Monday the Phillies traveled to the Blue Jays’ Englebert Complex to face a line up that included three position players who are headed to the Arizona Fall League, three pitchers who are also going to the AFL, and Vladimir Guerrero’s talented, 16-year old son. Both teams combined to produce only nine hits, but the Jays were able to turn their six hits into five runs while their pitchers shutout the Phillies on three hits.
Continue reading Florida Instructional League – Game #5; 10/5/2015
Since Tuesday’s game, the Phillies have traveled to Tampa and had two camp days. More camp days is a direct result of the Pirates decision not to schedule very many games this year. I don’t believe they are travelling out of Bradenton at all this fall.
This morning at ten o’clock, the Phillies took the field against the Blue Jays. Tyler Gilbert got the start. He was followed by Edgar Garcia, Alexis Rivero, and Robert Tasin. The top of the Phillies order was comprised of Roman Quinn, J.P. Crawford, and Domonic Brown. Cornelius Randolph batted fifth and Jhailyn Ortiz was the DH and batted seventh. Sixteen year old Rafael Marchan also made a cameo at catcher but played the field for only half of an inning.
The Phillies received some good pitching and outscored the Jays 6-4. Details below the fold.
Continue reading Florida Instructional League – Game #4; 10/3/2015
Okay, it wasn’t a pennant. But it was the Florida State League North Division’s First Half clinching game. On June 14th, the Daytona Tortugas beat the Tampa Yankees to raise their record to 37-26. That same day the Clearwater Threshers beat the Brevard County Manatees to raise their record to 32-31 and remain 5 games back with 7 to play.
While Daytona was dropping a four game series on the road against the Fort Myers Miracle, the Threshers split their series with the St. Lucie Mets. They crept back within 3 games of the Tortugas with a pivotal half-ending, three game series between the teams this week. A series sweep by Clearwater would tie the teams for the division lead. But the first tie-breaker was head-to-head play, and the Threshers entered the series with a 5-4 advantage. Continue reading The Threshers Win the Pennant! The Threshers Win the Pennant
In what has been a disappointing 2014 season for the Phillies, one thing has become abundantly clear: the team’s future in the outfield is muddled. Ben Revere, Domonic Brown, and Marlon Byrd have struggled as a unit, and out of those three guys, the only one who has provided much of anything may not be here past July 31.
Brown’s problems are another story for another day, and Byrd’s story may be written over the next few weeks if Ruben Amaro, Jr. finds a taker for the right fielder.
There is one big question here: What is the team’s future in center field? Set aside Brown for a second. Forget about Byrd. Just block the corner outfield out of your mind. Where does this team plan to go in center field?
Continue reading Staying optimistic about the future in center field
