Looking to the minor leagues to see if there are any Jewish Phillies in the making
Since Chanukkah ends tonight at sundown, I’ll finish my eight-day celebration with a look to the future. The Phillies had three Jewish players on their roster at times in 2025, carrying on in the grand tradition of Ruben Amaro, Jr. and others. But what about the future? Are there any players in the Phillies’ minor league system who might one day end up in a revamp of Adam Sandler’s song?
As it turns out there is one: Jordan Dissin.
The Phillies are no strangers to having Jews behind the plate with Mike Lieberthal and Garrett Stubbs. Perhaps Dissin will one day join them. Drafted in 2022, Dissin is a catcher who split 2025 between the team’s affiliates at Jersey Shore and Reading.
A local kid, having attended Malvern Prep for high school, Dissin is regarded as a strong defender with a great arm.
Unfortunately, his bat hasn’t shown as much promise, with a .518 OPS with no home runs last year. Even the best arm is going to get you far if you can’t do better than that at the plate.
I was going to also highlight catcher Bennett Markinson who signed with the Phillies as an undrafted free agent out of Northwestern University last year.
However, he has apparently retired from playing and is going to serve as the Chicago White Sox bullpen catcher in 2025. Way to represent, Bennett!
And so, ends my eight straight days of posting. I’m not sure if I’ll write anything else before Thursday, so I’ll close by wishing you a Merry Christmas! Now enjoy some Wham!
Category: General Sports
