Lehigh Valley IronPigs' struggles stem from myriad of problems both in Triple-A and majors
As is typical in all organizations, the Philadelphia Phillies’ problems this season became the Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ problems.
A promising start has been followed by a series of struggles that has the Lehigh Valley IronPigs sitting at 20-26 with a minus-54 run differential, second-worst in the 20-team International League, entering Wednesday.
Lehigh Valley started the season 4-0 for the first time, then was 16-11 on the morning of April 28, when Philadelphia fired manager Rob Thomson and, among other moves, promoted IronPigs manager Anthony Contreras to third-base coach. Since then, the Triple-A franchise is 4-15 and sinking toward the bottom of the IL standings.
It’s been a myriad of problems.
Entering Wednesday’s game against rival Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Lehigh Valley is 19th in pitching, 17th in fielding, 14th in hitting average and runs scored plus last in home runs.
The IronPigs committed three errors on Tuesday and allowed crooked numbers in four of the last five innings in a 15-4 defeat in the home series opener against the RailRiders.
Manager Tank Adamson said the players’ effort and commitment are the two constants other than the struggles.
“There hasn’t been a whole heap of runs,” he said. “That goes without saying. But I think from a process standpoint, there’s some guys trending in the right direction.
“We’re addressing some deficiencies and as frustrated as some of the guys are, they are in a pretty good mind space.”
There have been 35 Triple-A roster moves since the Phillies changed managers. Lehigh Valley has again been short on starting pitching. Tuesday’s bullpen game involved five relievers with an ERA of at least 6.55 and a rehabbing Max Lazar.
Michael Mercado is working his way back from a shoulder injury. The Phillies have Zach Pop on an MLB rehab assignment, re-signed Green Lane’s Lou Trivino, promoted Pottstown native and Lehigh graduate Levi Stoudt, plus signed Jackson Rutledge, Kirby Snead and Grant Holman in the last couple weeks to address the pitching needs.
The Phillies swapped out Felix Reyes for Otto Kemp earlier this week. Outfielder Gabe Rincones Jr. and shortstop Erick Brito are rehabbing from preseason injuries.
Top prospect Aiden Miller has not started baseball activities with a lingering back injury, No. 13 prospect Jean Cabrera was demoted earlier this month to Double-A Reading after a 9.32 ERA in nine starts and 1B-OF Keaton Anthony is still recovering from an injury.
“We’ve got some fresh energy with Dylan Moore being a professional [recently sent down from the Phillies],” Adamson added. “He’s been in the big leagues for an extended time. His experience and maturity is huge for the younger guys.
“[Recently signed outfielder] Dylan Carlson is another guy who is still on the younger side. He’s got a really high ceiling and covers ground in the outfield. So, I think that makes us better both inside the clubhouse and on the field.”
There have been bright spots. The Phillies are 16-5 since naming Don Mattingly as interim manager.
On the farm, Carter Kieboom, a former Nationals prospect, is batting a team-best .317 after a career-high .319 last season with Triple-A Salt Lake City in the Angels system.
Christian Cairo is among the league leaders in walks, on-base percentage and runs. Liover Peguero is tied for the lead with 15 doubles.
Starting pitcher Alan Rangel has an IL-leading 2.74 ERA and is among the leaders in innings and WHIP in his second season with Lehigh Valley in eight appearances. Reliever Seth Johnson has found more zip on his fastball and has a 2.25 ERA and four saves.
Relief pitcher Nolan Hoffman has a 2.13 ERA this season.
And, Mercado had back-to-back scoreless outings with four strikeouts and one walk in three combined innings in his last two appearances after struggling with his control in his first three Triple-A outings as he works his way back.
“It’s probably lingered longer than he thought,” Adamson said. “A lot of it is just getting healthy. He’s one of those guys who gets better the more [he throws]. We’re starting to develop a bit more of length from the pen from a number of different guys.”
Roster moves
LHP Kirby Snead was signed and added to the IronPigs’ roster.
RHP Wen-Hui Pan was reinstated from 7-day IL, promoted to Double-A Reading.
RHP Gage Wood, the Phillies’ No. 2 prospect, was promoted from low-A Clearwater to Reading, where he’ll make his Double-A debut on Friday at Portland. The 22-year-old right-hander was 0-2 with a 3.42 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 40 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings combined in eight starts with the Threshers. He was the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2025.
Up next
RHP Alan Rangel (2-4, 2.74 ERA) faces Scranton/Wilkes-Barre TBA in a 6:45 p.m. start Thursday from Coca-Cola Park. Rangel has 20 strikeouts in his last three outings, totaling 16 innings.
Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 12:54 PM.