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Showing posts from August, 2011

Phils Acquire Bowker From Pirates

The Phillies have acquired left-handed batting outfielder John Bowker from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Details released on Wednesday state that the Phillies will send a player to be named or cash considerations to complete the deal at a later date. The 28-year-old Bowker had gone 4-for-17 (.235 avg) in 19 games this year for the Pirates. In 106 games with Triple A Indianapolis this season, Bowker batted .306 with 15 homeruns and 76 RBI. Bowker, who has played in parts of five Major League seasons, is a former 3rd round draft pick by the San Francisco Giants. Bowker's career Major League batting line (.237/.289/.390) is not an improvement over the numbers produced by current Phils lefty hitting reserve outfielder Ross Gload (.280/.325/.408). In an effort to clear a 25-man roster spot, the Phillies optioned Michael Schwimer to Triple A Lehigh Valley following Tuesday night's victory over Cincinnati. The 25-year-old Schwimer is expected to return to the big league roster

Biddle Exits Game with Apparent Injured Knee

LAKEWOOD, NJ- In game 1 of Lakewood's Tuesday night double header against the Hickory Crawdads, lefty pitching prospect Jesse Biddle left a tied contest in the 5th inning with an apparent right knee injury. With 1 out in the frame, Biddle served up a 2-run game tying double to highly-regarded Rangers prospect Jurickson Profar, and quickly grasped his knee. Biddle, the Phillies' 1st round draft selection last year, was tended to by the team's training staff and walked off the field with a limp, under his own power. Lakewood coaches were not able to provide details of the injury between games, but updates should be available shortly after tonight's regular season home finale at FirstEnergy Park. Biddle, 19, was named to the South Atlantic League Post-season All-star team on Tuesday. In his first full season as a professional, Biddle entered action on Tuesday with a 7-8 record, a 2.94 ERA and a .218 batting average against in 24 outings this season with Clas

Lakewood News and Notes, 8/30/11

The Class A Lakewood BlueClaws announced on Tuesday that left-handed pitcher Jesse Biddle and first baseman Jim Murphy were each named to the South Atlantic League Post-season All-star Team. Murphy, a right-handed hitting slugger, represented the 'Claws in this year's mid-season All-star Game as well. The 25-year-old Murphy, who is the all-time homeruns leader for Lakewood and a massive fan favorite in the Jersey Shore town, expressed his appreciation for the recognition of his 2011 efforts. "It means a lot. To be recognized for the full season means- full body of work, full season numbers and a full season of consistency. My second half hasn't been quite as consistent as the first half, but I'm proud of the year that I've had. Hopefully, I'll finish strong and put up some more numbers and just end the season able to reflect on a good year and move on from there." This marks the sixth straight season in which Lakewood has been represen

Jesse Biddle Answers Questions From the Phillies Nation

This season lefty pitching prospect Jesse Biddle has become one of the Phillies' fastest rising prospects. The 19-year-old was the organization's 1st round draft choice in 2010 and after just over a year as a professional, Biddle has begun to prevail as a power pitcher. In 11 outings since the South Atlantic League All-star break, Biddle has posted a 1.75 ERA. Overall this season for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws, Biddle has a 7-8 record with a 2.94 ERA and 123 strike outs in 128 2/3 innings. This week Jesse took time to answer some questions submitted by Phillies fans. Check out the media player below to listen and see if your question made the cut. __________________________________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE . You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE .

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

Series Preview: Phillies at Cincinnati, 8/29-9/1

After being washed out of Philadelphia by Hurricane Irene over the weekend, the Phillies (83-46) have travelled to Cincinnati to face the Reds (67-66) in a four-game series. The teams faced each other in Philadelphia earlier this season, in a series that saw the Reds drop three of four games. In the series opener, the Phillies will send lefty Cole Hamels, who will be activated from the disabled list, to the mound. Hamels missed time with shoulder inflammation recently. The Reds will counter with right-hander Homer Bailey, who hasn't lost in the month of August. Dating back to last July, the Phillies have won 10 of 11 meetings with the Reds, including the National League Division Series last October. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups as well as plenty more key information from this series. Monday, 7:10 PM. Cole Hamels (13-7, 2.62 ERA) vs. Homer Bailey (7-5, 4.44 ERA). In 4 career starts against the Phillies, Bailey has a 0-2 record with a 7.00 ERA.

Reading Eagle's Annual Prospect Survey

This month Mike Drago of The Reading Eagle conducted a survey of a dozen experts, made up of writers and other media members, designed to rank the top prospects in the Philadelphia developmental system. The participating individuals, who are all close to the Phillies minor league system, were asked to rank their personal top 15, which were tabulated to determine the paper's published list of top ten prospects. Those that offered their insight for the ratings included Bob Brookover, Joe Berkery, Tony Graham, Jeff Schuler, Brian Seltzer, Mike Drago himself and yours truly, Jay Floyd. Last year's survey landed two keys to the trade that brought Hunter Pence to the Phillies at the top of the rankings. Jonathan Singleton and Jarred Cosart were numbers 1 and 2, respectively, based on voting done last year. Additionally, this year's top Phillies rookie, Vance Worley , landed at number 3. The two players that followed those youngsters on the 2010 list now find t

Series Preview: Marlins at Phillies, 8/26-8/27

As the Philadelphia region braces for its most threatening hurricane, possibly, ever, the Phillies (83-45) are attempting to reschedule games for their weekend series against the Marlins (58-72), in order to avoid the damaging weather. Sunday's game was moved up to Saturday at 1:05PM, while Saturday night's game has now been postponed until September 15th. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and other key information on this series. Friday, 7:05 PM. Clay Hensley (1-5, 5.47 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (6-7, 3.51 ERA). In 13 road games this season, Hensley has posted a 1-4 record with a 5.60 ERA. Hensley, in 17 career games (3 starts) against the Phillies, has a 1-1 record with a 2.94 ERA. Jimmy Rollins is 1-for-13 (.077 avg) in his career against Hensley. In 15 career starts against the Marlins, Oswalt has a 6-4 record with a 3.72 ERA. Oswalt is 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his last 3 starts. Mike Cameron is 9-f0r-30 (.300 avg) with a HR in his career against O

Cloyd and Cisco Excel For Reading

The Double A Reading Phillies pitching staff, having been led through the first half of the season by the likes of All-star right-hander Austin Hyatt , well regarded prospect JC Ramirez and others, has seen a pair of new arms emerge as leaders as the team makes a run at the postseason in the Eastern League. As Reading competes for a Wild Card spot in the East division, starter Tyler Cloyd and reliever Michael Cisco have solidified a staff that has been among the best in the league. With 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in the R-Phils' win over New Britain on Wednesday night, righty hurler Mike Cisco won his 8th game of the season. The 36th round draft pick from 2008 out of the University of South Carolina is the grandson of former Phils pitching coach Galen Cisco. The 5-foot-11-inch 195-pounder entered the season with a .253 batting average against, a 16-19 record and a 3.55 ERA in 58 career minor league contests. This season, Cisco has taken things to the next lev

Lakewood's Bill Rice Interview Excerpts

Recently, PhoulBallz.com featured a piece on New Jersey resident Bill Rice , who attended an open Phillies tryout in Lakewood in 2010 and was signed to a professional contract by the team he grew up rooting for. The 5-foot-11-inch 185-pound Rice performed well this season with the Gulf Coast League Phillies (.306 batting average) and earned a promotion, up two levels, to the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Through 24 games with the two-time defending South Atlantic League champions, Rice has posted an impressive .324 average with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 1 homerun and 14 runs scored. The lefty hitting Rice was a star player at Washington Township High School and later became a standout contributor at Gloucester County College prior to transferring to the University of South Carolina-Aiken. These days, the 22-year-old outfielder is living his dream. Check out the media player below to hear excerpts from my exclusive interview with Bill. _____________________________________

U of Delaware Product Alonso Earns His Spot

LAKEWOOD, NJ- As the 2011 minor league regular season began and players were assigned to their full-season clubs, infielder Carlos Alonso stayed behind in extended spring training. For months, Alonso, a 32nd round draft pick out of the University of Delaware in 2010, would split playing time with other players, hoping to get an opportunity and get noticed enough to join a roster. The chance came for the 5-foot-11-inch 205-pound Alonso, once the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters came north in June. Through 5 games in the New York-Penn League, Alonso went 6-for-14 (.429 avg) with 2 doubles and 4 RBI. However, even then, Alonso had difficulty cracking the lineup on a daily basis. Luckily for Alonso, some roster maneuvering landed the 23-year-old on the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws roster by July 10th. Since joining the two-time defending South Atlantic League champions, Alonso has played in 35 games and sports a .327 batting average with 1 HR, 16 RBI and a .446 on-base perc

Series Preview: Metropolitans at Phillies, 8/22-8/24

As the first place Phillies (81-44) approach the final month of the season, it seems as though each week brings another injury. On Monday, it was announced that shortstop Jimmy Rollins will land on the disabled list with a grade 2 groin strain. Luckily, Placido Polanco, who missed time with a sports hernia, will be activated to fill Rollins' void on the roster. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was quoted as saying he hopes that Rollins' DL stint lasts just 15 days, however it is unclear at this time whether or not Rollins will require a longer period to recover. As Corey Seidman of PhilliesNation points out , Orlando Hudson spent 24 days on the disable list earlier this season with the same injury. The Phillies return home after a series loss to Washington over the weekend that saw the division leaders drop two contests in dramatic fashion in the Nationals' final plate appearance of each game. Philadelphia will play host to the Metropolitans (60-66), who have los

Pitching Prospect Austin Wright Interview Excerpts

Austin Wright was selected by the Phillies in the 8th round on the 2011 amateur draft. Since then, the 21-year-old left-hander has looked great, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.70 ERA in 12 games at two levels. Additionally, the 6-foot-4-inch 235-pounder has struck out an impressive 67 batters in 56 2/3 innings pitched. The Illinois native spent two years pitching for Chipola Junior College before transferring to Ole Miss, where he faced tough competition in 2011. Wright was promoted from short-season Williamsport to Class A Lakewood on August 1st, following Ryan Duke and becoming the second 2011 draft pick to join the BlueClaws. Recently I spoke with Austin about his draft experience, growing up as a fan and plenty more. Read the excerpts from that interview below. Also, click here to read my previous feature on Wright and Duke's additions to the Lakewood staff. Have you been surprised with the level of success you've had this early in your pro career? No,

Greene & Quinn Practice, Plus Other Notes

On Saturday morning, supplemental first round draft pick, Larry Greene Jr., dressed and took part in baseball activities as a Phillie for the very first time. Along with second round draft choice Roman Quinn, Greene took batting practice in Clearwater at the Gulf Coast Phillies facility. The two youngsters are sharing schedules for practice, trainer sessions and more. Reports from multiple pitchers who were present at BP stated that Greene was driving balls for great distance during his first day on a pro diamond. Australian right-hander Josh Warner claimed that Greene nearly hit one over the light tower beyond the outfield fence. At this stage, it is unclear when Greene or Quinn will see game action with the GCL Phillies, but both players look forward to the opportunity to face suitable competition. Both players could be expected to take part in instructional ball from mid-September through mid-October in order to play more and to be evaluated further. Greene, an 18-year-old

Series Preview: Phillies at Nationals, 8/19-8/21

The Phillies (80-42), winners of 15 of their last 18 contests, hit the road to open a three-game series in Washington DC against the National (59-63). The Nationals have dropped 7 of the 11 meetings between these two clubs this season. Roy Oswalt , who has not won in Washington as a member of the Phillies, will take the mound for the series opener. Washington will counter with veteran hurler Livan Hernandez , who allowed 1 unearned run over 6 2/3 innings in a win against the Phillies last week. Read ahead for more info on the pitching match ups and other key details from this series. Friday, 7:05PM. Roy Oswalt (5-7, 3.84 ERA) vs. L ivan Hernandez (7-11, 4.21 ERA). In 19 career games against Washington, Oswalt has posted a 6-4 record with a 3.17 ERA. On the road this year, Oswalt is 2-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 9 games. Laynce Nix is 11-for-23 (.478 avg) with 4 doubles, 1 triple and 3 HR in his career against Oswalt. In 12 home starts this year, Hernandez is 5-3 wit

Pitching Prospect Ryan Duke Interview Excerpts

Relief pitcher Ryan Duke has been hot since debuting as a pro this year. After being selected by the Phillies in the 25th round of this year's MLB amateur draft, Duke made a splash with the short season Williamsport Crosscutters, quickly earning a promotion to the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. In 17 games thus far as a professional, Duke, a 22-year-old right hander, has 0.96 ERA with 7 saves and a .113 batting average against. In addition, he has displayed great command while striking out 22 batters and walking just 3 in 18 2/3 innings. In his collegiate career, Duke was a force out of the University of Oklahoma bullpen, where he became the school's all-time saves leader. Recently, I spoke with Ryan about his draft experience, his pitch repertoire and more. Check out the media player below to listen to excerpts from the interview. Also, click here to read more about Ryan and his teammate Austin Wright, another 2011 draft pick currently contributing with the Lakewoo

Schwimer Gets the Call

Right-handed reliever Michael Schwimer is set to join the Phillies on Wednesday. The 14th round selection out of the 2008 amateur draft, has been called up by the big club to fill the void left when Placido Polanco was placed on the disabled list on Tuesday with a sports hernia. Through 46 games with the Triple A Lehigh Valley IronPigs this season, the University of Virginia graduate posted a 9-1 record with 10 saves and a 1.88 ERA while 86 striking out in 67 innings pitched. Schwimer, a 6-foot-8-inch 250-pounder, has been ready for the step upward for a lengthy stretch. An All-star this season, Schwimer has out-shined many of his IronPigs teammates, only to see those players get called up time and time again. Now, Schwimer's chance has finally arrived and, if you ask the man himself, he's been ready for this opportunity for quite a while. In a recent exclusive interview, Schwimer spoke of his hopes of earning a spot with the big club. "I absolutely fe

Series Preview: D-Backs at Phillies, 8/16-8/18

As news dropped that Placido Polanco and Cole Hamels will miss time, the Phillies (78-41) are set to begin a three-game series against the playoff contending Arizona Diamondbacks (68-53). After Polanco worked out on the field at Citizens Bank Park, the team decided to place him on the disabled list. The All-star third baseman, who has been out of action lately with a sports hernia, tested his body with running and fielding drills on Tuesday, but the call was made to officially place him on the DL retroactive to August 7th. Polanco would then be available to return after just five more days. The move allows the Phillies to add a player to the active roster in the meantime. Surgery is likely in Polanco's future, but he prefers to put it off until the off-season and play through it, as the Phillies head toward a fifth straight post-season. In addition, an MRI on Cole Hamels' ailing left shoulder revealed inflammation and the team has announced that he will skip his nex

PhoulBallz Roundtable: Thome's Place in History

On Monday night, the Minnesota Twins' designated hitter Jim Thome mashed a homerun at the Major League level for the 600th time, becoming only the eighth man ever to do so. Over what has been beyond an impressive 20-year big league career, Thome has become one of the game's most renowned sluggers, while playing for five different teams. Somehow, though, what would previously have screamed the biggest story in sports, when heavy hitters of the past reached landmarks or chased records, has now had its volume turned way down as one of the game's most liked individuals, Thome, approached the 600 HR plateau. That lack of great buzz could make some wonder why Thome's approach toward the beastly breakthrough wasn't afforded as much attention as previous baseball milestone's. To discuss those concerns and to address Thome's legend specifically, I asked some friends of this site to offer their thoughts. -Where does Jim Thome rank among the game's a