The 2008 Threshers had a hard act to follow from the fans perspective after the 2007 team took the season to it’s limit by going to the post season and winning the whole thing by bringing home a F.S.L. Championship. I know the 2008 record was not what the team or fans had hoped for, but hopefully it was a learning experience for everyone. That is what the minors are about.
The team did play some fundametally sound baseball, and we did get to see some terrific efforts from some wonderful players over the course of the season. The 2008 statistical leaders for the team are recognized below.
As a team the Threshers had the 4th highest batting average in the league on the year. The direction and coaching of Razor Shines and Kevin Jordan also had the team ending the season with the fewest strikeouts of any team in the league and to go along with that they garnered the third most walks showing tremendous plate discipline. The only thing the team lacked offensively was extra base hits, without which they were unable to plate enough runs to get enough wins.
Pitching wise the team had more complete games from their staff than any other club in the league. Joe Savery led the league in innings and was second in strikeouts. Darren Byrd Had a strong second half for the team. Byrd was one of only four pitchers in the league to throw two complete games on the year. One other player to accomplish that feat was his teammate Andrew Carpenter who managed to go the distance in two of his eight mid-season rehab starts with the team.
All-in-all the season has to be considered a success from the Phillies organization perspective despite the teams finish in the league. Fans love to see wins, but mostly we want to see guys move closer to their dreams of playing in the big leagues. That is what many of the guys on the 2008 squad did this year; they got one step closer to helping out our big league squad.
Batting Leaders
(Minimum 50 games played.)
| Statistic | Leader | Total |
| Batting Average | Michael Taylor | .329 |
| On-Base Percentage | Michael Taylor | .380 |
| Slugging Percentage | Michael Taylor | .560 |
| Home Runs | John Urick | 10 |
| Triples | Gus Milner | 7 (T-5th in FSL) |
| Doubles | John Urick | 23 (5th in FSL) |
| Hits | Quintin Berry | 139 (4th in FSL) |
| RBIs | John Urick | 77 (5th in FSL) |
| Runs | Gus Milner | 74 (5th in FSL) |
| Stolen Bases | Quintin Berry | 51 (1st in FSL) Club Record |
| Walks | Quintin Berry | 65 (2nd in FSL) |
| At Bats | Quintin Berry | 511 (2nd in FSL) |
| Games Played | Quintin Berry | 134 (1st in FSL) |
2008 Pitching Leaders
| Statistic | Leader | Total |
| Earned Run Average (Starter) | Joe Savery | 4.13 |
| Earned Run Average (Reliever) | Sam Walls | 0.81 |
| Innings Pitched (Starter) | Joe Savery | 150.1 (1st in FSL) |
| Innings Pitched (Reliever) | Matt German | 58.2 |
| Games (Starter) | Joe Savery | 27 |
| Games (Reliever) | Matt German | 44 |
| Strike Outs | Joe Savery | 122(2nd in FSL) |
| Wins | Joe Savery | 9 |
| Saves | Sam Walls | 10 |
| WHIP | Sam Walls | 0.90 |
Sorry to all, and especially to James who works so hard to keep this a terrific site for Phillies minor league news for my lack of contribution over the second half of the year. I had a lot on my plate this season. I hope to be able to return to form in 2009 with full coverage of the Threshers. Sometimes real life gets in the way, and this was just one of those times. Thanks to everyone who made this site what it is.
Phuture Phillies 
Thanks Jeff. It’s been informative and fun to read (sometimes watch) your “write-ups” this year. I agree Clearwater was big letdown in the wins category. It’s not all about wins though. I think Savery, Berry, German and Taylor showed some things this year. I would think they are all moving up to Reading (along with others).
Since Lakewood had a nice showing this year, some of these guys will be moving up. Dom Brown’s a guy I want to keep an eye on next year. Freddy Galvis and possibly Mattair will be moved up. I would wait on Mattair but you have to move Overbeck along. Overbeck needs work in the field so maybe Lakewood’s the better place for him (or move him off 3rd). D’Arnaud will likely be there by the end of the year. You might get Naughton who I hear is a sharp shooter (with his arm) behind the plate.
Chance Chapman has to be moved up or moved on. Worley, Stutes and Cisco should be ready. Drabek will also be there. How about super prospect Adam Eaton? He’s got to play somewhere. I think the GCL might be the best place for him.
Cleawater in oh’niner.
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Great job Jeff. Championships are nice but development is better. Solid years for several up and comers like Berry (interested to see him in the AFL this year) obviously Taylor and I liked Savery’s workload. If he can have a strong start to next year in Reading maybe we can speak of him as we do CC and Happ as deserving roster spots and September callups in the next year or so.
As bellman said I’d love to see D’arnaud down there next year but it may be a mid year thing and that’s fine as he’s young. Looking forward to the progression or the promising pitchers from Lakewood and seeing one of them step up as an ace of a Clearwater staff. I think sometimes we all forget about Sampson too and he should be good next year playing a year or so younger than the competition (assuming he’s in Clearwater).
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surely mike cisco has to be considered for clearwater also
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How nice would a rotation of Drabek, Cisco, Stutes, Sampson and Worley look??? Goodbye org. fillers!!!!!
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I Think by his number Swimmer might be the closer at Clearwater next year. I know he was a little old for williamport but he was outstanding. Can’t figure out how he and Cisco didn’t have good college numbers.
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Wait ‘tii next year – Lakewood has a lot of good pitchers to move up – mikenj’s rotation sounds about right. Roseberg and Schwimmer, if they aren’t double jumped, will probably be promoted within a few months.
Offensively, I have a feeling by midseason there we’ll be seeing some good talent in Clearwater –
Mattair – should repeat at Lakewood, dominate for half a season, then get promoted
Brown – he was Mr. Consistent all year, and one of my favorite prospects
Susdorf – challenge him with a double jump
Overbeck – I think they’ll switch his position, start him at Lakewood, then move him up if he produces
D’Arnaud – did well in his Lakewood stint. I bet he sees some time at Clearwater next year
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Urick had 32 doubles.
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