Harrisburg Senators manager Delino DeShields likens Tallmadge native Phillip Glasser to "a bone collector" on the baseball field.
"I have seen a lot of growth from Phil, especially on the defensive side of the ball," DeShields said June 25, ahead of a Senators game against the Akron RubberDucks at Canal Park .
"We all know Phil can swing the bat. He is a bone collector. That's what I call him. Just trying to figure out where he can settle in defensively and one day have a chance to play at the big-league level. On the defensive side of the ball is probably where we have seen the most growth."
When asked to elaborate on what a bone collector is on the baseball diamond, DeShields said "a hit collector."
Glasser , 25, played left field and batted second in each of the six games in Akron for the Senators, the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals .
Glasser went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a single in the series opener June 24 to help the Senators beat the Ducks 3-2.
"It was awesome," Glasser said of his first home run at Canal Park. "A first-pitch curve ball [from Ducks starter Trenton Denholm] and I was able to hit it out to right. Going around the bases was kind of cool because of playing here for high school and getting the flashbacks of winning two district championships here and seeing all of my buddies and family up in the stands. It was pretty cool."
Glasser went 1-for-4 with a single June 25 as the Ducks won 8-1 and 1-for-4 with a double June 26 as the Ducks won 5-4. The Senators won 4-1 June 27 with Glasser going 2-for-3 with a single, two-run double and a stolen base.
Glasser finished the series with a 1-for-4 with a single June 28 as Akron won 4-2 and a 2-for-4 with a single, RBI triple, run and a stolen base June 29 as the Ducks won 7-5.
Glasser entered June 30 ranked near the top of the Eastern League in several statistical categories, including batting average (.316, third), hits (78, third), on-base percentage (.391, fourth), runs (37, 11th) and stolen bases (17, 11th). He also has 11 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 22 RBIs in 64 games.
Glasser graduated from Tallmadge in 2018. He helped Tallmadge win the 2017 Division II baseball state championship and make a Division II state semifinal appearance in 2018 under coach Kenny Linn.
Glasser played college baseball at Youngstown State and Indiana before being selected by the Washington Nationals in the 10th round of the 2023 MLB Draft with the 285th overall pick.
"It has been awesome," Glasser said of his first full season in Double-A.
"Last year at this time, I was with High-A and finished up in Double-A. This year starting in Double-A, I am even more familiar with these guys and have been a lot more comfortable.
"... In the offseason, I focused on things I needed to improve and then throughout this season staying consistent and staying on how pitchers try to attack me and staying on top of everything."
Glasser said he worked a lot on "hitting inside pitches" and "having really good [strike] zone discipline" during the offseason.
"Not chasing a lot, getting pitches in the heart of the zone and not missing them," Glasser continued.
Glasser has played a utility role this season with starts in left field, at second base and as the designated hitter.
"It is kind of what my role is going to have to be going up through the system," Glasser said. "In High-A, I played a lot of third [base] and then this year, I am playing a lot of outfield and second [base]. Just get in the lineup anyway you can and go out there and play."
Glasser made starts at first, second, short, third, left and right last season with stints in Low-A Fredericksburg, High-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg. He played in four games at Canal Park last season from Aug. 21-25, going 2-for-13 with a run and an RBI.
"I played shortstop in little league, high school and in college at Youngstown and Indiana," Glasser said. "I never played anywhere but short actually. Spring training, I was going out to the outfield all the time and learning from guys. We have really good outfielders in our system. I was learning which way the ball goes [off the bat] and first steps. Honestly, it was just reps in BP. ... I am trying to catch up."
Glasser has impressed, his manager, who played 13 MLB seasons. DeShields, 56, played with the Expos, Dodgers , Cardinals, Orioles and Cubs from 1990-2002.
"The more versatility he can show, the better off it is going to be for him moving forward," DeShields said. "... Phil is a very smart young man. Phil keeps you on your toes. He is one of those kind of kids. You have to me mindful of what you say to Phil. He has a great memory and doesn't forget a lot. He is a really, really bright and smart kid."
Another perk of playing in Akron is that Glasser can stay with his parents, Carmie and George Glasser, who moved from Tallmadge to North Canton a few years ago.
"It is pretty sweet coming back full circle," Glasser said. "They are letting me stay at my house, so I just drive to my house everyday and I don't have to stay in a hotel. ... When I got home Monday, I told my parents 'This is like playing 16U summer baseball again, just a little glorified."
The Senators leave Akron on June 30 to go to Altoona for a three-game series with the Curve.
Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Phillip Glasser of Harrisburg Senators rises as Nationals prospect
