Skip to main content

Phillies release minor leaguers ahead of amateur draft

By
Leibrandt w/ Reading in 2017, image-Jay Floyd
Please consider supporting my work and subscribe to my Patreon page.  Your patronage will get you exclusive interviews and other prospect related material as well as early access to all of my other content such as this post.  Thank you.

On Monday I learned that roughly two dozen Phillies minor leaguers were released over the weekend as the organization prepares for this year's amateur draft.

Via sources, I quickly confirmed a few of the individuals, namely righty hitting outfielder Ben Aklinski along with lefty pitcher Brandon Leibrandt.  I also communicated with lefty reliever Aaron Brown, who confirmed to be that he had been released by the organization.

Aklinski, 23, with the Phils' 32nd round draft pick in 2018.  He notched a .560 OPS last year with Class A Advanced Clearwater.  

Leibrandt had been out of action since July of 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.  The 27-year-old was a 6th round pick in 2014.  In five pro seasons, Leibrandt tallied a 2.88 ERA with a .235 batting average against and a 7.0 K/9 mark.

Brown was a 3rd round pick in 2014 and had reached Double-A as an outfielder before converting to pitching.  He posted a 3.82 ERA and an 11.0 K/9 mark in 45 relief outings with Double-A Reading last season.  Brown was set to be a free agent following the 2020 season.

As the evening rolled in on Monday, a complete list of 26 minor leaguers released by the Phillies became available.

In addition to Brown, Aklinski and Leibrandt, the Phils also parted ways with LHP Junior Tejada, 3B Ali Castillo, 3B T.J. Rivera, RHP Carlos Bustamante, RHP Sandro Rosario,  RHP Tyler Hallead, C Willie Estrada, RHP Waylon Richardson, RHP Michael Gomez, SS Raul Rivas, 2B Hunter Stovall,  RHP  Brian Auerbach, C Juan Mendez, OF Jordan McArdle, RHP Joan Hernandez, SS  Raibently Mercalina, RHP Cristofer Adames, LHP Daivin Perez, LHP  Alberto Torres, LHP Nathanael Bido, LHP Camilo Hinestroza, RHP Jason Lott and RHP Raul Mendoza.

Gomez, an undrafted right-handed pitcher, notched a 1.15 ERA, a .174 batting average against and a 9.8 K/9 mark in 18 professional games across three levels last year.  The 23-year-old wrapped up his season with Class A Advanced Clearwater last year.

Stovall, a 23-year-old infielder, was acquired by the Phils in April 2019 as part of a trade with the Rockies.  Stovall posted a .663 OPS in 89 Class A games last year.

Lott, an Australia native, was signed by the Phillies in March this year as an international free agent.  The 25-year-old did not pitch in a single regular season game for the Phils.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Phillies look-alikes, Part 1

By
The Phillies are World Series Champions and, thus, are world wide celebrities. This recognition isn't enough, I tell you. Some of the champs could very well be confused with other major celebrities around the globe...or at least around my house. Let's dig in... Two look-alikes in particular have been widely discussed. Geoff Jenkins even made a sign on the table covering at his autograph station at last year's Phillies Phestival that he is not Brett Favre or phormer Phillie Randy Wolf. ------------------------------------------------------- Jayson Werth may be on his way to Wrestlemania. Jay-Dub is aware that he resembles Heavyweight wrestling champion Adam "Edge" Copeland. Are you? -------------------------------------------- Carlos Ruiz's fame was boosted by TBS during the playoffs, but he might be ready for his own Comedy Central sketch show, as he looks very much like Carlos Mencia. Dee dee dee! -------------------------------------------------- And whi...
4 comments
Read more

PhoulBallz Interview: Reading second baseman Jesmuel Valentin

By
Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Switch-hitting infielder Jesmuel Valentin has been a bit of an underrated contributor with the Double-A Reading Fightins. Heading into action on Friday, Valentin was batting .339 over his last 14 games. Overall this season, the 22-year-old is batting .282 with four home runs and 35 RBI in 64 games. Valentin, who plays mostly second base, but dabbles at shortstop a bit also, is the son of former big leaguer Jose Valentin . The Puerto Rico native was a supplementary round pick (51st overall) of the Dodgers in 2012. He was acquired by the Phils as part of the Roberto Hernandez trade in 2014. Recently, I spoke with Jesmuel about his team's success, growing up around the game and more. Read ahead for that full interview. -The Reading team has been great and you've contributed very nicely to the club's success. What are your thoughts on competition in the Eastern League this year? I just came here with the mindset that...
Post a Comment
Read more

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Prospect Brody Colvin

By
Recently, right-handed pitcher Brody Colvin was promoted from Class A Advanced Clearwater to Double-A Reading. Prior to the 2012 season, Colvin, who turns 22-years-old on Tuesday, was ranked as PhilliesNation's 6th best prospect . This season, following some ups and downs, it's unclear where Colvin will rank next preseason. Earlier this year, Colvin, a Louisiana native, was removed from Clearwater's starting rotation and moved to the bullpen to relax and improve his mental approach. He did so and returned to starting after a brief time. Through his first two outings with the R-Phils, the 7th round draft choice from 2009 posted a 1-0 record while allowing five earned runs in 11 innings (4.09 ERA). In his last start on Saturday, however, Colvin allowed eight earned runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched in a loss to New Britain. In a recent interview with Brody, he spoke about the transition moving to the Eastern League, his brief bullpen stint, physical concerns from last season...
2 comments
Read more