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Former Phillies first baseman Rico Brogna re-joined the Phils organization this year as a coach with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils.  During his playing career, Brogna also took the field for the Mets, Red Sox, Braves and Tigers, the team that drafted him in the first round in 1988.  With the Phillies, he posted two 20-homer, 100-RBI seasons.  Now, he's trying to help develop the Phillies stars of the future. Recently, I talked with Brogna about some of his team's players, his time coaching and scouting elsewhere, his favorite teammate from his playing days and plenty more.  Read ahead for that full interview. -Malquin Canelo's been a catalyst through the first several weeks of the season for this lineup.  He's always had a lot of good tools., but in the past maybe he hasn't really stood out compared to other guys on teams he's been on.  Now, though, he's starting to stand out a bit.  What do you think of him? He absolutely is.  I th...

On the 63rd edition of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast Tug and Jay are joined by former Phillies prospect and current Reds farmhand Moose Mattair . The guys also chat about the progress of Nefi Ogando , Maikel Franco and David Buchanan as well as Domonic Brown 's regression. Also, injury updates on Zach Green , Kelly Dugan and more. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

Once again, we're back with another edition of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast.  On episode 17, Tug and I talk about tons of topics, including big league free agents, Cody Asche , Tommy Joseph , Darin Ruf and other Phillies talents in the Arizona Fall League and other off-season leagues, the World Series, the Triple-A IronPigs' new manager, the rebranding of the Double-A Reading team, the MiLBY awards, pro wrestling as well as plenty more. Check out the media player below to hear the full episode, or download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

After a lengthy career in the minors, Mike Costanzo, who was a promising young third baseman in the Phillies system several years back, is finally living his dream of playing big league baseball. The life-long Philadelphia sports fan and resident of the city's suburbs, was selected in the 2nd round of the 2005 MLB amateur draft by his hometown club, but struggled in recent years and, to some, looked to be a bust. Following a few productive years in the Phillies' developmental ranks, Costanzo was traded to Houston, along with Michael Bourn and Geoff Geary, for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett following the 2007 season. That year, his second full season as a pro, Costanzo batted .270 while lacing 27 homers and driving in 86 runs for the Reading Phillies. Costanzo was then flipped in another deal, during the same off-season, to the Orioles for All-Star Miguel Tejada. The road to the big leagues was a long one for the determined Costanzo. After his impressive sea...

No one is really giving the Reds a chance in the National League Division Series. Their own poor track record at Citizens Bank Park (losing the last 6 games there, dropping 10 of 12 there over the past 3 seasons) combined with the trio of starting pitchers and the potent lineup they'll have to face, plenty of baseball analysts and observers virtually have placed the Phillies into the League Championship Series already. Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker will send right-hander Edinson Volquez to the mound, hoping to prove the doubters wrong. Philadelphia will counter with NL Cy Young Award contender Roy Halladay, who will be achieving a life-long goal by making his first career postseason appearance. Halladay, widely considered an elite pitcher in Major League Baseball, has watched the playoffs on television for his entire career, until this year. Halladay wanted to pitch for a title contender so badly that he passed up the opportunity to test free agency, and instead signed a contract ...

The National League Central Division leading Reds (49-37) visit Philadelphia to start a 4-game series against the NL East's third place Phillies (43-40). The Reds have won 7 of their last 10 games, while the Phillies have dropped 7 of their last 10 games. Philadelphia has struggled with injuries all season long. The expected potent offense, that experts were convinced would return them to a third straight World Series, has only taken the field together 5 times in 83 chances. Currently, 3 of the Phillies' 8 projected everyday offensive stars are on the disabled list. The Reds, on the other hand, have suffered injuries to their pitching staff, seeing 3 of their 5 starters miss time. Homer Bailey and Aaron Harang have been sidelined recently, while another starter Edinson Volquez, who won 17 games for the Reds last year, is to miss the entire season following elbow surgery. Somehow, Cincinnati has stayed afloat, while the Phillies have sunk in the standings. Kyle Kendrick, fresh o...

Philadelphia is back on a pace that made them a National League force over the past few seasons after winning 8 of their past 11 games. The Phillies (40-33), who are in third place in the NL East, hope to continue their serge against the Reds (42-34), who have led the NL Central division much of the season. The 3-game series starts Monday, as the Phils send righty Kyle Kendrick to the mound. The hosting Reds will counter with Johnny Cueto. Read on for details on the pitching match ups and other key info from this series. Monday, 7:10pm. Kyle Kendrick (4-2, 4.71 ERA) vs. Johnny Cueto (7-2, 3.97 ERA). In 3 career starts against the Reds, Kendrick is 3-0 with a 6.61 ERA. Kendrick has posted a 3.19 ERA in his last 6 games. In 8 games on the road this season, Kendrick is 2-0 with a 3.20 ERA. Kendrick is 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in his last 4 road outings. Brandon Phillips is 4-for-8 (.500 avg) against Kendrick in his career. In 2 career starts against the Phils, Cueto is 0-2 with a 15.26 ERA. C...