A busy morning for the Phils who announced several roster moves.  C Lou Marson was released.  P Kenny Giles, P Cesar Jiminez and SS Andres Blanco were re-assigned to minor league camp.  OF Zach Collier, OF Tyson Gillies, P Jeremy Horst and C Tommy Joseph were optioned to minor league camp.  I wouldn’t characterize any of these moves as a surprise absent mild surprise at Marson’s release.  Thinking of that as a positive, maybe the Phils are feeling more comfortable with Tommy Joseph’s health.

Looking at the first three rounds of the major league baseball draft over the past 10 years, it becomes quite clear why the Phils have the lack of depth that they are currently suffering from.  They have had very few high draft picks who have panned out in the manner you would hope and to some extent, expect.  When you look at the teams around the major leagues and review their first three rounds of draft picks over the last 10 years, there are very few teams that have produced less major league talent (regulars) than the Phils.

The benefit that the Phils received from their drafts over the last 10 years is that specific pieces have helped land the likes of Halladay, Oswalt, and Blanton.  Those pieces were critical to the success of the Phils (some more than others) in 2008-2011. It is notable however, that absent Halladay, there is no player that had prolonged success in the Phils organization.  The future holds some degree of hope with the ultimate success of the last 3-4 years still to be determined.

Looking back year by year: 2013: (1) JP Crawford; (2) Andrew Knapp; (3) Cord Sandberg; (3) Jan Hernandez.  It’s too early to pass judgement and the Crawford pick has the potential to erase plenty of bad draft memories.  Knapp has been hampered by Tommy John surgery which he underwent late last year.  Both Sandberg and Hernandez struggled mightily with the bat last year but have the talent to erase their first 100 professional at bats pretty quickly. Continue reading The Phils and the Draft–Few Hits, Plenty of Misses →

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce has arranged for a terrific opportunity for Phillies fans on Friday March 28th at Citizens Bank Park.  The day will begin at 2pm at which time, you will be allowed entrance into the DIamond Club at the park. Food and Drink will begin at 2:30 pm (included in admission price).  A full hour of questions and answers/autographs will go from 2:45 until 3:45.  At 3:50, you will go on to the field at Citizens Bank Park for an on field presentation (weather permitting), with the pre-game program ending at 4:30.  You will also receive a game ticket for that evenings pre-season game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and likely see a few of the top prospects we talk about so often here at Phuture Phillies.

The all inclusive price for this event is $95, however the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce has agreed to provide Phuture Phillies reader with a $5 discount if you use the discount code Phillyblog1 at checkout.   Click here for more  details: http://www.gpcc.com/phillies.

Some surprising news coming out of the Carpenter Complex tonight with Mike Stutes among the first group of cuts by the Phils, as he was optioned to minor league camp.  Stutes, who has battled injuries over the past two seasons struggled mightily in his early Spring Training appearances, giving up 7 earned runs in 3IP.  Also on the list of cuts are RP Luis Garcia, OF Kelly Dugan, OF Aaron Altherr, OF Leandro Castro and C Sebastian Valle.  No major surprises except for how quickly Stutes was sent back to minor league camp.

In other news at the minor league facility today, OF Anthony Hewitt came up lame (hamstring) while running out a grounder and was in a considerable amount of pain leaving the field.

After seeing my shadow, I am crawling out from the winter malaise to get back into the baseball mix.  Huge thank you’s to Matt and Brad who have held the site up over the last few months with hard work and well though out commentary. Continue reading Ground Hog Day →

Two casualties today on the waiver wire for the Phils whose pitching “depth” takes a hit.  Early today Pitcher Raul Valdes was claimed off of waivers by the Houston Astros.  Valdes went 1-1 with a 7.46 ERA in several trips up to Philly during the year. Later in the afternoon, Tyler Cloyd, 26 was picked up by the Cleveland Indians after he was removed from the 40 man roster by the Phillies. CLoyd, who was the Phillies 18th round draft pick in 2008 struggled this year going 2-7 with a 6.56 ERA with the Phillies during 13 appearances (11 starts) with the big club. 

I am not surprised that the Phillies removed either player from the 40 man roster as it was clear that neither was the answer to provide reliable depth for the club moving forward.

Lakewood

Geoff Broussard, 23; Phils 23rd round pick in 2013 draft; 35 games between CLearwater and Lakewood; 4-3 with a 3.59ERA; 1 SV; 72.2IP 84H 12BB 61K; 5 HR allowed; 0.81 GO/AO; .285 opp. avg; .304 vs. LH, .273 vs. RH, .244 with RISP; 1.32WHIP; 1.5BB/7.6K per nine; Broussard pitched in just three games for CLearwater before being sent to Lakewood where he had a fairly good season. Grade: B-; 2014: Clearwater

Chris Burgess, 23; Phils 26th round pick in 2013 draft; 24 games between Williamsport and Lakewood; 2-5 with a 3.75ERA; 5 saves; 36IP 36H 17BB 28K; 3.06GO/AO; .265 opp. avg; 1.47WHIP; 4.2BB/7.0K per nine; For Lakewood; 20 games, 2-4 with 5 saves, 3.19ERA; 1.48WHIP; .274 opp. avg; Burgess, out of Oklahoma Christian, did a decent job transitioning to professional baseball. Grade: C+; 2014: Start at Lakewood but a quick call up if successful Continue reading Report Card, Relief Pitchers, Lower Half →