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On Saturday night, outfielder Hunter Markwardt capped off an exciting 4-3 comeback win with a walk-off hit for the Class A Clearwater Threshers.   The team entered the bottom of the 9th trailing 3-0, but a convincing four-run outburst notched an impressive victory for the Phillies affiliate over Lakeland.   Thus far on the young season, the 23-year-old lefty batter has posted a .375 batting average through three games.  Markwardt was the Phils' 13th round draft selection out of Oklahoma Christian University in 2019. Last week I spoke with the promising outfielder about his excitement level for the new season, among other things.  Read ahead for that interview. -What's your level of excitement to get this season started?    Having not played in an official game since 2019, it's crazy to say the least.  With all the work put into the extended off-season, it's been super exciting to see how it's going to pay off in the the near future.  T...

A trio of Phillies affiliates had postseason action on Friday night. Two of those clubs came out victorious with Lakewood winning their first round series and Reading forcing a games four in their opening round match up. However, Lehigh Valley was swept by their division rival. Taveras, image- Jay Floyd In the Class A South Atlantic League, the BlueClaws swept their best-of-three series with a 6-2 win on the road at Hagerstown. Right-hander Jose Taveras went seven innings, allowing two earned runs with four strike outs and no walks while giving up seven hits, to notch the win. Sutter McLoughlin would toss a scoreless ninth for the save. On offense, lead-off man Mark Laird went 4-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base while Wilson Garcia and Damek Tomscha each drove in a pair of runs. Lakewood will face the winner of the Rome vs. Charleston Southern Division Series in a best-of-five series beginning on Monday on the road. Games three, four and five if necessary of the serie...

Ben Lively, image- Jay Floyd The Reading Fightins announced a transaction this afternoon, as righty starting pitcher Ben Lively has earned a promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Lively, a 4th round pick of Cincinnati in 2013, was acquired by the Phillies in a trade for Marlon Byrd two 0ff-seasons ago. In nine starts for Double-A Reading this season, the 24-year-old posted a 7-0 record with a 1.87 ERA while striking out 49 and walking 15 in 53 innings pitched. Last season with Reading, Lively sported an 8-7 record with a 4.13 ERA in 25 games. Recently, I spoke with Lively , who noted that the key to his success this year was throwing more quality pitches early in at bats. He'll make his Triple-A debut, starting on Friday night for the IronPigs. Mark Appel has been placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain. The 24-year-old left his most recent start for the IronPigs on Sunday after being charged with four earned runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Appe...

On this week's edition of Phillies Nation, Pat and Corey talked about the resignation of Ryne Sandberg as the Phils' manager, movement in the team's front office, Chase Utley 's injury and the hot bat of rookie third baseman Maikel Franco . The episode also features a profile on top prospect J.P. Crawford with remarks from Reading coach Mickey Morandini as well as a segment from the Hamels Foundations' Diamonds and Denim charity event featuring comments from Ryan Howard , Cody Asche and Cole Hamels . Check out the full episode in the media player below. New episodes premiere each Tuesday at 6PM on The Comcast Network.

Cody Asche, image- Jay Floyd Underachieving outfielder Grady Sizemore was designated for assignment to clear room for Cody Asche to return to the big league roster after working to become more versatile defensively in recent weeks. Sizemore, a veteran of nine big league seasons, sported a .245 average with five doubles and six RBI in 39 games with the Phillies this season. The 32-year-old was a three-time All-Star with Cleveland from 2006 to 2008 and is a former Gold Glove winner. The 24-year-old, Asche, posted a .295 average with three doubles, a home run and three RBI in 15 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley since his demotion to learn how to play left field. On defense, the Phils' 4th round draft choice from 2011 converted 23 of 24 catches. As a member of the big league roster earlier this season, Asche batted .245 with two homers and four RBI in 30 games. Asche is expected be in the team's lineup at home in Philadelphia as they begin a weekend series with Color...

Throughout the first half of the 2013 season, I conducted dozens of interviews with Phillies minor leaguers for a concept segment on Comcast's Phillies Nation TV. Those interviews were never used on the program.  I've been chasing the powers that be to put the planned segments together as web content for the better part of six months, since the minor league season ended. While nearly all of that footage is likely to never be seen, I did come across a pair of digital files and put together this two-minute segment featuring Phillies third baseman Cody Asche . The 23-year-old University of Nebraska product, Asche, was a 4th round draft pick by the Phils in 2011. Since then, Asche proved to be a rising star and made his major league debut with the Phillies last summer, posting a .235 average with five home runs and 22 RBI in 50 games in the bigs. Check out the media player below to see this never-before-released interview with Cody, as he answers silly questions that didn...

Tyler Cloyd, Image- Jay Floyd Fresh off a series sweep of the National League East division leading Braves over the weekend, the Phillies (66-77) will continue their homestand as they host the San Diego Padres (65-77). During their successful sweep, Phils starting pitchers posted a 2.45 ERA while striking out 27 batters in the three games. In the opening contest of the three-game set, the Phillies will send right-hander Tyler Cloyd , who tallied a 1.36 ERA in his final eight minor league games this season, to the mound.  San Diego will counter with righty Andrew Cashner , who has a 2.18 ERA in his last five starts.  The Phils were victorious in two of three meetings with the Padres at Citizens Bank Park last season.  Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and loads more details on this series. Tuesday, 7:05 PM.  Andrew Cashner (8-8, 3.45 ERA) vs. Tyler Cloyd (2-3, 3.57 ERA).   In 16 road games this season, the righty Cashner has a 3...

On the latest edition of Phillies Nation TV, Pat and Corey discuss the Chase Utley contract extension. Also, Corey and I chat about rising Phils talent such as Ethan Martin , Adam Morgan , Cameron Rupp , Tommy Joseph , Cody Asche and others. Johnny Goodtimes returns to interview Penn Professor Bruce Kuklick about Shibe Park. Check out the media player below for the full episode and look for new episodes premiering every Tuesday at 6pm on The Comcast Network. Your browser does not support iframes.

Jay and Tug are back with episode 35 of the PhoulBallz Podcast.  On this week's edition Steve Susdorf dials in to talk about breaking into the majors last week, his time playing in front of fans at each level of the Phils' system, some good causes he's involved in and plenty more.  The guys also chat about Ethan Martin 's promotion to the majors, Cody Asche 's big league debut, Phillies alumni weekend and hanging with Jerry "the King" Lawler. 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 .

Cody Asche with Reading in 2012 Prior to the start of the Phillies' home series against San Francisco on Tuesday, the Phils announced the promotion of fast rising prospect Cody Asche . The 23-year-old third baseman was the Phillies' 4th round draft choice out of the University of Nebraska in 2011 and has been on the ascent through the minors ever since. Through 104 games with the IronPgs 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. Last year, the six-foot-one 180-pounder posted a .324 average with 12 home runs and 72 RBI in 130 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading. In his draft year, the lefty batting youngster broke into the pro ranks with short-season A level Williamsport as a second baseman, although Asche played third base throughout college. It's unclear exactly how much playing time Asche could get with the Phillies, as the te...

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...

On the 34th edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast Tug and I are joined by Phils 3rd base prospect Cody Asche , who chats about his success in the minors and potentially changing positions to reach the big leagues.  We also talk about Tug's professional advancements, reports of the Phillies re-signing Chase Utley , Steve Susdorf 's major league debut and plenty 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 .

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 the 32nd edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast, Double-A Reading starting left-handed pitchers Jesse Biddle and Austin Wright took some time to take part in exclusive interviews.  Additionally, Tug and I talk about 2012 first round draft pick Shane Watson 's DL stint, third base prospect Cody Asche 's Triple-A success, Kelly Dugan earning a promotion to the Double-A level and Jarred Cosart making his big league debut with the Astros along with a bit of WWE chatter.  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 .

On this week's edition of PhilliesNation TV, I appeared on set with Pat and Corey to chat about several aspects of the Phils' developmental ranks, mainly focused on the third base and catching positions. I addressed the positional conflict that Cody Asche and Maikel Franco might be faced with ( which I also wrote about here ) as well as exciting backstops Cameron Rupp and Tommy Joseph .  To see the full episode, click here , but you can view clips of the topics mentioned above in the media players below. New episodes of PhilliesNation TV debut each Tuesday at 6 PM on The Comcast Network and replay throughout the week on TCN as well as Comcast SportsNet. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes.

Maikel Franco is on the rise, image- Jay Floyd Third base has been a troublesome offensive spot for the Phillies over the last decade. A homegrown prospect hasn't graced the hot corner for the Fightins since 2002, when the club dealt former second-round pick Scott Rolen . In the years since that swap, Phillies third basemen have lacked the usual power that comes from third base. During a period when the big league team enjoyed five straight division titles and a couple of World Series bids, the void at third base didn't stand out very much because of all the offense posted by nearly every other position on the field. But as players around the diamond have declined, the lack of pop from the hot corner has been more apparent. Over the past decade the Phillies for the most part used Placido Polanco , David Bell and Pedro Feliz -- a group that posted weak stat lines compared to MLB averages from 3B over the same stretch. Since the Phils traded away Rolen, the 29 o...

Here's our weekly rundown of top performers and those players that have cooled off as of late.  Stats and notes current through games played on Saturday. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs... Who's hot- IronPigs Third baseman Cody Asche Third baseman Cody Asche is 13-for-34 (.382 avg) with two doubles, a triple, a homer and three RBI in his last nine games.  Asche, a lefty batter, was the Phillies' 4th round draft pick in 2011.  The 22-year-old is batting .281 with seven home runs and 40 RBI in 65 games this year. Upon making his Triple-A debut, catcher Cameron Rupp went 4-for-11 (.367 avg) with three RBI in his first three contests.  Rupp, 24, was the Phillies' 3rd round draft choice in 2010 out of the University of Texas. Who's not- In his last nine games, outfielder Leandro Castro is 6-for-35 (.171 avg) with a double, a triple and four RBI.  The Dominican native celebrated his 24th birthday this weekend.  Overall, Castro is sporting a ...

We're back with episode 29 of the PhoulBallz Podcast. This week, Jay and Tug interview Clearwater Threshers radio man Ben Gellman, who discusses all the team's top performers including Aaron Altherr , Kelly Dugan and Hoby Milner . The guys also share updates on Jiwan James ' road to recovery following knee surgery, discuss the future of the Phillies' third base position with prospects Maikel Franco and Cody Asche , plus Jay dishes some juicy rumors about catching prospect Sebastian Valle . 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 .

On this week's edition of Phillies Nation TV, I spoke with Lehigh Valley IronPigs outfielder Darin Ruf about getting back to the big leagues and third base prospect Cody Asche about his quick ascent up the Phils' developmental ladder. Also, from Lehigh Valley's Coca Cola Park, Ian Riccaboni talked with Phillippe Aumont about his demotion from the big leagues. Pat Gallen and Corey Seidman focus on Domonic Brown 's torrid offensive output and offer their usual analysis on the big league club. Check out the full episode in the media player below and look for new episodes each Tuesday at 6PM on The Comcast Network, as well as replays all throughout the week on TCN and Comcast SportsNet. Your browser does not support iframes.

It's time for the weekly rundown of minor league notes, taking a look at who is hot and who is not, from each team.  Stats and standing accurate through game action played on Saturday. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (18-24, 4th place, North Division International League)- Hot list... Cody Asche with Reading in 2012 Third baseman Cody Asche has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 contests.  In his last 10 games, Asche is batting .326 with two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI.  The 22-year-old was the Phillies' 4th round pick in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska. Cold list... Joe Savery has allowed nine earned runs in one total inning over his last two appearances with the IronPigs.  Savery, whose season ERA in the International League sits at 5.87, sported a 0.63 mark this season prior to his most recent two appearances. Lefty starter Adam Morgan has a 0-4 record along with an 8.33 ERA over his last five games.  The University of Alabama ...