Phillies Nation

Tops on the Phillies’ developmental hot list is Double-A Reading Ace Jesse Biddle, who, in his last two outings, has thrown 13 scoreless innings, while allowing just two total hits and striking out 26 batters.  Overall this season, Biddle, who was the Phils’ 1st round draft selection in 2010, has a 2-1 record with a 1.74 ERA and a .114 batting average against.

Last week, Biddle locked down a win against Harrisburg, when he struck out 16 and allowed only one hit and no runs over seven innings.

On Sunday, in Reading’s 2-1 win over New Hampshire, the left-handed 21-year-old fanned 10 New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto affiliate).  The video clip below features Biddle striking out the side in the 5th inning and speaking to the media following his second consecutive tremendous effort.

Continue reading Minor League Notebook: 4/29/13

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

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

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

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

Eldemire and Duffy with Lakewood in 2012

Following releases last week that didn’t catch many off guard (details here, here and here), the Phillies began some more house cleaning on Sunday when they cut ties with a pair of players that many people thought were not at risk of losing their spots in the system, as first baseman Chris Duffy and outfielder Gauntlett Eldemire were both released by the Phils, making each man a free agent.

Duffy, a 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 there, the lefty batting slugger posted a .384 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.  The 25-year-old was credited with helping some of his younger Lakewood teammates excel at the plate as well.

Eldemire, a 6th round draft selection in 2010 out of Ohio University, made his pro playing debut last year, as he was sidelined following multiple wrist surgeries after signing with the Phillies.  In 72 games with the BlueClaws last season, the righty hitter batted .227 with two home runs, 18 RBI and 18 stolen bases. Following a contest on July 8th, Eldemire, who turned 24-years-old last month, missed the remainder of the 2012 season after suffering a leg injury.

These two cuts come as quite a surprise Continue reading Surprising Minor League Cuts Begin For Phils

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

Fans, Phillies third base prospect Cody Asche is back once again to share his thoughts directly from inside big league spring training in Clearwater, FL.

Asche was a 4th round draft selection in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska. Since then, the 22-year-old has ascended quickly upward in the Phils’ system. Last year, in his first full professional season, the Missouri native posted 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 also followed that up with a .281/.343/.438 line with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League.

This year, Asche has landed in Major League spring training and is doing his best to make a lasting impression. Thus far in seven contests, the youngster is 3-for-10 with a double and two runs scored.

In the latest edition of The Cody Chronicles, Asche discusses his first start with the big league club, being ranked highly on prospect lists, his concerns over cut days and plenty more.

On being ranked among the top Phils’ prospects…

“I’ve never really been one to delve into the whole prospect rankings area of baseball, but, you know, it’s always nice to be regarded highly and thought highly of.  It’s a thing that you’ve just got to take it for what it is.  It doesn’t mean anything along the lines of playing time or anything like that.  You’ve just got to keep working hard.  You’re always flattered when you hear or see good things about yourself, but you’ve got to be careful about always reading what is said about you, so I try not to look into stuff like that too much.” Continue reading The Cody Chronicles, Vol. 3: Asche Focused Strictly on Playing Ball

Asche was an impact prospect in 2012, Photo- Jay Floyd

Phillies third base prospect Cody Asche is back once again to share his thoughts directly from inside big league spring training in Clearwater, FL.

The 22-year-old was a 4th round draft selection in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska.  Since then, Asche has ascended quickly up the developmental ranks.  Last year, in his first full professional season, the Missouri native posted a .324 batting average with 12 home runs, 72 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 130 combined games at Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading.  Asche also followed that up with a .281/.343/.438 line with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League.

This year, Asche has landed in Major League spring training and is doing his best to make a lasting impression on the Phils coaches and brass while he’s there.

In the latest edition of The Cody Chronicles, Asche discusses his thoughts on early Grapefruit League action, his impressions of Phillies fans, fitting in with the big leaguers and plenty more.  Read on for that exclusive insider content straight from Florida.

Cody shares his thoughts on the first few days of game action…

“It’s been fun.  I sit on the bench for a few innings and watch a lot of big leaguers play and observe what they do, how they approach games in different situations.  You know, when you’re not playing, you’ve got to always be in the game and learn stuff.  And, obviously, any moment they’ll want me to go in, so I just stay prepared so I can go out there and play.”

Continue reading The Cody Chronicles, Vol. 2: Asche Settling In

Tommy Joseph, photo- Jay Floyd

Tommy Joseph, who was acquired from San Francisco in the Hunter Pence trade last July, quickly landed among the Phillies’ top positional prospects upon joining the organization.  Joseph now rounds out a collection of young talent that has the Phils extremely deep at the catcher position in the minors.

The 6-foot-1 215-pounder, was the Giants’ second round draft selection (55th overall) in 2009.  Upon making his professional debut the following year, Joseph played with Class A Augusta of the South Atlantic League.  That year, with the GreenJackets, Joseph posted a .236 average with 16 homers and 68 RBI in 117 games.

In 2011, Joseph batted .270, smashed 22 home runs and drove in 95 runs in 127 games for Class A Advanced San Jose. Over the off-season that followed, he was ranked as San Francisco’s 5th best prospect by MLB.com.

An All-Star in the Double-A Eastern League in 2012, the righty hitting Joseph tallied a .257 average with 11 home runs and 48 RBI in 108 games between Richmond and Reading.  Joseph spent a month this past off-season playing in the Arizona Fall League, where he sported a .204 average with one double, five RBI in 14 games played. Continue reading Prospect Nation 2013: #7 Catcher Tommy Joseph