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Showing posts from September, 2015

Two Phillies honored with minor league Gold Glove Awards

Aaron Altherr, image- Jay Floyd On Monday, Minor League Baseball announced that right fielder Aaron Altherr and left fielder Cord Sandberg were honored as Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners. Altherr spent time this season with Double-A Reading as well as Triple-A Lehigh Valley before he was promoted to the majors. He was perfect in 107 games in the field, recording 279 chances and eight assists without an error. The 24-year-old was a 9th round draft choice by the Phils in 2009. The 20-year-old Sandberg, who was the Phils' 3rd round draft selection in 2013, recorded a .983 fielding percentage in 120 games for Class A Lakewood. Sandberg had 232 chances, recording 13 assists. According to a release, players must have participated in one of the 10 domestic-based, full-season leagues, and shown outstanding defensive skills to be eligible to receive the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. The award was re-introduced to Minor League Baseball in 2011 after an almost 50-year hiatus

Knapp and Pinto honored as Paul Owens Award winners

Andrew Knapp, image- Jay Floyd The Phillies announced the honorees for the annual Paul Owens Award this year, with catcher Andrew Knapp and pitcher Ricardo Pinto being named as the top performers in the organization's developmental ranks. Knapp, began the 2015 campaign with Class A Advanced Clearwater where he posted a .262 batting average with two home runs and 28 RBI in 63 games en route to being named a Florida State League All-Star. Promoted to Double-A Reading in late June, Knapp would really turn things on offensively, collecting a .360 average along with 11 homers and 56 RBI in 55 games. Knapp was the Phils' 2nd round draft pick out of Cal in 2013. Phillies Nation recently aired a feature on Knapp. That video can be viewed by clicking here . Pinto, a 21-year-old righty, tallied a 15-4 record with a 2.97 ERA and a 6.5 K/9 mark in 24 combined starts with Class A Lakewood and Clearwater this season. For the Venezuelan, 2015 was just his second season pitchi

Reading comes up short in chase for championship

Falling one victory shy of winning their first Eastern League championship in 20 years, the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils dropped the fifth and deciding game in Bowie by a score of 7-2 on Saturday. On the mound, right-hander Reinier Roibal allowed two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss. Fireballer Jimmy Cordero came into the game in the bottom of the 7th inning. The promising hurler acquired from Toronto in the Ben Reverse trade allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings. Outfielder Cam Perkins and catcher Rene Garcia each slugged a solo homer in the losing effort. Looked at by many as the favorites to take it all, Reading couldn't wrap things up after taking a 2-1 lead in the series on Thursday night with a 9-3 victory. No Reading players are expected to be added to the Phillies' expanded September roster now that their playoff run is complete. Various members of the team took the Twitter following the loss to express their thoughts on a very successful 20

Bowie downs Reading to force 5th game of ELCS

The Reading Fightins could not overcome an early deficit and dropped game 4 of the Eastern League Championship Series to the Bowie Baysox by a score of 9-1. Bowie scored three runs led by a Garabez Rosa two-run double off of Reading starting pitcher Ben Lively in the bottom of the opening frame to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Reading scored their only run in the 4th inning, when outfielder Cam Perkins came home on a wild pitch. The Baysox would clap back in the bottom of the 5th inning, with a run-scoring single by first baseman Trey Mancini . Lively, was charged for three additional runs in the 7th inning without recording an out, as he left the game with the bases loaded and reliever Ryan O'Sullivan would allow all three inherited runners to cross the plate. The 23-year-old Lively, who was acquired from Cincinnati for Marlon Byrd last off-season, let up seven earned runs in six innings while giving up seven hits and four walks, notching four strike outs in the process.

Reading one win away from Eastern League title

Jake Thompson, image- Jay Floyd Jake Thompson starred once again for the Double-A Reading Fightins on Thursday, as he led his club to a 9-3 victory over the Bowie Baysox to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five Eastern League Championship Series. The 21-year-old right-hander got the win, allowing one earned run on four hits over seven innings while striking out five and walking three. The victory for Thompson put his record at 6-1 with a 1.48 ERA over nine starts for Reading since he was acquired from Texas in the Cole Hamels trade this summer. Eight of the nine Fightin Phils batters collected at least one hit. Center fielder Nick Williams , another talented youngster the Phils brought over from Texas, notched two hits including a home run, his third of the postseason, and drove in a pair of runs. Shortstop J.P. Crawford went 2-for-3 with a walk while driving in a run on a sacrifice fly. The organization's top prospect is 10-for-21 (.476 avg) in six postseason contests

Bowie evens ELCS with Reading

To tie the Eastern League Championship Series at one game apiece, the Reading Fightins lost against the Bowie Baysox by a score of 10-3. The series will now move to Bowie's Prince George's Stadium, where Reading will need to win two out of three games. Righty hurler Ethan Martin had a poor start for Reading and took the loss, allowing five earned runs on four hits and five walks while striking out none in 2 1/3 innings. Left-hander Joely Rodriguez would follow Martin out of the bullpen, letting up three runs (two earned) in 1 1/3 innings. Ryan O'Sullivan would be charged with two additional runs in his inning of work. For a pair of bright spots among the Reading pitching staff, lefty Hoby Milber, working with a new arm angle of late, tossed 3 1/3 scoreless frames retiring all 10 batters he faced while Tom Windle threw a scoreless inning of his own. Bowie starter Nick Additon , 27, went seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) to notch the win. Infielde

Eflin leads Reading to Game 1 ELCS win

Zach Eflin, image- Jay Floyd Righty hurler Zach Eflin fired six shutout innings to lead the way as the Double-A Reading Fightins notched a win in the opener of the best-of-five Eastern League Championship Series on Tuesday night. In his second win of the post-season, Eflin, who was acquired last off-season in the trade that sent Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers, struck out five Bowie Baysox batters while walking none on five hits. He left the game after surrendering a lead-off single that ricocheted off his leg in the 7th inning. League MVP Brock Stassi got the scoring started in front of the home crowd, leading off the home half of the 4th inning with a home run to give Reading a 1-0 lead. Reliever Edubray Ramos tossed a scoreless 7th inning, retiring the side in order with two strike outs. Designated hitter Art Charles would slam his own solo homer in the 7th to pad the lead. Catcher Andrew Knapp would plate another run that inning on a sacrifice fly. Righty p

Williamsport ousted from NYPL playoffs

On Sunday, the Phillies' Class A short-season affiliate Williamsport lost the deciding game of their best-of-three opening round series in the New York-Penn League playoffs, dropping a 4-0 decision to the West Virginia Black Bears (Pittsburgh affiliate). With righty hurler Mitch Gueller on the mound, the Crosscutters dropped the contest in front of a home crowd following a rain out on Saturday. Gueller was tagged for the loss, alloweing one run (earned) in 5 1/3 innings of work while striking out five, walking four and surrendering two hits. Gueller, 21, had become the team's ace in recent months, posting an 8-0 record along with a 1.74 ERA over his last nine starts. He also had an ERA of 1.17 at home entering the postseason. The Washington state native was the Phils' supplemental round (54th overall) draft selection in 2012. The Cutters' offense only mustered three hits on the day, including a double from promising outfield prospect Jose Pujols , who went jus

Reading advances to Eastern League Championship Series

JP Crawford, image- Tug Haines The Double-A Reading Fightins are headed to the Eastern League Championship Series for the first time since 2001 folowing a sweep of the Binghamton Mets in the opening round of the playoffs. Top prospect J.P. Crawford led the offense, slamming a solo home run and reaching base three times via a walk. Outfielder Nick Williams , acquired in July's Cole Hamels trade, slugged a two-run homer, his second of the series. Infielder Angelo Morda plated the other Reading run with a sacrifice fly. Right-hander Ben Lively notched the win, tossing five innings while allowing two earned runs on four hits, striking out six and walking one. The 23-year-old was acquired last off-season from Cincinnati in a trade for outfielder Marlon Byrd .

Reading wins playoff opener, Clearwater eliminated

Brock Stassi, image- Jay Floyd In the opening game of the Eastern League Division Series, the Double-A Reading Fightins dropped the Binghamton Mets by a score of 9-4. League MVP Brock Stassi led an 18-hit barrage, collecting a double and a three-run home run while walking three times and driving in four total runs while outfielder Dylan Cozens launched a pair of doubles and drove in three runs. Additionally, shortstop J.P. Crawford , catcher Andrew Knapp and third baseman Harold Martinez each notched three safeties. Righty pitcher Zach Eflin notched the win with seven strong innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, while striking out four and walking one. Initially, the contest was delayed about an hour by rain. The teams will face each other again in Binghamton on Thursday in game 2 of the best-of-three series. In the Florida State League, the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers were swept in a best-of-three series by Daytona. Newly acquired righty John R

Threshers drop Florida State League playoff opener

On Tuesday night in the opener for the Florida State League playoff, the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers would lose to Daytona. There were two outs in the 7th frame before the Threshers would collect their first hit, a single by first baseman Rhys Hoskins . They would wrap up the contest with just two singles, the other coming off the bat of third baseman Mitch Walding . Right-hander Ricardo Pinto took the loss, allowing three runs in six innings of work while striking out six and walking three. Lefty pitcher Amir Garrett notched the win for the Tortugas, as he fanned 12 Threshers batters without a walk over seven shutout innings.

Phillies Nation episode 21: Matt Breen, reviewing trade returns

On the latest edition of Phillies Nation, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Breen joins the panel to discuss the big league debut of Alec Asher , the production of Jerad Eickhoff as well as Aaron Nola 's efforts for the big club. Minor league insider Jay Floyd and Rudy Mezzy team up to review the Phils' acquisitions from recent trades including righty pitcher Nick Pivetta . Rachel and Corey also chat about what is to come for Ryan Howard , Cameron Rupp and others. Watch this week's episode in the media player below and look for new episodes to premiere each Tuesday at 6PM on The Comcast Network (no new show Labor Day week).

Crawford, Knapp among Phils prospects headed to AFL

J.P. Crawford, image- Jay Floyd On Tuesday Arizona Fall League rosters were announced. The list of talented youngsters that will represent the Phillies in the prominent off-season league is headlined by top prospect J.P. Crawford . The 20-year-old shortstop was the Phils' first round draft selection in 2013. In just his second full pro season this year, he reached the Double-A Eastern League where he was honored as a mid-season All-Star. Through 101 games combined for Class A Advanced Clearwater and Reading, Crawford tallied a .294 average with six homers, 41 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Joining Crawford will be his Reading teammate catcher Andrew Knapp .. The 23-year-old has been hot of late as he sported a .404 average with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 25 August games for the playoff bound Fightins. Also headed to the AFL to take the field as part of the Glendale Desert Dogs will be lefty pitcher Tom Windle , right-handed hurlers Yacksel Rios , Nick Pivetta and Edubra

BlueClaws Quotables: Coaches talk Grullon, Kingery, Watson, more

This past week I spoke with Class A Lakewood manager Shawn Williams and the team's pitching coach Aaron Fultz . Below are interview excerpts from both men as we check in on a few familiar names like catching prospect Deivi Grullon , this year's second round draft choice Scott Kingery as well as 2012 first round pick Shane Watson , plus more. Williams... Grullon, image- Jay Floyd - Catcher Deivi Grullon has had some ups and downs at the plate this year. Has he made solid progress and are you pleased with his seeason? I am pleased. I know the numbers aren’t there offensively, but he’s had some tough luck, he’s had some tough outs. But, for me, more importantly, he’s finishing the season strong. His RBI’s and power numbers have come here lately. He’s gotten better, he’s having better at bats, but more importantly for a catcher, that comes first. He’s done an outstanding job all year. He’s done an outstanding job. He’s learning a lot. For me, he’s grown up a l