Everyone knows the deal. Coming into spring training, Donald was going to see time at 2B and 3B in the event that Chase Utley or Pedro Feliz wouldn’t be ready for Opening Day. It appears both guys have a shot to be in the opening day lineup, Utley seems a better bet than Feliz. That raises the question, what happens with Donald? He’s hitting .379 this spring, much of it coming after a slow start where he appeared to be pressing a bit. He’s also drawn 6 walks. But if he isn’t looking at full time at bats, what is going to happen to him? I personally think he’s going to be one of the last cuts from the squad and sent to AAA where he’ll play both 2B and 3B, mostly 3B. But have your say here

I feel like I made a post similar to this one a year ago, but maybe not. Anyway, Tom Verducci, who writes for Sports Illustrated, did a study and found that pitchers under the age of 25 who throw 30 more innings than they did the previous season break down at a fairly high rate. You can read his article here in which he outlines the basic premise. More below the fold…

Continue reading Phillies pitching prospects and the “Rule of 30” →

Dan, who joined us for the first part of 2009 as the Lakewood correspondent is back this season to cover Lakewood. Jeff is also rejoining us for Threshers coverage, while Zac and Gregg will take care of Reading and Lehigh Valley. Thanks to those of you who expressed interest.

After a very effective outing yesterday by Chan Ho Park (4 IP, 1 ER), JA Happ followed that up today with 3 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 7.  Kendrick and Carrasco are going to have some catching up to do, although I believe absent a phenominal spring by Carrasco, the Phils have always intended him to start this season in AAA.

John Mayberry, Jr. hit another homer today, bouncing back well from a game yesterday where he left 4 men on base.

     Spring training is well underway, and I was wondering if any minor leaguers appear destined to make the jump to the majors.  Those with an outside shot at the beginning of ST were Happ, Carrasco, Mayberry, Marson, and Donald.

Continue reading Who is Making the Jump? →

After a good first 2 innings, Kyle Kendrick was blasted in the 3rd inning, giving up 4 runs, on 5 hits.  Antonio Bastardo fared no better against the tough U.S. lineup, giving up 5 runs (on 3 homers) in his 2.1 innings. He walked 2 and struck out 2. 

As far as hitting prospects go, John Mayberry, Jr. was 1-5, Lou Marson 2-4, and Jason Donald 1-3 with his first homer of the spring, a solo shot. 

Justin Lehr pitched a scoreless inning for the Phils, striking out 2, while Joe Bisenius gave up a run on 3 hits, in his inning of work for the U.S.

Andrew Carpenter had another awful outing today against the Canadien national team, going 2 innings and giving up 2 runs on 3 hits.  Most concerning were his four walks allowed.  While there had been a great deal of hope from sources within the Phils organization that he would become the season in AAA, he is pitching himself out of the picture quickly.

Note:  John Mayberry continued to swing a hot bat, connecting on his first homer of the spring in the game today.

Updating this, since Jeff has come back aboard. I’m looking for someone to write the weekly Lakewood report this year, with the report coming on either Monday or Thursday. If you’d be interested, drop an email to phuturephillies at gmail dot com. Thanks.

Or whatever version we’re on. I have to have my wisdom teeth taken out tomorrow. So I plan on ingesting quite a few pills and sleeping for 3-4 days, hence my absence here. If any of the contributors here want to put a post up discussing spring training info or anything else, feel free, but I probably won’t be checking in until sometime next week. Thanks.

John Mayberry Jr’s setup at the plate, and his profile, reminds me a bit of Mike Cameron with a bit less speed. Am I off base there?

Mike Cameron.

Modest OB%, good power, decent speed. In his career, Cameron has hit lefties much better than righties, the same thing I’m expecting out of Mayberry.