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Showing posts from March, 2013

Spring Wrap Up Interview: RHP Tyler Knigge

As minor leaguers break camp and three quarters of the teams head north to their full season destinations, I had the opportunity to speak with righty hurler Tyler Knigge . The Phils' 12th round draft selection in 2010, took big strides last year, as he posted a 4-1 record, nine saves and a 0.60 ERA in 34 outings for Class A Advanced Clearwater, en route to becoming a Florida State League All-Star.  The six-foot-three 225-pounder then earned a promotion to Double-A, where he tallied a 2.92 ERA with no decisions and two saves in 21 appearances for Reading.  Additionally, Knigge, who sports a fastball that is regularly clocked in the mid-90's, averaged 9.09 K/9 at the two levels.  He went on to pitcher with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League last year as well. This weekend, Tyler offered some quick thoughts on his preseason, his assignment to begin the regular season with Reading and more.  Read ahead to check out the interview. - How has your spring gone?  Thought

PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast: Episode 19

The PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast is back with episode number 19.  In this edition of the program, Jay and Tug discuss Phillies prospects Harold Martinez , Colby Shreve , Kenny Giles and Tyler Knigge .  In addition, the duo compares their excitement levels for opening day and WrestleMania.  The IronPigs' new urinal gaming system is discussed, as are local player Bill Rice and Phils' versatile youngster Freddy Galvis . Check out the media player below to hear the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

RHP Austin Hyatt Released by Phils

Austin Hyatt with Reading in 2011 On Thursday evening, IronPigs reporter Jeff Schuler mentioned on Twitter that the Phillies have parted ways with righty hurler Austin Hyatt .  The 25-year-old struggled considerably last season, as he posted a 2-7 record with a 6.33 ERA over 11 games as member of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs' starting rotation.  Following a demotion to Double-A Reading, Hyatt's output improved, as he tallied an 8-5 record along with a 4.62 ERA in 16 outings, but he wasn't as sharp as he had been in the same league a season earlier..  Following a solid full season with Reading (12-6, 3.85 ERA, 9.97 K/9) in 2011, Hyatt was ranked among the organization's top 20 prospects by PhilliesNation . With promising young hurlers like Adam Morgan , Ethan Martin , Jonathan Pettibone and last year's Paul Owens Award winner Tyler Cloyd holding down rotation spots for Lehigh Valley, there simply didn't seem to be room for Hyatt. The

Whatcott and Hill Released by Phillies

Another pair of releases out of Phillies minor league camp today saw the team part ways with righty hurler Jordan Whatcott (pictured) and catcher John Hill . Whatcott, who was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2010, pitched in 44 games (seven starts) with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading in 2012. The 27-year-old University of Utah product posted a 3-3 record with two saves and a 3.78 ERA. Hill, a lefty batting 24-year-old, was the Phils' 11th round draft selection in 2011. The graduate of Concordia University in California batted .129 with two doubles and eight RBI in 36 games over three levels last season. The Phillies' minor league rosters continue to take shape and should be finalized this coming weekend.

The Cody Chronicles, Vol. 6: Asche Ready to Begin 2013 Season

As the exhibition schedule winds down, we check in one last time with Phillies third base prospect Cody Asche , who has been offering weekly thoughts directly from inside spring training in Clearwater, FL. A 4th round draft selection in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska, Asche has been a fast rising prospect since joining the Phils organization. Last year, the 22-year-old, in his first full professional season, tallied a .324 batting average with 12 homers, 72 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 130 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading. Asche followed up that campaign with a .281/.343/.438 line with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League. This spring the six-foot-one 180-pounder went 5-for-14 (.357 average) with two doubles in eight Grapefruit League contests this year, before being reassigned to minor league camp. In the latest edition of The Cody Chronicles, Asche talks about the potential of beginning the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, m

Latest Minor League Workout Groups

Here's a quick look at the latest minor league workout groups, as the teams begin their final week of spring training. Click on the images for a larger view. Names missing from the list that have been cut in recent days include Brendan Lafferty, Ervis Manzanillo, Troy Marks and Jorge Lorenzo.

Phils Deal RHP Rodriguez to O's for OF Welty

The disassembling of the prospect group known as the Baby Aces continues, as the Phillies have traded once highly regarded righty hurler Julio Rodriguez to Baltimore for outfielder Ronnie Welty . Rodriguez once dominated Class A ball, but looked far more human with Double-A Reading last season. Drafted in the 8th round of the 2008 amateur draft, the Puerto Rican born pitcher finished with an overall record of 7-3 with a 1.89 ERA and a .175 batting average against in 20 outings with Williamsport and Lakewood in 2010. The following season, Rodriguez was named a Florida State League All-Star, as he finished with a league leading 16 wins, a 2.76 ERA that was second best in the league and a .186 batting average against. Over those two seasons, he averaged a 10.71 K/9 mark. Last year in the Eastern League, Rodriguez wrapped up his 2012 regular season campaign with a 7-7 record, a 4.23 ERA and a .243 batting average against, following a difficult eight-game stretch (6.81 ERA) that go

PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast: Episode 18

It's the season 2 premiere of the show (episode 18). In this edition Tug and Jay discuss Tug's wedding, some surprising releases from Phils minor league camp, Roy Halladay 's health, fast rising prospects Roman Quinn and Carlos Tocci , the Reading rebranding, Lehigh Valley's new alternate jersey, and much more! Check out the media player below to hear the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

PhoulBallz Roundtable: Most/Least Likely Expiring Contract to Return

Every now and again, here on the site, we feature guests tackling a topic related to the Phillies.  This time around, I surveyed some impassioned baseball minds on the subject of which of the Phils' four key players with expiring contracts at the end of this upcoming season are most likely and least likely to return to Philadelphia.  Those four individuals are manager Charlie Manuel , ace pitcher Roy Halladay , catcher Carlos Ruiz and second baseman Chase Utley . The participants in this roundtable are my Podcast cohost Tug Haines , WFAN radio host and writer Joe Giglio , the biggest female baseball fan I know Casey Landman , PhilliesNation.com writer Kieran Carobine as well as yours truly.  Here's what the group had to say on this subject. Tug Haines- I  think a lot of this depends on how the season looks around the trade deadline. But I’ll answer real quick, ranking them from least to most likely, while assuming the Phillies will be in the thick of things until t

Chris Duffy Talks About Being Cut by Phils

In recent days a prospect that had considerable buzz about him last season, Chris Duffy , was released by the Phillies.  Billed by many coaches within the system as a very good hitter, the 26th round draft choice in 2010 out of the University of Central Florida had an outstanding season in 2012 with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws.  In 60 games in the South Atlantic League the lefty batting slugger sported a .384 batting average with 11 homers and 56 RBI.  Additionally, in two different stints with Class A Advanced Clearwater last year, Duffy sported a .236 average with two home runs and 15 RBI. Credited by prospects like highly regarded third baseman Maikel Franco with being an inspiration, the 25-year-old Duffy built a reputation of being a leader among toward players.  Now, faced with free agency, the well-mannered and steadily lighthearted spoke this week about the circumstances surrounding his release, - Okay, so clearly there was some big news that surprised some

The Cody Chronicles, Vol 5: Asche Bonds with Teammates and Fans

As part of our weekly spring training series, Phillies third base prospect Cody Asche is back once again to check in, directly from spring training in Clearwater, FL. A 4th round draft selection in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska, Asche has been a fast rising prospect since joining the Phillies organization. Last year, the 22-year-old, in his first full professional season, tallied a .324 batting average with 12 home runs, 72 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 130 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading. Asche followed that up with a .281/.343/.438 line with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League, then went 5-for-14 (.357 average) with two doubles in eight big league spring games this year. In the latest edition of The Cody Chronicles, Asche talks about the change in attendance going from big league camp back to the minors, bonding with people on Twitter, his ties with teammates from his draft class and plenty more. On the topic of playing in

More Phillies Prospects Released

Word out of Clearwater on Sunday had more names than the ones I reported being released. Confirmation of those names came on Monday, when Phillies Vice President of Alumni Relations Larry Shenk noted on his blog that Luis Gonzalez , Stefan Jarrin and Moises Rivas had all been cut the day prior, while David Newmann had been released that morning. Gonzalez, a lefty hurler, pitched with short-season Class A Williamsport last season, posting a 0-3 record with a save and a 4.62 ERA in 16 outings. The Dominican born 20-year-old was originally signed in February, 2010. Jarrin, a second baseman, was the player to be named later from Los Angeles in the Shane Victorino trade last year. Acquired in September, following the regular season, the 20-year-old never actually played a game in the Phils organization. Rivas, a righty pitcher, sported a 15-4 record along with a 3.27 ERA over three pro seasons in 45 outings. The 22-year-old Venezuelan was originally signed by the Phi

Phils Trade Minor League Hurler Cisco to Angels

PN's Jay Floyd has learned that the Phillies have traded righty minor league hurler Michael Cisco to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The 25-year-old was originally selected in the 36th round of the 2008 draft and is the grandson of former Phillies pitching coach Galen Cisco . Combined over his last two seasons with Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Cisco tallied a 13-3 record along with six saves and a 1.70 ERA in 69 outings, all in relief. According to CSN's Jim Salisbury, the Phils obtain no compensation in the deal. Also, take a look at details on today's minor league releases by clicking here . This post was originally published on PhilliesNation.com.

Surprising Minor League Cuts Begin For Phils

Eldemire and Duffy with Lakewood in 2012 Following releases last week that didn't catch many off guard (details here , here and here ), the Phillies began some more house cleaning on Sunday when they cut ties with a pair of players that many people thought were not at risk of losing their spots in the system, as first baseman Chris Duffy and outfielder Gauntlett Eldemire were both released by the Phils, making each man a free agent. Duffy, a 26th round draft choice in 2010 out of the University of Central Florida, had an outstanding season in 2012 with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws.  In 60 games there, the lefty batting slugger posted a .384 average with 11 homers and 56 RBI.  Additionally, in two different stints with Class A Advanced Clearwater last year, Duffy sported a .236 average with two home runs and 15 RBI.  The 25-year-old was credited with helping some of his younger Lakewood teammates excel at the plate as well. Eldemire, a 6th round draft selection in 201

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-ye

Phillies Release RHP Ryan Duke

More reasons to follow me on Twitter...if you missed Monday's news about the Phillies' release of right-handed pitcher Juan Morillo , you may have also missed me breaking another cut on Tuesday morning, when the Phils parted ways with righty hurler Ryan Duke . The #Phillies have parted ways with RHP Ryan Duke, who was a 25th rd draft pick in 2011. #MiLB — Jay Floyd (@PhoulBallz) March 12, 2013 Duke, a University of Oklahoma product, was selected by the Phillies in the 25th round of the 2011 amateur draft. In two professional seasons, the 24-year-old Texas native sported a 1-3 record with 10 saves and a 2.73 ERA in 55 combined games at five levels. Be sure to follow me in order to learn about Phillies minor league news as it breaks.

The Cody Chronicles, Vol. 4: Asche Valued Time with Schmidt & Phils

Phillies third base prospect Cody Asche is back once again to check in directly from spring training in Clearwater, FL. A 4th round draft selection in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska, Asche has been a fast rising prospect since joining the Phillies organization. Last year, the 22-year-old, in his first full professional season, tallied a .324 batting average with 12 home runs, 72 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 130 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading. Asche followed that up with a .281/.343/.438 line with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League, then went 5-for-14 (.357 average) with two doubles in eight big league spring games this year. In the latest edition of The Cody Chronicles, Asche speaks about being reassigned to minor league camp, Phils legend Mike Schmidt , what he took from his time with the big league team and plenty more. Sharing his thoughts on being reassigned to minor league camp recently... "It's something that, whe

Phils Part Ways with RHP Juan Morillo

News that was first reported on Twitter by yours truly...on Monday, the Phillies released righty pitcher Juan Morillo . Source tells me that the #Phillies have parted ways with RHP Juan Morillo, who was with @ readingfightins & @ ironpigs last year. #MiLB — Jay Floyd (@PhoulBallz) March 11, 2013 Morillo, a 29-year-old veteran, was signed by the Phillies as a minor league free agent in May, 2011, while he was recovering from elbow surgery. In 2012, the Dominican born hurler tallied a 1-2 record with a 5.34 ERA combined in 40 games with the Double-A Reading Phillies and the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. In 2001, Morillo broke into the pro ranks after signing as an amateur free agent with Colorado. He went on to pitch in six games with the Rockies in the majors. Morillo also spent time with the Twins and pitched in the Japanese Pacific League in 2010.

Prospect Nation 2013: #1 LHP Jesse Biddle

Jesse Biddle is the Phillies' number 1 prospect Left-handed pitching prospect Jesse Biddle redefines homegrown talent. Born and bred as a Phillies fan in the Philadelphia region, Biddle's childhood dreams came true in 2010, when he was selected 27th overall in that year’s amateur draft by the Phils. Since then, he's been a steadily rising prospect and on an ascent toward the highest levels of the game. Upon signing his first pro contract, Biddle quickly made his minor league debut, beginning his journey toward donning the home uniform of the team he cheered on from the seats of Citizens Bank Park all throughout his teenage years. The graduate of Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia combined to sport a 4-1 record with a 3.92 ERA and a .241 batting average against in 12 starts with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies and the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters in 2010. The following year, Biddle became an All-Star in the Class A South Atlant

Prospect Nation 2013: #2 LHP Adam Morgan

Lefty hurler Adam Morgan progressed more than any other Phillies prospect over the past year.  Drafted in the third round in 2011 out of the University of Alabama, Morgan quickly made an impact in the Phils' system upon debuting as a pro, and only sped up his progress last season when he became a force on the pitching mound.  After posting a 3-3 record with a 2.01 ERA in 11 starts in his debut professional season as a member of the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters, Morgan skipped full season A level Lakewood and began the 2012 season in the Florida State League. With the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, Morgan tallied a 4-10 record with a 3.29 ERA and was named a mid-season All-Star. His win-loss record certainly doesn't accurately convey the true effort that Morgan put forth with the Threshers, as he held opponents to a .227 batting average while averaging 10.24 K/9, posting a 1.10 WHIP and sporting a 2.62 SIERA in 21 games (20 starts). In July, t

Prospect Nation 2013: #3 RHP Ethan Martin

Acquired from the Dodgers in the trade that sent Shane Victorino to LA last summer, Ethan Martin quickly showed why he was regarded as a fast rising pitching prospect, as he helped the Double-A Reading Phillies reach the postseason and posted great numbers in a short period of time.  Originally selected by Los Angeles in the 1st round (15th overall) in the 2008 amateur draft out of Stephens County High School in Georgia, when scouts weren't sure if he would proceed as a pitcher or a third baseman in his career, Martin had not posted great numbers as a professional prior to last season. In his first three years in the minors, Martin tallied a 24-29 record with a 5.42 ERA.  He missed action in 2008 due to a knee injury and officially began his pro career in 2009 with Great Lakes of the Class A Midwest League.  There, with the Loons, he performed well, sporting a 6-8 with a 3.87 ERA and a .232 batting average against in 27 games (19 starts). The following season, the s

Gillies Excited to Represent Canada in WBC

Phillies outfield prospect Tyson Gillies is a very skilled player that has had some well documented ups and downs in recent years.  Being traded, bouncing back from several injuries and a return from a suspension have induced plenty of emotion from the lefty batter, but an opportunity to play for his home country of Canada in the World Baseball Classic has the Vancouver native more excited about the game than he's been in some time. "It's always a dream come true to represent your country, doing something you love," Gillies said from Team Canada's training facility this week.  "The excitement level has been through the roof for everyone out here in Arizona."   The 24-year-old, who plays with a hearing impairment, has experienced some considerable injury issues since the Phillies acquired him in the 2009 trade that sent Cliff Lee to Seattle.  A recurring left hamstring ailment, a troublesome foot problem and a concussion that forced Gillies to