I’ve gotten a handful of e-mails in the last few days, plus comments in various posts, about Greg Golson, and asking how I felt now that he’s played well, and how I’m probably bummed because I’m “anti-Greg Golson”. I’m not anti any of our prospects. In fact, I probably support all of our prospects more than anyone outside of their respective families and friends, and Golson is no different. When you follow the minor leagues closely and you invest time in learning this stuff, you grow attached to these guys. And much like the girl/guy you chase in high school and can’t ever seem to get, you start protecting yourself from getting hurt. Golson has not lived up to expectations yet, and he has a few very clear flaws in his game. Even so, I never stop hoping he’s going to flip the switch and suddenly put it together. He’s Phillies property, and I’ve spent 4+ years hoping he’d make passing on Phil Hughes look smart. I hope he does. But I’ve tempered my expectations, and I still have my doubts that he can recognize/hit a curveball. Do I want him to? Of course. Will I be extremely excited if he turns into the next Eric Davis? Absolutely. I’m far from anti-Greg Golson. I’ve just toned down my expectations to about as low as they can go. Whatever he becomes, as long as it happens in the major leagues at some point, will be a bonus. He’s had a bright spring, lets hope it carries over.
Monthly Archives: March 2008
An Interview with Jason Donald
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Jason Donald during Spring Training and ask him a few baseball questions.
Jason, you started 2007 in Lakewood before finishing in Clearwater. What were the biggest differences between low-A and high-A baseball?
I think the biggest difference between high A and Low A was as with any level you move up, the game is a little bit sharper and quicker. Plus, there are some older pitchers with more experience that know how to pitch a little bit more. Better off speed and they can use that effectively when they were behind in the count.
Continue reading An Interview with Jason Donald
Wednesday roundup
Yesterday the Tigers beat the Phillies 6-2, as JD Durbin did what JD Durbin does. Greg Golson picked up another hit in his only AB, and Brad Harman went 1/3 with an RBI. Jason Jaramillo’s struggles at the plate continued. You have to wonder if he’s pressing a bit, and if he knew he had a shot to make the club as the backup in ST over Coste, whom we know the org doesn’t trust. Jason Donald went 0/1 and committed his 2nd error of the spring. JA Happ pitched 2 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits, and Lincoln Holdzkom went an inning, allowing 1 run on 1 hit while striking out 1 and walking 1.
I missed this article from a few days ago talking about Greg Golson. He says something of interest, when asked about trying to help the Phillies this season at some point;
Golson would love to help the Phillies at some point, but he is focused on the present.
“I got in trouble a couple years ago trying to get somewhere else when I was in Lakewood,” he said. “For two months, I thought I was in Clearwater, and I was in Lakewood.”
Either he’s bad with geography, or he realizes its important to remain focused at the level you’re at and let promotions and demotions sort themselves out.
2008 Minor League Workout Groups Announced
Several people have emailed me or messaged me asking about the 2008 workout group assignments.
I was finally able to get my hands on them today.
Most of you are aware that these groups by no means indicate what the actual AAA, AA, and other rosters will actually look like in the end. This is just where the guys are working out now. There are still going to be many guys sent down from the big league ST roster to take spots away, a lot of players will be cut, and many free agents will be signed to minor league spots after other teams cut players.
That being said … here is a link to the Current Workout Groups in PDF version (sorry, but I didn’t feel like re-typing them from scratch) and for those who also wanted this the 2008 Minor League Spring Training Games Schedule. Continue reading 2008 Minor League Workout Groups Announced
Odds and ends
Two articles for you today. First, this article talks about Savery’s much better performance in his second outing and how he’s handling himself so far. He seems like he has a good head on his shoulders (which was evident in the Q/A he did for the blog a few months ago) and understands he has work to do, but he knows where he wants to get to, which is good. Also, an article talking about the Phillies presence in Australia. It offers up an in depth look at the Phillies efforts in Australia, and highlights guys like Travis Blackley and Brad Harman, while also indicating Harman’s signing bonus at a mere $10,000. We all know the Phillies began investing in Australia because it was cheaper than the Latin American market, but guys like Harman are starting to give hope that it wasn’t just a cheap route, but also a productive route.
Based on my early impressions, I think Blackley has a good chance to make the team, either as a long man or the #5 starter. If the Phillies don’t think they can keep him out of spring training, I wouldn’t be shocked to see a deal brokered with San Fran.
edit, Blackley was with the Giants last year, not Seattle. Good catch
Monday Wrapup
Yesterday the Phillies beat the Pirates 3-1, with Joe Savery leading the charge.
Savery: 2.0 IP — 2 BB — 1 K
Outman: 3.0 IP — 3 H — 2 BB – 2 K
Bisenius: 1.0 IP, — 2 H
Jason Jaramillo’s struggles at the plate continued, albeit in only 1 AB, and someone actually retired Greg Golson
Jaramillo: 0/1
Golson: 0/1
I have video of Saturday and Sunday’s games, I’m going to dice it up and will eventually post it on the respective players profile pages.
Carrasco wants 5th SP spot
Please, Pat and Charlie, if you are reading this, DO NOT DO THIS. This article talks about Carrasco’s hot start this spring, and his desire to remain with the big club. Putting him in the rotation would be a mistake, unless the team plans to leave him there, for better or worse, and we know they are not in a position to do that. I wouldn’t mind Carrasco competing for a middle reliever spot, not mopup duty, where he can get regular work and be broken into the majors in that fashion, but I don’t think Manuel would trust him, much like he didn’t trust Castro when we got him and had to keep him on the roster. Carrasco needs to either be starting every 5th day in Reading or Allentown, or pitching 2-3 times a week out of the major league pen. Please don’t yo yo him around when he’s not ready for the rotation in the bigs.
Weekend wrapup
Just a quick rundown of the performance of our prospects in the last 3 games
Friday, 5-4 win over Pittsburgh
Jaramillo, 0/2
Happ, 2.0 IP — 1 BB — 1 K
Bisenius, 2.0 IP – 1 BB
Saturday, 9-3 loss to the Yankees
Golson, 1/1 — 1 HR
Harman, 0/1
Jaramillo, 0/2
Sunday, 7-7 tie vs the Yankees
Jaramillo, 0/1
Golson, 1/1 — 1 SB
Carrasco: 3.0 IP — 3 H — 3 K
Holdzkom: 1.0 IP — 2 H — 1 uER — 1 K
Greg Golson is on FIRE.
Phuture Phillies 