Marson and Donald make US Olympic Team

Other Stuff

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)

Lakewood BlueClaws Report (7/8-7/14)

4. Lakewood

After a somewhat disappointing first half of the season for the BlueClaws, they have bounced back in the second half of the season so far. After a strong week, where they went 5-2, the BlueClaws are only three games back of the West Virginia Power for the Northen Division lead in the SAL.

Continue reading Lakewood BlueClaws Report (7/8-7/14) →

The signing deadline is one month from today

2008 Draft

And here’s basically where we stand. The following players are unsigned


109. Jonathon Pettibone, RHP (Esperanza HS, CA)
196. Colby Shreve, RHP (CC of Southern Nevada)
226. Johnny Coy, 3B (Benson HS, MO)
376. James Weber, RHP (Central Clearwater Catholic HS, FL)
766. Daniel Edwards, RHP (Kansas State)
886. Keon Broxton, 3B (Lakeland High School, FL)
916. DJ Henderson, SS (Southeastern HS, MI)
976. Sean Ellis, RHP (Polk CC, FL)
1006. James Simpson, 1B (Dowagiac Union HS, MI)
1036. Blaine O’Brien, RHP (Scituate HS, MA)
1126. Matthew Johnson, OF (John W North HS, CA)
1156. Jarred Cosart, RHP (Clear Creek HS, TX)
1186. Joseph Pond, RHP (Judge Memorial Catholic HS, UT)
1216. Daniel Marrs, RHP (James River HS, VA)
1246. Michael Petello, OF (Scottsdale CC, AZ)
1335. Charles Law, RHP (Mainland Regional HS, NJ)
1363. Justin Zumwalde, 1B (Sabino HS, AZ)
1390. Giovany Soto, LHP (Advanced Central College HS)
1444. Mark Ginther, SS (Jenks HS, OK)
1471. Michael Russo, RHP (Hun School, NJ)
1498. Josh Hake, RHP (Park University, AZ)

At this point, I think Shreve is going to get done, and I think we will see Pettibone sign as well. Coy is not going to sign. I think Weber is 50/50, since his Florida commitment is now gone. But it will take above slot to sign him, and because Shreve will cost more than slot, its iffy. Do we have hope for anyone else? Could the Phillies surprise us and sign a guy like Cosart, Marrs, or Broxton? We have one month to wait and see.

Monday notes

Other Stuff

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 →

Futures Game notes

Other Stuff

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 →

Futures Game Discussion Thread

Other Stuff

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.

Joe Savery Designated Hitter?

02. Org Reports, 5. Clearwater, Daily Discussion, Savery, Joe, Top Prospect Lists

Yes people it is true! Joe Savery was used as the team’s DH in the Clearwater Threshers game vs the Daytona Cubs. Savery was 1-3 at the plate with a sac bunt, two ground outs and a double in the game.

After not swinging a bat in a game for more than a year he was called on to do just that for the Threshers in the game on Friday night. NEVER in my 10+ years of going to minor league games in Clearwater has a pitcher been put into a game as the DH. Never even to hit for one single at bat.
Continue reading Joe Savery Designated Hitter? →

Cardenas’ stock is rising

Ten Pack/Hot Sheet

Baseball America did a midseason update of sorts today, giving their Top 25 prospects at the midseason point. Cardenas “just missed the cut” for the Top 25

Just missing the cut: Lars Anderson, 1b, Red Sox; Adrian Cardenas, 2b, Phillies; Alcides Escobar, ss, Brewers; Michael Saunders, of, Mariners; Max Scherzer, rhp, Diamondbacks.

This is obviously excellent news. Cardenas was ranked 76th overall heading into this season.

Friday discussion

Daily Discussion

I’m feeling a bit under the weather this morning, so I’ll keep this short.

* Travis d’Arnaud’s hot start continues, and with this, I was again thinking about our depth at catcher. Here are the stats

Jaramillo, AAA (age 25): .255/.316/.367
Marson, AA (age 22): .322/.444/.425
Kennelly, A- (age 21): .333/.409/.472
Naughton, A- (age 21): .268/.335/.368
d’Arnaud, SS (age 19): .342/.391/.474
Valle, RK (age 17): .293/.328/.517

Kennelly should probably be playing every day in Clearwater at this point, just so we can see what we have in him. Both he and Naughton are a touch too old for Lakewood. d’Arnaud is off to a great start at Williamsport, and Valle has adjusted well above expectations in his US debut. Jaramillo even looks like a big league backup because of his defense, and he hit the ball better in June. The Phillies catching depth is better now than I can ever remember it in the past.

Continue reading Friday discussion →

Iron Pigs Report

7. Lehigh Valley

After a 4-3 week, The ‘Pigs record stands at 38-57, in last place, 21.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket in the Northern Division of the IL.  Hitting leaders include Mike Cervenak who is 2nd in the league in at bats (355), 7th in runs (55), first in hits (110), 8th in doubles (21), and 3rd in average (.310).  Andy Tracy is 9th in slugging % (.519), 4th in on base % (.398), 2nd in walks (50), 8th in RBI’s (56), and 5th in doubles(25).  Among pitching leaders are JA Happ who is 3rd in strikeous (104) and 9th in ERA (3.54); Brian Mazone who is 8th in wins (8), 8th in ERA (3.53), 4th in IP (114.2), 5th in homers allowed (15), and 4th in WHIP (1.16).  Matt Childers is now 2nd in the league with 15 saves. Continue reading Iron Pigs Report →