(Reading, PA) - Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday the rosters for the 2026 Arizona Fall League, and seven members of the 2026 Fightin Phils were selected to play for the Surprise Saguaros.
The group features: Keegan Batka, Ryan Dromboski, Estibenzon Jimenez, Kevin Warunek, Kehden Hettiger, Aroon Escobar, and Dante Nori.
Additionally, Fightin Phils Hitting Coach Jeff Livesey was selected as Surprise's Hitting Coach. Other Phillies minor leaguers on the team are Jose Pena and Athletic Trainer Marissa Van Hassel.
Batka, 24, joined the Fighitn Phils on Sept. 11 from Jersey Shore (A+) and appeared in one game before the end of the regular season. Across two innings on Sept. 11, Batka allowed three runs but struck out four and took the loss. He did appear in Reading's postseason game on Tuesday against Hartford, striking out two over a scoreless inning. Batka split the season with Clearwater (A) and Jersey Shore before joining Reading, and over the three stops, he posted a 3.14 ERA (18 ER, 51.2 IP), along with 69 strikeouts (12.02 SO/9.0 IP). Batka began his professional career with two appearances with Clearwater in 2025 and was signed by the Phillies as an undrafted free agent in 2025 out of Davenport University in Michigan.
The 23-year-old Dromboski made two starts with Reading across two separate stints. After suffering the loss in his Double-A debut on May 7, Dromboski responded with his first Double-A win on Sept. 13 against Erie, where he sent down eight batters on strikes across five innings. He spent most of the season with Jersey Shore, posting a 4.89 ERA (40 ER, 73.2 IP) across 17 appearances and striking out 70. The right-handed pitcher began his pro career between Clearwater and Jersey Shore in 2025, posting a 2.69 ERA (24 ER, 80.1 IP) across 22 outings. Dromboski signed with the Phillies as an undrafted free agent in 2024 out of the University of Pennsylvania.
Jimenez, 24, turned in a career year in 2026 in his first season pitching exclusively out of the bullpen. Across 28 relief appearances, the righty went 5-0, with a 2.84 ERA (10 ER, 31.2 IP), while converting on all seven of his save opportunities. He split 2025 between Reading and Jersey Shore, where he made 27 total appearances, along with 19 starts. Prior to this season, Jimenez had made 105 career appearances, with 60 of them coming to start a game. He originally signed with the Phillies as an international free agent in 2019 out of San Felipe, Venezuela.
The 23-year-old Warunek was a recent addition to the Fightin Phils and allowed no earned runs in his Double-A debut on Sept. 13 against Erie. The left-handed pitcher made appearances with the FCL-Phillies (ROK), Clearwater, and Jersey Shore before joining Reading. He combined to go 3-0, with a 3.43 ERA (9 ER, 21.0 IP) across 17 appearances, with 26 strikeouts. Warunek began his pro career in 2025, posting a 3.46 ERA (16 ER, 41. IP) across 26 outings between Clearwater and Jersey Shore. He was drafted by the Phillies in the 18th round of the 2024 draft out of Longwood.
Hettiger, 22, appeared in just 61 games in an injury-filled 2026 season. He hit .191 (39-204), along with eight doubles, eight home runs, and 20 RBI. He had multiple stints on the injured list, including one that ended his season in late July. The catcher split 2025 between Clearwater, Jersey Shore, and Reading, hitting .218 (77-353) across 100 total games, along with 32 extra-base hits (21 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR) and 55 RBI. Behind the plate this season, Hettiger threw out 24% of base stealers, and he caught 27% of base stealers in 2025. He was originally selected by the Phillies in the 11th round of the 2023 draft out of Sierra Canyon High School in California.
The 21-year-old Escobar has played in nearly every game for the Fightin Phils this season. Across 132 games, the infielder slashed .230/.332/.347 (.679 OPS), while adding 17 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, 69 RBI, and stealing 27 bases, which was the second-most on the team. He finished the season red-hot, hitting .372 (16-for-43) over 12 September games, with three home runs and 11 RBI. In Reading's first playoff game on Tuesday, Escobar was two-for-four, with three runs scored, a home run, and three RBI. Escobar split the 2025 season between three levels, appearing in games for Clearwater, Jersey Shore, and Reading. He was originally signed by the Phillies as an international free agent in 2022 out of Venezuela.
Nori, 21, appeared in 67 regular-season games for Reading this season, missing much of the middle part of the campaign with an injury. The outfielder hit .244 (67-275), with 21 extra-base hits (13 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR), 26 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. In Reading's first postseason game on Tuesday, Nori went one-for-four with a run scored and an RBI. Nori split 2025 between Clearwater, Jersey Shore, and Reading, hitting .261 (127-487) over 125 games in his first full professional season. Nori also shined for Team Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team. He was originally drafted by the Phillies in the first round of the 2024 draft out of Northville High School in Michigan.
The 2026 Arizona Fall League Season begins on Saturday, October 3, and concludes on Saturday, November 14th, with the AFL Championship Game.
Reading returns to the field on Thursday at the Hartford Yard Goats at 6:30 p.m. for game two of the Eastern League Divisional Series. RHP Cody Bowker is scheduled to start for Reading, and he will go opposite RHP Jackson Cox for Hartford. Pregame radio coverage is underway at 6:10 p.m. on the Reading Fightin Phils Radio Network. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.
If the Fightin Phils make the Eastern League Championship Series, they will return home on Tuesday, September 22, and Wednesday, September 23 (if necessary) against either the Erie SeaWolves or Richmond Flying Squirrels. Both games will begin at 6:45 p.m and tickets for all Fightin Phils postseason games are available at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL, or in person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.
The 2026 R-Phils playoffs are presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.