couple of the previous ones, to make the correct decisions here. They should also keep in mind, it’s easier to call a guy up when he proves he’s ready than it is to send them down and deal with both the mental and physical challenges of that roster change.
Non-Roster Invitees
LHB David Dahl: The former first-round pick is in camp on a minors deal. He’s had difficulty staying healthy over the years which has kept him from sticking in the Majors as well as playing a full season in the Minors. Last season he played for two PCL teams, El Paso and Oklahoma City, limited to just 71 games. He slashed .278/.351/.466 with 9 HR. 50K/31BB isn’t horrible for 71 games. He’s listed as a right fielder, but played all three outfield positions fairly equally last season in Triple-A.
LHB Simon Muzziotti: Simon finally got a chance to play a full season last year, and did not disappoint hitting .296/.358/.404. However, there wasn’t a lot of loud contact. I’m not say just not enough HRs, but many of his hits were of the ‘bloop’ variety and that may not play very well at the next level. Hopefully he comes back stronger and can drive the ball with a little more authority. He can run and play center, but he’s no Rojas. He just passed through waivers via DFA and went unclaimed.
LHB Cal Stevenson: The IronPigs were Cal’s third team last season after coming over from two different PCL teams. And, when he got here he was dreadful. The changes of teams, coasts, time zones… It messed with him but he turned things around into a respectable .271/.437/.472 with 8 HR. He’s had MLB time with both Oakland and San Francisco.
Minor Leaguer
LHB Ethan Wilson Ethan had a cup of coffee in Reading at the end of 2022, then spent all season in Baseballtown where his numbers showed progress. .250/.307/.443 with 17 HR over 114 Games may be enough to get hime to AAA.
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Anyone else on your radar for the 2024 IronPigs as the season begins? Add them in the comments.
See you at the park–on PIG DAY!
@Kram207
Cover photo of Matt Kroon crashing into the pool wall in Reading was taken by Steven Kiebach. Kroon is listed with the infielders but plays OF as well.
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