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Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.  On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne.  The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska.  In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be.  He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line.  And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line.  He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage.   Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August.  Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH.   Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve

Drafting 27th overall in the first round on Sunday night, the Phillies chose shortstop/third baseman Aidan Miller. The 19-year-old sat out the 2023 season with a broken hamate bone, which required surgery.  The absence from action resulted in Miller falling in the draft and analysts feel that the Phillies got a huge steal in this draft spot as a result.   Miller, a six-foot-two 205-pounder, bats right-handed and is touted as having great power potential.   A graduate of J.W. Mitchell High School in Florida, Miller is committed to play collegiate baseball at Arkansas.   Last year, Miller posted strong numbers on the showcase circuit and was named as the MVP of the All-American Game and won a home run derby title as part of the All-Star festivities in Los Angeles.   Aidan's brother Jackson Miller was drafted 65th overall by the Reds in 2020 out of J.W. Mitchell as well. The Phils' next selection will take place at 98th overall, in the third round.  The club does not have a second

Lefty hurler Taylor Lehman has proven to be a consistent performer and could be forcing himself to be considered as a big league option. After bouncing back from elbow surgery last year, Lehman, a Penn State product, made 15 appearances (four starts) with Double-A Reading.  In those outings, he notched a 1-1 record with a 3.74 ERA, a .210 opponents' batting average and a 10.4 K/9 mark. Last off-season the six-foot-eight 240-pounder pitched for Surprise in the prestigious Arizona Fall League.  In eight appearances there, all in relief, he sported a 6.17 ERA while striking out 16 and walking eight in 11 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old opened the 2023 campaign with the Double-A Reading Fightins.  Through seven relief appearances to open this season, Lehman has notched a 1-0 record with a 2.61 ERA, a .162 batting average against while striking out 10 and walking five in 10 1/3 innings pitched. Recently, Lehman was interview by PhoulBallz correspondent Evan Floyd, who inquired about everyt