Phillies Nation

After three straight solid outings, Rosenberg is struggling once again. Photo: AP

Vance Worley‘s struggles continued last night, as the Vanimal allowed 4 earned in just 4.1 IP. Worley has a 5.92 since July with opposing hitters hitting .342/.407/.490 off of the bespectacled hurler. This story could very easily be “Worley isBeing Hit Hard” but instead focuses on his 6’3″ teammate from Newport News, VA, B.J. Rosenberg. Unfortunately for Rosenberg, he is currently on the wrong side of a record setting pace.

Following the Phillies ‘pen is usually my favorite part of the season. Even in good years, the carousel of names makes things exciting, leading to a few “Who is that”s or “I saw him in Allentown”s each year. For instance, I’ll never forget Les Walrond‘s 2 IP, 4 K performance late in the 2008 season against the Nationals or the Marlins putting a three-spot on Mike Zagurski late in 2010. For 2012? I won’t forget Rosenberg’s unfortunate early June against Baltimore (an Adam Jones walk-off) and Minnesota (Trevor Plouffe with a damaging double).

Rosenberg was of particular interest of mine to follow because he wasn’t expected to be a Phillie. Rosenberg started the year in Double-A as a non-roster invitee with a number of right-handed options in front of him on the depth chart. At 26, it appeared he may stay in the minors for the foreseeable future. After a fast start to his career, injuries limited him to just 20 appearances in 2010. Rosenberg struggled in Double-A in 2010 and 2011 after showing signs of future dominance in a brief 10-game 2009 call-up but seemed to turn the corner in 2012. Equipped with a fastball, slider, and change-up, Rosenberg went 3 for 3 in save opportunities as Reading’s closer to start 2012 with a 1.12 ERA in 8 appearances and has struck-out 63 Triple-A hitters in 54 Triple-A innings as both a starter and a reliever. This should have been Rosenberg’s year.

Continue reading Rosenberg On Record Pace

Ethan Martin, the 23-year-old righty hurler that was acquired along with Josh Lindblom and a player to be named later just prior to the non-waiver trading deadline from the Los Angeles Dodgers, is adapting quickly to his new home, Reading, PA. In three starts since joining the Phillies organization, Martin has posted a 3-0 record with a 2.08 ERA while striking out 13 and walking five in 17 1/3 innings.

Originally selected by Los Angeles in the 1st round (15th overall) in the 2008 amateur draft out of Stephens County High School in Georgia, Martin had not posted great numbers as a pro prior to this season. In his first three years in the minors, Martin sported a 24-29 record with a 5.42 ERA. However, this year, with Double-A Chattanooga, Martin tallied an 8-6 record with a 3.56 ERA en route to becoming a Southern League All-Star.

Prior to the 2012 season, Martin, who stands 6-feet-2-inches tall and weighs around 195 pounds, was rated as the Dodgers’ number 17 prospect by Baseball America.

Recently, I spoke with Ethan about being involved in a trade for MLB All-Star Shane Victorino, his own pitch repertoire, Phillies fans and plenty more. For the full Q&A, read ahead or check out the media player below to hear that interview. Continue reading PN Interview: RHP Ethan Martin

FoxSports’ Ken Rosenthal reported late Tuesday night that the Phillies and lefty hurler Cole Hamels were close to finalizing a contract good for six-years and more $137.5 million.

Hamels, a three-time All-Star and 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player, was originally selected by the Phils in the first round (17th overall) in the 2002 amateur draft.

Rosenthal points out that the proposed contract would make Hamels the second highest paid starting pitcher ever, trailing just CC Sabathia‘s 7-year/$161 million contract signed with the Yankees in 2008.

More information can be found here, as it becomes available.

It’s time for another edition of our semi-weekly minor league round up, where we take a look at some top performers from each team.

Venezuelan Summer League Phillies-

Shortstop Deiber Olivera has been on fire for the VSL club. Through 42 games this season, the 5-foot-11-inch 155-pounder has posted a .400 batting average (2nd in the league) with 15 doubles, 2 triples and 26 RBI. The 19-year-old righty hitter was signed by the Phillies in May 2011.

Left-handed hurler Douglas Parada, who threw a 9-inning no-hitter on Saturday, has a 7-0 record with a 0.69 ERA through 11 starts with the VSL Phils. The 19-year-old has struck out 63 and walked just 7 in 65 2/3 innings pitched while holding opponents to a .158 batting average against. Last year in the same league, Parada posted a 5.40 ERA with 4 strike outs and 4 walks in 5 relief outings.
Continue reading Weekly Minor League Wrap Up, 7/16/12

In recent seasons, the Phillies have parted ways with a considerable collection of well-regarded prospects in efforts to acquire established big league players. As time passes, those young players get closer to contributing for their new organization at the highest level and some are already doing so. As this year’s trade deadline approaches, here’s a glance at how many of those former Phils’ farm hands have performed throughout the pros thus far in 2012.

Jonathan Singleton, 1B, traded to Houston in the 2011 Hunter Pence deal- In 82 games with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks, the 20-year-old has posted a .271 batting average with 18 doubles, 3 triples, 12 HR and 49 RBI.

Jarred Cosart, RHP, also dealt in the Pence trade- In 13 starts for Corpus Christi, the righty hurler is sporting a 4-5 record with a 3.91 ERA and a .273 batting average against. Cosart, 22, made 1 start for Triple-A Oklahoma City in May, allowing 4 earned runs in 6 innings of work. Overall in 79 2/3 innings pitched this season, Cosart has struck out 64 and walked 33.

Domingo Santana, OF, included as player to be named later in Pence trade- Batting .307 with 16 doubles, 5 triples, 12 homers and 62 RBI in 62 games for Class A Advanced Lancaster. The 19-year-old has walked 30 times this year, nearly matching his full season total of 32 from 2011.

Jonathan Villar, SS, traded to Houston in the 2010 Roy Oswalt deal- In 84 games with Corpus Christi, the 21-year-old Villar has tallied a .264 batting average with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 10 HR and 48 RBI. Additionally, the switch-hitting Villar has stolen 39 bases in 47 chances (83% success rate) this year.

Anthony Gose, OF, traded in the Oswalt deal and flipped by Houston to Toronto on the same day- In 87 games for Triple-A Las Vegas this year, Gose has posted a .290 average with 18 doubles, 9 triples, 4 HR and 38 RBI. The 21-year-old Gose has stolen 29 bases in 36 chances (81% success rate) for LV.

Travis d’Arnaud, C, traded to Toronto in the 2009 Roy Halladay trade- Currently sidelined with a torn knee ligament, the 23-year-old tallied a .333 average with 21 doubles, 2 triples, 16 homers and 52 RBI in 67 games for Las Vegas.

Kyle Drabek, RHP, dealt in the Halladay trade- In 13 big league starts this year, the 24-year-old Drabek posted a 4-7 record with a 4.67 ERA and 47 strike outs and 47 walks in 71 1/3 innings pitched.  Drabek is out for the year after undergoing his second career Tommy John surgery in June. Continue reading The Departed: Ex-Phils Prospect Review

The annual exhibition pits the best talents of the International League against the top players from the Pacific Coast League.

Cloyd, who was an 18th round draft selection of the Phillies in 2008, has had an exceptional season. The 25-year-old began his 2012 campaign in Double-A with the Reading Phillies and has proven worthy of considerable recognition as he has posted 10-1 overall record with a 2.07 ERA in 15 combined starts at two levels. The Nebraska native will start the game for the IL team.

Continue reading Cloyd, Frandsen Named Triple-A All-Stars

It wasn’t the debut Colby Shreve wanted to make at the Double-A level. On Thursday, fresh off the excitement of his second promotion of the season, the 24-year-old surrendered three hits and walked three batters, while letting up six runs (five of those earned) in two-thirds of an inning in relief for the Reading Phillies. The disappointment was far greater than he had felt at any point on the pitcher’s mound, but Shreve knew he would bounce back and prove himself worthy of competing in the Eastern League and beyond.

Following six outings with Class A Lakewood early this season, the right-handed Shreve, sporting a 3.60 ERA and 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings, was promoted to Class A Advanced Clearwater. Shreve then pitched to a 2.25 ERA and an 8.55 K/9 mark in 13 outings for the Threshers while recording two saves. Last week, the Southern Nevada Community College product took another step upward and didn’t make the kind of splash he hoped for. His initial outing for the R-Phils was actually more of a crash.

“I mean, that’s probably one of the worst outings of my life,” Shreve said. “Honestly, I knew what the problem was. I was just a little too amped up, you know. I waited a long time to get to Double A, so, maybe (I was) just overthrowing a little bit and not getting ahead of hitters.”

Following what could easily be described as an atrocious outing, Shreve quickly bounced back with his next effort, a scoreless, hitless inning to close out Reading’s 7-2 win over Harrisburg on Saturday. Continue reading Shreve showing promise despite rocky AA debut

Jim Callis, of Baseball America, reported via Twitter that the Phillies have signed 14 draft picks, including supplemental 1st round selection Shane Watson for $1,291,300, which is the full pick value.

Watson attended the same high school (Lakewood, California) that former 1st round draft pick Travis d’Arnaud attended when he was selected by the Phillies in 2007.   d’Arnaud recently shared his thoughts about Watson exclusively with PhoulBallz.com.

“I played with his older brother and used to watch (Shane) play a little,” d’Arnaud stated. “I am really happy for him and I know he will enjoy the Phillies organization, as I did.”

Additionally, the Phillies have also signed Continue reading Phillies sign first wave of draft picks

It’s time, once again, for the (usually) weekly Phillies minor league review. In this edition, we’ll take a look at some hot performers, some less-than-hot performers and a college draftee headed to the College World Series.

Lakewood BlueClaws, Class A South Atlantic League. 21-41 record, 6th place out of 7 (19 1/2 GB) in Northern division.

Right-handed starter Colin Kleven (pictured, left) was named Lakewood’s lone representative in the SAL All-Star Game this past week. The 21-year-old native of British Columbia has posted a 3-5 record with a 3.90 ERA in 11 starts this season.  Kleven was a 33rd round draft choice in 2009.

Lefty starting pitcher Ethan Stewart has been on a roll this month, posting wins and an ERA of 3.00 in back to back starts. The New Mexico Junior College product was a 47th round draft choice by the Phillies in 2010.

Infielder Stephen Malcolm has had a considerably slow start with Lakewood since joining the team out of extended spring training in May. In 23 games, the 22-year-old, who was drafted in the 8th round of the 2010 draft, has tallied a .159/.270/.222 line in 23 games. Malcolm replaced shortstop Tyler Greene, who posted a .147/.270/.267 line in 23 games. Greene was sent to extended spring training and is expected to play with the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters, who begin their season on Monday, June 18th.

Clearwater Threshers, Class A Advanced Florida State League. 31-28 record, 2nd place (9 GB) in Northern division. Continue reading Weekly Minor League Review, 6/11/12

On Saturday night, as part of the Reading Phillies’ Yuengling Post-Game Concert Series, right-handed hurler Trevor May performed as his alter ego DJ Hey Beef, following the club’s 7-2 victory over the Harrisburg Senators (Washington affiliate).

May, who has DJ’d publicly in his home state of Washington, has never had the opportunity to spin music for fans in the Philadelphia region before. When a spot opened up on the schedule in the R-Phils’ weekend concert schedule, May welcomed the opportunity to display his musical hobby to a game day crowd.  The Phillies’ 4th round draft selection from 2008 had previously reached out to the team about hosting a show in some fashion.

“It should be a lot of fun.  That’s one thing that he’s really big into. I was his roommate on the road, earlier this year, and that’s all he was talking about. He was on the computer, trying to find a gig to do…and it should be a lot of fun, Reading outfielder Jiwan James said, after a game in which he laced two hits including an inside-the-park home run that helped the R-Phils lock down their win over the Senators.

Reliever Colby Shreve (6th round, 2008 draft), who threw a scoreless 9th inning in Saturday’s contest after serving up 5 earned runs in his Double-A debut on Thursday, was also excited to see some Hey Beef action.  “It should be really fun,” Shreve stated.  “I’m definitely going to check it out.  I’ve listened to a lot of his stuff and it’s really good.  He played something (original) for me yesterday and it sounded like it was straight off the radio.”

The majority of May’s teammates stuck around, along with plenty of fans, long after the game ended to witness the hour-long set.  The crowd enjoyed the nightclub atmosphere, right there in their team’s home park.  With a fun time had by all and many folks’ expectations exceeded, there were some that already had ideas for DJ Hey Beef’s future gigs.

“He should start playing weddings,” said Reading slugger Darin Ruf with a laugh.

DJ Hey Beef t-shirts can be purchased via the PhoulBallz.com Spreadshirt page by clicking here. To enjoy a sample of the Hey Beef show, check out the media player below.

Additional notes from Baseballtown… Continue reading DJ Hey Beef in Concert & Other R-Phils Notes