Time to take a look at the latest of the Winter Roster moves as the minor league rosters continue to take shape. A number of players were released by the Phils organization, including: Robert Roth, Dan Brauer, Esmelvin Jiminez, Brandan Akashian, Phil Aviola, Francisco Murillo, Cory Wine, Vlad De Los Santos, David Hissey and TJ Warren. I am mildly surprised at Roth, otherwise no big surprises for me here.
A number of minor leaguers were re-signed. Next to their names is where I project them to be next year. P John Ennis (Lehigh Valley), P Jake Woods (Lehigh Valley), P Jason Mackintosh (Reading), C Kevin Nelson (Reading), OF Mike Spidale (Reading), OF/!B Brian Stavisky (Reading), OF Kevin Mahar (Reading/Lehigh Valley), OF Javis Diaz (Clearwater), 2B Fidel Hernandez (Reading) and P Santos Hernandez (Clearwater).
A welcome back to catcher John Suomi who was lost last year to the ROyals organization in the Minor League Rule 5 draft. Suomi, 29, split time between AA and AAA last season and projects to back up Paul Hoover in Lehigh Valley. Super-utility man Melvin Dorta, who spent most of last season with AAA Norfolk and hit .271 with 4 HR and 35 RBI’s to go along with 12 SB’s. Dorta can play all over the diamond but saw most of his time at 2B and 3B. 3B Eric Campbell, a former 2nd round pick of the Braves in 2004, joins the organization after playing third for AA Mississippi last year. He hit .241 with 5 HR and 38 RBI for the Braves farm club.
26 year old Jay Stephens, a RHP and former Yankee draft pick (6th round, ’03) joins the Phils after having some success at AA Trenton last year. I would expect to see him fill out a roster spot in Reading, while LHP Nate Bump, a native of nearby Towanda, PA, joins the organization after growing up in the Marlins system. Last season, Bump pitched for Toledo, the AAA affiliate of the Tigers and was very effective, going 7-1 with a 2.38 ERA in his 10 starts. Bump, 33, would look to Lehigh Valley for a potential spot in their rotation.
Phuture Phillies 
Nothing to be excited about here but that is no surprise. Why are we signing any OF’s? Couldn’t we get a better catcher though?
With the recent trades I am wondering how the minors pitching staffs will fill out. I really expected another Rodrigo Lopez type signing. With Moyer as the 5th starter and a high profile team it might be a good spot for an ex-Major Leaguer to get another nice contract.
Kendrick and Bastardo will compete for 25man spots but could end up in the AAA rotation with Carpenter and Savery. Who else? Worley and Stutes could be promoted or repeat AA. Ennis, Woods, and Bump are just filler for spot starts or relief at AAA.
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I think the 3 givens for the Lehigh Valley rotation are Carpenter, Savery and Stutes. I would be very surprised if Worley were in Allentown to start the year, after his difficulties late last year. Ennis, Woods and Bump will all be serviceable players in Lehigh Valley but you are right in that they are career AAAA players.
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One other quick note…Rodrigo Lopez signed with Arizona.
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Whats the deal with Chacin? Is he still around? No one talked about him really, but he seems a bit interesting. Former prospect, got hurt, came back to post decent numbers in minors…are we still giving him a chance?
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I believe our old friend Eddie Wade scooped up Chacin on a minor league deal a week or so ago…
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Chacin signed a minor league deal with Houston.
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I liked what I saw of Chacin last year. Didnt throw hard, but knew how to pitch.
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Where is my homeboy JD Durbin at nowaday’s? I hope those breathing exercises worked out for him.
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Gregg- Agree with you about Roth. I was also hoping that the light would go on for Warren, but cannot argue with the release. The rest certainly earned their releases.
Has Neil sellers been resigned? I still like him better than our other 3rd base pickups. I know he is still listed on the roster at the MiLB website for Reading, but that is not fully updated (e.g.- Tyler Walker was still on LV’s roster).
Lastly, considering the IF’s that have been signed, I would still bring back Harmon. He’s much younger than the others and, while disappointing, no worse.
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what is your projection for mike zagurski
he had a good comeback from tommy j in reading
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I see Zagurski in the Lehigh Valley bullpen. He generally pitched well coming back from TJ surgery…just needs more consistency
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MLL, minor league rosters in the offseason are procedural and in no way would reflect actual minor league rosters in 2010. Those updates would not be made until April.
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Good to see Stavisky, Spidale, Nelson, and Mahar back with the org. They’re not blocking any prospects, and are all solid org guys. I know a lot of you guys don’t care about this stuff, but their contributions made Reading fun to watch for the first time in about 7-8 years.
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