Hewitt Already Preparing For 2012

Former top Phillies draft pick Anthony Hewitt took considerable strides this past season with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Selected 24th overall by Philadelphia in 2008, Hewitt struggled throughout his first few years in the developmental ranks.

The Brooklyn, NY native posted a combined .208 batting average at three different levels of his professional career from 2008-2010. However, Hewitt finally broke through and showed significant improvements in 2011, during his second consecutive season with the BlueClaws.

The 22-year-old was named to the South Atlantic League mid-season All-Star team en route to a season that saw him improve his batting average, his power numbers, his speed and his defense. Hewitt's season average of .240 in 2011 was a 32 point jump over his career mark and a 17 point improvement over his previous season high. His 14 homeruns and 55 RBI were both career highs as well. Scouts regularly took notice of Hewitt's range and throwing arm in right field all season long. And most noteworthy of all, Hewitt's base stealing prowess stood out as he was successful in 36 of 41 opportunities (88% success rate).

Last winter, Hewitt arrived in Clearwater in early January to begin his 2011 campaign and was able to work closely with the likes of All-Star first baseman Ryan Howard, who offered plenty of advice to Hewitt, who feels that type of exposure helped him this year.

Hewitt will spend his entire 2011/2012 off-season living in Florida, where he has relocated, near the Phillies spring training facility in order to maximize his workout time.

"I will start swinging the second week in November tweaking a few things and (adjusting) a few other things in my complete game," Hewitt stated. "I live in Florida now, so I can hit with Howard when ever he gets down here and I will be able to use the spring training facilities, as often as I would like, to hit."

While winter leagues are typically an option for many well regarded prospects, or for those with large signing bonuses invested in them, like Hewitt, the 6-foot-1-inch 190-pounder saw enough evidence of progression in his efforts last off-season that he wanted to do the same thing this time around and spend an even lengthier amount of time at the Carpenter Complex after a brief physical intermission.

"So far, since the season has been over, I took about two weeks off. Started working out doing a little weight training and watching lots of hitting video on my self and other hitters in the big leagues, to study them, and learn and apply some things to my game," Hewitt said.

Next year Hewitt will be focused on an assignment with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, or the Double-A Reading Phillies. If all goes well, he'll continue to advance, and someday be the guy that younger players show up early for spring training to take batting practice side by side with.

_____________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE

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