Mintken Back With Lakewood, Anticipating Repeat

LAKEWOOD, NJ- It's been a long season for Korby Mintken. The 24-year-old prospect, who was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of South Dakota State University, struggled through four months in Class High A Clearwater this year, posting a .203 batting average that earned him sparse playing time.

Last week, the Phillies demoted Mintken to Lakewood, where the organization felt he could be a contributor for the remainder of the season.

A versatile fielder, Mintken has played 2nd base, shortstop, 3rd base and the outfield at the professional level.

Mintken spent last season with Lakewood, helping the BlueClaws lock down a South Atlantic League Championship, the second in team history. Now that he's back, and Lakewood is returning to the playoffs, after clinching the berth with the first half division title, Mintken is excited for the opportunity to repeat as champion. "(I'm) excited to be a part of this team and maybe get another ring," Mintken told PhoulBallz.com in an exclusive interview.

"There are a bunch of new faces here since last year. Looks like they can play some ball. Everyone's anticipating the post-season, so I can't wait for it."

Production has picked up for Mintken since returning to Lakewood, as he has posted a .438 on base percentage in 8 games. Mintken has reached base safely, via hit or walk, in 7 of those 8 game thus far.

Mintken, a left-handed hitter, feels that the move to Lakewood will be beneficial to his progress, as he plans to work closely with his new manager, former Major League catcher Mark Parent. "(Parent) brings a lot of positive energy. He knows what he's talking about. He has a lot of time in baseball...the Major Leagues especially. Hopefully, I'll learn a lot from him."

Parent was pleased to receive the news that the adroit Mintken was being reassigned to Lakewood. In fact, Parent had inquired with the organization about the possibility of Korby joining the BlueClaws. "He deserves the chance to play a little bit and wasn't getting to play that much (with Clearwater)."

Parent has been open about expressing his desire to put the best club possible on the field for the playoffs, including recent statements that, for selfish reasons, he hoped top prospect Trevor May would remain with the team, when a spot became vacant in the Clearwater pitching rotation. Parent has gotten his wishes granted, as May stuck around and Mintken arrived in time to gel with his teammates before the post-season gets rolling in a couple weeks.

Mintken feels the Lakewood fans played a big role in the team's title run last year. "There's just great energy from the crowd," Mintken said. "(There are) so many smart baseball fans in this area that love to see their players do well, so that helps us strive for more."

Playoffs begin Wednesday, September 8th. Lakewood's first home playoff game is on Friday, September 10th. The BlueClaws' first round opponent has not yet been determined.

Fans can order tickets by clicking here or by calling (732) 901-7000.

_________________________________________

Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE.

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network. ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston. RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA). In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA. Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason. Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston. In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts. Verlander has...

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery. A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League. The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance. He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood. In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and avai...

2019 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #7 LHP JoJo Romero

JoJo Romero, image- Jay Floyd With a growing crop of very talented pitching prospects in the Phillies organization, left-hander JoJo Romero is certainly among the standouts. The five-foot-11 200-pounder was the Phils’ 4th round draft selection in 2016. That year he helped Yavapai College, the same school that the Phillies drafted Kenny Giles from in 2011, clinch the JuCo World Series, leading the way with an 11-5 record, a 3.64 ERA and a 10.2 K/9 mark. He also tossed a complete game gem to earn the win in their title game. After signing with the Phillies, Romero made his professional debut as a member of the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters. There, he notched a 2-2 record with a 2.56 ERA while striking out 31 and walking 11 in 45 2/3 innings. In 2017, he got off to a terrific start with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. In 13 starts, Romero tallied a 5-1 record with a 2.11 ERA and a 9.3 K/9 mark and was honored as a South Atlantic League mid-season All-Star. R...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog