Phillies Nation

From IronPigs Media Director Matt Provence, catcher Justin Dalles has been promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley from Lakewood. Dalles, 24, is a 6’2 right-handed catcher who has the distinction of being one of only a handful of players ever to be drafted four times. The final occasion Dalles was drafted was as a sixth rounder in 2009 by the Baltimore Orioles, whose farm system was led by current farm director Joe Jordan.

When I spoke to Joe Jordan in January at the Reading Fightins awards banquet, I asked if the recently-signed Dalles had a chance to compete for a starting role in the organization. Jordan responded by identifying Dalles as a player to watch this year in the Phillies’ minor league ranks. Dalles has an athletic frame behind the plate and a strong throwing arm – he has thrown out 31% of the runners that have attempted to steal on him professionally. He has hit only .228/.293/.334 across his minor league career, but excels at finding gaps with doubles.

Dalles is anticipated to be Steven Lerud‘s back-up while Humberto Quintero fills in for Carlos Ruiz with the Phillies and Tommy Joseph recovers from a concussion.

Australian pitcher Josh Warner began the 2013 season as a member of the starting rotation for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Through six starts, the 20-year-old right-hander posted a 1-3 record along with a 7.50 ERA. Phillies brass decided to reassign Warner to extended spring training so he could make some adjustments to his delivery aimed at enhancing his deception toward hitters.

The Queensland native, who pitches for the Brisbane Bandits in the Australian Baseball League during the off-season, was signed by the Phils as an amateur free agent in 2010. Combined over the past two seasons, since making his affiliated pro debut, Warner has split his time with the Gulf Coast League Phillies, the Williamsport Crosscutters and Lakewood, posting a combined 7-13 record along with a 5.28 ERA.

Early this season I spoke with Josh for Phillies Nation TV, but the interview went unused on the television program. During the interview, Josh spoke about the growth of baseball down under, his time in the ABL and more. Check out the interview in the media player below and tune into Phillies Nation TV every Tuesday at 6 PM on The Comcast Network.

It’s time for the weekly rundown of minor league notes, taking a look at who is hot and who is not, from each team.  Stats and standing accurate through game action played on Saturday.

Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (18-24, 4th place, North Division International League)-

Hot list…

Cody Asche with Reading in 2012

Third baseman Cody Asche has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 contests.  In his last 10 games, Asche is batting .326 with two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI.  The 22-year-old was the Phillies’ 4th round pick in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska.

Cold list…

Joe Savery has allowed nine earned runs in one total inning over his last two appearances with the IronPigs.  Savery, whose season ERA in the International League sits at 5.87, sported a 0.63 mark this season prior to his most recent two appearances.

Lefty starter Adam Morgan has a 0-4 record along with an 8.33 ERA over his last five games.  The University of Alabama product was the Phillies’ 3rd round draft pick in 2011.  Morgan, a Georgia native, is 23-years-old. Continue reading Minors Notes: Who’s Hot, Who’s Cold & Venezuelan Summer League Begins

Right-handed hurler Nicholas Hanson was selected by the Phillies in the 16th round of last year’s draft.  The Golden West College product had a tough pro debut with the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters, where he sported a 2-3 record with a 7.00 ERA while averaging 5.8 K/9.  This year is a completely different story, however.  In nine outings, Hanson, 21, has tallied a 1-0 record along with a 2.94 ERA and a 7.48 K/9 mark.  Additionally, in his three starts since moving from the bullpen, the 6-foot-7, 210 pounder has allowed just one run.

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Nic and he spoke about his success, his best friend who is also a player, his offerings on the mound and plenty more. Read ahead for that full interview.

- You’re on a hot streak now and doing very well as a starter after relieving to start the season.  What can you tell me about your early success this season?

I’m just kind of getting used to my new stuff.  I started throwing that sinker now and (pitching coach Aaron Fultz) has really been helping me and we’re watching video a little bit and I’m kind of getting used to my stuff.  That’s basically it, just going out there and learning every time.

- What’s your full pitching repertoire right now?

Right now, four-seam fastball, sinker, slider, change up. 

- You mentioned the new addition of a sinker.  Who initiated that?  How did that come about?

I used to throw it as a little kid.  It was the only way I knew how to throw a fastball, I’d kind of throw it differently than a regular two-seamer.  And I felt like I needed another pitch other than a four-season fastball.  My dad told me, toward the end of spring training, “Why don’t you throw that pitch?”  Continue reading PN Interview: RHP Prospect Nic Hanson

Here is the latest episode of Phillies Nation TV with Pat Gallen, Corey Seidman, Ryann Williams, and Jay Floyd.

Pat got a chance to speak with a local doctor about what goes into a surgery like the one Roy Halladay will undergo. Jay spoke with top minor league prospect Jesse Biddle at Reading, and he talked about what it would be like to get the call to the bigs.

Photo: power-showcase.com

According to Stefan Muller of Mister Baseball, the Phillies have signed 17-year old German powerhouse, center fielder Julsan Kamara to a seven year, minor league contract. Kamara stands 6’4, weighs 192 lbs, and is considered to be among the country’s top baseball prospects. Most recently, Kamara was Germany’s representative in the Power Showcase Home Run Derby, is a member of the German Junior National Team, and he already has a series of baseball cards issued by Leaf. We will be monitoring what looks like an exciting signing closely.

Former Phillies left-handed reliever Aaron Fultz now serves as the pitching coach for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. The Alabama native spent his first season as a pro coach, last year, with the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters.

During his playing career, Fultz’s best season was 2005, when he tallied a 4-0 record with a 2.24 ERA in 62 appearances for the Phils. Fultz also played in the big leagues with the Twins, the Rangers, the Giants and the Indians.

Early this season, PN’s minor league insider Jay Floyd interviewed Aaron for Phillies Nation TV. The 39-year-old spoke about his time with the Phillies, his transition into coaching and some of his pitching prospects. The segment went unused on the TV program, but we definitely wanted to bring it to the fans anyway. Check out the interview in the media player below and tune into Phillies Nation TV every Tuesday at 6 PM on The Comcast Network. The program also replays throughout the week, so check your listings.

In the latest rundown of developmental notes, we’ll take a glance at some top performers, several guys who aren’t doing too well, a couple sidelined prospects and a group of former Phillies minor leaguers…

The Hot List- 

Lakewood pitcher Nic Hanson

Lakewood righty Nic Hanson has not been scored upon in two outings (11 total innings) since moving from the BlueClaws’ bullpen to their starting rotation. A 16th round pick in last year’s draft out of Golden West College, Hanson, 21, has a 1-0 record with a save and a 3.38 ERA in eight games.

Class A Advanced Clearwater outfielder Cameron Perkins has been performing extremely well this month.  In 10 games, the 22-year-old has posted a .385 average with six doubles, a triple, a homer and six RBI.  Perkins was selected in the 6th round of the 2012 draft out of Purdue University.

Dominican hurler Gabriel Arias has looked great for the Clearwater Threshers, going 4-1 with a 1.25 ERA through nine outings (four starts).  The 23-year-old has regularly had his fastball clocked at 95 MPH over the past year.

Double-A Reading catcher Cameron Rupp, whose batting average had been as low as .211 this past week, decided to shave his goatee for a change of luck.  Since going bald faced, the 24-year-old has gone 5-for-12 with three home runs and five RBI in three contests.  Rupp was drafted out of the University of Texas in the 3rd round in 2010. Continue reading Minor League Notes: the Hot, the Cold, the Injured and the Departed

Despite his struggles, Friend will get another shot at Triple-A. Photo by Jay Floyd.

According to Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting for the IronPigs Matt Provence, Justin Friend, 26, has been promoted to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In ten games across Reading and Lehigh Valley, Friend has a 9.00 ERA and is struggling with control, averaging a walk an inning.

Also according to Provence, catcher Tommy Joseph has been placed on the 7-day DL with a concussion, retroactive to 5/7/2013.

Seth Rosin, image- MiLB.com

Last summer, as part of the Hunter Pence trade, the Phillies acquired righty hurler Seth Rosin (Roe-ZEEN). Originally drafted in the 4th round in 2010 by San Francisco, Rosin had mainly been a reliever with the Giants’ Class A Advanced affiliate San Jose. Now throwing strictly as a starter, since joining the Phils’ organization, the University of Minnesota product, who stands six-foot-six and weighs around 250 pounds, has posted a 1-4 record with a 3.17 ERA while striking out 32 and walking seven in 45 1/3 innings.

Recently, I spoke with the 24-year-old about his transition to a new organization, his thoughts about Reading, Eastern League competition and plenty more. Read ahead for that full interview.

- Last year, at the time of the trade, how were you notified you had been dealt and what was your reaction?

I got a call from the Giants front office at about 8 o’clock in the morning, west coast time, letting me know I had to leave tomorrow to go to Florida, I was in a trade. So, I was just trying to get everything in order, get my car out to Florida, or whatever, all my clothes. I had a host family, so they were really helpful with that. I was just- I knew I had to get all my stuff in order to get over there. It was a good transition and the Phillies guys welcomed me, so it was a good transition.

- As rattling as that appears to be, from that description, is getting that news also exciting, because you know a team has just dealt an established player to get you?

Yeah. It’s a fresh start. All new coaches, everything, I’ve got to get to know everyone’s names and stuff like that. It’s a good start and I’m having a good time over here.
Continue reading PN Interview: RHP Prospect Seth Rosin