All posts by jimpeyton19

Spring Training Tickets … Hmmm

Other Stuff

I have been a Clearwater Threshers’ season ticket holder since moving to Clearwater in November 2011. As a season ticket holder one of my perks is the option of purchasing individual game tickets to Phillies’ spring training games a few days before they go on sale to the general public in January.

When I asked if they had season ticket packages for spring training, I was told they did not because they had to make sure that the fans who came down from Philadelphia were able to buy tickets.

I guess it’s no surprise that the regular season play of the Phillies the past couple years has had an effect on spring training ticket sales. Spring training attendance has dropped each of the last two seasons.

So, this week I received an e-mail from Phillies.com. I incorrectly assumed that it was to trumpet a merchandise sale for the holidays at their online store, and didn’t read it until today. Lo and behold, I as a Threshers’ season ticket holder am being offered the opportunity to purchase spring training tickets 3 days BEFORE the 3-game packages go on sale next week. And with very few restrictions. I can buy 4 tickets to each of their four most popular games – Tampa, Boston, Tampa again, and the Yankees. Plus I can buy up to 12 tickets to each of the remaining 12 games. Lucky me!

What better barometer is there of the state of Phillies’ ticket sales when they don’t expect to generate enough spring training sales to Phillies’ fans traveling to Florida in March than this change in policy.

 

AFL – Colton Murray

8. Arizona Fall League

Colton Murray was selected to participate in the Arizona Fall League based on his good 2014 season. Murray began the season in Clearwater and pitched well enough in relief to warrant a promotion to Reading after 11 appearances. His 2014 numbers were –

  •           G     IP       H     R    ER    HR    HB    BB    K    Avg.    WHIP    GO/AO    W    L    SV    SVO
  • A+    11   17.2   16    4      4       0        0       8     17   .242     1.36         0.62       2     2     2        3
  • AA    36   59.0   39  22   15       5        2     22    60   .188     1.03         1.00       1     5     6      10
  • Tot. 47   76.2   55  26   19       5        2     30    77   .201     1.11         0.90       3     7     8      13

His 47 appearances tied his professional high. His 76.2 innings pitched represented a career high. His 77 strike outs, .201 opponents batting average, and 1.11 WHIP were career bests.  He had a 9.04 K/9 but a 3.52 BB/9 that contributed to a 2.57 K/BB.

Murray produced unevenly in the fall league. He allowed runs in 4 of his 11 appearances, taking a loss in two of those four games. He pitched 6 hitless outings in his 7 other appearances, and recorded 3 Holds. His AFL stats – Continue reading AFL – Colton Murray →

AFL – Adam Morgan

8. Arizona Fall League

The Arizona Fall League came to an end yesterday. A one-game playoff will be held on Saturday without the participation of the Scottsdale Scorpions (and the 7 Phillies on the roster). The Scorpions finished in third place in the East Division with a 12-20 record.

Prospect Adam Morgan returned to action in the AFL.  A shoulder injury had sidelined him for the entire 2014 regular season. He threw some during the FIL and subsequently made 6 appearances in Arizona, 5 starts. He recorded a 1-2 record and put together the following resume – Continue reading AFL – Adam Morgan →

Minor Moves

Transactions

MLB Trade Rumors reports eight minor league signings by the Phillies.  This isn’t too big a deal.  Last week, Baseball America reported that 16 Phillies’ AAA and AA players entered free agency.  The Phillies will be signing a lot of minor league free agents to fill out rosters.

The signings of John Hester, Brian Bogusevic, and Darin Mastroianni had been reported earlier.

Andres Blanco and Russ Canzler represent the resigning of players who were on IronPigs roster last season.

Outfielders Jeff Francoeur, Xavier Paul, and infielder Chase D’Arnaud will be new to the organization.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/phillies-sign-francoeur-seven-others-to-minor-league-deals.html

Burnett Elects Free Agency – Official

Transactions

And the Phillies finally announce that A.J. Burnett has declined his option and has elected free agency.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/a-j-burnett-declines-player-option.html

Phillies Sign FA Sizemore and Avoid Arbitration with Jimenez

Transactions

Yesterday, the Phillies signed Jerome Williams and I opined that he was the cheaper option over Kyle Kendrick.  Today’s story, first reported by Todd Zolecki, announces the signing of Grady Sizemore and Cesar Jimenez.  The Jimenez signing keeps some cheap pitching depth in the organization.  The Sizemore signing coupled with Darin Ruf’s only playing first base through his first five games for Tigres del Licey, probably signals the inevitable end of the “Darin Ruf Outfield Experiment” and quite possibly his tenure in the organization.

http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/99397132/phillies-sign-grady-sizemore-to-boost-outfield-depth

Phillies Sign Williams to One-Year Deal

Transactions

Looks like the Phillies have opted for the cheaper option between free agents Jerome Williams and Kyle Kendrick for next year’s starting rotation.   This story was reported by Todd Zolecki and also rehashes other rotation options like Miguel Gonzalez.

http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/99171332/phillies-sign-right-hander-jerome-williams-to-one-year-deal

Prospects’ Fall and Winter Stats

8. Arizona Fall League, 9. Winter Leagues

The Arizona Fall, Venezuelan Winter, and Mexican Pacific leagues have all begun.

The Dominican Winter League starts on October 17th.

The Puerto Rican League starts on October 30th, as does the Australian Baseball League.  Williamsport pitcher, Josh Warner is on the reserve list for the Brisbane Bandits.  Tim Kennelly is on the Pert Heat with two brothers .  Remember Tim?  I think the Phillies tried his bat at all 8 positions before taking a look at his 95 mph arm.  He was  released in 2013.

The Caribbean Series runs February 2-8, 2015.  Last year, Sebastian Valle hit a grand slam in the championship game and former Phillies’ “prospect” Chris Roberson (2001, 9th round) was voted MVP of the series.

This link will take you to the stats of Phillies’ organization players playing ball during the off season.

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/org.jsp?id=phi

Jesse Biddle Pitches in the Florida Instructional League; 10/10/2014

0. Instructional League, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday morning’s game signaled the end of the Phillies’ 2014 instructional league season. A few players may move on to their winter league teams, most will return home and continue working out until they return to Clearwater to participate in spring training for the 2015 season.

The Phillies were taking on the Blue Jays from neighboring Dunedin. Attendance was a little higher this morning than it had been all week. We were ready to watch as many as nine pitchers take the mound for each team as they prepared to break for the winter. I don’t think any of us had the slightest inkling that Jesse Biddle would be taking the mound and that he would pitch two innings. Continue reading Jesse Biddle Pitches in the Florida Instructional League; 10/10/2014 →

Florida Instructional League; Intrasquad Game – 10/8/2014

0. Instructional League, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Well, the Instructional League is winding down. Only a couple of scouts were on hand for the final intrasquad game on Wednesday. Two Phillies’ teams played six innings to a 2-1 conclusion. I don’t have velocities and didn’t bother to count pitches. Instead, here are a few observations. Continue reading Florida Instructional League; Intrasquad Game – 10/8/2014 →