IronPigs Today: Scranton Series Preview (Long)

The trade deadline has passed and the boys are back in town–at least the ones who are still with us.  The team has a bit of a new look, and it’s not just because one player got traded away.  They went 2-4 up in Worcester to split the season series with the fake red sox, and are currently 16-16 in the second half.  It is a shame that they can’t avoid overlapping with the Musikfest week, but here we are again.  It still should be a big week at the ballpark, though, and the weather has Kurt’s fingerprints all over it.

Roster Updates and Commentary

Things were feeling weird during that last home stand in July, and frankly I’m surprised more moves were not made.  That said, let’s review and give some feedback:

1. Old friend, RHP Adonis Medina returns:  We saw before they left for Massachusetts.  Medina had been with Tacoma.  He worked mostly in relief there, but has been dragged in and out of the rotation and down to Reading since he returned.  Given all that, he’s been OK.
2. OF Brewer Hicklen Arrives:  I had thought perhaps it signaled a trade was in the works that would jettison a Triple-A or MLB outfielder.  But, it didn’t, yet, DFA’s and cuts are still possible (see below).  Anyway, Hicklen was hitting .227/.335/.394 in 61 games for Triple A Toledo.  He had 8 HR there.  He arrives in a trade for cash and holds a 40-man spot with an option.  He’s a UAB product, labeled as a CF, and has had a cup of coffee in the bigs with Kansas City, Milwaukee and Detroit.  Look for him to play a solid OF, steal some bases, and add some pop here and there.
3. RHP Ryan Cusick accepts his assignment:  You’ll remember he’s the guy who got passed around a bit this season as teams needed his 40-man spot.  Well, no more.  He passed through waivers this time and is off the 40-man and working in our bullpen.  He’s not had a great go of it around here, but it’s been a tough year for him.  Let’s see how he settles in for the last two months of the season.
4. C Josh Breaux to the Injured List:  The injury was not specified in the media release.
5. C Yhoan Escalona promoted from Clearwater:  What is their fascination with Low-A catchers this season?  I think it’s because they have so many pitchers that even with the bullpen catcher they need guys who can receive the ball for the pitchers to throw their bullpens and such.  Now, with Breaux injured, they don’t want to burn out Stubbs because he could become important to the big league team, they need a guy with a catchers glove and equipment.  Escalona is 19 and from Venezuela.  I hope they’re looking out for him around here.  If you talk to Russian Goalies, you’ll find this is a horrible place to live.
6. RHP Mick Abel traded to Twins int he Jhoan Duran deal. He already had a good start for AAA St Paul; we wish him well as he should get to the Twins soon.  He’s been a IronPigs Today favorite around here and we wish him nothing but the best.
7. CF Johan Rojas optioned to IronPigs:  He’s not been having a great year, and with the arrival of Harrison Bader in Philadelphia he ends up as the odd-man out.  Brandon Marsh is hitting better, and a lefty, and Otto Kemp and Weston Wilson can both play infield with Alec Bohm out.  I’m looking forward to watching Rojas get his mojo back with us, and force more outfield decisions in Philly. He made it to Worcester to play this weekend, so good on him for the hustle.
8. RHP Joe Ross starts a rehab assignment:  I believe he has a back strain.  He had been a starter in the past and was filling a multi-inning role for the Phillies.  It will be interesting to see how many innings/pitches they allow him to throw and if they even ask him to start or open a game here this week.
9. RHP Aaron Nola starts a rehab assignment:  It was kind of weird to see them start a Major League Rehab on the road, but there was little other choice and I’m sure Aaron is champing to get back.  He pitched well against the fake red sox.  Reports have been that they want him on a regular 5-day schedule, so that would give him one of the Wednesday games.
10. INF Christian Arroyo and his balky hamstring assigned to Clearwater for rehab:  He doesn’t have world-beating numbers, but if you look back at when this team was really humming, Arroyo was part of the lineup.  It’s just a deeper and more competitive lineup with him healthy.
11. RHP Brett de Geus DFA/outright to IronPigs:  I don’t think he has the service time to refuse his assignment.  He was one of the more reliable relievers for the IronPigs prior to his injury (unspecified) but hasn’t been great since his return.  Rumblings from the de Geus camp might suggest they are not completely happy with the Phillies.  Watch to see if he looks healthy and how he responds.
12. RHP Devin Sweet DFA/outright to IronPigs:  Likewise vis-a-vis service time.  Sweet has had some nice outings and veteran approach to attacking hitters sometimes, which I really appreciate.  We’ll stake stock of the bullpen again when some of the rehabs and such resolve themselves.
13. RHP Nabil Crismatt Released:  The Phillies need to make room on their overall minor league stable in order to have room to sign their draftees.  Also, The Crizzler may have had an August opt-out since he re-signed following his July opt-out.  For a time he was our most reliable starter, but less so lately.
14. 3B/OF Matt Kroon Released: He never looked right since he returned from his early-season injury.  Enjoyed watching him with Reading and here with the ‘Pigs previously, wish him well in good health and good baseball.
15. RF Óscar Mercado Released:  He played well for us–really well at times.  He’s another guy with a history of using his opt-out powers to get to a better situation.  If so, Godspeed.  If not, best wishes for finding a gig for the rest of this season.  Rojas is here and they like Hicklen so there just wasn’t space.
16. Unofficially, RHP Lou Trivino was signed to a minors deal following his release from the Dodgers.  He is a reliever and could arrive here soon.  I wonder if the Slippery Rock product has any PSAC beef with Shippensburg grad Gabe Mosser?
17. Watch for LHP Jose Alvarado to start a rehab, perhaps as soon as tomorrow, as he returns from suspension for performance enhancing substance.  It will be interesting to see how he looks.  He can re-join the Phillies later in the month (19th?) but is ineligible for the playoffs.
18. Crawford Watch:  Look, I don’t love the swing or the high hands or the launch angle or whatever, but the kid makes things happen out there and has consistently all season.  If they think he can help curing the playoffs they need to call him up and give him some run in August and September.

There are some corresponding moves yet to be made, which we will update in a future column.  RHP Matt Manning was acquired via cash/trade at the deadline and optioned to Clearwater.  He’s a former first-round pick who has fallen on bad times.  They’ll get him up to speed and we might see him in our bullpen or starting rotation in the coming weeks.

Scranton Notes

• 2B Jorbit Vivas is back with the Railriders since getting a stint in New York
• RHPs Yerry De Los Santos and Ian Hamilton returned to Scranton from New York
• LF Bryan De La Cruz returns from New York via outright assignment
• Top Yankees prospect OF Sencer Jones remains on this team despite my pleas to get him called up and out of the International League.
• Old friend Carlos Carrasco was traded to Atlanta for cash
• At the trade deadline, Scranton lost a relief pitcher, and a C/1B.
• Their parent organization released RHP Marcus Stroman and put RHP Johnathan Loaisiga on the injured list.
• Old nemesis Shelley Duncan is still their manager.  He loves us.  Kinda in the same way that Otis Day and the Knights love playing Delta House.  Yell some stuff at him if you have the chance.

Pitching

As of this writing, still no official probables for the IronPigs.  So, here’s some either/or:

Tuesday: RHP Gabe Mosser was activated from the Dev List.  He pitched last Tuesday; it’s his turn.  -OR-  RHP Andrew Painter pitched Wednesday and if they want him on a 6-day schedule then he should go.

Wednesday:  Doubleheader!  The alternate of Mosser or Painter could take one game.  As mentioned above, if they want Aaron Nola on five days then he gets one game.  They could also go with a bullpen game and get some of these relievers some work; Padilla got the start last Friday in a double-dip.  I think the way they planned it they wanted Nola on Thursday last week, then Tuesday and Sunday this week at home–but rain ruined that plan.  Perhaps he’ll pitch a simulated game or something on Monday rather than make the trip for a Tuesday start on the road.  Or, next Tuesday in Reading?

Thursday:  If Mosser, Painter and Nola have all pitched by now, this could be a bullpen game.  Or, RHP Wil Crowe returns from Reading?

Weekend:  Whomever pitched Tuesday will likely get Sunday.  RHP Adonis Medina is in line for Saturday or Friday.  And, RHP Alan Rangel could be back from Philly.

Official probables posted when I get them.

Here’s a recent printable roster: 080125 LHV Roster

What’s Going On At The Park This Week?

Busy week at the park despite the overlap with Musikfest:

Tuesday:  Tail Waggin Tuesday (bring your pup); Dollar Dogs all night.

Wednesday:

• Doubleheader, two seven-inning games.  First pitch of first game: 5:05PM, All Gates: 4:00PM
• Second game:  Close to the 7:05PM original start time.
• Single-admission, tickets dated 8/6/25
• Paranormal Night
• Slime Cap giveaway (Kids)
• Pre-game baseball camp parade (pre-first game?)
• Tacos and Tallboys specials all night

Thursday:

• Twisted Happy Hour:  Plaza at 5PM, drink specials until 7PM
• Easton City Series, jersey auction and cap raffle begins
• Easton Cap Giveaway (Adults)
• Softball Night: pre-game softball parade and home run derby

Friday: “Fefe’s Version”; Scout Night with parade; Fireworks

Saturday: Polka Night (Ha during Musikfest; so rich); Pre-game gymnastics; Fireworks

Sunday:

• Football Night: wear your jersey to the game
• Football Parade
• Cap Giveaway (Adults)
• Post-game Kids Run Bases

Game Day!

First pitch: 7:05PM

Gates: 5:45PM Main/Center; 5:30PM Club/West

Tickets: Widely Available

Weather: 80° and sunny at game time

Promotions:  Tail Waggin Day:  Bring your pup.  Dollar Dogs (plus tax).

Pitching: 

IronPigs:  TBA (see above)

RailRiders:  RHP Brendan Beck (3-1, 4.86) in seven games with Scranton.  Scouting Report:  2021 second round pick out of Stanford.  Went to college as an infielder.  Picked up velocity his senior year.  Can command all four of his pitches for strikes.  

See you at the park,

@Kram207