Posted by Mike Frohwirth
- readingphillies.com
The rosters for the Phillies' minor league affiliates have been determined, and the Phils' prospects (and "organizational players") begin action this week.
Lehigh Valley (AAA)
Catchers — Erik Kratz, Dane Sardinha
Infielders — Josh Barfield, Ronnie Belliard, Brian Bocock (DL), Tagg Bozied (DL), Kevin Frandsen, Robert Hudson, Jeff Larish
Outfielders — Matt Miller, Brandon Moss, Cory Sullivan, Rich Thompson, Delwyn Young
Pitchers — Brian Bass, Eddie Bonine, Nate Bump, Drew Carpenter, Ryan Feierabend, Jason Grilli, Scott Mathieson, Drew Naylor (DL), Juan Perez, Brian Schlitter (DL), Michael Schwimer, Michael Stutes, Vance Worley, Mike Zagurski
- The IronPigs, under new Manager Ryne Sandberg, host Double-A affilate Reading tonight, in the much-anticipated "222 Showcase." Their home opener is Thursday night, against Scranton Wilkes-Barre.
- The Phillies have accumulated a strong group of AAAA-quality veterans, as they use their AAA affiliate as an extension of their Major League roster.
- Recent infield pickups Ronnie Belliard, Kevin Frandsen, and Robert Hudson add to the organization's infield depth, which has already been tested by the Utley injury.
- Pitchers Stutes, Schwimer, Worley, and Mathieson could see MLB time in 2011, and should compete for projected openings on the Phillies' 2012 staff.
- Erik Kratz is certainly among the top backstops in AAA, if not among the best backstops in AAA history.
- LOOGY option Dan Meyer was released, upon his request. Former Detroit Tigers 1st round draft pick Matt Anderson was released, as he is still unable to control his overpowering fastball.
- The menu at Coca-Cola Park has been expanded, and now includes the "Three Little Pigs Sandwich", described as "four strips of mouth-watering bacon, thick ham and four ounces of succulent pulled pork served with a rich barbeque sauce on a fresh Kaiser bun."
Reading (AA)
C — Tuffy Gosewish, Tim Kennelly, John Suomi (DL)
IF — Albert Cartwright (DL), Freddy Galvis, Harold Garcia, Fidel Hernandez, Cody Overbeck, Carlos Rivero, Matt Rizzotti
OF — Chris Frey, Tyson Gillies (DL), Derrick Mitchell, Jeremy Slayden (DL), Michael Spidale, Steve Susdorf
P — Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Brummett, Chance Chapman, Michael Cisco, Justin De Fratus, Jacob Diekman, Ryan Edell, Brian Gordon (DL), Austin Hyatt, Chris Kissock, J.C. Ramirez, B.J. Rosenberg, Josh Zeid
- Reading's first regular season game is Thursday, at Portland.
- Not a very exciting-looking group of position players, but some of the pitchers are definitely worth watching, particularly Aumont and De Fratus.
- Reading's home opener, on April 14th, will feature an incredible giveaway: a 550lb. Ryan Howard Gnome!
Clearwater (A)
C — Kyle LaFrenz, Sebastian Valle, Joel Naughton (DL)
IF — Troy Hanzawa, Cesar Hernandez, Travis Mattair, Darin Ruf, Joe Savery, Alan Schoenberger
OF — Leandro Castro, Brian Gump, Jiwan James, D'Arby Myers, Jonathan Singleton
P — Tyler Cloyd, Brody Colvin, Jarred Cosart, Jordan Ellis, Joe Esposito, Justin Friend, Derrick Loop, Ebelin Lugo, Trevor May, Jonathan Pettibone, Julio Rodriguez, Jordan Whatcott
- The Threshers begin their season Thursday night, at Dunedin.
- The strength of this team should be pitching, with top prospects Colvin, Cosart, and May all on the roster.
- Former AAA pitcher Joe Savery will attempt to reinvent himself as a position player.
- Among position player prospects with Clearwater, Singleton and Frosted Flakes fan Jiwan James are probably the most highly-regarded.
Lakewood (A)
C — Torre Langley, Cameron Rupp
IF — Jeremy Barnes, Stephen Batts, Edgar Duran, Geancarlo Mendez, James Murphy, Carlos Perdomo
OF — Aaron Altherr, Miguel Alvarez, Zach Collier, Anthony Hewitt, Domingo Santana
P — Jesse Biddle, Jacob Borup, David Buchanan, Garrett Claypool, Mario Hollands, Chase Johnson, Tyler Knigge, Ervis Manzanillo, Bryan Morgado, Eric Pettis, Colby Schreve, Juan Sosa
- The BlueClaws begin their season on Thursday, hosting the intimidating Kannapolis Intimidators.
- Top position prospects here include Altherr and Santana.
- Top pitching prospects include Biddle and Schreve.
- Opening Day will feature the raising of the 2010 SAL Championship Banner.
