The Phils continued filling their minor league needs with several signings over the last several days including:  OF Chris Duffy; INF Cody Ransom; and LHP Bill White.

Duffy, 29, is an interesting signing after the Phils had prospectively filled a need adding DeWayne Wise to an outfielder rich minor league system.  I assume the possbility exists that they are attempting to add a serviceable AAAA Outfielder in case they decide to move Brown/Taylor.  Duffy an 8th round pick by the Pirates in the 2001 draft, showed early promise, stealing 26 bases for the Pirates in 2006.  He is a career .261 major league hitter in over 700 major league at bats.  Last year, in very limited major league action he hit .125  in 19 games for Milwaukee. Continue reading Signings →

Pitchers: Michael Cisco, Age 22, 6 games (all starts); 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA.  18.2 IP, 14 H 8BB 13K, .203 opp. avg., .240 with RISP, 1.17 WHIP.  In a hitter friendly league, the Phils got what they were hoping for out of Cisco who continued to impress.  His control needs some work but he is solidifying himself into realistic prospect status in the organization.

Edgar Garcia, Age 22, 10 games (1 start), 2-2 with a 5.29 ERA. 17IP 23H 4BB 10K, .324 opp. avg., 1.58 WHIP, .267 with RISP. Garcia, who missed most of the Minor League season was less then sharp in the Fall League and was extremely hittable.  Presumably, the hitters were way ahead of him, having played a full season, but with that being said, his performace disappointed. Continue reading Arizona Fall League Final Stats →

As early December approaches, minor league teams attempt to fill in their organizational holes and the Phils are no exception.  First, they have re-signed a group of players including 1B Andy Tracy, P Jason Anderson, P Alex Concepcion and OF Rich Thompson.  Having watched many a Lehigh Valley game last year, these are excellent signings from an organizational perspective.  Tracy, although in his late thirties continues to be a team leader and a very positive presence in Allentown.  He plays a very good first place and has consistenly placed among league leaders in HR’s, RBI’s, Walks, and On Base %. He also gives you some organizational depth in that he can give you a professional at bat from the left side if called upon at the major league level. OF Rich Thompson is a personal favorite of mine as he personifies the word “hustle”.  The 30 year old Reading native had a cup of coffee in the bigs a few years back, but is now viewed as an organizational guy that does many things at an above average AAA level.  Good speed, a decent bat, and excellent fielding.  More than likely Thompson will be the 4th outfielder in a crowded Lehigh Valley outfield. Continue reading Free Agent Signings →

Here is a quick look at the Phillies Minor League Free Agents, with the beginning of the signing period 48 hours away.  The level which they are mentioned below is the level at which they ended last year. Continue reading Minor League Free Agents →

OF Quintin Berry, P Jesus Sanchez, and P Yohan Flande have all been added to the Phillies 40 man roster, effectively protecting them from selection in the upcoming Rule 5 draft.  In Sanchez’s first year on the mound, he started off slow but was very impressive by years end pitching for Lakewood. Flande, was dominant in Clearwater, but struggled at times in Reading and looks to start the year back in the Reading rotation.  Berry’s best asset is clearly his speed, which is well above average, having stolen 48 bases this year.  Plate discipline and defense appear to be the key areas for Berry to work on during the 2010 campaign which most likely will be in Lehigh Valley.

Notably, 1B Andy Tracy, P John Ennis, C Paul Hoover and P Tyler Walker were all outrighted from the Phillies and are currently free agents.  Early reports suggest that the Phils are interested in talking to at least Tracy, Ennis, and Hoover about remaining in the organization in 2010.

On Friday Scottsdale beat Pao Sagueros 9-2, with Domonic Brown being the lone Phillie prospect seeing time and going 0-4.

Saturday night saw Scottsdale fall 4-2 to Surprise, with Domonic Brown hitting third and going 0-4. Tuffy Gosewisch was behind the plate and went 1-4 with a run scored, while Troy Hanzawa continued looking for his first hit, going 0-3 starting at SS. Steve Susdorf played left and hit eighth, going 1-3 with a double and an RBI. Scott Mathieson pitched a scoreless inning, although walked two hitters. Continue reading Fall League Update →

Scottsdale returned from the short Fall league All Star break with a 3-2 loss against Mesa on Monday evening, with Edgar Garcia (2-2), taking the loss.  Garcia, gave up a run on one hit in the inning he worked.  Domonic Brown, fresh off his start in the All Star game was 1-4 with two strikeouts, while Scott Mathieson threw a scoreless eighth, walking one. Continue reading Fall League Update →

A couple of quick items before we take a look at the end of the week in the Arizona Fall League.  Infielder Brad Harmon, who spent some time in Philly in 2008, and was the everyday second baseman in Reading this year was released.  Harmon, after showing a good deal of promise, had fallen off drastically over the last two years, barely keeping his average above .200. 

Notably, Scott Mathieson, currently pitching in the Arizona Fall League was added to the Phillies 40 man roster.  Mathieson has fought back from two Tommy John surgeries and appears to be very much in the mix for a spot in the Phils bullpen next year. Continue reading Fall League Update; Quick Notes →