Skip to main content

Minors Notes: RHP Claypool Released, More Roster Moves

Garett Claypool in 2011, Photo- Jay Floyd
Once promising righty hurler Garett Claypool was released by the Phillies on Friday morning.  The UCLA product was selected in the 11th round of the 2010 amateur draft by the Phils.

The 24-year-old right-hander had a breakout season, with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws in 2011, when he posted a 5-7 record with a 3.47 ERA and led the league in strike outs over 27 outings (23 starts).  Claypool, a California native, did not show the same potential that landed him among the Phillies' top 25 prospects in 2012 upon climbing the developmental ladder to Class A Advanced Clearwater in 2012.  There, the six-foot-two 180-pounder tallied a 3-2 record with a 7.30 ERA over 20 appearances (one start).

Additionally, the Phillies have continued some housekeeping among their rosters, reassigning second baseman Cesar Hernandez and relief pitcher Justin Friend to the minors.  In 11 games with the big league Phils this spring, Hernandez, a 22-year-old switch-hitter, batted .313 with a double, an RBI and two steals.  Friend, a 26-year-old righty who was an All-Star with Double-A Reading last season, appeared in two big league spring training games, allowing an earned run in two innings pitched.  Those two players now join other individuals that were reassigned to the minors this week, such as B.J. Rosenberg, Jonathan Pettibone, Tyson Gillies, Ethan Martin, Tyler Cloyd, Sebastian Valle and Joe Savery.

Also, outfielder Zach Collier, who spent some time with the big league club this spring is expected to begin the season with Double-A Reading.  Collier, the 34th overall draft pick by the Phillies in 2008, was hitless in seven at bats with the big league team this spring.

Lastly, as reported on The BlueClaws Blog, catcher Cameron Rupp has launched three home runs in the opening two games this spring, while playing with Double-A Reading's club.  Rupp, a University of Texas product, was the Phils' 3rd round draft choice in 2010.

*UPDATE* - I have also obtained confirmation from within Phillies minor league camp that pitcher Matt Sisto was released on Friday.  Sisto, a righty, was selected in the 20th round of last year's draft out of the University of Hawaii.  In 24 contests with short-season Class A Williamsport last year, the 23-year-old sported a 1-3 record with a 3.51 ERA.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PhoulBallz Interview: Reading second baseman Jesmuel Valentin

Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Switch-hitting infielder Jesmuel Valentin has been a bit of an underrated contributor with the Double-A Reading Fightins. Heading into action on Friday, Valentin was batting .339 over his last 14 games. Overall this season, the 22-year-old is batting .282 with four home runs and 35 RBI in 64 games. Valentin, who plays mostly second base, but dabbles at shortstop a bit also, is the son of former big leaguer Jose Valentin . The Puerto Rico native was a supplementary round pick (51st overall) of the Dodgers in 2012. He was acquired by the Phils as part of the Roberto Hernandez trade in 2014. Recently, I spoke with Jesmuel about his team's success, growing up around the game and more. Read ahead for that full interview. -The Reading team has been great and you've contributed very nicely to the club's success. What are your thoughts on competition in the Eastern League this year? I just came here with the mindset that...

Rappers in Phillies Caps

Weekend greetings to you phine pholks out there. Today's post features pictures of rappers wearing Phillies caps. Why rappers in Phillies caps, you ask? Because... Any other questions? We will start things off properly by going with a highly recognizable hip hop star. 50 Cent stays constantly relavant by consistantly creating radio friendly material to help sell (G) units, while he "keeps it real" by still rapping about the thug life he lived before becoming the 2nd highest earning black entertainer in America. 50 is seen here in a recent interview rocking a throw-back Phillies cap. Next up we'll use a throw-back screen cap from what may be the very first major appearance by a rapper wearing Phillies gear. Chuck D, of legendary rap group Public Enemy, wore a Phillies cap in the music video for rap anthem Fight The Power in 1989. The song was the lead single from the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing . Next up we'll go with some home grown tal...

The Second Place New York Mess, Sucking Annually

Well, the Mets are at it again...stinking up New York, the NL East and all of MLB. This time it's not with their miserable September play, it's with their crummy uniform decor. The Metropolitans are accessorizing their home jerseys this year with a comemorative patch to celebrate their new home, CitiField. Allow me to present to the Phillies Phaitful the fresh new uniform addition that the NY Metropolitans will have for 2009. This awful image to the right is really what the Metropolitans intend to have on their jersey sleeve this coming season... Amatuerish? To say the least. How about that world class franchise across town? They are going to have a new ballpark as well. What might their patch look like? Have a glance... It is a shame really. The Mets think their Dominos Pizza logo looking art work is sufficient enough to represent what kind of corporate baseball giant they are presenting the world. They are clueless. It screams out, "We deliver hot and fresh in 30 minut...