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Showing posts from December, 2015

PhoulBallz Off-season Check In: RHP Matt Hockenberry

Matt Hockenberry, image- Jay Floyd Righty hurler Matt Hockenberry made headlines when the Phillies selected him as their 9th round draft pick in 2014 out of Temple University. Since that time, he's been a contributor out of the Class A bullpen. Following a 2014 campaign that saw the Dillsburg, PA native tally a 3-0 record with two saves and a 5.12 ERA in 20 outings, Hockenberry bounced back with a great season for the Lakewood BlueClaws this year. In 42 appearances, the 24-year-old posted a 4-4 record with 19 saves and a 2.24 ERA. Last week I spoke with Matt about his off-season routine, his ties to Temple and the city of Philadelphia, coaching youth players as well as how he tries to knock down boundaries between American and Latino players. Read ahead for that full interview. -What is the amount of downtime, the time you go without picking up a ball, that you enjoy during the off-season and then what do you do to knock the rust off once action resumes? That'

PhoulBallz Podcast Episode 78: Blake McFarland & Stephen Shackleford Interviews

The PhoulBallz Podcast is back to close out 2015 by running down the top moments from the Phillies minor league year. Jay also interviews pitchers Blake McFarland and Stephen Shackleford . Among the topics of discussion are Cornelius Randolph , Aaron Nola and plenty more. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE .

Frosty Phillies Favorites: 2015 Player Christmas Survey

Kyle Martin as Santa, edit- Eric Floyd Everybody loves the holidays and, of course, baseball players are no exception. Each year at Christmas time, I survey a group of Phillies prospects about what they get excited for during the holiday season. Players taking part in this year's sixth annual questionnaire include 4th round draft pick first baseman Kyle Martin , 2nd round pick second baseman Scott Kingery , slugging outfielders Nick Williams and Dylan Cozens , righty relievers Matt Hockenberry , Jason Zgardowski and Stephen Shackleford as well as lefty reliever Joey DeNato . Questions and answers detailing each player’s holly jolly holiday favorites are ahead… -What is your favorite Christmas movie or TV special? Martin: I love comedies, so I gotta go with National Lampoons' Christmas Vacation. Kingery: A Christmas Story. That was one of my dad's favorites and we watched that one every year, growing up. I see a couple times each year. Williams: Fav

PhoulBallz Off-season Check In: 2B Prospect Scott Kingery

Scott Kingery, image- Jay Floyd The Phillies' 2nd round draft pick this year was second baseman Scott Kingery . In 66 games with Class A Lakewood after signing his first professional contract, the 21-year-old posted a .250 average with three home runs, 21 RBI and 11 steals. Kingery, a righty batting second baseman, sported a .392 average while being named Pac-12 player of the year as a member of the Arizona Wildcats in 2015. The five-foot-10 180-pounder took time recently to talk about his very first off-season, mentoring high school players, feeling inspired by an NBA team and more. Read ahead for the full interview. -After the season, how much time do you take off from swinging a bat and picking up a ball? Also, during that time, what do you do to stay fit? I mean, this is my first real off-season. Before this, I was playing year round without a break. So, this is the first time I've had some time off to rest and get my body back in the best shape in can be i

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Shackleford says goodbye to Reading

Stephen Shackleford, image- Jay Floyd Righty reliever Stephen Shackleford set the single season saves record for the Double-A Reading Fightins this past season, when he notched 30 in 53 Eastern League appearances.  Following the 2015 campaign, the man known as "Shack" became a free agent and news of his signing with the Nationals was announced on Friday. Via his twitter account , the 26-year-old fan favorite posted a nod to the city where he enjoyed his record setting season this year as well as the Phillies organization.  I would like to thank the Phillies and the Fightin Phils for everything they did for me this past year.  I had an amazing experience in Baseballtown and it will always hold a special place in my heart.  I'm looking forward to the next step in my baseball journey and excited to be a part of the Nationals organization.   Last week I spoke with Shackleford about his off-season routine, playing abroad this autumn following Reading's pos

Phils minor league coaching assignments announced

After some delay with releasing the details, the Phillies announced their minor league coaching assignments for the 2016 season this week. Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Dave Brundage is back with the IronPigs for his fourth season. Dave Lundquist will take on pitching coach duties with Lehigh Valley after holding that spot for Reading for the past three seasons. Sal Rende is back for his fifth season as IronPigs hitting coach. Brundage previously managed in the Atlanta system and was an outfielder during his playing days. Double-A Reading manager Dusty Wathan returns for his fifth season in the role. Hitting coach Frank Cacciatore will also return, while Steve Schrenk will serve as pitching coach. Schrenk previously held the position with Reading in 2009 and has coached at varied levels of the Phils' developmental ranks in the years since. Wathan's Class A Advanced Clearweater will again be led by Greg Legg , who was honored as the Florida State League manager of th

PN Interview: Off-season check in with RHP Jason Zgardowski

Zgardowski honored prior to Lakewood's last home game, image- Jay Floyd Righty reliever Jason Zgardowski had a solid season in 2015, a year after he was signed by the Phillies as an undrafted free agent. In 34 games combined at short-season A level Williamsport and Class A Lakewood this season, the 22-year-old sported a 4-1 record with two saves, a 3.12 ERA and a .182 batting average against. The Texas native was honored by the Phils organization this year, representing Lakewood as the player that best displayed leadership through community service. This weekend I talked with Jason to learn about how he's spending his off-season and what he is doing to stay in shape during the fall and winter months, balancing fatherhood with being a pro athlete and more. Read ahead for the full interview. -How much time off do you take from picking up a baseball and what other methods do you use to work out during the off-season? I like to go at least a month and a half before I

Phillies acquire RHP Morton, full Giles trade details announced

As a busy week continued for the 99-loss Phillies, news was released confirming another swap as the team sent minor league hurler David Whitehead to Pittsburgh for starting pitcher Charlie Morton . The 32-year-old Morton is best known for his mechanics which resemble Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay . In 158 career big league games, the righty sports a 34-70 record along with a 4.54 ERA. Whitehead, a pitcher not particularly close to the Phillies' top 25 prospects, posted a 9-11 record with a 4.44 ERA and a .291 batting average against for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers last season. The addition of Morton likely locks him into a rotation spot as the team's veteran, although he isn't a workhorse, having never thrown 30 or more starts in a season and making more than 26 starts in a year only one time. Morton will join newly acquired pitcher Jeremy Hellickson as the only locks to be Phils starters. Rookies Aaron Nola (the Phils' 1st round pick fr

PhoulBallz Interview: Off-season check in with 1B Kyle Martin

Kyle Martin, image- Jay Floyd First base prospect Kyle Martin grew up in South Carolina as a Phillies fan, admiring slugger Jim Thome , so it was a dream come true for his entire family when the organization made him their 4th round draft choice this year. A lefty batting power threat, Martin quickly made his professional debut with Class A Lakewood. The transition to the minors seemed easy, as the 23-year-old tallied a .279 average with five home runs and 37 RBI in 65 games for the BlueClaws. I recently spoke with the University of South Carolina product about his remarkable 2015 as a whole and he ranked how playing in the Phillies organization ranks against playing for Team USA in this year's Premiere 12 tournament. Read ahead for that interview and click here for my previous feature on the six-foot-two 240-pounder. -Are you still enjoying downtime right now or have you reached the stage of your off-season where you are back to baseball activities and knocking the ru

Phils to take OF Goeddel with first pick in Rule 5 draft

In the midst of trade reports on Wednesday evening, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki confirmed that the Phillies will select Tampa Bay outfielder Tyler Goeddel with the initial pick in Thursday's Rule 5 draft. The 23-year-old California native was originally selected 41st overall by the Rays in 2011. The righty batting Goeddel sported a .279 average with 12 home runs, 72 RBI and 28 stolen bases in 123 games for Double-A Montgomery this year. He was converted from third base to the outfield following the 2014 season. Players are eligible for selection in the Rule 5 draft when they are not on their major league organization's 40 man roster and 1) were signed to a contract at age 19 or older and have been in that organization for four years, OR 2) were signed at age 18 or younger and have been in that organization for five years. Regulations in the big league portion of the Rule 5 draft require the selecting team to keep any drafted player on its 25-man big league roster for

Reports: Phils agree to trade Giles for four players

Kenny Giles, image- Jay Floyd After a day full of hot stove rumors indicating the Phillies were in talks with Houston about a deal for righty closer Kenny Giles , several reports have the deal in place, pending physicals. A reporter from a Fox affiliate in Houston tweeted incorrect facts about the trade multiple time, but it seems the return coming back for the 25-year-old Giles are right-handed hurler Vincent Velasquez , left-handed pitcher Brett Oberholtzer and outfielder Derek Fisher . Velsaquez, a 23-year-old, was a 2nd round pick by Houston in 2010.  With terrific upside, the youngster sported a 4-0 record with a 1.91 ERA and a 12.3 K/9 mark in nine games at the Double-A level last season prior to a promotion to the big league.  With the Astros, in 19 games (seven starts) Velasquez tallied a 4.37 ERA and a .240 batting average against. Oberholtzer, 26, has an 11-20 record in 3.94 ERA in 45 career big league outings.  He was an 8th round draft selection by Houst

Phillies add free agent reliever Hernandez, Giles talks heating up

In their first move at the annual MLB Winter Meetings, the Phillies announced the signing of free agent right-hander David Hernandez to a one-year deal. The 30-year-old is a veteran of six big league seasons and was originally a 16th round draft selection by Baltimore in 2005. In 40 appearances last season for Arizona, Hernandez sported a 1-5 record along with a 4.38 ERA. This signing by Philadelphia will help to fill out the bullpen, but should not be expected to improve it. As seen in the embedded tweet below, Hernandez has very similar career numbers to departed righty reliever Justin De Fratus . Phils RHP acquisition David Hernandez- 4.15ERA, 1.32WHIP, 9.0K/9, 3.8BB/9. Departed RHP Justin DeFratus- 4.08ERA, 1.37WHIP, 7.9K/9, 3.6BB/9. — Jay Floyd (@PhoulBallz) December 9, 2015 Additionally, reports out of the Winter Meetings also mention continued dialogue between the Phils and Astros regarding closer Ken Giles. Phils and Astros have been talking about Giles all week.

Off-season League Updates: Franco, Alfaro, Gonzalez, Hoskins, Cozens notes

It's another round of updates from around the globe for Phillies playing in off-season leagues. While some players like Roman Quinn are done with their time abroad, other like Jorge Alfaro and Severino Gonzalez are just getting their extra time on the diamond under way. Read ahead for all the details.  Dominican Winter League- Maikel Franco, image- Jay Floyd Maikel Franco is batting .267 with two home runs and four RBI in 11 games thus far with the Gigantes. The 23-year-old tallied a .280 average with 14 homers and 50 RBI this year as a rookie for the Phillies. Joely Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 3.32 ERA and a .194 batting average against in eight games for the Gigantes. The lefty had a 6.12 combined ERA in 32 total outings for Reading and Lehigh Valley this year. Rodriguez was acquired from Pittsburgh last off-season in a swap for Antonio Bastardo . In six games righty Jimmy Cordero has a 2.16 ERA while striking out nine and walking six in 8 1/3 innings for the Leone

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 be