The Phillies’ participants in the Arizona Fall League were announced Thursday.  Five players were selected from Reading – RHP Tyler Viza, RHP Luke Leftwich, RHP Seth McGarry, 1B Darick Hall, and RF Austin Listi; and three players from Clearwater – RHP Sixto Sanchez, SS Arquimedes Gamboa, and 3B Luke Williams.

Each of five organizations that make up the Scottsdale  Scorpions (Phillies, Reds, Astros, Mets, and Giants) is required to send a minimum of seven players including a minimum of four pitchers (preferably one capable of starting and three relievers) and three position players.  Additional position players can be assigned to a team’s “taxi squad” and can play no more than two games a week.  An international players is eligible only if that player is not on the reserve list of a Winter League club from the player’s home country.  I assume the Phillies have worked something out with the Cardenales de Lara regarding Gamboa. Players are paid for this additional baseball season (out of a separate fund managed by the MLB).  The Threshers’ pitching coach Aaron Fultz is assigned to the team.  I’m glad of that with Sixto coming off a long stint on the DL to participate. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/30/2018 →

Threshers win!  Threshers win!  Threshers win!

The Clearwater Threshers clinched the Florida State League North Division Second Half Championship and qualified for the post season.  Lakeland’s double header was cancelled due to rain, and all the Threshers had to do was win to eliminate the Flying Tigers, which they did.  With the victory, the Threshers will host game one of the three-game semifinal series against Daytona, the first half winner.  Games two and three (if necessary) will be played at Daytona. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/29/2018 →

The Clearwater Threshers (74-58) beat Jupiter, 11-3 and lowered their “magic number” to clinch the division to two games.  

David Parkinson (3-0, 1.24) pitched six, four-hit innings allowing one run and striking out nine.  (Game score, 72)  Jonathan Hennigan was tapped for two unearned runs in his one inning.  J.D. Hammer walked two and struck out two in his one inning.  Addison walked one and struck out two in his one inning.

The Threshers built a 5-1 lead in the seventh but the Hammerheads closed to within 5-3 in the bottom of the inning.  The Threshers responded with a six-run ninth to salt the game away.   Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/28/2018 →

Dan Connolly of the Athletic tweeted that the Phillies traded Jack Zoellner to the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon for International bonus pool space.  Later this evening, he tweeted that the amount the Phillies will receive is $750K.  Not a bad return for a 2017, ninth round pick who signed for $10K.

The senior out of New Mexico saw limited action in 2017.  He was initially assigned to Lakewood but went on the DL the next day.  When he returned to action, he played 11 games for the GCL Phillies.  He was assigned to the GCL Phillies East squad this season and finished tied for third in the league with 7 HRs.  His 32 walks were tops in the league.  His 42 strikeouts in 195 plate appearances gave him a 21.5 K%.

The Clearwater Threshers (72-57) beat Jupiter, 6-0 and inched a little closer to clinching the division.  Ramon Rosso (6-2, 3.08) pitched six shutout innings.  He scattered six hits, walked one, and struck out nine.  Grant Dyer (5.28) struck out three in two, scoreless innings.  Alberto Tirado (2.40) pitched one, scoreless inning. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/27/2018 →

The Clearwater Threshers (71-57) crept closer to clinching the North Division with a double header split with South Division leader, Charlotte, winning 3-2 and losing 3-2 in nine innings.  They go into the final week of the season in pretty good shape.

The Threshers finish the season with a seven game road trip.  Lakeland has 8 games remaining, and Dunedin has 7 games left. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/26/2018 →

The Clearwater Threshers and Dunedin Blue Jays were rained out Saturday night. Lakeland won and picked up a half game.  The rain hurt Dunedin more.  They were scheduled to play a double header.  One game can be made up on Sunday, but the other was cancelled. Elimination numbers remain seven and four respectively.

The Clearwater Threshers (71-57) game against Charlotte was postponed by heavy rain and lightning.  They will make up the game as part of a double header Sunday.  The probables are Mauricio Llovera and Bailey Falter.   Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/25/2018 →

The Clearwater Threshers have a four game lead over second place Lakeland and a six game lead over third place Dunedin.  Their elimination numbers are seven and four respectively.

The Threshers have nine games remaining, the other two teams have ten each.  Clearwater appears to have the most difficult schedule of the three teams. They play two home games against first place Charlotte and finish the season with seven road games at Jupiter and Fort Myers.  The combined record of their opponents is .545. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/24/2018 →

The GCL Phillies West play tomorrow.  The game starts at 11:00 AM.  Kyle Young is scheduled to throw two innings.

A lot of the Phillies development staff has arrived in Clearwater.  I imagine they will be discussing who to invite to Instructs and who should participate in the AFL.  The AFL announcements should be coming in the next week or so.  Look for guys who missed substantial innings to be selected.  Especially among the pitchers.

Clearwater’s  Aaron Fultz, will serve as a pitching coach as part of the Scottsdale Scorpions staff.  The team will include members of the Reds, Astros, Mets, Giants, and Phillies.

Some of the AFL’s roster rules are – Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/23/2018 →

The Clearwater Threshers (70-56) walked off against Dunedin, 5-4 on Raul Rivas solo HR. David Parkinson labored through five innings.  He gave up one run on 5 hits and 2 walks.  He struck out two.  Jonathan Hennigan blew the save opportunity with two runs in one inning.  Trevor Bettencourt pitched two scoreless innings.  Addison Russ blew the save but got the win with Rivas’ heroics. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/22/2018 →