Phillies Nation

Lakewood 3B Mitch Walding, photo- Jay Floyd

Phillies 5th round draft choice from 2011, Mitch Walding, is off to a solid start to the  regular season this year with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws.  Walding, a 3rd baseman, has gone 9-for-28 (.321 avg) with two doubles and six RBI through eight games thus far against South Atlantic League competition.

The lefty batting Lodi, CA native made his pro debut last season with the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters, posting a .233 batting average along with 10 doubles, three triples, a homer and 31 RBI in 60 games.

After playing in the Florida Instructional League last year as well, the six-foot-three 190-pounder came into spring training this year, ready to make an impact and made his full season team debut last week.

I spoke with the 20-year-old Walding recently about his his draft experience, his time as a pro thus far and plenty more.  Read ahead to check out the full interview.

- In 2011, you were a 5th round draft pick.  I just wanted to get you to take me through your draft experience and talk about how you were tracking the draft, how did you learn the Phillies drafted you and how did you celebrate?

I was at my grandmother’s house with all my family and friends.  I knew I wasn’t probably gonna go the first day, I knew I was gonna go anywhere from four to, anywhere to round 15. We were just kind of sitting there and waiting and we came down and I didn’t really think I was gonna get picked that day, ’cause I was the last pick of that day, or whatever, on TV, and all of a sudden it kind of just happened. They called my name and my whole family was excited and kind of jumping around. Everyone was stoked. It was a great time. You can’t really explain it. It was a great time. Everyone was full of excitement. Continue reading PN Interview: 3B Prospect Mitch Walding

Phillies top 2012 draft pick Shane Watson, photo- Jay Floyd

Last season’s top Phillies draft choice, righty pitcher Shane Watson is set to kick off the new season as a member of the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws.  Taken 40th overall, the six-foot-four 200-pounder signed for nearly $1.3 million and made his pro debut with the Gulf Coast League Phillies, posting a 1.29 ERA over five outings late last summer.

After spending time in the fall instructional league, the 19-year-old will be among a young group of hurlers hoping to take the BlueClaws back to the top of the South Atlantic League in 2013.

At Tuesday’s open practice in Lakewood, I spoke with Shane, about his draft experience, his offerings on the mound, his transition into the professional ranks and plenty more.  Read ahead for that full interview.

- Shane, last year you were selected in the first round, 40th overall…I wanted to talk with you and just learn what your draft experience was like.  How did you track it and how did you celebrate once you learned you were picked by the Phillies?

It was a pretty incredible feeling.  I couldn’t really describe how it felt, but I was hoping I would go fairly early on draft day and it kind of just happened and I can’t really describe how it felt to hear my name on TV, but it was fun. It was a once in a lifetime chance.

- So, is that something you were watching live?  You know, who were you watching with when it happened?

I was at my grandma’s house watching live.  Actually, I invited about six friends over.  It ended up being, like, a 45, 50 people affair, way too many people, but when my name was called, everyone went crazy.  Air horns and stuff.  It was fun!

- That sounds pretty big.  Now, you spent some time as a pro last year pitching in five games, seven innings pitched, then spending time at instructs.  What did you take out of your brief time as a pro last year that you’re going to bring into this year?

It was a humbling experience.  I thought I was good and big in high school, but once you come out here, you’re just another player, so you’ve got to just earn your keep and work hard pretty much. Continue reading PN Interview: Top 2012 Draft Pick Shane Watson

On this week’s episode of Phillies Nation TV, Pat, Corey Ryann and Natalie have lots of Phillies news, analysis and fun to get you ready for the new season. Highlights include:

• John Kruk giving his thoughts on Roy Halladay’s future
• Freddie “FredEx” Mitchell telling how he played matchmaker for Chase and Jen Utley
• Season predictions from Pat and Corey
• Natalie covering the Phillies 5K race for charity
• And of course, questions from you, the fans, presented by Ryann

The show is jam-packed with exclusive Phillies coverage you can’t get anywhere else.

As minor leaguers break camp and three quarters of the teams head north to their full season destinations, I had the opportunity to speak with righty hurler Tyler Knigge.

The Phils’ 12th round draft selection in 2010, took big strides last year, as he posted a 4-1 record, nine saves and a 0.60 ERA in 34 outings for Class A Advanced Clearwater, en route to becoming a Florida State League All-Star.  The six-foot-three 225-pounder then earned a promotion to Double-A, where he tallied a 2.92 ERA with no decisions and two saves in 21 appearances for Reading.  Additionally, Knigge, who sports a fastball that is regularly clocked in the mid-90′s, averaged 9.09 K/9 at the two levels.  He went on to pitcher with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League last year as well.

This weekend, Tyler offered some quick thoughts on his preseason, his assignment to begin the regular season with Reading and more.  Read ahead to check out the interview.

- How has your spring gone?  Thoughts on how you’ve progressed physically? Any spring training goals met?

My spring has gone well. Had my ups and downs but that’s what spring training is for. Fixing the kinks. Physically, I know I’ve gotten stronger. That’s my goal and I will continue working towards it. Continue reading Spring Wrap Up Interview: RHP Tyler Knigge

In Episode 2 of Phillies Nation TV, Pat, Corey and Ryann are at the Bainbridge Street Barrel House talking Phils. Pat is back from Clearwater with interviews with Ryan Lawrence of the Daily News and the Phillies Assistant General Manager, Scott Proefrock. Also, Ryann helps us figure out who would be the Phillies Prom King.

Asche with Reading in 2012, Image- Jay Floyd

As the exhibition schedule winds down, we check in one last time with Phillies third base prospect Cody Asche, who has been offering weekly thoughts directly from inside spring training in Clearwater, FL.

A 4th round draft selection in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska, Asche has been a fast rising prospect since joining the Phils organization. Last year, the 22-year-old, in his first full professional season, tallied a .324 batting average with 12 homers, 72 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 130 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading. Asche followed up that campaign with a .281/.343/.438 line with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League. This spring the six-foot-one 180-pounder went 5-for-14 (.357 average) with two doubles in eight Grapefruit League contests this year, before being reassigned to minor league camp.

In the latest edition of The Cody Chronicles, Asche talks about the potential of beginning the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, playing on developmental teams located in the heart of big league Phillies territory, his teammate and roommate Adam Morgan as well as plenty more. Read ahead for Cody’s thoughts.

On the possibility of starting the season at the Triple-A level, having entered the final week of spring games playing with the group that will come north as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs…

I don’t think anything’s set in stone. Anything can happen. So, I’ll just keep showing up and doing my work and keep playing hard until we get those final assignments. You can’t really assume anything at this point when, there’s still a lot of changes that could probably be made. Continue reading The Cody Chronicles, Vol. 6: Asche Ready to Begin 2013 Season

Matt Hitt

On March 8, the Phillies signed Matt Hitt, a 23-year old catcher who led Eastern Michigan University in home runs in 2012. Hitt went undrafted  but played professionally with the Arizona Centennials last summer. Hitt comes to the Phillies organization with a reputation for plus defense and the ability to hit for power.

Hitt will likely play along side catchers Cameron Rupp, Justin Dalles, and Gabriel Lino in the Phils Minor League ranks, helping to develop some of the fantastic young pitchers. Matt took some time out of his schedule to answer some questions for Phillies Nation.

Q1: Baseball America reported your signing with Spring Training already underway. What was it like to get a call from the Phillies with camp just about starting and did you know that they were interested at all before they called? Had you made any plans or were you working anywhere else before they or any other team called?

MH: What can I say, but that it was the best day of my life! Up until that day I had no idea of the Phillies interest, but I had been working on other opportunities within Major League Baseball.

Continue reading PN Interview: Catching Prospect Matt Hitt

Chris Duffy performed very well in 2012, Photo- Jay Floyd

In recent days a prospect that had considerable buzz about him last season, Chris Duffy, was released by the Phillies.  Billed by many coaches within the system as a very good hitter, the 26th round draft choice in 2010 out of the University of Central Florida had an outstanding season in 2012 with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws.  In 60 games in the South Atlantic League the lefty batting slugger sported a .384 batting average with 11 homers and 56 RBI.  Additionally, in two different stints with Class A Advanced Clearwater last year, Duffy sported a .236 average with two home runs and 15 RBI.

Credited by prospects like highly regarded third baseman Maikel Franco with being an inspiration, the 25-year-old Duffy built a reputation of being a leader among toward players.

Now, faced with free agency, the well-mannered and steadily lighthearted ballplayer spoke this week about the circumstances surrounding his release.

- Okay, so clearly there was some big news that surprised some people on Sunday morning, when the Phillies released you.  After a year in which you posted absolutely great numbers in Lakewood and really bounced back during your second trip to Clearwater, this wasn’t something that was expected by fans.  Did this catch you completely off guard?  Any other thoughts on this, as you reflect back on it?

Yes, it absolutely did catch me off guard.  Usually, players don’t get released after a good season, so I figured I was clear of all that.  Especially since I had been hitting well in spring training and came in shape.  But everything happens for a reason and even if I don’t understand yet I will.  I just view it as something I have to go through to achieve my dream.  I’m a firm believer that I am limitless and can accomplish anything I want as long as I go get it. This definitely hurt, but it’s not going to stop me!

Continue reading PN Interview: Chris Duffy Talks About Being Cut By Phils

As part of our weekly spring training series, Phillies third base prospect Cody Asche is back once again to check in, directly from spring training in Clearwater, FL.

A 4th round draft selection in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska, Asche has been a fast rising prospect since joining the Phillies organization. Last year, the 22-year-old, in his first full professional season, tallied a .324 batting average with 12 home runs, 72 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 130 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading. Asche followed that up with a .281/.343/.438 line with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League, then went 5-for-14 (.357 average) with two doubles in eight big league spring games this year.

In the latest edition of The Cody Chronicles, Asche talks about the change in attendance going from big league camp back to the minors, bonding with people on Twitter, his ties with teammates from his draft class and plenty more.

On the topic of playing in front of minimal crowds with the minors in spring training, compared to the large crowds that the big league team has been drawing this spring…

It’s just not the same the first time going out there (after returning from big league camp).  You kind of just know, that’s part of spring training, being on the minor league side.  You know, you’re out there doing your thing.  It’s really not something you worry about when you’re down there.  Not me anyway.  I never get caught up in that.  I mean, I love playing in front of big crowds and what not, but, the first game I played back over there, I felt my mind wandering a little bit, but I snapped myself out of that real quick.  You can’t sit there and sulk and keep dwelling on what it was like and stuff like that.  You just have to go out there and stick to your work.  That’s the tough part about the minor leagues, you gotta look beyond that kind of stuff and just keep working and find a way to do what you’ve got to do. Continue reading The Cody Chronicles, Vol. 5: Asche Bonds with Teammates and Fans

Phillies third base prospect Cody Asche is back once again to check in directly from spring training in Clearwater, FL.

A 4th round draft selection in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska, Asche has been a fast rising prospect since joining the Phillies organization. Last year, the 22-year-old, in his first full professional season, tallied a .324 batting average with 12 home runs, 72 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 130 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading. Asche followed that up with a .281/.343/.438 line with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League, then went 5-for-14 (.357 average) with two doubles in eight big league spring games this year.

In the latest edition of The Cody Chronicles, Asche speaks about being reassigned to minor league camp, Phils legend Mike Schmidt, what he took from his time with the big league team and plenty more.

Sharing his thoughts on being reassigned to minor league camp recently…

“It’s something that, when you’re in camp, it’s gonna happen. You know, you just look around at who’s there, the rosters, what roles everyone’s going to be playing, and it was bound to happen. I know there’s stuff I’ve gotta work on down in the minor leagues. I’m just grateful that I had the time I did over there, you know. I’m grateful that they gave me the chance to go up there and play. In my mind, I took full advantage of the opportunity and I’m happy with everything that went on over there and just gotta do my work over on the minor league side of things.” Continue reading The Cody Chronicles, Vol. 4: Asche Valued Time with Schmidt & Phils