Archive for the ‘Josh Outman’ Category

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Countdown 2010: BlueClaws Moments in the Bigs

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Welcome back to Countdown 2010, a weekly look at some of the greatest parts of BlueClaws history through the lens of a top ten list. This week, we look at some of the best moments by former BlueClaws in the big leagues. (Click here for list of former ‘Claws that made the majors)

Previously: Photos, Entertainers, Concerts/Events, Bobblehead Dolls, Celebrity Guests

Without further adieu…

10. A BlueClaw Makes the World Series…But it wasn’t Ryan Howard or Cole Hamels. It was Ezequiel Astacio. The right-handed pitcher was here in 2002 (with Howard and Gavin Floyd), and was sent to Houston in the Billy Wagner trade and pitched for Houston in the 2005 World Series. He gave up the game-winning home run to Geoff Blum in game three.

9. Zagurski’s Debut…While relatively uneventful in the big picture, Mike Zagurski reaching the big leagues as fast as he did goes into the list. Remember, he was a BlueClaws pitcher (in Lo-A) when the 2006 season ended. Then on May 25th, 2007 (basically two months of baseball later), he’s in the big leagues. I would guess that we will never see a player go from Lakewood to Philadelphia faster than Mike did.

(more…)

Posted in Carlos Carrasco, Carlos Ruiz, Cole Hamels, Countdown 2010, Gavin Floyd, Josh Outman, Matt Maloney, Michael Bourn, Mike Zagurski, Past BlueClaws, Phillies, Ryan Howard | 1 Comment »

Former Claws at Other Camps

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

10springtraining1We’ve already looked at (here) the 16 former BlueClaws in Phillies big league camp, but there are 20 other former BlueClaws in 12 big league camps around baseball.

The most heavily populated team with former ‘Claws? No surprise, the Toronto Blue Jays.

  • Travis d’Arnaud (2009): starting catcher on the 2009 SAL champion BlueClaws (.255-13-71), and was sent to the Blue Jays as part of the Roy Halladay trade. A non-roster invitee for the 21 year old who had never been above Lo-A is significant and impressive.
  • Kyle Drabek (2007): more on Drabek here, but the 2007 BlueClaws pitcher is considered one of the top 20 prospects in the sport. He could debut in Toronto later this summer or early 2011. He is another non-roster invitee.
  • Jesus Merchan (2005): Now in his 6th organization, Merchan played 25 games with the BlueClaws in 2005 and is a non-roster invitee here. Hit .339 with Arizona in AAA durign the 2008 season.
  • Randy Ruiz (2004): Hit 27 home runs with the BlueClaws, debuted with the Twins in 2008 and is now on the Jays 40-man roster. He homered in Yankee Stadium last year.

(more…)

Posted in Adrian Cardenas, Carlos Carrasco, Gavin Floyd, General Baseball, Jason Donald, Josh Outman, Kyle Drabek, Lou Marson, Matt Maloney, Michael Bourn, Michael Taylor, Past BlueClaws, Travis d'Arnaud | 1 Comment »

Could Some Former ‘Claws Head to Phillies 40-Man Roster?

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

It’s that time of the year…free agency begins on Friday (first time players can be signed by other teams…they’ve been allowed to talk since the end of the World Series) and the Rule Five Draft (Shane Victorino anyone?) is less than a month away at the Winter Meetings in Indy.

Basically, any high school player drafted in 2005 or college player drafted in 2006 would have to be put in on their organization’s 40-man roster to protect them from being drafted. Of course, if they are selected, they must be on the new team’s 25-man roster for the entire season or be offered back. More on this below. Here’s our take:

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Posted in Adrian Cardenas, Around the Farm, Domonic Brown, Josh Outman, Kyle Drabek, Matt Maloney, Michael Taylor, Past BlueClaws, Phillies, Quintin Berry, Tuffy Gosewisch | 1 Comment »

ClawCast: Dave Huppert

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

davehuppertOur friend Ben Wagner recently caught up with Dave Huppert (click here to listen), the manager of the 2006 SAL Champion BlueClaws. Ben is currently calling games with Buffalo (AAA-Mets), who this weekend played Dave Huppert’s Lehigh Valley club. Here’s a great look back at the 2006 Claws in advance of the 2009 Claws entering the post-season.

Some snippets below:

  • The start (0-9): “It was tough…We won the first game in extra innings too. It was a long road back.”
  • Two halves: “When you play a full season and fall down 0-9 it’s tough to come back. The two-half season is fair in the minor leagues. If you get off to a bad start, you’re in trouble because you’re going to lose players.”
  • Huppert’s key to the season: “They left us alone. They could have moved that pitching and we would have been in deep trouble.”
  • Which of the big three would the Phillies want to keep: “My judgment is Carrasco because of the stuff. He’s got a chance to be a top line pitcher, but he’s going to have to work on the make-up.”
  • Where’s the ring? “It’s at home with my father. I know where it’s at.”
  • Maloney in the clincher: “He had all of his pitches, locating, and they weren’t getting very good swings. There was no way he was coming out of that game.”

Posted in Carlos Carrasco, ClawCasts, Josh Outman, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Matt Maloney, Past BlueClaws | No Comments »

Maloney Solid…Outman Next

Saturday, June 13th, 2009

Matt Maloney gave up two runs in his first five innings last night but allowed a two-run home run in the sixth inning as the Reds dropped a game to the Royals. Maloney, who has now started two games (six runs over 12 innings) has certainly earned a third start. Hopefully his team gets him some runs; they’ve scored 37 in their last 13 games.

Josh Outman (4-0) has five big league wins, and starts tonight against Randy Johnson and the Giants, who only has 300. A 2006 BlueClaw, Outman has won four of his last six starts and has settled in with the A’s after failing to win a rotation spot out of spring training.

Posted in General Baseball, Josh Outman, Matt Maloney, Past BlueClaws | No Comments »

Pitcher’s Paradise

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Of late, former BlueClaws pitchers have had an amazing run of success, making Lakewood a Pitcher’s Paradise. Here are a list of former BlueClaws pitchers and the results just from their last start!:

Kyle Drabek (First start in AA-Reading): 7ip, 0r, 3h, win
JA Happ (MLB-Phillies): 7ip, 0r, 4h, win
Josh Outman (right) (MLB-Oakland): 6.2ip, 2ER, win
Gavin Floyd (MLB-Chiacgo WS): 7ip, 4h, 2ER, 8k
Matt Maloney (AAA-Louisville): 9ip, 0r, 3h, 10ks, win
Antonio Bastardo (MLB Debut-Phillies): 6ip, 4h, 1ER, win
Carlos Carrasco (AAA-Lehigh Valley): 7ip, 6h, 2r, 6k
Kyle Kendrick (AAA-Lehigh Valley): 7ip, 5h, 2r

Congratulations to all these former Claws, making strides to and in the Big Leagues.

Posted in Antonio Bastardo, Carlos Carrasco, Gavin Floyd, JA Happ, Josh Outman, Kyle Drabek, Kyle Kendrick, Matt Maloney | 1 Comment »

Outman Makes A’s Rotation

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

He didn’t think he was even in the mix heading into camp, because nobody in the media seemed to think he was in the mix. But Josh Outman, a BlueClaw in 2006, has earned a spot in the A’s rotation.

“During the course of the spring, I didn’t see my name a lot, and I wasn’t sure if I was competing for a spot in the bullpen or as a starter,” he said. “But Bob told me I was still competing for a spot in the rotation, and it’s good that all my hard work has paid off.”

Outman beat out Sean Gallagher for the last spot. Both had 5.40 ERAs in the spring but the A’s felt that Outman pitched against tougher competition.

His first start is the team’s home opener on April 10th.

[San Francisco Chronicle photo]

Posted in General Baseball, Josh Outman, Past BlueClaws | No Comments »

70 in 70: Number 6

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Six days to go until the BlueClaws April 9th opener against Delmarva. Remember, the World Series Trophy will be in attendance that day. You can take your picture with the same trophy on the field and in the locker room when the Phillies won the World Series in October. Remember to bring your own camera!

Today’s 70 in 70 entry looks at the 200(6) BlueClaws South Atlantic League Championship team. Some notes…

  • The team started 0-9, which basically knocked them out of contention for the first-half title, though they won 37 of their last 60 first-half games.
  • A second-half tour-de-force saw them go 47-23, coasting into the playoffs.
  • The BlueClaws beat Lexington in the first-round two games to none before handling Augusta three games to one to win the team’s first and only SAL title.

Players on that team and where they are now:

  • Carlos Carrasco went 12-6 that year. He’ll open 2009 with Lehigh Valley and the Phils top pitching prospect could pitch in the big leagues this year.
  • Josh Outman won 14 games. Traded to Oakland in July, he’ll open 2009 as a member of the A’s rotation.
  • Matt Maloney won the SAL’s top pitcher award after going 16-9 with a 2.08 ERA. Now a member of the Reds organization, he’ll go to AAA Louisville again this year.
  • Jeremy Slayden hit .310 in 2006 and will likely open 2009 with Lehigh Valley.
  • Now one of the top catching prospects in baseball, Lou Marson will catch every day at Lehigh Valley and is considered the Phillies catcher of the future.

Posted in 70 in 70, Carlos Carrasco, Josh Outman, Lakewood BlueClaws, Lou Marson, Matt Maloney | No Comments »

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