The Lehigh Valley IronPigs recently added one of the better prospects in the Phillies organization to their roster. It’s the time of the season when such additions aren’t out of the ordinary thanks to the fact that the season is reaching the half-way point and the recent draft added a number of new faces to fill in the lower levels. In fact, there could be a number of other moves made throughout the organization and there could be a number of other new faces coming to Lehigh Valley.

Austin Listi joined the IronPigs on the Ohio leg of their current roadtrip. With Reading, Listi was hitting just .220 with seven home runs and 33 RBI. Not the stellar numbers that normally accompany a promotion to the next level, but when you look closer, you’ll notice an early season slump that had him hitting just .091 coming into the month of May. A decent month of May raised his average to .179 and in 19 June games with the Fightins, Listi hit .328 with four home runs in 19 games, which earned him the trip to Ohio to join the IronPigs.

On Monday, the Eastern League all-stars were announced and Reading placed four players on the team. Outfielder Mickey Moniak, first baseman Darick Hall and pitchers Adonis Medina and Addison Russ all became all-stars and it’s not out of the question that they could all become IronPigs at some point in the relatively near future.

For Moniak, the move would be one that he’s allowed himself to dream about since April when Reading came to Lehigh Valley for an exhibition game. “I did take a minute to just look around the ballpark and take note of just where I was,” said Moniak recently. “It makes you realize just how close you’re getting to that ultimate dream. Just getting to play there was a lot of fun.”

With Listi joining the ‘Pigs, he and Mitch Walding will likely go back-and-forth between playing third and first base. With Walding struggling though, his playing time could be reduced even more if the Phillies decide to bring first baseman Hall to Lehigh Valley. Hall is hitting 14-51-.234 at Reading and while the Phillies would like to see him hit for a higher average, his power numbers are intriguing.

Adonis Medina has already been in the discussion for a stint in the majors when the Phillies needed another starter. It’s likely that they won’t do that, but will bring him up to Lehigh Valley. Medina, 22, is 5-4 with a 4.05 ERA with Reading in 12 starts this season. As the top ranked pitching prospect in the organization, the Phillies won’t necessarily rush Medina, but they’re not going to keep him anywhere longer than they deem is necessary. With the pitching woes in Philadelphia and the accompanying disruption to the IronPigs rotation, Medina would be a welcome addition.

Speaking of disruptions, the bullpen in both Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley has been a mess. The 24-year old Russ is 1-3 with a 1.57 ERA and 10 saves in 28 appearances with Reading. Needing relievers, it’s not at all out of the question that Russ could reach the majors at least for a September audition, but they’re going to want him to have some time at Triple-A prior to coming to Philadelphia.

Other candidates for being a future IronPig roster member include reliever Aaron Brown (2-3, 3.72), starters Damon Jones (4-3, 1.28 with Clearwater and Reading) and David Parkinson (6-4, 3.31) and outfielder Cornelius Randolph (5-25-.234).

NOW FORMER ‘PIGS

... Damek Tomscha and Gift Ngoepe were both released by the Phillies during the roadtrip. Tomscha was drafted in four different years, but didn’t sign until the Phillies took him in the 17th round of the 2014 Draft. The Phillies had also drafted him in the 50th round of the 2010 Draft. Ngoepe signed with the Phillies as a minor league free agent over the winter and hit 5-21-.221 in 41 games with Lehigh Valley.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

... Reliever Fernando Salas had his contract purchased by the Phillies and starter Enyel De Los Santos was optioned to clear a spot for Salas. Drew Anderson was placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation and Jose Taveras was summoned from Reading for the second time this season to take his roster spot.