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As the organization continues to move toward a revitalization, the Phillies have named their new director of player development, plucking a rising leader from the one of the major leagues' newest forces, the Houston Astros. Per TheAthletic.com and other outlets, former professional player and manager Josh Bonifay has locked down the position of the "general manager" of the Phils' farm system.  Bonifay's father, Cam Bonifay, was general manager of the Pirates from 1993 to 2001.  While in charge of the Pittsburgh club, Cam drafted Josh twice (in 1996 out of high school, when Josh chose not to sign, and in 1999 as a junior out of UNC Wilmington). The younger Bonifay played eight seasons in the minors, posting a .284 batting average and an .842 OPS, reaching as high as the Double-A level.  The year he signed, Bonifay played with the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters, which has since changed from a Pittsburgh affiliate to a Phillies affiliate.   ...

Matt Hockenberry, image- Jay Floyd After he was drafted and signed by the Phillies in 2014, Matt Hockenberry thought he was living the perfect life, as becoming a professional pitcher was what he thought was his ultimate goal. Last year, after roughly three years in the minor leagues, he was released from his contract and he wasn’t sure what was next.  His true dream job, where he would excel swiftly, was on the horizon. With baseball being the only life he ever envisioned, Hockenberry had a stroke of luck when he found himself out of the game in 2017.  He received a call to interview for a new coaching position at the Phillies' lowest domestic level, as they were adding a second team to the rookie level Gulf Coast League and would need to fill a completely new coaching staff. Described as extremely passionate, the Temple University product stood out as an individual that the Phillies wanted to talk to when it came time to interview prospective coaches. "He's ...

Spencer Howard, image- Jay Floyd Compared to some of his Lakewood BlueClaws teammates starting pitcher Spencer Howard may not be having an exceptionally remarkable campaign, but he’s starting to show enough progress to get both the Phillies and fans excited. On a pitching staff that leads the Class A South Atlantic League in earned run average with a 2.81 ERA through action played on Sunday, a hurler with a personal ERA of 4.50, as Howard has, might normally not be all that noteworthy. That could especially be the case when a pair of his teammates, Will Stewart and David Parkinson, rank first and third in the league in ERA respectively. But the Phillies second round draft choice from 2017, Howard, feels that he’s made the right amount of progress and is proud of what his teammates are accomplishing. The environment is enjoyable and fortifying for all of the BlueClaws’ promising young pitchers. They're supportive of one another and they each push the next man with friendl...

Joe Jordan, image- Jay Floyd On Sunday, Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan took some time to talk with me about plenty of prospects throughout the Phils developmental levels. Topics discussed include injury updates for several hurlers including Jose Taveras , Nick Fanti , Bailey Falter and a critical note on Triple-A reliever Brandon Leibrandt .  Also mentioned are outfielders Jhailyn Ortiz and Jose Pujols , catcher Deivi Grullon , Lakewood starters Will Stewart and David Parkinson as well as impressive Double-A reliever Kyle Dohy along with Triple-A reliever Tyler Gilbert. Read onward for much of my interview with Joe and check back in the coming days for his thoughts on some other names that are worthy of interest.  -Kyle Dohy's graduated out of Lakewood and Clearwater, landing in Reading.  He's started to get some attention, after he was a 16th round draft pick and pitched in short-season Class A last year.  Can you talk...

Throughout each season, I get opportunities to chat with Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan.  The boss of the Phils' minors is always open and offers solid insight on his players.  This time around I asked Joe to talk about loads of prospects including bust out pitching performers like Jose Taveras, Nick Fanti and Cole Irvin.  He also shared thoughts out the team's past three first round draft picks Adam Haseley, Mickey Moniak and Cornelius Randolph, a trio of outfielders.  Aaron Brown's conversion from outfielder to pitcher was discussed, as was Lakewood offensive stud Darick Hall.  Additionally, he spoke on the organization's acquisitions from the trade deadline, a pair of top performers for the Gulf Coast League team and plenty more.  Read ahead of the interview. Taveras w/ Lakewood in 2016, image- Jay Floyd -Jose Taveras has had an excellent season and has been a lot of fun to watch.  Can you share some thoughts on him? I ...

Roman Quinn, image- Jay Floyd Phillies fans that have gotten recent doses of well-regarded prospects Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams and Jorge Alfaro may be wondering which other stars of the future could be making their way toward the big leagues when rosters expand in September.  A player that stands a chance at getting the call for the second year in a row is outfielder Roman Quinn. The 24-year-old has been on the shelf since late May dealing with a strain of his UCL in his non-throwing elbow.  However after a lengthy rehab period, Quinn is nearing readiness for full baseball activities in the coming days according to Phils director of player development Joe Jordan. The minor league schedule wraps up on Labor Day, so he won't be back with Lehigh Valley this year. "Quinny is feeling good," Jordan said.  "He's getting close to getting really amped up with his baseball activities.  I'm gonna guess that if we were pushing him to action, we could probab...

Well stocked for the future at the second base position, the Phillies have a collection of talented players enjoying success at several levels. It’s, as they say, a good problem to have. According to the Phillies’ director of player development Joe Jordan the collection of talent at a key position is something the Phillies’ brass has discussed considerably. Cesar Hernandez, image- Jay Floyd At the top level, Cesar Hernandez, has become the Phillies’ most consistent offensive performer this season. The 26-year-old could be in line for his first big league All-Star nod if his exceptional efforts continue. Through 21 games this season, heading into action on Saturday, Hernandez has tallied a .318 batting average with four doubles, a triple, four home runs, 10 RBI and three stolen bases. Hernandez mashed just six homers last season in 155 games played with the Phillies. His surge in power and a solid ability to drive the ball has been attributed to a quality workout program ...

Occasionally, Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan takes time to chat with me about the organization's rising prospects and he was generous once again this week to offer his insight.  With some top names like J.P. Crawford and Dylan Cozens struggling out of the gate and other well-regarded prospects like Nick Pivetta and the talented pitchers at Class A and High-A doing great jobs, Jordan discussed those players as well as first round draft picks outfielder Cornelius Randolph and RHP Shane Watson . Outfielders Jose Pujols and Andrew Pullin , lefty pitcher Austin Davis and others were also among the topics. Read ahead for all the exclusive comments. Franklyn Kilome, image- Jay Floyd -Joe, thus far this season the Threshers pitching staff was been excellent, with great ERA's at 2.28 or under from Franklyn Kilome , Jose Taveras, Alberto Tirado, Seranthony Dominguez and company. How pleased are you with the production from this group? They're of...

Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan took time today prior to opening night in Williamsport to chat on the phone about the team's developmental system, providing injury updates on several players including right-hander Jimmy Cordero , Triple-A Starter Mark Appel and last year's first round draft selection Cornelius Randolph . Jordan also spoke about short-season Class A Williamsport getting their season underway, Matt Imhof 's change of roles with Clearwater, today's roster moves and plenty more. Read ahead for that full interview. Jimmy Cordero, image- Jay Floyd -The first guy I wanted to ask about was injured reliever Jimmy Cordero (biceps issue). Any updates on him? Yeah, he's making progress. We've taken a real slow process to get him ready, so he's throwing again, but he's somewhat early still in his throwing progression. You know, we're hoping that by the middle of July he's ready. He feels good, but we've ...

Tyler Viza, image- Jay Floyd The Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers have enjoyed some solid success on the mound in the early going this season. Combined, four members of the team's starting rotation ( Tyler Viza , Elniery Garcia , Thomas Eshelman and Ranfi Casimiro ) have combined for a 6-1 record and a 1.19 ERA through eight starts (two each). Additionally, another of the team's starters, Will Morris , entered action on Monday with a scoreless five inning appearance in his game log. This week I asked the righty Viza about his own success as well as the great efforts by his teammates. Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan and Clearwater third baseman Mitch Walding also offered their thoughts. Read ahead for the exclusive comments. Viza, who was the Phils' 32nd round draft pick in 2013, remarked about his consistent output- My success through the early part of the season started around the all-star break last year. Aaron Fultz and I had a c...