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On episode 58 of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast, Jay chats with Phillies minor leaguer Jim Murphy about his progress, his status in the system and more. Tug and Jay also chat about Passover, the return of Cole Hamels as well as loads of minor leaguers including Jay Johnson , Kenny Giles , Willie Carmona , Roman Quinn , Mitch Walding and Joey Gallo . 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 .  

Left-handed hurler Jay Johnson has proven to be quite the nice gamble for the Phillies since he was signed as a minor league free agent in 2011.  The New Brunswick, Canada native had previously been drafted by the Orioles and Blue Jays, but failed physical examinations which prevented him from signing with those clubs.  After some work to prove himself, Johnson earned a pro contract and has developed into a quality lefty reliever. Due to concerns raised with his throwing elbow during team exams, both Baltimore and Toronto backed out after having come to terms on financial agreements with Johnson.  The offers were rescinded following the discovery of bone spurs and loose chips in his joint.  Johnson never lost focus and was confident he would get an opportunity to be a professional pitcher at some point. There was a third opportunity with the Mariners, but they backed down too and it took a phone call from Johnson's college coach Brian Kubicek to the Phil...

Jay Johnson 's promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley last week was something that at least three other big league organizations thought could never happen.  Now, as he ascends to the top in the Phillies' developmental ranks, the left-handed reliever is just a step from the big leagues and has proved many people wrong. Drafted twice, Johnson was turned away by the Orioles and Blue Jays, after being selected by those teams in 2009 and 2010 respectively, due to concerns raised with his elbow during physical examinations.  In both instances, the team and player had come to terms on a financial agreement, but the offers were rescinded following the discovery of bone spurs and loose chips in his joint. The following year the New Brunswick, Canada native worked out for the Mariners at their spring training home in Arizona.  It had reached the point where Johnson was no longer concerned with a monetary agreement, but he instead was willing to sign for much less....

I sat down with Double-A Reading manager Dusty Wathan on Thursday to chat about several key names in the Phillies' developmental ranks.  Among the topics of discussion were top Phils prospect lefty pitcher Jesse Biddle , fast rising third base prospect Maikel Franco, struggling left-handed starter Austin Wright and outfielder Tyson Gillies , who earned a promotion from Reading to Triple-A Lehigh Valley this week. Read ahead for all the quotes, plus some bonus Fightins related news blurbs at the end... - Lefty pitcher Jesse Biddle has now gone eight straight starts without a win.  As good as Jesse is, can this sort of stretch be disruptive or discouraging for a young player? Well, I think a lot of times, every year you can look and see one guy who pitches well and doesn't get the wins to show for how well he's pitched.  And a lot of it comes down to run support.  It's a difficult situation sometimes, but it's just, every year it seems like one of the...

Tuesday marks the beginning of another baseball season...the Arizona Fall League season.  This year, as the league celebrates its 20th anniversary, representatives from the Phillies organization will team with players from the Reds, Padres, Twins and Mariners to make up the Poeria Javelinas roster. Led by 2012 Double-A Reading Phillies manager Dusty Wathan , the club will feature seven Phils minor leaguers.  Righty relievers Kyle Simon, Tyler Knigge and Colby Shreve , who each manned a key bullpen role for the R-Phils into the playoffs this season, will solidify Peoria’s relief corp.  Left-hander Jay Johnson will also be serving as a reliever for the team.  Additionally, catcher Tommy Joseph , who was acquired by the Phillies in the Hunter Pence trade this year, will see considerable playing time.  Third baseman Cody Asche , who made an impact at two levels in 2012, his first full year of professional baseball, is also on the roster along wit...