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Once again, we're back with another edition of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast.  On episode 17, Tug and I talk about tons of topics, including big league free agents, Cody Asche , Tommy Joseph , Darin Ruf and other Phillies talents in the Arizona Fall League and other off-season leagues, the World Series, the Triple-A IronPigs' new manager, the rebranding of the Double-A Reading team, the MiLBY awards, pro wrestling as well as plenty more. Check out the media player below to hear the full episode, or download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

Rosters for the Arizona Fall League's All-Star type showcase were announced on Wednesday with two Phillies prospects among the talents involved.  Third baseman Cody Asche (pictured) and catcher Tommy Joseph will represent their Javelinas club in the seventh annual Rising Stars Game, which will be televised on MLB Network this coming Saturday, November 3rd at 8 PM eastern time. Asche, the Phillies' 4th round draft selection in 2011, was a fast mover upward in the developmental ranks this year. After beginning his first full pro season with Class A Advanced Clearwater, Asche was promoted to Double-A Reading in June. Altogether in 130 regular season games at the two levels, Asche, who recently offered his thoughts on his time in the AFL , launched 12 home runs with 72 RBI and an .849 OPS.  In 15 games with Peoria in the AFL, Asche, a University of Nebraska product, has tallied a .259 average with one home run and seven RBI. Joseph, who was acquired from San Francisco in...

It's another brand new edition of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast, brought to you by me and Tug Haines. In epiosde 6, we talk about Domonic Brown 's offensive surge at Triple-A, the Phillies' draft focus as well as departed prospects like Jonathan Singleton , Travis d'Arnaud and Brian Gump . Tug and I also play the Twitter Game and provide an exclusive update on Eric Pettis ' pro career. In addition to listening to the show with the embedded player below, you can also download the show by clicking HERE and check out previous episodes by clicking HERE . __________________________________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE . Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE

Eric Pettis proved that even 35th round draft picks can make a name for themselves. In roughly a year and a half in the Phillies organization, the UC Irvine product posted a 10-3 record, a 2.17 ERA and 12 saves with 122 strike outs in 128 2/3 innings pitched. Last week the Phillies surprised many by releasing the 23-year-old who was selected late by Philadelphia in the 2010 amateur draft. With the bad came some good, however, as Pettis announced the release of his first book. Available in electronic formats, Just a Minor Perspective: Through the Eyes of a Minor League Rookie, became available to the public last week. With his newly found free time, Pettis was able to answer questions about being cut by the Philadelphia organization as well as a few inquiries about his debut as an author. Read ahead for that exclusive interview. Many people were surprised to learn of your release from the Phillies organization this past week. I imagine your were more surprised than anyone. Can you talk ...

The Phillies continued their trimming of the masses in minor league camp Wednesday morning by releasing another group of players. Among those who were let go was lefty pitcher Matthew Way . Right-handed hurler Eric Pettis (pictured) was also among those cut. Way was often injured during his time in the Philadelphia organization. In three seasons as a pro, including 2011 in which he did not pitch, Way posted a 13-9 record with a 3.22 ERA in 31 games (30 starts). The 24-year-old was a 5th round draft choice in 2009, out of Washington State. Pettis stormed onto the pro scene as a 35th round draft selection in 2010, going 8-0 with 7 saves and a 1.37 ERA in 20 outings (5 starts) and becoming a NY-Penn League All-Star with the Williamsport Crosscutters that year before joining Class A Lakewood for their playoff push. Last season, Pettis, now 23-years-old, continued his success, tallying a 2-3 record with 5 saves and a 2.84 ERA in 47 combined relief appearances with Class A Lakewood and Cl...

It's time once again for everybody to come aboard the PROSPECT TRAIN! With just over five weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater, FL to officially kick off spring training, we'll be spending this time reviewing our exclusive rankings of the top 25 prospects in the Phillies' organization. Taken into consideration when reviewing these young talents will be age, minor league performance relative to levels played, value to the organization and future potential. Gradually, over the comings weeks, as we approach a new season with hopes higher than Snoop Dogg on his marijuana stocked tour bus, we will be unveiling player reviews for all of the best developmental talent that Phils fans should be familiar with. These rankings will not include players over 25-years-old or individuals that have spent multiple stints with the Phillies at the big league level. Thus, players like Domonic Brown , Joe Savery and Matt Rizzotti will not be featured. Some terrifically t...

Righty pitcher Eric Pettis was drafted by the Phillies in the 35th round of the 2010 amateur draft. After signing with the Phils, Pettis was assigned to short-season Williamsport where he proceeded to mow down opposing batters in the New York-Penn League and proved himself to be a late round steal. In 20 games (5 starts) with the Crosscutters, Pettis posted an 8-0 record with 7 saves, a 1.37 ERA and 67 strike outs in 59 innings pitched. The 22-year-old Pettis later joined the Class A BlueClaws for their run into the postseason and helped the club lock down a second consecutive South Atlantic League title. Now, back with the BlueClaws to make a run at a threepeat, Pettis will be sharing duties at the back end of the bullpen. This week, prior to the BlueClaws' exhibition game against the Monmouth University Hawks, I spoke with Eric about his coaches, his spring training highlights and more. Check out the media player below to listen to the interview. You can follow Eric Pettis on...

This post was featured as part of PhilliesNation.com's annual Top 25 Phillies Prospects countdown. Now that the first 75, or so, days since the Phillies' 2010 journey ended have flown by and as we begin the painfully slow crawl of the 40-something days until spring training, PhilliesNation.com will deliver its 2011 top 25 Phillies prospects list, in count down fashion. Gradually, over the coming week that lead to the dawn of a fresh campaign, with hopes higher than Lawrence Taylor while surfing online personal ads, we will be unveiling prospect rankings with reviews of all the players that our readers should be familiar with. These rankings will not include Domonic Brown, Vance Worley or Antonio Bastardo, as each of those players spent considerable amounts of time with the Major League club last year. Those individuals all project to make the big league roster in the coming season as well. In addition, some remarkably talented young players did not make the cut simply because ...

This September, right-handed pitcher Eric Pettis was tossed into the proverbial fire. The Phillies wasted no time moving their late-round steal, from this year's amateur draft, into the crucial postseason schedule of the defending South Atlantic League champions, the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Pettis began his professional career swiftly after being selected by the Phillies in the 35th round of the 2010 draft with the Williamsport Crosscutters of the short season NY-Penn League out of UC-Irvine. The 6'2", 200 pound hurler started and pitched in relief en route to posting an 8-0 record and a 1.37 ERA while striking out 67 batters in 59 innings with Williamsport. By Labor Day, Williamsport had just missed the playoffs by the slimmest of margins and the BlueClaws were beginning their run at a second straight league title, so Pettis, who opened many eyes while becoming a NY-Penn League All-star, was added to the Lakewood roster in an effort to fortify the bullpen. Pettis was ...

Over the weekend, I spoke with Lakewood BlueClaws manager Mark Parent about a few different matters related to the team, such as Trevor May's progress, the possibility of Eric Pettis being added to the roster, FirstEnergy Park being pitcher friendly and more. Check out the media player below to listen to the audio of the interview. Parent also spoke about catching prospect Sebastian Valle having an up and down road trip recently. Parent said of Valle, "His periods between good and bad are starting to get shorter." Parent and hitting coach Greg Legg have worked with Valle on his machanics, and have him focusing on keeping his front shoulder down and keeping his head on the pitch. In 12 August games, Valle is batting .261 with 4 homers, 14 RBI and a .957 OPS. ___________________________________________ Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter by clicking HERE .

Selected by the Phillies out of UC Irvine in the 35th round of this year's amateur draft, Eric Pettis inked his professional deal quickly and was assigned to Williamsport of the short season NY-Penn (Rookie) League. A 6'2" right-hander, Pettis split time between starting and relieving for the Anteaters in his senior season, posting a 9-5 record, with 6 saves, 2 complete games and a 3.62 ERA. He also led the team in innings pitched. Thus far, with Williamsport, Pettis has started and pitched out of the bullpen. In less than 2 months as a professional pitcher, Pettis has proven his value and has outshined the rest of the Crosscutters' pitching staff. The 22-year-old Pettis has a 7-0 record with 4 saves, a 1.41 ERA with 46 strike outs in 44 2/3 IP and a .199 batting average against in 12 games (5 starts) with Williamsport. In regards to Pettis' initial role as a starter being switched to relief, Lakewood BlueClaws manager Mark Parent said, "When you're talkin...