Skip to main content

Gillies Suspended, De Fratus Offers Positive Impression

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 included repeated hamstring string issues and lengthy concussion concerns. Additionally, a drug arrest which did not lead to charges filed and a previous suspension that was the result of an angry tirade directed at a team bus driver have presented some concern for the toolsy youngster that was once ranked highly among Mariners prospects.

Aware of fans' frustration with Gillies and the bad reputation that follows him, his IronPigs teammate Justin De Fratus spoke out about the misconceptions surrounding Gillies.

"He's one of the best people I've ever played with," De Fratus expressed with emotion. "The guy gives everything he has everyday he shows up to the field. He's working so hard every day to be the best player he can be for this organization."

A desire to stay healthy and succeed with little to show for it is bound to get to any player. Gillies' teammates can definitely relate, according to the reliever De Fratus.

"When things don't work out there are times when you feel alone and have no way out. Fans start judging your character based on whether or not you have success on the field and when you're struggling with certain adjustments, sometimes you feel completely alone and all that's left for you is to let your frustration out on something because that's better than letting it out on someone," De Fratus explained.

De Fratus, who opened the season with the Phillies and was sent down to Lehigh Valley after four outings, further expressed his positive impression of Gillies while also asserting his old school style wish for privacy behind the scenes.

"The fact of the matter is it's nobody's business what happens in the clubhouse. I just feel people need to know the real person Gillies is. The one that gives every ounce of himself on every single play, from the first pitch to the last. The guy who wants every one of his teammates to succeed. He's one of the most amazing people I've ever met, who has been very unlucky with certain circumstances."

Through nine games with the IronPigs thus far this season, Gillies has tallied a .184 batting average with a home run, three RBI and two stolen bases. He went 1-for-9 with a double in big league spring training this year.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

Yankees Fans Misled By Pepsi Promotion

**** Today, New York Yankees fans attended a Pepsi promotion in Times Square hoping for chances to win opening day tickets to the new stadium, but the tickets, which were difficult to track down due to poor organization on Pepsi's part, were actually for a game in June. Furthermore, the 250 pairs that were promised were actually only 100 pairs. The fans, who were made to sprint through traffic over multiple city blocks when locations for the promotion changed, quickly turned against the soda brand by pooring out their beverages and chanting anti-Pepsi phrases. Yankees fans are even threatening a boycott of Pepsi. An appearance by Yankee great Goose Gossage could not even settle the angry mob, as he had to be whisked away, as a precaution, according to the Daily News . Ooo , I'd hate to see what "the worst fans in sports" (Philadelphia fans) would have done to their free Pepsi cans and beloved reliever in that situation. Because this happened in a non-Philly city, th...

5th spot, Wall, Old timers, Links

The race for the Phillies' fifth starter spot is still on. While it's not fully fair to compare Grapefruit League stats, when some of the pitchers have had "B game" and scrimmage outings mixed in, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco look to be falling behind Chan Ho Park and "Jay" Happ. Happ added to his solid Grapefruit League stats (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in 4 games) today against the Rays. Pitching coach Rich Dubee had been displeased with Kendrick even before he surrendered 8 earned runs in 3 innings of work yesterday against the Braves. Park has been working on improving his change up, with (Coach) Jamie Moyer. Park noticed Moyer's location control on his change, so he sought out Moyer to teach him the grip and positioning of the ball. Moyer, of course, feels good about helping anyone on the Phils' staff. Park has been coached by greats like Nolan Ryan with the Rangers and Sandy Koufax with the Dodgers, so Moyer is in great company. Park is working h...