With 3 prospects from my Top 30 traded, it was time for an update. The next update will come after the trading deadline, as I suspect more moves are in the works. Again, a quick thanks to everyone who stopped in for the first time, and for those who continue to check in regularly. The Blanton discussion obviously got heated, but I think its important to remember that we’re all Phillies fans at the end of the day, and we’re all rooting for Big Joe to pitch well. Also, best wishes to Adrian, Josh and Matt in Oakland, and we’ll continue to check in on them and see how they are doing as the season progresses. Have a nice weekend.

No names released yet, as far as I’ve seen. I’ll update this spot when the names are known. Hold your breath.

Update—> Cardenas, Spencer and Outman.

Wow.

For A’s fans who find the blog, you can find info on these guys here.

Cardenas
Outman
Spencer

Saw this at BA, thought I’d pass it along.

“I was really excited,” Donald said after taking batting practice at the Double-A Eastern League All-Star game. “My mind just started racing just thinking about everything. I don’t think I really heard too much after they told me that I made the club. Now hopefully it starts to sink in a little more. I still have a little bit, a couple more weeks here, l and I’m going to do my best to finish it out with Reading and then go on to Beijing and try to win a gold medal.”

Donald, 23, is batting .301/.381/.493 in 302 at-bats this season for Double-A Reading. One of the better offensive shortstops in the minors, Donald doesn’t have any experience playing in international competitions, but his sound approach at the plate and line-drive stroke should be assets when the Olympics begin next month.

“You hear things, obviously with Cuba just because of our history with them, and I know just how good of a baseball country they are, but you know I really don’t know too much,” Donald said. “I know they’re going to bring their best, as are all the teams, so I’m just looking forward to the opportunity.”

It was rumored before, its official now.

Pitching Staff

Brett Anderson (A’s), Geno Espineli (Giants), Clayton Richard (White Sox), Jake Arrieta (Orioles), Trevor Cahill (A’s), Kevin Jepsen (Angels), Brandon Knight (Mets), Mike Koplove (Dodgers), Blaine Neal (Tigers), Jeff Stevens (Indians), Casey Weathers (Rockies), Stephen Strasburg (San Diego State).

Catchers

Lou Marson (Phillies), Taylor Teagarden (Rangers)

Infielders

Brian Barden (Cardinals), Matt Brown (Angels), Jason Donald (Phillies), Mike Hessman (Tigers), Terry Tiffee (Dodgers)

Outfielders

Dexter Fowler (Rockies), John Gall (Marlins), Matt LaPorta (Indians), Colby Rasmus (Cardinals)

Just a few notes today to give you something to think about.

* Josh Outman, after a rough transition to the bullpen, seems to be getting things on track. Over his last 10 games he’s put up this line;

17.0 IP — 1.59 ERA — 12 H — 5 BB — 9 K

I still disagree with the decision to move him to the pen, but at this point, it has to soon be time to bring him up and get his feet wet. If the goal was to have him available for the stretch drive, its better that he gets into games now instead of being thrown into the fire in September.

Continue reading Monday notes →

Due to flipping around, I only caught the first few innings of the game and I missed Golson’s time in the spotlight, so I figured I’d just post the thoughts of others who saw the game. If you find more accounts/summaries of the game, post them in the comments and I’ll add them here. Click below

Continue reading Futures Game notes →

The Futures Game is today at 12:30 Eastern on ESPN2. If you’d like to share your thoughts while the game is happening, do it here. I’ll maybe do a little writeup tomorrow and hit on our players, but feel free to discuss the game here.

When you start your pro career with a grand slam, everything else will seem like a disappointment, right?

Happy Wednesday, some random thoughts…

* With the signing of Trevor May, the Phillies draft board is now taking shape. The Phillies took lots of high school kids in the first 10 rounds, and so far, they’ve followed through on a number of those picks. They now have 3 unsigned picks in the first 10 rounds, plus James Weber in the 12th round. My general thoughts on the likelihood of these guys is as follows

Pettibone – 75%
Shreve – 90%
Coy – 0% (he enrolled in classes, he’s gone)
Weber – 40%

Pettibone wasn’t a highly touted guy, but he has everything the Phillies look for in a pitching prospect. I’d imagine he’ll sign, probably close to the deadline, probably for slightly above slot money. I still believe that Shreve was a pre-draft deal, and that it will be announced right near the deadline, probably for mid-late 2nd round money. Coy is gone, it was a decent risk to take, it seems that the Phillies really made an effort, so I won’t fault them. Weber seems less likely, he has a good college commitment, but I’ll hold out hope.

Continue reading Wednesday notes →