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Definitive BlueClaws/Phillies Bowl Guide

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

bowlguideWho do you root for in all the bowl games if not your school or favorite team? We’ve compiled the definitive BlueClaws/Phillies Bowl Guide to help you. School affiliations, one way or another, for different former BlueClaws and members of the Phillies. I’m sure we missed some so feel free to jump in the comments…

New Mexico Bowl: Wyoming vs Fresno State (Steve Susdorf, 2009 LBC)…Wyoming won 35-28

Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs Oregon State (Mike Stutes, 2008 LBC; Andrew Baldwin, 2005 LBC)…BYU won 44-20

12/24 Hawaii Bowl: Nevada vs SMU (Phillies broadcaster Scott Franzke)

12/26 Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pittsburgh (Nick Evangelista, 2004 LBC) vs North Carolina (Jason Knapp, 2009 LBC-committed to UNC but signed with the Phillies)

12/26 Emerald Bowl: USC (D’Arby Myers, 2008-09 LBC) vs Boston College (Kevin Shepard, 2004 LBC)

12/27 Music City Bowl: Clemson (Herm Demmink, 2007 LBC) vs Kentucky (Joe Blanton, Phillies)

12/28 Independence Bowl: Texas A&M vs Georgia (Jayson Werth, Phillies-committed to UGA but signed with Orioles)

12/29 EagleBank Bowl: Temple vs UCLA (Chase Utley, Phillies; Tyson Brummett, 2008 LBC)

12/29 Champs Sports Bowl: Wisconsin vs Miami (Domonic Brown, 2008 LBC-committed to play football here but signed with Phillies)

12/30 Humanitarian Bowl: Idaho vs Bowling Green (Andy Tracy, Phillies minor leaguer played with Lehigh Valley last year)

12/30 Holiday Bowl: Nebraska (Jacob Diekman, 2008-09 LBC-committed but signed with Phillies; Luke Wertz, 2009 LBC) vs Arizona (Jason Donald, 2007 LBC; Anthony Gose, 2009 LBC-committed but signed with Phillies)

12/31 Armed Forces Bowl: Houston vs Air Force (Karl Bolt, 2008 LBC)

12/31 Sun Bowl: Oklahoma (Will Savage, 2006 LBC; Greg Dobbs, Phillies) vs Stanford (Michael Taylor, 2008 LBC; Eric Bruntlett, with Phillies in 2009; John Mayberry, Jr, with Lehigh Valley and Phillies in 09)

1/1 Outback Bowl: Auburn (Javon Moran, 2004 LBC) vs Northwestern (JA Happ, 2005 LBC; Dan Brauer, 2006 LBC)

1/1 Capital One Bowl: LSU (Clay Harris, 2006 LBC; Brody Colvin, 2009 Phillies draft pick committed to LSU) vs Penn State (Phillies broadcaster Chris Wheeler)

1/2 International Bowl: South Florida vs Northern Illinois (Matt German, 2007 LBC)

1/2 PapaJohn.com Bowl: UConn vs South Carolina (Mike Cisco, 2008 LBC; Andrew Cruse, 2007 LBC; Aaron Rawl, 2005-06 LBC)

1/2 Cotton Bowl: Ole Miss (Cooper Osteen, 2006 LBC) vs Oklahoma State (John Urick, 2006 LBC; Jason Jaramillo, 2005 LBC)

1/5 Orange Bowl: Georgia Tech (Jeremy Slayden, 2006 LBC) vs Iowa (Harry Kalas, legendary Phillies broadcaster; Nathan Johnson, 2005 LBC)

1/7 BCS Championship Game: Texas vs Alabama (Austin Hyatt, 2009 LBC)

Posted in Anthony Gose, Austin Hyatt, D'Arby Myers, Domonic Brown, Jason Knapp, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Phillies, Steve Susdorf | No Comments »

Full Phillies Player Development Staff and Other Notes

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Earlier we told you that Mark Parent is the new manager of the BlueClaws, taking over for Clearwater-bound Dusty Wathan. You can read the Q&A with Parent here. But there are a lot more coaches around the entire organization. Here’s the list.

Lakewood

  • Manager: Mark Parent (1st season)
  • Pitching Coach: Steve Schrenk…was with the BlueClaws in 2005 and 2006. He spent last year with Double-A Reading.
  • Hitting Coach: Greg Legg…the popular “Legger” returns for a 4th season in Lakewood (he was the manager in 2001 and the hitting coach the last two years), his third straight as hitting coach.

Lehigh Valley

  • Mananger: Dave Huppert…the only manager in IronPigs history is back. He managed the BlueClaws to a 2006 Championship with Schrenk as his pitching coach.
  • Pitching Coach: Rod Nichols…his 5th straight year in AAA with the Phils, he was Lakewood’s original pitching coach in 2001.
  • Hitting Coach: Greg Gross…the 1973 NL Rookie of the Year completes a coaching staff identical to the 2009 version.

Reading

  • Manager: Steve Roadcap…Lakewood’s manager in 2007 and 2008 begins his 5th year in the system, and second in BaseballTown.
  • Pitching Coach: Bob Milacki…He flips places with Schrenk, and starts his second year in Double-A. He spent one year with Altoona while with the Pirates.
  • Hitting Coach: Frank Caccitore…His third year with Reading and in the organization.

Clearwater

  • Manager: Dusty Wathan…Lakewood’s manager during the Championship season of 2009, Wathan begins his third season as a Phillies manager after retiring from playing.
  • Pitching Coach…Dave Lundquist…With the BlueClaws in 2008, Lundquist begins his second year with Clearwater.
  • Hitting Coach…Kevin Jordan…the former Phillie begins his fourth season as a coach in the organization, and his 3rd with Clearwater.

Williamsport

  • Manager: Chris Truby…thought he might be coming to Lakewood this year but he’ll return to Williamsport for a second season…Spent four years in the big leagues, this is his second as a manager.
  • Pitching Coach…Lance Carter, former big league reliever in his first season as a coach.
  • Hitting Coach: Jorge Velandia…utility player spent part of last year with Lehigh Valley…this is his first season as a coach.

—

Two other notes

  • Our buddy Ben Hill from MiLB.com (and this blog) tweeted over to us today the following: I once attended a Phils-Marlins DH in which both games went 12 innings. Mark Parent was behind the plate the entire time.
  • Mark Parent spent one year as a manager in the Mariners system when Dusty Wathan played for the Mariners organization in 1999.

Posted in 2010 BlueClaws, Around the Farm, Clearwater Threshers, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Mark Parent, Reading Phillies, Williamsport Crosscutters | 1 Comment »

Prospect Season

Friday, November 6th, 2009

It’s that time of year, prospect season. Baseball America releases their top ten Phillies prospects on Monday and we’ll have everything covered right here on BlueClaws Blog. Later this weekend, we will give you our picks, but first, let’s look back at a survey the Reading Eagle did at the end of the minor league season.

They asked members of the media and team broadcasters who cover the organization’s minor league clubs to rank, 1-20, members of the Phillies pharm system.

Here’s how the rankings came out (our comments)

  • 1. Kyle Drabek, P, off TJ surgery, jumped from Clearwater to Reading easily
  • 2. Michael Taylor, OF, has hit at four different levels since Lakewood early 08
  • 3. Domonic Brown, OF, just turned 22, playing well in AFL
  • 4. Anthony Gose, OF, speedster led MiLB in stolen bases w/ 76
  • 5. Travis d’Arnaud, C, had great 2nd half after struggling in first half, top catcher in system after trade of Lou Marson
  • 6. Mike Stutes, P, he and Worley first in 10 years to open first full season in Reading
  • 7. Freddy Galvis, SS, slick fielder got taste of Double-A at end of season
  • 8. Antonio Bastardo, P, became 30th former BlueClaw to reach bigs this year, active for all three rounds of playoffs
  • 9. BJ Rosenberg, P, unknown at beginning of the year, he double-jumped to Reading
  • 10. Joe Savery, P, former 1st round pick won 15 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley
  • (continued below)

(more…)

Posted in 2009 BlueClaws, Anthony Gose, Antonio Bastardo, Arizona Fall League, Around the Farm, Clearwater Threshers, Domonic Brown, Freddy Galvis, Kyle Drabek, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Michael Stutes, Michael Taylor, Past BlueClaws, Phillies, Quintin Berry, Reading Phillies, Sebastian Valle, Sergio Escalona, Travis d'Arnaud, Trevor May, Vance Worley | No Comments »

‘Claws Add Two for Finals

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Two new BlueClaws for the SAL Championship Series, which begins tonight at FirstEnergy Park…

  • RHP Andrew Carpenter, a 2nd round pick in 2006, will move into Lakewood’s bullpen. He wetn 11-6, 3.35 with Lehigh Valley this season and is with the BlueClaws to stay sharp in case he is needed with the big club in September. He will not start a game, but could see action out of the bullpen.
  • RHP Clay Condrey will make a rehab appearance tonight (game one). He will not start, that will still be Matthew Way. Condrey, rehabbing a strained left oblique, gave up two runs in one inning with Reading on Friday. He is a former roommate of BlueClaws manager Dusty Wathan.

Posted in 2009 BlueClaws, BlueClaws Post-Season, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Phillies | No Comments »

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 »

Former ‘Claws to Arizona Fall League

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Eight Phillies farmhands will represent the organization in the upcoming Arizona Fall League, and seven are current or former BlueClaws.

Pitchers
RHP Michael Cisco: 0-3, 6.33 w/ Reading after 7-3, 3.31 w/ Clearwater…South Carolina product pitched in eight games with the 2008 BlueClaws.
RHP Scott Mathieson: After missing 2008 with Tommy John Surgery, Mathieson has allowed just two earned runs in 22 innings between the GCL, Clearwater, and Reading this year. He was with Lakewood in 2004.
RHP Michael Schwimer: The only one here who is not a former BlueClaw, Schwimer was drafted last year out of Virginia, skipped Lakewood out of the spring, and has 17 saves for Clearwater.
LHP Mike Zagurski: A reliever on the 2006 SAL Champion BlueClaws, Zagurski, recovering from Tommy John Surgery, is 3-4, 4.36 this season with Reading.

Position Players
C Tuffy Gosewisch: A 2007 BlueClaw, the catcher was recently promoted from Reading to Lehigh Valley
SS Troy Hanzawa*: Lakewood’s current shortstop, Hanzawa is one of the best defensive players this year in the SAL…Can only be active Wednesdays and Saturdays.
OF Dominic Brown: A (if not the) Phillies top prospect, Brown is hitting .308-14-58 this year between Clearwater and Reading. He’ll turn 22 on September 3rd.
OF Steve Susdorf: Hit .333 with Lakewood from Memorial Day to the All-Star Break, than .371 with Clearwater over 151 at bats before a deserved promotion to Reading, where he is 12-49.
* - taxi squad

Current BlueClaws pitching coach Bob Milacki will be the pitching coach for Scottsdale, which also has players from the Arizona, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and Colorado organizations.

Here are full rosters. We’ll have a lot more on the AFL leading into the games and during the league itself.

Posted in 2009 BlueClaws, Arizona Fall League, Around the Farm, Clearwater Threshers, Domonic Brown, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Mike Zagurski, Past BlueClaws, Reading Phillies, Steve Susdorf, Troy Hanzawa, Tuffy Gosewisch | 1 Comment »

One More to AAA: Good Luck Tuffy

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

Commenter LeeAnn in our previous thread noted Tuffy Gosewisch’s promotion to Lehigh Valley. Gosewisch, an outstanding defensive catcher, was with the BlueClaws in 2007 and this is his first crack at Triple-A.

A 2005 11th round pick (Arizona State), Tuffy was hitting .244-1-20 with Reading before his promotion, and will get to catch at Lehigh Valley now that Lou Marson has been traded to the Indians.

Tuffy is a great guy and we wish him the best of luck with Lehigh Valley.

Posted in Around the Farm, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Past BlueClaws, Reading Phillies, Tuffy Gosewisch | No Comments »

Taylor Hits for Cycle

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Former BlueClaws OF Michael Taylor became the first Lehigh Valley IronPig to hit for the cycle, going deep last night in the 9th inning to tie the game at 9. Miguel Cairo added a 10th inning single to give the ‘Pigs a 10-9 win.

Taylor, who was 5-5, improved his average from .247 to .286 in one night. Well done.

”Expectations are always high for fans and the media, but I’m just trying to get better as a player, and I don’t really see 60, 70 at-bats at .250, .260 as a disappointment because I just continued to work at getting better,” Taylor said in the Morning Call (more here).

Posted in Around the Farm, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Michael Taylor, Past BlueClaws | No Comments »

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