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Anyone who has read 2015 MLB previews understands that the Philadelphia Phillies right now are not looking particularly strong. In fact, some publications have them as one of the worst teams in baseball. However, with a major market and a decent amount of money to work with, this team could make some decisions that could get them started on a rebuilding process. That rebuilding process could start as early as spring training. Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee are two aging pitchers who could easily be flipped to replenish the minor league system for the Phillies in 2015. Most people seem to think that it is not a matter of if, but when regarding these 2 left-handed pitchers. Philadelphia might be waiting until the middle of the season to pull off any type of trade, because there is a chance that they get off to a good start and stay in the playoff race. However, a rebuilding team needs to build from within, and they would both command some decent prospects. Speaking of prospects, it is tim...

On the 75th edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast, Tug and Jay are joined by Phillies and minor league blogger "Baseball Betsy", who shares some stories about being an American parent to some of the Phils' up and coming Latin prospects and gives some updates on the likes of Perci Garner , Adam Morgan , Grenny Cumana and Carlos Alonso . Lefty hurler Hoby Milner takes time to answer Nine Silly-ass Questions. The guys also discuss the Phillies diving into the analytics era at long last, Kelly Dugan 's injury, questionable Twitter etiquette and plenty 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 . Additionally, thanks to the thousands of you for being part of the growing process as our previous episode featuring an interview with the aforementioned Alonso was our most downloaded episode ever.

Kelly Dugan, image- Jay Floyd Phillies outfield prospect Kelly Dugan expects to be ready to play when the regular season gets rolling in April. Sidelined with a stress reaction in his right foot, Dugan, who is no stranger to injuries, showed up to spring training this week in a walking boot and has engaged in limited activity thus far in Clearwater. This issue popped up recently while the California native was running sprints. For those wondering precisely what a stress reaction is, Dugan cleared that matter up. "There is no fracture. It's a low level bone injury from stress to the area," Dugan explained via text message on Thursday. The 24-year-old is working to stay in shape in the weight room and states that he is able to play light catch with a regular shoe, free of any pain. Dugan, who was the Phillies top draft selection (2nd round) in 2009, will be in the walking boot for another week. "Things are going smoothly so far," Dugan stated. ...

J.P. Crawford, image- Jay Floyd Prospects don't come much more exciting than J.P. Crawford. Equipped with big-time athleticism, a premium baseball IQ, leadership qualities and all the right on-field tools, the Phillies' top draft selection from 2013 (16th overall) is already being referred to as the future of the franchise. Prior to the draft, Crawford posted great numbers at Lakewood High School in California, batting .432 in 25 games during his senior season and he stands as the school's all-time leader in hits and runs scored at a school that also produced former Phillies 1st round draft choice and current Mets backstop Travis d'Arnaud . After signing his first pro deal, Crawford joined the Phillies system and quickly proved to be among the organization's most talented young players. Upon making his minor league debut as an 18-year-old with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies, Crawford was very impressive. He was tops in the GCL in batting for...

Aaron Nola, image- Jay Floyd Selected with the 7th overall pick in last year's MLB amateur draft, righty hurler Aaron Nola has been one of the Phillies' most promising prospects since day one. The six-foot-one 196-pounder was a First Team All-American in his junior season at LSU last year, posting an 11-1 record along with a 1.47 ERA and a 10.37 K/9 mark in 16 starts. He enjoyed a tremendous college career, twice winning SEC Player of the Year honors while compiling a 30-6 overall record with a 2.09 ERA in three seasons. Nola signed quickly with the Phils and made his pro debut as a member of the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers on June 23rd, taking a loss by allowing four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings. Over his following five starts, Nola let up seven earned runs in 24 innings (2.63 ERA) and earned a promotion to Double-A. With Reading, the 21-year-old Nola would close out his season with a 2-0 record and a 2.63 ERA in five games. Overall, in 12 minor league ...

Maikel Franco, image- Jay Floyd Despite a difficult stretch last season, corner infielder Maikel Franco remains as one of the Phillies' most promising prospects. Signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies out of the Dominican Republic in 2010, Franco would make his professional debut with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies that same year. As a 17-year-old, he posted respectable numbers, with a line of .222/.292/.330 in 51 games. A year later, the righty hitting Franco began the season in extended spring training and later competed with the short-season A level Williamsport Crosscutters. Franco looked great against New York-Penn League competition, posting a .274/.339/.389 line while driving in 28 runs in 42 games before earning a promotion to full season Class A Lakewood. In the South Atlantic League, at the age of 18, the baby-faced Franco struggled quite a bit. In 17 contests for the BlueClaws, Franco went 8-for-67 (.123 avg) and racked up an extremely we...

Hoping to keep things light on the first day of spring training, Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee showed up to speak with members of the media toting a plastic answer providing assistant.  With his Magic 8 Ball by his side, the 36-year-old proclaimed with a smile that he'd use the device to help with any hard questions. Relying on the toy for answers related to teammate Cole Hamels ' proclamation this week that the Phillies won't be winners and if he'd wish to be traded to a contender, Lee offered more genuine thoughts on his outlook overall.  The four-time All-Star pledged his focus to win a championship for the team he's currently with. "Until we get out there and play the games, get ourself in a certain position, I can't expect to do anything other than to win and get to the World Series, and win a World Series," Lee asserted.  "That's the only way I know how to look at it." Team general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. w...

Roman Quinn, image- Jay Floyd After bouncing back from significant surgery last season, Roman Quinn showed exactly why he has been so highly regarded since he was selected by the Phillies in the second round of the 2011 draft. Making his pro debut with short-season Class A Williamsport in 2012, Quinn shined, putting together 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 prior to signing his first pro deal. Comfort was a big factor for Quinn in 2013, according to his Class A Lakewood coaches, who saw things get easier for the youngster at the plate as the season went on. Quinn opened that campaign as a 19-year-old. He got off to a rough start, batting .202 with a .556 OPS in 22 April games. In May, things began to look up, offensively, for Quinn...

Jesse Biddle, image- Jay Floyd Lefty pitching prospect Jesse Biddle had a difficult season last year, but injuries and shaky stats aside, he's still a prospect the Phillies will count on to take strides toward helping the big club in the near future. Selected in the opening round of the 2010 draft, Biddle, who grew up as a Phillies fan, quickly made his minor league debut, beginning his journey toward donning the uniform of the team he cheered on from the seats of Citizens Bank Park all throughout his childhood and teenage years. The graduate of Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia combined to post 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 short-season A level Williamsport in 2010. The following season, Biddle became an All-Star in the Class A South Atlantic League as a member of the Lakewood BlueClaws. As the team’s most dependable starter through much of the year, Biddle posted a...

Zach Eflin, image- MiLB.com Right-hander Zach Eflin was the key target when the Phillies dealt former National League MVP Jimmy Rollins this off-season. With a load of buzz about this young hurler, Eflin will look to prove himself worthy of being part of a trade for an organizational legend. Selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2012 draft by San Diego out of Hagerty High School in FL, Eflin made his professional debut that same year as a member of the rookie level Arizona League Padres. In four games (three starts), the six-foot-four 200-pounder posted a 0-1 record with a 7.71 ERA, as an 18-year-old. After making minimal impact upon his minor league debut, Eflin came back strong in 2013, tallying a 7-6 record along with a 2.73 ERA, a .239 batting average against and a 6.52 K/9 mark in 22 starts with Class A Fort Worth. Last season, as a 20-year-old, Eflin sported a 10-7 record with a 3.80 ERA and a 6.54 K/9 in 24 starts for Lake Elsinore in the Class A California Le...

Ben Lively, image- MiLB.com Acquired this off-season from Cincinnati, righty hurler Ben Lively would quickly land among the ranks of top Phillies prospect. He'll enter this coming season looking to prove why. Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, the Florida native would begin his pro career as a member of the rookie level Billings Mustangs. In 12 starts, Lively would tally a 0-3 record with a 0.73 ERA and an 11.92 K/9 mark. He was promoted to Class A Dayton to close out the season with a single start, allowing one earned run in four innings of work while striking out seven and walking one. This was fresh off his junior season at the University of Central Florida where, in 15 games, he went 7-5 with a 2.04 ERA and an 8.57 K/9 mark as the team's ace. Lively would follow up his exceptional year by becoming the Reds' minor league player of the year in 2014. Opening the season with Class A Advanced Bakersfield, Lively posted a 10-1 record wi...

Kelly Dugan, image- Jay Floyd After entering last season as one of the Phillies' most promising offensive prospects, outfielder Kelly Dugan worked hard to continue his path toward the big league. He'll enter 2015 just a step away from that goal and will look to dodge the pesky injury bug in order to get there. Signed as the Phillies top draft selection (2nd round, 75th overall) in 2009, Dugan would debut with the Gulf Coast League Phillies that year, posting a .233 average with eight doubles, a triple and eight RBI in 45 games. The following season, with the GCL team and short-season Class A Williamsport, Dugan sported a .366 average with a homer and eight RBI in 28 combined games. He missed roughly two months of action with the Crosscutters after he was hit in the leg with a batted ball during batting practice in June and later developed a staph infection that required draining. In 2011, the lefty batting Dugan returned to Williamsport and represented the club in the...

Dylan Cozens, image- Jay Floyd Raw power is what scouts, media members and the Phillies alike covet with outfielder Dylan Cozens . Loads of pop combined with a strong adaptability as well as remarkable athleticism have Cozens rising toward the top among the team's best prospects. At six feet six inches tall and 235 pounds Cozens has an imposing frame that was well-suited for the grid iron, as he was a two-sport star during high school. Already touting a great ability to drive the ball, the Arizona native has 30-plus homer potential. Last season marked just the second calendar year that Cozens had devoted all of his time to baseball, no longer competing in football after signing with the Phillies. After he was selected in the second round of the 2012 MLB amateur draft, Cozens debuted in the minors with the rookie level Gulf Coast Phillies. In 50 games there, the lefty hitting youngster notched 15 doubles, two triples, five homers and 24 RBI. Cozens also participated in t...

Shane Watson, image- Jay Floyd Righty hurler Shane Watson is on the road to recovery once again. Following his second shoulder surgery in a year, the Phillies' first round draft choice from 2012 began a throwing program on Friday under the watchful eyes of Phillies trainers and coaches in Clearwater, FL on Friday. Watson threw 25 pitches from 60 feet and stated via text message on Sunday that he feels good. The California native will throw again on Monday. Going forward, his throwing program will consist of throwing two consecutive days, followed by one day off, throwing two days and so on, as he works to build arm strength. Currently, the six-foot-four 200-pounder is also working on strengthening modalities with the Phils' training staff as well as "dry mound work" with minor league pitching coach Steve Schrenk . The 2015 season will begin with Watson serving a 50-game suspension, stemming from a positive test for a banned substance late last season. ...

Yoel Mecias, image- Jay Floyd After missing about a full year of action, pitcher Yoel Mecias returned to the mound by mid-season last year and proved why he's been a highly regarded hurler in the Phillies system. After he was recognized as a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2013 with the Class A BlueClaws, it was determined that the left-hander would require reconstructive surgery to repair the damaged UCL in his throwing arm. That season in 13 games (11 starts), Mecias tallied a 4-3 record with a 3.79 ERA, a .244 batting average against and an 11.05 K/9 mark. That campaign followed his 2012 season in which he made his professional debut with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2012, tallying a 0-2 record with two saves and a 2.16 ERA in 14 games (four starts). Following the Tommy John surgery, Mecias returned to game action last June, when he posted a 0-1 record with a 4.76 ERA while striking out 10 and walking eight in 17 innings. A promotion back to La...

Matt Imhof, image- Jay Floyd Chosen with the Phillies' second round draft pick last year, hurler Matt Imhof quickly jumped into the Phillies prospect ranks and looks poised to make a big impact in the minor leagues this year following an impressive professional debut. In his junior season at Cal Poly last year, the left-hander posted a 10-4 record with a 2.45 ERA and an 11.24 K/9 mark in 15 starts while earning second team All-American honors. He wrapped up his college career with an 18-7 record and a 2.68 ERA in 48 games. After being selected 47th overall by the Phillies in June, Imhof quickly signed his first pro deal and proceeded to pitch at three levels of the developmental ranks. Following his initial outing in which he tossed three scoreless frames for the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies, Imhof was promoted to short-season A level Williamsport. As a member of the Crosscutters, he posted a 1-0 record while allowing just one earned run in 12 innings (0.75 E...

Aaron Altherr, image- Jay Floyd Fresh off a season in which he made his major league debut, outfield prospect Aaron Altherr could be knocking on the door to the help the big team once again in 2015. The righty hitting Altherr entered last season with a .260 batting average with 28 home runs, 201 RBI and 103 stolen bases in 428 career games and made a solid enough impression to jump two levels when the Phillies called. After starting the 2014 season on the disabled list with a wrist injury, the six-foot-five 220-pounder took some time to heat up, but once he did in June (tallying a .392 average with five doubles, a triple, a home run and nine RBI in 13 games to start the month), the Phillies rewarded Altherr with a promotion to the big league roster, when Tony Gwynn Jr. left on bereavement after his father passed away. In two games with the Phils, Altherr went 0-for-5 with two strike outs. Overall in 127 minor league contests last season, he posted a .237 average with 14 ho...

Zach Green, image- Jay Floyd Third baseman Zach Green is one of the most promising offensive prospects the Phillies currently have at the lower levels. Upon signing his first pro contract, at 18 years old, he 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 in 2013, winning the league's annual home run derby. With the Cutters, Green batted .252 with 20 doubles (tied for league lead), a triple, 13 homers (league leader) and 41 RBI. In 2014, Green missed roughly seven weeks for Class A Lakewood wit...

Anthony Hewiit, image- Jay Floyd Considered a bust by many for failing to live up to first round draft pick expectations during his tenure in the Phillies organization, Anthony Hewitt is looking for a fresh start with a new team after signing with Baltimore last week. Selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft out of Salisbury High School in Connecticut, Hewitt was selected as a shortstop and converted to an outfielder. He spent six seasons in the Phils developmental ranks and did not develop into the offensive threat that the team anticipated he could become. After signing for $1.38 million, the six-foot-one 190-pounder went on the tally a .223/.264/.370 slash line in 595 career games, highlighted by an All-Star campaign for Class A Lakewood in 2011 in which he posted a .240 average with 14 home runs, 55 RBI and 36 steals in 119 games. Last season, in his second campaign at Double-A Reading, Hewitt sported a .140 batting average with one homer and eight ...

Tom Windle, image- MiLB.com Acquired by the Phillies this off-season, left-handed pitcher Tom Windle joined a new organization and quickly jumped into their top ranked prospects. Part of the return from the Dodgers in the swap for Phillies all-time hits leader Jimmy Rollins , along with right-hander Zach Eflin , Windle is a promising hurler with tools that scouts have long been high on. A 2nd round pick in 2013 (56th overall), the Minnesota native debuted in the minors the same year with Class A Great Lakes. In 13 games (12 starts), Windle posted a 5-1 record with a 2.68 ERA while striking out 51 and walking 20 in 53 2/3 innings. His excellent initial pro effort followed a strong junior campaign at the University of Minnesota that year which saw the youngster sport a 6-4 record, a 2.14 ERA with a .208 batting average against and 86 strike outs in 92 2/3 innings in 14 games. With Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamongo last year, the six-foot-four 215-pounder tallied a 12-8 recor...