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Here's another dose of the Phillies minor league hot list as we rundown the organization's top performers of late from the various levels of the developmental system. Class A Lakewood BlueClaws- Ranfi Casimiro, image- Jay Floyd In his last five starts, righty pitcher Ranfi Casimiro has a 2-1 record with a 1.00 ERA. Listed at six-foot-eight and 200 pounds, Casimiro has a 2-3 record with a 2.74 ERA, a .217 batting average against and a 0.94 WHIP in seven starts this year. The Dominican Republic native is 22 years old. Outfielder Herlis Rodriguez has notched three straight muti-hit games and is batting .322 in 15 May games. The 20-year-old Venezuelan has posted a .257 average with two homers, 18 RBI and six steals in 32 overall games this season. Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers- Righty pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. is 2-0 with a 1.01 ERA in four outings since joining the Threshers' rotation. Overall in 10 games, the 24-year-old has a 3-0 record with a sav...

The minor league regular season gets under way on Thursday with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs hosting the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Double-A Reading Fightins hitting the road to take on the Portland SeaDogs. This week, I spoke with IronPigs pitching coach Ray Burris as well as Fightins pitching coach Dave Lundquist, who each commented on several of their respective teams' hurlers. Read ahead for these exclusive quotes about the Phillies' top pitching prospects at the upper levels of the developmental ranks. Burris, image- Jay Floyd Ray Burris- -On LHP Adam Morgan , who missed the entire 2014 season following surgery to repair his throwing shoulder, and his potential to live up to being an early round draft pick... I'm confident (that he can). I think he feels that way now, because he understands and knows how his delivery is supposed to work. When you have that knowledge inside of you and when you throw the ball incorrectly, you know that didn't f...

The MLB Winter Meetings haven't resulted in much excitement for Phillies fans thus far, but Thursday's Rule 5 draft could have some bearing on the team's near future, if the Phils have their way. Phillies Rule 5 selections in recent years that ended up being returned to their original teams include Ender Inciarte (2012) and Kevin Munson (2013). Players that remained with the Phils for the entire following season in recent years include Michael Martinez (2010) and David Herndon (2009). Righty hurler Seth Rosin was taken from the Phillies in last December's Rule 5 draft and was returned to the organization after officially being property of three different teams in the interim time. Players are eligible for selection in the 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 been in that organization for four years, OR 2) were signed at age 18 or younger and have bee...

As the annual Winter Meetings begin to wind down the Rule 5 draft took place on Thursday and the Phillies lost a player while gaining another.  Right-hander Kevin Munson was selected by the Phils from Arizona while the Mets took righty hurler Seth Rosin from the Phillies. With Double-A Mobile in 2013, Munson was a mid-season All-Star, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.41 ERA, 13 saves and a .157 batting average against in 29 relief outings.  Following a promotion to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, which is often considered tough on pitchers, the six-foot-one 215 pounder sported a 0-2 record along with a 5.09 ERA, one save and a .269 batting average against in 24 relief appearances for the Reno Aces.  Additionally, Munson combined to tally a 10.87 K/9 mark at the two levels last year. Scouting reports on Munson state that he has a low-90's fastball and a plus slider.  He projects to be a late inning reliever.  Munson was a 4th round draft selection by Ar...

Dave Lundquist and Jesse Biddle, Image- Jay Floyd Over the weekend, I spoke with Double-A Reading Fightin Phillies pitching coach Dave Lundquist. A former big leaguer with the White Sox and Padres, "Lundy" has been coaching in the Phils system since 2008. The 40-year-old spoke openly about nearly his entire pitching staff including top prospect Jesse Biddle , David Buchanan , Mike Nesseth , Seth Rosin , Austin Wright as well as Brody Colvin . Read ahead for that full interview... - Jesse Biddle came out in Trenton over the weekend and had somewhat of a bounce back effort, following a pair of poor outings. He says it's not a good result unless he wins, but overall it's gotta be a positive step for him, right? Absolutely. If you look at his last two outings, two-thirds of an inning and then an inning and a third, to come out (on Friday) night and really to have the command, much, much better than he's had. The confidence level was much highe...

It's another weekly rundown of the Phillies' minor leagues.  Take a look at details on some recent noteworthy performers... Triple A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- David Buchanan, image- Jay Floyd Right-hander David Buchanan got the call up on Sunday, and notched a win, throwing seven innings and allowing just two runs while striking out four and walking one.  Buchanan, the Phillies' 7th round draft pick in 2010 out of Georgia State University, posted a 6-11 record along with a 4.82 ERA in 22 starts with Double-A Reading this year.  According to Reading coach Dave Lundquist, the initial plan was to have the 24-year-old make one start with the 'Pigs, then return to Reading for his next start, but things can always change. Tyler Henson , promoted from Reading when Cody Asche got the call to the big leagues, launched four home runs in his first four games with the IronPigs, after recording just four round trippers in 80 Double-A games this season.  Henson has a...

Jesse Biddle, image- Jay Floyd The Double-A Reading Fightins will have four representatives in Wednesday's Eastern League All-Star Game, which is set to be played in New Britain, CT. Starting pitchers Jesse Biddle and Seth Rosin will be joined by second baseman Albert Cartwright and first baseman Jim Murphy to make up the foursome of Phillies talents in the annual exhibition. Making their first career All-Star appearances are Cartwright and Rosin, while Biddle and Murphy are each being honored for the second time. Biddle was an All-Star in the Class A Advanced Florida State League last year. Murphy represented Lakewood in the 2011 Class A South Atlantic League game. The contest will feature loads of top talent from around the EL and Biddle, who has a 3-8 record along with a 3.08 ERA and a league leading 102 strike outs through 17 starts this season, is honored to be listed among that collection of players. "To be mentioned with the players I'm playing ...

Last summer, as part of the Hunter Pence trade, the Phillies acquired righty hurler Seth Rosin (Roe-ZEEN). Originally drafted in the 4th round in 2010 by San Francisco, Rosin had mainly been a reliever with the Giants' Class A Advanced affiliate San Jose. Now throwing strictly as a starter, since joining the Phils' organization, the University of Minnesota product, who stands six-foot-six and weights around 250 pounds, has posted a 1-4 record with a 3.17 ERA while striking out 32 and walking seven in 45 1/3 innings. Recently, I spoke with the 24-year-old about his transition to a new organization, his thoughts about Reading, Eastern League competition and plenty more. Read ahead for that full interview. - Last year, at the time of the trade, how were you notified you had been dealt and what was your reaction? I got a call from the Giants front office at about 8 o'clock in the morning, west coast time, letting me know I had to leave tomorrow to go to Florid...

It's time, once again, for our weekly glance around the Phillies' developmental ranks, taking a look a some exceptional performers and those that have raised some eyebrows for different reasons. Class A Lakewood hot list- Art Charles First baseman Art Charles , who was acquired from Toronto this spring in the Michael Schwimer trade, has hit in six straight games, going 9-for-22 (.409 avg) with two doubles, two homers and seven RBI in that stretch. Overall, the lefty batting 22-year-old is hitting .239 in 13 games this season. Righty reliever Nic Hanson , who celebrated his 21st birthday this week, has struck out 10 batters while walking two in eight innings of work through three appearances. Additionally, he has a save and a 3.38 ERA during that time as well. The six-foot-seven 210-pounder was drafted by the Phils in the 16th round last year out of Golden West College. Lakewood red flags- OF Brian Pointer is batting .174 this season, despite a current t...