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On the 21st edition of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast, Jay and Tug discuss the first week of game action in the big leagues and in the minors, reviewing output from Michael Young , Chase Utley , Roman Quinn , Zach Collier and plenty more stars from the Phillies system. Additionally, the guys review the incident involving top Cubs prospect Jorge Soler , with accounts of what happened from Clearwater Threshers backstops Josh Ludy and Logan Moore , along with plenty more baseball topics. Also on the show, the guys tease a major announcement next week. Check out the media player below to hear the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

Last season the Phillies selected catcher Josh Ludy as a senior out of Baylor University in the 8th round of the MLB amateur draft.  The 22-year-old righty hitter had a solid debut as a pro.  Serving mainly as a backup, the Indiana native sported a .271 batting average along with 11 doubles, one triple, a homer and 12 RBI in 32 games for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Following the regular season, Ludy was among a group of prospects selected to spend an extra month in the Florida Instructional League. This week, I spoke with Josh to get his thoughts on his transition from college to the pro's, time spent at instructs, his off-season training regimen and plenty more.  Read ahead to check out the full interview. - You performed well last season with Lakewood after signing your first professional contract.  How would you assess your first go of it in the professional ranks and was the adjustment from college to the minors what you expected? I feel the first...

It's that time of year that gets you in the mood to be jolly. The biggest of all holidays is loved by all, for many reasons. Baseball players don't feel any differently.  In recent weeks, I have checked in with several Phillies players, from the bottom to the top of the system, to find out what stands out for them as reasons to get excited for Christmas. Players that took part include Phillies rookie OF/1B Darin Ruf (pictured), lefty pitching prospect Austin Wright , former supplemental 1st round draft pick, outfielder Zach Collier , right-handed minor league pitcher David Buchanan , third base prospect Cody Asche , former top draft pick, outfielder Kelly Dugan , whose father Dennis Dugan is a film director, and, lastly, catcher Josh Ludy , who was drafted by the Phils in the 8th round this year. Questions and answers detailing each player's holly jolly holiday favorites are ahead... What's your favorite Christmas movie or TV special? Darin R...

It's another sometimes-weekly minor league review, where we take a look at the various developmental levels of the Phillies' organization and some noteworthy players from each club. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs… Who’s hot- Tyler Cloyd (pictured, right) continued his dominance of the year 2012 in his latest start. The 25-year-old righty notched the win against Pawtucket on Thursday, allowing just one earned run in seven innings of work. The victory took Cloyd’s record to 14-1 and his ERA in 1.91 in 22 combined starts at Double-A and Triple-A this season. The Phillies’ 18th round draft pick in 2008 has been making it extremely difficult for the Phillies to not promote him to the big league roster. Recently promoted second baseman Cesar Hernandez headed into action on Saturday posting the following numbers over the previous week- .476 batting average, three doubles, one triple and the RBI. Additionally, Hernandez hit safely in seven consecutive games beginning last Friday. Th...

Catcher Josh Ludy was selected by the Phillies in the 8th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft out of Baylor University. In his time thus far in the professional ranks, the 22-year-old Ludy has tallied a .304 batting average with 5 doubles, a triple and 7 RBI in 13 games. Recently, I posted a feature about Ludy and former Big 12 Conference rival lefty pitcher Hoby Milner (Phillies 7th round draft selection) transitioning from opponents to teammates with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Check that piece out by clicking here . In addition to speaking about that subject, Josh took some time to offer his thoughts on how college ball prepared him for pro baseball, getting drafted and signing with the Phillies, plus plenty more. Check out the media player below to hear excerpts from my interview with Josh. ___________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE . Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE .

Rivals in college, two Phillies draft picks from this year have paired up as battery mates with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. University of Texas product Hoby Milner (pictured, right) and Baylor graduate Josh Ludy regularly faced off, in one of college baseball's top conferences, but now they must rely on one another to advance in the pros. Milner, the son of former Major League catcher Brian Milner, earned honors as a second team All-Big 12 Conference representative this season, when he posted a 7-4 record with three saves and a 2.64 ERA in 34 games for the Longhorns. According to Milner, the transition from facing Ludy to taking signs from him has been a welcome one. "I'm glad he's behind the plate and not at the plate, hitting," Milner said with relief. "I mean, he's a great hitter and he's a good catcher too. He hit a 480-foot home run off of me in the last conference series of the year. The next (time) I faced him, I intentionally walked hi...