David Whitehead takes the 46th prospect slot in our poll. He received 26 of 141 votes (18.44%). Mitch Gueller finished second with 23 votes
The current poll’s selections so far are listed below. Continue reading PhuturePhillies Reader Top 30 (50) Poll for #47
The temperatures were about the same today, but even with the lack of a heavy breeze, most players still opted to wear their windbreakers. I arrived in time for PFPs and followed Jesse Biddle’s group. The only other guys I recognized were Papelbon and Mario Hollands.
The picture below shows Biddle fielding a come backer from Coach Larry Bowa and preparing to throw home. Biddle is one of the few pitchers in camp to opt for the more stylish stirrup socks, a look I prefer to the “pajama pants” that major leaguers usually wear. This is Richie Ashburn Field. The clubhouse and team offices are behind the left field fence in the background. Continue reading Pitchers and Catchers, Day Two.
Malquin Canelo takes the 45th prospect slot in our poll. He received 27 of 118 votes (23%). David Whitehead finished second with 21 votes
The current poll’s selections so far are listed below. Continue reading PhuturePhillies Reader Top 30 (50) Poll for #46
Players and fans braved the 40-plus degree weather for the official start of Phillies’ spring training this morning. I arrived early and collected the roster and schedules they provide and made my way to the bleachers to see who was in attendance.
It was very difficult to identify the players since most of them kept their wind breakers on during calisthenics and long toss. Ethan Martin and Jake Diekman were the first to drop their jackets. Jonathan Papelbon was easily recognizable in his white-rimmed sunglasses. Cole Hamels was also easy to pick out by his delivery and follow through. In the past, Hamles could be easily spotted because he was he longest long tosser at the start of camp. Thankfully he reigned it in today in the chilly weather.
After losening their arms, they broke out for pitching and four rounds of PFPs. Before they got to bunting and conditioning, I drove over to Bright House Field to see which position players had reported early. Most players have been see around the complex, but I did not see the big names taking batting practice. Once again, wind breakers prevented the easy identification of players, but I was able to pick out Kelly Dugan, Darin Ruf, Odubel Herrera, and Cody Asche.
Cody Asche shagged balls in left field during BP, but as I left I spotted him taking ground balls at third on the half-field outdside Bright House. Freddy Galvis and another SS were also taking ground balls (maybe Andres Blanco?)
Here is a copy of the Spring Training roster. No surprises among the players. Guest instructors include Dan Plesac and Aaron Rowand among other, more familiar names.
The XST schedule has been set Those files are attached below.
2015 XST Schedule – Page 1, 2015 XST Schedule – Page 2
The Minor League schedule I posted several weeks ago remains unchanged. As always, if you would like an electronic copy of any of the files, contact me thru prospectpoll@yahoo.com.
Samuel Hiciano takes the 44th prospect slot in our poll. He received 28 of 148 votes (18.92%). David Whitehead finished second with 17 votes
The current poll’s selections so far are listed below. Continue reading PhuturePhillies Reader Top 30 (50) Poll for #45
Elvis Araujo takes the 43rd prospect slot in our poll. He received 22 of 158 votes (14%). Samuel Hiciano finished second with 20 votes
The current poll’s selections so far are listed below. Continue reading PhuturePhillies Reader Top 30 (50) Poll for #44
Adam Morgan takes the 42nd prospect slot in our poll. He received 36 of 131 votes (27%). Elvis Araujo and Miguel Canelo finished second with 14 votes each.
The current poll’s selections so far are listed below. Continue reading PhuturePhillies Reader Top 30 (50) Poll for #43
Pitchers and catchers report Wednesday, first practice Thursday. The equipment truck arrived safely Sunday morning. My daughter flew down Sunday afternoon with her family. They sat 2 rows in front of Ruben Amaro on the plane. The Phillies front office will take up residence in the top floor of the administration building at Bright House Field for the duration of spring training. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of February 16th
Brian Pointer takes the 41st prospect slot in our poll. He received 18 of 105 votes (18%). Adam Morgan finished second with 12 votes.
Pointer had a successful off season as his Perth Heat won the Australian Basball League’s Claxton Shield.
The current poll’s selections so far are listed below. Continue reading PhuturePhillies Reader Top 30 (50) Poll for #42
So, as Spring Training approaches, I am getting the itch to write a bit, so I am going to do just that as time permits. With the Phillies roster in transitional flux, Lehigh Valley looks to have an interesting mixture of youthful pitching combined with some AAAA talented hitting. Lets take a look at the roster possibilities and probabilities.
Catcher: With Cameron Rupp likely to back up Chooch in Philly, The IronPigs should roster two of the Tommy Joseph, Koyie Hill, Rene Garcia and John Hester quartet. Joseph remains on the 40 man roster but has yet to prove his long term health. My thought is Hill and Hester end up on the Lehigh Valley opening day roster.
Infield: I think it is unlikely Maikel Franco makes the Phils out of Spring Training for a variety of reasons, with service time implications at the top of the list. He will be manning the hot corner out of the gate for the ‘Pigs. At 1B will likely be Russ Canzler, a local product and AAA veteran who did a nice job for Lehigh Valley after being picked up in June last year. Likely veterans up the middle as well, with Andres Blanco back in the fold at SS to go along with Chase D’Arnaud who was picked up as a free agent out of the Pirates system in the off-season. Look for Chris Nelson, a high 1st round pick in 2004 to see time all around the infield as a utility player.
Outfield: Look for Aaron Altherr to man one of the OF spots for the ‘Pigs as the 24 year old is on the 40 man roster and spent all of last season in Reading. The Phillies claimed Jordan Danks off of waivers in the off season from the WHite Sox and the likelihood is that he ends up in Lehigh Valley because of the necessity of keeping promising Rule 5 pick Odubel Herrera on the major league roster all season. Danks has an option left and look for the Phils to use it. Oft injured Kelly Dugan is likely to see substantial time in the Lehigh Valley outfield this season. As a member of the 40 man roster and a fairly consistent hitter in the minors, Dugan could play himself into a 4th outfielder contender for the Phillies come 2016. Look for the other two outfield roster openings to be filled by 2 of the following: Cameron Perkins, Jeff Francoeur, Brian Bogusevic, Darin Mastroianni and Xavier Paul.
Starting Pitching: This is an area that looks to be very interesting with significant talent coming into the organization through trades and additional talent coming back from injury. Sean O’Sullivan and Kevin Slowey look to be the veteran presence on the mound for Lehigh Valley, Both have major league experience and have experienced success at AAA. Look for both to eat significant innings for the ‘Pigs. Both Adam Morgan and Jonathan Pettibone return from significant injuries and will be watched closely in the Spring with the hope that they rejoin the Lehigh Valley rotation in the short term. My expectation is that Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez will be in the Lehigh Valley rotation at the beginning of the year. The Phils have hoped to move him back into the rotation and assuming he has command, he is at the AAA level. Look for Joely Rodriguez, acquired in the Antonio Bastardo deal from the Pirates to open the season in the Lehigh Valley rotation as well.
Bullpen: Cesar Jiminez is back with the organization and all but guaranteed a bullpen spot after a successful 2014 with both Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia. Ethan Martin is likely to be in the IronPig ‘pen after a disappointing 201 during which he was often injured and pitched poorly. Hector Neris is a dark horse for the Phillies bullpen but more likely ends up in Lehigh Valley. The Phils brass have been extremely impressed with Neris during winter ball and at the end of 2014. The other four spots are likely to be filled by some combination of Elvis Arajuo, Nefi Ogando, Tyler Knigge, Jeanmar Gomez, Ryan O’Sullivan and Colton Murray.
