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On the latest edition of Phillies Nation, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Breen joins the panel to discuss the big league debut of Alec Asher , the production of Jerad Eickhoff as well as Aaron Nola 's efforts for the big club. Minor league insider Jay Floyd and Rudy Mezzy team up to review the Phils' acquisitions from recent trades including righty pitcher Nick Pivetta . Rachel and Corey also chat about what is to come for Ryan Howard , Cameron Rupp and others. Watch this week's episode in the media player below and look for new episodes to premiere each Tuesday at 6PM on The Comcast Network (no new show Labor Day week).

Cameron Rupp, image- Jay Floyd Phillies backstop Cameron Rupp is having quite a month. The righty batting Texan sports a .327 average with seven home runs and 17 RBI in 16 August games. Informed by reporters following Sunday's game that he is the first Phils rookie catcher to hit seven home runs in a calendar month since 1922, the 26-year-old responded in a noteworthy manner. According to reports, Rupp replied , "Ah, that's pretty cool.  Is that when they were the A's?" Say what now? Clearly, the Phillies were never the Athletics.  That team, used to play in Philadelphia though, before relocating to Kansas City back in the 1950's.  The Phils have been around dating back to the 1880's. Rupp, who is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, can tend to rub some Philadelphia sports fans the wrong way when it comes to his alligience regarding football, but shouldn't he possess at least basic historical knowledge of the team he plays for? Persona...

About a month ago, Phillies Nation featured a post with prospects Brian Pointer and Mark Leiter Jr. predicting the outcome of the entire WrestleMania 31 card. Now, as the biggest boxing match in history approaches, those two and others took time to offer their thoughts on Saturday night's huge title match between undefeated Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao with the unified welterweight championship on the line. Read ahead for comments from Pointer and Leiter as well as Phils relievers Justin De Fratus and Mario Hollands , Phillies backstop Cameron Rupp , pitching prospect Matt Imhof , Lehigh Valley righty hurler Tyler Knigge , top prospect J.P. Crawford, Clearwater third baseman Mitch Walding , Reading's speedy center fielder Roman Quinn along with former Phillies All-Star and current minor league coach Mickey Morandini . Pointer - Money Mayweather will win in a unanimous decision. Leiter - I'll take Pac-man. Turn it into a three-fight...

The dawn of a near year brings along with it the annual Phillies Nation “Prospect Nation” countdown, running down the organization’s top 25 up and coming players. In the coming weeks, as a brand new season approaches, I’ll be bringing you player reviews for each of the top developmental talents that appear to have the brightest futures for the Phillies. Always taken into consideration when compiling the list is age, minor league performance relative to levels played, value to the organization as well as future potential and proximity to the big leagues. These rankings do not include players over 25 years old or individuals that have spent lengthy stretches in the big leagues. As such, infielder Carlos Alonso , who played his age 26 season at Double-A last year, will not make the list, despite deserving some consideration. The same applies 28-year-old to relief pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez , who debuted with the Phillies late last season. Additionally, a guy such as infielder...

Maikel Franco, image- Jay Floyd As was widely reported on Monday, the Phillies are slated to promote third baseman/first baseman Maikel Franco to the big leagues with the expansion of rosters in September. The right-handed hitting Franco, who turned 22-years-old last week, pledged in an interview for Phillies Nation's television program in late June that he was about to turn on the offense and he came through on that promise. After sporting a .209 average with 22 extra base hits in 78 games through the end of June, the Dominican Republic native tallied a .324 average with 31 extra base hits in the 55 games that followed for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Also joining Franco among players moving from the IronPigs to the majors are relievers Mike Adams , Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and Luis Garcia , utility man Cesar Hernandez , catcher Cameron Rupp and outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. The righty Adams had been rehabbing an injured throwing shoulder after being sidelined in early June. ...

On the 66th edition of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast, Jay's got exclusive remarks from J.P. Crawford and Zach Green about their progress and Jimmy Rollins ' all-time Phillies hits record. Tug and Jay also talk about Nic Hanson 's recovery from elbow surgery, Roman Quinn 's positional switch with Clearwater, Aaron Altherr 's promotion to the big leagues, Cameron Rupp 's weak output this year, some World Cup action and much more. 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 .

The latest semi-weekly rundown of your top performers from the Phillies developmental ranks and those that need to turn some things around includes a few injury notes on some key prospects. Read ahead on the latest from the minors. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (25-24 record, 4th place in the International League North division)- Who's hot... Third baseman/first baseman Maikel Franco has tallied a .301/.389/.482 slash line in 21 games this month. The 21-year-old, who is rumored to be a candidate to join the big league roster this week, missed two games over the weekend due to a respiratory illness. Outfielder Steve Susdorf is having quite a month, sporting a .344 average with seven doubles and nine RBI in 22 games. The 28-year-old lefty batter went 1-for-7 in three games with the big league Phillies last season. Who's not... Catcher Cameron Rupp is batting .208 with a home run in seven games since returning from the disabled list following an oblique strai...

Monday was a busy day for roster moves in the Phillies' organization. On top of the news that Mike Adams would return to the Phillies at the expense of Luis Garcia being sent down to Triple-A, there were several notable transactions announced throughout the system. Cameron Rupp, Image- Jay Floyd Top catching prospect Cameron Rupp was placed on the disabled list with a strained oblique suffered in Sunday's game. The 25-year-old was batting .231 with four homers and eight RBI in nine games with the Triple-A IronPigs. Sebastian Valle was promoted to Lehigh Valley from Double-A Reading to fill the void. Other backstop moves: Chad Carman promoted to the Reading roster from Class A Advanced Clearwater, Deivi Grullon activated for Clearwater from extended spring training. Also placed on the disabled list with an oblique strain for Lehigh Valley was infielder Andres Blanco . The 30-year-old infielder was batting .273 with one RBI in nine contests in the young season...

On episode 57 of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast Tug and Jay are joined by former Phillies outfielder Wes Chamberlain who chats about his new book, his pro career, playing in Japan, Philadelphia fans and tons more. The guys also discuss Tug's new gig as Reading team photographer as well as early season success for some Double-A Fightins talent like Kenny Giles, Severino Gonzalez , Cameron Perkins and Edgar Duran among others. 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 . 

Cameron Rupp, Image- Jay Floyd Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft, catcher Cameron Rupp has steadily been an improving prospect for the Phillies. After debuting in the big leagues last year, the 25-year-old has certainly proven himself as a talented backstop that could have quite a career ahead. Rupp, a University of Texas product, made his professional debut with the short-season A level Williamsport Crosscutters in 2010. In 55 games that year, Rupp posted a .218 batting average with five home runs and 28 RBI against NY-Penn League competition. The following season, as a member of the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws, Rupp proved himself to be capable of serious adjustments, as the 6-foot-2-inch 230-pounder had a tough time through the first half of the South Atlantic League season, posting a .219 batting average with two home runs and 13 RBI in 48 games. Working hard behind the scenes with the BlueClaws' coaching staff, Rupp altered his approach at the plate and showed ...

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! ...

Jay and Tug return with episode 49 of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast and are joined by Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp , who chats about the Phillies' heavy amount of activity at the backstop position this off-season, debuting in the big leagues this year, Carlos Ruiz as a mentor and leader as well as the NFC East rivalry between the Eagles and the Cowboys.  The guys also talk about recent transactions involving Sebastian Valle and Lou Marson , Roy Halladay 's retirement plus much more. 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 .

Tug and Jay are back with the 47th edition of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast.  On this episode the guys talk about the Phillies' additions to their 40-man roster as well as the signings of free agents Marlon Byrd and Carlos Ruiz .  They also take some time to cut some silly radio bumpers for BaseballPodcasts.net and share some thoughts about some of the other programs the site offers. 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 .

Cameron Rupp, image- Jay Floyd It has been more than seven weeks since the Phillies began their off-season, but for one player that wrapped up the 2013 season with the club that missed the postseason for the second consecutive year, it's barely been seven days.  Catcher Cameron Rupp made his major league debut with the Phils in September, but unlike most of his teammates his baseball activity for the year hadn't ended when the MLB schedule was completed. The 25-year-old reported to big league spring training with the Phillies in February.  His promotion to the majors in September resulted in his season lasting roughly a month longer than the minor league schedule does.  By the completion of the Phils' regular season, Rupp had already endured his lengthiest baseball year to date by more than eight weeks.  Despite that, Rupp wanted more time on the field. The University of Texas product had been a 3rd round draft choice in 2010 and played more than 100 games ...

Throughout the autumn and winter months, we'll have a weekly rundowns of how Phillies players are performing in the various leagues around the globe.  Read ahead for the latest on many familiar names, some top prospects and plenty more. Venezuelan Winter League-  In news that I first mentioned on Twitter over the weekend, minor league slugger Jim Murphy was released by the Aragua Tigres last Thursday.  Through 20 games, the first baseman batted .274 with three doubles, two homers and 10 RBI.  The release came as a surprise to the 28-year-old, who was planning to play through the full season, into late December, but will now be home in time for Thanksgiving Day. Murphy remains signed with the Phillies. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez - The 23-year-old switch hitter has gone 5-for-32 (.156 avg) in his last eight games.  Overall in 26 games for Margarita, Hernandez, who has also been playing center field, has posted a .242 average with two hom...

Throughout the autumn and winter months, we'll have a weekly run down of how Phillies players are performing in the various leagues around the globe.  Read ahead for loads of details on some familiar names, prospects and more. Arizona Fall League (seven Phils prospects play together on the Peoria Javelinas)... RHP Kenny Giles - The 23-year-old, was the Phillies' lone representative in the AFL Rising Stars Game over the weekend.  In the annual all-star exhibition Giles threw a scoreless frame, striking out two and walking one while impressing many with his 98-100 MPH fastball and his strong slider.  Overall, Giles has allowed six earned runs while striking out eight and walking seven batters in six innings for Peoria, although all of the runs were surrendered in one very unlucky outing.  The right-hander missed considerable time during the 2013 regular season with two oblique strains.  Giles, a 7th round pick in 2011, posted a 6.31 ERA in 24 g...