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Willians Astudillo, Image- Jay Floyd For Willians Astudillo , it doesn’t matter what position he’s assigned to on defense, as long as his name is written in the lineup. His coaches find a way to make that happen. Astudillo is most often manning first base for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws this season, but he is listed on the club’s roster as a catcher. The Venezuela native, who entered the season without a definitive position locked in place, has earned playing time at the plate as the ‘Claws’ most consistent batter. As a pro, he has played every infield position as well as right field and left field. “Whatever (position) I have a chance to play, I want to help,” Astudillo asserted through an interpreter, coach Lino Connell. “I’ll feel the same about any position. Before I signed, I played a lot of infield, so changing from catcher to the infield, it’s not really a big deal.” What is a big deal is the 22-year-old’s offensive output. Sporting a sizzling .406 average

It's another edition of our weekly minor league round up, where we take a look at the hottest players in the Phillies system. Read ahead for all the notes on your standout prospects and a shining pro vet. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- Maikel Franco, Image- Jay Floyd Third baseman Maikel Franco is 9-for-31 (.290 avg) with three doubles, a homer and five RBI in his last seven games. The 21-year-old Domincan was batting .111 on the season prior to that stretch of games. Righty hurler Greg Smith has been on fire in his past three starts, posting a 2-0 record with a 0.90 ERA while striking out 15 and walking one in 20 innings during that stretch. Smith tallied a 3.31 ERA in 23 games with the IronPigs last season. The 30-year-old has pitched in the big leagues with Oakland and Colorado. Double-A Reading Fightins- Outfielder Cam Perkins has maintained his strong output since the start of the season and, after notching his 12th multi-hit game of the year on Monday,

This weekend I spoke with Class A Lakewood manager Greg Legg about several of his players. I also got insight from BlueClaws hitting coach Lino Connell on the Phillies' supplementary round (39th overall) draft choice from 2011 Larry Greene Jr.'s progress this year and the team's best hitter thus far, Willians Astudillo . Additionally, righty pitching prospect Tyler Viza spoke on how he stays focused and more. Read ahead for all those quotes. Lakewood manager Greg Legg, Image- Jay Floyd Greg Legg- Asked about how fans might be wondering when Larry Greene Jr. (.176/.237/.241 in 15 games this year) is going to show and prove why he was the Phils' top draft choice three years ago... "Well, this would be a good year for him to do it. Kinda expect it. Right now, he hurt his wrist, so his wrist has been bothering him. He hurt it on a diving play out in the outfield. So, he's a little banged up right now. He's shown some signs of all that earl

Mark Leiter Jr. (center), Image- BlueClaws Wins have been hard to come by for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws this season, but every fifth day, when their ace is on the mound, the team appears to have excellent chances at notching a victory. For the BlueClaws team that sits in last place in the South Atlantic League's Northern division with a 6-16 record, Mark Leiter Jr. has been the most solid contributor on the pitching staff. The 23-year-old sports a 3-1 record along with a 1.97 ERA and a .209 batting average against through five starts. Possessing half of the team's wins, the right-hander is pleased with his own dominant output, which is displayed by his 1.31 ERA with Lakewood dating back to last season, but Leiter, a Forked River, NJ native, credits his teammates for his personal success. "I'm playing with a lot of really good players and I'm fortunate to throw to some really good catchers and this year, with (Gabriel) Lino, we've been on the sam

Zach Green, Image- Jay Floyd Third base prospect Zach Green was selected by the Phillies in the third round of the 2012 draft out of Jesuit High School in California. Since then, the six-foot-three 205-pounder has shown great potential and has impressed many. After signing his first professional contract in 2012, Green sported a .284 average with three home runs and 21 RBI in 47 games with the Gulf Coast League Phillies. Last season, as a 19-year-old in the Class A short-season New York-Penn League, Green led the league in homers (13), doubles (20) and runs scored (52) while batting .252 and driving in 41 runs in 74 games with the Williamsport Crosscutters. Through 15 contests this season with Class A Lakewood, Green was off to a slow start, posting a .186 batting average with two doubles, four RBI and three steals. A right hip injury put Green out of action and a roster move was made, demoting the 20-year-old to extended spring training. A reversal of the transaction cou

Tyson Gillies with Reading in 2013, Image- Jay Floyd Bad luck continued for troubled outfielder Tyson Gillies on Friday, as the Phillies announced that the 25-year-old was suspended for three games. Confirming the rumor that he had taken his frustration out on some equipment after a tough loss for Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday night, a game in which Gillies went 0-for-5 and struck out four times, the youngster explained via his Twitter account what took place and resulted in the missed time. "I apologize to everyone for my actions and know this can't happen. Frustration got the best of me and I threw my equipment against the wall," Gillies tweeted . Gillies, a British Columbia native, joined the Phillies in December 2009 as part of the Cliff Lee trade with Seattle. The lefty batting speedster has missed loads of time, playing in only 231 regular season games since joining the Phillies. In the past four seasons, Gillies has been plagued by injuries which

On the 59th edition of the show, Jay chats with former big league All-Star Lance Parrish about coaching in the minors, his time with the Phillies and who helped him the most in his career. Tug and Jay also discuss the hot starts for Cameron Perkins , Carlos Tocci , Willians Astudillo and Koyie Hill . The guys also discuss Zach Green 's injury, Jesse Biddle 's improvements, Tug's blossoming friendship with Charlie Manuel and 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 .   **UPDATE** Despite info stated on the show asserting that Zach Green's reassignment to the extended spring training roster had him relocated to Florida with that actual team, it's simply a paper move and the youngster is still with his Lakewood teammates for the time being, according to a source. Details of Green's injury on the episode are accurate.

For this week's edition of The Comcast Network's Phillies Nation TV, I produced a video package that features shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford . The 19-year-old was selected by the Phillies with the 16th overall pick in last year's draft. Since then, the talented lefty hitter has performed very well in the minors and appears ready to move upward in the developmental ranks at a fast pace. This month, the gentlemen of 20/20 Visual Media and I spent some time with J.P. as well as his manager with Class A Lakewood, Greg Legg , and we put together the piece in the media player below. It's the first of many to come. Enjoy the segment. **Update** To view the full episode which features details on Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard as well as a segment with former Phils hurler Tommy Greene, check out the media player below.

Kicking off this season's (usually) weekly rundown of top performers from the minor leagues, we'll also take a look at some names that aren't off to a hot start in the developmental ranks. Class A Lakewood- Who's hot... First baseman/catcher Willians Astudillo is off to a great start, batting .447 with two doubles, a home run and nine RBI in 10 games for the BlueClaws. The 22-year-old Venezuela native spent the entire 2013 campaign on the disabled list with a left knee injury. In three starts, right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. has a 2-1 record and a 3.00 ERA while striking out 15 and walking two in 18 innings of work. Leiter was drafted in the 22nd round last year out of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Who's not... Third baseman Zach Green is having a slow start at the plate, batting .186 with two doubles, four RBI and three steals in 15 games. The 20-year-old righty hitter was selected in the third round of the 2012 draft. Right-handed start

On episode 58 of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast, Jay chats with Phillies minor leaguer Jim Murphy about his progress, his status in the system and more. Tug and Jay also chat about Passover, the return of Cole Hamels as well as loads of minor leaguers including Jay Johnson , Kenny Giles , Willie Carmona , Roman Quinn , Mitch Walding and Joey Gallo . 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 .  

Cole Hamels, Image- AP In what was likely his final tune up before he returns from the disabled list, lefty starter Cole Hamels looked sharp in a rehab appearance with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers on Thursday night. In a contest at Clearwater's Brighthouse Field, Hamels went seven innings against Lakeland (Tigers affiliate), allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out two and walking one. The 30-year-old threw 87 pitches, 57 of which were strikes. The Threshers failed to take advantage of the strong effort by Hamels, as they dropped the match up 2-1. The run given up by Hamels was a solo homer to OF Connor Harrell , who entered the game sporting a .100 batting average. Harrell was a 31st round draft selection by Detroit in 2012. Hamels surrendered four earned runs in 17 innings (2.12 ERA) over three starts with the Threshers in recent weeks. Sidelined for much of the spring with biceps tendinitis in his throwing arm, Hamels is expected to r

Roman Quinn, Image- Jay Floyd Out of action since last year following a ruptured Achilles tendon, shortstop Roman Quinn is nearing a return to game action. While recovering from a broken left wrist suffered when was he hit by a pitch last season, Quinn felt a pop in the back of his right ankle as he ran routine sprints early in the 2013/2014 off-season. Surgery to repair the second significant injury of his year took place shortly afterward. Now, after nearly a half-year of recovery, the switch-hitting Quinn is just about ready to participate in games. "I'm doing pretty much everything. Ground balls, I'm running full speed and I'm taking live batting practice," Quinn said via text message. The youngster who is known for his speed doesn't anticipate his quickness suffering due to the damage he did to his Achilles. In fact, Quinn feels he could be faster than ever and hopes to improve all around. Quinn, the Phils' second round draft choice

Recently, I shot some short video clips of a few Class A Lakewood players taking cuts during batting practice.  The footage below features outfielders Larry Greene Jr., Dylan Cozens and second baseman Andrew Pullin . Greene was the Phillies' top draft choice (39th overall) in 2011.  In two professional seasons since then, Greene has posted a .236 average with six home runs and 54 RBI in 181 games combined at short-season A level Williamsport and Lakewood.  In 11 contests thus far with Lakewood this year, the 21-year-old is batting .243 with two doubles, a triple, four RBI and two steals.  The six-foot 235-pounder is still striving to live up to the reputation of being a power hitter when he was drafted. Cozens, who will turn 20 next month, was the Phils' 2nd round draft selection in 2012.  In two pro seasons, the six-foot-six 235-pounder has tallied a .261 average with 14 homers and 59 RBI in 118 games combined with the rookie level Gulf Coast League team and with Wi

Monday was a busy day for roster moves in the Phillies' organization. On top of the news that Mike Adams would return to the Phillies at the expense of Luis Garcia being sent down to Triple-A, there were several notable transactions announced throughout the system. Cameron Rupp, Image- Jay Floyd Top catching prospect Cameron Rupp was placed on the disabled list with a strained oblique suffered in Sunday's game. The 25-year-old was batting .231 with four homers and eight RBI in nine games with the Triple-A IronPigs. Sebastian Valle was promoted to Lehigh Valley from Double-A Reading to fill the void. Other backstop moves: Chad Carman promoted to the Reading roster from Class A Advanced Clearwater, Deivi Grullon activated for Clearwater from extended spring training. Also placed on the disabled list with an oblique strain for Lehigh Valley was infielder Andres Blanco . The 30-year-old infielder was batting .273 with one RBI in nine contests in the young season

Kenny Giles, Image- Jay Floyd According to some, the back-end of the Phillies' bullpen is questionable. But true relief might not be very far away. With Double-A Reading, closer Kenny Giles is off to a hot start and his velocity brings the real heat. The 23-year-old sports a fastball that is regularly clocked at 100 MPH or higher. His arsenal is rounded out with a strong slider that leaves opposing batters looking foolish. This year, with the responsibility of being a late inning reliever, the Phils' 7th round draft selection from 2011 is ready for the challenges that lie ahead. "I'm really excited (to close), 'cause this will be my first time doing it in the Phillies organization. A lot of guys on the team want me to shut the door and I'm going to be able to do that for them," Giles said in a recent interview. Unlike others in his line of work, Giles is open about getting a kick out of notching such big numbers on radar gun readings. Wh

Earlier this weekend, I sat down with Class A Lakewood manager Greg Legg , who has been in the Phillies organization for the past 33 years, after being drafted by the club in 1982. He managed the BlueClaws in their inaugural season in 2001, managed Double-A Reading from 2002 to 2004, was the skipper for Class A Advanced Clearwater from 2005 through 2006 and managed short-season Class A Williamsport in 2007. He then acted as hitting coach in Lakewood from 2008 through 2013. The former infielder played in the big leagues for just a handful of games in 1986 and 1987. He now grooms the Phillies' stars of the future. Greg spoke with me about the roles of some of his players including Gabriel Lino , Carlos Tocci , Samuel Hiciano and Willians Astudillo , the BlueClaws' start to the new season, his own goals for this year plus plenty more. Read ahead for his thoughts. -The team started the season on the road before having its opening home stand this weekend. What were your t

Dylan Cozens, image- MiLB.com Taken with the Phillies 2nd round draft choice in 2012, Dylan Cozens has been an impressive young player since joining the organization. In 50 games with the Gulf Coast League team after signing his first pro contract, the Arizona native sported a .255 average with five home runs and 24 RBI. Last year with short-season Class A Williamsport the six-foot-six 235-pounder tallied a .265 average with nine homers and 35 homers in 68 games. Assigned to a full-season club for the first time in his career, the 19-year-old Cozens will man right field for Greg Legg 's Class A Lakewood BlueClaws this year. Through a week of the season, the lefty batting power hitter is batting .278 with two doubles and four runs driven in. This week I spoke with Dylan about being drafted, his progress thus far as a pro, his coaches and more. Read ahead for that full interview with the Phils' 19th ranked prospect . -When you were drafted by the Phillies back in

On episode 57 of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast Tug and Jay are joined by former Phillies outfielder Wes Chamberlain who chats about his new book, his pro career, playing in Japan, Philadelphia fans and tons more. The guys also discuss Tug's new gig as Reading team photographer as well as early season success for some Double-A Fightins talent like Kenny Giles, Severino Gonzalez , Cameron Perkins and Edgar Duran among others. 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 . 

Tyler Viza on opening night in Lakewood, image-20/20 Visual Media Kicking off their home schedule on Thursday evening the Lakewood BlueClaws saw a familiar result. For the 12th time in 14 seasons, the Class A affiliate of the Phillies dropped their home opener, as they fell 6-0 to the Hagerstown (MD) Suns. In front of an announced crowd of 7.006 at the Jersey shore's finest sports facility, FirstEnergy Park, righty hurler Tyler Viza , a 32nd round draft choice last year, took the mound. The 19-year-old was charged with five runs (four earned) on five hits over five-plus innings of work while striking out five and walking just one. Viza, a six-foot-three 170-pounder felt like he executed his game plan on the mound, but cited some costly pitches in the 6th frame as the difference in the contest. "I felt really good," Viza stated. "I felt like my pitches were doing what they were supposed to and I was throwing them where they were supposed to go. I just m

The Lehigh Valley coaching staff includes some reinforcements this year, at the expense of the local shore team, with former Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini added to the Triple-A team's dugout personnel. Taking on the newly created duty of bench coach, the 1996 National League All-Star hopes to use his third professional coaching assignment as a stepping stone back to the top level of the sport. It's not just players that want to ascend upward in the ranks. Having been the manager of the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws for each of the past two seasons and the skipper of short-season Class A Williamsport prior to that, Morandini took on the new role with the IronPigs after advising the Phillies that he wanted to do whatever he could to move closer to the major leagues. Joining incumbent manager Dave Brundage, hitting coach Sal Rende and pitching coach Ray Burris , Morandini is absorbing as much as he can and is slated to take on various levels of duties with Leh

A brand new season is already more than a week old, but the home schedule for the Phillies is set to get underway on Tuesday.  For the team's 2014 home opener in which the Phils host the Milwaukee Brewers, the following is the schedule of events. 7 AM- The Majestic Clubhouse store opens. 1 PM- Citizens Bank Way Opening Day Party...features Live Music from Go Go Gadjet, food, beverages. 1:13 PM- Phillies batting practice. 1:35 PM- All gates open. 2:13 PM- Brewers batting practice. 3:13 PM- Line up on 10th St, behind the ballpark.  Fans not yet in the park can line up outside the stadium to view the 2014 make their grand entrance into opening day, as their led by the Cardinal O'Hara High School Marching Band. 3:22 PM- Fans are urged to be in their seats for pregame ceremonies as the team enters from the outfield down the red carpet. 3:34 PM- "Philadelphia Pride" and "America the Beautiful" sung by Philadelphia Boys Choir and Men'