I wanted to start a new discussion repository, so this is it. Talk about whatever you’d like. I’m currently working on my preliminary top 30, because I’m again putting together a Top 30 list for the Maple Street Press Phillies annual thing. Which got me to thinking. So we’ll have a poll, related to the Reader Top 30. Last year we started late and voted up through spring training. We can do that again this year, or we can start earlier, like after Thanksgiving, and then wrap things up after Christmas. I have no preference, I just run the thing, so its your call. Vote, and also express your opinion one way or another. I won’t necessarily just decide based on the vote totals (unless its completely lopsided), I want to hear rationale as well. Thanks.

Time for a new post with a fresh discussion topic. But first, a thank you is in order. I try to say it every once in a while in post form, but I really appreciate all of the support this site has received in the last 3+ years. By the time you’re reading this, the site odometer will have probably ticked to 5 million. 5 million hits. It kind of blows my mind, considering how the site started. So I wanted to thank a bunch of people, starting with gregg. You’ve been the glue that has held this place together over the last few years. As I’ve changed jobs and moved into a position that doesn’t allow me access during the day, and doesn’t afford me the same free time I had to maintain the site and regularly write, you’ve more than picked up the slack. Big thanks also to Todd, Dave, Cody, Andy, Zac, Chuck, and everyone else who has contributed content here. Another round of applause for all of the regular readers and commenters as well. Different view points are certainly a key to any discussion, and I appreciate that the people who do spend a lot of time here help to self-moderate the discussion and keep people in line, as I really don’t have the time to play nanny at this point. I appreciate each and every one of you who continue to come back, who share the site with your friends, family and enemies. Thank you to everyone who has kindly donated, those who have suggested new features for the site, Rob for designing the banner for the site, and anyone else who has helped me improve the look and features of the site. Really, the success of the site, the way its grown, amazes me, and I’m really happy to have created something that a lot of people get enjoyment out of. So, everyone, give yourself a round of applause.

Now, here is your open post to discuss the prospect things you find interesting. I’ll throw a topic out there. What role do you think Phillippe Aumont will play next year, and at what level do you think he will begin the season?

I wanted to create another open discussion post. In this edition, I’ll give you the chance to talk about your favorite sleeper prospects heading into 2011. Note, Brody Colvin, Jon Singleton and the like are not sleepers. A sleeper prospect is a guy that people don’t talk about a lot, or do not consider in the upper tier of our prospects. Think more obscure, under the radar guys who you think might break out. Here’s your chance to hype up your guys ahead of the Reader Top 30 this winter. Go!

At this moment in time, how much do you miss Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor and Travis D’Arnaud?

We’re gonna wait a bit to start the reader Top 30. The MLB playoffs start soon, so there will be discussion there. So I wanted to throw this out there. With Domonic Brown still a rookie, he is a lock to be the #1 prospect in the system. After him, the next 3 guys are probably Singleton, Colvin and Cosart in some order. Then maybe Trevor May.

So here is today’s discussion quest. Which guys do you see falling in the 6-10 range? 1-5 seems fairly easy, 6-10 doesn’t. You don’t need to rank guys now, but I’m curious to see who everyone thinks should be in the 6-10 range in some order. Lets hear it.

–In a column written by Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies Director of Minor League Development Chuck Lamar stated that Anthony Hewitt will spend next season back in Lakewood, repeating Low A after his performance this year for the BlueClaws which was disappointing at best. With an average that has hovered around .200 and a strikeout rate at 35%, there is really no other logical choice.

–The Minor League season appears to be over for Michael Schwimer who has been on the DL for the past 10 days or so with a lower back strain that had Lehigh Valley been in contention, he would most likely be pitching through.  His placement onto the DL was a precautionary measure. A very successful season for Schwimer who has placed himself firmly onto the radar for a bullpen spot with the Phillies next season.

–Still uncertainty in Lehigh Valley as to who will be starting for the Phillies on Monday.  After being removed having pitched just one inning last night, it was widely assumed that Vance Worley would be the man.  During interviews after the game, Worley stated “he did not know anything….all I know is that I pitched an inning and got a handshake” Lehigh Valley still lists Andrew Carpenter and Nate Robertson as the starters for their final two games, while Worley is now listed as the probable for Monday on the Phillies website.

Sorry for the late post. Im desperately short on time. If someone wants to add the box score links, that would be great. Other than that, discuss away.

You know the drill.

GCL Phillies game was suspended
Williamsport lost 6-1.
Lakewood off.
Clearwater postponed
Reading won 7-6.
Lehigh Valley won 5-1.

Something random. I missed this, but the Phillies signed Drew Rundle a few days/weeks ago, and he’s been at Williamsport. He was a 14th round pick in 2006 by the Cubs, but received a $500K bonus, well above slot. His report back then

Two Oregon-bred outfielders went in the first round in 2005, but both Portland’s Trevor Crowe and Madras’ Jacoby Ellsbury were drafted out of college, not high school. Rundle entered the spring with a chance to join them as first-rounders after a strong summer on the showcase circuit, where he showed the ability to hit off top-flight pitchers in his draft class with good velocity. That momentum didn’t carry over to the spring, though, and his hopes for being drafted highly rest primarily on his athletic ability and his performance last summer. Rundle has changed his approach this spring, spreading out at the plate (with a stance similar to Jim Edmonds’) to gain better plate coverage. He’s not strong enough to generate power from the stance and had only one homer all spring as the draft approached. Unlike Edmonds (or burners Crowe and Ellsbury), Rundle doesn’t profile as a center fielder even though he’s a present average runner, so scouts are seeing a corner outfielder who isn’t showing present power. He has average arm strength, and scouts who like him point out he hasn’t seen much to hit all spring. An Arizona recruit as was Crowe before him, he’s expected to go off the board in the first five rounds.

He was decent from 2006-2008, but really struggled last year. After hitting 10 HR in 2008, he hit just 3 last year. He’s never played above A+ ball, and he’s now back in SS ball, but still interesting. I remember reading about him during the 2006 draft, always interesting to see these guys pop up. Not saying he’s a great prospect or anything, but interesting nonetheless.

We’ve got box scores!

GCL Phillies won 5-0.
Williamsport lost 8-3.
Lakewood won 17-3.
Clearwater lost 4-0.
Reading lost 11-0.
Lehigh Valley lost 6-0.

* Jesse Biddle was good again. 5 IP – 0 ER – 2 H – 2 BB – 3 K. Has been awesome for the last month.
* Kelly Dugan is raking, on his “rehab assignment” 12/20 with 3 2B a BB and a SB
* Leandro Castro 2/6 with 2 HR, Valle with another HR (15) and even Hewitt with #8

The End.

I won’t even bother with the box scores. All anyone is going to discuss are the trade rumors surrounding Jayson Werth and Roy Oswalt and whoever else. So just have a go, no using fighting it.