The past few seasons for the Fightin’ Phils may not have gone as the Philadelphia Phillies organization hoped, but the future looks bright in Reading.
“I’m very excited. I think the group this year is a lot different from the last two years,” Fightin Phils Manager Al Pedrique said in his opening Media Day news conference. “The fact is, we are younger. Fun players to work with, and I think overall, we have a well-balanced team.”
The Fightins have some promising young talent that got their feet wet in Reading at the end of last season, while also returning several key contributors who will help tally up the wins this season.
Pedrique enters his third season as Reading’s skipper. He led the team to almost identical records in 2023 (59-77) and 2024 (59-78).
In 2019, the Fightin Phils finished with an 80-59 record as the top seed in the Eastern League, but were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
Looking ahead to 2025, Reading has an extremely talented roster, with strong pitching depth and a wealth of experienced players in the field.
This year’s team is headlined by shortstop Aidan Miller. The 20-year-old was ranked as the Phillies’ No.1 prospect by MLB Pipeline after last season.
For the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (A+) and Clearwater Threshers (A), Miller posted a .267 batting average, 58 RBIs and 22 stolen bases over 97 games.
Miller only appeared in five games for Reading at the end of last season, posting a .190 batting average and two RBIs.
There are high expectations not only for Pedrique and his staff but also for the Phillies, as they hope to see their top prospect develop into a future Major League All-Star.
“I think the biggest thing is staying where my feet are at. Taking it one day at a time,” Miller said. “Last year, I got into a little funk in the middle of the year. I was thinking about past results, thinking about future results too much, and it really helps to stay grounded and take it one day and just be myself.”
Miller was the 27th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Florida.
He also appeared in the Spring Breakout game this past Spring Training, spending time in Clearwater, Florida.
“It was a lot of fun. I think my biggest goal was to make a good first impression and learn as much as I could,” Miller said. “Pick the brains of all the great coaches and players over there.”
All eyes in Reading will be on Miller this season, as he will play a crucial role in their success.
“Sky’s the limit for that kid. He’s incredible,” outfielder Marcus Lee Sang said. “I’ve been able to meet him in camps and in the past. I think day after day, all he has to do is just be himself, and there’s no telling how high he can go.”
Along with Miller, pitchers Jean Cabrera and Moisés Chace are two prospects the Phillies are high on, with both making the 40-man roster.
“It was a very happy moment and I’m proud of myself because I’ve fought and worked really hard to get where I’m at,” Cabrera said.
Cabrera made five starts last season after being called up from Jersey Shore (A+), where he struck out 91 batters in 77 innings and posted a 2.25 ERA in the Double-A.
As for Chace, the 21-year-old was acquired along with pitcher Seth Johnson in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles on July 30, in exchange for pitcher Gregory Soto.
After also spending some time down at the Jersey Shore, Chace was promoted to Reading and made his opportunity count. In August, he was named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month, posting a 2.59 ERA.
The organization is excited about what both pitchers can grow into, but just like Miller, Pedrique knows it’ll take time.
“Number one is for both of them to stay healthy,” Pedrique said of Cabrera and Chace. “They have very good ...
