Skip to main content

Six Reading players honored as Double-A Eastern League All-Stars

D Cozens 3
Dylan Cozens, image- Jay Floyd



With the unveiling of the Double-A Eastern League All-Star rosters on Thursday, it was announced that six Reading Fightin Phils players have been honored to play in the annual exhibition that is set to take place in Akron, OH on Wednesday, July 13th.

Catcher Jorge Alfaro, first baseman Rhys Hoskins, outfielder Dylan Cozens, infielder Jesmuel Valentin, starting pitcher Nick Pivetta and reliever Hoby Milner are slated to take part in the EL All-Star Game.

Cozens, who is tied with teammate Hoskins for the minor league lead in home runs with 21, was thankful for the chance to represent Reading and the Phillies in the league's midsummer classic.

"It feels good to get recognized and to get the opportunity to play with some of the best guys in minor league baseball," Cozens said.

Overall in 77 games Cozens has a .276 average, 22 doubles and 62 RBI to go along with his remarkable home run total. The 22-year-old was the Phillies' 2nd round draft selection in 2012.

Alfaro, 23, sports a .291 average with nine homers and 42 RBI in 51 games played this year. The righty batting backstop was acquired from Texas as part of the Cole Hamels trade last year.

Hoskins sports a .291 average with 62 RBI in 74 games for Reading this season. The 23-year-old was the Phils' 5th round draft choice in 2014 out of Sacramento State.

Valentin, primarily a second baseman, has tallied a .285 average with four home runs and 36 RBI through 68 games. The 23-year-old was originally a supplementary 1st round pick of the Dodgers, before he was acquired by the Phils as part of the Roberto Hernandez trade in 2014.

Pivetta, a righty, sports a 7-4 record with a 3.31 ERA and a 8.02 K/9 mark in 16 starts this season. The 23-year-old Canadian was acquired last summer from the Nationals in the Jonathan Papelbon trade after originally being a 4th round pick in 2013.

Milner was the Phillies' 7th round draft selection in 2012. Through 24 outings, the Texas product has a 4-1 record with two saves and a 1.97 ERA.

Reading, the reigning Eastern Division champions, will also send manager Dusty Wathan, pitching coach Steve Schrenk as well as athletic trainer Aaron Scott to fill out the Eastern Division coaching staff.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.  On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne.  The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska.  In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be.  He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line.  And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line.  He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage.   Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August.  Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH.   Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve