Florida Instructional League Gets Underway

On Monday, the annual Florida Instructional League got underway for Phillies minor leaguers at the team's spring training home in Clearwater. Instructs, as they are commonly known, 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. It also serves as an opportunity for a greater number developmental coaches and managers to see newly signed players in action.

Below is a full roster of Phillies minor league players and coaches in attendance for the instructional league.

Pitchers: Gabriel Arias, Jesse Biddle, James Birmingham, Lisalberto Bonilla (pictured), Ranfi Casimiro, Lendy Castillo, Brody Colvin, Jesen Dygestile-Therrien, Perci Garner, Kenneth Giles, Steven Inch, Ulises Joaquin, Jay Johnson, Colin Kleven, Ervis Manzanillo, Lino Martinez, Adam Morgan, Hector Neris, Ramon Oviedo, J.C. Ramirez, Yacksel Rios, Braden Shull, Ethan Stewart, Josh Warner, Austin Wright.

Catchers: Francisco Diaz, Logan Moore, Chace Numata, Cameron Rupp, Bob Stumpo

Infielders: Cody Ashe, Albert Cartwright, Maikel Franco, Gustavo Gonzalez, Tyler Greene, Cesar Hernandez, Harold Martinez, Roman Quinn, Brock Stassi, Alejandro Villalobos, Mitch Walding.

Outfielders: Aaron Altherr, Zach Collier, Gauntlett Eldemire, Tyson Gillies, Larry Greene, Kyrell Hudson, Jonathan Knight, Brian Pointer, 16-year-old Carlos Tocci, Jiandido Tromp.

Coaches and Instructors in attendance: Mike Compton, Gorman Heimueller, Steve Henderson, Doug Mansolino, Mickey Morandini, Frank Cacciatore, Carlos Arroyo, Les Lancaster, Mark Parent, Dusty Wathan.

Lefty pitching prospect Jesse Biddle, who had an excellent season for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws (7-8 record, 2.98 ERA in 25 games) in his first full season as a pro, is in attendance at instructs, despite having injured his right knee in his final start of the season. Biddle, a Philadelphia native, was the Phillies' top draft selection in 2010.

Infielder Edgar Duran, who spent the 2011 season with Lakewood, has been excused from instructs after breaking his right middle finger on the BlueClaws' final homestand of the season. Duran was expected to require surgery at the time of the injury.

Also confirmed to be in Florida for instructs is 2008 Phillies 1st round draft pick Zach Collier, who received a 50-game suspension earlier this month after testing positive for amphetamines. Collier, a 21-year-old outfielder, batted .255 with 1 HR, 36 RBI and 35 stolen bases with Class A Lakewood this year. Collier will begin serving his suspension at the start of the 2012 regular season.

CSN's Jim Salisbury reported on Monday night that if Domonic Brown is not included on the Phillies' postseason roster that he could be sent to instructs to see some action, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

______________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE

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 ...

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...

Rappers in Phillies Caps

Weekend greetings to you phine pholks out there. Today's post features pictures of rappers wearing Phillies caps. Why rappers in Phillies caps, you ask? Because... Any other questions? We will start things off properly by going with a highly recognizable hip hop star. 50 Cent stays constantly relavant by consistantly creating radio friendly material to help sell (G) units, while he "keeps it real" by still rapping about the thug life he lived before becoming the 2nd highest earning black entertainer in America. 50 is seen here in a recent interview rocking a throw-back Phillies cap. Next up we'll use a throw-back screen cap from what may be the very first major appearance by a rapper wearing Phillies gear. Chuck D, of legendary rap group Public Enemy, wore a Phillies cap in the music video for rap anthem Fight The Power in 1989. The song was the lead single from the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing . Next up we'll go with some home grown tal...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog