Phillies Nation

Throughout the 1990’s and into the 2000’s, Bob Stumpo, a resident of Wilmington, DE, grew up rooting for his local Major League Baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies. Currently, Stumpo is a catcher/first baseman for the Phillies Class A affiliate, the Lakewood BlueClaws in the South Atlantic League, where he is developing into a player worthy of wearing a Philadelphia uniform.

Through 14 games with Lakewood, the switch-hitting Stumpo has posted a .314 batting average with 2 doubles, a triple and 7 RBI. Prior to joining Lakewood, Stumpo sported a .313 average in 4 games with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers. In the two seasons prior, Stumpo combined to bat .243 with 1 HR and 26 RBI in 67 combined games at three levels.

Back in June, 2010, Stumpo, a West Chester University graduate, was stunned to hear his name selected by his favorite club during the annual Major League Baseball amateur draft (33rd round). He describes that draft day as one of the most remarkable moments of his life.

“When the Phillies called my name on draft day, I was really excited,” Stumpo, whose father is a Phillies season ticket holder, recently told PhilliesNation.com’s Jay Floyd. “I talked to them before the draft and I thought it might happen, but getting drafted by the team you’ve been following your whole life is really exciting. Hopefully, I can keep moving up and up and be out in Citizens Bank Park one day. It’s almost a dream come true.”

Almost is a meaningful element to that statement for the 6-foot-3-inch 225-pounder. His ultimate goal is to one day don the catcher’s pads for his big league parent club. Continue reading True Phillie Material: Bob Stumpo

After a lengthy career in the minors, Mike Costanzo, who was a promising young third baseman in the Phillies system several years back, is finally living his dream of playing big league baseball. The life-long Philadelphia sports fan and resident of the city’s suburbs, was selected in the 2nd round of the 2005 MLB amateur draft by his hometown club, but struggled in recent years and, to some, looked to be a bust.

Following a few productive years in the Phillies’ developmental ranks, Costanzo was traded to Houston, along with Michael Bourn and Geoff Geary, for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett following the 2007 season. That year, his second full season as a pro, Costanzo batted .270 while lacing 27 homers and driving in 86 runs for the Reading Phillies. Costanzo was then flipped in another deal, during the same off-season, to the Orioles for All-Star Miguel Tejada.

The road to the big leagues was a long one for the determined Costanzo. After his impressive season at Double-A in 2007, his production faltered. As he took a step upward to Triple-A in 2008, Costanzo struggled and saw his OPS dip 130 points from the previous season. The following year, Costanzo split time between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, posting improved numbers, but Baltimore didn’t see big league potential in the 6-foor-3-inch 215-pounder and he did not return to the organization the following season. Continue reading Former Phils Prospect Costanzo Living Big League Dream

Once again, the weekly minor league wrap up is back, taking a look at each of the Phillies’ four full season minor league clubs.  This time around, we’ll take a look at the hot and cold lists from each team.

Class A Lakewood BlueClaws 15-25, 6th place out of 7 (14.5 GB) in South Atlantic League Northern Division.

Who’s hot-

1st baseman/3rd baseman Harold Martinez (pictured left), through action on Saturday, has strung together a stretch of 7 games where he has gone 10-for-24 (.417 avg) to boost his season batting average 58 points. Martinez, 22, was the Phillies’ 2nd round draft selection out of the University of Miami last year.

Right-handed reliever Matt Campbell has been a solid contributor out of the Lakewood bullpen. Since joining the club in late April, the 24th round draft pick from last season has a 1-1 record with 2 saves and a 1.46 ERA while striking out 12 batters in 12 1/3 innings pitched. Campbell has thrown more than 1 inning in 5 of 6 of his outings. Additionally, the Florida native has held opponents to a .163 batting average.

Who’s not-

Infielder Stephen Malcolm, has gone 2-for-18 (.111 avg) through his first 7 games of Class A ball since joining the BlueClaws last weekend. The 22-year-old missed all of last season due to disciplinary issues. Malcolm was an 8th round draft choice in 2010.

Outfielder Brian Pointer, who was among the Phillies’ top minor league performers in April, with a .295 batting average, 5 HR, 19 RBI and a .964 OPS, has really struggled in May. The lefty hitting 20-year-old has posted a .140 batting average with 0 HR and just 1 RBI and a .479 OPS in 15 May games. Continue reading Weekly Minor League Wrap Up, 5/20/12

Last year’s 2nd round draft pick of the Phillies, Harold Martinez has begun to get hot after a bit of a slow start to his 2012 regular season.

After beginning the season rehabbing his injured left hand and playing some games in extended spring training, Harold joined the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws on April 24th.  Through his first 16 games with Lakewood, Martinez was batting .213, but after a hot week, the Cuban born first baseman/third baseman has his average up to .272 against South Atlantic League pitching.

The 22-year-old righty hitter came over to the United States at a young age and has dreamed of playing professional baseball ever since.

Last year, in his first season of pro ball, Martinez, a University of Miami product, sported a .251 batting average with 2 homers and 31 RBI in 67 games for the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters of the NY-Penn League.

Recently, I spoke with Harold about his draft experience, his journey from Cuba to the U.S., playing for Lakewood and plenty more.  Check out the media player below to hear the full interview.

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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider.  You can check out more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

Infielder Stephen Malcolm joined the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws last weekend after a solid 6 weeks in extended spring training.  Thus far in South Atlantic League play, the 22-year-old Malcolm has gone 1-for-7 with a stolen base, but is slated to get playing time at both second base and shortstop.

An 8th round draft selection by the Phillies in 2010, Malcolm missed the entire 2011 season after he was sent home for disciplinary reasons in April.

In 2010, after signing as a pro, Malcolm posted a .253 batting average with 3 doubles and 10 RBI in 27 games with the Gulf Coast League Phillies.

Recently, I spoke with Stephen about his promotion, working closely with his manager, former Phillies All-Star Mickey Morandini, his feelings toward the Phillies’ brass and plenty more.  Check out the media player below to hear the full interview.

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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider.  You can read more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

Puerto Rican born starting pitcher Julio Rodriguez grew up dreaming of becoming a baseball star. These days, he is among the core of young Philadelphia pitching prospects that
have begun to get a lot of attention after some considerable success in
recent years and he is happy to now be standing out practically in the Phillies’ back yard.

Last year, with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, the 6-foot-4-inch 230-pounder led the Florida State League in wins when he posted a 16-7 record with a 2.76 ERA and a .186 batting average against. The season before that, Rodriguez split time at short-season Williamsport and with Class A Lakewood, where he combined to post a 7-3 record with a 1.89 ERA in 20 games (12 starts). Prior to that he played two seasons with the Gulf Coast League Phillies.  In those areas, fan attention toward rising prospects isn’t very prevalent.  Things would certainly change when Rodriguez came north to show what he’s all about.

Having never possessed a blazing fastball, regularly registering in the high-80′s with his best offerings, Rodriguez still produces big-time strikeout totals that are reflective of a power pitcher. His 10.50 K’s per 9 innings mark, in his 4 pro season entering this season, is extremely impressive and indicative of some serious talent.

The 8th round draft selection from 2008 uses a bit of trickery on the mound to draw swings and misses. Rodriguez attributes his deceiving windup with helping to blow away opposing batters.

“I just forget about the velocity and try to make my pitches the best that I can and keep the ball down,” Rodriguez stated in an exclusive interview with PhilliesNation.com’s Jay Floyd. “I have a difficult wind up. I keep the ball back and hidden from view. I think that bothers the hitters.” Continue reading Baby Ace Rodriguez Feeling at Home in Reading

A few brief  injury notes here from around the Phillies’ system….

-Kelly Dugan (pictured), who nastily twisted his ankle last month, has returned to action after missing nearly three weeks of playing time.  On April 20th, the Phillies’ top draft pick from 2009 sprained his ankle when he stepped on first base awkwardly, taking a throw on a ground out.

According to Lakewood manager Mickey Morandini, Dugan played in extended spring training games on Thursday and Friday and is feeling much improved, running and hitting with no difficulties.

For an image of Dugan’s awfully bruised and swollen ankle, from the time of the injury, click here.

In 15 games with Lakewood this season, the 21-year-old Dugan posted a .245 batting average with 2 doubles, 2 homeruns and 9 RBI.

-Lefty pitcher Nick Hernandez is still roughly a month away from facing hitters.  The Phils’ 12th round draft pick from 2009 has been out of action for nearly two years.  The 6-foot-5-inch 215-pounder underwent surgery on the labrum in his throwing shoulder last season after rehabbing the injury since the previous May with failed results.

According to the 23-year-old Hernandez, who spoke exclusively with PhilliesNation.com’s Jay Floyd earlier this week, “I’ve thrown three bullpen sessions already and the ball is feeling good in my hand.” Continue reading Injury Updates: Dugan, Hernandez, De Fratus

The Phillies’ hottest two prospects this year are likely names that most fans have not heard of.  Recently, PhilliesNation.com readers have seen my features on right-handed pitcher Tyler Cloyd and first baseman Darin Ruf.  With both men having such tremendous success thus far in 2012, I thought it was worthwhile to review their output and bring to you their interview excerpts.

Reading Phillies first baseman Darin Ruf is ripping through Double-A Eastern League pitching this season.  In 32 games for the R-Phils, Ruf has posted a league leading .393 batting average with 6 HR and 26 RBI.

On a torrid pace recently, in his past 4 games, Ruf has gone 8-for-14 (.571 avg) with 3 walks, 3 doubles, 4 HR and 13 RBI.

The 20th round draft selection from 2009 spoke about his manager, Dusty Wathan, his own approach to the game, players that he looked up to in his younger days and more. Check out the media player below to hear from Darin.

Continue reading Interview Excerpts with Prospects Darin Ruf & Tyler Cloyd

Phillies’ up-again-down-again reliever Michael Schwimer posted a congratulatory message on Twitter to three Lehigh Valley IronPigs teammates on Thursday afternoon in relation to their promotions to the big league club.  The three players mentioned were lefty hurlers Jake Diekman (pictured) and Raul Valdes as well as mulit-positional veteran Hector Luna.

Diekman, 25, has posted sparkling numbers dating back to last year.  Over 16 combined relief outings in the Arizona Fall League and in Major League spring training this year, Diekman posted a 0.55 ERA with 23 strike outs and 7 walks.  The Nebraska native followed that up by allowing just 1 earned run through 12 relief innings, while striking out 22 and walking just 3 batters with the IronPigs.

Diekman, a 30th round pick of the Phillies in the 2007 amateur draft, sports a fastball that reaches 95 MPH, a solid slider and a deceiving change up. He was ranked 18th on the 2012 PhilliesNation top prospects countdown.

Valdes was signed by the Phillies last October as a free agent and has big league experience with the Yankees and St. Louis.  In 51 Major League games, Valdes has posted a 3-4 record with 4.58 ERA and a .265 batting average against.  This season with the IronPigs, the Cuba native was 1-2 with 1 save and a 3.86 ERA while producing an impressive 26/1 strike out/walk ratio in 21 innings pitched over 11 relief outings.

The additions to the relief corps should help solidify a Phillies bullpen that has shown considerable weakness this season, serving up a Major League worst 5.59 ERA in 31 games. The struggles have gotten worse recently, as Phillies relievers have allowed 19 earned runs in 16 2/3 innings over the past six games, leaving no question that some changes in the bullpen were necessary. Continue reading Schwimer: Diekman, Valdes, Luna Called Up

Mike Fontenot, who was signed by the Phillies last month as a free agent after being released by San Francisco late in spring training, has been performing quite well to the tune of a .308 batting average with 5 doubles and 6 RBI in a dozen games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.  Meanwhile, the Philadelphia offense has struggled considerably, as they tallied the 3rd lowest OPS in the National League entering action on Monday.Change is needed and the team clearly realizes it. Manager Charlie Manuel has used 25 different lineups in 30 games this season.  None have clicked particularly well.

Fontenot, 31, is a career .263 hitter in six big league seasons.  The lefty hitting former 1st round draft pick of the Orioles (2001) had the most successful season of his career in 2009 with the Cubs, when he mashed 9 homeruns and drove in 43 runs in 135 games.

On the defensive side, Fontenot has played 286 games at 2nd base, 50 games at shortstop and 77 games at 3rd base in the Majors.  The Louisiana State product also has a .976 fielding percentage in his career. Continue reading Time For Fontenot?