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Well stocked for the future at the second base position, the Phillies have a collection of talented players enjoying success at several levels. It’s, as they say, a good problem to have. According to the Phillies’ director of player development Joe Jordan the collection of talent at a key position is something the Phillies’ brass has discussed considerably. Cesar Hernandez, image- Jay Floyd At the top level, Cesar Hernandez, has become the Phillies’ most consistent offensive performer this season. The 26-year-old could be in line for his first big league All-Star nod if his exceptional efforts continue. Through 21 games this season, heading into action on Saturday, Hernandez has tallied a .318 batting average with four doubles, a triple, four home runs, 10 RBI and three stolen bases. Hernandez mashed just six homers last season in 155 games played with the Phillies. His surge in power and a solid ability to drive the ball has been attributed to a quality workout program ...

Occasionally, Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan takes time to chat with me about the organization's rising prospects and he was generous once again this week to offer his insight.  With some top names like J.P. Crawford and Dylan Cozens struggling out of the gate and other well-regarded prospects like Nick Pivetta and the talented pitchers at Class A and High-A doing great jobs, Jordan discussed those players as well as first round draft picks outfielder Cornelius Randolph and RHP Shane Watson . Outfielders Jose Pujols and Andrew Pullin , lefty pitcher Austin Davis and others were also among the topics. Read ahead for all the exclusive comments. Franklyn Kilome, image- Jay Floyd -Joe, thus far this season the Threshers pitching staff was been excellent, with great ERA's at 2.28 or under from Franklyn Kilome , Jose Taveras, Alberto Tirado, Seranthony Dominguez and company. How pleased are you with the production from this group? They're of...

Hoby Milner, image- Jay Floyd As a Rule 5 draft pick , lefty reliever Hoby Milner got plenty of exposure in big league spring training this year, but an imperfect exhibition campaign along with limited room on the Indians' roster resulted in the 26-year-old coming back to the team that drafted him (7th round, 2012). With Cleveland in the Cactus League, Milner allowed seven earned runs in seven innings over seven appearances while striking out nine and walking three.  After the Indians decided they could not keep Milner around, he rejoined the Phillies, where he was assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to open the regular season.  Earlier this month, I spoke with Milner, who spoke on his experience with Cleveland and coming back to the Phils.  Read ahead for that interview. -What can you share about your whirlwind off-season and spring after being selected in the Rule 5 draft, going to the Indians and then coming back to the Phillies? I thought it was a great e...

Marty Malloy, image- Jay Floyd During their opening home stand recently I had the opportunity to chat with new skipper of the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws Marty Malloy.  The 45-year-old spent time as a player in the big leagues with the Braves and Marlins.  Since he retired from playing, Malloy, the 12th manager in BlueClaws history, has managed the Astros' Gulf Coast League team for the past three seasons. Among the topics Malloy touches on are highly ranked prospects such as starting pitcher Sixto Sanchez and outfielder Mickey Moniak .  He also speaks on the leadership of some returning players, the crowds in Lakewood and more.  Read ahead for those quotes. -I asked about his early impressions on Sixto Sanchez as well as Mickey Moniak... It's a great impression what they've done.  You know, I'm very fortunate, lucky if you will, to have two guys of that caliber at that age at this level on this team.  And what they do bring to the table, it can ...

Photo courtesy of Cord Sandberg, pictured 3rd from right It’s all part of it! Are you wondering what that means? That’s okay. You’ll be in the know soon enough. It's a simple saying that has become a slogan for baseball players for life inside and outside of the game.  In a sport where its competitors are faced with an immense amount of failure while life presents similar outcomes at times, It's All Part of It has become an important adage for scores of players to lean on for reassurance and motivation. “Whatever happens, the bus breaks down (or) you break a bat- hey, that’s all part of it,” Phillies outfield prospect Cord Sandberg excitedly shared in the home dugout of Lakewood’s FirstEnergy Park recently. Seems like an insightful thought process. The motto has really caught on quite a bit and seems to be making an impression at multiple levels, in various organizations and even across continents. The phrase “It’s all part of it” or sometimes referred to a...

Moniak, image- Jay Floyd Last year's first overall draft pick Mickey Moniak is listed as day to day, according to a source, after injuring a finger on a play at the plate in Lakewood's loss to Hagerstown at home on Wednesday. While trying to score from first base on a double by designated hitter Brett Barbier, the 18-year-old was gunned out and hurt his hand in the process. The lefty batting outfielder played another inning in the game before being removed from action. Moniak was 0-for-1 with a walk in the contest.  Overall in 11 games, Moniak is batting .283 with four doubles, a triple, 11 RBI and four stolen bases. The 2-1 loss on Wednesday afternoon was the finale of the BlueClaws' first home stand of the season.  They'll hit the road for a week then return home to FirstEnergy Park for a four-game series against Kannapolis starting Thursday, April 27th.

Shane Watson, image- Jay Floyd Right-handed pitcher Shane Watson was the Phillies’ compensatory round draft pick (40th overall) in the 2012 draft. Since then, the six-foot-four 235-pounder has undergone two shoulder surgeries and has slowly tried to get healthy and climb through the minor league ranks. After reaching the Double-A level to open the 2017 season with the Reading Fightin Phils, the California native has recorded two weak starts. Overall, Watson sports a 1-0 record with a 7.71 ERA and has struck out five while walking five in 9 1/3 innings. Recently, I spoke with Shane about reaching the Eastern League, his infant daughter, his battery mate Chace Numata and plenty more. Read ahead for that full interview. -I think some people might feel it’s been a long road for you to reach the Double-A level. Maybe you feel that way too? It was a long road. From the first surgery in 2013 to another one 10 months after. I don’t even know, I don’t care to keep track of it....

I regularly get inquiries about the old PhoulBallz Podcast and when that program might return to the web that is worldwide. While I remain hopeful that one day that baseball show will come back with new episodes, there's nothing firm on that front. In the meantime, enjoy a pair of recent podcasts from the fine folks at TheGoodPhight. Embedded in the media players below are the most recent two episodes of The Felske Files Podcast, hosted by John Stolnis. In the first show, John interviews longtime Phillies beat reporter Jim Salisbury about the team's 2017 start and me about an array of talented prospects in the organization. Also, in the second episode, I interview Phillies outfield prospect and last year's number one overall draft pick Mickey Moniak .  In 12 games with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws, the 18-year-old is batting .298 with four doubles, a triple and nine RBI. Enjoy the shows!

Brian Sweeney, image- Jay Floyd Last week I sat down with Class A Lakewood pitching coach Brian Sweeney to chat about his new collection of hurlers as his BlueClaws were opening their home schedule. Among the topics of discussion were highly regarded right-hander Sixto Sanchez, starting pitchers JoJo Romero, Adonis Medina and Bailey Falter as well as returning relievers Zach Morris and Harold Arauz and others. Read ahead for the full interview. -I missed Sixto Sanchez’s start in the home opener on Thursday. He had a good outing, going five innings, striking out five on one earned run. What are your early impressions of him as a guy who has gotten a lot of attention? You know, he garners that attention. He goes about his business the right way, pitching well, working hard, just getting his experience in, here in full-season. -I got to meet JoJo Romero for a second in the clubhouse. He’s got 11 strike outs in nine innings so far this season. What are your thoughts on ...

JP Crawford, image- Jay Floyd One of the primary stories out of the Phillies developmental levels in the early going this season is the weak offensive production of minor league shortstop J.P. Crawford and two poor outings from promising hurler Jake Thompson . Crawford, the organization's first round draft choice in 2013, is among the youngest players in the Triple-A International League, at 22 years old. Through 10 games for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the talented lefty batter sports a .086 average with a triple and one RBI. Thompson, who was a significant part of the return from Texas in the 2015 Cole Hamels trade, has been alarmingly ineffective in two starts for Lehigh Valley. In both outings he has lasted just 2 1/3 innings, while allowing nine earned runs on opening night and being tagged for six earned runs in his second game. In 4 2/3 total innings, the 23-year-old has allowed 15 hits and three walks while striking out three. Entering the season, Crawford ...

Todd Pratt, Image- Jay Floyd Former Phillies catcher Todd Pratt has returned to professional baseball for the first time since he played with the Braves in 2006. He’s now the manager of the Marlins Class A affiliate, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, a team that he played for when it was a Boston affiliate 21 years ago. In 14 big league seasons, primarily as a backup, Pratt posted a .251 batting average with 49 home runs and 224 RBI. He also played with the Mets, Braves and Cubs. This weekend, I talked with Pratt about his transition to the coaching ranks, differences in the minor league lifestyle now compared to when he was riding the buses from town to town, his team and more. Read ahead for that full interview. -I was surprised to see you today. Didn’t know you were managing this club, till I saw your name on the roster today. Talk to me about the new gig. Is this a brand new venture for you, or have you coached in the pro’s before. This is my first year as a profess...

Roman Quinn, image- Jay Floyd Rising Phillies prospect Roman Quinn got a taste of the big league as a September call-up last year and had a successful spring with the big league team this year.  Opening the 2017 regular season with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the talented outfielder is hopeful to return to the Phillies soon. The 23-year-old was a second round draft selection of the Phils in 2011.  Through six games with the IronPigs thus far, Quinn sports a .320 batting average with two doubles, three RBI and a stolen base. Last week, prior to Lehigh Valley's season opener, I spoke with Roman about his spring, the IronPigs' roster, new coach Charlie Hayes and more.  Read ahead for that interview. -Talk about your time in the Grapefruit League this year.  You got time with the big club in spring training, had some success down there (.289 avg., three doubles, a homer and six RBI in 21 games), looked exciting. It was exciting, man.  Always, ...

Dylan Cozens, image- Jay Floyd One of the Phillies' most promising prospects is slugging outfielder Dylan Cozens .  After leading the Double-A Eastern League in both home runs (40) and RBI (125) last year, the 22-year-old lefty batter is set to be an offensive threat for the Triple-A Lehigh Valey IronPigs. Last week I sat down with Dylan, who discussed his time in big league spring training this year, a conflict with teammate Boog Powell in last off-season's Dominican Winter League, his confidence level in his team and plenty more.  Read ahead for the full interview. -What can you share about your success in the Grapefruit League this year? It was a lot of fun. I wouldn’t say that it was extremely successful, but I feel like I was successful in showing, you know, who I am as a person and a player. So, that was a lot fun, kind of showing what I can do and stuff like that. It’s hard to show off in a short amount of time like that, but it was tons of fun, being ar...

Chace Numata, image- Jay Floyd Reading catcher Chace Numata is off to a terrific start to the young season.  Through three contests, the 24-year-old is 6-for-12 (.500 avg) with two doubles a homer and three RBI. Originally a 14th round draft choice by the Phillies in 2010, the Hawaii native is excited to be playing in the Double-A Eastern League this year.  Prior to Reading's exhibition game last week at the Phils' Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley, I chatted with Chace about this season, his past and his time in big league camp this year.  Read ahead for that full interview. - I playfully wanted to ask you about being the Phillies' leader in batting average during spring training... I was? - Yeah, you batted .500! That's right.  That's right.  I only got two at bats, but I think just being in big league camp and having those big league at bats, it was incredible.  The first at bat I struck out, obviously, but for some reason I was still ki...

Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Infielder Jesmuel Valentin made a serious impression this spring with an outstanding campaign and gave the Phillies organization a lot to think about. The 22-year-old himself, though, had no hangups, knowing all along what he is capable of and that he's deserving of the chance to make an impact. With the Phils this spring, Valentin posted a .366 batting average with six doubles and four RBI in 21 games. A first round draft selection in 2012, he was the return in the deal that sent Roberto Hernandez to the Dodgers three summers ago. Sticking around until the final day of the Grapefruit League schedule is a testament to the improvements the talented switch-hitter has made after spending the off-season playing under the tutelage of his dad, Jose Valentin, a veteran of 16 major league seasons, in the Roberto Clemente League in Puerto Rico.  The elder Valentin is the manager of the Mayaguez Indios. “I know what I’m capable of doing and I...

It has been a few days since the IronPigs hosted the Fightins for the final pre-season exhibition on Tuesday.  The contest saw the Triple-A Lehigh Valley team notch a comeback victory over the Double-A Reading squad by a score of 5-3. Lehigh Valley righty pitcher Mark Appel , who missed more than half of last season after requiring surgery on his pitching arm, had a tough outing, letting up three earned runs in two innings of work. I received a few questions online about his efforts (he threw 40 pitches, 25 of those were strikes, he struck out two, walked one and hit a batter while allowing four hits against his organization mates), his health (he is said to be 100-percent) and his velocity (mostly 91-93 with the fastball).  With footage of all four batters he faced in the opening frame, I figured I would publish them, for anyone interested in taking a look. The 25-year-old Appel, who was the first overall draft pick by Houston in 2013, is slated to be the IronPigs' fift...

Wathan, image- Jay Floyd This week Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs manager Dusty Wathan spoke with the media and shared his thoughts on many topics including top prospects Roman Quinn , Jorge Alfaro and J.P. Crawford .  Additionally, I spoke with new Phillies minor league coach Charlie Hayes (feature at this link ) about his playing days in Philadelphia. Read ahead for quotes from both coaches. -Dusty on how important staying healthy is for OF Roman Quinn to have a big year... I mean, well I think that's the biggest thing with Roman.  I mean, we've seen when Roman's on the field, it's a special thing and he can do special things.  He can impact the game in so many ways, you know with his speed, his power, his defense, his arm.  It's a big year for him, just to stay healthy and get him back to Philadelphia and let him contribute at that level. -Dusty on where Quinn will play in the Lehigh Valley outfield... Roman, he'll play a majority of center, b...