Catch of the Day - Volume 7

Catch of the Day - Volume 7

You put your whole heart into the game. We make sure it’s healthy. We have a passion for heart health, starting with leading specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of all cardiac conditions. In partnership with Rutgers Health, we offer convenient access to surgical care, research and clinical trials through the RWJBarnabas Health network of heart centers. And, we provide innovative, non-invasive and image-based coronary diagnostic testing. It’s all part of our dedication to every heart in our community. Learn more at rwjbh.org/heart. Comprehensive cardiac care for all.

RWJBarnabas Health is the official health care provider of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

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BRAD BERGESEN  PITCHING COACH Born: Concord, CA… Resides: Auburn, AL… Former pitcher. Moved to Jersey Shore (A) for the 2022 season after previously coaching with Reading (AA) in 2020-21, Clearwater (A) in 2019 and Lakewood (A) in 2018, his first season as a coach at the professional level. Pitched in the major leagues for four years for the Baltimore Orioles (2009-11) and Arizona Diamond- backs (2012), going 19-25 with four complete games and a 4.61 ERA in 102 games (59 starts). In 2013, made 14 appearances for the Chunichi Dragons of the Central League in Japan. More recently, pitched in the independent Atlantic League for the York Revo- lution (2015) and Lancaster Barnstormers (2017). Was originally selected by the Orioles in the fourth round of the June 2004 draft. ARI ADUT  HITTING COACH Born: Burbank, CA… Resides: Tampa, FL… Former outfielder. Joined the Phillies in 2021 as hitting coach in the Florida Complex League before being assigned to Jersey Shore (A) for the 2022 season. Spent 2020 as hitting coach for the New York Yankees’ Dominican Summer League team after five years (2015-19) as an assistant coach and strength & conditioning coach at Los Angeles Valley College (CA). Played professional- ly in the independent Pecos League with the Garden City Wind (2015) and Alpine Cowboys (2016). Earned his bachelor’s degree at East Central University (OK) and his master’s in kinesiology from Fresno Pacific University (CA). STEVE TORREGROSSA  ATHLETIC TRAINER Born: Fair Lawn, NJ… Resides: Fair Lawn… Joined Jersey Shore (A) for 2022 after spending last season with Lehigh Valley (AAA) as assistant athletic trainer. Was previously with Clearwater (A) in 2020 and spent two seasons (2018-19) with Williamsport (A). Also interned for two seasons (2016-17). Attained his bach- elor’s degree in science, athletic training from East Stroudsburg University (PA) and is currently working toward his master’s degree from the California Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. Was the recipient of the 2017 Dr. Clarence Livingood Scholarship Award from the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society.

MEET your 2022 STAFF

KEITH WERMAN  MANAGER Born: Redondo Beach, CA… Resides: San Diego, CA… Former infielder. Joined the Phillies player development sta after spending the last five years in the San Diego Padres organization, four as major league development coordinator (2018- 21) and one as a coach at El Paso (AAA). Prior to that, spent three seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan as international operations coordinator. As a high school senior, earned First-Team All-Met honors from The Washington Post in 2008 after hitting .450 as a catcher, going the entire season without an error or passed ball. Switched to second base at the University of Virginia, where he hit a career .309 with 178 hits and helped the Cavaliers reach the College World Series in 2009 and 2011. Led the nation in sacrifice bunts with 27 in 2011 and 28 in 2012. Was signed by Seattle as a minor league free agent on June 17, 2012 and played in the Mariners system for two seasons.

VANESSA ESCANILLA  STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH Born: Hoboken, NJ… Resides: Mechanicsville, VA… Joined Jersey Shore (A) for the 2022 season af- ter two years with the Gulf Coast/Florida Complex League Phillies (R). Spent 2019 as a strength and conditioning intern with the GCL Phillies. Previously worked as a strength and conditioning coach at Virginia Commonwealth University for one year (2018). Earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise sci- ence from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a master’s degree in exercise science from Liberty University (VA). 96) and Astros (1997), batting .251 in 503 career games. Named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1992 after batting .290 with a .352 OBP in 149 games. Was selected by Milwaukee in the fifth round of the June 1988 draft. His grandfather, Nora Listach, played in the majors for the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League in 1941. PAT LISTACH  BENCH COACH Born: Natchitoches, LA… Resides: Spring, TX … Former infielder/outfielder. Joined Jersey Shore (A) for the 2022 season after spending two sea- sons managing Aceros de Monclava in the Mexican League, leading them to their first league champion- ship in 2019. Prior to his stint in the Mexican League, spent four seasons (2015-18) in the Seattle Mariners organization as the manager of the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA). Began his coaching career in the Chicago Cubs system, managing at West Tennessee (AA) and Tennessee in 2006 and 2007, respectively, before being promoted to Iowa (AAA) in 2008, where he was named Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year. Joined the Washington Nationals as third base coach at the major league level in 2009. Returned the Cubs as bench coach for the 2011 season and was named third base coach the following year. Spent 2013 as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league infield coor- dinator before spending 2014 as the Houston Astros’ first base coach. As a player, spent parts of six major league seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers (1992-

HOMERUN TASTE

PITCHERS

B/T HT. WT. DOB

ACQ.

RESIDENCE

LAST APPEARANCE

Clearwater CLR/JS CLR/JS/REA

Abel, Mick Anderson, Aidan Armenta, Erubiel Baker, Andrew Brown, Ben Francisco, Carlos Glogoski, Kyle Hernandez, Cristian Hughes, Jonathan McGarry, Gri McGowan, Christian McKay, Tyler Mezquita, Jhordany Pipkin, Dominic Reyes, Carlo Rucorn, Jason Russell, Matthew Schultz, Andrew Vargas, Victor Woodward, JP CATCHERS Ellison, Karl Matera, Nick Nava, Andrick Garcia, Luis Martin, Casey Stewart, DJ Tatum, McCarthy Torres, Nicolas Viloria, Uziel Wingrove, Rixon INFIELDERS

R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/L

6-6 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-0 6-5 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-6

195 195 210 200 220 218 183 225 200 190 205 177 220 185 210 205 200 195 200 225

8/18/2001 6/21/1997 3/11/2000 3/24/2000 9/9/1999 7/2/1999 1/6/1999 9/23/2000 1/8/1997 6/8/1999 3/7/2000 8/18/1997 1/30/1998 11/5/1999 7/4/1998 7/21/1998 3/28/2999 7/31/1997 9/3/2000 11/13/1998

1st rd (15th), 2020 NDFA, 2019 AFA, 2019 11th rd, 2021 33rd rd, 2017 28th rd, 2019 NDFA, 2020 5th rd, 2021 7th rd, 2021 16th rd, 2018 8th rd, 2017 9th rd, 2018 AFA, 2018 AFA, 2018 AFA, 2017 8th rd, 2021 NDFA, 2021 6th rd, 2019 AFA, 2017

Vancouver, WA Port Arthur, TX Tiajuana, MEX Pike Road, AL East Setauket, NY Orlando, FL Auckland, NZ Cumana, VZ Flowery Branch, GA Portola Valley, CA Bokchito, OK Lee’s Summit, MO Santiago, DR Pinole Valley, CA

FCL/Clearwater FCL/Jer. Shore FCL/CLR/JS FCL/REA/LHV FCL/Clearwater Jersey Shore CLR/JS FCL/Clearwater FCL/Jer. Shore Jer. Shore/REA Jersey Shore CLR/JS/REA Clearwater Clearwater (Did not pitch)

Boca Chica, CA Cedar Park, TX Shell Knob, MO Knoxville, TN Cartegena, COL Baltimore, MD

CLR/JS/LHV FCL/CLR/JS

LAST APPEARANCE

B/T HT. WT. DOB

ACQ.

RESIDENCE

R/R R/R S/R

6-0 6-1 5-11

200 225 215

5/23/1995 8/29/1996 10/6/2001

FA, 2022 34th rd, 2018 AFA, 2018

Naples, FL Succasunna, NJ Cabimas, VZ

Lake Erie (Ind) FCL/CLR/JS/REA FCL Phillies

B/T HT. WT. DOB

ACQ.

RESIDENCE

LAST APPEARANCE

CLR/JS CLR/JS CLR/JS JS/REA CLR/JS FCL/CLR FCL/CLR

S/R R/R R/R R/R R/R S/R L/R

5-11 5-10 6-1 6-4 5-10

170 175 225 205 187 155 260

San Pedro de Macoris, DR Little Rock, AR St. Louis, MO Clovis, CA Puerto Caballo, VZ Puerto Plata, DR Newcastle, Australia

10/1/2000 4/7/1999 2/2/1999 5/15/1996 9/23/1999 10/6/2001 5/23/2000

AFA, 2017 3rd rd, 2020 39th rd, 2017 10th rd, 2019

AFA, 2016 AFA, 2019 AFA, 2018

5-9 6-5

OUTFIELDERS B/T HT. WT. DOB

ACQ.

RESIDENCE

LAST APPEARANCE

Clearwater FCL/CLR/JS FCL/CLR FCL/CLR/JS Clearwater

Carr, Jared De La Cruz, Carlos Radcli, Baron

L/R R/R L/R R/R L/L

6-1 6-8 6-4 6-0 6-2

195 240 235 175 213

5/24/1999 10/6/1999 2/9/1999 8/14/2000 11/7/1999

13th rd, 2021 NDFA, 2017 5th rd, 2020 AFA, 2018 2nd rd, 2021

Martinsburg, WV Yonkers, NY Lilburn, GA San Francisco de Macoris, DR Andalusia, AL

Rojas, Johan Wilson, Ethan

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RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group

Make sure expert primary care is part of your game plan. The Combined Medical Group of RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health offers residents an exceptional network of primary care physicians to not only treat you when you are sick, but guide you to improved health and wellness. Virtual and in-person visits available.

A primary care provider is your partner in:

The treatment of common illnesses and injuries Reaching weight loss and wellness goals Facilitating an annual physical and ordering appropriate tests and blood work

Mental health screenings

Medication management

Managing chronic health conditions like diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and lupus

Visit rwjbh.org/medgroupprimarycare to find a provider near you.

RWJBarnabas Health is the official health care provider of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

NOTE #1  ON THE MOVE Three BlueClaws were promoted this week – RHP Ben Brown and OF Carlos De La Cruz to Reading and C Karl Ellison to Lehigh Valley…Brown, who threw four scoreless innings in his last appearance on Thursday, went 3-5, 3.08 with 105 strikeouts and 23 walks in 73 innings pitched…De La Cruz hit .266 with 10 home runs, seven of which came in July…Ellison hit .134 with one home run with Jersey Shore while throwing out nine potential base stealers. NOTE #2  LOCK IT DOWN Three dierent BlueClaws have five or more saves so far this season. Jason Rucorn has saved seven games, all in the first two months of the season. Aidan Anderson has eight saves, all of which have come since June 3rd. Jonathan Hughes has sprinkled in five saves, all since May 24th.

NOTE #3  PAINTER, ABEL SIZZLING The last two Phillies first-round picks, prior to this year’s draft, pitch back to back as part of the BlueClaws rotation and both threw six scoreless innings last weekend in Wilmington. Mick Abel (2020) threw six scoreless innings on Friday night and Andrew Painter followed with six scoreless innings on Saturday night in a pair of BlueClaws shutout victories. Abel is 6-7, 3.92 this season with 94 strikeouts in 78 innings pitched. Painter, who joined the BlueClaws on June 6th, is 1-0, 1.59 in six games with 29 strike- outs in 22.2 innings pitched.

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RWJBarnabas Health is the official health care provider of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

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the offer because I really wanted to get into the system and play pro ball.” He spent 2019 with the BlueClaws at just 19 years old and learned about being a professional baseball player. “The process. It’s been a long ride, to be honest, a lot of journeys learning new things every day,” he said. “Learning that each day is a different day and having a different approach for each day. I’ve come a long way. The day to day grind is the hardest part. Not letting something throw you off your game. It’s the hardest thing I’ve learned from 2019.” Now, he’s thriving. July of 2022 was maybe the best month of his career.

He hit .289 with seven home runs, including two in a July 23rd game at ShoreTown Ballpark against Brooklyn. “I definitely think this is one of the best stretches I’ve had so far. Everything is connecting. I can’t really complain and just want to keep working.” After another strong road trip in Wilmington, where he hit two more home runs, he was promoted to Double-A Reading on August 1st. He hit seventh and DH’d for the Fightin’ Phils on August 2nd in his Double-A debut. He’s come a long way from George Washington High School, all the way to Double-A. ♦

DE LA CRUZ CHECKING IN WITH CARLOS

Editor’s Note – this interview was done before De La Cruz was promoted to Double-A Reading on August 1st. The first thing that stands out when you look at Carlos De La Cruz is the size of Carlos De La Cruz. Standing at 6-8, he’s the tallest player in any clubhouse. But basketball, perhaps surprisingly, was never a sport he was drawn to. “I was always a baseball player. Basketball was more of a hobby,” he said. “I got the love of baseball from my family. My dad was a pro ball player and I got the love of baseball from my family for sure.” That’s not to say the basketball coaches at George Washington High School didn’t try to bring De La Cruz to the hardwood. After all, he was 6-4 as a 14 year old freshman. Baseball, however, won out. De La Cruz signed with the Phillies in August of 2017, about two weeks before he was set to start college. “I GOT THE LOVE OF BASEBALL FROM MY FAMILY.”

He had been playing in some summer leagues while talking to teams, including the Phillies. “I was committed and I got an offer a week later and I ended up in the system. I didn’t lose much sleep. It was a week-long process, but I’m glad I got (continued on next page)

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