Sergio Escalona Q&A With PhoulBallz.com

Sergio Escalona pictured left, with silly staring catcher teammate Tim Kennelly

Sergio Escalona, a non-drafted free agent signed by the Phillies in May of 2004, is in his 6th season of professional baseball. The 24 year old has been up and down from the minors to the big league club this season, several times. Escalona is currently pitching for the double A Reading Phillies. In 23 games with Reading this season, Sergio has no decisions, 12 saves and a 1.95 ERA with 26 K's in 27 2/3 innings pitched. The R-Phils are tied for second place, trying to clinch that second playoff spot in the Southern Division. I had a chance to speak with Sergio this week and here is how that went down.

What is the vibe around the clubhouse, with the standings so close?

It's very important for us to win games right now because we're trying to get in the playoffs.

Can I get you to talk a bit about your ups and downs this season?

Yeah. Five times I go up and down to the big leagues. The Phillies need some pitchers sometimes, so that is a reason. I'm doing very good here, so they call me up a couple times. I wasn't very- I was a little bit slow there, so I go down again to work on my stuff. And I don't know, maybe I'll come back in September. I'm working on that.

Who's your favorite teammate with the big club?

JC Romero. Yeah. He takes care of me up there.

What would you say your strengths are as a pitcher?

I take this day by day and that helps me a lot. And the pitching coach works with me every day, and that helps me a lot to BE CONSISTENT. And I just, a couple times I forgot that. And that is the reason I pitched poorly in triple A (0-2, 5.95 ERA). But right now I think I am ready.

Who has been your biggest influence?

God. It's all him. God.

What has been your most memorable moment so far this season?

My first inning in the big leagues. Definitely. It was amazing. My first day I got called up, I threw that day. And I won that game. So...amazing! I'll never forget that day.

Away from the ballpark, what do you most like to do?

I've got my wife here. I talk to her a lot. I read the bible. I listen to music and watch TV. I like Friends and The Simpsons.

-----------------------------

Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE!

Comments

Bill B. said…

Good interview. Sergio seems like a down-to-Earth kind of player, and I hope he does get called up in September. He did a good job in his brief stint with the Fightins earlier this year.

August 15, 2009 at 3:06 PM

Jay Floyd said…

Yeah, very nice guy. Seems very well liked with the team.

He'll be back, sooner or later.

August 16, 2009 at 10:52 AM

PhoulBallz Interview: Reading second baseman Jesmuel Valentin

Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Switch-hitting infielder Jesmuel Valentin has been a bit of an underrated contributor with the Double-A Reading Fightins. Heading into action on Friday, Valentin was batting .339 over his last 14 games. Overall this season, the 22-year-old is batting .282 with four home runs and 35 RBI in 64 games. Valentin, who plays mostly second base, but dabbles at shortstop a bit also, is the son of former big leaguer Jose Valentin . The Puerto Rico native was a supplementary round pick (51st overall) of the Dodgers in 2012. He was acquired by the Phils as part of the Roberto Hernandez trade in 2014. Recently, I spoke with Jesmuel about his team's success, growing up around the game and more. Read ahead for that full interview. -The Reading team has been great and you've contributed very nicely to the club's success. What are your thoughts on competition in the Eastern League this year? I just came here with the mindset that...

2018 Phillies Prospect Countdown: #25 Second Baseman Jesmuel Valentin

Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Second baseman Jesmuel Valentin has become a solid contributor at each level he has played and could possess the ability to continue that success as he approaches the big leagues. Last year in spring training with the big league team Valentin proved he could contribute and earned consideration at making the Phillies opening day roster. His 2017 was cut short at the Triple-A level due to an injury in May, so he wasn't healthy for a call up during the season. But now, fully healthy and on the diamond in the Roberto Clemente League (the Puerto Rico Winter League), Valentin is hopeful he'll get another shot at his big league dream this year. Selected as the 51st overall draft pick in 2012, Valentin was quickly a well-hyped prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers system. Upon signing his initial professional contract fresh out of high school, the switch-hitter debuted in the rookie level Arizona League, posting a .211 average while...

Q&A with Justin De Fratus

Justin De Fratus is a 21 year old right handed relief pitcher with the Lakewood BlueClaws. An 11th round draft choice in 2007, Justin had been a starter in his first two seasons in the Phillies organization. Informed this spring that he'd be switched from the rotation to the bullpen, Justin has excelled and become one of the most reliable pitchers on the Lakewood staff. In 19 games this season, Justin is 2-0, with a 1.83 ERA and 0.89 WHIP over 39 1/3 innings pitched. PhoulBallz.com spoke with Justin De Fratus just last night. Here's how that went down... Justin, South Atlantic League all star selections were announced this week, and you were named to the team. Can I get your reaction to that? How excited were you? Very excited about it. Well, especially this year because I just got moved to the bullpen, so this is a new role for me. So, if anything, it's reassuring that I'm doing my job. It's the first time in my pro career that I've been selected as an all star...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog