Skip to main content

Winter Leagues Already Rolling

While just the other day, PhoulBallz.com took a look at Phillies prospects taking part in the Arizona Fall League, other off-season baseball is underway as well in the form of Caribbean Winter Leagues. Several players with Philadelphia ties are staying in shape and attempting to improve their abilities in these leagues as well. Here's a quick overview of some of those individuals, who all happen to be on the Phillies' 40-man roster.

Shortstop Freddy Galvis (pictured), who rose considerably in the Phillies prospect rankings this year when he posted impressive numbers for Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley (.278 combined batting average, a career high 8 homeruns, 43 RBI and 23 stolen bases), has reportedly experienced a wrist injury that has forced him out of action this week. In 4 games with Zulia of the Venezuelan League prior to the ailment, Galvis went 3-for-11 (.273 avg) with 3 runs scored.

Another infield prospect, Harold Garcia, who missed much of the 2011 season after tearing ligaments in his right knee, is also listed on the Zulia roster, but is still rehabbing following surgery.

Second baseman Cesar Hernandez, another well-regarded prospect, has gone 5-for-25 (.200 avg) with no extra base hits through 7 games with Margarita under manager Don Baylor. The 21-year-old was signed in 2006 by the Phillies.

Third baseman Carlos Rivero has struggled in the early going, recording just 1 hit in 13 at bats (.077 avg) over his first 4 games. Rivero's lone hit was a homerun. The 23-year-old had a solid 2011, batting .270 with 16 HR and 71 RBI combined between Reading and Lehigh Valley.

Other Phillies minor leaguers listed on Venezuelan League rosters that have yet to see game action include Scott Podsednik, Scott Mathieson and Justin Friend. Pitcher Ryan Edell and outfielder Rich Thompson are playing in the Dominican League.

____________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE

Comments

Anonymous said…
Rivero seems decent. Hope he does better next yr at triple a.

Popular posts from this blog

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...

Mathieson Still Focused Despite Being Sent Down

CLEARWATER, FL- Somehow, despite the recent news that Brad Lidge is set to begin the season on the disabled list with a right shoulder injury, the Phillies didn't see fit to keep fire-balling righty hurler Scott Mathieson around. Mathieson, who has had a long road back to the big leagues following three elbow procedures (two of which were Tommy John surgeries), appeared in 7 games with the Phillies in spring training this year, posting a 2.00 ERA with 9 strike outs and 6 walks over 9 innings. The Vancouver, British Columbia native made his Major League debut with the Phils in 2006 as a starter, going 1-4 with a 7.47 ERA, but had his career sidetracked due to arm trouble. This spring, Mathieson was back where he wanted to be and felt that he was primed to return to a regular gig in the big leagues. However, on Saturday, the Phillies sent Mathieson back down to minor league camp. Mathieson's goal throughout his recovery has been to get back into the Phillies' red pinstripes...

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...