Caleb Ricketts-Fightin Phils

Paul Roberts — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 10:39:00 +0000

Baseball players take different paths to reach the professional ranks. In the case of Caleb Ricketts, it meant staying in college for four years. “It helped me tremendously [to] grow as a player and a person, emotionally too. I was a totally different player than I was at 18. I’m really grateful for those four years I spent at USD,” said Ricketts. The 6’3, 225-pound catcher put up big numbers as a senior at the University of San Diego. He hit .373 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI in 56 games. The Phillies selected Ricketts in the seventh round of the 2022 draft. The left-handed hitter got off to a great start last year in Clearwater. He posted a .368 batting average while driving in 23 runs in 23 games. Unfortunately, injuries cost him about two months. Ricketts struggled after being promoted to High-A Jersey Shore. The 23-year-old hit .218 in 44 games while dealing with a wrist injury. He was able to get some more plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League. “That was an awesome experience. That was a blessing to be able to go out there and play. I definitely learned a lot from all my coaches and teammates,” remarked Ricketts. He’s ranked as the #21 prospect in the Phillies’ minor league system. Reading won its season opener 5-2 at Bowie on Friday night. The Fightin Phils scored three times in the 9th inning. Max Lazar struck out the side in the bottom half of the frame for the save. Southpaw Matt Osterberg got the start. He allowed one unearned run on two hits over 3.2 innings. Jordi Martinez picked up the win in relief. The lefty tossed 1.2 hitless innings with four strikeouts. Ricketts is confident in Reading’s pitching staff. “I think all of our guys are gonna be able to bring it to the table and help us win,” he replied.

Robert Moore-Fightin Phils

Paul Roberts — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 20:07:50 +0000

Robert Moore celebrated his birthday in a unique way. The Reading Fightin Phils infielder went to Gettysburg and explored the battlefield and monuments. Moore turned 22 on Easter Sunday. He’ll get his first shot at the Double-A level on Friday night when Reading visits Bowie. Moore had a breakout season at Arkansas in 2021. He led the Razorbacks with 16 home runs while hitting .283. Moore scored 59 runs and drove in 53 more. His numbers dipped the following year, but the Brewers selected him in the second round. Last November, Milwaukee traded Moore and Hendry Mendez to Philadelphia for infielder Oliver Dunn. “That’s what I like about minor league baseball, you never know where it’s gonna take you. I was in Appleton last year which is right next to Lambeau Field,” said Moore. The switch-hitter played for the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. He displayed his speed with 26 stolen bases and 33 doubles. Moore hit .233 with a .682 OPS and 62 RBI. He mentioned that he doesn’t have a preference between shortstop and second base. Moore has been around the game his entire life. His father, Dayton, is a senior advisor with the Texas Rangers. He previously served as General Manager and President of Baseball Operations for the Kansas City Royals. Robert is one of the youngest guys on the Fightin Phils’ roster. Fourteen of the players are 25 or older. They’re enjoying a brand new clubhouse that was part of a $45 million renovation project at FirstEnergy Stadium. There are new locker rooms, as well as a weight room and training facility. “The best part about it is walking into a new bathroom and shower and knowing it hasn’t been used for 50 years,” joked Moore.

Phils – Berks Sports Report

Caleb Ricketts-Fightin Phils

Robert Moore-Fightin Phils