All posts by Jeff Crupper

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About Jeff Crupper

It depends on which blog you are reading, but now now you have either discovered that I am a huge baseball fan, or that I have a twisted sense of humor and like to rant about just about anything. Whichever it is I hope you enjoy your stay and spread the word.

An Interview with Jason Donald

* Interviews, 5. Clearwater, 6. Reading, 7. Lehigh Valley, Spring Training 2008

jasondonald.jpg

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Jason Donald during Spring Training and ask him a few baseball questions.

Jason, you started 2007 in Lakewood before finishing in Clearwater. What were the biggest differences between low-A and high-A baseball?

I think the biggest difference between high A and Low A was as with any level you move up, the game is a little bit sharper and quicker. Plus, there are some older pitchers with more experience that know how to pitch a little bit more. Better off speed and they can use that effectively when they were behind in the count.
Continue reading An Interview with Jason Donald →

2008 Minor League Workout Groups Announced

3. Williamsport, 4. Lakewood, 5. Clearwater, 6. Reading, 7. Lehigh Valley, Other Stuff, Spring Training 2008

Several people have emailed me or messaged me asking about the 2008 workout group assignments. 

I was finally able to get my hands on them today. 

Most of you are aware that these groups by no means indicate what the actual AAA, AA, and other rosters will actually look like in the end.  This is just where the guys are working out now.  There are still going to be many guys sent down from the big league ST roster to take spots away, a lot of players will be cut, and many free agents will be signed to minor league spots after other teams cut players.

That being said … here is a link to the Current Workout Groups in PDF version (sorry, but I didn’t feel like re-typing them from scratch) and for those who also wanted this the 2008 Minor League Spring Training Games Schedule. Continue reading 2008 Minor League Workout Groups Announced →

Upcoming Player Interviews

Other Stuff

For those of you who aren’t already familiar with me from my work last year, my name is Jeff, and I provide the weekly updates on the happenings within the Threshers organiztion for James here at Phuture Phillies. I also run a Threshers site with daily game recaps and player profiles along with player of the game awards, and end-of-the-season awards. Check out the site here. I’ve talked with a few of the players from last year’s FSL Champion Threshers team and set up some upcoming interviews with Andrew Carpenter, Jason Donald, and Lou Marson. Like most of you I am a fan of the game and not a professional journalist, so I’d like to get your input on these upcoming talks to make sure that what I ask and write about are of the most interest to those of you who frequent this site. I want to throw out this opportunity to you all to allow me to be the surrogate for the questions that you would ask if you had the opportunity to talk with these players.

You can use the comments section here or drop me an email and get your input into the upcoming articles.

I hope to have the interviews up within the next week, so let me know soon if you’d like some input.

Long-Time Phillies Staffer Dead at 65

01. Site Features, Other Stuff

Larry Rojas was a regular figure around Clearwater, and despite a heart transplant in 1985 and a stroke a few years ago, he remained VERY active in Clearwater with player development and helped create many Phuture Phillies throughout his career.   My wife and I made it a point to say hi to him at every Clearwater game and took a few minutes to chat with him. He would often bring my wife little presents from his trips to Philly, and was a terrific man. He will be missed by us and the many players and people he touched throughout his life.

Larry had been with the Phillies since 1970, and earlier this year he was presented with the Phillies Latino Legends award in a ceremony at CBP in a ceremony prior to the game on September 7th.

We’ll miss you Larry!

Continue reading Long-Time Phillies Staffer Dead at 65 →

Clearwater Threshers Win 2007 FSL Championship

Other Stuff

After coming from behind to win the Western Division Championship and getting momentum on their side, it seemed not a matter of “if” the Cleawater Threshers would win the Florida State League Championship, but “when” would they win the championship.  The team won the first two games of the finals series at Brevard County, then came home to Clearwater on Monday for the third game.  Though the team dropped the game on Monday at home they stormed back on Tuesday night and wrapped things up.

Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Win 2007 FSL Championship →

Threshers One Win Away from FSL Crown

Other Stuff

After taking game one from the Mantees at their own home park, the Threshers looked to take another win on Sunday night and return to Clearwater on Monday needing just one more win for the FSL Championship. The Manatees on the other hand looked to stay alive in their final home game of the year. Continue reading Threshers One Win Away from FSL Crown →

Threshers Move to FSL Championship Round

Other Stuff

I am sick as a dog and should have been home in bed tonight, but I managed to drag myself down to Sarasota for the game to see the Threshers win the FSL Western Division crown and move on to the FSL Championship Round.

Sorry for the short write-up, but I really need to get some sleep and try to recover in time to make the three hour trek to the east coast Saturday night.

Click here for the boxscore and write up from the WD Championship Game

The Threshers crushed the Brevard County Manatees (Brewers) 8-1 in game one of the FSL Championship series.
Click here for the boxscore and write up from the FSL Championship Game#1

The Threshers rallied for an 11th inning come-from-behind win on Sunday and now need just one more win for an FSL Championship.
Click here for the boxscore and write up from the FSL Championship Game#2

Clearwater Threshers Post Season Begins Tuesday

5. Clearwater, Bastardo, Antonio

The Clearwater Threshers clinched their first playoff berth since 1999 on Saturday night by sweeping a double header against the Lakeland Flying Tigers.  Andrew Carpenter threw six innings of one-hit baseball in the first game with his only hit allowed being a home run as the Threshers won the first game 11-1.  In the second game of the night Anthony Bastardo got his first start for the Threshers after being promoted from Lakewood.  Bastardo gave up four runs on five hits with 12 ks and three walks in the game.

Word came down in the top of the fifth inning of the second game that both Dunedin and Tampa had lost their games, so a Threshers win would clinch their playoff berth.  At that point the score was tied 4-4 so the game became crucial for the Threshers.  The team went on to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth to go up 6-4, but Lakeland made it interesting in the final frame picking up a run and getting two base runners before the Threshers could seal a victory with the 6-5 margin. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Post Season Begins Tuesday →

Andrew Carpenter Picks Up Record Tying 15th Win in Clearwater

Other Stuff

Andrew Carpenter Closes in on Clearwater Record!

Though it wasn’t his prettiest game of the year the bullpen picked him up and helped get Andrew Carpenter his record tying 15th win of the year. Andrew joins Ezequiel Astacio of the 2003 Clearwater Phillies as the only Clearwater pitcher to have ever earned 15 wins in a season. Andrew currently has a record of 15-6 and is 8-2 since the all-star break with an ERA of 2.22 over that stretch.

Continue reading Andrew Carpenter Picks Up Record Tying 15th Win in Clearwater →