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Jesse Biddle, Image- Jay Floyd With the spring exhibition season underway, top Phillies pitching prospect Jesse Biddle took time this week to share his thoughts from inside big league spring training. Biddle, who was the Phils' top draft choice (27th overall) in 2010, represented the organization in the MLB All-Star Futures Game last year. Now, in his first time in big league camp, Biddle looks to leave a solid impression on coaches and team brass as he targets a Major League debut this year. This week, Biddle pitched against his Phillies teammates, as they competed in an intrasquad game. The outing wasn't very successful for the 22-year-old, but he took some positives out of surrendering hits to the likes of Ryan Howard , Ben Revere , Kevin Frandsen and others, while showing that he's capable of competing at this level but striking out Marlon Byrd and Cody Asche . Biddle talked about the silver lining of a rough appearance, Phillies spring instructor Larry

Roman Quinn, Image- Tug Haines Selected in the 2nd round of the 2011 draft out of Port St. Joe High School, speedster Roman Quinn was immediately a prospect that many thought would be on a fast track upward in the Phillies system. Hampered by injuries last year, it could be a difficult road back for the athletic shortstop. Listed at five feet ten inches tall and weighing 170 pounds, Quinn showed great improvement during his first year as a pro. After signing late, he did not play in his first official minor league game until 2012. With short-season Class A Williamsport, Quinn sported a .281 average with nine doubles, a league-leading 11 triples, one homer and 23 RBI while swiping 30 bases in 36 opportunities. Those excellent offensive efforts came while learning to switch hit and adapting to a defensive switch to the infield after playing mostly outfield in high school. Comfort was a big factor for Quinn in 2013, according to his Class A Lakewood coaches, who saw things g

With a fastball that is regularly clocked at 100 MPH, right-handed pitcher Ken Giles has garnered increased attention since joining the Phillies' organization and is primed to be a fast moving prospect that could make an impact on the big leagues in the near future. Selected in the 7th round of the 2011 amateur draft out of Yavapai (Junior) College, although he was committed to transferring to Arizona at the time, Giles began his professional career with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies that year. After facing a difficult decision to turn pro and leave college behind, Giles struck out seven batters in 4 2/3 innings over three outings with the GCL team. Prior to making his debut in the minors, Giles, a big-time strike out artist, notched 67 strike outs in 38 innings during the 2011 college season. Giles began the 2012 season with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws where he went 3-3 with five saves, a 3.61 ERA and a .215 batting average against in 29 outings (six starts).

Carlos Tocci, Image- Tug Haines Outfielder Carlos Tocci was signed by the Phillies for a reported signing bonus of $759,000 in the summer of 2011 on his 16th birthday. Since that time, many have raved about the teen's talent and he's done his best to live up to the hype. A native of Maracay, VZ, Tocci participated in the Florida Instructional League after he signed his first professional contract, but made his official minor league debut in 2012 as a member of the Gulf Coast League Phillies. His ability to compete with older players is definitely something that has Tocci standing out in the eyes of coaches, scouts and fans alike. In 2012, the righty batting "Toch" posted a .278 average with two doubles and nine RBI in 38 contests in the GCL, with all but one of his games played before his 17th birthday. He described the competition there as easy and the pitchers as predictable. The following year, Tocci found his opposition to be improved and tougher to

Phillies beat writers reported news via Twitter today ( here , here and here ), stating that Ramon Henderson, who was set to begin his first season managing Class A Advanced Clearwater this year, has left the team due to personal reasons. To fill the void, the Phils have assigned Class A short-season manager Nelson Prada to take over as skipper for the Thresers. Replacing Prada with the Crosscutters of the New-York Penn League will be Shawn Williams , the 30-year-old son of former big league manager and Phillies coach Jimy Williams . Williamsport will now have a void to fill at hitting coach, as Williams was previously slated for that job. After a stretch of more than a decade as a major league coach for the Phillies and a demotion to the minors in 2009, Henderson was fired for reasons that were reportedly alcohol abuse related. He returned to the organization in a coaching capacity with the Gulf Coast League Phillies last year. Henderson played in the Phils' development

Right-handed pitcher Severino Gonzalez had a breakout season in the Phillies' system last year, putting himself on the map as a rising star in the team's developmental ranks. The Panama native had previously not pitched above the Venezuelan Summer League, but truly excelled pitching in the United States for the first time in 2013. After signing with the Phillies as an amateur free agent in 2011, Gonzalez made his pro debut that same year in the VSL, putting together a 1-1 record with a save and a 2.11 ERA in 17 games as a reliever. The following season in the same league, Gonzalez tallied a 7-3 record and a league best 1.65 ERA in 14 starts. He also led the league in strike outs (86), innings pitched (92 2/3) and complete games (two). In 2013, at the age of 20, Gonzalez came to the United States for his very first spring training and showed no great issues when dealing with the cultural change. He was able to bond with countryman Carlos Ruiz , who was serving a drug

Jesse Biddle, Image- Jay Floyd Left-handed hurler Jesse Biddle , who has become one of the Phillies' prized prospects since he was taken as their top draft choice (27th overall) in 2010 out of Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, is in Clearwater, FL, taking part Major League spring training for the very first time. Biddle, 22, was an Eastern League All-Star last year, when he posted a 5-14 record along with a 3.64 ERA, a 10.01 K/9 mark and a .210 batting average against in 27 starts for the Double-A Reading Fightins. As the new season approaches and the six-foot-five 235-pounder strives to impress Phillies brass and coaches among a collection of talented and experienced hurlers, Biddle will be checking in each week to offer his thoughts from inside camp. Read ahead for the first edition of Jesse's Journals. Describing his initial thoughts on his first big league spring training- "It's been amazing. It's been really fun. They treat you really wel

Drafted in the third round in 2011 out of the University of Alabama, left-hander Adam Morgan quickly made an impact in the Phillies' system upon debuting as a pro.  However, a shoulder injury last year that kept him out of action for a lengthy stretch and resulted in off-season surgery has reduced his value as a prospect in the eyes of many. In 2011, Morgan looked great, tallying a 3-3 record with a 2.01 ERA and a .206 batting average against in 11 starts as a member of the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters. Morgan would go on to skip full season Class A Lakewood and began the 2012 season with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers.  In the Florida State League, the Marietta, GA native tallied a 4-10 record with a 3.29 ERA and was named a mid-season All-Star. he earned a promotion to Double-A Reading after July and helped them reach the Eastern League playoffs, posting a 4-1 record along with a 3.53 ERA in six regular season starts. Last season with

On episode 53 of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast, Jay interviews pro wrestling superstar Joey Ryan, who chats about independent wrestling, his try out for the WWE, his time with TNA, being a finalist for the MLB Fan Cave as well as his beloved LA Angels. Tug and Jay also remember former Phils manager and Angels legend Jim Fregosi and chat about the Phillies' pitching staff for the coming season 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 . 

Zach Green, Image- TriCity ValleyCats Third baseman Zach Green became one of the Phillies' emerging impact prospects last year in his first full season of professional ball. A 3rd round draft choice from 2012, the 19-year-old stood out as a rising star last year and looked to have a very bright future in his first full professional season. Upon signing his first pro contract, the righty batting slugger quickly showed his skills with the bat as he sported a .284 average with 13 doubles, a triple and three home runs for the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2012. Green had been committed to playing baseball at Oregon State prior to the MLB draft. With a body type that is prototypical of a corner infielder at six-foot-three 210 pounds, coaches and scouts speak highly of Green's raw power. The California resident represented the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game last year, winning the league's annual ho

Aaron Altherr has long been praised for his on-field skills and this upcoming season may provide the evidence that many are looking for to see if he truly has what it takes to be a top prospect. A righty hitting outfielder that stands six-foot-five and weighs around 195 pounds, Altherr was selected by the Phillies in the 9th round of the 2009 draft and debuted as a pro that year with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies.  In 28 games there, he batted .214 with a homer and 11 RBI while swiping six bags. The following year, he spent time with the GCL team and earned a promotion to the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters.  In 55 total games in 2010, Altherr batted .297 with a home run, 25 RBI and 12 stolen bases.  In 2011, Altherr began the season with Class A full season Lakewood, where he struggled as a 20-year-old, posting a .211/.272/.272 line in 41 games.  The concerning output got Altherr demoted, but he bounced back in a return to Williamsport, earning h

Shane Watson, Image- Jay Floyd Despite having a difficult stretch of health concerns since he signed his first pro contract Shane Watson , has proven himself to have the potential that made him the Phillies' top draft choice in 2012. Although he was committed to pitch for the University of Southern California, Watson signed his first pro contract, reportedly worth $1.3 Million, and later debuted with the Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2012. Pitching no more than two innings per outing, Watson tallied a 0-1 record with a 1.29 ERA over seven appearances. Additionally, he recorded eight strike outs while walking only one in seven innings of work. Action in the GCL was limited for Watson, as the youngster learned that he was diabetic after turning. Faced with a mystery illness and drastic weight loss, Watson saw physicians in Florida and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which, when addressed and treated, is certainly manageable for a professional athlete. Bouncing back the

Yoel Mecias, Image- Tug Haines Despite having his 2013 campaign shortened due to a severe elbow injury, Venezuelan born hurler Yoel Mecias made a name for himself as a notable prospect in the Phillies system last year. The lefty, who turned 20 years old this off-season, underwent Tommy John surgery in June after an impressive stint with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Signed as an amateur free agent in December 2010, Mecias made his pro debut with the Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2012, tallying a 0-2 record with two saves and a 2.16 ERA in 14 games (four starts). In his 10 relief outings, Mecias sported a 1.90 ERA. Overall, he struck out 34 batters and walked 11 in 41 2/3 innings that year after some time in extended spring training. Mecias also made an appearance for Aragua of the Venezuelan Winter League in 2012 as well. In 13 games (11 starts) with Lakewood last season, Mecias posted a 4-3 record and a 3.79 ERA along with an 11.05 K/9 mark. His efforts were enough to gai

It's the 52nd edition of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast! On this installment, Tug and Jay welcome sports talk host and Bleacher Report baseball writer Joe Giglio who discusses the state of the Phillies, new manager Ryne Sandberg and the team's lackluster off-season. Additionally, the guys chat about Curt Schilling 's cancer diagnosis and the speculation that old Veterans Stadium may have played some part in a growing list of Phillies who have dealt with the disease. Roman Quinn 's recovery from Achilles surgery and CZW's 15th anniversary show are also topics on this episode. 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 . 

Cameron Rupp, Image- Jay Floyd Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft, catcher Cameron Rupp has steadily been an improving prospect for the Phillies. After debuting in the big leagues last year, the 25-year-old has certainly proven himself as a talented backstop that could have quite a career ahead. Rupp, a University of Texas product, made his professional debut with the short-season A level Williamsport Crosscutters in 2010. In 55 games that year, Rupp posted a .218 batting average with five home runs and 28 RBI against NY-Penn League competition. The following season, as a member of the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws, Rupp proved himself to be capable of serious adjustments, as the 6-foot-2-inch 230-pounder had a tough time through the first half of the South Atlantic League season, posting a .219 batting average with two home runs and 13 RBI in 48 games. Working hard behind the scenes with the BlueClaws' coaching staff, Rupp altered his approach at the plate and showed

Tommy Joseph, Image- Jay Floyd Acquired from San Francisco in a swap for Hunter Pence in July 2012, catcher Tommy Joseph quickly became one of the Phillies' top positional prospects. In the time since that trade, however, Joseph has struggled to produce as he has dealt with injury concerns that have prevented him from getting and staying hot. Possessing a high ceiling bat and strong backstop skills, Joseph is still a prospect that could make a big splash in the Phils system if his health allows him to stay on the field. In 2009 Joseph was was drafted in the second round out of Horizon High School in Arizona. That season, he was recognized as an All-State player as he dominated opposing pitchers with his .494 average, 15 home runs and 36 RBI in 37 games played. Upon making his professional debut the following year, the six-foot-one 215-pounder played with Class A Augusta of the South Atlantic League. In 2010, with the GreenJackets, Joseph posted a .236 average with 16