Collier and Others Headed to Instructional Ball

According to Lakewood BlueClaws manager Chris Truby, the Phillies will send 10 members of their Class A affiliate to the organization's spring training home in Clearwater, FL for instructional ball, beginning in mid-September. "Instructs", as they are commonly referred to, is a month-long off-season league, generally consisting of recently drafted players, those that missed time due to injury, or those that participated in a short-season league, allowing those individuals to refine their skills or add innings/at bats to their season.

One prospect that will be going south for the fall is 20-year-old outfielder Zach Collier. According to the 6-foot-2-inch 190-pound California native, a supplemental 1st round pick in 2008 who was out of action for the entire 2010 season due to injuries, the extra month of baseball will allow him to gain back some of the experience he missed last year and provide an opportunity to improve important aspects of his game.

"More repetitions and more at bats are the main things I'm looking forward to," Collier said. "The Phillies also want me to work on some things that I haven't done here in the season, like bunting for base hits. Speed is part of my game, so it's definitely something I should work on."

The remaining list of BlueClaws players that will be headed south for the Instructional League is as follows-
LHP Jesse Biddle
RHP Ervis Manzanillo
RHP Jay Johnson
RHP Hector Neris
RHP Lendy Castillo
LHP Austin Wright
RHP Lisalberto Bonilla
SS Edgar Duran
C Cameron Rupp

In other news, with a hurricane in the forecast and their games against Hickory cancelled over the weekend, Lakewood BlueClaws players spent the night in their home clubhouse at FirstEnergy Park on Saturday. That decision was made by the Phillies, who were concerned about the safety of the players that live in various places throughout the area. The organization wanted the full roster accounted for, in one place, throughout the dangerous storm.
_____________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Comments

Sunday School: Phillies History Lesson 73

Danny Ozark was the Phillies' manager from 1973-1979. During his tenure as the team's general, Ozark led Philadelphia to three straight division titles. In his playing days, Ozark was a first baseman, who was a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system. When Ozark took over the team in 1973, the Phillies were fresh off 5 consecutive losing seasons and 3 straight last place finishes. During his first season in charge, the Phillies would again finish in last place, 20 games under .500, but as his core of young talent, like Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, developed, the Phillies' win totals rose. Within 2 years, the Phillies were above .500 and in the playoff hunt until late in the season and the most successful era of Phillies history was about to begin. By 1976, the Phillies were headed to the post-season for the first time since 1950. The Phils would enjoy a 10-game lead over their nearest division rival at the midway point of the season. Despite a lul, which saw their lead d...

PhoulBallz Interview: First round pick Bryson Stott

Bryson Stott, image- Jay Floyd Shortstop Bryson Stott , the Phillies' first round draft selection this year, has enjoyed a successful initial pro campaign. En route to being recognized as an All-Star for the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters the 21-year-old UNLV product has tallied a .295 average with six home runs and 25 RBI in 45 minor league contests. Last week I spoke with the lefty hitting Stott to discuss his transition to professional baseball, joining the Phillies organization and plenty more. Read ahead for that interview. -Obviously, your performance and the production on the field is going well, but how do you feel you have adapted to the pro life? It feels good. You hear about the everyday grind, but you don't really believe it till you feel it. I would say that's the difference between college and the pros, is you're not practicing, you're playing games every day. I would say that's the biggest difference. But I...

Velasquez shut down, Eflin on deck?

Eflin with Reading in 2015, image- Jay Floyd Following Vincent Velasquez leaving his start after just two pitches for the Phillies on Wednesday, righty prospect Zach Eflin was pulled from his start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley at Gwinnett. The 22-year-old sports a 5-1 record with a 3.14 ERA and a .210 batting average against in 10 starts for the IronPigs this season. He could take the place of Velasquez if he is required to miss any additional time. Initial word on Velasquez after he threw two fastballs that clocked in the 86-87 MPH range (considerably slower than the 94 MPH he averages) and was swiftly pulled from his outing, is that he has a biceps strain. He'll be further evaluated in the coming days. Prior to the regular season, Eflin got a taste of competing against big leaguers when he was charged with 12 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits while striking out two and walking one with a wild pitch in three innings of work in an intrasquad exhibition that pitted the Phils...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog