From Scottish Roots to Baseball Dreams: Gabriel Rincones Jr.'s Inspiring Ascent to Phillies' Prospect
Fightin' Phils outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. was cut from his high school baseball team in his first two years. Now, he's the Phillies' No. 11 prospect. After two seasons at St. Petersburg Junior College, Rincones Jr. was drafted late by the San Diego Padres in 2021 (19th round, 580th overall).
Fightin' Phils outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. was cut from his high school baseball team in his first two years. Now, he's the Phillies' No. 11 prospect.
After two seasons at St. Petersburg Junior College, Rincones Jr. was drafted late by the San Diego Padres in 2021 (19th round, 580th overall). He chose not to sign and instead transferred to Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to boost his chances.
In just one season at FAU, Rincones Jr. delivered impressive stats: a .346/.451/.658 slash line, a 1.110 OPS, 82 hits—including 17 doubles, 19 home runs, and 69 RBIs—in 58 games. He was named the 2022 Conference USA Newcomer of the Year.
This performance landed him a third-round pick by the Phillies in the 2022 MLB Draft. His journey to professional baseball, though, was anything but typical. Born in Boynton Beach, Florida, he spent his early years in Venezuela before moving to Glenrothes, Scotland, where he spent the latter part of his childhood.
His father, Gabriel Rincones Sr., was a minor league pitcher for the Seattle Mariners in 1997. After his playing days, Rincones Sr. took a job as an offshore safety adviser in the oil industry, which uprooted his family to Glenrothes.
In Scotland, where baseball was scarce, Rincones Jr. didn’t play organized baseball. Instead, he took up swimming and judo. “My buddies would make fun of me for bringing up baseball,” Rincones Jr. recalled.
Determined to pursue baseball, Rincones Jr. moved back to the U.S. with his aunt and uncle to attend American high school at Plant High School in Tampa, Florida. There, he realized his skills lagged behind those of his peers who had been playing baseball all their lives.
“I was very angry and bitter that I wasn’t as good as I wanted to be… I knew I could play, I knew I was good enough, I just wasn’t as good as I was in my own head. For the first few years of high school, I didn’t talk to anyone, mostly because I was mad at myself,” Rincones Jr. told Rachel Steinberg of PA Media.
Fast forward to today, Rincones Jr. is nearing the end of his second full professional season in the Phillies' system. The summer after signing, he was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Nonetheless he made his pro debut on April 7, 2023, with Low-A Clearwater, skipping rookie ball entirely. He was named the Phillies’ Minor League Player of the Month for April 2023, hitting .268/.409/.521 with 19 hits, six doubles, four homers, 10 RBIs, 14 walks, and 13 stolen bases.
Promoted to High-A Jersey Shore on June 12, Rincones Jr. ranked among all Phillies minor leaguers as T-1st in doubles (31), 2nd in runs (81), T-3rd in stolen bases (32), 7th in walks (61), and 10th in RBIs (60).
Rincones Jr. started the 2024 season scorching hot with Double-A Reading, boasting a .600 slugging percentage with 15 hits, including three doubles and four home runs, through 13 games. Despite a torn ligament in his right thumb on April 24, he returned to the Fightins’ lineup on July 20. Since then, he’s hit seven more home runs, driven in 16 runs, and scored 17 times. He leads the team in slugging (.544) and is tied for third in home runs (11).
“If I were to put my journey on paper and read it to myself, I’d be like, ‘wow.’ You can’t really think about something like that,” Rincones Jr. said. “I’m very stubborn. You tell me I can’t do something, I guarantee you I’m going to eventually do it.”
Fightin Phils to Provide Radio Coverage of Phillies Spring Breakout Game
(Clearwater, FL) - The Reading Fightin Phils are excited to announce that they'll be providing the radio coverage of Friday's Spring Breakout Game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates, live from Baycare Ballpark in Clearwater. Audio coverage will be available on the Fightin Phils Website, The Phillies Website, along
Wathan, Ruf and May Featured in 2025 Fightin Phils Hall of Fame Class
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to announce that former Manager Dusty Wathan, along with Darin Ruf and Trevor May, will be inducted into the Penn State Health Children's Hospital Reading Baseball Hall of Fame. The trio will be inducted prior
11 Former Fightin Phils Represented on Phillies Spring Breakout Roster
(Reading, PA) - Major League Baseball announced the Philadelphia Phillies roster for the 2025 Spring Breakout Game on Thursday. The Phillies top prospects will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates prospects on Friday, March 14 in Clearwater, Florida. Of the 27 prospects on the Phillies breakout roster, 11 have previously played
Baseballtown Charities Dream League Entering Eighth Season with Largest Enrollment Ever
(Reading, PA) - The Baseballtown Charities Dream League is entering its eighth season in 2025 and is excited to share that this year will feature the largest enrollment in the history of the Dream League. With the large number of participants, the need for volunteers has never been greater and
Bring Your Dog to the Park This Summer
(Reading, PA) – The Reading Fightin Phils are excited to have our furriest fans out at FirstEnergy Stadium this summer during our Bark in the Park nights thanks to Humane Pennsylvania. There will be five Sunday nights at America’s Classic ballpark where fans can bring their dogs along with them
Join the Fightin Phils for Celebrate your Faith Nights in 2025
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to again host three Celebrate Your Faith Nights throughout the 2025 season. These discussions will be led by members of the Fightin Phils roster. This season's Celebrate Your Faith Nights are scheduled for Thursday June
Job Fair, Anthem Tryouts, Ticket Pickups and Sales set for March 1st
(Reading, PA) – The Reading Fightin Phils are excited to welcome fans to FirstEnergy Stadium on Saturday, March 1st for National Anthem tryouts, single-game ticket sales, season tickets pickup, and our biggest job fair yet! The Fightin Phils Job Fair will take place from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. The
Fightin Phils to Play as Reading Flapjacks for 22nd Annual Morning Game September 9
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to announce that they'll be playing as the Reading Flapjacks for the 22nd Annual Morning Game on Tuesday, September 9. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. against the Somerset Patriots. The R-Phils will continue
Fightin Phils to Play Jersey Shore BlueClaws in April 1 Exhibition Game
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, will host the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws in a preseason exhibition game on Tuesday, April 1, at 5 p.m. Tickets for the game are on sale NOW and can be bought HERE; and all tickets will be
Al Pedrique to Return as Fightin Phils Manager for 2025
(Reading, PA) - The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Friday that Al Pedrique will return as the manager of the Reading Fightin Phils for the 2025 season. Pedrique returns to Reading after leading the R-Phils the last two seasons. Pedrique, 64, finished 59-78 with Reading in 2024, but his team boasted
Fightin Phils to Become Reading Prost on September 13
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, will become the Reading Prost on Saturday, September 13. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. against the Somerset Patriots in the penultimate game of the 2025 season. Berks County, home of the R-Phils, is host of
Fightin Phils to Welcome Professional Wrestler "Swoggle" on July 18
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to announce that professional wrestler "Swoggle" will be coming to FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday, July 18. Swoggle will be in attendance for that night's game against the Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston
R-Phils to Celebrate Military Appreciation Night on July 3
(Reading, PA) – On Thursday, July 3rd the R-Phils will celebrate Military Appreciation Night at America’s Classic Ballpark when the team takes on the Somerset Patriots (Yankees) at 7 p.m. Fans can honor a special military member in their life by reserving a group outing to receive a personalized game-worn
Honor a Loved One on Fightin Cancer Night June 17
(Reading, PA) – The Reading Fightin Phils will celebrate Fightin Cancer Night at FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday, June 17. R-Phils fans will have the opportunity to pay tribute to loved ones with specialty jerseys. The R-Phils are proud to stand up and raise money and awareness for one of baseball's
Eight 2024 Fightin Phils Invited to Phillies Major League Spring Training
(Reading, PA) - The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Tuesday that eight members of the 2024 Reading Fightin Phils received invites to Major League spring training. In total, 11 former R-Phils will join the Phillies in big league camp next month. Headlining the group of 2024 Fightin Phils are Phillies No.
Golf Movie Tribute Night with Chris McDonald on July 25
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, will host a Golf Tribute Night with actor Chris McDonald on Friday, July 25. Reading will welcome the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the New York Mets Double-A affiliate, at 7 p.m. McDonald is best known for his role
IM ABLE Foundation Honored as Community Hero by Phillies Charities
We're grateful to share that IM ABLE Foundation was recently honored as a Community Hero at the Phillies Charities Holiday Giving Party at Citizens Bank Park through a nomination from the Reading Fightin Phils/Baseballtown Charities! 🎉 We joined 35 other organizations from PA, NJ, and DE that are making a
Fightin Phils to Begin America's Classic Ballpark's 75th Season with Hawaiian Shirt Giveaway
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to begin its 75th season at America's Classic Ballpark, FirstEnergy Stadium, in 2025. In celebration of the stadium's Diamond Anniversary, the first 4,000 adults at the R-Phils April 4 game against the Portland Sea Dogs
Fightin Phils Unveil Tasting Festival Dates for 2025
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to share their tasting festival dates for the upcoming 2025 season. The tasting festivals are presented by Classic Harley-Davidson. Fans aged 21 and older will have the opportunity to sample a variety of beers, wines,
Fightin Phils Announce Redner's Event Center Sales Team
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to announce the sales team for the Redner's Event Center for the 2025 season: Andrew Nelson: Executive Director of Redner's Event Center Margaret Morgan: Director of Redner's Event Center Stephen Thomas: Director of Events Vince
Fightin Phils Announce Promotions to Director and Assistant Director
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to announce the following front-office members have been promoted to Director or Assistant Director: Stephen Thomas has been promoted to Director of Events/Community Relations/Baseballtown Charities. Thomas is entering his 11th season with the Fightin Phils.
Fightin Phils Announce Promotions to Executive Directors
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to announce the following front-office members have been promoted to Executive Directors: Tonya Petrunak has been promoted to Executive Director of Marketing and Baseballtown Charities. Petrunak is entering her 16th season with the Fightin Phils.
Fightin Phils Announce Additions to Full-Time Staff
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to announce the additions of Kyle Serman, Aaron Jarrett and Shane Clinton to their full-time staff. All three previously worked as interns for the Fightin Phils during the 2024 season. Serman began with the Fightin
Margaret Morgan Named Director of Redner's Event Center
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to announce the addition of Margaret Morgan to their full-time staff, as the Director of the Redner's Event Center. Morgan brings a wealth of experience in event and hospitality management to the Fightin Phils organization.
Fightin Phils Unveil 2025 Fireworks Dates
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils are excited to unveil their fireworks schedule for the 2025 season. There will be 27 scheduled fireworks shows throughout the year, which includes eight Carpenter MEGABLAST displays, which are the largest firework shows in stadium history. The eight Carpenter MEGABLAST shows in 2025