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Steve Schrenk, image- Jay Floyd Last week I talked with pitching coach Steve Schrenk about his staff with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils.  The covered mostly all of the team's hurlers including JoJo Romero, Ranger Suarez, Elniery Garcia, Edgar Garcia, Luke Leftwich plus plenty more. Read ahead for my complete interview with "Schrenky". -Related to JoJo Romero (0-4 record, 6.68 ERA), seems like he's not producing the way perhaps he was expected to, thus far. Yeah, he’s not—I don’t think he’s satisfied with what he’s doing right now.  It’s been just a couple innings here and there for the most part.  It’s been a couple pitches, a couple innings.  I think for the most part he’s been throwing the ball okay.  He needs to be a little more consistent with the strike zone and using his off-speed pitches for strikes.  But, he’s done a good job.  It’s like I said, a couple innings here, a couple big hits.  I think he’ll be right out of...

Here is a quick run down of how the Phillies' minor league clubs have fared through the first two weeks or so of the 2018 regular season. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (7-7 record, 4th place in International League North Division)- Mitch Walding with Reading last season, image- Jay Floyd Third baseman Mitch Walding is off to a strong start for the 'Pigs.  The 25-year-old is batting .300 with four doubles, two home runs, six RBI and and eight walks through 14 games played.  The lefty batter was a 5th round draft selection by the Phils in 2011. Hurler Enyel De Los Santos, acquired last off-season from San Diego in a trade for Freddy Galvis, has been very solid in the IronPigs' rotation.  Through three starts, the right-hander has tallied a 1-0 record with a 1.98 ERA while striking out 22 and walking five in 13 2/3 innings pitched. Outfielder Dylan Cozens entered action on Saturday batting .273, but an 0-for-4 night dropped the average to .250.  In 14 ga...

Harold Arauz, image- Jay Floyd With just two outs remaining to wrap up a perfect game, Clearwater hurler Harold Arauz issued a walk to Ft. Myers third baseman Brandon Lopez.  Arauz would bounce back to retire the next two batters, wrapping up a no-hitter to lock down a 2-0 victory. Earlier in the day, the Thresher lost game one of the double header by a score of 4-0.  In the minor leagues, games of double headers are slated as seven-inning contests. In his seven frames on Sunday, the 22-year-old Arauz was dominant, as he would strike out 10 Miracle batters in his third start of the season.  The right-handed Panama native would see his record go to 4-2 with the Class A Advanced Threshers on the season.  The strong effort on Sunday saw his ERA with Clearwater drop to 2.03.  Arauz, a six-foot-two 185-pounder opened the season with Class A Lakewood where he posted a 1-2 record with a 1.99 ERA in eight relief appearances. He also appeared in one game this se...

Brian Sweeney oversees Ranger Suarez On Sunday, Class A Lakewood pitching coach Brian Sweeney took time to discuss his club's staff with me.  Among the topics of discussion were starting pitchers Ranger Suarez, Sixto Sanchez, Nick Fanti and JoJo Romero.  Additionally, we chatted about his attention toward young fans at the ballpark and plenty more. Sweeney pitched in the majors for the Mariners and the Padres before joining the Phillies' developmental staff in 2015. Read ahead for this full interview with Coach Brian. -Thanks for taking some time for me.  Before games, I often see you having a catch with children in the crowd while your starting pitcher for that day loosens up.  Today I also saw you go back and talk to a group of kids a bit more as well.  Can you tell me what was going on there? You know, every kid wants a ball, of course, and sometimes they say, "please".  Most times they don't.  And, but before the game, before the pitch...

Brian Sweeney, image- Jay Floyd Last week I sat down with Class A Lakewood pitching coach Brian Sweeney to chat about his new collection of hurlers as his BlueClaws were opening their home schedule. Among the topics of discussion were highly regarded right-hander Sixto Sanchez, starting pitchers JoJo Romero, Adonis Medina and Bailey Falter as well as returning relievers Zach Morris and Harold Arauz and others. Read ahead for the full interview. -I missed Sixto Sanchez’s start in the home opener on Thursday. He had a good outing, going five innings, striking out five on one earned run. What are your early impressions of him as a guy who has gotten a lot of attention? You know, he garners that attention. He goes about his business the right way, pitching well, working hard, just getting his experience in, here in full-season. -I got to meet JoJo Romero for a second in the clubhouse. He’s got 11 strike outs in nine innings so far this season. What are your thoughts on ...