Off-season Q&A: Dugan Readying for 2013

Last season with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws, Kelly Dugan put together a solid season in which he batted .300 while slugging 12 homers and driving in 60 runs in 117 games as a 21-year-old in the South Atlantic League. Primarily an outfielder, Dugan spent time at first base to assist with recovery from leg and ankle issues during the early portion of the season.

Overall, in his minor league career, Dugan has posted a .292 batting average in 237 games. He was the Phillies' top draft selection back in 2009 (2nd round) out of Notre Dame High School in California.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Kelly about his off-season workout routine, what his film director dad Dennis has in store for the movie-going public and plenty more. Read ahead to check out that full interview.

- What is your workout routine like lately and how much time off from hitting do you take during the off-season?

I took about a month and a half off. I pretty much follow the program that the Phillies have set in place. I have a trainer and I follow the program. And I have a (batting) cage at my house and I've been working with an ex-Dodger, Reggie Smith. We've been hitting together here in the off-season. I regularly have some other minor league players over, Cody Decker and Jeremy Rodriguez, they come over here at the house and we take some hacks.

- So, you're working with players from others organizations. Are those guys you've played with in high school or against in the pro's?

Well, Jeremy played at my rival high school, Crespi High School, out here in California. Jeff Suppan used to play there. And we're all hitting with Reggie and getting things going right now.

- Typically, guys out of Class A Advanced or Double A, which are the two levels ahead of where you played last season Class A Lakewood, might have a chance to play in fall/winter leagues like the Arizona Fall League, or in the Caribbean. Is that potentially something you look forward to, in the coming seasons?

Yeah. And I think that would be a great opportunity. I just hope, right now, I can build on last year and continue the momentum from that season and stay healthy and, you know, hopefully, after the season, I have to be mentally prepared to play in the fall, for a month, or so. We'll see. I'll be mentally ready for (something like that) next year. I'm looking forward to it, if I get the opportunity.

- Other than hitting and working out, what do you stay busy with, either as a hobby or for fun, to occupy yourself during the off-season?

To be honest, I don't do much. I do some pilates. I do running. But, I'm an exercise geek. I like to switch it up a lot and do the stairs one day...but I don't do a whole lot. I like to take little vacations. Over Christmas, we're in Yosemite, with my family and my girlfriend, to do some hiking and holiday stuff.

I love watching movies, 'cause my dad is a director, so I go to the movies a lot. We definitely try to get to the theater as much as we can.

- You mentioned your dad there. Is he working on anything during the off-season that you can visit the set for, or anything like that?

Well, right now, he's got a movie coming out in the summer and he's working on it. It's Grown Ups 2, they're doing the sequel to Grown Ups. So, that'll be coming out next summer. I think they're mostly in the editing room, right now. They were shooting during last season, because it's a summer movie. Everyone's excited and it looks really good.

- That sounds really good. Now, heading toward next year, as spring training approaches, when do you estimate your arrival to Florida for the spring? Do you normally go down there early?

I like to get there a little bit early and get adjusted, because of the time difference and I like to get there a couple days early. I haven't put a date on it yet, but that's usually, what I do.

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly. On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne. The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska. In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be. He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line. And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line. He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage. Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August. Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH. Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog