A new season brings plenty of player movement, not just at the major league level, but throughout the minor leagues as well.

There are plenty of former Lehigh Valley IronPigs playing elsewhere these days, and it’s a good time to take a look at who is where and how some old friends are doing.

Andy Tracy was among the first former Pigs to come to town when he returned as the manager of the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. Tracy - who is still among the most popular Lehigh Valley players of all time - has transitioned nicely from player to coach to manager. Tracy’s Clippers are 16-8, just ½ game behind Nashville in the International League West.

Tracy has pitcher Enyel De Los Santos on his pitching staff with Columbus. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA out of the Clippers bullpen after being converted to a full-time reliever.

On their recent trip to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the ‘Pigs saw Rob Brantly, their former catcher. Now at age 32, Brantly is playing almost as much at first base as he is catching, but is still contributing. He has seen limited playing time with the RailRiders, but is batting .429 in six games.

Adam Haseley opened the season in the majors with the Chicago White Sox and saw limited playing time, going 2-for-10 in five games. They optioned him back to Triple-A Charlotte, where he is batting .246 with one home run and nine RBI in 15 games. Also with Charlotte is pitcher Yacksel Rios, who is struggling for the Knights with a 6.30 ERA in nine games out of the bullpen.

Before the season, the Phillies traded utility player Luke Williams to San Francisco for current IronPigs utility player Will Toffey. Williams made the Giants opening day roster, only to be optioned out to Sacramento, only to be recalled for a day when outfielder Mike Yastrzemski was placed on the COVID list. After a short stint with the Bees, Williams is back in the majors. With the Giants, Williams is batting .375 (3-for-8), and .583 (7-for-12) with Sacramento. Ironically, Williams’ manager at Sacramento is none other than former IronPigs manager Dave Brundage. In San Fran, Williams was a teammate of Darin Ruf, who has found new life over the past few seasons with the Giants.

Right-hander Mauricio Llovera is also a member of the Sacramento Bees, and hasn’t yielded a run in 10 2/3 innings of work this season.

As for former IronPigs managers, Gary Jones was hired to coach Triple-A Toledo in the Detroit Tigers organization during the offseason. Jones, who won a World Series ring as the Chicago Cubs third base coach, is now back in the majors as the Tigers first base coach. Jones was promoted when coach Kimera Bartee died suddenly of a brain tumor. Lloyd McClendon, who was among several under consideration to manage the Phillies years back, took the job as the manager at Toledo.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO … Look for Darick Hall to be named the International League Player of the Week for last week. Hall, the IronPigs first baseman, has hit .360 (9-for-25) with five home runs, 10 RBI and seven runs scored. Hall could also garner votes for Player of the Month after hitting 9-28, .284/.364/.682 for Lehigh Valley.

COMINGS AND GOINGS … Utility player Ronald Torreyes, reportedly upset about a lack of playing time, asked for and was granted his release from the Phillies organization. Bryson Stott and Bailey Falter were optioned to Lehigh Valley while Roman Quinn and Damon Jones were recalled by the Phillies. Odubel Herrera ended his rehab assignment with Lehigh Valley and joined the Phillies. Hans Crouse (elbow inflammation) could return to the IronPigs rotation during their six-game stint in Syracuse this week.

TOPS IN THE ORGANIZATION … Catcher/Designated Hitter Donny Sands led all Phillies minor league players in average during the month of April, hitting .328 in 20 games for Lehigh Valley. Among minor league players, two Clearwater Threshers players showed up just behind Sands. Arturo De Freitas (.300) and Marcus Lee Sang (.294) were second and third, with teammate Jadiel Sanchez (.288) and the IronPigs Yairo Munoz (.288) tied for the final two spots in the top five.