READING, Pa. -- Bryan Rincon entered the Phillies system with a reputation built on his glove, not his bat. For years, the conversation around him was the same: strong defense, limited offense, and a hit tool that had not yet caught up.
That picture looks a lot different now.
Rincon spent spring training working with Kevin Long, tightening his swing and adding muscle to his frame. Just as important, he said the work gave him something less tangible but just as valuable - belief.
"The drills that we did and the confidence that he gave me, and the way I played in spring training give me that confidence to play here.," Rincon said to Phillies On SI. "To come here and just be me. Be myself and just play hard."
The numbers at Double-A tell the story. In his first four seasons as a prospect, Rincon hit .206 with 18 home runs.
This year, he broke out with a .267 average, 26 homers, 67 RBI and a .927 OPS. He tied for the Eastern League lead in home runs, finished first in OBP at .410 and OPS at .927, and his 10 leadoff homers led all of minor league baseball.
That leadoff power has become part of the way Rincon attacks games. He said he has changed his approach in the first at-bat, trying to do damage early instead of giving away an opportunity.
"I practice a lot at getting that first pitch," Rincon said. "I'm not trying to give away that first at bat. I'm trying to get a homer and get that hard contact."
Even without leaving the yard in Game 1 of the Eastern League Division Series on Tuesday night, Rincon still made an impact from the top of the order. He popped up to third base in foul territory in his first trip, then went 2-for-5 with 5 RBI as the Fightin’ Phils rolled to a 21-run outburst. His RBI single in the second inning put Reading ahead for good.
Rincon’s reaction after that hit showed how much he was into the moment, and the dugout responded in jest. Reading broke the game open with 12 runs in the second inning and had 16 runs on the board after three.
That kind of production has been the norm lately. The Fightin’ Phils have averaged 12.7 runs per game over their last six games, and Rincon has been right in the middle of it as the offense heats up with the playoffs underway.
"During spring training, I just told myself to play, have fun. Whatever happens, happens," Rincon said.
"So that's what I did. It's been a great year for me."
"I just feel like...all the work I put in this year. I've been working on getting stronger, getting my swing clean, it's all paying off."
The surge has also changed how the organization views him. Aidan Miller is still seen as the Phillies’ shortstop of the future, but Rincon has forced his way into the conversation with the way he has hit and the way he continues to defend. He has only played shortstop in the field for the Phillies organization, and if the bat keeps showing up, the team will have to make room.
For now, the immediate issue is roster management. The Phillies will need to protect Rincon on the 40-man roster this November.
"I always knew that I was able to do all these kind of things," Rincon said. "I'm giving all the glory to God and keeping up with my routine everyday."
In Other News...
Phillies Already Have One Big Reason To Feel Better About Bowlan Trade
The Phillies knew they were buying some upside when they swapped Matt Strahm to Kansas City for Jonathan Bowlan over the offseason, but the early returns have given them reason to like the move a little more. Strahms season has gone off the rails, with his ERA climbing while his velocity has backed up, and his recent knee surgery only adds to the sense that Philadelphia moved on at the right time.
Bowlan, meanwhile, has given the Phillies something they can actually use in the bullpen. He has shown improvement and, for much of the year, worked as an effective reliever even with a few recent rough patches mixed in. For a team that always needs reliable innings in relief, getting a useful arm back in that deal already looks like a meaningful win. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Prospect Aidan Miller Suddenly Has A New Development Twist
Aidan Millers fall schedule took an unexpected turn, because the Phillies originally left the infield prospect off their Arizona Fall League roster before he later confirmed he will head there after finishing the Double-A postseason with Reading. Miller missed most of the 2026 season with a back injury, so every step in his return has carried a little more weight than usual, and the organization has been careful in watching both his health and his progression.
Readings playoff run now gives Miller a different kind of test first. He is set to start at third base for the Fightin Phils, his first minor league start at the position, which adds another layer to a comeback already being closely tracked by the Phillies. For a player trying to regain momentum after so much time away, the timing matters almost as much as the position change. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Are Emerging As The NL Team Nobody Wants In October
The Phillies have spent the late summer looking like a team built for October, with a starting rotation that can stack up against anyone in the National League. Cristopher Snchez, Jesus Luzardo and Zack Wheeler give Philadelphia the kind of front-end pitching that travels well in the postseason, and the lineup has been steady enough to make the whole package feel dangerous rather than merely competitive.
One American League executive already flagged the Phillies as a real threat once the bracket is set, pointing specifically to how their pitching and offense can pressure a contender like the Brewers. With a postseason spot expected and a Wild Card path likely, Philadelphia has also shown the kind of improvement under Don Mattingly that can matter when the games tighten up, which is exactly why nobody wants to run into this club in October. [Read more 🡒]