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Mather, Prospects Among Non-Roster Spring Invitees

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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.
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