Hitting the hot topic of the week, the Phillies have to be considering who to reward for their 2012 performance and who they want to get an early look at for the 2013 season.

The first variable of course is the 40 man roster.  The following minor leaguers are on the 40: Phillipe Aumont, Jake Diekman, Justin DeFratus, Joe Savery, JC Ramirez, Sebastian Valle, Cesar Hernandez, Hector Luna and Tyson Gillies.

Both Lehigh Valley and Reading are in playoff races, and as the Phillies playoff hopes died several weeks ago, there is no urgency to bring in reinforcements.  So, the call ups wont begin in force until the RPhils and/or ‘Pigs are eliminated from contention.

Going through the possibilities one by one:  Aumont–I think will get a shot unless he collpases during the final two weeks of the season. Diekman–Probably goes as the Phils will want him to continue to get work through the end of September and will want to see if he can help in 2013; Savery–I would be very surprised to see Savery back up.  He was awful in Philly and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him with another organization come 2013. DeFratus– I would like to see DeFratus up and he has been pitching well but has thrown limited innings since his return from the DL; Ramirez–Is currently on a nice run but I think the Phils may hesitate to reward him after a fairly mediocre season; Valle– I would be shocked to see him in Philly this year. Hernandez–Ditto; Luna–Will be up if there is an injury, gives the Phils another right handed bat off the bench. Gillies–I think the Phillies would really want to call him up as CF remains on the true question marks moving forward but do they reward someone who has been a true problem child?

Outside the 40 candidiates: Tyler Cloyd should have been up a month ago and I hope the Phils do the right thing, which is to give the callup to someone who has worked tremendously hard to improve and put up stats which have been both outstanding and remarkably consistent. Darin Ruf–Certainly the people’s candidate, however I would be surprised to see the Phillies make that move. You could argue for his callup under the “Cloyd argument”.

Good conversation.  Have at it.