ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Lehigh Valley IronPigs arrived at Media Day at Coca-Cola Park on Wednesday exuding a sense that things will be looking up in 2025.
Unlike the disappointing 2024 season, when the only looking up for the Pigs was at other teams in the 10-team, International League East Division standings.
The IronPigs went 68-78 and finished seventh, 19 ½ games behind division winner Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
This year, the players insist, will be different.
One difference when the season opens at home at 6:05 p.m. Friday, March 28, against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders will be Japanese righthander Koyo Aoyagi.
"I’m learning how top players think and how they carry themselves. Being around them every day is inspiring me to carry myself in the same manner.”Japanese righthander Koyo Aoyagi, through an interpreter
A non-roster invitee, Aoyagi, 31, is a three-time All-Star in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He recorded a 61-47 record with a 3.08 ERA in nine seasons in Japan.
The sidearm-throwing right-hander will become the first Japanese-born player to play for the IronPigs.
“Being here has been great,” Aoyagi said through an interpreter. “Everything is new and exciting. I’m learning how top players think and how they carry themselves.
"Being around them every day is inspiring me to carry myself in the same manner.”
When Aoyagi learned he would start the season at Triple-A, he said the Phillies coaches told him this would give him time to get used to a new environment, as well as getting used to MLB baseballs, which are slightly larger than those in Japan.
“This will be a new scene for him — a regular starter now coming out of the bullpen,” IronPigs fourth-year manager Anthony Contreras said. “That’ll be an adjustment.
"And him using Major League Baseball balls rather than a Japanese ball will be an adjustment.
“Koyo asks questions. He’s kind of adapting to the culture around here. But he’s not afraid to put himself out there. We’ve embraced him fully and are going to lean on him to be a force in the bullpen.
“Hopefully, with success, he gets up to Philadelphia quickly.”
Mix of veterans, promising youth
Apart from Aoyaga, a mix of veterans, such as 2024 Phillies backup catcher Garrett Stubbs, and promising young players have infused a sense of optimism.
“The veterans will help the younger guys, which is a huge benefit,” Contreras said.
“They can lean on the veterans, who can teach them how to go about their business. I can also lean on them [the veterans]. We have a good balance of young and old.”
The optimism is headlined by outfielder Justin Crawford, the organization’s No. 3 prospect and a Top 60 prospect in baseball.
Crawford, 21, the son of former major leaguer Carl Crawford, slashed .316/.371/.442 in 953 plate appearances over the past three seasons at Class A and Class AA.
Like his father, he possesses great foot speed, having stolen 99 bases and played an elite-level centerfield since he was drafted 17th overall in 2022.
In eight Grapefruit League games this spring, Crawford went 4-for-11 (.364) with two walks, two stolen bases and a strikeout.
“I’m constantly learning,” he said. “If things don’t go well, I know not to hit the panic button. It’s all about believing in myself and staying with my support system.”
Despite his young age and the Phillies having veteran Brandon Marsh and 24-year-old Johan Rojas in center field, Crawford admits he has his eye on making that last jump to the big leagues.
“My goal is to get there tomorrow,” he said. “I’m really young to think about that stuff. I just go out and focus on what Justin Crawford can do, get ready for a game and compete.”
Crawford is among six Phillies’ top-30 prospects with the IronPigs: righthander Mick Abel (8th), outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. (10th), righthander Seth Johnson (12th), righthander Michael Mercado 22nd and infielder Otto Kemp (23rd).
The IronPigs were challenged offensively, defensively and on the mound in 2024.
In the 19-team I.L., they placed 14th in RBIs, 17th in batting average and 18th in doubles.
The challenge of improving offensively is underscored by the absence of the IronPigs’ top two run producers who combined for 41 home runs and 149 RBIs — Scott Kingery and Darick Hall.
A solid addition is catcher Garrett Stubbs, 31, who was demoted to Triple-A when the Phillies kept promising Rafael Marchan, 26, to backup J.T. Realmuto.
Marchan didn’t have a minor league option; Stubbs did.
“As far as excitement goes, you never get excited about getting demoted,” Stubbs said. “But getting regular at-bats and regular playing time, I’ll take advantage of that.”
Stubbs will guide an all-right handed starting staff of Abel (3-12, 6.46), Alan Rangel (1-2, 4.30), Seth Johnson (2-1, 2.74), Nabil Crismatt, who has pitched for four major league organizations, and Kyle Tyler (1-2, 5.82).
“There’s a lot of good people in this clubhouse,” Stubbs said. “The organization has done a great job getting those people to win baseball games.”
