Phillies Nation

Mario Hollands

Lefty hurler Mario Hollands, who is on the disabled list for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, is not currently ailing and is spending time with the Phils’ extended spring training team until further notice. Pitching at four levels of the organization’s developmental system last season, the 24-year-old posted a 7-9 record with a 4.55 ERA and a .282 batting average against in 27 outings (18 starts).

Right-handed reliever Kenny Giles, who also opened the 2013 season on the disabled list for the Threshers, is dealing with an oblique strain. There is no known time frame for the Phillies’ 2011 7th round draft selection’s return. Last season, with Class A Lakewood and Clearwater, the 22-year-old tallied a 4-3 record with eight saves, a 3.51 ERA and a 12.18 K/9 mark in 39 contests.

Left-handed starting pitcher Nick Hernandez made his official return to the mound for the Threshers on Tuesday evening. Out since 2010 with repeated shoulder injuries, the 24-year-old had a very good outing for Clearwater, throwing five innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on five hits while surrendering four walks and striking out five opposing batters.  Hernandez, the nephew on MLB umpire Angel Hernandez, was a mid-season South Atlantic League All-Star with Lakewood in 2010, when he went 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA in eight outings prior to being sidelined. Continue reading Minor League Notebook: Injuries, Signings and Stats

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

Ronnie Welty, image- MiLB.com

The disassembling of the prospect group known as the Baby Aces continues, as the Phillies have traded once highly regarded righty hurler Julio Rodriguez to Baltimore for outfielder Ronnie Welty.

Rodriguez once dominated Class A ball, but looked far more human with Double-A Reading last season.  Drafted in the 8th round of the 2008 amateur draft, the Puerto Rican born pitcher finished with an overall record of 7-3 with a 1.89 ERA and a .175 batting average against in 20 outings with Williamsport and Lakewood in 2010. The following season, Rodriguez was named a Florida State League All-Star, as he finished with a league leading 16 wins, a 2.76 ERA that was second best in the league and a .186 batting average against.  Over those two seasons, he averaged a 10.71 K/9 mark.

Last year in the Eastern League, Rodriguez wrapped up his 2012 regular season campaign with a 7-7 record, a 4.23 ERA and a .243 batting average against, following a difficult eight-game stretch (6.81 ERA) that got him moved from the starting rotation into the bullpen.

Welty, a righty batter that was selected in the 20th round of the 2008 draft, had a very good season last year, as he sported a .333/.373/.662 line, playing most of his games at Double-A in an injury shortened season (56 games played).  The 25-year-old stands 6-foot-3 and weighs around 200 pounds. Continue reading Phils Deal RHP Rodriguez to O’s for OF Welty

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

Jesse Biddle is the Phillies’ number 1 prospect, Photo- Jay Floyd

Left-handed pitching prospect Jesse Biddle redefines homegrown talent. Born and bred as a Phillies fan in the Philadelphia region, Biddle’s childhood dreams came true in 2010, when he was selected 27th overall in that year’s amateur draft by the Phils. Since then, he’s been a steadily rising prospect and on an ascent toward the highest levels of the game.

Upon signing his first pro contract, Biddle quickly made his minor league debut, beginning his journey toward donning the home uniform of the team he cheered on from the seats of Citizens Bank Park all throughout his teenage years. The graduate of Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia combined to sport a 4-1 record with a 3.92 ERA and a .241 batting average against in 12 starts with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies and the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters in 2010.

The following year, Biddle became an All-Star in the Class A South Atlantic League as a member of the Lakewood BlueClaws. As the team’s most dependable starter through much of the season, Biddle posted a 7-8 record with a 2.98 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) and notched 124 strike outs in 133 innings pitched. In addition, he held opponents to a .219 batting average.

In 2012, Biddle had a very good season with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, putting together a 10-6 record with a 3.22 ERA, a 9.53 K/9 mark and a .237 batting average against. Continue reading Prospect Nation 2013: #1 LHP Jesse Biddle

Lefty hurler Adam Morgan progressed more than any other Phillies prospect over the past year.  Drafted in the third round in 2011 out of the University of Alabama, Morgan quickly made an impact in the Phils’ system upon debuting as a pro, and only sped up his progress last season when he became a force on the pitching mound.

After posting a 3-3 record with a 2.01 ERA in 11 starts in his debut professional season as a member of the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters, Morgan skipped full season A level Lakewood and began the 2012 season in the Florida State League. With the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, Morgan tallied a 4-10 record with a 3.29 ERA and was named a mid-season All-Star.

His win-loss record certainly doesn’t accurately convey the true effort that Morgan put forth with the Threshers, as he held opponents to a .227 batting average while averaging 10.24 K/9, posting a 1.10 WHIP and sporting a 2.62 SIERA in 21 games (20 starts).

In July, the six-foot-one 195-pounder posted a 1.29 ERA in five July starts and was named as the Phillies’ minor league pitcher of the month. Continue reading Prospect Nation 2013: #2 LHP Adam Morgan

Acquired from the Dodgers in the trade that sent Shane Victorino to LA last summer, Ethan Martin quickly showed why he was regarded as a fast rising pitching prospect, as he helped the Double-A Reading Phillies reach the postseason and posted great numbers in a short period of time.

Originally selected by Los Angeles in the 1st round (15th overall) in the 2008 amateur draft out of Stephens County High School in Georgia, when scouts weren’t sure if he would proceed as a pitcher or a third baseman in his career, Martin had not posted great numbers as a professional prior to last season.

In his first three years in the minors, Martin tallied a 24-29 record with a 5.42 ERA.  He missed action in 2008 due to a knee injury and officially began his pro career in 2009 with Great Lakes of the Class A Midwest League.  There, with the Loons, he performed well, sporting a 6-8 with a 3.87 ERA and a .232 batting average against in 27 games (19 starts).

The following season, the six-foot-two 195-pounder had a difficult time, posting a 9-14 record along with a 6.35 ERA and a .279 batting average against in 25 games (22 starts) for Inland Empire of the Class A Advanced California League.  In 2011, Martin split his time between the California League and the Double-A Southern League, putting together a 9-7 record and a 5.95 ERA in 37 games (12 starts). Continue reading Prospect Nation 2013: #3 RHP Ethan Martin

Where does Callison rank as far as Phillies right fielders go?

It’s up to you to tell us who should be part of the Phillies All-Time team. During the winter, we’ll unveil one position at a time for you to vote on. After all the votes are tallied, and all the position filled, we’ll release the results. Make your vote count!

• Chuck Klein (15 seasons, 2x All-Star, 1x MVP): .326 avg, .935 OPS, 243 HR, 983 RBI, 33.3 WAR

• Johnny Callison (10 seasons, 3x All-Star): .271 avg, .795 OPS, 185 HR, 666 RBI, 37.2 WAR

• Bobby Abreu (9 seasons, 2x All-Star): .303 avg, .928 OPS, 195 HR, 814 RBI, 45.4 WAR

Who were voting for:

Eric Seidman: Delmon Young. In all seriousness, Bobby Abreu. I don’t care if he didn’t run into walls. He stayed healthy year-in, year-out and from 1998-2005, he hit .305/.415/.519 with averages of 23 HR and 29 SB over 157 games. There were problems with those Phillies teams, but he was always unfairly criticized for things that mattered little while not getting recognition, even from his own fanbase, for the areas in which he excelled. He was a 20 HR/20 SB player in 7 of his 8 full season with the Phillies, two of which were 30 HR/30 SB years.

Jon Nisula: For a guy that got so much criticism, you might not think that Bobby Abreu was the best RF in Phillies history. But I think that’s the case. He was producing consistently for the Phils, and actually had the highest cumulative fWAR among all Phillies RFers.

Jay Floyd: The top right-fielder in team history is Chuck Klein, who was the National League MVP in 1932 a year before he locked down the offensive Triple Crown, leading the NL in home runs (28), RBI (120) and batting average (.368). Klein ranks among the all-time team leaders in hits, runs, RBI and home runs. Also, he is the only Phillie to ever have over 100 extra-base hits in a season and he did that twice!

Pat Gallen: It has to be Bobby Abreu, hands down. Plus, who didn’t enjoy listening to Dan Baker announce him. “Now batting for the Phillies…number 53…Bobby A-bre-uuuu.”