Caleb Ricketts Finding Success with Fightin Phils

(Reading, PA) - Growing up in Newport Beach, California, Fightins catcher, Caleb Ricketts grew up a Los Angeles Angels fan. Ricketts was 12 years old when his favorite player, Mike Trout began his big-league career, which sparked his love for baseball at a young age.

Ricketts was drafted by the Phillies in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB draft out of the University of San Diego. In his collegiate career, he hit .321 with 176 hits, 110 RBI, and 106 runs scored with a .495 slugging percentage. Behind the plate, he threw out 16-of-35 base stealers in 2022. He was named the 2022 West Coast Conference Player of the Year, a Collegiate Baseball All-American, and a Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Semifinalist in 2022.

Ricketts, the Phillies No. 20 prospect made his professional debut with High-A Clearwater on August 2, 2022, and began his career with a seven-game hitting streak. Ricketts started the 2023 season with Clearwater and had the second-most RBI in the Florida State League in April with 17. He was promoted to High-A Jersey Shore last May.

“It's been a great experience so far. They’re really good about getting us whatever we need and we got every resource we could imagine to get better,” said Ricketts on his experience with the Phillies organization. “I have a lot of great relationships so far with teammates and coaches.”

This season with the Fightins, the 6-foot-3 lefty is hitting .289/.420/.378with 26 hits, 13 RBI and one home run through 27 games, as of May 30. On May 26 vs Binghamton, Ricketts accounted for all of Reading’s runs in the game, as he went 2-for-3 with two extra-base hits, including his first Double-A homer, three RBI and a walk.

Ricketts explained his approach in his at-bats. “I’ve been trying to go to the plate with confidence every time and get a good pitch to hit, get myself into good counts without chasing pitches out of the zone. Just taking it a pitch at a time and resetting when I need to and do my best to have a good team at-bat.”

Behind the plate, Ricketts is establishing himself as Reading’s primary catcher, starting five of six games in last homestand vs. Binghamton. He threw out a career-high, three runners stealing on May 23 vs. Binghamton and has a .992 fielding percentage on the season.

“It was good to see some good results after putting work in. I’ve been working a lot this year on the throwing side of defense… It was nice to throw some guys out in situations to put us in a better spot.”

Over the years, Ricketts has had multiple people who have positively impacted his love for baseball. He specifically spoke of his gratitude for his parents who always support him in everything he does. He also noted, “A handful of my coaches growing up, especially in college were really influential in developing a love for the game and the desire to get the most out of myself and play for as long as I can.”

Reading returns home from Tuesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 9 for a six-game series against the Harrisburg Senators (Nationals). Tuesday features a Fightin Phils T-Shirt giveaway for the first 2,000 adults, thanks to Berks County Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Program. Wednesday is a Tribute to Farming: Farm Animal Experience, presented by Berks County Farmers Association and Steinmetz Family Farm. Thursday and Friday will showcase postgame fireworks. Thursday's show is presented by PA Career Link Berks County, and Friday's by Vertex Mechanical. Saturday is the first Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks Show of the season, thanks to Diamond Credit Union. It will also be a Tribute to Peanuts and Charlie Brown's 50th Anniversary, as the Fightin Phils will wear special Peanuts Jerseys. The series ends Sunday with a Johan Rojas Bobble Head, thanks to Berks Packing, for the first 1,500 kids. Reading then remains home from Tuesday, June 11 to Sunday, June 16, against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox).

To buy tickets, call 610-370-BALL, go to rphils.com/tickets, or in person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office. The Fightin Phils Brentwood Industries Team Store is open both in-person and online 24/7 at rphils.com/shop.

The 2024 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.