The Phillies Triple-A affiliate remains in Allentown but will play in the new, 20-team Triple-A East League. The new league is comprised of three divisions. The IronPigs are in the Northeast Division with the Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays), Rochester Red Wings (Nationals), Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Yankees), Syracuse Mets (Mets), and Worcester Red Sox (Red Sox). Continue reading 2021 Lehigh Valley IronPigs
2021 Reading Fightin’ Phils
The Phillies Double-A affiliate remains in Reading but will play in the new, 12-team Double-A Northeast League. The new league includes eleven of the former teams from the old Eastern League. The Trenton Thunder are replaced by the Somerset Patriots. Continue reading 2021 Reading Fightin’ Phils
Meet Your 2021 Clearwater Threshers
Minor league baseball is prepared to continue after a hiatus in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since 2019, there have been some changes to minor league baseball. MLB used the considerable leverage granted by antitrust immunity to force all of professional baseball under its umbrella of control. First, MLB squeezed out MiLB leadership and put control of minor league baseball under the commissioner. Second, MLB exerted its will on minor league owners and dropped 40 or more teams from major league affiliations. Third, MLB restructured the minors in a way that suited MLB. And, fourth, MLB created partner leagues to soften the blow to contracted teams, those deemed to have inadequate facilities or to be geographically undesirable. Continue reading Meet Your 2021 Clearwater Threshers
Open Discussion: Week of May 2, 2021
The Phillies are 13-15 after going 3-4 last week. They split a 4-game series with the Cardinals then managed a 1-2 choke job against the Mets. They play real teams again this week and will likely have 20 losses this time next weekend. But, who cares. The Sixers are playoff bound. The NFL draft was just completed. Football is just around the corner. The NHL playoffs are close sans Flyers.
Minor League Spring Training 2021, (4/27/21)
I have to admit that I was a little excited while covering this game. First, it was Low-A Clearwater v. Dunedin. So, I got a pretty good look at players likely to be assigned to the Threshers. Second, it was the unveiling of ASZ at BCB. So, while my boxscores are accurate, my account of the game might be a little choppy. Continue reading Minor League Spring Training 2021, (4/27/21)
Minor League Spring Training 2021, (4/26/21)
The Phillies High-A squad faced the Blue Jays High-A team in BayCare Ballpark. Another of my favorite pitchers started today, Kevin Gowdy. This is likely the squad that will play out of Jersey Shore (almost wrote City, again). MLB’s fiddling with affiliates and levels means I’ll miss Gowdy in Clearwater as well as Corbin Williams, Luis Garcia, Jake Holmes, Ben Pelletier, and Abrahan Gutierrez. Continue reading Minor League Spring Training 2021, (4/26/21)
Open Discussion: Week of April 25, 2021
The Phillies are 10-11 after going 2-4 last week. They went 1-2 against the Giants and 1-2 against the Rockies. They go to St. Louis for a 4-game set against the Cardinals and then home next weekend to host the Mets. And, I don’t care. I don’t care because … Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of April 25, 2021
Minor League Spring Training 2021, (4/24/21)
The Phillies Double-A squad faced the Blue Jays Double-A team in BayCare Ballpark. It is always exciting anticipating who the starter will be and who will follow the starter. Today’s starter was one of my favorites, New Zealander, Kyle Glogoski. He pitched three innings and was followed by Nick Fanti (another favorite) and new guys Mark Appel and Mike Adams. Pretty good card to draw. Continue reading Minor League Spring Training 2021, (4/24/21)
Minor League Spring Training 2021, (4/23/21)
First-round prospect, Mick Abel pitched today. This was the first time I was able to see him pitch. It was certainly worth the wait. But, it was also a disappointing tease. Abel started the game and dominated the top of the rookie-level Tigers’ order. Abel turned them away on 8 pitches, 6 strikes, and 3 ground outs. Continue reading Minor League Spring Training 2021, (4/23/21)
2021 Discussion in Preparation for the Amateur Draft – April 23, 2021
This is the Phuture Phillies forum for the discussion of prospects eligible for the amateur draft that is scheduled to be held in less than 2 months (July 11-13, 2021). You can place video, scouting reports, or just comments here. You can reference these weekly discussions on the menu above.
Feel free to discuss the 2021 international signing period, too. It began on January 15, 2021, and runs through June 25, 2021.
This space is for the discussion of prospects in the upcoming draft and international signing period. This is NOT a place for you to complain about past picks/signings or the organization’s past/current draft and international philosophies.
