Felix Reyes’ first four professional seasons in the Phillies minor league system were rather pedestrian, capped by a .243/.280/.375 slash line last year at high-A Jersey Shore.

But things clicked after a trip to the Colombian Winter League to work with Manny Amodor, the Phillies’ field coordinator in the Dominican Republic.

Reyes batted .344 with 12 doubles and 12 RBIs in 24 games in winter ball was followed by a breakthrough stateside season in 2025.

The 24-year-old slashed 335/.365/.572 in 95 games with 34 doubles, four triples, 15 home runs and 13 stolen bases — all career highs — for Double-A Reading.

Reyes was rewarded for his hard work with a promotion this week to Triple-A Lehigh. The corner infielder/outfielder had five hits in his first three games with the IronPigs through Thursday, including a home run.

“It feels like the season’s gone really well,” Reyes said through translator and IronPigs teammate Oscar Mercado. “I made it a goal to focus every day as much as I can and just keep working hard until the very end.

“[Reaching Triple-A] never crossed my mind. But I felt really good and if I continued on that same trajectory, I could end up here. I’m thankful for it.”

Reyes, in addition to getting 100 extra plate appearances in Colombia, made a mechanical adjustment under Amodor’s watchful eye.

“[Amodor] tilted my bat up a little more and became really comfortable,” the Dominican Republic native said. “He put me in a really good spot.”

Reyes, whose .338 overall average is one the highest at any level this season in the minor leagues, is planning on returning to winter league ball to continue his progression. He’ll also continue to test himself against more experienced pitchers.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder is not among the Phillies’ top 30 prospects but could become part of the organization’s conversation with another season like 2025.

He’s hoping to get more input from veterans in the IronPigs’ clubhouse including Mercado, who spent parts of five seasons with three major league teams.

“I just try to help with whatever I can,” Mercado said. “Everyone has their own way of doing things, but I feel confident in something that I’m seeing then I try to communicate it to the best that I can.”

Justin Crawford update

Outfielder Justin Crawford (concussion) might make an appearance before the season ends Sunday, though it’s not likely. The 22-year-old did baseball-related activities Wednesday and Thursday.

“[Wednesday] was the best day he’s had since the [concussion],” IronPigs manager Anthony Contreras said. “Obviously, concussions are funky to deal with. You go at the speed of his symptoms.

“It would be great to see him out there just to say he came back, but I don’t know. His brain will dictate how he feels after the practices and activities the training staff has him doing. That will dictate whether he even sniffs the field.”

Crawford, who is on the injured list, is first in the International League in batting average (.334) and runs (88), second in hits (147), tied for third in on-base percentage (.411) and third in stolen bases (46).

Impressive 2025 debut

Griff McGarry’s first (and only) Triple-A outing was a memorable one. The right-hander allowed only one hit, a home run three batters into Thursday’s game, two walks and a hit batter in five solid innings. He struck out eight, most on a stellar curveball. The 26-year-old threw 51 of 89 pitches for strikes, retired the last 10 and had 10 of 19 first-pitch strikes.

McGarry (1-0) threw 28 pitches in the first inning (14 strikes). He allowed a solo home run with two outs, then hit a batter and walked another before settling down.

He was 1-4 with a 3.25 ERA in 17 starts this year for Double-A Reading.

How they scored

Top 1: Jared Young hit his 17th home run of the season with two outs. Mets 1-0

Bottom 4: Christian Arroyo singled and Felix Reyes walked. Rodolfo Castro’s one-out, ground-rule double scored Arroyo. It is his team-leading 82nd RBI of the year. Reyes scored on a wild pitch with two outs. Castro scored on Erick Brito’s single. After Johan Rojas walked and a pitching change, Aidan Miller and Gabriel Rincones walked to score Brito. IronPigs 4-1

Top 8: Luis De Los Santos singled, took third when Gilberto Celestino’s infield single was thrown away and scored on Jett Williams’ sacrifice fly to right. IronPigs 4-2

Bottom 8: Payton Henry and Erick Brito singled. Rojas sacrificed both runners over before Henry scored on a two-out wild pitch. After Gabriel Rincones walked, Arroyo hit a three-run home run off former IronPig/Phillie Yacksiel Rios. IronPigs 8-2

Up next

RHP Mitch Neunborn (0-4, 8.10 ERA) vs. Syracuse RHP Joander Suarez (1-2, 9.28) in a 7:05 p.m. start from Coca-Cola Park. Neunborn, a South Africa native, has allowed 12 earned runs in his last two starts spanning seven innings.

Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com

Originally Published: September 18, 2025 at 9:35 PM EDT