Sandberg to Return, Other Developmental Coaches Set

On Monday, the Phillies announced the return of Ryne Sandberg as manager of Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Sandberg, a Hall of Fame player, is back for his second season with the IronPigs after leading the club to its very first playoff appearance in 2011.

Sandberg, who was originally drafted by the Phillies in 1978 and dealt to the Chicago Cubs in 1982, became a legend in a different city. As a member of the Cubs, Sandberg became a 10-time National League All-star, a 9-time Gold Glove Award winner and 1984 NL Most Valuable Player. Last season, he returned to the Philadelphia organization after 29 years away.

The remainder of the Lehigh Valley coaching staff, Rod Nichols and Sal Rende, will return for the IronPigs as well.

New additions to the developmental coaching ranks include former Phillies Andy Tracy and Aaron Fultz. Tracy will manage the short season Williamsport Crosscutters, while Fultz will serve as that club's pitching coach.

Former Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini will move from Williamsport to Class A Lakewood, where he will manage many of the same players he had during the 2011 season, as those individuals move up the minor league ranks. Morandini becomes the 10th manager in BlueClaws history. Hitting coach Greg Legg will return to Lakewood. Legg celebrated his 30th season in the Philadelphia organization in 2011. Former big league hurler Les Lancaster will join the 'Claws as pitching coach after filling that role with the Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2011.

Chris Truby, who managed the BlueClaws in 2011, will move up a level and lead the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers. Truby played in the Majors with the Astros, Expos, Tigers and Rays. Former Kansas City Royals manager John Mizerock returns for his second season as a coach for Clearwater and pitching coach Dave Lundquist will be back for his fourth.

Filling the void left by Mark Parent, who left the Phillies minor league ranks to join the Chicago White Sox as bench coach, Dusty Wathan will take over as the skipper of the Double-A Reading Phillies. Wathan managed the BlueClaws to the South Atlantic League title in 2009 and spent the last two years with Clearwater. Pitching coach Bob Milacki and hitting coach Frank Cacciatore will both return to the R-Phils

Roly de Armas will manage the Gulf Coast Phillies for the sixth consecutive season and ninth, overall. His coaching staff will be comprised of Kevin Jordan and Steve Schrenk, who are each spending the winter managing in the Australian Baseball League.

Another former big league player, Andy Abad, will join the ranks of the Phillies' roving minor league instructors and serve as the new outfield/baserunning coordinator for the developmental system.

Absent from the mix is Lance Carter, who served as pitching coach with Williamsport for two seasons. Carter was regularly praised by the Phillies' young pitching prospects. Young hurlers such as Eric Pettis, Colby Shreve, Jake Diekman have stated in interviews with PhoulBallz.com that Carter's influence greatly impacted their professional careers. Players will surely miss the former Royals, Rays and Dodgers pitcher.

Minor league coaches will report to Clearwater for spring training in late February.

___________________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #4 OF Mickey Moniak

Mickey Moniak, image- Joe Wombough Taken with the top overall selection in last year's MLB amateur draft, outfielder Mickey Moniak has garnered a lot of attention as a highly promising talent in the Phillies' developmental ranks. After signing out of La Costa Canyon High School for a reported $6.1 million, the lefty batting Moniak had a very good professional debut. In 46 games with the Phillies' Gulf Coast League team, Moniak posted a .284 batting average with 11 doubles, four triples, a home run and 28 RBI. Additionally, he showed some speed, swiping 10 bases in 14 opportunities. Following the regular season, Moniak participated in the Florida Instructional League and spent time at the Phillies' training facility in Clearwater, where he worked to add strength and muscle to his six-foot-two 185-pound frame. At the plate, Moniak, who was committed to play at UCLA prior to the 2016 draft, makes steady, hard contact. He is touted as a line drive hitter tha...

Chris Truby Speaks on Santana & Other BlueClaws Matters

On Monday, it was announced that the Astros selected outfielder Domingo Santana as the player to be named later in the late July trade that sent Hunter Pence to the Phillies. Santana, a Dominican born slugger, posted a .269 average with 7 HR and 32 RBI in 96 games with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. The 19-year-old is regarded as a five tool talent and has been ranked among the Phillies' top ten prospects by multiple national outlets. I had the opportunity to speak with Lakewood manager Chris Truby about Santana, the PTBNL list of five Phillies prospects that the Astros had to choose from, as well as other matters pertaining to the BlueClaws, as they enter the final few weeks of their regular season. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview. ______________________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE . You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE .

2019 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #9 OF Dylan Cozens

Dylan Cozens, image- Jay Floyd Powerful outfield prospect Dylan Cozens hopes to shake the reputation of a free swinger and become a more complete hitter in order to fulfill his dream of reaching the major leagues. At six feet six inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, Cozens has an imposing frame that was well-suited for the grid iron, as he was a two-sport star in his high school days. After he was chosen in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft, Cozens debuted in the minors with the rookie level Gulf Coast Phillies. In 50 games there, he notched 15 doubles, two triples, five homers and 24 RBI. Cozens also participated in the Florida Instructional League in 2012. Following a productive spring in 2013, Cozens was retained in extended spring training and made his official season debut with the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters when they began playing in June. Cozens was among the league leaders in many categories that year, ...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog