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Hoping to keep things light on the first day of spring training, Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee showed up to speak with members of the media toting a plastic answer providing assistant.  With his Magic 8 Ball by his side, the 36-year-old proclaimed with a smile that he'd use the device to help with any hard questions. Relying on the toy for answers related to teammate Cole Hamels ' proclamation this week that the Phillies won't be winners and if he'd wish to be traded to a contender, Lee offered more genuine thoughts on his outlook overall.  The four-time All-Star pledged his focus to win a championship for the team he's currently with. "Until we get out there and play the games, get ourself in a certain position, I can't expect to do anything other than to win and get to the World Series, and win a World Series," Lee asserted.  "That's the only way I know how to look at it." Team general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. w...

The latest semi-weekly rundown of your top performers from the Phillies developmental ranks and those that need to turn some things around includes a few injury notes on some key prospects. Read ahead on the latest from the minors. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (25-24 record, 4th place in the International League North division)- Who's hot... Third baseman/first baseman Maikel Franco has tallied a .301/.389/.482 slash line in 21 games this month. The 21-year-old, who is rumored to be a candidate to join the big league roster this week, missed two games over the weekend due to a respiratory illness. Outfielder Steve Susdorf is having quite a month, sporting a .344 average with seven doubles and nine RBI in 22 games. The 28-year-old lefty batter went 1-for-7 in three games with the big league Phillies last season. Who's not... Catcher Cameron Rupp is batting .208 with a home run in seven games since returning from the disabled list following an oblique strai...

Jay and Tug are back with episode 35 of the PhoulBallz Podcast.  On this week's edition Steve Susdorf dials in to talk about breaking into the majors last week, his time playing in front of fans at each level of the Phils' system, some good causes he's involved in and plenty more.  The guys also chat about Ethan Martin 's promotion to the majors, Cody Asche 's big league debut, Phillies alumni weekend and hanging with Jerry "the King" Lawler. 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 .

On the 34th edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast Tug and I are joined by Phils 3rd base prospect Cody Asche , who chats about his success in the minors and potentially changing positions to reach the big leagues.  We also talk about Tug's professional advancements, reports of the Phillies re-signing Chase Utley , Steve Susdorf 's major league debut and plenty 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 .

Steve Susdorf, image- Jay Floyd The Phillies have selected the contract of outfielder Steve Susdorf to fill a void on the big league roster left by outfielder Domonic Brown , who was placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list. Through 70 games this year with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the lefty batting California native is batting .335 with 13 doubles, a triple, a home run and 25 RBI.  In six pro seasons, the 6-foot-1 190-pounder has posted a .304 average along with an .802 OPS. The 27-year-old Susdorf, who has 196 minor league games under his belt in left field, 159 games in right field and 20 games at first base, was the Phils' 19th round draft selection in 2009 out of Fresno State. In 2011, the Susdorf spoke exclusively with PhoulBallz.com about how he looked up to 13-time All-Star Ken Griffey Jr. and how he admired Chase Utley in an interview that can be heard by clicking here . Brown, the Phillies' All-Star left fielder, was injured on a diving pl...

From all throughout the Phillies' developmental ranks, here's our weekly rundown of top performers and those players that haven't done much as of late.  Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- Who's hot... Outfielder Steve Susdorf has been on a tear lately, going 10-for-24 (.417 avg) with a double, a home run and four RBI in his last seven games.  The 27-year-old lefty batter was the Phils' 19th round draft choice in 2008 out of Fresno State.  Susdorf is batting .326 with a home run and 23 RBI in 51 games this year. First baseman Josh Fields has five multi-hit games in his last seven contests.  The 30-year-old is 10-for-25 (.400 avg) during that stretch.  Overall this season, Fields, who was signed as a minor league free agent last November, is batting .316 with four homers and 26 RBI this year.  Who's not... Infielder Pete Orr is 3-for-23 (.130 avg) with two doubles in his last seven games.  Orr, who has spent time in the big leagues wit...

It's another round of our weekly minor league notes, featuring key performers from each full season level.  Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- In 23 contests this month, second base prospect Cesar Hernandez is sporting a .241 batting average, after he posted a .375 mark in 24 April games.  The switch-hitting Venezuelan turned 23 years old last week. OF Steve Susdorf is batting .346 with five doubles and seven RBI in 18 May games.  The 27-year-old lefty hitter was a 19th round draft pick by the Phillies in 2008. OF Darin Ruf has been out of action since Thursday, sidelined with a jammed thumb.  The slugger batted .195 in his previous 10 games prior to the ailment. Double-A Reading Fightin' Phillies- Top prospect Jesse Biddle had a weak outing (4 IP, 6R/5ER) on the mound against Harrisburg for the Fightins on Sunday, but his two hits raised his season batting average to .556.  The 21-year-old left-hander saw his season ERA go from 2.50 up to 3...

It's time, once again, for the (usually) weekly Phillies minor league review. In this edition, we'll take a look at some hot performers, some less-than-hot performers and a college draftee headed to the College World Series.   Lakewood BlueClaws, Class A South Atlantic League. 21-41 record, 6th place out of 7 (19 1/2 GB) in Northern division.   Right-handed starter Colin Kleven (pictured, left) was named Lakewood's lone representative in the SAL All-Star Game this past week. The 21-year-old native of British Columbia has posted a 3-5 record with a 3.90 ERA in 11 starts this season.  Kleven was a 33rd round draft choice in 2009. Lefty starting pitcher Ethan Stewart has been on a roll this month, posting wins and an ERA of 3.00 in back to back starts. The New Mexico Junior College product was a 47th round draft choice by the Phillies in 2010. Infielder Stephen Malcolm has had a considerably slow start with Lakewood since joining the team out of extended...

Outfielder Steve Susdorf has been a solid contributor all season long for the Double A Reading Phillies. In 77 games this year, the lefty hitting Susdorf has posted a .332 batting average with 6 homeruns, 35 RBI and an OPS of .883. Drafted by the Phillies in the 19th round of the 2008 amateur draft out of Fresno State University, Susdorf has performed well at each level, as he's moved up the ranks in the Philadelphia developmental system. In 2008, he batted .295 in 50 games with Williamsport and Lakewood. The following season, he posted a .324 average in 85 games at three different levels. In 2010, the 6-foot-1-inch 195-pounder spent the entire season with Class A Advanced Clearwater, batting .278 with 11 HR and 77 RBI in 128 games. The 25-year-old R-Phils standout took time recently to talk about his success this year, his coaches, time spent with some big league Phillies and plenty more. Check out the media player below to listen to the full interview. ______________________...

On Thursday, the last regular scheduled games were played in the Arizona Fall League. Eight players from the Phillies organization played for the Scottsdale Scorpions, along with prospects from the Giants, Pirates, Rockies and D-Backs. Scottsdale finished 15-16 in the six team league. Pirates minor league coach Jeff Banister managed the team, while Lakewood BlueClaws pitching coach Bob Milacki, who coached in the Pirates system last year, acted as the pitching coach. Listed below are AFL stats for each of the Phillies organization's 8 players... Michael Schwimer, relief pitcher- 10 games, 0-0 record, 0 saves, 4.26 ERA, 12 2/3 IP, 8 K, 8 BB. Scott Mathieson, relief pitcher- 11 games, 0-0 record, 0 saves, 2.84 ERA, 12 2/3 IP, 15 K, 8 BB. Michael Cisco, starting pitcher- 6 starts, 1-2 record, 0 saves, 3.38 ERA, 18 2/3 IP, 13 K, 8 BB. Edgar Garcia, relief pitcher- 10 games, 1 start, 2-2 record, 0 saves, 5.29 ERA, 17 innings, 10 K, 4 BB. Troy Hanzawa, shortstop- 2-for-25 (.080 avg.), ...

Steve Susdorf is an outfield prospect for the Phillies, who began the season in extended spring training, rehabbing after hip surgery. He later joined A level Lakewood on Memorial Day before being promoted to advanced A level Clearwater by late June. In early July, Susdorf was named the Phillies minor league player of the month for June. In 40 games with Clearwater, Susdorf batted .371 with a .931 OPS. In early August, Susdorf was promoted to double A Reading, where he finished out the season batting .221 over 21 games. From the lost tapes file...I had the chance to speak with Steve Susdorf a while back, and that interview lies ahead. I asked Steve for his thoughts on moving up 3 levels in the minor leagues this season. Ya know, it's been great so far. I've just been fortunate that everything's worked out and I'm just trying to get quality at bats and just play well. What is your excitement level like when these calls come in to notify you of promotions? It's been r...

The Lakewood BlueClaws are one win away from winning the South Atlantic League Championship. Game 3 of the best of 5 series is tonight in Greenville, SC at 7:05pm EST. Games 4 and 5, if necessary, would be played Friday and Saturday at 7:05. Ahead are some key quotes from this week, some links to get you ready and some additional notes on the series. The Greenville Drive is Boston's single A affiliate. Catcher Travis D'Arnaud, a supplemental 1st round draft selection in 2007, is in the midst of a 24-for-57 stretch. That's a .421 average. The BlueClaws were 41-25 (.621 winning pct) on the road in 2009. Tonight's starting pitcher for Lakewood is 2008 4th round draft choice Trevor May . The 19 year old has gone 14 straight starts without a loss. BlueClaws pitchers have allowed just 5 runs over the first 4 playoff games...all wins. Greenville's starter is righty Stolmy Pimentel who was 10-7 with a 3.82 ERA in the regular season. Pimentel is 19 years old and was signed a...

D'Arby Myers is a Phillies outfield prospect that currently plays for the Class A Level Lakewood BlueClaws. D'Arby spent much of this season on the bench for the 'Claws. He began the season as the starting left fielder, but lost playing time when Steve Susdorf came through town, as Myers' batting average was suffering. Myers, however, would bounce back and win his starting spot back by season's end. He finished the regular season with a .270 average in 83 games (he batted .296 in 26 games, after July). Still just 20 years old, the 4th round 2006 draft pick still hopes he can rise through the ranks of the Phillies' system. I spoke with D'Arby prior to the BlueClaws leaving for Greenville to try and lock down their second ever SAL Championship tonight. Here's how that went down. Can I get you to talk a bit about how close you guys are to winning the SAL Championship? It's not over yet. I think we're really focused and we have a lot of good momentum...