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In a statement released in conjunction with the Eastern League, the Double-A Reading Phillies announced that six of the club's players have been named mid-season All-Stars. Among the Eastern division's representatives will be righty pitchers Justin Friend and Julio Rodriguez , along with shortstop Troy Hanzawa , second baseman Cesar Hernandez , catcher Sebastian Valle and first baseman Darin Ruf . Reading's skipper Dusty Wathan will join his six players as the Eastern All-Stars' manager. The Baseballtown All-Star Classic is set to be played at Reading's FirstEnergy Stadium on Wednesday, July 11 at 7:05 PM. Friend, a reliever that was acquired by the Phillies from the Oakland organization in the 2010 Rule 5 draft, has been tremendous this season. The 26-year-old sports a 2-0 record with a 0.33 ERA and 14 saves as Reading's closer. Rodriguez, an 8th round draft selection in 2008 by the Phils, has continued to develop this year. Following a season in wh...

On Saturday night, as part of the Reading Phillies' Yuengling Post-Game Concert Series, right-handed hurler Trevor May performed as his alter ego DJ Hey Beef, following the club's 7-2 victory over the Harrisburg Senators (Washington affiliate). May, who has DJ'd publicly in his home state of Washington, has never had the opportunity to spin music for fans in the Philadelphia region before. When a spot opened up on the schedule in the R-Phils' weekend concert schedule, May welcomed the opportunity to display his musical hobby to a game day crowd.  The Phillies' 4th round draft selection from 2008 had previously reached out to the team about hosting a show in some fashion. "It should be a lot of fun.  That's one thing that he's really big into. I was his roommate on the road, earlier this year, and that's all he was talking about. He was on the computer, trying to find a gig to do...and it should be a lot of fun, Reading outfielder Jiwan Ja...

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.), ...

On a night when the first pitch was delayed by rain, Lakewood newcomer Korey Noles threw 7 strong innings to earn the victory and lock down the BlueClaws' second ever South Atlantic League Championship. Noles was strong on Friday night. He faced the minimum through 4 innings, and had the Red Sox affiliate Greenville Drive shut out through 6 2/3 before he gave up an RBI double to first baseman Kade Keowen. Noles a 24th round pick out of Columbus State University in 2008, joined the team on September 2nd. Prior to the Championship Series, manager Dusty Wathan said of Noles, "He throws strikes, keeps the ball down, and can get deep in the game. Even though he's only started one game for us, we have no issues moving him right into the start for game four." The BlueClaws took the lead in game 4 on the third batter of the game. After a lead off single by Anthony Gose to start the game, Harold Garcia bunted him over. Gose then stole his first of three bases on the night and ...

Tuesday night the BlueClaws played their last home game of the season, and it turned out the be the biggest game of 2009. Faced with the next 3 games of the South Atlantic League Championship series on the road in Greenville, South Carolina, it was crucial for Lakewood to take a bigger lead in the series and not allow the Greenville Drive to tie it. Winning 2 of 3 on the road would surely be a much more difficult task than winning just 1 of 3 there. The BlueClaws won game 2 over the Drive by a score of 3-0, and the die hard Lakewood fans left FirstEnergy Park with great confidence that their team will lock down a championship on the road before the week is over. Jesus Sanchez threw an exceptional game, with 6 shut out innings for the BlueClaws. He allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out 5. It was surely the biggest game of his young career. Phillies phans may remember the righty Sanchez, a converted catcher, as a piece that came over from the Yankees in the 2006 Bobby ...

The first round of the South Atlantic League playoffs was perfect for the BlueClaws. A win on the road Wednesday put the 'Claws in position to clinch a trip to the championship series with a win on Friday night against the White Sox affiliated Kannapolis Intimidators. And it didn't take long for the BlueClaws to convince the small rain-dwindled crowd that Friday would be the night. The scoring began in the first inning when DH Sebastian Valle singled home catcher Travis D'Arnaud. This began the small FirstEnergy Park crowd on a full night of yelling, celebrating and rally towel waving. The Park seemed about 1/4 full most of the night, but the volume of their cheers sounded like the place was at capacity. Lakewood continued scoring in each of the next three innings. In the second inning, left fielder D'Arby Myers plated shortstop Troy Hanzawa with a double before Travis D'Arnaud smashed a big two-bagger that scored pro ball's stolen base leader Anthony Gose. In t...

Anthony Gose, on left, with teammate TJ Warren, during warm ups Monday Anthony Gose, the minor league baseball steals leader, always wears his ball cap just a bit askew. A guest rehabber took issue with it, during his visit to Lakewood. I asked Anthony about that and some other things following the BlueClaws' double header Monday night. Here's how that went down. Anthony, you were praised by Baseball America last week, with a survey they conducted of South Atlantic League managers, when they named you as best base runner, fastest base runner, best defensive outfielder and most exciting player. How do you feel about those accolades? It feels great, actually. To have all those accolades coming from the managers, I mean, of all the players in the league, for them to recognize me as one of the top players, and to give me that high of recognition, it feels great. Is there anyone on the BlueClaws team that you would describe as underrated? Troy Hanzawa. Most underrated player in the...

Troy Hanzawa is the starting shortstop for the Phillies single A affiliate in Lakewood. Troy was an 8th round draft selection last year out of San Diego State, where he played for Tony Gwynn. Early last week, Troy was named the Phillies' minor league player of the week, for the previous week when he batted .500 (10-for-20) with a double, a homer and 5 RBI. Troy is batting .275 with 2 homeruns and 36 RBI in 99 games played this season. I spoke with the Hawaii native over the weekend, and here's how that went... Troy, can I get some comments from you on being named player of the week, last week? (He was not aware of the honor) What is it, actually? (I explained...) Oh, wow! That's awesome! It's an honor, man. You spent time playing for current Lakewood manager Dusty Wathan last year in Williamsport. What's Dusty like as a manager? I love the guy. He's the type of manager- he gets on you, when he has to. He gets the job done. When we've gotta work, we work. B...

Dusty Wathan and Tim Gradoville working with the infielders PhoulBallz.com checked out the BlueClaws' open practice today and got some face time with new Lakewood manager and former Phillies minor leaguer Dusty Wathan. -Dusty, do you have any things that stick in your mind from your two seasons as a player in spring training with the Phillies? Just being able to be around guys and develop friendships with guys that were able to win the World Series last year. It's pretty special to be able to watch that World Series and know that you've been in the club house with those guys, and hung out with them and become friends with them. I think that's the biggest moment I had was getting to see those guys win the World Series and how much joy I had for them. -What's the coaching staff like with Lakewood and have you worked with the coaches before? (Hitting coach) Greg Legg was in the system already when I was a player and we got to know each other a little bit. I never play...