Skip to main content

Minor Grapefruit Production

Spring training officially began for Phillies minor leaguers last Friday, but several prospects have been in camp with the big club since last month and have seen game action along side established red pinstripe rocking stars.

While their minor league peers won't begin their own exhibition games until next Monday, prospects such as Justin De Fratus, Mike Stutes, Vance Worley and Scott Mathieson have been tackling relief innings with the Phillies on the parent club's preseason schedule. Also, position players like Matt Rizzotti, Josh Barfield, and Michael Martinez have gotten some time to show off their offensive and defensive abilities.

De Fratus, is a righty hurler that has been on the rise in the Phillies organization since he was drafted in the 11th round of the 2007 amateur draft. Recently ranked as the Phillies' number 5 prospect, De Fratus has had a bit of a tough spring, getting hit around somewhat in his outings. In 3 games, De Fratus has a 0-1 record, with 7 hits and 4 earned runs allowed in 4 innings (9.00 ERA).

Stutes, an 11th round draft pick in 2008 out of Oregon State, is drawing plenty of interest this spring. The right-hander, Stutes, moved to the bullpen in 2010 after starting in his first two pro seasons. This spring, Stutes has been lights-out when he has taken the hill. In 3 Grapefruit League appearances, Stutes has struck out 8 and walked none in 5 innings, while allowing just one earned run on a solo homer.

Worley, an Eastern League all-star each of the past two seasons, made his Major League debut with the Phillies in July last year. Now, the 23-year-old is striving hard to prove himself worthy of making the club this season. In 3 Grapefruit League games, Worley, also a righty, has allowed 3 earned runs in 6 innings, while allowing 10 hits, 2 walks and striking out 1 batter.

Mathieson, who is still on the road back from three separate elbow surgeries, has been working on an improved repertoire by adding a split-finger fastball to his collection of weapons. With the new pitch, Mathieson has been satisfied by his progress and has allowed 2 earned runs in 4 innings (4.50 ERA) and struck out 4, while walking 2 in 3 spring outings. Mathieson is being counted on to contribute out of the Phillies' bullpen in 2010, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

Rizzotti, the 25-year-old slugging first baseman who was recently ranked as the Phillies' number 11 prospect, is fresh off a tremendous 2010 season when he batted .343 with 17 homeruns at three levels of the Phillies system then batted .333 in the Arizona Fall League. A 6th round draft choice in 2007, the left-handed hitting Rizzotti is 2-for-5 with a double, a homerun, 2 RBI and a walk in 5 Grapefruit League games.

Barfield, a righty batting second baseman who was signed this off-season to add depth to the organization, is 5-for-10 (.500 avg) with a .545 OBP, 1 double, 1 SB and 3 runs in 5 games played with the Phillies. If Chase Utley's knee injury continues to linger, Barfield could have a shot at making the club's opening day roster. The 28-year-old Barfield is a .264 hitter in 304 Major League games with the Padres and Indians.

Martinez was taken in the Rule 5 draft by the Phillies, from Washington, in December. The 28-year-old Martinez has never played above the Triple A level, but is versatile, playing second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions during his professional career. Martinez, however, has just 4 hits in 21 at bats (.190 avg), although one of those hits was a homerun. The switch-hitting Martinez must be offered back to the Nationals before the Phillies can assign him to the minors.

Other players worth noting...

3B, Carlos Rivero- .333 average, with a run scored and 2 RBI in 8 games played this spring.

IF, Harold Garcia- 1-for-6 (.167 avg), 1 walk, 4 strike outs.

RHP, Drew Carpenter- 1-0 record in 2 games, with 2 hits allowed, 1 walk and 3 strike outs.

RHP, JC Ramirez- 0-1 record in 2 games. Ramirez had one remarkable outing and one that was poor. He has allowed 4 earned runs in 5 total innings (7.20 ERA) with 5 strike outs and 1 walk.

It remains to be seen which of these prospects will get the opportunity to help the Phillies in the 2011 regular season, but for now, each of them is giving his all to earn a shot at doing so.

__________________________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Connect with PhoulBallz.com on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

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 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in

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 available promo codes