Minor-league week in review: Bryson Stott starts in Futures Game

Bryson Stott started for the National League team in Sunday’s Futures Game. (Cheryl Pursell)

While the Philadelphia Phillies farm teams finished their most recent series, a former top pick in the system spent the weekend participating in MLB All-Star festivities.

Infield prospect Bryson Stott started in Sunday’s All-Star Futures Game, a showcase for some of the best minor leaguers to display their talents, at Coors Field, the site of Tuesday’s MLB All-Star game.

The 2019 first rounder missed the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils’ doubleheader on Saturday and their last game of week against the Harrisburg Senators on Sunday, but the team won two of three to earn the series victory.

The Fightins now sit at 26-34 on the 2021 season; the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs have a record of 26-33; the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws are also 26-34; the Low-A Clearwater Threshers sport the system’s best record at 31-28; the FCL Phillies were 3-5 entering Monday.

Stott scores run in Futures Game

Stott, a shortstop for the Fightins, started at second base for the National League team in the Futures Game. He reached base twice and scored a run in a 8-3 win over the American League Futures.

In the third inning, he reached on an error by Texas Rangers pitching prospect Cole Ragans. Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia then drove Stott home with a home run.

Stott later made his way to first base on an uncaught third strike, not seeing another at-bat as he was replaced by Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Michael Busch.

Alexander pitches IronPigs to series win

29-year-old Tyler Alexander helped pitch Lehigh Valley to its first series win since May 23 on Sunday with a six-inning, one-run performance in a 5-1 win over the Worcester Red Sox.

The left-hander, who signed with the Phillies organization on July 4 after pitching with the Sussex County Miners in the independent Frontier League, allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out three batters in his first start and second appearance as a member of the IronPigs.

Friscia rides hitting streak for BlueClaws

Jersey Shore’s Vito Friscia extended his hitting streak to 11 games on Sunday. He had a hit in all six games last series against the Wilmington Blue Rocks, including three on Saturday.

The 24-year-old hit two singles and a home run in Saturday’s game and doubled on Tuesday. He hit .444/.522/.667 in those six games, playing first base and DH.

Friscia has bounced around the system this season due to his primary position being catcher. He’s spent time on the Fightins and IronPigs rosters when they needed a backup catcher in addition to Jersey Shore’s, but never appeared in a game in Double-A or Triple-A. Now seeing regular time for the BlueClaws, Friscia has found some success.

Abel shines again for Threshers

2020 No. 1 pick Mick Abel posted another impressive performance for Clearwater on Friday, throwing five hitless innings in a 4-3 loss against the Bradenton Marauders.

The game was at Bradenton, so Abel’s start was viewable on video broadcast; the Threshers do not have a video feed or broadcast. Fans were able to tune in and watch Abel strike out eight hitters using a mix of pitches.

The 19-year-old has a 4.23 ERA in 12 starts in his first season of professional baseball.

Farm Notes

Outfielder Adam Haseley (groin) begins a rehab assignment with the FCL Phillies on Monday, starting and playing right field.
Prospect left-hander Erik Miller continued his rehab assignment for the FCL Phillies on Friday, throwing three hitless innings. His fastball has sat around 95-97 mph. The 2019 fourth rounder will work to build his innings and pitch count.
Reading’s Josh Stephen was named Double-A Northeast player of the week after hitting .500 with three doubles and two homers in his last six games.