Mather, Prospects Among Non-Roster Spring Invitees

The Phillies announced today that six additional non-roster players have been invited to big league spring training. The list of new names extended the invitations includes former big leaguer Joe Mather, third baseman Cody Asche, lefty hurler Adam Morgan, catcher Tommy Joseph and right-handed pitchers Justin Friend and Kyle Simon.

Mather, an outfielder who was signed recently as a free agent on a minor league deal, batted .209, with five homers and 19 RBI in 103 games with the Cubs last season. A third round draft pick in 2001, Mather also has Major League experience with the Braves and the Cardinals.

Asche, the Phils' 4th round pick in 2011, posted great numbers in his first full pro season in 2012. The 22-year-old University of Nebraska product tallied a combined .324 average with 12 home runs and 72 RBI in 130 combined games at Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading last season.

Morgan, who was selected in the 3rd round of the 2011 draft, progressed to the Double-A level as well last year, posting an 8-11 record along with a 3.35 ERA and a 9.59 K/9 mark in 27 combined outings for Clearwater and Reading in 2012. Morgan will turn 23-years-old next month.

Joseph, acquired in the July trade that sent Hunter Pence to San Francisco, was a Double-A Eastern League All-Star in 2012. Often praised for his leadership abilities, the 21-year-old righty hitter tallied a .257 average with 11 homers and 48 RBI in 108 games last year.

Friend, a 26-year-old minor league veteran, had a great season last year with Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In 50 relief appearances last year the Oklahoma State product posted a 4-1 record with a 1.33 ERA and 9 K/9.

Simon, a 22-year-old reliever, was acquired by the Phillies last June in the trade that sent Jim Thome to Baltimore. After joining the Phils organization in 2012, Simon posted a 4-0 record along with three saves and a 1.36 ERA.

Other non-roster players invited to spring training with the big league club are righty pitchers Aaron Cook, Juan Cruz and Rodrigo Lopez, lefty pitcher Cesar Jimenez, catchers Humberto Quintero and Steven Lerud, outfielder Jermaine Mitchell as well as infielders Pete Orr, Michael Martinez, Andres Blanco and Josh Fields.

Comments

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...

PhoulBallz Interview: First round pick Bryson Stott

Bryson Stott, image- Jay Floyd Shortstop Bryson Stott , the Phillies' first round draft selection this year, has enjoyed a successful initial pro campaign. En route to being recognized as an All-Star for the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters the 21-year-old UNLV product has tallied a .295 average with six home runs and 25 RBI in 45 minor league contests. Last week I spoke with the lefty hitting Stott to discuss his transition to professional baseball, joining the Phillies organization and plenty more. Read ahead for that interview. -Obviously, your performance and the production on the field is going well, but how do you feel you have adapted to the pro life? It feels good. You hear about the everyday grind, but you don't really believe it till you feel it. I would say that's the difference between college and the pros, is you're not practicing, you're playing games every day. I would say that's the biggest difference. But I...

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...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog