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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...

Tug and Jay are back with the latest edition on the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast. On the 77th edition of the show, the guys talk about Jake Fox 's transition to Korea, Mark Leiter Jr.'s, Brandon Leibrandt 's and J.P. Crawford 's excellent efforts for Clearwater as well as Carlos Tocci posting terrific numbers in the Sally League. Reading slugger Art Charles joins the show for the segment Nine Silly-ass Questions, plus Marlins pitching prospect Ben Holmes (AKA Ben Wetzler) takes time to answer questions about the Phillies reporting him to the NCAA for having an agent represent him at the negotiation table in 2013. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes . Thanks so much to the thousands of you that listen to each episode. We appreciate you.

It's your weekly rundown of top performers from the Phillies' developmental ranks with some not-so-good performers mixed in as well. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (9-23 record, last in International League North Division- worst record in the league)... Hot: Maikel Franco, image- Jay Floyd 3B Maikel Franco has continued to shine on offense, as the 22-year-old has gone 12-for-25 (.480 avg) with three homers and eight RBI in his last six games. Overall, the Dominican native has notched a .341 average with four home runs and 18 RBI in 30 games this season. RHP Phillippe Aumont sports a 1-1 record and a 1.93 ERA in three starts since joining the Pigs' rotation. In seven appearances this year, the 26-year-old has a 1.73 ERA and a .188 batting average against. Cold: Catcher Tommy Joseph is 2-for-32 (.063 avg) in his last 10 games. Overall, in 20 games this season, the 23-year-old sports a .123 average with four doubles and six RBI. Double-A Reading Fightins ...

Art Charles, image- Jay Floyd Across all levels of organized baseball, it would likely be impossible to find a hotter player than Reading first baseman Art Charles right now. The lefty hitting slugger wrapped up a six-game stretch on Sunday during which he went 14-for-23 (.609 avg) with five doubles, five home runs and nine RBI. Currently, the 24-yeear-old Charles leads the Double-A Eastern League in average (.400) and slugging percentage (.800), while also ranking second (tie) in on-base percentage (.442). Charles has gained more at bats lately with his recent success, as he had been splitting time in the lineup with teammate Brock Stassi , who has a league-leading 23 RBI. Time on the bench wasn't discouraging, though, as it made the California native value the chances he was getting more. "It's been a little tough, but I get my playing time," Charles said last week at Reading's FirstEnergy Stadium. "I enjoy the time I get. I've been doin...

Dusty Wathan, image- Jay Floyd This week I spent some time chatting with Double-A Reading Fightins skipper Dusty Wathan . The club is well touted this year with a collection of excellent pitching prospects along with some solid producers on offense. In the interview excerpts below, Wathan shares some thoughts on Cam Perkin's dip in production this year, if the Fightin Five rotation makes his job easier and if the offense coming from his bench presents any difficulty in his role. Read ahead for this exclusive interview from the farm. -Off the top, I've got a two part question. Do you feel in any way that the solid production from some of your guys that haven't played every day, like Art Charles and Harold Martinez , makes your job more difficult? On the other side, does the starting rotation, which includes last year's top draft pick Aaron Nola along with Jesse Biddle , Zach Eflin , Tom Windle and Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Ben Lively , make your spot ...

Aaron Nola, image- Tug Haines Two big name pitching prospects took the mound and shined for their respective new teams on Wednesday night as this year's top draft pick Aaron Nola and 2010 first round selection Jesse Biddle looked strong and notched wins. Nola, who was selected by the Phillies with the 7th overall pick in June's MLB amateur draft, made his Double-A debut with the Reading Fightins, going five innings, allowing one earned run on six hits while striking out four and walking one to down New Britain. First baseman Jake Fox carried the Reading offense with his team leading 16th home run and four RBI. In eight pro games, Nola sports a 3-3 record with a 2.97 ERA while striking out 34 and walking six in 36 1/3 innings. Biddle, who entered this season widely regarded as the Phils' top pitching prospect, tossed five no-hit innings for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers to earn a win. He struck out five and allowed just one base runner, a walk. T...

Art Charles w/ Lakewood in 2013 Despite finding themselves victorious in each of their past two contests, the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers possess the worst record in professional baseball with a 7-22 mark. Thus far this year, the Threshers have struggled to find a groove and string together anything that could help the team build confidence or show any indication that they are a club that could bounce back and rise in the Florida State League standings. Following 10 days without a victory, the Threshers busted out of a winless drought this week, downing the Brevard Country Manatees (Milwaukee affiliate), who had served Clearwater a 20-0 defeat the week prior, for back-to-back wins. Art Charles , the Threshers' first baseman, took time this week to offer his thoughts on the team's struggles and dismal opening month to the 2014 campaign. The six-foot-six 220-pounder, who was acquired from Toronto last year for pitcher Michael Schwimer , spoke about the mental ...

It's that time of year that gets folks in the mood to be merry. The biggest of all holidays is loved by all, for many reasons. Baseball players certainly don't feel any differently. In recent weeks, I have checked in with several Phillies players, from the bottom to the top of the system, to find out what stands out for them as reasons to get excited for Christmas. Players that took part in this year's questionnaire include top 2013 draft pick shortstop J.P. Crawford , righty pitching prospects Colby Shreve , Nic Hanson and Mark Leiter Jr., third base prospect Mitch Walding , minor league first baseman Art Charles as well as Phillies rookie catcher Cameron Rupp . Questions and answers detailing each player's holly jolly holiday favorites are ahead... What is your favorite Christmas movie or TV special? JP Crawford- Favorite Christmas movie is The Grinch. Just one of my favorite movies. Mark Leiter Jr.- Elf. Definitely, Elf. Will Ferrell! ...

As the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws wrapped up their regular season with a rain out on Monday, I spoke with manager Mickey Morandini about several of his players' progress this year.  Additionally, first baseman Art Charles and outfielder Jiandido Tromp shared some thoughts on their 2013 season and what the off-season might hold.  Read ahead for quotes from all three men. Mickey Morandini: Off the top, Morandini shared a list of BlueClaws that will be participating in the Florida Instructional League- RHP Zach Cooper , RHP Delvi Francisco , RHP Kevin Walter , RHP Shane Watson , SS J.P. Crawford , 1B Art Charles, OF Larry Greene Jr. and OF Carlos Tocci . Morandini spoke about which of those players would benefit most from more time on the field with the Phillies' coaches and minor league staff... Larry needs to go down there and continue to work on his swing.  Tocci really needs to go down there and get stronger.  I don't think he needs a...

It's another weekly rundown of the Phillies' minor leagues.  Take a look at details on some recent noteworthy performers... Triple A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- David Buchanan, image- Jay Floyd Right-hander David Buchanan got the call up on Sunday, and notched a win, throwing seven innings and allowing just two runs while striking out four and walking one.  Buchanan, the Phillies' 7th round draft pick in 2010 out of Georgia State University, posted a 6-11 record along with a 4.82 ERA in 22 starts with Double-A Reading this year.  According to Reading coach Dave Lundquist, the initial plan was to have the 24-year-old make one start with the 'Pigs, then return to Reading for his next start, but things can always change. Tyler Henson , promoted from Reading when Cody Asche got the call to the big leagues, launched four home runs in his first four games with the IronPigs, after recording just four round trippers in 80 Double-A games this season.  Henson has a...

Cody Asche, photo- Jay Floyd Third baseman Cody Asche has been on a torrid pace of late. Asche, a University of Nebraska product, is showing more and more that he's ready for a bigger challenge. The 23-year-old lefty batter has gone 14-for-33 (.424 avg) along with three doubles, five homers and 12 RBI in his last eight contests with the IronPigs. Overall this season, Asche, who represented Lehigh Valley in the Triple-A All-Star Game earlier this month, is batting .295 with 15 home runs and 68 RBI in 104 games. On the latest edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast , Asche was featured as a call-in guest. When asked when he'll feel ready for the bigger challenge of the major leagues, he said the following: "Whenever (the Phillies) tell me. That's when I feel like I'm ready. There's a lot of guys in this organization that are really smart and they know what they're doing and they've been through this before with many players, so, you know, I 1...

Prior to Lakewood's 4-3 walk-off victory over Greenville on Sunday, I spoke with a couple of the team's coaches and a pair of players. Manager Mickey Morandini shared his thoughts on several of his players, while pitching coach Aaron Fultz talked about how big confidence is for pitchers and injured hurler Yoel Mecias . Corner infielder Willie Carmona and outfielder Larry Greene Jr. each discussed their improvements at the plate. Read ahead for all the exclusive quotes straight from Lakewood. Mickey Morandini... On guys like Mitch Walding , Chace Numata and Art Charles having trouble keeping their batting averages in respectable ranges- I mean, the averages aren't good overall. Take Willie (Carmona) out of the mix, I mean, throughout the lineup the averages aren't where they want them to be. In Art's defense, he's hit a lot of balls hard, right at people, so I don't think his average is truly reflective of how he's hit. The...

From all throughout the Phillies' developmental ranks, here's our weekly rundown of top performers and those players that have struggled recently. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- Who's hot... Cody Asche, image- Jay Floyd Third baseman Cody Asche had four multi-hit games over a five-game stretch last week, including a 5-for-5 effort against Pawtucket on Wednesday.  The 23-year-old International League All-Star is batting .288 with 10 homers and 56 RBI in 93 games this season.  Asche was the Phils' 4th round draft choice in 2011. The IronPigs' other All-Star, second baseman Cesar Hernandez , is batting .333 with three doubles, a triple and five RBI in 13 contests this month.  Due to the Phillies' void in center field, as Ben Revere suffered a broken foot over the weekend, Hernandez will not participate in the IL All-Star events, instead, he's been assigned to Double-A Reading to get extra work in the outfield in case the Phils choose to ...

On this week's edition, Jay and Tug talk about Tug's purchase of TheFightins.com and its relaunch.  Additionally, the guys discuss the Phils' struggles and how the returns of Carlos Ruiz and Delmon Young could impact the offense. Also, an injury update on lefty pitching prospect Austin Wright is featured and the guys stall, waiting for Jesse Biddle to phone in plus much more great content. Check out the media player below to hear the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

Acquired by the Phillies during spring training in a trade with Toronto, first baseman Art Charles welcomed the change and is happy to be a part of the Phils organization.  The six-foot-six 225 pounder was originally drafted by the Blue Jays in the 20th round in 2010 out of Bakersfield College.  Now, the 22-year-old bats cleanup for Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Through 19 games this season, Charles is batting .275 with five doubles, two homers and 12 RBI. Charles was named the Phillies minor league player of the week for April 15th through the 21st, as he batted .423 with a home run and six RBI in seven games played. I recently spoke with Art about the trade, his work to improve his hitting approach and plenty more.  Read ahead for that full interview. - During spring training, of course, your were swapped by the Blue Jays for reliever Michael Schwimer .  How were you notified of the deal and what was your reaction? I had talked to the Blue Jays prior an...