LAST TIME OUT: The 'Pigs rallied for a Saturday night victory, coming out with a 5-3 win over Syracuse thanks to a three-run eighth inning. Luis Verdgo tied the game with an RBI single before an Óscar Mercado RBI groundout gave the 'Pigs the lead. Gabriel Rincones Jr. provided insurance with an RBI single. Nolan Hoffman nailed down the win, get- ting the save with a scoreless ninth after putting the first two runners on. Payton Henry swatted a solo homer while Mercado also had an RBI single earlier in the game.
TODAY’S OPPONENT: Jonathan Pintaro closes out the 2025 season for Syracuse. Pintaro allowed just one run in four innings on Tuesday, his longest outing since June 13. He also struck out six, his most since punching out seven on July 20.
AWARD SZN: The IronPigs will announce today that OF Justin Crawford and RHP Mick Abel were named IronPigs Hitter and Pitcher of the Year. Additionally, 'Pigs S&C Coach Bruce Peditto was named IL S&C Coach of the Year as voted an by his peers.
Crawford put together one of the greatest single-seasons an IronPigs hitter has ever had. He currently holds the highest batting average in a season in franchise history at .334 which will also win him the International League batting crown. He's scored the 2nd most runs in franchise history with 88, stolen the 2nd most bases, 46, and is top-10 in numerous other categories. Crawford's acumen on the basepaths has helped the 'Pigs steal a franchise record 236 bases and counting. Justin's ability to impact the game at the plate, on the basepaths, and on defense made him one of the most complete players in not just the league this season, but one of the best to ever wear the IronPigs uniform. Abel returned to the IronPigs for a 2nd season and put together a phenomenal bounce back campaign. Mick was named International League pitcher of the month for May and was IL Pitcher of the week in mid-July. Mick finished his time with the 'Pigs holding a 7-2 record and 2.31 ERA. His seven wins still lead the team. He struck out 81 in 74 innings. Mick was traded to the Twins at the trade deadline this year as part of the deal to get current Phillies closer Jhoan Duran. Peditto was named IL S&C coach of the year was voted on by his peers throughout the league. Bruce is in his first year on the 'Pigs staff after spending 2019 and 2021 with the High-A Jersey Shore Blue Claws and then joining Reading for the 2022 season. Bruce's dedication to his craft, professionalism, and care for his atheltes comes through everyday and we are lucky to have him here with the 'Pigs.
ME AND 500,000+ OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS: The 'Pigs have crossed 500,000 plus fans welcomed to Coca-Cola Park this season, extending the streak to the duration of the franchise's existence (minus 2021 COVID restriced year) of welcoming half a million fans each year. Currently, the 'Pigs lead all of MiLB in average attendance (8,178) and are 2nd in total (556,137), needing just 14,540 fans to past Indianapolis for most in all of MiLB. It is the 3rd straight season the 'Pigs will lead in total attendance, and 2nd time in 3 seasons they will take home the crown for both total and average. The 'Pigs also welcomed their 10 millionth fan this season, the fastest in the modern era of MiLB to hit that mark.
ARRO-YO!: Since coming back off the IL, Christian Arroyo has been in a groove. He's hitting .333 in his last 11 with four doubles and a homer, driving in nine. Arroyo missed two weeks with a bone bruise following a hit by pitch in mid-August. He has multiple hits in four straight games, hitting .588 during the run.
NL EAST CROWN FIT FOR A 'PIG: The Phillies
clinched their second straight NL East title late Tues- day night with a victory out west over the Dodgers. Getting to celebrate the feat with the Phillies were the following 11 2025 IronPigs (rehab or otherwise): RHP Walker Buehler, RHP Max Lazar, RHP Aaron Nola (Rehab), RHP David Robertson, LHP Ranger Suarez (Rehab), RHP Lou Trivino, C Garrett Stubbs, INF Otto Kemp, INF Donovan Walton, OF Brandon Marsh
(Rehab), INF/OF Weston Wilson. There former 'Pigs are also currently on the IL as the Phils clinched: LHP Jose Alvarado (rehab), RHP Daniel Robert, INF Alec Bohm (rehab). In total, 25 different players have ap-
BLUE RIBBON 'PIGS: The 'Pigs tied the record for most wins in franchise history with their 85th on Sunday. At 85-57, they got to the mark quicker than the 2016 team, who won their final game (#143) to get to 85. This year's 'Pigs needed just 142 games. With five wins this week, they could become the first IL to 90 wins since Norfolk won 90 in 2023. The 'Pigs are also leading the race for best record in the IL (full season) by a game over Jacksonville, which would be the first time since 2018 they finish the year with the league's best record.
PRIZED PICKS OF THE LITTER: With Aidan Miller joining the fold last week, the 'Pigs cur- rently have three Phillies first round picks on the roster (Andrew Painter, '21, Justin Crawford, '22, Miller, '23). It's the first time since Alec Bohm, Mickey Moniak, Bryson Stott, Adam Hasely, and Cornelious Randolph were on the 2021 IronPigs (although not simultaneously) that the 'Pigs have had this many 1st round picks on the roster in a single-season.
HI, I'M PAUL: Paul McIntosh got his first two hit game as a 'Pig last Wednesday, driving in a run as well, and now has five RBI in six games with the 'Pigs. In his past 14 games (going back to his time w/Reading), McIntosh has four homers and 12 RBI, posting a .929 OPS.
TAIL WAGS THE DOG: Jacob Waguespack worked two perfect innings on Wednesday, his second straight outing of at least two frames. It's the first time he's done that in relief since 9/10/24 & 9/14/24 when he was with Durham against Norfolk. He's now gone multiple innings in three straight outings.
TRACKING DOWN HISTORY: Multiple team and individual franchise records are within reach for the 'Pigs with two weeks of the season left. At 85 wins, the 'Pigs need just one more win to eclipse the franchise mark of 85 set in 2016. They've already stolen the most bases in franchise history, the first time they've swiped over 200. The 'Pigs are 40 runs from becoming the best offense in franchise history ('23, 857), and 30 walks from most BB ('23, 697). Otto Kemp has already set the record for most HBP in a single season too (19).
CRAWFORD'S CROWNS: Justin Crawford currently has the mark for the IL batting crown (.334) which would also be a franchise record. Crawford is also closing in on the runs record (90), stolen bases (48), and hits (158) in IronPigs franchise history.
WALKING ON (LANTI)AGUA: Rafael Lantigua is third in the IL in walks with 77. He needs just three more walks to set the LHV franchise record. The current mark is 79 set by JP Crawford in 2017. Lantigua already holds the record for most walks in a single game in LHV history with five, done earlier this season.
BICK TO THE FUTURE: Or I guess Phil of the Future could've worked too. Phil Bickford got activated off the temporarily inactive list on Sunday. Bickford allowed just two runs in August, with nine of his 10 outings being scoreless (10IP, 13K). He got the win in the series opener on Tuesday with a scoreless eighth.
IT'S MILLER TIME: One of the top prospects in the Phillies system, Aidan Miller makes his home debut this week with the IronPigs. Miller spent just over one full season with double-A Reading. The Phillies 2023 first round pick out of high school, he slashed 259/.382/.427 with an .809 OPS through 108 games. He hit 13 home runs and recorded 41 RBIs to go along with 52 stolen bases. Miller was twice named Eastern League player of the week in August. A top-100 prospect, Miller has slashed .361/.485/.630 with five homers since August 1. Miller walked three times and stole three bases in his debut last Tuesday, becoming the first 21 year old in the International League to accomplish that feat (let alone do it in his debut).
THE OTTOMAN KEMPIRE EXPANDS: Otto Kemp was recalled by the Phillies last Monday, bringing to a close a 16-game return to Lehigh Valley. Kemp slashed .300/.419/.483 in his time back with the 'Pigs with two homers and 12 RBI, scoring 15 times. At the time of Kemp's departure in June, the 'Pigs were 43-18. They went 24-34 in his absence and then went 14-3 in his return. On the season, the 'Pigs are 57-21 with Kemp on the roster.
DON QUIXOTE: Donovan Walton wrapped up an insane month of August, slashing .381/.455/.500 with 16 runs scored and 12 driven in. He walked 13 times against just 12
strikeouts. He had multiple hits in exactly half of his games played in the month (12/24), with eight coming in his last 12 games. Thanks to this effort, he had his contract selected by the Phillies last Monday, marking his first time in the big leagues this season.
THE PULMONARY 'PIGS: The 'Pigs have nine lives (or maybe 11) now that they have 11 walk-off wins this season. They have gone an absured 17-2 in one-run games at home. The 'Pigs got another one-run win last Tuesday, meaning that nine of their last 17 wins have been one-run triumphs.
WRECK IT RODOLFO: Wrecking opposing pitching, Rodolfo Castro has driven in a run in nine of 11 games. He drove in 11 runs in a three-game span in Omaha, driving in at least three in every game, tying him for the longest streak of driving in at least three-run in a game in the IL this season. Over his last 15, Castro is slashing .382/.429/.691 with five homers and 21 RBI.
UNCLE RICO: Gabriel Rincones Jr. missed about two weeks with an ankle sprain and came off the IL on August 20. He was just 1-for-12 in his first three games, but then rattled off five
straight multi-hit games since, going 11-for-23 with four homers and 10 RBI in his next five games. Since the start of July, Rincones is slashing .303/.422/.579 with 10 homers and 34 RBI.
ROJAS RETOOLED: Johan Rojas revamped his swing, adding a higher leg kick and more open stance. The change has had immediate dividends with Rojas proceeding to go on a 13-game hitting streak starting on August 9. He slashed .344/.385/.475 with three doubles, a triple,and homer during the streak. Since August 9, he's gone hitless in just four games.
TURN ON THE AC: Anthony Contreras returns to the IronPigs as manager for the 4th straight season, becoming just the second IronPig manager to man the bench for four years. AC be- came the winningest manager in franchise history (287) with his victory on August 6, passing Dave Brundage.