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It's that time of year that gets folks in the mood to be merry. The biggest of all holidays is loved by all, for many reasons. Baseball players certainly don't feel any differently. In recent weeks, I have checked in with several Phillies players, from the bottom to the top of the system, to find out what stands out for them as reasons to get excited for Christmas. Players that took part in this year's questionnaire include top 2013 draft pick shortstop J.P. Crawford , righty pitching prospects Colby Shreve , Nic Hanson and Mark Leiter Jr., third base prospect Mitch Walding , minor league first baseman Art Charles as well as Phillies rookie catcher Cameron Rupp . Questions and answers detailing each player's holly jolly holiday favorites are ahead... What is your favorite Christmas movie or TV special? JP Crawford- Favorite Christmas movie is The Grinch. Just one of my favorite movies. Mark Leiter Jr.- Elf. Definitely, Elf. Will Ferrell!

Throughout the off-season, I'll be checking in with various players from around the Phillies organization to see how they're staying in shape and how they're keeping busy during the colder months. This round I chatted with righty pitching prospect Nic Hanson , who had a solid season in the minors for the Phillies this year.  Last year's 16th round draft selection began the season with Class A Lakewood where he sported a 2-2 record along with a 2.49 ERA and a 7.1 K/9 mark in 16 total outings.  Following a groin issue that sidelined him in May, Hanson returned to the BlueClaws, posting a 1.09 ERA over five starts which earned a promotion to Class A Advanced Clearwater.  In five starts with the Threshers, the California native went 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA. Following the season, the six-foot-seven 210-pounder made up for some missed time from the regular season by spending time at the fall instructional league. This week I spoke with Nic about his time at instructs,

Jay and Tug return with episode 49 of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast and are joined by Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp , who chats about the Phillies' heavy amount of activity at the backstop position this off-season, debuting in the big leagues this year, Carlos Ruiz as a mentor and leader as well as the NFC East rivalry between the Eagles and the Cowboys.  The guys also talk about recent transactions involving Sebastian Valle and Lou Marson , Roy Halladay 's retirement plus much 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 .

To follow up on a previous story , Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Shane Watson learned this week that rehab would not be enough to allow his ailing shoulder to return to form and he'll require surgery. Watson, the Phils' top draft choice in 2012, missed time during the regular season with a shoulder issue, but had rehabbed through the fall instructional league and was thought to be in good health until recently.  On a the latest edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast , Watson told me that he woke up one day in November with considerable discomfort in his joint and the pain worsened over the week that followed. The 21-year-old also admitted that the issue, which has kept him out of action since July, initially popped up in 2012 when he was playing racquetball. admitted that the issue, which has kept him out of action since July, initially popped up in 2012 when he was playing racquetball. - See more at: http://philliesnation.com/archives/2013/12/watson-shoulder-i

Throughout the fall and winter seasons, our weekly rundown reviews how Phillies players are performing in the various off-season leagues around the globe. Read ahead for the latest on many familiar names, some top prospects and plenty more. Mexican Winter League... Sebastian Valle, Image- Jay Floyd Catcher Sebastian Valle - The righty batting 23-year-old had a big day on Sunday for Los Mochis.  Playing right field, Valle went 3-for-4 with a homer and an RBI.  Overall in 36 games, Valle is batting .286 with with seven doubles, two home runs and seven RBI.  Valle posted a .203 batting average with 12 homers and 41 RBI in 98 games with Double-A Reading this year. RHP Kevin Munson - The 24-year-old, who was picked up by the Phillies in last week's Rule 5 draft from Arizona, has posted a 1.59 ERA with no decisions in five relief outings with Hermosillo.  Munson was a 4th round draft choice by Arizona in 2010. Dominican Winter League-

Throughout the off-season, I'll be checking in with various players from around the Phillies organization to see how they're staying in shape and how they're keeping busy during the colder months. To kick things off, third base prospect Mitch Walding , the Phils' 5th round draft selection from 2011, took time to answer some questions about what he's been up to since he wrapped up the 2013 regular season with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Walding, a California native, batted .224 with 18 doubles, two triples, a home run and 42 RBI this year with Lakewood.  His season wrapped up early as he was sidelined with a rib fracture and missed time in the closing months.  Equipped with a strong arm at the hot corner, the 21-year-old is a quality defender and was dispatched to the Phillies' winter academy in the Dominican Republic, where he made up for some missed time, playing there during November.  Read ahead to see what the lefty batting Walding had to say

As the annual Winter Meetings begin to wind down the Rule 5 draft took place on Thursday and the Phillies lost a player while gaining another.  Right-hander Kevin Munson was selected by the Phils from Arizona while the Mets took righty hurler Seth Rosin from the Phillies. With Double-A Mobile in 2013, Munson was a mid-season All-Star, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.41 ERA, 13 saves and a .157 batting average against in 29 relief outings.  Following a promotion to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, which is often considered tough on pitchers, the six-foot-one 215 pounder sported a 0-2 record along with a 5.09 ERA, one save and a .269 batting average against in 24 relief appearances for the Reno Aces.  Additionally, Munson combined to tally a 10.87 K/9 mark at the two levels last year. Scouting reports on Munson state that he has a low-90's fastball and a plus slider.  He projects to be a late inning reliever.  Munson was a 4th round draft selection by Arizona in 2010. In

The Phillies have been quiet thus far at the annual MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando FL, but one storyline impacted Philadelphia fans a great deal.  On Monday, Roy Halladay , who helped the Phils lock down two division titles announced his retirement from playing baseball. Halladay, an eight-time All-Star, signed a one-day contract with Toronto in order to retire as a member of the team that drafted him.  Proving to be a class act that he has always been regarded as, Halladay and his family took out a full-page ad in the Philadelphia Daily News thanking the Phillies organization and their fans for their dedication to him during his time in town. The text of the ad reads as follows... "To the City of Philadelphia, and Phillies fans everywhere: My family and I want to thank you for four amazing years. We have so many great memories of our time with the Phillies, on and off the field, and we will cherish those always. We want to also express our appreciation to my teamma

Throughout the winter season, our weekly rundown reviews how Phillies players are performing in the various off-season leagues around the globe. Read ahead for the latest on many familiar names, some top prospects and plenty more. Dominican Winter League... Maikel Franco, image- gigantessfm.com Maikel Franco -  In 37 games the righty batting Franco has tallied a .237 average with seven doubles, two home runs, 12 RBI and three steals for the Gigantes.  The 21-year-old had a standout 2013, mashing 31 homers and driving in 103 runs in 134 games with Clearwater and Reading during the regular season. 3B/1B LHP Antonio Bastardo - The 28-year-old has a 0-1 record with a 0.84 ERA ERA in 11 relief outings for the Gigantes.  Through 10 2/3 innings, Bastardo has struck out 19 batters while walking two.  In 48 big league games this year Bastardo sported a 3-2 record with two saves and a 2.32 ERA. Catcher Tommy Joseph - The 22-year-old righty h

On the 48th edition of the show, Tug and Jay are joined by Phillies pitching prospect Shane Watson who chats about his shoulder setback, his love for Philadelphia, endorsement deal and more.  The guys also talk about the Phils' acquisitions of Brad Lincoln and Wil Nieves , Kevin Frandsen 's Twitter anger and other off-season dealings. 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 .

Watson with Lakewood in 2013, image- Jay Floyd Righty pitching prospect Shane Watson is dealing with another setback related to his throwing shoulder. The Phillies’ first round draft choice from 2012 visited team physician Michael Ciccotti in Philadelphia this week and was diagnosed with an enlarged capsule. Watson is back in Florida and is slated to rehab the injury through early next week at which time he will be reevaluated. If the shoulder hasn’t improved at that time, surgery will be in order to correct the issue. Watson and Dr. Ciccotti are optimistic about a return to the mound, whether surgery is needed or not. The 20-year-old missed considerable time during the 2013 regular season with inflammation in the joint then rehabbed the ailment at the Phillies’ spring training headquarters in Clearwater, FL through the closing months of the season and throughout the fall instructional league season. After a rough start to the 2013 regular season, in which he posted a 6.35

Throughout the autumn and winter months, we'll have a weekly rundown of how Phillies players are performing in the various leagues around the globe. Read ahead for the latest on many familiar names, some top prospects and plenty more. Dominican Winter League... LHP Antonio Bastardo - The 28-year-old has a 0-1 record with a 1.04 ERA in nine outings for the Gigantes.  Through 8 2/3 innings, Bastardo has struck out 17 batters while walking two.  In 48 big league games this year, before missing time due to a banned substance suspension, the reliever had a 3-2 record with two saves and a 2.32 ERA. 3B/1B Maikel Franco -  The 21-year-old slugged his first homer of the Dominican League season this past week.  Overall, in 32 games the righty batting Franco has tallied a .237 average with six doubles, a home run, 11 RBI and three steals.  Franco had an excellent 2013, mashing 31 homers and driving in 103 runs in 134 games with Clearwater and Reading dur