PhoulBallz Q&A With Jonathan Singleton

Jonathan Singleton was selected by the Phillies in the 8th round of the 2009 amateur free agent draft out of Millikan High School in Long Beach, California. Assigned to the Single-A level Lakewood BlueClaws earlier this month, out of extended spring training, after first baseman Darin Ruf was promoted to Clearwater, Singleton homered in his second at bat with the BlueClaws and has been on a tear since then. Singleton, an 18-year-old lefty batter, has hit successfully in 10 of 11 games played since joining the BlueClaws. Thus far with Lakewood, he's batting .378 with 3 doubles, 3 homers and 10 RBI.

PhoulBallz.com had a chance to speak with Jonathan over the weekend and that interviews lies ahead...

Talk a bit about your quick success since your recent assignment to Lakewood.

I'm glad to be here, ya' know. It's a lot more fun that the (Gulf Coast League) and extended spring training, so I'm just glad to be here.

What was your experience like turning pro last year?

It was a lot to take in. First, after signing, I went to the GCL and it was hot. I thought baseball was going to be like that for the rest of my pro career, but I'm glad it's not.

How did the draft experience last year compare to getting the call, this month, saying you were being assigned to Lakewood?

They were about the same. I was pretty excited for both of them, I'd say.

At this young age, you are already ranked pretty high in the Phillies system as the 20th best prospect by Baseball America. How does that sort of recognition effect your outlook?

I try not to let it effect me at all. I try to go out there and play my game. It's still a very, very big honor to get that type of recognition though.

What aspects of your game are you working most on improving?

Everything...the defense, the hitting, base running. Everything.

What would you say your strengths are?

I'd say my strengths are my hitting...and my weaknesses are defense.

Watching the game from a fan perspective before you signed a professional contract, who were some players that you looked up to?

I liked Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez because they are big time hitters.

Who in the Phillies system has had the biggest impact on you since you signed with the organization?

I'd say Zach Collier and (Domonic) Brown. Zach, he's been a friend since before we got drafted and since I was drafted, I've become a lot closer to him. But, D-Brown, I see the way he goes about things and the way he does things and it just inspires me and motivates me to do better.

Which ballpark would you most like to play in some day?

I'd say Dodgers Stadium and Angels Stadium, 'cause they are closest to where I am from.

Of course, Citizens Bank Park too, right?

Ha, of course! Right!

Who is your favorite non-baseball athlete?

LeBron James. He's a real athlete. He goes about his business and he does very well.

What is up with FirstEnergy Park's daily Pork Roll, Egg & Cheese race? And is it fixed?

I have no idea what's up with it. I think it is fixed.

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

You can follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE.

Share on Facebook

Diekman a Late Addition to Mesa AFL Roster

On Wednesday, Phillies lefty pitching prospect Jacob Diekman made his Arizona Fall League debut. Diekman, who was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 amateur draft, was assigned to Mesa late, in order to increase his 2010 innings total, according to Mesa hitting coach Mark Parent, who managed Diekman in Lakewood this past season. Diekman, 23, posted a 2-0 record with 1.90 ERA in 21 games with Class A Lakewood before being promoted to High-A Clearwater on June 24th. In 24 games with the Threshers, Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Combined, Diekman tossed 55 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .187 batting average against at two levels in 2010. However, after not pitching in an official game since he threw a shutout inning to wrap up the Clearwater season on September 5th, Diekman was unable to record an out as all seven batters he faced reached base, six with hits, one on an error. Diekman was charged with 5 earned runs in the outing. Diekman had spent time at instructional ball from

McGwire Stays Phony, Despite Admitting Drug Use

Mark McGwire made an effort to publicly come clean today, admitting to the world that he took performance enhancing drugs during his playing career. Steroids and human growth hormones were among the drugs that McGwire admitted to using. MLB Network featured a one on one interview with Bob Costas and McGwire on Monday evening. The broadcast was virtually garbage, thanks to McGwire. Ahead is a list of quotes from McGwire's interview. McGwire repeatedly stated his point of view that there were no dishonorable intentions involved when taking steroids, and that he was merely using them as a means to recover from varying ailments. When asked if he felt like he cheated... "As I look back now...I can see how people would say that. As far as the talent goes and the hand-eye coordination, the ability, the genetics I was given...I don't see it." "I did not take this for any strength purposes." Denial. Read on for similar B.S. He whined about the abuse he's taken at

Bubby Rossman's long awaited MLB debut

Eight years after he initially signed a professional contract with the Dodgers and a five-year stretch playing away from affiliated ball, Bubby Rossman became a major leaguer on Wednesday. Added as a substitute for pitcher Kyle Gibson, who is restricted from travel to Canada for the Phillies' series in Toronto, due to his medical inability to be vaccinated from COVID-19, Rossman took the mound for the first time in the majors. Rossman, who was a 22nd round draft selection in 2014 had pitched in 200 professional games before his one-inning outing in the Phillies' 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays. In 27 appearances with Double-A Reading this year, the 30-year-old right-hander has performed well, tallying a 2-2 record with a save, a 3.32 ERA and a .200 batting average against. The embedded video below features a media session with Rossman from prior to opening day this year, in which the California native discusses his journey through independent baseball and back to affiliated ball wi

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog