PhoulBallz.com

Recently I chatted with Lehigh Valley pitching coach about his staff.  Topics included in the discussion were Ramon Rosso , Enyel De Los Santos , Cole Irvin , JoJo Romero , Josh Tols , as well as catcher Deivy Grullon and more. Read ahead for that interview... Deivy Grullon, image- Jay Floyd -Catcher Deivi Grullon is having a very good season, continuing his development.  How has Deivi been for you this year? Great. Had him for the last four years. I’ve had him for the past four years. Every year he gets better. He’s gotten better calling games. He’s gotten better working with the staff. He’s getting to know these guys. He knows a lot of them. And he’s been hitting, ripping the cover off the ball. He made the All-Star team, so—tremendous job blocking. Does a good job, I mean, some of the stuff, the new analytical stuff, he’s learning, as far as the heat maps and different things, but he’s doing a good job with them. -JoJo Romero has a rough go o...

After nearly a month of minor league action, here is a rundown of some top names throughout the Phillies developmental ranks.  Some would be considered hot, while others are yet to warm up in the early stages of the long season. Class A Lakewood BlueClaws (8-18 record, last place in SAL Northern Division)... The team’s catchers have been contributors at the plate, each batting .300 or better.  Right-handed hitter Abrahan Gutierrez is batting .340 with three doubles and four RBI in 13 games while switch-hitter Rafael Marchan has a .310 average with six doubles and seven RBI in 17 games. Both backstops are natives of Venezuela. Kevin Gowdy, image- Jay Floyd Righty starter Kevin Gowdy has performed well for the BlueClaws, posting a 1.84 ERA with no decisions and a .140 batting average against through four starts.  He has, however, walked 13 while striking out 13 in 14 2/3 innings pitched.  Gowdy was the Phillies’ 2 nd round draft choice in 2...

Image- Jay Floyd Entering action this week, the Phillies resided just ½ game out of first place in the National League East division and confidence in the team among its fan base was growing by the day. With playoff fever consuming local 76ers supporters and Super Bowl dreams fulfilled this year for Eagles Nation, high hopes are abound for the local nine. A remarkable turnaround, led by a new regime, has fans, media types and baseball insiders alike wondering that the Phillies’ odds of reaching or winning the World Series could be. This week I gathered feedback from several sports authorities that are familiar with the Phillies, seeking insight on their early impressions and thoughts on the team’s potential for postseason glory. Read on for those remarks. TV anchor/reporter Marshall Harris , formerly of Comcast SportsNet/NBCSN Philly- To say the Phillies are off to a good start is an understatement. I thought if they got enough good starting pitching behind Jake Arrieta ...

Image- Jay Floyd The Phillies kick off their 2018 home schedule on Thursday April 5th at Citizens Bank Park.  Here is a listed schedule of events for the day along with some key statistical notes for the contest. 12:00 PM- Block Party begins.  Presented by Budweiser on Citizens Bank Way, the party features a live band, a Ferris Wheel, Gametrain a Budweiser Macro Bar and samplings from Turkey Hill Dairy, Diet Coke and others.  12:35 PM- All gates open.  Fans will receive a commemorative knit hat. 12:40 PM- Phillies batting practice. 1:10 PM- Marlin batting practice. 2:26 PM- Phillies lead off walk onto the field, entering the park from the outfield. 2:35 PM- "America the Beautiful" performed by the Philadelphia Boys Choire and Men;s Chorale.  2:39 PM- Marlins team introduction. 2:44 PM- Phillies team introduction. 2:49 PM- Tribute video & moment of silence for Roy Halladay. 2:51 PM- National Anthem performed by Kane Kalas at his father...

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...

Nick Pivetta, image- Jay Floyd Valued by the team that acquired him in 2015 in a trade for the organization’s all-time saves leader Jonathan Papelbon, right-hander Nick Pivetta used a successful campaign last year to launch himself into consideration as a rising commodity among the Phillies' collection of top pitching prospects. A 4th round draft selection in 2013 by Washington, Pivetta would debut as a pro with the Nationals’ Gulf Coast League team, sporting a 1-0 record and a 2.13 ERA in four appearances. He would later be promoted to Auburn of the New York-Penn League that year. In five starts there, he would post a 0-1 record with a 3.38 ERA while striking out 17 and walking 11 in 21 1/3 innings. The following season with Hagerstown of the Class A South Atlantic League Pivetta would post a 13-8 record with a 4.22 ERA, a .277 batting average against as well as a 6.7 K/9 mark in 26 outings (25 starts). In 2015, he opened his campaign with Potomac of the Class A Advanc...

November is the time of year when the Phillies begin to refine their 40-man roster in preparation for the annual MLB Winter Meetings and the corresponding Rule 5 draft. Fans will see players "activated" from the 60-day disabled list, players opting for free agency as well as minor leaguers added to the roster in order to protect them from being scooped up by the competition. Players are initially eligible for selection in MLB's Rule 5 draft when they are not on their major league organization's 40-man roster and 1) were signed to a contract at age 19 or older and have played in professional baseball for four years, OR 2) were signed at age 18 or younger and have played in pro ball for five years. Like the annual amateur draft, teams draft in reverse order of the regular-season standings. A team that does not have any vacancies on its 40-man roster may not make a selection in the Rule 5 draft. Once a player is chosen, that player is automatically assigned to his...

Dusty Wathan, image- Jay Floyd Recently I sat down with the manager of the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils. During the chat, Wathan, who is primed to walk away from this week with Reading's all-time managerial wins record, spoke about his team's power hitting duo, veteran Jake Fox , starting pitcher Nick Pivetta , the wins record and more. Read ahead for that interview. -Last week you got to go along with six of your players to the Eastern League All-Star Game in Akron. What can you share about that? It was a tremendous group of guys. We had a lot of fun. They represented themselves well. It was just a fun time and to have those guys on the field at one time, it’s special to be able to be the manager for that. -Many fans are having a blast online and otherwise watching the power duo of Rhys Hoskins and Dylan Cozens slugging it out for the minor league lead in homers. There's excitement each night following them, seeing what each guy did. Is it...

Dylan Cozens, image- Jay Floyd With the unveiling of the Double-A Eastern League All-Star rosters on Thursday, it was announced that six Reading Fightin Phils players have been honored to play in the annual exhibition that is set to take place in Akron, OH on Wednesday, July 13th. Catcher Jorge Alfaro , first baseman Rhys Hoskins , outfielder Dylan Cozens , infielder Jesmuel Valentin , starting pitcher Nick Pivetta and reliever Hoby Milner are slated to take part in the EL All-Star Game. Cozens, who is tied with teammate Hoskins for the minor league lead in home runs with 21, was thankful for the chance to represent Reading and the Phillies in the league's midsummer classic. "It feels good to get recognized and to get the opportunity to play with some of the best guys in minor league baseball," Cozens said. Overall in 77 games Cozens has a .276 average, 22 doubles and 62 RBI to go along with his remarkable home run total. The 22-year-old was the Phill...

Logan Moore, image- Jay Floyd Last week prior to his promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the void left by J.P. Arencibia , I spoke with minor league backstop Logan Moore , who began the season with the Double-A Reading Fightins. The 25-year-old was a 9th round draft selection by the Phillies in 2011 out of Northeastern Junior College. Serving mainly as a backup to catching prospects Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp , Moore has posted a .239 average with a home run and seven RBI in 23 games overall this season. Moore shared thoughts on filling the void during Alfaro's injury this season, playing off-season ball and some of the Figthins' top starting pitchers. Read ahead for that interview. -During Jorge Alfaro's recent time on the shelf with an oblique strain, you served as the team's only true catcher, with Jake Fox , who has caught in the pros before, serving as the emergency option, for some time. What was that stretch like? I mean, I knew comi...

On Friday, Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan took time to chat with Phillies Nation's Jay Floyd about an array of topics out of minor league camp. Jordan, who is entering his fifth season in his role, spoke about recently reassigned prospects, top names and what to expect from them, some injuries and much more. Read ahead for the full interview. Carlos Tocci, image- Jay Floyd -I noticed that Carlos Tocci is playing with group 2, the team that will become the Double-A Fightins. It's common for players to play up a level during spring. Is there anyone that might take a notable jump to open the regular season ?   Well, I mean it's too early to read anything too much into the work groups. I mean, normally, you know, this spring training's no different than any other. You've got guys playing up a level. As we start getting guys back from big league camp you have guys start getting pushed. Really it won't be till that last week till y...