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Shane Watson, Image- Jay Floyd The Florida Instructional League will provide an opportunity for a pair of Lakewood hurlers that were sidelined with injuries this summer to make up for some missed time. Shane Watson and Zach Cooper will be among the Phillies prospects spending time in Clearwater at "instructs" over the next several weeks.  The pair will be able to put themselves on display for organizational coaches and brass while they take strides to excel and bounce back from injuries that forced them to miss time this year. Watson, who has been sidelined since early July with shoulder inflammation, saw a specialist on Monday and was cleared to begin a throwing program.  The 20-year-old was the Phillies' top selection (40th overall) in last year's amateur draft out of Lakewood High School in California. In 15 starts this season for the Class A BlueClaws, the six-foot-four 200-pounder posted a 4-6 record with a 4.75 ERA and a .230 batting average against....

This week, I spoke with Class A Lakewood BlueClaws manager Mickey Morandini who shared some thoughts on his team's roster and more. Thoughts on the BlueClaws lineup and where he sees his players fitting in... "With Tyler Greene , he's going to be our utility infielder. So, he'll spell (Mitch) Walding on occasion, he'll spell (Angelo) Mora on occasion, he'll spell "Quinny", when he needs a break. (Willie) Carmona will primarily be our DH, but he'll spell (Art) Charles at first, he will also play some third. In the outfield, it's just gonna be a who's hot type of thing. You know, (Carlos) Tocci's gonna play every day. (Brian) Pointer's probably going to play almost every day. And then with (Yan) Olmo and Zach Taylor , we'll just kind of go with the hot hand, maybe righty-lefty (match up), something like that. (Chace) Numata's gonna catch more games than (Chad) Carman, but they're both going to get a lot ...

From the "Lost Tapes" files, I bring you a never-before-released interview with 2012 Phillies draft pick Zach Cooper .  The righty hurler was in the midst of an excellent campaign during his first season in the pro ranks, after the Phils selected him in the 15th round out of Central Michigan University, when I spoke with him in August. Cooper, who turned 23-years-old this off-season, is aggressive on the mound, as he attacks the strike zone and goes after opposing batters. As a senior last year with the Chippewas, the 5-foot-10-inch 185-pound Cooper went 7-5 with a 2.82 ERA and was honored with an all-conference nod. After debuting as a pro, combined at two levels, with the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters and the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws, Cooper posted a 2-3 record with six saves and a 1.30 ERA while holding batters to a .183 batting average in 23 appearances.  Read ahead to check out my full interview with Zach, as he talks about transitioning from college ...

This week I spoke with Class A Lakewood BlueClaws manager Mickey Morandini regarding several matters related to his club. Firstly, according to Morandini, six BlueClaws are headed to Fall Instructional League in Florida. "Instructs" last about four weeks, from mid-September to mid-October. The Lakewood players assigned there are pitchers Hoby Milner and Zach Cooper , catchers Josh Ludy and Gabriel Lino as well as third baseman/first baseman Willie Carmona and third baseman Maikel Franco . Morandini also spoke on the following topics... 21-year-old newcomer and Dominican native Felix Santos , a righty hurler, who has a 0.60 ERA through seven relief appearances with the BlueClaws: "He's come in here and he's done a great job for us. Live fastball, breaking ball's been above average, he's getting outs. He's come in there and made a statement and pitched well and I think he's turning some heads here." The very solid offensive seco...