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Cody Asche with Reading in 2012 Prior to the start of the Phillies' home series against San Francisco on Tuesday, the Phils announced the promotion of fast rising prospect Cody Asche . The 23-year-old third baseman was the Phillies' 4th round draft choice out of the University of Nebraska in 2011 and has been on the ascent through the minors ever since. Through 104 games with the IronPgs this season, Asche, who represented Lehigh Valley in the Triple-A All-Star Game earlier this month, is batting .295 with 15 home runs and 68 RBI. Last year, the six-foot-one 180-pounder posted a .324 average with 12 home runs and 72 RBI in 130 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading. In his draft year, the lefty batting youngster broke into the pro ranks with short-season A level Williamsport as a second baseman, although Asche played third base throughout college. It's unclear exactly how much playing time Asche could get with the Phillies, as the te...

Cody Asche, photo- Jay Floyd Third baseman Cody Asche has been on a torrid pace of late. Asche, a University of Nebraska product, is showing more and more that he's ready for a bigger challenge. The 23-year-old lefty batter has gone 14-for-33 (.424 avg) along with three doubles, five homers and 12 RBI in his last eight contests with the IronPigs. Overall this season, Asche, who represented Lehigh Valley in the Triple-A All-Star Game earlier this month, is batting .295 with 15 home runs and 68 RBI in 104 games. On the latest edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast , Asche was featured as a call-in guest. When asked when he'll feel ready for the bigger challenge of the major leagues, he said the following: "Whenever (the Phillies) tell me. That's when I feel like I'm ready. There's a lot of guys in this organization that are really smart and they know what they're doing and they've been through this before with many players, so, you know, I 1...

Prior to Lakewood's 4-3 walk-off victory over Greenville on Sunday, I spoke with a couple of the team's coaches and a pair of players. Manager Mickey Morandini shared his thoughts on several of his players, while pitching coach Aaron Fultz talked about how big confidence is for pitchers and injured hurler Yoel Mecias . Corner infielder Willie Carmona and outfielder Larry Greene Jr. each discussed their improvements at the plate. Read ahead for all the exclusive quotes straight from Lakewood. Mickey Morandini... On guys like Mitch Walding , Chace Numata and Art Charles having trouble keeping their batting averages in respectable ranges- I mean, the averages aren't good overall. Take Willie (Carmona) out of the mix, I mean, throughout the lineup the averages aren't where they want them to be. In Art's defense, he's hit a lot of balls hard, right at people, so I don't think his average is truly reflective of how he's hit. The...

On the 34th edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast Tug and I are joined by Phils 3rd base prospect Cody Asche , who chats about his success in the minors and potentially changing positions to reach the big leagues.  We also talk about Tug's professional advancements, reports of the Phillies re-signing Chase Utley , Steve Susdorf 's major league debut and plenty more. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

Chase Utley, image- Joe Wombough Over at PhilliesNation.com, we fielded the topic of the Phillies' potentially re-signing Chase Utley , as a report from CSNPhilly's Jim Salisbury popped up on Thursday stating the team had begun negotiating with the five-time All-Star on a new deal. Rumors started flying this morning that the Phillies might be nearing a contract extension with Chase Utley. Is this a wise move for the organization? What combination of years-and-dollars would you be comfortable with the Phillies offering Utley? Rumors started flying this morning that the Phillies might be nearing a contract extension with Chase Utley. Is this a wise move for the organization? What combination of years-and-dollars would you be comfortable with the Phillies offering Utley? My answer: It will take me exactly two words to explain why re-signing Chase Utley is a bad idea for the Phillies. Cesar Hernandez . The Phils have a 23-year-old Venezuelan born Triple-A All-Sta...

Steve Susdorf, image- Jay Floyd The Phillies have selected the contract of outfielder Steve Susdorf to fill a void on the big league roster left by outfielder Domonic Brown , who was placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list. Through 70 games this year with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the lefty batting California native is batting .335 with 13 doubles, a triple, a home run and 25 RBI.  In six pro seasons, the 6-foot-1 190-pounder has posted a .304 average along with an .802 OPS. The 27-year-old Susdorf, who has 196 minor league games under his belt in left field, 159 games in right field and 20 games at first base, was the Phils' 19th round draft selection in 2009 out of Fresno State. In 2011, the Susdorf spoke exclusively with PhoulBallz.com about how he looked up to 13-time All-Star Ken Griffey Jr. and how he admired Chase Utley in an interview that can be heard by clicking here . Brown, the Phillies' All-Star left fielder, was injured on a diving pl...

Kelly Dugan, image- Jay Floyd This season, outfielder Kelly Dugan has shown why the Phillies once selected him with their top draft choice (2nd round, 2009).  Earlier this season, the California native tallied a .318 average along with 10 homers and 36 RBI in 56 games with Class A Advanced Clearwater.  Since being promoted to Double-A Reading, the 22-year-old lefty hitter has posted a .274 average with four doubles, a home run and three RBI in 16 games. In the past Dugan was held back by injuries, but now the youngster is finally excelling in the Phillies' developmental ranks and fully looks like he belongs at the upper levels of the minors. Recently, Kelly shared some thoughts on transitioning to the Eastern League, having some friends and family checking out his Double-A debut and more. - I know you had some family in Trenton for your first weekend in Double-A.  Talk a bit about who was there. Aw, yeah, my dad (movie director Dennis Dugan) and Richard a...

Phillies third base prospect Maikel Franco has been tearing through the competition at multiple levels this year to the tune of a .322 average along with 21 home runs and 70 RBI through 92 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading. The 20-year-old Dominican represented the Phils in the MLB Futures Games last week and is one of the organization's fastest rising prospects. In reviewing some video clips I shot recently, when Reading visited Trenton, I pooled some footage of Maikel together and that video, featuring some batting practice and a fly out against Thunder hurler Zach Nuding , is in the media player below.

It's summer and in this scorching July weather, we're focusing solely on the players who've been hot lately in this round of Phillies minor league notes. Triple-A Lehigh Valley- Newly minted center fielder and All-Star second baseman Cesar Hernandez is batting .338 along with four doubles, a triple and seven RBI in 17 July games.  The 23-year-old switch hitter appeared in nine games with the big league Phils earlier this season, going 7-for-28 (.250 avg) during that stint. Shortstop Freddy Galvis has tallied a .375 average with five doubles, a homer and seven RBI in his last 10 games for the IronPigs.  The 23-year-old sported a .207 average in 54 games with the Phillies earlier this season. Double-A Reading- In his past eight games, outfielder Kelly Dugan is batting .344 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI.  The 22-year-old lefty hitter has posted a .305/.380/.500 combined line in 70 games at Class A Advanced Clearwater and Reading this season...

Jay Johnson 's promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley last week was something that at least three other big league organizations thought could never happen.  Now, as he ascends to the top in the Phillies' developmental ranks, the left-handed reliever is just a step from the big leagues and has proved many people wrong. Drafted twice, Johnson was turned away by the Orioles and Blue Jays, after being selected by those teams in 2009 and 2010 respectively, due to concerns raised with his elbow during physical examinations.  In both instances, the team and player had come to terms on a financial agreement, but the offers were rescinded following the discovery of bone spurs and loose chips in his joint. The following year the New Brunswick, Canada native worked out for the Mariners at their spring training home in Arizona.  It had reached the point where Johnson was no longer concerned with a monetary agreement, but he instead was willing to sign for much less....

On the latest episode of the PhoulBallz Podcast, Jay and Tug discuss what you love...baseball!  Topics on the show include the Phillies' All-Star performances including Cody Asche in the Triple-A game, Cesar Hernandez 's move to the outfield, Alex Rodriguez 's rehab in Reading as well as Kyrell Hudson and the 2009 Phils draft class.  Don't miss this joint. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

JP Crawford, screencap- MLB Network Currently ranking third in the Gulf Coast League in batting with a .372 average, 18-year-old J.P. Crawford is proving that he was certainly ready for professional baseball when the Phillies selected him with their 1st round pick (16th overall) last month. In 13 minor league games thus far, the lefty batting shortstop from California has also drilled two doubles, a triple and scored seven runs while swiping four bags in seven chances. Crawford posted great numbers at Lakewood High School, batting .432 in 25 games during his senior season this year and is the all-time leader in hits and runs scored at a school that also produced former Phillies 1st round draft pick Travis d'Arnaud .  Additionally, another Lakewood High product, Crawford's teammate from tee ball through their teens Shane Watson , who is currently rehabbing a shoulder injury in Florida, was taken in the 1st round by the Phillies last year. With strong defensive skil...

Kyrell Hudson, photo- Jay Floyd Multiple sources have confirmed that outfielder Kyrell Hudson has taken a leave of absence from the Phillies organization to pursue college football. The speedy 22-year-old was selected by the Phils in 3rd round of the 2009 MLB amateur draft out of Evergreen High School (Washington state).  In parts of five seasons in the pro baseball ranks, Hudson tallied a .224 average with 34 doubles, five triples, three home runs, 66 RBI and 72 stolen bases.  Hudson played as high as Class A Advanced Clearwater, where he batted just .202 in 50 games this season. Hudson is set to attend junior college in California to restart his career on the gridiron.  As a high schooler, Hudson played quarterback and was a kick returner. The 6-foot-1 180-pounder was committed to Oregon State as a two-sport athlete out of high school before he signed with the Phillies. Another Phils prospect, third baseman Travis Mattair , went on the retired list in 201...

Recently, Phillies Nation TV headed out to the Class A South Atlantic League All-Star events in Lakewood, NJ to attend the Celebrity Hitting Challenge that was hosted at FirstEnergy Park by the BlueClaws. The "Clawstar Spectacular", as it was called, featured the likes of former players Matt Stairs and Dwight Gooden along with comedian Artie Lange, who were all featured in interviews on a recent edition of our program. All the footage we collect can't always make the final edit of the show, so there are often clips or interviews we don't use. Among the material that ended up on the cutting room floor from the Celebrity Hitting Challenge was a one-on-one interview with former Phillies All-Star second baseman Mickey Morandini .  In the interview, Mickey, who is now the manager for the BlueClaws, discussed the event, the reactions he gets from fans, looking forward to the 1993 Phillies reunion coming up next month and plenty more. Check out the media play...

From all throughout the Phillies' developmental ranks, here's our weekly rundown of top performers and those players that have struggled recently. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- Who's hot... Cody Asche, image- Jay Floyd Third baseman Cody Asche had four multi-hit games over a five-game stretch last week, including a 5-for-5 effort against Pawtucket on Wednesday.  The 23-year-old International League All-Star is batting .288 with 10 homers and 56 RBI in 93 games this season.  Asche was the Phils' 4th round draft choice in 2011. The IronPigs' other All-Star, second baseman Cesar Hernandez , is batting .333 with three doubles, a triple and five RBI in 13 contests this month.  Due to the Phillies' void in center field, as Ben Revere suffered a broken foot over the weekend, Hernandez will not participate in the IL All-Star events, instead, he's been assigned to Double-A Reading to get extra work in the outfield in case the Phils choose to ...

Maikel Franco, image- Jay Floyd You likely won't find a happier minor leaguer than Phillies third base prospect Maikel Franco . The Dominican born 20-year-old is having a tremendous season, has started to become a house hold name and will represent the Phils in Sunday's MLB All-Star Futures Game.  With all that in mind, Franco's ready to put forth his best efforts on a big stage but is still in amazement, at times, of his own output. Signed by the Phillies in 2010 at the age of 17, Franco has steadily been climbing the developmental ladder ever since, making an impact last season with Class A Lakewood where he started off at somewhat of a slow pace.  The youngster batted .207 with six homers, 27 RBI and a .607 OPS before he turned things up after the South Atlantic League All-Star break. In the second half of 2012, Franco really showed what he can do, as he posted a .346 average with eight home runs, 57 RBI, and a .925 OPS. Franco, who had never before played in ...

After a troublesome beginning (5.71 ERA in 10 games) to 2013 with Class-A Advanced Clearwater, righty reliever Mike Nesseth is having a strong campaign with Double-A Reading this year, posting a 1-1 record with three saves, a 1.96 ERA and a .204 batting average against. With teammate Kyle Simon sidelined with an injury, Nesseth, who stands 6-foot-5 and is listed as weighing 210 pounds, took over the closer role and has been very solid for the Fightins. The Minnesota native was drafted in the 17th round in 2010, while already recovering from Tommy John surgery.  After a somewhat delayed start to his pro career, Nesseth entered this season with a 3.07 ERA in 53 professional games over three seasons. I spoke with Mike recently about his change of roles within the bullpen, his boost in velocity, players he looked up to as a youngster and plenty more.  Read ahead for that full interview. - Mike, you've landed in the closer role here for Reading recently.  What can...

On the 32nd edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast, Double-A Reading starting left-handed pitchers Jesse Biddle and Austin Wright took some time to take part in exclusive interviews.  Additionally, Tug and I talk about 2012 first round draft pick Shane Watson 's DL stint, third base prospect Cody Asche 's Triple-A success, Kelly Dugan earning a promotion to the Double-A level and Jarred Cosart making his big league debut with the Astros along with a bit of WWE chatter.  Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

In his fourth start of the season, Class A Lakewood right-hander Jeb Stefan tossed six innings to start off what would result in the BlueClaws' fourth no-hitter in team history, in a 1-0 victory over the Rome Braves at home on Thursday. Along with Stefan, Dominican righty Ramon Oviedo tossed two perfect frames while right-hander Chris Burgess wrapped up the historic feat with a hitless ninth. Stefan, 23, was the Phillies' 22nd round draft choice last year out of Louisiana Tech University. In 26 games (four starts), the 6-foot-4 225 pounder has a 3-4 record along with 3.78 ERA and a .228 batting average against. Ramon Oviedo, photo- Jay Floyd The 22-year-old Oviedo, who had a 1-7 record along with a 9.15 ERA in nine appearances for Lakewood last season, struck out four Braves in his 2013 BlueClaws debut. Burgess was a 26th round draft selection this year our of Oklahoma Christian. The 22-year-old transferred from Oklahoma University last year and quickly became...