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Image- Jay Floyd The national pastime is changing.  At least at the developmental level for affiliated professional teams. In a rule change announced by Minor League Baseball on Wednesday, all extra innings will start with a runner on second base. The goal with the rule adjustment is to expedite games and reduce any over-usage of pitchers. Specifics on the announcement from MiLB are listed below. The runner at second base will be the player in the batting order position previous to the lead-off batter of the inning (or a substitute for that player). By way of example, if the number five hitter in the batting order is due to lead off the 10th inning, the number four player in the batting order (or a pinch-runner for such player) shall begin the inning on second base. Any runner or batter removed from the game for a substitute shall be ineligible to return to the game, as is the case in all circumstances under the Official Baseball Rules. The extra inning rule c...

Brian Sweeney, image- Jay Floyd Last week I sat down with Class A Lakewood pitching coach Brian Sweeney to chat about his new collection of hurlers as his BlueClaws were opening their home schedule. Among the topics of discussion were highly regarded right-hander Sixto Sanchez, starting pitchers JoJo Romero, Adonis Medina and Bailey Falter as well as returning relievers Zach Morris and Harold Arauz and others. Read ahead for the full interview. -I missed Sixto Sanchez’s start in the home opener on Thursday. He had a good outing, going five innings, striking out five on one earned run. What are your early impressions of him as a guy who has gotten a lot of attention? You know, he garners that attention. He goes about his business the right way, pitching well, working hard, just getting his experience in, here in full-season. -I got to meet JoJo Romero for a second in the clubhouse. He’s got 11 strike outs in nine innings so far this season. What are your thoughts on ...

Everybody loves the holidays and, of course, baseball players are no exception. Every year at Christmas time, I survey a group of Phillies prospects about what they get excited for during the holiday season. Players taking part in this year's seventh annual Christmas questionnaire include 2015 first round draft choice outfielder Cornelius Randolph, IronPigs infielder Jesmuel Valentin, first base prospect Rhys Hoskins, along with pitching prospects Luke Leftwich, Zach Morris and Jeff Singer. Questions and answers listing each player’s holly jolly holiday favorites are ahead… - What is your favorite Christmas movie or TV special? Randolph- Polar Express!  I just like the Christmas kind of vibe that goes to it.  Like, I've been watching it since I was younger.  It was something that me and my mom used to watch.  It's pretty much like a tradition now. Valentin- I like Bad Santa. Hoskins- I'm gonna go Christmas Vacation or Elf.  I'd say both of them ...

Zach Morris, image- Jay Floyd Last season, lefty reliever Zach Morris had an outstanding campaign with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws.  In 43 appearances in his first full season as a pro, the 23-year-old posted an 8-3 record with five saves and a 2.57 ERA while sporting a 7.4 K/9 mark. Morris was drafted in the 24th round out of Maryland by the Phillies last year. I spoke with six-foot-five 245-pounder last week about his off-season routine, how he stays busy during the fall and winter months, plus more.  Read ahead for that full interview.   - How long do you take off from picking up a baseball once the season ends? I haven't thrown since I've been home.  They usually give us a good two months for guys that aren't playing winter ball and stuff.  But I think it picks up toward the end of next week I think.  I gotta look at (my schedule).   - You clearly have a time frame in mind, so is that the workout routine that is mandated by th...

Damek Tomscha, image- Jay Floyd LAKEWOOD, NJ-- It had been 2181 days since the Lakewood BlueClaws played in the postseason. It was worth the wait as the BlueClaws took a 1-0 lead on Wednesday night in the best-of-three South Atlantic League division series against the Hagerstown Suns (Nationals affiliate) by a score of 6-1 behind excellent relief pitching and clutch hitting. Shortstop Emmanuel Marrero notched the first of his three hits in the 5th inning to tie the game at one run apiece. In the same frame, third baseman Damek Tomscha stroked a two-run ground rule double down the right field line to put the BlueClaws ahead 3-1. "That's exactly what he's done all year," BlueClaws skipper Shawn Williams stated of the righty batting Tomscha. "Seems like he's always up in a big situation and that's what he does- he comes through with a big hit." Those runs would be enough as the Lakewood bullpen was strong. It was righty reliever Grant Dyer ...

Shawn Williams, image- Jay Floyd Recently, I sat down with Class A Lakewood BlueClaws manager Shawn Williams to ask about several of his team's rising prospects. Among the topics of discussion were impressive lefty reliever Zach Morris , well regarded backstop Deivi Grullon , outfielder Jose Pujols and several others. Read ahead for that full interview. -Zach Morris has been so consistent for this team dating back to late April, with an ERA under one during that stretch. What are your thoughts on him? I mean he’s been outstanding all year. He’s done every single role for us, whether it’s setting up, closing, he’s been huge for us when he’s picked up three or four innings he’s saved out bullpen. All around he’s done an outstanding job to help us and help our bullpen. -With other guys performing well and moving up, is there something that Zach is missing or needs to be doing to earn a promotion? I think it’s more that there are a lot of guys doing well up above, so it’s...

Zach Morris, image- Jay Floyd Entering this week, lefty reliever Zach Morris had allowed just two earned runs over 31 games dating back to April 27th this season for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Over that stretch, the six-foot-five 245-pounder tallied a 7-1 record with five saves and a 0.43 ERA. Drafted out of Maryland by the Phillies in the 24th round last year, the 23-year-old has posted an overall record of 12-3 with a 2.33 ERA and seven saves in 54 games thus far as a pro. This week, I sat down with Zach, who spoke about his tremendous hot streak, his familiar name, his team's chances at reaching the post-season and plenty more. Read ahead for that interview. -You've been doing very well and have gotten some attention for your efforts out there. Talk about the great stretch of success you had here this season. It's been fun. Obviously, it's not all me. We've had good defense and the guys, with the defense we have, it's easy. You just know if...

Here's a quick rundown of the Phillies minor league hot list. Details are up to date prior to game action on Tuesday, July 26th. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (61-41, 2 nd place North Div. International League) Right-handed Jake Thompson continues his tremendous stretch for the IronPigs and remains the top option for a promotion if a vacancy opens up in the Phillies’ rotation. In his last nine starts, the 22-year-old sports a 6-0 record with a 0.58 ERA and a 5.3 K/9 mark. In 19 starts this season, Thompson, who was acquired from Texas as part of last summer’s Cole Hamels trade, has a 9-5 record with a 2.29 ERA and a .224 batting average against. Righty pitcher David Buchanan has allowed just two earned runs in 22 innings (0.82 ERA) over his last three starts. In 19 games (18 starts) this season for the Pigs, the 27-year-old has a 7-5 record with a 4.05 ERA and a .257 batting average against. In 11 games since the Triple-A All-Star Break, outfielder Nick Williams ...