Just a little update on our players in the AFL and Hawaiian Winter League
AFL
Greg Golson: 20 AB — .250/.238/.400 — 0 BB — 3 K — 3 XBH
Mike Costanzo: 17 AB — .059/.200/.235 – 3 BB – 10K — 1 XBH (HR)
Tuffy Gosewich: 6 AB — .333/.333/.333
Josh Outman: 2 IP — 2 ER — 2 H — 1 BB — 2 K — 1 HR
Joe Savery: 2 IP — 0 ER — 1 H — 1 BB — 2 K
Joe Bisenius: 4 IP — 0 ER — 1 H — 1 BB — 4 K
Pat Overholt: 2.2 IP — 2 ER — 2 H — 1 BB — 2 K
HWL
Ronald Hill: 9.1 IP — 9 ER — 14 H — 6 BB — 9 K
Andrew Cruse: 11.0 IP — 4 ER — 10 H — 4 BB — 6 K
Phuture Phillies 
Wonder if there’s anywhere to get action on Golson’s batting average staying higher than his OBP…
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Everyone – pay close attention to Bisenius. He had some dominating outings the last month or so of the season. He may be ready to turn the corner and become the late inning reliever the team so desperately needs. I like what I’m seeing in the winter league thus far and, naturally, I’m concerned about Costanzo’s continuing strikeout problem. Frankly, I think that’s always going to be an issue with him. The real question is whether the walks and the extra base power will overshadow the Ks.
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H Man,
I’m hopeful that Bisenius can contribute at the ML level next season. He’s a bit of a sleeper at this point but I love his arm.
I also share your concerns about Costanzo’s K rate, especially since he’s having trouble defensively. I’m a little puzzled that so many fans assume he’s almost ready for prime time. In fact, it may be that he needs an extra year in AAA to work out these kinks. I’ll be shocked if he makes the team before Sept. 2009.
Too bad Ron “Bear” Hill is getting roughed up in Hawaii, I loved what he did with Clearwater this season. Maybe he’s having a let-down after winning the FSL title…
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Very bad starts for Golson and Costanzo. Are the Phillies telling Golson that with his speed, he really needs to be looking for some walks? No walks in 20 AB is discouraging. 10 Ks in 17 AB for Costanzo is even more discouraging. AFL really shouldn’t be that big a step up in competition compared to Reading.
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The AFL is a step up though, because 99% of the guys there are legit prospects, not just organizational mercenaries. What makes their performance even more troubling is that the AFL is generally slanted in favor of the hitters.
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Jaramillo hit around 100 points higher last year in the AFL than he did at AAA this year.
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Yes, Costanzo struggles with strikeouts and I suspect he always will. But it’s still early and 17 ABs is not a meaningful sample size. Let’s give him a little while to see where this goes. He has a very good history of adjusting and excelling.
As for Golson, to be honest, he’s really not on my radar screen as a prospect. I am not saying he has no ability or that he could not turn into a very fine player, but the peripheral numbers suggest to me that he’s something of a marginal player at this point. Unless things change dramatically in the near future, his best case scenario is as a fourth or fifth outfielder. Nothing to get excited about so far. It’s “show me” time for Mr. Golson.
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