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Lefty hurler Taylor Lehman has proven to be a consistent performer and could be forcing himself to be considered as a big league option. After bouncing back from elbow surgery last year, Lehman, a Penn State product, made 15 appearances (four starts) with Double-A Reading.  In those outings, he notched a 1-1 record with a 3.74 ERA, a .210 opponents' batting average and a 10.4 K/9 mark. Last off-season the six-foot-eight 240-pounder pitched for Surprise in the prestigious Arizona Fall League.  In eight appearances there, all in relief, he sported a 6.17 ERA while striking out 16 and walking eight in 11 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old opened the 2023 campaign with the Double-A Reading Fightins.  Through seven relief appearances to open this season, Lehman has notched a 1-0 record with a 2.61 ERA, a .162 batting average against while striking out 10 and walking five in 10 1/3 innings pitched. Recently, Lehman was interview by PhoulBallz correspondent Evan Floyd, who inquired ab...

Spencer Howard, image- Jay Floyd LAKEWOOD, NJ-- Leaving his coaches struggling for words and forcing his tough guy manager to admit he was tearing up, Friday was the best day of Lakewood pitcher Spencer Howard 's life. The right-hander was electric, dominating division rival Kannapolis (White Sox affiliate) in a nine-inning complete game no-hit shutout that clinched a Northern Division Championship and a trip to the South Atlantic League Championship Series for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Howard, a second round draft choice of the Phillies last year, struck out nine, walked one, hit a batter and tossed a wild pitch, but held the Intimidators without a hit or any runs, in an outing that was as impressive a performance as you could see. Waves of emotions came over everyone at FirstEnergy Park.  Some expressed their joy with excitement and cheering.  Others, like BlueClaws manager Marty Malloy , felt a little different. "I'm just at a loss for words," M...

Prior to the Reading Fightins annual winter banquet on Tuesday, team broadcaster Mike Ventola spoke with new manager Greg Legg.  Topics of discussion include Legger's coaching style, the group he expects to manage this year, being a Pennsylvania resident and more.  Check out the video player below for the full interview. Legg's history with the Phillies dates back to 1982 when the team drafted him as an infielder in the 22nd round. He would play for 13 pro seasons, including time spent in the majors with the Phils. Since 1994 he has served as a coach at various developmental levels of the Phillies organization. Legg previously managed Reading from 2002 through 2004.

On the latest edition of Phillies Nation TV, the fine men at 20/20 Visual Media and I put together a feature on two of the key prospects acquired from Texas for Cole Hamels , as I sat down to chat with starting pitcher Jake Thompson and outfielder Nick Williams . Check out this great segment in the media player below and look for new episodes of Phillies Nation to premiere each Tuesday on The Comcast Network at 6PM.  To view this week's full episode, click HERE .

In the finale of Double-A Reading's road series in Trenton on Sunday, Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda made a rehab appearance for the hosting Thunder. The 26-year-old Dominican native, recovering from an elbow issue, looked strong in his initial frame, shutting down rising Phillies prospects J.P. Crawford , Nick William and Andrew Knapp in a quick 10-pitch, 1-2-3 inning. The second time around, though, the 2011 big league All-Star wasn't as lucky. With a run already home in the 3rd inning, Williams, a key return from Texas in last month's Cole Hamels trade, slammed a fastball to deep center field for a three-base hit. Crawford, an Eastern League All-Star, would lace a liner down the left field line for another triple to score Williams. Knapp, the owner of a 13-game hitting streak entering the contest, would get a second shot at Pineda, but he would fly out to end the inning. That ended Pineda's outing, as he was charged with two earned runs in three inn...

Lefty reliever Adam Loewen is slated to join the Phillie for the first time this weekend, when the team begins its series in San Diego. Having hit his stride with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in recent months, Loewen has been scored on in only one outing dating back to June 9th, a stretch of 23 appearances. Overall in the minors this season, the British Columbia native sports a 2-3 record with 10 saves in 11 opportunities and a .195 batting average against in 40 games. The 31-year-old has had a unique route to what is his third call up to the big leagues, making his MLB debut in 2006 as a starting pitcher with the Orioles, then reappearing at the top level with the Blue Jays as an outfielder in 2011. Check out the video player below for our PNTV profile from earlier this season on the 2002 first round draft pick's remarkable path.

Chase Utley, image- Jay Floyd TRENTON, NJ- Playing defense in a game for the first time in six weeks, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley looked solid in the field for Double-A Reading in a rehab appearance on Tuesday night. In the Fightins' 7-1 defeat of the hosting Trenton Thunder, Utley, who has been sidelined since June 22nd with a right ankle injury, went 1-for-4 with a strike out and two runs scored. On the bases, Utley didn't miss a beat, going from first to third on a Brock Stassi RBI single in the 7th. In the field, the six-time National League All-Star had seven balls hit to him and fielded each one cleanly, including three grounders in the opening frame of the contest. "I think when you're playing defense you always want the ball hit to you. Three ground balls in the first inning was a nice challenge," Utley stated. On a night that saw his long-time double play partner Jimmy Rollins return to Philadelphia for the first time since he was...

On this week's edition of Phillies Nation Ian Riccaboni joined hosts Rachel Micali and Corey Seidman to talk about the Phillies dealing ace hurler Cole Hamels and All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon . Minor league insider Jay Floyd also joins the panel to talk about the organization's rising prospects like Aaron Altherr , Andrew Knapp and Roman Quinn as well as members of this year's draft class such as Cornelius Randolph and Kyle Martin . Also, Timothy Parker joins the show with a profile piece on the local youth baseball RBI program. Check out this week's episode in the media player below. Look for new episodes each Tuesday at 6PM on The Comcast Network with replays throughout the week on TCN and Comcast Sportsnet.

With over 61 million views and climbing on YouTube and a top five ranking on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Silento's blazing hot single "Watch Me" is, as some might say, all the rage among young people across America.  As the song itself is virtually only a steady reminder to view the vocalist's dance moves, its catchy lyrics and party vibe, that encourage listeners to bust a move, or seventy-five moves, have made their way to the world of professional sports. In the video player below, Class A Lakewood BlueClaws mascot Buster and several friends get in on the Silento action and party it up between innings during a recent game.  Check it out.

On this week's edition of Phillies Nation, Corey and Rachel are joined by Phillies beat writer Kevin Cooney. The trio chats about the Phils' extremely poor record though the opening half of the season, Maikel Franco being the team's bright spot and possible upcoming trades. PN's minor league insider Jay Floyd caught up with Reading hurler Mark Leiter Jr. and also joins the panel to discuss some rising prospects such as Aaron Nola , J.P. Crawford , Andrew Knapp and Rhys Hoskins . The episode, featured in the media player below, also includes a segment with hitting instructor Kevin Wilson, fantasy baseball tips and more. New episodes of Phillies Nation premiere each Tuesday at 6PM on The Comcast Network and replay throughout each week on TCN and Comcast Sportsnet.

On this week's edition of Phillies Nation, Pat and Corey talked about the resignation of Ryne Sandberg as the Phils' manager, movement in the team's front office, Chase Utley 's injury and the hot bat of rookie third baseman Maikel Franco . The episode also features a profile on top prospect J.P. Crawford with remarks from Reading coach Mickey Morandini as well as a segment from the Hamels Foundations' Diamonds and Denim charity event featuring comments from Ryan Howard , Cody Asche and Cole Hamels . Check out the full episode in the media player below. New episodes premiere each Tuesday at 6PM on The Comcast Network.

The latest episode of Phillies Nation featured a profile on top pitching prospect Aaron Nola put together by Rudy Mezzy and another segment on slugging Class A Lakewood All-Star Rhys Hoskins which was produced by yours truly, Jay Floyd.  Big shout out to the gang at 20/20 Visual Media for the editing and video work on each piece.  Check out the media players below for those features and look for new episodes premiering each Tuesday at 6PM on The Comcast Network.

Prior to Thursday's Double-A Reading Fightins game at Trenton, home of the Yankees' affiliate the Thunder, I noticed a youngster among a group of about a few dozen children from a local school singing the national anthem.  Among the crowd, there was one kid who wasn't quite interested in singing at all.  He caught my attention while he was glancing backward toward the stadium's video board and not participating with his classmates, who were positioned with him on the field.  After a few lines, I picked up my camera to capture video of the boy who seemed considerably impressed with his status in the moment.  Have a look at that fairly cute video clip below.

During a recent trip to Lakewood's FirstEnergy Park, I shot some video footage of several BlueClaws batters taking pregame practice cuts. Footage includes the clips below of shortstop Malquin Canelo , outfielder Carlos Tocci , first baseman Rhys Hoskins and outfielder Jiandido Tromp . Canelo, 20, is batting .308 and has done an excellent job as the BlueClaws' lead-off man (.357/.419/.488 slash line when leading off an inning) this season.  Have a look at the five-foot-ten 156-pounder's stroke in the video player below. Tocci, a 19-year-old, has a .320 average with an .800 OPS and 12 stolen bases in 52 games for the BlueClaws this year.  The promising Venezuelan is a lock to represent Lakewood with the Sally League All-Star game later this month.  Check out footage of Tocci's swing in the video player below. Hoskins, 22, was the Phillies' 5th round draft selection last year.  The six-foot-four 225-pounder's .337 batting average is tops in the So...

On the latest edition of Phillies Nation, Pat and Corey talk about the call up of 3B prospect Maikel Franco and what the team could expect from Domonic Brown . Looking toward what other players would help the big club, Rachel interviews IronPigs broadcaster Steve Degler, while Jay talks with lefty pitcher Adam Morgan . Hitting consultant Kevin Wilson also returns to the show, running down the mentality of hitting with two strikes. The gang also unveils some huge news about an upcoming addition to the PN family. To view the full episode, check out the media player below. New episodes of Phillies Nation premiere each Tuesday at 6PM on The Comcast Network.

On the latest television episode of Phillies Nation, Pat and Corey discuss the opening week for the Phils, including the good and the bad. Rachel jumps in with trending topics and the weekly fan question. The guys offer their weekly Draft Kings fantasy baseball picks and Jay Floyd brings viewers a feature on top pitching prospect Aaron Nola . Check out the media player below for my segment on Nola and click here to see the full episode online. New editions of Phillies Nation debut each week on The Comcast Network on Tuesdays at 6 PM and replay throughout the week on TCN and Comcast SportsNet.

From time to time I'll post video clips of rising prospects in action or doing pregame work. This round of clips features bullpen footage of Class A Lakewood hurlers Yacksel Rios and Yoel Mecias . Rios, a righty, sports a fastball that has regularly been clocked at 91-92 MPH this season and features nice movement, a quality change up that registers in the low 80's and an improving slider that sits in the upper 80's. BlueClaws pitching coach Les Lancaster asserts that opposing batters generally don't often get good swings against the 21-year-old Puerto Rican, as he hides the ball well with his wind up. Rios was the Phils' 12th round draft choice in 2011. After beginning the season in the Lakewood bullpen, Rios has notched a 3-0 record with a 3.76 ERA in eight starts. Mecias, a left-hander, is a well touted pitching prospect for the Phillies that is bouncing back after undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer. The 20-year-old Venezuelan sports a low 90...

While big leaguers and the top two levels of the minors were on their All-Star breaks, the Phillies Nation crew continued their season.  In the 17th edition of this season's PNTV, Pat and Corey discuss the MLB All-Star rosters and nominate their mid-season award winners.  Meanwhile, Jay caught up with top prospect Maikel Franco , who pledged to the Phillies fan base that his offense was about to turn around.  Former Phils hurler Tommy Greene also joins the crew for his weekly coaching segment.  Natalie and Ryann also appear with fan questions. Check out this week's episode in the media player below and catch new episodes each week at 6PM on The Comcast Network with replays throughout the week on TCN and Comcast Sportsnet.

Over the weekend, I shot video footage of some Double-A Reading players taking their pregame hacks. Included in the clip in the video player below are outfielders Aaron Altherr and Cameron Perkins , first baseman Chris Serritella and catcher Tommy Joseph . Altherr was the Phillies' 9th round draft pick in 2009.  Through 19 games with Reading this year, the 23-year-old, who opened the season on the disabled list with a wrist injury, is batting .234 with two homers, 10 RBI and a stolen base. Perkins had an outstanding start to his second full pro season.  The 23-year-old was the Phillies' 6th round draft pick in 2012.  In 33 games, Perkins sports a .338 average with two home runs, 18 RBI and four steals. Serritella has a .250 average with two home runs and seven RBI in 22 games.  The 24-year-old was the Phils' 4th round pick in 2012. Joseph, acquired from the Giants in the Hunter Pence trade, sports a .282 average with five home runs and 19 RBI throu...

Throughout the first half of the 2013 season, I conducted dozens of interviews with Phillies minor leaguers for a concept segment on Comcast's Phillies Nation TV.  Those interviews were never used on the program and I've been chasing the powers that be to put those segments together as web content for the better part of six months, since the minor league season ended.  While a majority of that footage and the potential for it to see the light of day are out of my hands, I did come across some of the digital files and put together this 90 second clip of Phillies RHP prospect Ethan Martin answering some fun questions. Martin, who was acquired in 2012 from the Dodgers for Shane Victorino , posted an 11-5 record along with a 4.12 ERA and a .229 batting average against in 21 starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season.  He also made 15 appearances (eight starts) with the big league Phillies, sporting a 2-5 record with a 6.08 ERA and a .261 batting average against. ...