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Harold Arauz, image- Jay Floyd With just two outs remaining to wrap up a perfect game, Clearwater hurler Harold Arauz issued a walk to Ft. Myers third baseman Brandon Lopez.  Arauz would bounce back to retire the next two batters, wrapping up a no-hitter to lock down a 2-0 victory. Earlier in the day, the Thresher lost game one of the double header by a score of 4-0.  In the minor leagues, games of double headers are slated as seven-inning contests. In his seven frames on Sunday, the 22-year-old Arauz was dominant, as he would strike out 10 Miracle batters in his third start of the season.  The right-handed Panama native would see his record go to 4-2 with the Class A Advanced Threshers on the season.  The strong effort on Sunday saw his ERA with Clearwater drop to 2.03.  Arauz, a six-foot-two 185-pounder opened the season with Class A Lakewood where he posted a 1-2 record with a 1.99 ERA in eight relief appearances. He also appeared in one game this season for Reading in late

Cole Irvin, image- Jay Floyd Starting pitcher Cole Irvin has had a swift rise thus far in his pro career.  A 5th round selection last year, the 23-year-old lefty is the first player from that Phillies draft class to reach the Double-A level. Irvin opened his 2017 campaign with Class A Advanced Clearwater.  In 12 outings there, the California native posted a 4-6 record with a 2.55 ERA and a .265 batting average against.  In June, he was promoted to Reading, where he has tallied a 4-1 record with a 2.70 ERA and a .244 batting average against. Earlier this month, I sat down with Cole to chat about his success as a pro, which players (including a Phillie) he looked up to as a child, social media and plenty more.  Read ahead for that full interview... -It's been a swift rise through the minors.  Just a short year after making your pro debut, you're at the Double-A level and you're pitching with success.  Can you offer some thoughts on this quick pace ? It's been

During the 2017 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees once again demonstrated while he's the leading candidate to win both the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards. Coming into the Derby, Judge led the major leagues in home runs hit through the All-Star break with 30. And on the night of the derby, he bested three different guys who have hit 20 home runs themselves this season, en route to dethroning Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins as the Home Run Derby champion. The Home Run Derby was one of many events where individuals could make wagers on the various events that took place over the course of the All Star break. While you can find many different sites that allow you to make all sorts of bets on these festivities, one of the best sites where you can place sports wagers and play casino games is at Betfair Casino . On the way to winning this year's Derby, Judge beat out some of baseball's elite sluggers

Sixto Sanchez, image- Jay Floyd A big buzz name around the minor leagues this season is right-handed pitcher Sixto Sanchez.  The 18-year-old Dominican Republic native touts a high 90's fastball that steadily gets into triple digits, a solid slider and a change up that compliments the other offerings well.  On top of all that, his command is likely what impresses most of all. In 56 1/3 innings for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws the six-foot tall 185-pounder has struck out 54 batters while walking just six. Sanchez has a 4-3 record with a 2.88 ERA and a .199 batting average against through 11 starts this season in the. Much like many Phillies minor leaguers, the talented youngster uses his legs to drive toward home plate, he varies his speeds to his advantage and features a strong and consistent delivery. Previously a shortstop as a youth player, Sanchez switched to the pitcher's mound three seasons ago. He has transitioned remarkably, displaying strong poise as he

Nick Fanti, image- Jay Floyd Lefty starter Nick Fanti Jr. recorded another historical moment this season, as he went the distance, shutting down the Charleston RiverDogs’ (Yankees affiliate) offense to record a no-hitter on Monday at Lakewood’s FirstEnergy Park.   In nine innings of work, the 20-year-old struck out 12 and walked one on 113 pitches to put his name in the history books and improve his season record to 7-2 in 15 starts.    Fanti, the Phillies’ 31 st round draft selection in 2015, previously helped Lakewood notch a no-hitter this season when he tossed 8 2/3 innings without surrendering a safety against Columbia on May 6 th .  His roommate at the time, reliever Trevor Bettencourt, entered the game to record the final out.  Bettencourt has since been promoted to Class A Advanced Clearwater.    The six-foot-two 185-pounder, Fanti, stated that he received a congratulatory text message from Bettencourt after Monday’s feat and he replied, “Since

Carlos Tocci, image- Jay Floyd Outfielder Carlos Tocci is having a solid season with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils.  Honored as an Eastern League All-Star, the 21-year-old is batting .307 with a pair of homers, 33 RBI and 43 runs scored in 84 games.  Signed as an international free agent in 2011 on his 16th birthday, the six-foot-two, 160-pound righty batter has long been a promising player with a high ceiling.  I recently spoke with Carlos about his improvements, his family back home in his troubled home country of Venezuela, and plenty more.  Read ahead for that full interview. -It's been a great year for you.  What does it mean to you to get the All-Star nod? Yeah, I've been working this season very hard.  It's exciting to me because, you know, you work for that recognition and I feel really good.  -This week you went two straight games with a home run.  These were your first ones of the year.  As I mention it, you're smiling.  What has been the b

Zach Coppola, image- Jay Floyd Outfielder Zach Coppola has enjoyed some solid success this year in the Phillies developmental ranks.  The 23-year-old, who was a 13th round draft choice in 2015, opened the season with Class A Advanced Clearwater, where he batted .350 with a homer, 12 RBI and 10 steals in 55 games.  Following a promotion to Double-A Reading, the five-foot-10 160-pounder has tallied a .281 average with nine RBI and 10 stolen bases in 34 games.  Recently, I talked with Zach about coaches who have made lasting impressions on him, his family, Reading Fightin Phils fans and more.  Read ahead for that full interview. -It's been a great 2017 for you so far.  Hitting for high average, earning a promotion.  Talk about your success. It's been a good year.  I'm just working hard, trying to stay consistent.  I think that's been my main goal.  But, yeah, it's been going well. -What has been the difference for you?  'Cause last year you were with (C

Eastern League home runs leader Mitch Walding will represent the Reading Fightins in the league’s All-Star Game this week in Manchester, NH and will also compete in the event’s Home Run Derby.   With 20 big flies thus far this season, the 24-year-old is enjoying a remarkable power surge. He was honored as Eastern League player of the month in June, when he launched 13 homers and sported a 1.246 OP in 25 games. Through 74 games, the California native has tallied a .240 average and 49 RBI with Double-A Reading this year.   Walding, the Phillies 5 th round draft selection in 2011, notched a previous career high in round-trippers last year, when he smashed 13 combined home runs in 123 games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Reading last season. He credits a refined approach at the plate with his improved offensive production.   "I changed my swing a little bit," explained Walding.  "I got back to more of what I was doing last year in Clea

Just a quick rundown of some noteworthy performers throughout the Phillies minor leagues. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs-  Hoskins & Kingery, image- Jay Floyd International League All-Star Rhys Hoskins went 1-for-2 with a single and was hit by a pitch in Sunday's MLB All-Star Futures Game.  In 88 games this season, the righty hitting first baseman has a .289 batting average with 20 home runs and 66 RBI. Also in the Futures Game, second baseman Scott Kingery went 0-for-1.  In 12 games since he was promoted to Triple-A, the 23-year-old is batting .306 with four homers, eight RBI and four steals. Right-handed pitcher Tom Eshelman sports a 7-2 record with a 1.96 ERA through 11 starts as a member of the Lehigh Valley rotation.  Eshelman was acquired as part of the Ken Giles trade to Houston in 2015. Double-A Reading Fightin Phils- Third baseman Mitch Walding has been ripping up the opposition of late.  Named the Eastern League player of the month for June, Walding t

Righty pitcher Jesen Therrien has been pushing his way toward the big leagues and could become a factor out of  the Phillies bullpen soon enough. The 24-year-old Quebec native sports a 2-1 record with nine saves, a 1.49 ERA and a 10.6 K/9 mark in 33 combined games with Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season.  Recently, I spoke with Therrien, a 17th round draft selection from 2011, about his repertoire, growing up as a baseball fan in hockey country, and plenty more.  Read ahead for that full interview. -You have had a lot of success this year.  Can you share some thoughts on your 2017 season to date? I mean for me, this year has just really been consistent.  The key is just pound the strike zone, be aggressive and, like I say, pound the strike zone early in the count and things are gonna be good. -What is the full menu of pitches for you and what's the best weapon? I use all my pitches.  Four-seam, two-seam, slider and splitter.  And just I'll sa

Vince Velasquez, image- Jay Floyd TRENTON, NJ- Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez was pleased with his efforts, despite allowing three runs, two earned, in a loss for Reading against division rival Trenton on Thursday night. The talented hurler cited jitters as a reason for coughing up a pair of runs early on a home run to Thunder clean up hitter Billy Fleming in the opening frame of the contest. On the disabled list since May 31 with an elbow strain, Velasquez surrendered three hits, while striking out four and walking one in his three frames of work. He threw 52 pitches, 33 of them for strikes. While mixing up his four-pitch arsenal, he felt pleased with his command.  "I was a lot more consistent today," Velasquez said. "Some of them got away from me, but for the most part everything was in the (strike) zone. I was pounding the zone the whole time. Normally, on a regular basis, I'm missing more than that." Through 10 starts with the Ph