It was always going to be a wonky schedule, June and July this season. Back-to-back weeks, the Fourth of July holiday, the All Star break, a camp day, plus overlap with Reading, which really only impacts a very few of us. So tonight we kick off the remainder of our July home games, 9 games in 10 days through next week, with the standard Monday off-day. First, a mini series with Rochester. Then, Norfolk visits. Here’s some preview for the first three games, with visiting Rochester:
Where Are We Now?
The IronPigs completed the first half of the 2025 schedule by squandering the lead in the International League by way of an epic collapse, which completed on June 22 by not even trying to play a game. Since then, the ‘Pigs have gone to Buffalo, where they promptly won four in a row before dropping the last two games of that series. They returned home for a 3-game series with Scranton, but lost another game to rain and split the remaining two. The other half of the week was spent in Moosic where they won the first and dropped the next two. Then, off to Syracuse, where they took it pretty hard, losing the series 2-4.
Now, fresh off the break (no Triple-A All Star festivities these days) the ‘Pigs start at home 8-9 in the second half. That’s good enough for sixth place in the International League East, and six games back of first place Scranton. Overall, the IronPigs are 54-37 and the fourth best team in the entire International League at this juncture.
Who Are They Now?
Roster updates and movements you might have missed:
- Phillies sent some cash to the Mets (!) for 2B Donovan Walton. In 10 games so far with the IronPigs he’s hitting .303
- INF Erick Brito was sent to Double-A Reading. He was hitting .258 in 128 at-bats with the IronPigs. He played very well for a guy whom no one predicted would start the season at Triple-A. He looked like he belonged, in the field and at the plate, and more than a few times came through with a clutch hit. He could easily return, and I’ll enjoy watching him in Reading if he’s still there in August.
- RHP Seth Johnson was up and back from the Phillies, and back up, and remains there for now.
- Veteran RHPs Joel Kuhnel and Nabil Crismatt asked for and received their release per opt-out options in their contracts. Kuhnel immediately signed with the Yankees and is at Triple-A Scranton. He’s a veteran and may see a more legitimate route to the Majors with that organization despite the utter chaos in the Philadelphia bullpen. Crismatt, as shocking (although not without precedent) as the release was, just as shocking, he returns to the IronPigs on a fresh, new minor league deal. Did he get more money? Unknown. But he’s probably got an August 1 opt-out so be prepared for that. It’s good to have him back, though, because the ‘Pigs were getting pretty, pretty thin at starting pitching.
- RHP Mick Abel returned from the Phillies. He had a couple tough starts that could be down to details and luck and other teams getting some data on him. After what he went through last season, I think Mick’s head is on OK, and that this up and down won’t mess him up. He’s already had one outstanding start since returning. As you know, we’re fans of his here at IronPigs Today, to the point that we made the trek to Philadelphia to see his MLB debut versus Skenes. We’ll be watching for trade talk as well as his potential to temporarily convert to relief work, in the second half.
- RHP Daniel Harper was promoted from Reading. He has been their best reliever this season, although missed some time with injury. He hasn’t been sharp since his arrival in Triple-A, though, sporting a 10+ ERA in his first three games.
- RHP Brett de Geus had a stint on the Injured List, but is now active again. Good thing, because he’s been one of our more reliable relievers as long as they don’t ask him to go multiple innings. And that’s important, because the IronPigs bullpen sure did contribute to the first-half collapse in late May and the first three weeks of June. Brett’s on the 40-man, so also important for him to stay available in case he can get another shot to help Philadelphia.
- Old friend RHP Adonis Medina returned to help with the pitching crunch. He had been working relief for Triple-A Tacoma when he got released by Seattle. I thought I saw a mini-stint in the Atlantic League but could find no record of it. Regardless, he’s now pitching to a 3.60 ERA in three games, one start, since returning to the ‘Pigs.
- INF Buddy Kennedy had been up with the Phillies to help fill in for the injured Bryce Harper. When Harper returned from injury, Kennedy was DFA’d, as he has no options remaining. He signed with Toronto on a minors deal and is now with Buffalo. A better setting? Probably not, but knowing some behind-the-scenes things, it was probably time for a change of scenery. Nothing bad, and more about his orbit than anything the player said or did.
- RHP Mitch Neunborn was up from Reading for an emergency start during the pitching crunch. He’s back with Reading now.
- INF Nick Dunn was returned to Reading. He’s another Tacoma cast-off and while his numbers were similar to Brito, he was not terribly clutch in his small sample of games with Lehigh Valley. We could see him again.
- RHP Phil Bickford was signed by the Phillies to a minors deal, and assigned to Lehigh Valley. He was with the Cubs in Iowa where his ERA was 2.60 in 20 appearances. It appears to be an opt-out situation, and although he’s not on the 40-man (yet) look for Philadelphia to maybe give him a look prior to the trade deadline. His first appearance for the IronPigs was not good.
Latest printable roster: 071125 LHV Roster
Updates: Coming out of the break, expecting some roster movement and a new printable version. Will update here or in tomorrow’s column.
Pitching Probables, Friday Morning:
Friday: RHP Gabe Mosser (3-3, 5.88) vs RHP Bryce Conley (1-0, 1.69)
Saturday: RHP Mick Abel (6-2, 2.00) vs. RHP Cade Cavalli (3-4, 5.80)
Sunday: RHP Alan Rangel (5-2, 4.82) vs LHP Shinnosuke Ogasawara (1-1, 4.80)
What’s Going On Out There?
Here’s what to expect at the park this weekend:
Friday: 7:05PM Start. Girl Scout Night: Parade and Sleepover. First Responders Night. Fireworks.
Saturday: 6:35PM Start. Luau Night. Hawiian Jersey Giveaway (Kids). Fireworks
Sunday: 1:35PM Start. Pre-Game Yoga on field. Ferrous and Fefe Birthday Celebration. Bucket Hat Giveaway (Kids), Post-game Kids Run Bases.
Weather Concerns: Friday and Saturday should be OK. Sunday is iffy with 50% chance of rain.
Rochester Notebook
Catcher CJ Stubbs is the brother of C Garrett Stubbs: Old Home Week.
OF Robert Hassell III is still on this team. Killed us during “elimination week.” Former first-round pick of the Padres came over in the Juan Soto/Josh Bell deal along with Luke Voit, Mackenzie Gore, CJ Abrams, James Wood, and Jarlin Susana.
INF Yohandy Morales is another prospect on this team. Former second round pick out of Miami.
Rochester is 7-11 since leaving Coca Cola Park on Sunday, June 22.
Game Day!
Gates: 5:45PM Main/CF/East; 5:30PM Club/West/Suites
Tickets: Widely available for games this weekend, but are selling fast.
Promotion: Girl Scout Night+Sleepover; First Responders Night; Fireworks
Pitching match-up: TBD
Weather: Hot and Sunny
Looking Ahead, Program Notes, and What To Watch
As noted above, we’ll continue right into next week for the rest of our July home schedule as Norfolk arrives in town on Tuesday. Tuesday is a ‘Camp Day’ with a 12:05 start–10:30AM Club Gates.
Watch for news on what the rotation and roster look like through the weekend. As above, we will update this post or check a newer edition. IronPigs Today should publish for most games this next week, usually by 1PM on game day, at the latest.
Watch for news about an Aaron Nola rehab. One speculation had it for Thursday 7/24.
No Painter in the first three games of this home stand. Perhaps this is his resting period that they were planning on. Watch to see if he’s in the rotation next week vs. Norfolk. Also possible his development timeline is now more important than the “we need him in October” timeline.
Can Mick Abel drive the ball low in the zone with his four-seam or sinker? Can Andrew Painter develop a sinker to keep hitters off his four-seam which has been really flat? Who’s better from Reading, Wil Crowe or Gabe Mosser? How bad is Wil Crowe’s injury? Will Adonis Medina claim a spot in the rotation? Does he have anything left? How hot does Weston Wilson need to get to push Otto Kemp out of left field in Philadelphia? Can Daniel Harper figure out Triple-A? Will Crismatt stick around after 8/1? Can Zuni return to his early-season form? Whose fault was it that the team collapsed and missed out on hosting playoff games? Why don’t we have All Stars anymore? Why doesn’t the store carry the stars and stripes cap like every other minor and major league team? Can Keaton Anthony find some power? Will Christian Arroyo return to active status?
Stick around and we’ll try to answer some of those questions in the coming days and weeks.
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Cheryl Pursell. It has been cropped to fit the space.