The Phillies made a couple moves with the AA Reading Fightin' Phils roster today. First, outfield prospect Jiwan James was released from the organization. Second, pitching prospect Jesse Biddle was placed on the temporary inactive list. Both were drafted with high upsides but struggled along with injuries.
Reading Eagle Fightin' Phils writer Mike Drago sees a connection between Biddle's performance and when he suffered a concussion in May's vicious hailstorm:
In 5 starts since returning from concussion, Reading's Jesse Biddle has allowed 24 ER & 26 H in 22 IP, with 16 BB & 15 Ks #phillies
— Mike Drago (@mldrago) June 24, 2014
That is good for an earned run average over nine in that span. Biddle's last outing was his worst; Biddle allowed 10 runs. It is not fully clear what Biddle's status is or what specifically led to Biddle's place on the inactive list rather than a disabled list.
James, a center fielder who switch-hit simply did not have a place on the Reading Phillies roster. While he hit .333 in limited action this season, AA featured three Phillies outfield prospects that need to play: Kelly Dugan, Aaron Altherr, and Zach Collier. James hopes to hook up with another team.
Known for his presence on Twitter, James took to Twitter with his sense of humor after the release:
Just know that if I'm in another organization soon, Lebron is coming to that city.lol His decision depends on mine. @JTBHARDY
— Jiwan James (@Jiwan23) June 26, 2014
