OF John Mayberry, Jr, was optioned to Triple A Lehigh Valley, while Catcher Dane Sardinha and SS Ozzie Chavez were re-assigned to Minor League Camp today by the Phils. Mayberry was a good Spring, hitting .289 with a homer a 6 RBI’s in his 38 AB’s. Sardinha hit .154 this Spring.  Chavez  hit .200 in his 25 at bats and will fill a middle infield spot in Reading or Lehigh Valley depending upon needs.

Notes: Harold Garcia, who played almost exclusively at 2B last year in Lakewood, played SS in the High A game yesterday.

—Yohan Flande was hit hard in the AA game, giving up 7 runs over 4.2 innings.

—Scott Mathieson threw 2 scoreless innings, without allowing a hit in the AAA game.

I’m short on time today, but I wanted to post an open discussion thread on the Lakewood/Clearwater rosters, since we did something similar for Reading and Lehigh Valley a little while back. So, what do we think the starting lineup and pitching staffs will look like?

Also, someone started an NCAA-style tournament of Phillies blogs, and phuturephillies has advanced to the Sweet 16, and it looks like my next matchup is today, so go here and vote if you want to.

With the bases loaded and two out, Michael Schwimer was summoned in to try and put out the fire. And sure enough, he did, striking out Gregor Blanco on what looked like a hard slider on the outside corner. The ESPN gun had him at 91-93, and the slide came in at 85 mph. Congrats to Schwim.

David Herndon threw a messy scoreless inning, but in fairness to him, Laz Diaz (and his awful strike zone) was behind the plate and appeared to squeeze him a number of times.

Left Handed Relief Pitcher Mike Zagurski was optioned to Minor League camp today, leaving Antonio Bastardo as the last man standing in the competition for the LOOGY poisition in the Phils bullpen.  Zagurski came on strong at the end of last season pitching in Reading after missing a good deal of time recovering from surgery.  Bastardo, 24, pitched very well in the Minors last year before coming up and making several spot starts for the Phils before being shut down with shoulder problems.  Bastardo seems to have recovered from his shoulder issues and spent the Winter pitching in the DOminican League.

I figured a post like this (and one looking at guys I’m worried about) would be a good topic as the season gets close. I’m not really sure if “breakout” is the word I’m looking for, but basically I’m putting together a list of 6 players (3 position players, 3 pitchers) who I feel will take steps forward in 2010. Either this means they are rebounding from a poor season, or they are going to surpass expectations this season. I won’t include guys on my Top 30 list, since I obviously feel highly about those guys anyway and I’ve discussed many of them at great length. I’m going to use this piece as a way to talk about a few guys that I maybe haven’t given as much time to. So check below and we’ll get started.

Continue reading Breakout candidates for 2010 →

Three more Phils were sent from Major League Spring Training to the Minors late yesterday.  SS Brian Bocock, 1B Andy Tracy and Relief Pitcher Ehren Wasserman all were re-assigned to Minor League camp, leaving the Phils with 35 on their roster.  Both Wasserman and Tracy are expected to be on the Lehigh Valley opening day roster with Bocock’s assignment a bit more of a question mark depending on the Phils needs throughout the system.

Left Handed Reliever Sergio Escalona was optioned to the minors today after struggling this Spring.  With JC Romero almost a certainty to begin the season on the DL, the remaining competition for his roster spot as a late inning lefty out of the ‘pen is between Antonio Bastardo and Mike Zagurski.  Although Bastardo has more “upside” then Zagurski, Zagurski has been far more effective thus far in Spring Training. Last years minor leaguers remaining in Major League camp include: Pitchers: Kendrick, Herndon(Rule 5), Bastardo, Zagurski, and Wasserman. 

Infielders: Bocock, Chavez, Ransom, Valdez, Tracy.  Catcher: Sardinha  Outfield:  Mayberry and Wise.

Tentatively I’m hoping to have my list of breakout guys for 2010 published on Monday, I’ll have my potential busts for 2010 for Tuesday, and then the SONAR stuff for pitchers on Wednesday or Thursday. This is subject to change of course based on the amount of time I have over the next few days, but its my hope.

Today’s poll question;

Which Phillies centerfield prospect do you expect to have the better 2010, Anthony Gose or Tyson Gillies? Both guys have gotten lots of positive press, they’ll start 1 level apart and both should log 550+ PA’s. Both have intriguing skill sets, and there is a debate to be had over how they should rank on the Phillies Top 30. I ranked Gillies higher, but I can see the arguments for Gose. So, make your pick and take your stand.

Update 3:00 p.m. Since this post was published about two hours ago, both Andrew Carpenter and Ryan Vogelsong have been sent down to Minor League camp.

As the Minor League Exhibition season begins and with many of those in major league camp being sent down to compete in the Minor League phase of Spring training, here is a look at how those players that have seen time in Major League “A” games fared thus far in the Spring.  Included are only those who will start the season in the minors and those who are competing for final roster spots in Philly.

Pitchers:

Starters-Kyle Kendrick:  9IP 4H 0ER 0BB 2K; 0.00 ERA, 0.44 WHIP; Andrew Carpenter 8 IP 5H 1ER 1BB 9K; 1.13 ERA, 0.75 WHIP; Ryan Vogelsong 3IP 7H 4ER 3BB 1K; 12.00 ERA; Phillipe Aumont, 2.2 IP 2H 0ER 1BB, 0K; 0.00 ERA; Joe Savery 3IP 4H 3ER 2BB 1K; 9.00 ERA; Drew Naylor 2IP 1H 0ER 0BB 2K; 0.00 ERA; Yohan Flande: 3IP 6H 2ER 0BB 1K; 6.00 ERA, Jesus Sanchez, 1 IP 0H 0ER 0BB 2K; JC Ramirez: 4.1 IP 6H 4ER 3BB 3K; 8.31 ERA 2.08 WHIP. Continue reading A Quick Look Around →

As you know, I have been writing columns at this site for about a year now and I would like your feedback about their content.  The columns to date have included my insights into the world of minor league baseball.  I have written several types of articles that include: Q and A, mailbag, pitching philosophy, daily life, pitching mechanics, and interaction with big league players.  Which type of column is your preference?  Is there a topic I haven’t covered that you would like to read about?   I have really appreciated your support during this past year and I would like to improve upon the content of my columns so that you get to read what is of interest to you.  If you would like to provide me with your feedback, or if you have other questions you would like for me to answer, please feel free to let me know in the comments section or via email at x