Stay up-to-date with all team and player news and notes all season long. Go 'Pigs!
LAST TIME OUT: The 'Pigs got their first walk-off win of the season on Friday night, topping the WooSox 4-3 in 11 innings. The win tied the series at two games apiece. Weston Wilson whacked a solo homer, John Hicks doubled twice, and Michael Plassmeyer twirled six innings of two-run baseball, striking out seven. Simon Muzziotti won the game in the 11th with a sacrifice fly that dropped in thanks to an error.
TODAY’S OPPONENT: LHP Brandon Walter makes a homecoming in his start for the WooSox. Walter was a 26th round pick of the Red Sox out of the University of Delaware in 2019. Walter was born in New Castle, Delaware. Walter is making his third start of the year. Last time out, he allowed two runs over five innings to Columbus on April 15. He struck out five and walked three, allowing four hits. Walter is the Red Sox 7th ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline. Tuesday night's starter Bryan Mata goes in game two for the WooSox. Mata went five in- nings on Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks, striking out six.
RAIN RAIN GO AWAY: Saturday night's 'Pigs game was postponed due to rain. It was the first home postponment this season for the Iron- Pigs and forces their second series ending doubleheader of the season (4/8 scheduled DH vs. Scranton/W-B). Sunday will be the final April home game for the IronPigs as they don't return to Coca-Cola Park until May 9 against Memphis.
HICKS ON A HEATER: John Hicks began his season just 4-for-25, a .160 average. Since, he is 8-for-17 (.471/.444/.647) with three doubles, two RBI, and five runs scored. He's also managed to steal a base in four consecutive starts as well and hasn't been caught this season, going 7-for-7 swiping bags.
STAY GOLDEN PONY: Currently riding a 13-game on base streak, Esteban Quiroz has been golden at the top of the order for the IronPigs this season. Nicknamed "Pony" during his first year playing professionally in the Mexican League, the nickname derives from Quiroz being the youngest on the roster that season at just 19. The average age of the Tigres de Quintana Roo roster that season was 31.1 for the posi- tion players. Los Tigres won the Mexican League championship that season as well.
LIGHTS OUT 'PEN: After allowing a run in the seventh, the 'Pigs bullpen clamped down the Red Sox down the stretch last night. Jakob Hernandez, Jesus Cruz, and Trey Cobb combined for four no-hit innings, allowing just two walks while striking out four. Cruz and Cobb even managed to strand both placed runners in the 10th and 11th. SO
FRISCHIA SO CLEAN: Vito Friscia started the year on the development list and was activated for the first time on April 13. In his second start, he smacked his first homer of the year. He followed this up by homering twice on Thursday, giving him three on the season in just three games played. It was his first multi-homer game at the AAA level and first since 2021 with High-A Jersey Shore. Friscia played for Team Italy during the WBC, going 0-5 with five walks. Frischia was a 40th round pick in 2019, the 1200th pick of that year's draft.
FRANCISCO-MANIA: After allowing four runs in his first two innings of the season, Francisco Morlaes has rattled off four consecutive score- less appearences. In 6.2 innings, he's allowing just one hit and one walk, striking out 12.
JHAIL TIME: Jhailyn Ortiz came off the development list on Tuesday and made an instant impact on Wednesday. The Phillies no. 18 pros- pect went 3-4 with a two-run homer that was recorded at 117 MPH. That ranks sixth in the entirety of recorded batted ball events this season, across MLB and both Triple-A leagues. Ortiz ranks one spot ahead of Shohei Ohtani and a spot behind Giancarlo Stanton.
PIGS ON THE RUN: The IronPigs are tied first in the league with 34 stolen bases, having been caught just five times. On the 34 stolen bases, the 'Pigs have an average sprint speed of 29 ft/sec, which ranks 10th in all of AAA baseball. Scott Kingery leads the way with 8 stolen bases, which is tied third in the International League. Catcher John Hicks has also snagged seven stolen bases as well, tied eighth in the league. In a speedy matchup, the WooSox are also tied first in the IL in stolen bases with 34.
MUZZY BEAR: Simon Muzziotti has been a hit machine so far this season, leading the 'Pigs with six multi-hit games. Muzziotti is hitting .317 which leads the ballclub as does his 19 knocks overall. Muzziotti was originally signed by the Red Sox out of Venezula, but then declared a free agent in 2016 and then signed with the Phillies.
SCHOOLBOY Q(SAR): Jordan Qsar took taken revenge on his former team last week, posting eight RBIs against Durham in just five games played. The 8 RBI are more than Qsar had in his 24 games played with Durham last season (6). Qsar was oringially drafted by the Rays out of Pepperdine in 2018 and was traded to the Phillies for cash during Spring Training.
FIRST 'PIG TO THE BIGS OF 2023: Acquired by the Phillies from the White Sox for Adam Haseley on March 29, 2022, McKinley Moore had his contract selected by the Phillies on April 4 and was promoted to the Major Leagues for the first time in his career. Moore was optioned back to the IronPigs on April 16, as RHP Luis Ortiz was promoted from the 'Pigs to the Phillies for the first time this season.
TOP-30 TALENT: Five Phillies top-30 prospects (per MLB Pipeline) are currently on the Iron- Pigs roster. Simon Muzziotti ranks 10th, Jhailyn Ortiz 18th, McKinley Moore 20th, Francisco Morales 24th, and Hans Crouse 25th.