Reading Preview: Harrisburg Senators 4/29 – 5/4

The R-Phils return home from Portland, Maine, and the good new is that they lost only four times.  The bad news is that they only played four games (due to rain.). The Reading affiliate of the Phillies (Double-A) is now 5-14 and firmly in last place in the Eastern League, Northeast Division.

But it’s not all bad stuff.  There are still some interesting players to watch, and a visit to Baseballtown is always a lot of fun.  For the 75th Anniversary of their Municipal Memorial Stadium, we’re going to highlight the team a little more than usual around here, hoping to convince IronPigs fans to take a drive down one day during April, May, August or September, when the schedule perfectly alternates with the IronPigs.

Phillies Prospects, Reading Roster

(#Ranking, MLB Pipeline)

#2 SS Aidan Miller .206/.308/.324

#5 RHP Moisés Chace (0-0, 6.14)

#11 RHP Jean Cabrera  (1-1, 4.05)

#19 RHP Eiberson Castellano  (2-1, 0.90)

#25 OF Hendry Mendez  .266/.365/.328

#29 C Caleb Rickets  **Injured List**  .316/.350/.474

Also of note:  OF/1B Keaton Anthony, OF/1B Leandro Pineda

Printable Roster:  Roster 4.22.25

Roster often updates on Tuesdays; will update if necessary

Guest Appearances

There have been no official updates as of this writing, but there are a couple things to keep an eye on for this series:

• LHP Ranger Suarez has time for one more rehab appearance and they want him up to 95 pitches. He only pitched 76 his last time out.  He would be in line to pitch Friday.
• OF Brandon Marsh was all but set to be re-activated for the Phillies, from rehab with the IronPigs, when his balky hamstring cramped up.  If he needs more rehab he could be added.
• Top prospect pitcher Andrew Painter should be just about ready to come north.  Nothing has been announced yet, but watch carefully.  He is currently listed as the starter Thursday in Clearwater.

Nationals Prospects, Harrisburg Roster

#2 RHP Jarlin Susana (Juan Soto Trade)

#7 RHP Cade Cavalli (rehab)

#9 OF Daylen Lile

#10 3B Cayden Wallace (Hunter Harvey Trade)

#12 1B/3B Yohandy Morales (2023 2nd round pick)

#23 RHP Marquis Grissom, Jr.

#27 SS Kevin Made

Harrisburg is 9-12 and in fifth place in the Eastern League, Southwest Division.  It sure is odd that the closest team to Reading is in the other division, huh?

“What’s Going On At The Park”

Tuesday: Unused Ticket Game; Pre-Game Community Music Showcase

Wednesday:  Unused Ticket Game; Pre-Game Community Music Showcase

Thursday:  Beverage Tasting Festival on the Deck; Throwback Thursday; Unused Ticket Game; Pre-Game Community Music

Friday:  Post-game fireworks; Fiesta Friday Luchadores; Happy Hour and music before and after the game

Saturday: Post-game fireworks; Pre-game happy hour and music

Sunday (5:15PM):  Mascots and Characters meet and greet; All fans run the bases after the game; hot dogs tribute

Pitching Probables 

[UPDATED]

Tuesday:  RHP Eiberson Catellano vs RHP Jarlin Susana (#2 prospect)

Wednesday: RHP Moises Chace vs RHP Hyun-il Choi

Thursday: RHP Jean Cabrera vs LHP Dustin Sarnz

Friday: RHP Chuck King vs TBA

Reading FAQ

• What is the best way to get tickets?  You can purchase and print from their website.  They use TicketReturn which is what the IronPigs used to use years ago.  You can also have them held for you at Will Call or walk up to the window and purchase.  Buy before game day saves a couple dollars.
• Where do you park?  Most Reading fans consider free parking to be their birthright.  The streets and lots around the stadium are mostly open for free parking.  You can purchase preferred parking ahead of time if you’re nervous, and park right across from the stadium.
• Which seats are best?  Just like any small park, all the seats are good.  The grandstand behind home plate is behind the net and offers good views of the field.  Advanced:  The last row of the same number of seats contains the most space.  ie four seats per row converts to five, pick seats in the last row of four if you can.  Also, while the seats higher up (green?) are tighter together, many of them are under cover.
• What about autographs?  It’s not really my thing and now that the clubhouse is out in the Redner’s Center in the outfield, you don’t see players in the concourse as often.  I’d head to the fence on the first base side for Reading, and the third base side for the visiting team.
• What’s new in Reading?  Well, the obvious thing is the huge building in center field.  That contains the clubhouses for both teams as well as an event center.  You have to have tickets out there in order to get inside.  The bullpens moved to center field under the video board, as well, as they used to be on the field in foul territory.  The new thing for this season is the store has been expanded.  By like 200%.  I think they’re still working on filling it with stuff, but it’s a really nice retail environment; check it out.
• What’s your favorite concession?  I think at plaza favorites as well as out on the deck, you can get a cheeseburger shaped like a hot dog.  I find them delightful and easy to eat, although they will get dry if they get over-cooked.  The ‘Churger’ is interesting.  And get the fries.  Not at the regular concession, but at Manny’s under the grandstand.  The best shoestring fries ever.  And the old hot dogs are pretty good because they get the good ones from Berk’s Packing and they cook them on a flat-top grill.  Finally, the deck buffet can be added to any ticket, and it’s worth the price–especially if you have teenage boys.  It’s a better buffet than anything I’ve ever had at Coca Cola Park.  Get the BBQ Chicken.

If you haven’t been–or if you haven’t been in a long time–I’d implore you to make the drive to Reading during one of these IronPigs ‘Away’ weeks.  It’s not better than the IronPigs–it’s just really good and really different.