Skip to main content

OF James released, LHP Biddle inactive

Jiwan James with Reading in 2012, Image- Jay Floyd
For the third straight week the Phillies have cut a former well-regarded prospect that has fizzled at the upper levels, as outfielder Jiwan James was released by the Phillies on Thursday.

The 25-year-old was a 22nd round draft choice in 2007 and was originally a pitcher, going 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA in his initial season as a pro with the Gulf Coast League Phillies. After missing 2008 with a right biceps injury, the athletic James shifted to the outfield, where he became a promising talent.

A member of the 2010 South Atlantic League champion Lakewood BlueClaws team, James set that club's hit streak record when he notched at least one safety in 24 consecutive contests.

James joins former "Baby Ace" Brody Colvin and 2008 first round draft pick Anthony Hewitt on a list of names the Phillies have given up on this month.

After returning from a knee injury that kept him on the shelf for the opening two months of the season, James went 7-for-21 (.333 avg.) in nine games for Double-A Reading. In his pro career James posted a .265 average with a .681 OPS in 466 games as an offensive player.

In other transaction news, lefty hurler Jesse Biddle was placed on the temporary inactive list for Double-A Reading. In four June starts, Biddle has struggled mightily, tallying a 0-4 record along with a 12.64 ERA while walking 14 batters and striking out 12 in 15 2/3 innings.

Prior to the troublesome stretch in recent weeks, Biddle looked like the talented hurler that was widely ranked among the Phillies' best prospects, as he sported a 3-5 record with a 3.14 ERA and a 9.14 K/9 mark after 11 starts.

The 22-year-old did not respond to a request for comment.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Diekman a Late Addition to Mesa AFL Roster

On Wednesday, Phillies lefty pitching prospect Jacob Diekman made his Arizona Fall League debut. Diekman, who was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 amateur draft, was assigned to Mesa late, in order to increase his 2010 innings total, according to Mesa hitting coach Mark Parent, who managed Diekman in Lakewood this past season. Diekman, 23, posted a 2-0 record with 1.90 ERA in 21 games with Class A Lakewood before being promoted to High-A Clearwater on June 24th. In 24 games with the Threshers, Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Combined, Diekman tossed 55 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .187 batting average against at two levels in 2010. However, after not pitching in an official game since he threw a shutout inning to wrap up the Clearwater season on September 5th, Diekman was unable to record an out as all seven batters he faced reached base, six with hits, one on an error. Diekman was charged with 5 earned runs in the outing. Diekman had spent time at instructional ball from

Who is Your Favorite Willie 'Mays' Hayes?

PhoulBallz.com is wondering which individual who has portrayed Willie "Mays" Hayes is the favorite of the public. Hayes, of course, is the character made famous in the Major League motion picture series. In Major League , Willie "Mays" Hayes was portrayed by budding Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who would go on to action movie superstardom. Snipes has starred in major motion pictures like the Blade trilogy, Passenger 57 , Undisputed and many more. Snipes remains an impact Hollywood actor, despite legal troubles related to income tax evasion. Snipes was replaced for the sequel, Major League II when his busy career, and possibly the film's budget, would not allow him to return, by Omar Epps. Another budding actor, Epps had previously worked with director David S. Ward, on the film The Program , and landed the role of Hayes, who had become a Hollywood action star over the off-season that occured between the two films. Epps' career portraying athletes rolle

McGwire Stays Phony, Despite Admitting Drug Use

Mark McGwire made an effort to publicly come clean today, admitting to the world that he took performance enhancing drugs during his playing career. Steroids and human growth hormones were among the drugs that McGwire admitted to using. MLB Network featured a one on one interview with Bob Costas and McGwire on Monday evening. The broadcast was virtually garbage, thanks to McGwire. Ahead is a list of quotes from McGwire's interview. McGwire repeatedly stated his point of view that there were no dishonorable intentions involved when taking steroids, and that he was merely using them as a means to recover from varying ailments. When asked if he felt like he cheated... "As I look back now...I can see how people would say that. As far as the talent goes and the hand-eye coordination, the ability, the genetics I was given...I don't see it." "I did not take this for any strength purposes." Denial. Read on for similar B.S. He whined about the abuse he's taken at