Phillies Prospect Watch: Russo, Pacheco Rack Up the K’s

Phillies’ pitching prospects put on another strong performance on Thursday, July 9, with Luke Russo and Brad Pacheco racking up the strikeouts for Reading and Clearwater.

Triple-A Lehigh Valley won 8-7 on a walkoff double from Christian Cairo. 33-year-old utility man Dylan Moore continued his recent tear at the plate, hitting two home runs on a 4-for-5 night, and former big leaguer Bryan De La Cruz hit a pair of doubles.

Double-A Reading won 11-5, amassing a ten-run lead before the Somerset Patriots started to punch back in the late innings. First baseman Alex Binelas (3-for-4 with a homer and two walks) reached base five times; third baseman Raider Tello went 2-for-5 with a double and knocked in three runs.

Catcher Kehden Hettiger doubled and walked, while Bryan Rincon and Aroon Escobar drew three free passes apiece. Starter Luke Russo fanned nine batters over six scoreless innings (94 pitches-63 strikes), allowing just three hits.

High-A Jersey Shore didn’t play due to inclement weather; Single-A Clearwater secured the affiliate sweep with a 6-1 win. The Threshers put on a small-ball showcase, logging 11 singles, four walks and six steals, including a steal of home plate.

Second baseman Robert Phelps (3-for-5 with two steals), left fielder Nolan Beltran (1-for-3 with two walks and two steals) and designated hitter Nathan Humphreys (2-for-4 with a walk and three steals) helped lead the offense. Starting pitcher Brad Pacheco allowed two hits in six innings, striking out seven batters on an economical 77 pitches; Phillies 2025 12th round pick Tyler Bowen continued to struggle, allowing the lone run despite two strikeouts in relief.