PhoulBallz.com

Dusty Wathan, image- Jay Floyd Multiple reports in recent days state that long-time Phillies minor league skipper is in the running among the team's short list of finalists for their vacant managerial position.  With a pedigree in the sport and a history with a majority of the club's talent, Wathan is the right choice for the role. The son of former Kansas City Royals manager John Wathan, Dusty practically grew up around in a dugout and on the diamond.  Following his playing career which included time in the majors with the Royals and wrapped up at the Triple-A level for the Phils in 2007, Wathan's managerial got rolling in 2008.  At that time he was named the skipper for the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters.  The following season, Wathan led Class A Lakewood BlueClaws to their first of back-to-back South Atlantic League titles. Wathan managed the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers in 2010 and 2011, where a collection of talented minor le...

Prior to Thursday's game, Lehigh Valley IronPigs manager Dusty Wathan spoke with members of the media and offered thoughts on some of his club's most talented players. Among the key topics were International League All-Star and MLB All-Star Futures Game representative Rhys Hoskins, who is batting .300 with 19 home runs and 63 RBI in 82 games, starting pitcher Tom Eshelman, who sports a 6-2 record with two complete games and a 2.15 ERA in 10 starts for the IronPigs, shortstop J.P. Crawford, who is batting .207 in 69 games, and starter Mark Appel, who has posted a 5-4 record with a 4.87 ERA through 16 starts. Read ahead for Wathan's quotes... On Rhys Hoskins' work ethic- He's the first one at the ballpark every.  He's out there taking ground balls.  He prepares himself as good, if not better than anybody I've ever had. When asked about Tom Eshelman's performance since a promotion from Double-A Reading, Wathan joked- I'm a little disa...

ALLENTOWN, PA-- It already seemed like a regular thing at Coca-Cola Park on Thursday as buzz-worthy prospects Rhys Hoskins and Scott Kingery each slammed a home run for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.  Both players continue to fuel Phillies fans' desire to see them playing at the top level of the sport with similarly explosive offensive production. Invitations for Hoskins and Kingery to play on a big league field came this week, but it wasn't precisely what the home faithful were hoping for, as the duo was chosen to play in the MLB All-Star Futures Game. The annual exhibition, which began in 1999, features top prospects from all around professional baseball.  It is slated to be played at Marlins Park in Miami on Sunday, July 9th as part of Major League Baseball's All-Star festivities.  The game pits talents from the United States against players from the rest of the World. The pair of Phils prospects has somewhat paralleled one another on their paths up t...

Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Infielder Jesmuel Valentin made a serious impression this spring with an outstanding campaign and gave the Phillies organization a lot to think about. The 22-year-old himself, though, had no hangups, knowing all along what he is capable of and that he's deserving of the chance to make an impact. With the Phils this spring, Valentin posted a .366 batting average with six doubles and four RBI in 21 games. A first round draft selection in 2012, he was the return in the deal that sent Roberto Hernandez to the Dodgers three summers ago. Sticking around until the final day of the Grapefruit League schedule is a testament to the improvements the talented switch-hitter has made after spending the off-season playing under the tutelage of his dad, Jose Valentin, a veteran of 16 major league seasons, in the Roberto Clemente League in Puerto Rico.  The elder Valentin is the manager of the Mayaguez Indios. “I know what I’m capable of doing and I...

Wathan, image- Jay Floyd This week Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs manager Dusty Wathan spoke with the media and shared his thoughts on many topics including top prospects Roman Quinn , Jorge Alfaro and J.P. Crawford .  Additionally, I spoke with new Phillies minor league coach Charlie Hayes (feature at this link ) about his playing days in Philadelphia. Read ahead for quotes from both coaches. -Dusty on how important staying healthy is for OF Roman Quinn to have a big year... I mean, well I think that's the biggest thing with Roman.  I mean, we've seen when Roman's on the field, it's a special thing and he can do special things.  He can impact the game in so many ways, you know with his speed, his power, his defense, his arm.  It's a big year for him, just to stay healthy and get him back to Philadelphia and let him contribute at that level. -Dusty on where Quinn will play in the Lehigh Valley outfield... Roman, he'll play a majority of center, b...