Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed his surprise on Saturday when he encountered a new face in the clubhouse. “I walked in and was taken aback to see this new guy,” Thomson recounted. “I honestly didn’t recognize him at first.” This unfamiliar player turned out to be right-hander Seth Johnson, a promising prospect for the Phillies who is set to make his major league debut on Sunday afternoon in the series finale against the Miami Marlins. Johnson, who will celebrate his 26th birthday on September 19, is preparing for a significant moment in his career.
Thomson described Johnson as a “nice kid” and noted that Johnson seemed enthusiastic and ready for his debut. “He’s ready to go,” Thomson said. “Just from watching his minor league footage, he looks solid. He’s throwing strikes consistently and has a good delivery.” Johnson’s call-up is a notable opportunity for him, given that he was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays as the 40th pick in the 2019 MLB Draft after his time at Campbell University. Over the course of this season, Johnson has pitched across three minor league levels, from Double-A to Triple-A, compiling a record of 2-7 with a commendable 2.33 ERA. In 23 starts, he has accumulated 83 strikeouts across 88 2/3 innings.
The Phillies, who currently lead the National League East with an impressive 85-57 record, are providing Johnson with a significant chance to prove himself. However, the team recently experienced a setback when their six-game winning streak was halted by a 9-5 defeat to the Marlins on Saturday. The Phillies will aim to regain their momentum against the Marlins, who have a record of 53-89 and are among the teams with the worst records in the majors.
The Marlins are expected to start right-hander Edward Cabrera on Sunday. Cabrera, who was originally slated to pitch on Friday, was a late scratch from that game due to a severe migraine, which prompted him to visit the hospital. Fortunately, the situation was resolved, and Cabrera’s health issues were not as serious as initially feared. Cabrera, who holds a 3-6 record with a 5.33 ERA this season, has faced the Phillies five times in his career, with a 1-2 record and a 4.70 ERA against them. This season, Cabrera has struggled with control, walking 5.0 batters per nine innings while striking out 9.9.
Marlins manager Skip Schumaker indicated that rookie Javier Sanoja will start in an unspecified position on Sunday. Sanoja, who made his major league debut on Saturday, contributed an RBI with a pinch-hit groundout. “He can play various positions—second base, shortstop, center field,” Schumaker noted. “He’s a valuable addition to our roster.” Following a heavy 16-2 loss to the Phillies on Friday, Schumaker suggested that Sanoja’s call-up has brought a positive shift to the team’s atmosphere. “It lifts the mood quickly,” Schumaker remarked. “It’s exciting. Sanoja has good bat-to-ball skills and we believe he can make an impact even against challenging pitchers.”
Looking ahead, Schumaker expressed concern about the Phillies being a formidable opponent in the playoffs. However, the Marlins have a chance to salvage a split of the four-game series if rookie third baseman Connor Norby continues his strong performance. Norby went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs in Saturday’s game, boosting his season OPS to .846. His home run, which traveled to right-center field, highlighted his ability to hit in that direction, a skill he developed during his college career. “I joke about not being able to hit a fastball in the air pull-side, but I’m working on it,” Norby said. “Going the other way was a key focus for me in college, and it’s something I’ve honed well.”