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Following four seasons in the minors with the Orioles organization, catcher Justin Dalles called it quits last autumn.  Needing a break from the game, the Florida resident, who was about to turn 24 years old, departed from his pro career in search of some peace of mind and a change of pace.  What he found was a renewed love for the game of baseball and a meaningful dose of reality. Dalles, a sixth round draft choice of Baltimore in 2009 posted a .229 batting average with 15 homers and 83 RBI in 225 games over four levels of the minors, primarily as a backup.  Drained from the game, the University of South Carolina product headed north from Frederick, MD, home of Baltimore's Class A Advanced affiliate, to stay with a friend on Long Island, not far from where he was born in New York City. The real world awaited and life away from baseball began with Dalles waiting tables and tending bar at a local establishment.  Then an onslaught of damaging weather struck the...

Right-handed pitcher Kevin Walter recently made his Class A debut after a considerable wait, having dealt with a lengthy recovery from Tommy John Surgery.  A Phillies' 20th round draft selection out of Legacy High School in Colorado, back in 2010, Walter had been limited to very minimal game action over the three years after signing his first pro contract until he was promoted to Lakewood from extended spring training a couple weeks back. In two starts since joining the BlueClaws the 21-year-old is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA while striking out seven and walking five batters in nine innings pitched. I recently spoke with the six-foot-five 215-pounder about his recovery, his admiration for other players, his pitch repertoire and plenty more.  Read ahead for my full interview with Kevin. - What was your excitement level to finally get a call for a promotion an join the Class A BlueClaws roster? It's both excitement and relief.  It's kind of getting back into real base...

We're back with our (usually) weekly developmental rundown.  As you expect, here's a rundown of who is hot and who is not throughout the Phillies' four full season minor league teams. Triple-A Lehigh Valley... Who's hot- Utility man Michael Martinez has been scorching hot this past week, when over a seven-game stretch, the 30-year-old Dominican went 13-for-23 (.565 avg) with two homers and five RBI.  The success follows a month in which he batted .204 in 15 games with the IronPigs and a hitless stint with the big league team in the month of May. First baseman Cody Overbeck also had a very good seven-game stretch, as he went 11-for-26 (.423 avg) with five doubles, two home runs and nine RBI.  The 27-year-old, who was a 9th round draft pick in 2008, is batting .247 overall with 11 homers and 31 RBI in 52 games this season with the 'Pigs. Closer Jake Diekman threw four scoreless outings and notched two saves while striking out eight batters and walki...