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With news that the Phillies' first round draft choice from last year is headed to the big leagues for his next start, it's a suitable time for another of the organization's recent top draft selections to be on the tip of people's tongues. Granted, it won't be with the same levels of gusto and excitement. With the Phillies Nation all abuzz with anticipation as righty hurler Aaron Nola is set to make his major league debut next Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, news of the return of the Phils' top draft pick from 2011, Larry Greene Jr., might draw more eye rolls than tickets sold. Earlier this season it was reported here that Greene had retired, while the team insisted is was simply a break. To clear up any confusion, the 22-year-old says that he'll be heading back to the field with the Phillies. "I'm not done...no chance," Greene asserted on Friday. Fans, who were frustrated with a growing list of expensive early round draft picks th...

J.P. Crawford, image- Jay Floyd Throughout spring training, Phillies prospect J.P. Crawford will be checking in to offer his thoughts straight from Clearwater, FL. Crawford, 20, is widely considered the Phils' top prospect after the team's first round draft pick in 2013 posted a .285/.375/.406 slash line in 123 combined games at Class A Lakewood and Class A Advanced Clearwater last year in his first full pro season. This week the lefty batting shortstop spoke about the start of game action, his double play combo partners, Larry Greene Jr.'s surprise absence from camp, Chase Utley once again plus plenty more. Read ahead for all the exclusive quotes straight from the one and only J.P.. -With games getting underway, Crawford talked about how he and his group that's being coached by the Clearwater staff did in the opening two days... "We played the Blue Jays (on Tuesday) and the Pirates (on Wednesday) and we beat both of them. We started off real well...

With minor league camp underway and the initial work out groups list unveiled this weekend, thanks to Jim Peyton of PhuturePhillies.com (see below), a key question arose. Where is Larry Greene Jr? The omission of the Phillies' top selection from the 2011 draft (39th overall) has plenty of people wondering about his status. Confirmed by manager of the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, the 22-year-old Greene has retired from professional baseball. In three pro seasons, the six-foot-one 225-pounder posted a .224 average with eight home runs and 74 RBI in 242 games. Greene, a Georgia native, signed for a reported $1 million following the 2011 draft.  The Phillies retain the rights to Greene, if and when he decides to return to baseball. Also of note from the list, per Legg, Andrew Pullin , who made an impact as the second baseman for Class A Lakewood last year (.270/.333/.394 in 129 games), will officially move forward as an outfielder, the position he played prior to b...

Larry Greene, Image- Jay Floyd The pressure that comes with being a top draft pick is something that many players will not confess to feeling, but for one prospect it's something he openly admits to experiencing and says it's what will drive him to live up to high expectations. With a lack of considerable progress in the three years that have passed since Larry Greene Jr. was drafted with the 39th overall pick out of Berrien Country High School in Georgia many have grown impatient with the young outfielder's progress. The 21-year-old, who has struggled with his offensive production since turning pro, openly admits to feeling the weight and pressure of being the Phillies' top pick in 2011. "I feel like I need to produce and be more of a team leader," Greene asserted. "Everybody has a specific job and the scoreboard tells us what we can do and us players go day by day. But, I do feel expectations for me, like I need to turn it on and get it mov...

Larry Greene works with a coach, Image- Jay Floyd -Good news this week for Larry Greene Jr., who was previously said to have required surgery to repair his ailing left wrist. The 21-year-old outfielder has resumed game action after spending time in a brace and is playing intrasquad games with the group that is slated to become the Gulf Coast League Phillies. The Phillies' top draft pick from 2011 anticipates that he could be activated for the Class A BlueClaws by July 1st. Greene's original diagnosis was a cartilage tear. Prior to being sidelined, the Georgia native posted a .167 average with five RBI and two steals in 15 games with Lakewood this year. The GCL kicks off its season this coming Friday. Greene could continue action there once their season begins. -Two other outfielders made their returns for the Double-A Reading Fightins on Tuesday. Former 1st round draft selection Zach Collier (back) and 2009 second round pick Kelly Dugan (oblique) were in the ...

Larry Greene Jr., Image- Jay Floyd Following up with more exclusive details on news that was broken here last week , outfield prospect Larry Greene Jr. is expected to miss two months, as he is slated to undergo surgery to repair his injured left wrist. Greene, who initially injured the wrist on a diving play in the outfield, is scheduled go under the knife on Thursday, May 15th. The surgery to repair torn cartilage for the 21-year-old will be conducted by Dr. Randall Culp in King of Prussia, PA. The Phillies' supplementary round draft selection (39th overall) from 2011 was batting .167 with two doubles, one triple and five RBI in 15 games this season. Since turning pro, the once highly touted slugger has tallied a .231/.326/.326 slash line in 196 games.

Larry Greene Jr. works with coach Lino Connell, image- Jay Floyd Sidelined since last week with a left wrist issue, Larry Greene Jr. was originally listed as day-to-day by the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws after he was injured on a diving play in the outfield. Further evaluation has turned up a diagnosis of a cartilage tear for the Phillies' top draft pick (39th overall) from 2011. Greene, who last played on Wednesday, April 23rd, had posted a lackluster .167 average along with two doubles, a triple and five RBI in 15 games for the BlueClaws prior to being injured, this season. The BlueClaws return home from a road trip to Lexington and Asheville next Wednesday. At that time, more examinations will take place for the six-foot 235-pounder. In the meantime, the left fielder Greene will wear a brace on the ailing wrist and remain out of action. In other injury news, righty pitching prospect Nic Hanson spent his 22nd birthday on the operating table a couple weeks back to remo...

This weekend I spoke with Class A Lakewood manager Greg Legg about several of his players. I also got insight from BlueClaws hitting coach Lino Connell on the Phillies' supplementary round (39th overall) draft choice from 2011 Larry Greene Jr.'s progress this year and the team's best hitter thus far, Willians Astudillo . Additionally, righty pitching prospect Tyler Viza spoke on how he stays focused and more. Read ahead for all those quotes. Lakewood manager Greg Legg, Image- Jay Floyd Greg Legg- Asked about how fans might be wondering when Larry Greene Jr. (.176/.237/.241 in 15 games this year) is going to show and prove why he was the Phils' top draft choice three years ago... "Well, this would be a good year for him to do it. Kinda expect it. Right now, he hurt his wrist, so his wrist has been bothering him. He hurt it on a diving play out in the outfield. So, he's a little banged up right now. He's shown some signs of all that earl...

Recently, I shot some short video clips of a few Class A Lakewood players taking cuts during batting practice.  The footage below features outfielders Larry Greene Jr., Dylan Cozens and second baseman Andrew Pullin . Greene was the Phillies' top draft choice (39th overall) in 2011.  In two professional seasons since then, Greene has posted a .236 average with six home runs and 54 RBI in 181 games combined at short-season A level Williamsport and Lakewood.  In 11 contests thus far with Lakewood this year, the 21-year-old is batting .243 with two doubles, a triple, four RBI and two steals.  The six-foot 235-pounder is still striving to live up to the reputation of being a power hitter when he was drafted. Cozens, who will turn 20 next month, was the Phils' 2nd round draft selection in 2012.  In two pro seasons, the six-foot-six 235-pounder has tallied a .261 average with 14 homers and 59 RBI in 118 games combined with the rookie level Gulf Coast League ...

Earlier this weekend, I sat down with Class A Lakewood manager Greg Legg , who has been in the Phillies organization for the past 33 years, after being drafted by the club in 1982. He managed the BlueClaws in their inaugural season in 2001, managed Double-A Reading from 2002 to 2004, was the skipper for Class A Advanced Clearwater from 2005 through 2006 and managed short-season Class A Williamsport in 2007. He then acted as hitting coach in Lakewood from 2008 through 2013. The former infielder played in the big leagues for just a handful of games in 1986 and 1987. He now grooms the Phillies' stars of the future. Greg spoke with me about the roles of some of his players including Gabriel Lino , Carlos Tocci , Samuel Hiciano and Willians Astudillo , the BlueClaws' start to the new season, his own goals for this year plus plenty more. Read ahead for his thoughts. -The team started the season on the road before having its opening home stand this weekend. What were your t...

David Buchanan with Reading in 2013, Image- Jay Floyd Righty pitcher David Buchanan , building on his excellent spring season with the Phillies, put forth a great effort to open the Triple-A schedule with Lehigh Valley on Thursday night, leading his team to victory. Taking the mound as the IronPigs' opening day starter against Boston affiliate Pawtucket, the 24-year-old tossed six scoreless innings while allowing two hits, two walks and notching five strike outs. Buchanan has displayed considerable improvement over the past year and received positive feedback from the likes of Roy Halladay , Cliff Lee , A.J. Burnett and Kyle Kendrick while pitching with the big league team in spring training. Coaches and veterans alike were pleased with his pace, the way he attacks the strike zone and his manner of challenging opposing batters. The uplifting words had a lasting impact on the Georgia native and he's experienced a boost in confidence because of it. "It's s...

Larry Greene Jr, Image- Tug Haines Upon being selected by the Phillies 39th overall in the 2011 amateur draft, outfielder Larry Greene Jr. was often praised for his outstanding power potential. However, after a sluggish start to his pro career, there's some doubt surrounding the young slugger. Prior to being drafted, in his senior year of high school, the lefty batting Greene became an All-American, posting a .536 average in 30 games with 11 doubles, 19 home runs and 52 RBI while drawing 37 walks.  Expectations on the baseball diamond were high and Greene turned down offers to play college football and baseball, electing to sign with the Phillies following the draft. In his first full season of pro ball in 2012, Greene played with short-season Class A Williamsport where he posted a promising .270 average with 22 doubles and 26 RBI in 70 contests.  Williamsport's home park, Bowman Field, is notoriously difficult on hitters, so the lack of power numbers was not con...

Outfield prospect Larry Greene Jr. had plenty of ups and downs all throughout the 2013 season.  The six-foot 235-pounder began the year in extended spring training, with the Phillies citing his fitness level as the reason.  A short time later, Greene joined the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws' roster and proceeded to post a .178 average over his first 34 games.  Following that, in the month of June, the Georgia native tallied a .274 batting average in 23 games.  Then, in the final 54 games of the season, Greene sported a .205 average. Additionally, the power that Greene was so highly touted for upon signing his first pro contract with the Phillies, after he was drafted 39th overall on 2011, has yet to be put on display in a convincing fashion.  In 181 minor league contests, the 20-year-old has slugged just six homers and has served up a .666 OPS. Greene put forth a solid performance on defense, as his speed and range is great for a player his size. Just prior...

As the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws wrapped up their regular season with a rain out on Monday, I spoke with manager Mickey Morandini about several of his players' progress this year.  Additionally, first baseman Art Charles and outfielder Jiandido Tromp shared some thoughts on their 2013 season and what the off-season might hold.  Read ahead for quotes from all three men. Mickey Morandini: Off the top, Morandini shared a list of BlueClaws that will be participating in the Florida Instructional League- RHP Zach Cooper , RHP Delvi Francisco , RHP Kevin Walter , RHP Shane Watson , SS J.P. Crawford , 1B Art Charles, OF Larry Greene Jr. and OF Carlos Tocci . Morandini spoke about which of those players would benefit most from more time on the field with the Phillies' coaches and minor league staff... Larry needs to go down there and continue to work on his swing.  Tocci really needs to go down there and get stronger.  I don't think he needs a...

Prior to Lakewood's 4-3 walk-off victory over Greenville on Sunday, I spoke with a couple of the team's coaches and a pair of players. Manager Mickey Morandini shared his thoughts on several of his players, while pitching coach Aaron Fultz talked about how big confidence is for pitchers and injured hurler Yoel Mecias . Corner infielder Willie Carmona and outfielder Larry Greene Jr. each discussed their improvements at the plate. Read ahead for all the exclusive quotes straight from Lakewood. Mickey Morandini... On guys like Mitch Walding , Chace Numata and Art Charles having trouble keeping their batting averages in respectable ranges- I mean, the averages aren't good overall. Take Willie (Carmona) out of the mix, I mean, throughout the lineup the averages aren't where they want them to be. In Art's defense, he's hit a lot of balls hard, right at people, so I don't think his average is truly reflective of how he's hit. The...

It's summer and in this scorching July weather, we're focusing solely on the players who've been hot lately in this round of Phillies minor league notes. Triple-A Lehigh Valley- Newly minted center fielder and All-Star second baseman Cesar Hernandez is batting .338 along with four doubles, a triple and seven RBI in 17 July games.  The 23-year-old switch hitter appeared in nine games with the big league Phils earlier this season, going 7-for-28 (.250 avg) during that stint. Shortstop Freddy Galvis has tallied a .375 average with five doubles, a homer and seven RBI in his last 10 games for the IronPigs.  The 23-year-old sported a .207 average in 54 games with the Phillies earlier this season. Double-A Reading- In his past eight games, outfielder Kelly Dugan is batting .344 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI.  The 22-year-old lefty hitter has posted a .305/.380/.500 combined line in 70 games at Class A Advanced Clearwater and Reading this season...

From all throughout the Phillies' developmental ranks, here's our weekly rundown of top performers and those players that have struggled recently. Triple A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- Who's hot... Outfielder Darin Ruf has picked up the production with his batting average of late, but has displayed minimal power during that stretch. The 26-year-old righty hitting slugger is batting .306 with only one extra-base hit, a double, while driving in seven runs in his past 10 games.  In 75 games with the 'Pigs, Ruf is batting .270 with seven homers and 42 RBI. Who's not... Righty pitcher Tyler Cloyd took his 7th loss of the season on Saturday, when he allowed six earned runs in 6 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old is 0-3 with a 10.69 ERA in three starts for the IronPigs since returning from the majors this month. Double-A Reading Fightins- Who's hot... Outfielder Tyson Gillies has been on a tear, batting .400 with three homers, seven RBI and two steal...