Phillies Nation

Cameron Rupp, image- Jay Floyd

In an organization stocked with catching talent, Cameron Rupp has, at times, been an afterthought.  That isn’t the case any longer, as the Phils’ 3rd round draft choice from 2010 has forced the team’s brass and scouts alike to take notice and hold him in consideration as a potential big league backstop candidate.

While Rupp’s numbers (.215 avg, two home runs, six RBI through 18 games) aren’t overly impressive thus far this season, it’s the overall effort, defensive skills and numbers from previous seasons that have the projected ceiling for the University of Texas product on the rise.

Rupp’s manager, Dusty Wathan, who had a 14-year playing career as a catcher, sees a great amount of potential in the six-foot-two 230-pounder and thinks that his future is bright, comparing him to the Phils’ current big league All-Star at the same position.

“Carlos Ruiz came here eight or nine years ago and wasn’t very touted and look where he is now.  He has been a big contributor and to the World Series. I just think, hopefully, Cameron Rupp can be in that same mold. A guy that wasn’t really touted, wasn’t really a big prospect and, you know, has just worked hard and put himself on the map,” Wathan asserted. Continue reading Catching Prospect Rupp on the Rise

We’re just under a month until pitchers and catcher are due to report to Clearwater for spring training. That means it’s time to kick off our annual countdown of the top 25 prospects in the Phillies organization. Gradually, in the coming weeks, leading to the kickoff of the 2013 regular season, I will be unveiling player reviews for each of the top developmental talent that you, as Phillies fans, should be familiar with.

Taken into consideration when reviewing these young talents will be age, minor league performance relative to levels played, value to the organization as well as future potential.

These rankings will not include players over 25-years-old or individuals that have spents lengthy and multiple stretches in the big leagues. Thus, players such as Austin Hyatt, Darin Ruf, Justin De Fratus, Phillippe Aumont and Jake Diekman will not appear on this year’s list.

Some very talented youngsters did not make the cut simply because other individuals ranked higher. Included in the group that fell short of making this year’s top 25 list are outfielders Leandro Castro and Jiwan James as well as righty pitchers Colby Shreve, David Buchanan and Gabriel Arias.

Additionally, 2012 draft picks Mitch Gueller and Dylan Cozens weren’t far off the list either and, with their exceptional talents that earned them each a considerable signing bonus from the Phillies, could very well find themselves on this list next year. Continue reading Prospect Nation 2013: The Prelude

Through six relief appearances in the Arizona Fall League righty hurler Colby Shreve has posted a 1..35 ERA while holding opponents to a .167 average.

At three levels during the 2012 regular season, the 24-year-old College of Southern Nevada product tallied a 6-3 record with a 3.69 ERA and a 7.38 K/9 mark.  A slight adjustment to his arm angle this year helped the 6-foot-5 210-pounder to upgrade his velocity, which was steadily clocked at 95 MPH in 2012.

The Phillies’ 6th round draft selection in 2008, Shreve had Tommy John surgery and missed his first full season following signing a professional contract, as he recovered.

Recently, Colby took some time to offer his thoughts on the AFL and what he’s working on while there.  Read ahead for that interview.

-How did you find out you’d be competing in the Arizona Fall Lg and what was your reaction?

I found out I was coming to the fall league about 10 days before our regular season ended. I was excited to come to the fall league, just as I was last year. It is a great opportunity to compete against the best competition in the minor leagues and showcase yourself in front of every MLB team. Continue reading PN Interview: Colby Shreve, Fall League Edition

The Arizona Fall League is in full swing and Phils third base prospect Cody Asche (pronounced ASH-ee) is leading the way for the Peoria Javelinas.

Last year’s 4th round draft selection out of the University of Nebraska posted a .324 batting average with 12 homers and 72 RBI through 130 combined games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double A Reading in his first full season as a pro this year.

Thus far in five games, playing for the Javelinas, Asche is sporting a .375 average with four doubles, three RBI and two runs scored.

This week, Cody answered some questions, sharing his thoughts on the AFL, the Phillies’ new hitting coach Steve Henderson and plenty more.  Read ahead to check out that full interview.

- What are your early thoughts on playing in the Arizona Fall League and the competition there?

It is a great experience. You get to play against organizations and players that you haven’t seen before. The competition is great.  Everyone playing is here for a reason.

- Many players from last year’s Arizona Fall League made their MLB debuts this year.  Clearly that ultimate goal must always be in the back of your mind, but does an experience like this make you feel legitimately closer to the big show?

Not really, no. I do know the track record of players in the AFL, but they weren’t called up because they played in this league. No matter what you do, you will have to go prove yourself everyday, no matter what league you are in. You have to go out and earn your call-up.
Continue reading PN Interview: Cody Asche, Fall League Edition

Showing off is part of growing up. We all did it at some point. Get a new bike or skate board; ride it everywhere possible, to ensure maximum visibility. Get a new outfit or jacket; wear it as soon as possible, even if the weather isn’t suitable. Drill a no-doubt-about-it home run on the little league field; laugh and celebrate while you jog as slowly as possible to savor every second of it.

Generally those are the types of things people grow out of, but not Phillies outfield prospect Leandro Castro, who enjoys his time on the baseball field to the fullest with tons childlike gusto.

Castro, who was signed by the Phillies at age 17 in 2007, loves the spotlight and can regularly be seen dancing, grooving, laughing, trotting, head wagging and doing everything shy of taunting opposing players while on the field or in the dugout. Unfortunately, for Castro, at times the gloating or prancing is not necessarily to the liking of the Phillies organization, according to Reading Phillies manager Dusty Wathan.

“He grew up that way and it’s something we try to take a little bit out of it. You don’t want to take all of that out of a player, but you definitely don’t want too much of it and he has, at times, too much. And it’s constant work for him, but I’m very happy with his workload this year and what he’s done,” Wathan stated recently. Continue reading Castro’s Cockiness Cause For Concern?

Shortly before the Reading Phillies’ road contest against the Trenton Thunder on Thursday night, the team announced that often injured outfielder Tyson Gillies had been suspended for violation of team rules.

The 23-year-old British Columbia native returned this week after suffering a concussion in a collision with fellow outfielder Jiwan James back in May. In two games after being activated from the disabled list, Gillies went a combined 4-for-7.

Overall in 44 games this season for Double-A Reading, Gillies, who was acquired from Seattle in the 2009 Cliff Lee trade, posted a .291 average with seven doubles, six triples, two home runs and 16 RBI in 44 games. Additionally, Gillies, who stands 6-feet-2-inches tall and weighs 205 pounds, went 2-for-5 in two rehab outings with the Class-A Lakewood BlueClaws.

According to a team source, Gillies’ suspension is indefinite. Continue reading R-Phils’ Gillies Suspended For Violating Team Rules

In a statement released in conjunction with the Eastern League, the Double-A Reading Phillies announced that six of the club’s players have been named mid-season All-Stars.

Among the Eastern division’s representatives will be righty pitchers Justin Friend and Julio Rodriguez, along with shortstop Troy Hanzawa, second baseman Cesar Hernandez, catcher Sebastian Valle and first baseman Darin Ruf.

Reading’s skipper Dusty Wathan will join his six players as the Eastern All-Stars’ manager.

The Baseballtown All-Star Classic is set to be played at Reading’s FirstEnergy Stadium on Wednesday, July 11 at 7:05 PM. Continue reading Six R-Phils to Rep Baseballtown in EL All-Star Game

In a press release from the Phillies, they announced that Ryne Sandberg will return to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs as manager.

I’m happy they were able to bring back Sandberg, as he’s succeeded at basically every level as both a player and coach. It’s a shame for him that he was unable to secure a position as a manager in the majors after another great season in 2011, however, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Former Phillies Andy Tracy and Aaron Fultz and newcomers Andy Abad and Lino Connell have been added to the Phillies’ player development staff, Joe Jordan, Director, Player Development, announced today.  The staff also includes 21 returning members.

At triple-A Lehigh Valley, the entire staff of manager Ryne Sandberg, coach Sal Rende and pitching coach Rod Nichols will return.  Sandberg, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, is back for his second season after leading the IronPigs to their first playoff appearance in club history in 2011.  Rende will enter his ninth season with the Phillies and second straight at Lehigh Valley, while Nichols returns for his 13^th year in the organization and eighth at triple-A.

Continue reading Sandberg Returning as Lehigh Valley Manager

On Monday, the annual Florida Instructional League got underway for Phillies minor leaguers at the team’s spring training home in Clearwater. Instructs, as they are commonly known, is a month-long off-season league, generally consisting of recently drafted players, those that missed time due to injury, or those that participated in a short-season league, allowing those individuals to refine their skills or add innings/at bats to their season. It also serves as an opportunity for a greater number developmental coaches and managers to see newly signed players in action.

Below is a full roster of Phillies minor league players and coaches in attendance for the instructional league.

Pitchers: Gabriel Arias, Jesse Biddle, James Birmingham, Lisalberto Bonilla (pictured), Ranfi Casimiro, Lendy Castillo, Brody Colvin, Jesen Dygestile-Therrien, Perci Garner, Kenneth Giles, Steven Inch, Ulises Joaquin, Jay Johnson, Colin Kleven, Ervis Manzanillo, Lino Martinez, Adam Morgan, Hector Neris, Ramon Oviedo, J.C. Ramirez, Yacksel Rios, Braden Shull, Ethan Stewart, Josh Warner, Austin Wright.

Catchers: Francisco Diaz, Logan Moore, Chace Numata, Cameron Rupp, Bob Stumpo

Continue reading Florida Instructional League Gets Underway