Reading ended its season at 70-71, in 5th place in the Southern division, 11.5 games out of first with a very bad taste in their mouth after getting destroyed over the weekend by last place Harrisburg. Taking a final look at players among the league leaaders, Greg Jacobs was 5th in batting avergage (.310), first in slugging %(.539), 7th in RBI’s (83), 8th in homers (21)6th in hits (143), and 2nd in doubles (39).  Jason Hill was 9th in batting average (.302).  Mike Costanzo was 10th in slugging % (.490), 9th in hits (137), 2nd in runs (92), 1st in strikeouts (157), 5th in walks (75), 6th in RBI’s (86), and 2nd in homers (27).  Mike Spidale was 6th in triples with 6.  Javon Moran, although only playing in Reading for half of the year was 5th in stolen bases with 24. Chris Key was the only notable in the pitching categories with 18 saves, ranking 6th.

As the season winds down, the Phils ended a series Thursday against Altoona with a 6-2 victory, behind a solid effort by Josh Outman(2-3). Outman gave up 2 runs over 7 innings, scattering 6 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 5.  Julio Mateo came in to pitch 2 shutout innings for his 3rd save.  Greg Golson’s 2 out, 2 run single in the 7th inning broke the game open, giving Reading a 4-2 lead.  Golson also added his 3rd homer of the year.  Other offensive contributors were Mike Spidale who was 3-5 with 2 steals, Joey Hammond who had 2 hits and a homer (4) and Mike Costanzo who had 2 hits.

Carlos Carrasco(6-4), struggled in the series opener against Harrisburg on Friday as the Phils lost 8-6.  Carrasco walked the Harrisburg pitcher with the bases loaded in the second inning which was the beginning of a difficult night for the youngster who went 4 innings and gave up 6 runs (5 earned), on 5 hits while walking 4 and striking out 4.  Homers by Greg Jacobs(21), Mike Costanzo (26), and Juan Tejada(8) gave the Phils offense a jolt, as Reading came back from a 6-0 deficit, however, the deficit was too large to complete the comeback. On Saturday, the Phils beat Harrisburg 5-1, behind both the pitching and hitting of Chris Rojas.  Rojas(6-4), went 6 innings giving up only a run and hit his first homer of the year to lead the Phils to the victory.  Joey Hammond (5) and Juan Tejada (9) also homered for Reading. Julio Mateo struck out the side in  the ninth for Reading. On Sunday,  the Phils were crushed by Harrisburg 18-3. Harrisburg scored 9 runs in the 4th inning and 7 more in the 7th, leading them to the blowout.  Allen Davis(3-2) was rocked and took the loss in relief.  Julio DelaCruz gave up 6 runs without recording an out as well. Mike Costanzo and Juan Tejada had 2 hits for Reading and Tejada added his 10th homer of the year. Reading ended the season in very disappointing fashion on Monday with a 8-3 loss to Harrisburg.  Harrisburg crushed Reading by a combined 26-6 in their last 2 games, as it appeared Reading ended their season early.  Pat Overholt (6-9) was rocked and gave up 7 runs in 2 innings on 7 hits and also walked five.  Mike Costanzo although hitting a three run blast, his 27th homer, ended up one short of the league lead.

Philers: Mike Costanzo broke the Reading record for strikeouts with 157, previously held by Greg Luzinski, who had 148.

Costanzo has reached base in 39 of the last 41 games.

Juan Tejada homered in 3 straight games Friday thru Sunday.

The 18 runs allowed Saturday were the most allowed by Reading all season.

Scott Mathieson was scheduled to pitch an inning on Friday, however, left after one batter who got a hit, after feeling stiffness in his shoulder.

Greg Jacobs finsihed the season one double behind Dave Doster’s club record of 39 back in 1995.

Transactions:Zach Segovia was placed on the DL with shoulder inflammation, ending his season.  Tim McClaskey was activated from the temporary inactive list.

Looking Ahead: Taking a look at where the players who are on the Reading roster may be at the start of next season (Keep in mind these are educated?? guesses only)

First Base– Juan Tejada— Will be 26 entering next season. Started off this year very strong, but ended up mediocre hitting below .250 with limited power.  Had 61 RBI’s in just over 300 AB’s, which is a good ratio, but it is questionable where he will land in 2007.

Second Base– Joey Hammond– An older player whose potential may be tapped out between AA and AAA, who had a very good year in 2007.  Hit right around .300 and was solid defensively with the ability to play several positions.  I am sure the Phils would love to have him back in the same role as this year.

Peeter Ramos–Another player who is older than he should be for this level, will be 26 entering next season.  Hit over .300 and showed some power and speed.  Certainly has shown the potential to move up to (AAA) next season.

Shortstop–Michael Garciaparra, will be turning 25 entering next season.  Showed limited if any growth this season and was removed from the Phils 40 man roster. Average has hovered around .240 most of the season, defense has been sub par and has hit for no power.  Wouldnt be surprised to see him in another organization next year.

Carlos Leon–Saw limited action for Reading after his demotion from AAA Ottawa.  Is 28 years old, and has little to no future moving forward in the Phils organization

Third Base–Mike Costanzo–Most certainly will move up to AAA next year.  Both his hitting and fielding improved as the year went on, and he ended the year among the league leaders in HR, runs and RBI’s.   Fielding and hitting for contact need work, but he earned a promotion to the Lehigh Valley next year.

Outfield–Greg Golson–Almost certainly will start 2008 in Reading.  After a fantastic couple of months in (A) Clearwater, Golson came back to earth with the promotion to (AA) ball, with his average hovering around .230 most of his time in Reading. Shows speed, but strikes out too frequently.

Greg Jacobs– Will be 29 entering next season.  He has certainly shown the capability to hit at another level as he has been among the league leaders all season in average, runs, homers and RBI’s.  Where he plays next year will depend on whether he receives a more attractive offer outside the Phils organization or probably resigns himself to shuffling between Reading and Allentown next year.

Mike Spidale– Will be 26 enetering spring training next year.  Was extremely solid for Reading after his callup from Clearwater.  Hit over .300 and showed speed, defense and grit while in Reading.  As one of my personal favorites, here is hoping for next year in the Lehigh Valley (AAA).  Does show promise as the White Sox minor league player of the year in 2004.

Shaun Boyd– Will be 26 entering spring training.  Saw extremely limited action in Reading and may be back either in a utility role or in another organization next year.

Catchers– Tim Gradoville– Will be 28 in spring training.  Excellent defense but almost zero hitting.  Will be a backup catcher at Reading at best, if he chooses to remain in the organization, and the Phils choose to keep him.

Jason Hill- Had an excellent season, alternating between first base and catcher.  Hit for average (above .300) and showed some power (among league leaders in doubles).  Will be 31 entering spring training.  Depending on what the Phils do with prospects Marson and Jaramillo, Hill could either reamin in Reading or move up to AAA as a veteran presence on the Iron Pigs.

Pitching– Chris Key– Will be 30 entering spring training.  Had a very effective year, among the league leaders in saves and a solid ERA hovering around 2.50.  May get a chance in AAA depending on depth but wouldnt be surprised to see him back in Reading next year.

Julio DelaCruz– Will be 27 entering spring training.  Somewhat of an enigma, as his numbers do not back up his good stuff.  Had an up and down year as a reliever, saving 6 games, but getting hit hard in others.  Another pitcher who could be in AA, AAA, or out of the organization depending on many factors.

Tim McCLaskey– Will be 32 in spring training and is a career minor leaguer. When healthy, pitched effectively in 2007, but missed a good portion of the season with injuries.  Depending on the needs in Reading and Allentown, he could be anywhere, including another organization.

Allen Davis– Did an adequate job in relief in 2007, and has announced his retirement.

Heath Totten– Will be 29 entering spring training, and is in a similar category as McClaskey. Did a good job in the rotation in 2007 when healthy and again could shuffle between AA and AAA or could land somewhere else due to his age.

Chris Rojas– Will be 31 at the start of next season.  After being signed out of the independant league became a very dependable pitcher for Reading in the later half of 2007.  Depending on where opportunities present themself, could be in AA, AAA or another organization next year.

Carlos Carrasco– Will be 21 entering next season.  After an exceptional first half in Clearwater, was extremely up and down with Reading.  As one of the Phils top prospects, he should be given at least the beginning of 2008 to master AA ball before the move to AAA, and his probable entrance to the Phils rotation in 2009.

Josh Outman, 23, remains a solid prospect who projects to be a Major League starter someday, probably in 2009. Still making the adjustment to AA, but opponents were hitting only .242 against him in Reading.  Needs to reign in his control issues, and with that, will continue his climb towards the majors, first in AA next year, with a probable callup to AAA at some pint during the year.

Pat Overholt, will be 24 entering next season.  He struggled in Reading and more than likely will open the season in Reading trying to regain his his early season form.  He has very good stuff and ultimately could become a late inning pitcher in the organization, but will need to step it up next year.

Julio Mateo, 30, was acquired from Seattle late in the season and after a rocky start pitched extremely well in relief for Reading.  With his major league experience and the big Phils horrific bullpen, it was a bit of a surprise he hasnt yet been called up.  As the big Phils bullpen will receive a total makeover, Mateo could land in Philadelphia next year.

Zach Segovia, will enter next season on the cusp of his 25th birthday with alot to prove after an ineffective, injury filled year in 2007.  He most likely will shuttle between AA and AAA, wherever needed most until he steps up and prove he can play at a level above AA.