Archive for the ‘Drew Naylor’ Category

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Around the Farm (UPDATED-Lehigh Valley Roster Announced)

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

You can take a look at the Reading Phillies roster here, with several former BlueClaws featured, including a few 2008 BlueClaws. The Reading Eagle takes a good look.

“We’ve got a chance to have some real good young arms,” said former BlueClaws manager Steve Roadcap, set to begin his first season in Reading. “We’ll get to look at some of the people we’ve drafted over the past couple of years.”

These include Vance Worley and Michael Stutes, both of whom were drafted in 2008 and spent part of the year with the BlueClaws. They are the first players to start their first full season in Reading since Pat Burrell in 1999.

The Clearwater roster is available here. It includes former ‘Claws Kyle Drabek, Joel Naughton, Dominic Brown, Julian Sampson, Drew Naylor, and a few others.

[ironpigs.jpg]3:20: Lehigh Valley has announced their roster. Click here.

Included are former ‘Claws Jason Donald, who will play shortstop, catcher Lou Marson, pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Kyle Kendrick, and outfielder Jeremy Slayden, among others. Slayden is on the DL and will stay back in Clearwater until he is ready.

Posted in Around the Farm, Carlos Carrasco, Clearwater Threshers, Domonic Brown, Drew Naylor, Jason Donald, Joel Naughton, Kyle Drabek, Kyle Kendrick, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Lou Marson, Michael Stutes, Michael Taylor, Past BlueClaws, Reading Phillies, Vance Worley | No Comments »

Minor League Spring Training Update

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Last week, at this post, we updated you on the Minor League Spring Training games down in Florida. It’s time for another update…

From Saturday’s games…

  • Michael Stutes (2008) was up with the AAA team, and gave up two runs over three innings
  • Sergio Escalona (07-08) threw three shutout innings in the AA game
  • Dominic Brown (08) and Michael Taylor (08) both added hits in the AA game
  • Cody Overbeck, with Williamsport last year, went 1-2 in the AA game, with Tim Kennelly (07) hitting a home run
  • Kyle Drabek (07) and Yohan Flande each threw three shutout innings in the Hi-A game
  • D’Arby Myers (08) had a double and triple with the Hi-A team
  • Yonderman Rodriguez homered with the Lo-A team with Anthony Hewitt going 2-4

From Sunday…

  • Taylor had a 2-run double, Tuffy Gosewisch (07) a triple, and Fidel Hernandez (06-07) two hits with the AA-team
  • Drew Naylor (08) and Chance Chapman (08) combined to give up seven runs in five innings in a loss for the Hi-A team
  • Derrick Mitchell (08) went 3-4 and Travis Mattair went 2-4
  • Justin De Fratus, likely BlueClaw, threw three shutout innings for Lo-A
  • Sebastian Valle added his first home run of the spring, with Yonderman Rodriguez going 2-4

Finally, from a rainy Monday…

  • Gosewisch added a triple in three ABs while Fidel Hernandez went 2-3 for Double-A
  • In the Lo-A game, Tyler Cloyd threw three shutout innings with four strikeouts
  • Arlon Quiroz hit his fourth home run of the spring (he didn’t hit any last year)

Posted in Anthony Hewitt, Around the Farm, Domonic Brown, Drew Naylor, Kyle Drabek, Michael Stutes, Michael Taylor, Spring Training, Travis Mattair, Tuffy Gosewisch | 2 Comments »

70 in 70: Number 16

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Tracking Travis…Today, just 16 days away from Opening Day, 70 in 70 takes a look at 2008 BlueClaws catcher Travis D’Arnaud, who after being drafted in 2007, was ranked 16th by Baseball America in their Phillies prospect rankings. This year, D’Arnaud has moved up to seventh on the list.

He’s from Lakewood (Lakewood, California) and hit .309 with four home runs with Williamsport last year, playing for 2009 BlueClaws manager Dusty Wathan. After Joel Naughton broke his toe in August, D’Arnaud was promoted to Lakewood, where he hit .297 over 16 games.

From the 2009 Prospect Handbook: He’s athletic with premium catch-and-throw tools, such as soft hands, quick feet, and plenty of arm strength…Some club officials now believe his offense will be as good or better than his defense. He has a line drive swing with a willingness to use the opposite field.

D’Arnaud is an interesting case for several reasons…

1) Where will he go this year? He might be ready for Clearwater, but if he goes there, he would likely split time with Joel Naughton. That said, the Phillies have several young catchers, such as Sebastian Valle, who could also be in Lakewood. For what it’s worth, D’Arnaud has been playing spring games with the Hi-A team.

2) Long-term. Lou Marson is the catcher of the future. Will D’Arnaud hit with enough power to be able to move from behind the plate? That remains to be seen, though power is not considered one of his top tools. He’s still a few years away from the big leagues, and so much can happen so quickly, but he’ll be interesting to keep an eye on.

Other Baseball America movers, from 2008-2009: Michael Taylor (not ranked to 6), Drew Naylor (29 to 13), Jason Donald (from 15 to 4), Dominic Brown (6 to 1)

[Photos: www.crosscutterboosters.org & www.crosscutters.com]

Posted in 70 in 70, Around the Farm, Baseball America, Domonic Brown, Drew Naylor, Jason Donald, Joel Naughton, Lou Marson, Michael Taylor, Past BlueClaws, Travis d'Arnaud | No Comments »

70 in 70: Number 27

Friday, March 13th, 2009

Just 27 days to go until the BlueClaws opener. Let’s look at those that have been BlueClaws All-Stars in the past, the 27 of them, in the team’s first eight years of operation.

2001: Hickory, NC…P Trevor Bullock, P George Rodriguez

2002: Lakewood, NJ…C Ben Margalski, IF Danny Gonzalez, IF Ryan Howard, Coach Jeff Manto

2003: Lexington, KY…C GG Sato, IF Jeremy Isenhower

2004: Charleston, SC…OF Jake Blalock

2005: Augusta, GA…C Jason Jaramillo, OF Ryan Frith, DH Samuel Orr

2006: Eastlake, OH…P Matt Maloney, P Carlos Carrasco

2007: Rome, GA…P Kyle Drabek, P Garet Hill, P Ben Pfinsgraff, C Tuffy Gosewisch, IF Jason Donald, IF Adrian Cardenas, OF Quintin Berry, Coach Steve Roadcap, Coach Ed Hodge

2008: Greensboro, NC…OF Michael Taylor, P Drew Naylor, C Joel Naughton, DH Mike Durant

Posted in 70 in 70, Adrian Cardenas, Drew Naylor, Jason Donald, Joel Naughton, Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor, Past BlueClaws, Quintin Berry, Ryan Howard, Tuffy Gosewisch | No Comments »

Former BlueClaws Notebook

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Some quick-hitters from around the baseball world as relating to some former BlueClaws…

JA Happ continued his strong spring today, allowing just a Gabe Kapler solo home run in three otherwise solid innings. His spring sits at 2.45.

Pitching coach Rich Dubee says that Happ needs to ”just keep doing what he’s doing.”

Meanwhile, Kyle Kendrick was forced to channel his inner-Bill Belichick after allowing six runs on ten hits last night. “It is what it is today,” Kendrick said afterward.

Dubee added “It’s easier to get up here than it is to get up here and stay here.”

Jason Donald, after a 2-15 start, has his average up to .355. John Mayberry, acquired in an off-season trade for Greg Golson, is also hitting the ball very well, with a team leading 10 RBIs to go with three home runs. The question, however, is what is best for the player and team, a big league reserve role or daily minor league games?

“When it comes right down to it, it’s how much they [Donald, Mayberry] are going to get to play,” Charlie Manuel said. “For them to be productive, they’ve got to play some. They never did that. I remember when I was 23 years old and I became a pinch-hitter, that was a tough job for me. That was real tough.”

Australia got routed last night in the WBC, losing to Mexico 16-1. Drew Naylor gave up three runs and got one out, while Joel Naughton went 0-1 after pinch-hitting. The Aussies have been eliminated.

In A’s camp, it appears Vin Mazzaro (of Rutherford, NJ) is the front-runner for their fifth-starter spot, a battle which Josh Outman is a part of. Also, Adrian Cardenas was sent to minor-league camp.

Posted in Adrian Cardenas, Drew Naylor, JA Happ, Jason Donald, Joel Naughton, Josh Outman, Kyle Kendrick, Past BlueClaws, Phillies, Spring Training | No Comments »

World Baseball Classic Notes

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Couple of things as we build up to the World Baseball Classic opening up its second edition on Thursday morning (4:30 am EST, Japan v China).

 - Great job by the decision makers switching from pool play (three-game round-robin) to a straight double elimination in 2009. It makes the early games far more exciting and important, especially if one of the favorites is down early in their first game.

 - Here is the full schedule.

 - The US takes on Canada on Saturday at 2 pm. You can watch the game on our big board here at FirstEnergy Park as part of our 2009 FanFest.

 - Up to nine former BlueClaws:

  • USA: Shane Victorino (rehab assignment)
  • Australia: Joel Naughton, Drew Naylor, Brad Harman 
  • Italy: Jack Santora
  • Panama: Carlos Ruiz, Avellino Asprilla
  • Venezuela: Victor Moreno, Francisco Butto

 - Thought this was interesting, though not entirely surprising…From Peter Abraham of the Journal News: “It’s popular in Asia, which is probably good enough for the MLB marketing people. A Japanese reporter I know said his paper has nine staffers covering the semifinals. Nine.”

 - Finally, here is Team USA’s starting lineup for their game today against the Yankees:

Dustin Pedroia 2B, Red Sox
Derek Jeter SS, Yankees
Chipper Jones DH, Braves
David Wright 3B, Mets
Adam Dunn RF, Reds
Kevin Youkilis 1B, Red Sox
Ryan Braun LF, Brewers
Brian McCann C, Braves
Curtis Granderson CF, Tigers

Posted in BlueClaws Events, Carlos Ruiz, Drew Naylor, FanFest, Joel Naughton, Past BlueClaws, World Baseball Classic | No Comments »

World Baseball Classic Final Rosters

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

The active rosters have been announced for the upcoming World Baseball Classic with seven former BlueClaws ready to go.

  • Australia: Drew Naylor (RHP, 2006), Joel Naughton (C, 2007-08), Brad Harman (IF, 2005)
  • Italy: Jack Santora (IF, 2003)
  • Panama: Carlos Ruiz (C, 2001), Avelino Asprilla (IF, 2006)
  • Venezuela: Victor Moreno (RHP, 2002)

Other former ‘Claws who were on provisional rosters but not final rosters include LHP RJ Swindle (Canada, 2006), RHP Scott Mitchinson (Australia, 2006-07), RHP Carlos Carrasco (Venezuela, 2006) and OF Mike Spidale (Italy, 2006).

Carrasco is in the mix for the Phillies fifth-starter’s job and pulled his name out a few days ago.  

Ryan Howard (2002) and Cole Hamels (2003) decided not to compete before the provisional rosters were announced. Here is the US roster. Hamels would have either been the lead or second starter along with Jake Peavy. In Howard’s absence, Kevin Youkilis will play first base for the Americans. I assume Derek Jeter will start at short but with Jimmy Rollins there, there will be some discussion, at least in the media and among fans, if not with the staff.

In addition to those mentioned above, the other Phillies listed are JC Romero (who is suspended for the first 50 games of the regular season) will pitch for Puerto Rico and Matt Stairs will play for Canada.

Posted in Around the Farm, Carlos Carrasco, Carlos Ruiz, Cole Hamels, Drew Naylor, General Baseball, Joel Naughton, Past BlueClaws, Phillies, Ryan Howard, World Baseball Classic | No Comments »

The 40-Man

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

At this link you can find the Phillies 40-man roster, which is filled with former BlueClaws players. Let’s take a look at their chances to be on the Opening Day, 25-man roster.

Pitchers
01. Joe Bisenius (2005): Longshot, but there could be a bullpen spot available if Chan-Ho Park is a starter.

02. Carlos Carrasco (2006): Outside chance to win 5th starter spot. Likely headed to AAA.

03. Sergio Escalona (2007-08): New to 40-man roster. Likely headed to AA bullpen.

04. Cole Hamels (2003): Opening Day starter.

05. JA Happ (2005): Slight favorite to be 5th starter. Significant improvement last year.

06: Kyle Kendrick (04-06): Will fight for 5th starter spot. Has a shot but faded at end of 08.

07. Drew Naylor (2008): Well thought of but not ready for big leagues.

08: Mike Zagurski (2006): Good shot if healthy, but reports say he might not be ready.

Catchers
09. Lou Marson (2006): Almost certainly headed to AAA, where he will be starting catcher.

10. Joel Naughton (2007-08): Surprise spot on 40-man roster. Clearwater or Reading in 08.

11. Carlos Ruiz (2001): Opening Day catcher. Played great in World Series.

Infielders
12. Brad Harman (2005): Needs to hit for better average (.210 last year). AAA likely.

13. Ryan Howard (2002): His place seems safe.

Posted in Around the Farm, Carlos Carrasco, Carlos Ruiz, Cole Hamels, Drew Naylor, JA Happ, Joel Naughton, Kyle Kendrick, Lou Marson, Mike Zagurski, Past BlueClaws, Phillies, Ryan Howard, Sergio Escalona | 1 Comment »

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