The 2008 Florida State League All-Star team will be announced on Friday, but you can say you heard it here first. Gus Milner,Brett Harker Edgar Garcia and Matt German will all represent the Clearwater Threshers at the game. Congratulations to these players on the well deserved honor.
In addition, because the Threshers are the defending FSL Western Division Champions the Threshers’ coaching staff will represent the Western Division at the game.
The game will be played on Father’s Day weekend in Viera, Florida home of the Brevard County Manatees. I will certainly be there, and I hope to see some of you there as well.
Phuture Phillies 
Congrats to all those guys. I’m a little surprised that Sam Walls didn’t make it as well. I have to assume they took German over him because German’s a lefty, but Walls’ numbers are impressive: 28.2 IP, 15 H, 26:12 K:BB, .158 BAA, 0.94 ERA.
As for Milner, I think he should be moved up to Reading after the draft to make room for Michael Taylor. Gus was solid last year and Lakewood and solid so far this year at Clearwater, and I think it’s time to challenge him and see if he responds. He’s still got it in him to be a platoon outfielder in the majors, I think.
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I am shocked that Walls didn’t make it myself. I already had him penciled in on the team. His numbers this year are great, and he really deserved it.
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Glad Milner got some love. He’s been pretty solid in ’07 and now. True. I’d like to see him at Reading soon, i.e., after another month…in July…??
This guy is a possible sleeper; he is LARGE—> 6’5″ and 240…but surprisingly runs very well…and at that weight and height, he should generate plenty of power…soon or sooner. Right now it seems they are having him concentrate on making good contact…with MAYBE power in the offing. Righty hitter D/B 4-84…so he’s NOW 24.
Ideally, or at least better, he’d be able to get/keep it together at Reading…and possibly move up to AAA LV in ’09…just in time for his 25th birthday.
Having both him and Taylor, supplemented by Brown indicates–plus Golson–a possible superior outfield in the not too distant future.
P.S. I just hope that Cholly is still the manger when these guys make their move to the bigs. IMO, he can/will bring all these guys hitting up to his level of expectations.
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Jeff,
Am I right to say that Cardenas is really the only major league position prospect on the team? Gotta like Adrian’s .336 avg. and .928 OPS which would place him third in both categories in the FSL if he had a few more AB’s and he is listed as having committed no errors in his 29 games at second. Expected better first half numbers from college guys like Q. Berry and Matt Spencer.
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not to take anything away from German who’s #s are very good, how do you put a lefty mid reliever on the team over a closer with similarly good #s(Walls)
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I have no idea either how Sam Walls was overlooked. He absolutely has put himself in the prospect category. I also agree with the Michael Taylor and Milner promotions. They have to get D’Arby Myers more at bats since Warren has played very well and stayed in the line up. It might be time to push Golson to AAA also.
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Yes, espcially when you are comparing a soft-tosser, with some funky pitches–who may not translate to the upper minors–to a hard thrower with major college experience and profile.
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Freddy Ballestas our #31 ranked prospect is going tonight at Clearwater. I remember his profile sounding pretty promising, If you go let us know how he looks Jeff.
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Contrary to popular opinion, Taylor needs to stay at Lakewood for now, even if only until the Break. Myers is way over matched at Lakewood and needs to move down to Williamsport or even GCL. More AB’s? He’s got 48 games and 154 AB’s and can’t buy a hit and is below the Mendoza Line. He could dead-end if not allowed to achieve some success at a level he’s comfortable at. He’s young.
If anything, look at the team and individual BA’s in the past 3 weeks. It’s because guys like Winn, Noughton, Bolt, and Rizotti are getting more game time. Lakewood is winning, they’re on a run. Let ’em.
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Well I didn’t get to see Ballestas pitch because the game was in Sarasota. Looks like he held his own through three, but got clobbered in the fourth for 6 runs. Three walks, a Home Run, a double and two singles in the inning. Luckily the Threshers had exploded to a 9-0 lead so they got the win anyway.
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Jeff- Is Edgar Garcia injured? I noticed that he didn’t make his next scheduled start. Also, he left the game early in his last start. Whats going on ?
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I don’t know what is up with Edgar. I saw him on Thursday night at the game logging pitches like all pitchers do the two days before they pitch, but then he missed his start. Since they were out of town I don’t know what is up. I can’t think it is too serious since he is still doing his normal off-day work, but I really don’t know. I’ll try to find out on Monday when the team returns home.
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The FSL must be loaded with closers. See the Phils named Sam Walls pitcher for the month of May in the organization but he could not make the All Star team:
Walls, 24, did not allow a run in 11 appearances during May. He was 1-0 and recorded an organization-high seven saves. In 15.1 innings, he allowed six hits and five walks. He struck out 19 while holding opposing batters to a .122 average.
Of the Threshers’ 14 wins last month, Walls saved seven and won one.
For the season, he is 1-0, 0.88 ERA with nine saves. Opponents are hitting .152 in 30.2 innings and he hasn’t allowed a run in 16 of his 19 appearances. The last run he allowed was April 28 against Tampa.
The right-hander was selected in the 10th round in 2006 out of North Carolina State University. He did not pitch at all last year because of surgery (March 12) for a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
“He’s a fastball (92-94 mph) and cutter (89-91) guy. The cutter is his out pitch. Throws strikes. He’s very aggressive and has been our guy at the back end of the pen. Extremely consistent. He’s come back from shoulder surgery and has turned into a big prospect,” said Steve Schrenk, Walls’ pitching coach.
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I liked Walls back in 2006, but obviously lost a bunch of hope with the labrum injury. Its great to see him back and pitching well. He should certainly see time in Reading this season.
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Brett Harker was added as a late addition to the team. He has an ERA of 0.95 and has given up just three runs this season in 18.1 innings of work. The last time he gave up a run was May 9th with 13K v 4 BB on the season while holding opposing hitters to .229.
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