PhoulBallz Q&A, The Lost Tapes: Tim Zier

Minor league infielder Tim Zier took part in an interview with me in May of this year while he was a member of the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Shortly afterward, the Phillies' 21st round draft selection from 2014 suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee. Prior to being sidelined, the 24-year-old had forced coaches to give him more playing time when he posted a .293 batting average in April.

In the following interview that was unused following Zier's injury, he talks about his early success, growing up as a Padres fan and he takes part in Nine Silly-ass Questions, a segment intended for the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast.

Read ahead for the full interview.

-I heard from the coaching staff that you're a guy that's really pressing them to get you into the lineup with your output. What are your feelings on the success you've had thus far with Lakewood?

I would say it definitely feels good when I get in there and have some success, especially, not being in there every day. But at the same time, it's such a great venue and it's such a great atmosphere all around that I'm just enjoying every moment of it.

-Is this the first time you've been to New Jersey?

This is the first time I've ever been to New Jersey. Born and raised in San Diego county, California. I definitely had to get used to the weather my first month here, but now I'm really looking forward to summer.

-So I imagine you grew up as a Padres fan. Who were the players who stood out to you as a youngster?

I grew up and I really enjoyed watching Tony Gwynn, who I was fortunate enough to play for (at San Diego State University), for four years. Ken Caminiti comes to mind as well. A couple stand out Padres right there.

-What feedback have you gotten from the coaches here with the BlueClaws?

The feedback is positive. They just tell me to keep on working and keep improving myself offensively and defensively. I am just trying to do everything that's in my control.

-I do a minor league podcast and on that show we have a segment called Nine Silly-ass Questions. Would you participate in that with me?

Yeah, sure.

-Name something that New Jersey is famous for-

The Jersey Shore TV show.

-Did you watch the show? What stands out about that show in your mind?

Paulie D saying "The cabs are here!"

-Being in the Phillies organization, do you know something Philadelphia is famous for?

Cheesesteaks!

-If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?

I would have the ability to be invisible.

-What would you do with that invisibility power?

Let's see. I don't want to make it X-rated, so I'll go with my second choice I would probably take as much money as I can.

-What is your favorite candy?

Haribo Gummy Bears.

-Do you have a favorite Wesley Snipes movie?

Probably Major League. I'll go with that.

-If you could be featured on one TV show, what would it be?

Probably "Naked and Afraid". It's on the Discovery Channel and you're just thrown in the wilderness and you have to survive for a month.

-Do you have any guilty pleasures?

I like to rock out to some Taylor Swift.

Rappers in Phillies Caps

Weekend greetings to you phine pholks out there. Today's post features pictures of rappers wearing Phillies caps. Why rappers in Phillies caps, you ask? Because... Any other questions? We will start things off properly by going with a highly recognizable hip hop star. 50 Cent stays constantly relavant by consistantly creating radio friendly material to help sell (G) units, while he "keeps it real" by still rapping about the thug life he lived before becoming the 2nd highest earning black entertainer in America. 50 is seen here in a recent interview rocking a throw-back Phillies cap. Next up we'll use a throw-back screen cap from what may be the very first major appearance by a rapper wearing Phillies gear. Chuck D, of legendary rap group Public Enemy, wore a Phillies cap in the music video for rap anthem Fight The Power in 1989. The song was the lead single from the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing . Next up we'll go with some home grown tal...

PhoulBallz Q&A with Mike Stutes

Mike Stutes completes "The Reading Phils Mike Tri-fecta" over three days, here on PhoulBallz.com. Stutes, a 22 year old, was an 11th round selection by the Phillies in the 2008 amateur draft. Stutes, a right handed starting pitcher, helped lead Oregon State to the College World Series championship in both 2006 and 2007. Stutes and teammate Vance Worley are the first players to begin a season at Reading the year after being drafted since Pat Burrell did it in 1999. Stutes was the Phils' minor league pitcher of the month in August '08, when he went 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 6 starts. Check out my Q&A with the third Mike below. Can I get you to talk about the coaching staff and how they help you deal with ups and downs? They've been real positive with me. I started out good and then I hit a rough patch. They've stuck with me through it all. I haven't heard any negative words from them. Every day they try to come out, work with me, try to get me turned around...

Lidge Shaky, T-Mac Honored in Trenton

TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...

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