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Eight years after he initially signed a professional contract with the Dodgers and a five-year stretch playing away from affiliated ball, Bubby Rossman became a major leaguer on Wednesday. Added as a substitute for pitcher Kyle Gibson, who is restricted from travel to Canada for the Phillies' series in Toronto, due to his medical inability to be vaccinated from COVID-19, Rossman took the mound for the first time in the majors. Rossman, who was a 22nd round draft selection in 2014 had pitched in 200 professional games before his one-inning outing in the Phillies' 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays. In 27 appearances with Double-A Reading this year, the 30-year-old right-hander has performed well, tallying a 2-2 record with a save, a 3.32 ERA and a .200 batting average against.   The embedded video below features a media session with Rossman from prior to opening day this year, in which the California native discusses his journey through independent baseball and back to affiliated ball w...

On Saturday night, outfielder Hunter Markwardt capped off an exciting 4-3 comeback win with a walk-off hit for the Class A Clearwater Threshers.   The team entered the bottom of the 9th trailing 3-0, but a convincing four-run outburst notched an impressive victory for the Phillies affiliate over Lakeland.   Thus far on the young season, the 23-year-old lefty batter has posted a .375 batting average through three games.  Markwardt was the Phils' 13th round draft selection out of Oklahoma Christian University in 2019. Last week I spoke with the promising outfielder about his excitement level for the new season, among other things.  Read ahead for that interview. -What's your level of excitement to get this season started?    Having not played in an official game since 2019, it's crazy to say the least.  With all the work put into the extended off-season, it's been super exciting to see how it's going to pay off in the the near future.  T...

Aaron Brown, image- Jay Floyd Please consider supporting my work and subscribe to  my Patreon page .  Your patronage will get you exclusive interviews and other prospect related material as well as early access to all of my other content such as this post.  Thank you. Aaron Brown was released last Friday after nearly six years in the Phillies organization. Brown, the Phils' 3rd round draft selection in 2014 out of Pepperdine, was primarily an outfielder after turning pro.  A two-way player in college, Brown switched to pitching in 2017 after struggling on offense (.224/.313/.360) at the Double-A level. A dominant hurler in college, Brown posted a 13-1 record along with a 1.95 ERA in 17 starts in 2014.  A solid performer on the minor league mound as well, the California native notched a 5-4 record with a pair of saves, a 3.82 ERA along with an 11.0 K/9 mark in 45 relief appearances for the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils last season. With free ...

Ethan Lindow, image- Jay Floyd I invite you to visit Patreon.com/PhoulBallz in order to support my work, get access to material like this before anyone else and get access to interviews as well as other exclusive content you can't get anywhere else.   Lefty pitcher Ethan Lindow stood out so much among Phillies pitching prospects last year that he was honored with the Paul Owens Award, an honor bestowed annually upon the top position player and the top hurler from the organization's minor league affiliates. Selected in the 5th round of the 2017 draft as a high schooler, Lindow would sign for a reported $500,000 and swiftly began his professional career. In the Rookie level Gulf Coast League, the Georgie native would start eight contests, posting a 2-2 record witha 4.55 ERA and a .241 batting average against while striking out 34 and walking 12 batters in 27 2/3 innings pitched.  He would participate that year in the Florida Instructional League as well....

Rookie reporter and second generation PhoulBallz correspondent Evan Floyd took his first day on the job very seriously as he sat down with Lakewood pitcher Albertus Barber to talk about the hard-hitting topics.  Included in their chat were exchanges about each of the young men's favorite dinosaurs, their favorite super heroes and most importantly their favorite baseball players plus plenty more. Barber, a 23-year-old Oklahoma native, was an undrafted free agent signed by the Phillies for a bonus of $1,000 this summer. In 15 appearances in the minors this year, the right-hander sports a 4-0 record with a 0.96 ERA, a .227 batting average against as well as a 0.87 WHIP. Check out the media player below to see these two dynamic young men hash out the important matters. HELP SUPPORT CONTENT LIKE THIS AND KEEP IT COMING ALL SEASON LONG BY BECOMING A PATRON!  Get early access to posts like this, EXCLUSIVE interviews and bonus quotes from Kendall Simmons in the Pa...

It has been a few days since the IronPigs hosted the Fightins for the final pre-season exhibition on Tuesday.  The contest saw the Triple-A Lehigh Valley team notch a comeback victory over the Double-A Reading squad by a score of 5-3. Lehigh Valley righty pitcher Mark Appel , who missed more than half of last season after requiring surgery on his pitching arm, had a tough outing, letting up three earned runs in two innings of work. I received a few questions online about his efforts (he threw 40 pitches, 25 of those were strikes, he struck out two, walked one and hit a batter while allowing four hits against his organization mates), his health (he is said to be 100-percent) and his velocity (mostly 91-93 with the fastball).  With footage of all four batters he faced in the opening frame, I figured I would publish them, for anyone interested in taking a look. The 25-year-old Appel, who was the first overall draft pick by Houston in 2013, is slated to be the IronPigs' fift...

Jake Thompson, image- Jay Floyd Acquired as part of the group of prospects that came in return in the trade for Cole Hamels , right-handed pitcher Jake Thompson shot toward the head of the pack to become the Phillies' top pitching prospect last summer. Touting a strong arm and a some big strike out numbers, Thompson looks to be destined for a spot in the big league rotation sooner than later. Originally a second round draft selection out of Rockwall-Heath High School (TX) by Detroit in 2012, the six-foot-four 235-pounder had a tremendous start to his pro career in the Gulf Coast League that year. In seven starts there as an 18-year-old, Thompson posted a 1-2 record with a 1.91 ERA and a .149 batting average against. In 2013, Thompson sported a 3-3 record with a 3.13 ERA along with a 9.8 K/9 mark in 17 games for Class A West Michigan. The following season, Thompson opened the year with Class A Advanced Lakeland, posting a 6-4 record with a 3.14 ERA in 16 starts before e...

Carlos Tocci, image- Jay Floyd Since he was signed by the Phillies for a reported bonus of $759,000 in the summer of 2011 on his 16th birthday, Carlos Tocci has been followed by a tremendous reputation that he seemed to finally be living up to during his 2015 season. Right from the start of his career, he was tasked with very challenging assignments.  Tocci says that one of the things that resulted in him choosing to sign with the Phillies was that they pledged to allow him to begin his pro career in the United States instead of playing at home in the Venezuelan Summer League. After participating in the Phillies’ fall instructional league following his signing, Tocci debuted in the minors with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2012, batting .278 with two doubles, nine RBI and nine steals in 38 games. The following year, as a 17-year-old, he played the entire season with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Struggling against more experienced pitching, Tocci p...

On this week's edition of Phillies Nation, I sat down with rising catching prospect "The California Kid" Andrew Knapp to discuss his recent success. Since he was promoted to Double-A Reading in June, the 23-year-old switch-hitter is batting .380 with 10 homers and 51 RBI in 46 games. The segment also features remarks from teammates Jake Thompson , Nick Pivetta and Mark Leiter Jr. Don't miss this profile...check it out in the media player below and look for new episodes of PNTV premiering each Tuesday at 6PM on The Comcast Network.

On the latest edition of Phillies Nation, Pat and Corey discuss the lackluster Phillies offense as well as the possible trade value of left-hander Cole Hamels . The episode also includes a feature from Jay on IronPigs reliever Adam Loewen and Rudy brings a segment with Darren Daulton at the Broad St. Run. Check out the media player below for the full episode. New editions of Phillies Nation debut each week on The Comcast Network on Tuesdays at 6PM. Replay times this week include Thursday on TCN at 5:30PM and 9:30PM, Thursday on CSN at 4PM and 11PM, as well as Saturday on CSN at 3:30PM and 11PM.

Reading shortstop Edgar Duran is among the ranks of prospects that is better known for his defense that he is for his efforts at the plate. Featuring great range and a quick throwing release, the 23-year-old Venezuelan often makes pressing plays look easy. After flashing his leather in a contest in Trenton on Saturday night, Duran had the key hit in a 7-1 Fightins victory. In the 8th inning after top Yankees draft pick right-hander Jacob Lindgren loaded the bases while issuing three walks and was removed in favor of lefty Francisco Rondon , the righty hitting Duran slapped a bases clearing double down the left field line. He clearly can do things with the bat as well. See the video player below for footage of Duran's big hit. In 104 games with Double-A Reading this season, the 5-foot-11 155-pounder is batting .224 with four homers and 25 RBI. He also played in 14 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season. Also captured on video is this clip, seen in the media pla...

Tyler Viza was selected by the Phillies in the 32nd round of the MLB amateur draft last year.  In his first full season of professional baseball, at age 19, the six-foot-three 170-pounder has already set the single season team loss record for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws, having dropped 17 of his 21 decisions this year. Overall, coaches and Phillies brass are pleased with the progress they've seen from the young Arizona native, who surprised many by beginning his 2014 campaign on a full season roster and stunned more by staying there for the duration of the year. After going 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA in five April outings, Viza has posted a 1-15 record along with a 5.75 ERA in the 19 starts that followed. Recently, I captured footage of Viza loosening up for a start.

From time to time I'll post video clips of rising prospects in action or doing pregame work. This round of clips features bullpen footage of Class A Lakewood hurlers Yacksel Rios and Yoel Mecias . Rios, a righty, sports a fastball that has regularly been clocked at 91-92 MPH this season and features nice movement, a quality change up that registers in the low 80's and an improving slider that sits in the upper 80's. BlueClaws pitching coach Les Lancaster asserts that opposing batters generally don't often get good swings against the 21-year-old Puerto Rican, as he hides the ball well with his wind up. Rios was the Phils' 12th round draft choice in 2011. After beginning the season in the Lakewood bullpen, Rios has notched a 3-0 record with a 3.76 ERA in eight starts. Mecias, a left-hander, is a well touted pitching prospect for the Phillies that is bouncing back after undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer. The 20-year-old Venezuelan sports a low 90...

For this week's edition of The Comcast Network's Phillies Nation TV, I produced a video package that features shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford . The 19-year-old was selected by the Phillies with the 16th overall pick in last year's draft. Since then, the talented lefty hitter has performed very well in the minors and appears ready to move upward in the developmental ranks at a fast pace. This month, the gentlemen of 20/20 Visual Media and I spent some time with J.P. as well as his manager with Class A Lakewood, Greg Legg , and we put together the piece in the media player below. It's the first of many to come. Enjoy the segment. **Update** To view the full episode which features details on Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard as well as a segment with former Phils hurler Tommy Greene, check out the media player below.

Recently, I shot some short video clips of a few Class A Lakewood players taking cuts during batting practice.  The footage below features outfielders Larry Greene Jr., Dylan Cozens and second baseman Andrew Pullin . Greene was the Phillies' top draft choice (39th overall) in 2011.  In two professional seasons since then, Greene has posted a .236 average with six home runs and 54 RBI in 181 games combined at short-season A level Williamsport and Lakewood.  In 11 contests thus far with Lakewood this year, the 21-year-old is batting .243 with two doubles, a triple, four RBI and two steals.  The six-foot 235-pounder is still striving to live up to the reputation of being a power hitter when he was drafted. Cozens, who will turn 20 next month, was the Phils' 2nd round draft selection in 2012.  In two pro seasons, the six-foot-six 235-pounder has tallied a .261 average with 14 homers and 59 RBI in 118 games combined with the rookie level Gulf Coast League ...

Last season's 10th round draft choice by the Phillies, Kevin Brady , had a much improved outing his last time out after a troublesome season debut with the Lakewood BlueClaws on Friday. On the road, against the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins affiliate), the right-handed Clemson University product held the opposition to just one unearned run on three hits over six innings for a no decision. Brady, a six-foot-three 220-pounder, allowed six earned runs on eight hits in his first start when he faced the Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox affiliate) last Sunday. After signing his first pro contract last year, Brady put together a great season, posting a 2-3 record along with a 1.90 ERA and an 11.39 K/9 mark in 12 combined outings (10 starts), with the Gulf Coast League Phillies and the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters. In what I hope will be the first in a steady stream of video samples of players this year, here's a clip of Brady warming up prior to his start against...

On the latest episode of Phillies Nation TV, Corey Seidman serves as host and welcome PN writers Eric Seidman, Ian Riccaboni and me, Jay Floyd, to discuss all the latest happenings in the Phillies organization and around baseball. The program kicks off with discussion about the Phillies' wild card chances and in segment two, Corey and I chat about three young players that have had bust-out 2012 seasons in Darin Ruf , Tyler Cloyd , Cesar Hernandez . Later, the guys also field viewer questions, talk about the big Red Sox-Dodgers trade and plenty more. Check out the media player below to see the full episode.

On Saturday night, as part of the Reading Phillies' Yuengling Post-Game Concert Series, right-handed hurler Trevor May performed as his alter ego DJ Hey Beef, following the club's 7-2 victory over the Harrisburg Senators (Washington affiliate). May, who has DJ'd publicly in his home state of Washington, has never had the opportunity to spin music for fans in the Philadelphia region before. When a spot opened up on the schedule in the R-Phils' weekend concert schedule, May welcomed the opportunity to display his musical hobby to a game day crowd.  The Phillies' 4th round draft selection from 2008 had previously reached out to the team about hosting a show in some fashion. "It should be a lot of fun.  That's one thing that he's really big into. I was his roommate on the road, earlier this year, and that's all he was talking about. He was on the computer, trying to find a gig to do...and it should be a lot of fun, Reading outfielder Jiwan Ja...

Right-handed hurler Colin Kleven has been one of the most consistent pitchers on the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws roster this season.  The native of Kamloops, British Columbia was a 33rd round draft selection by the Phillies in 2009.  In his first two pro seasons, Kleven posted a 4-11 record with a 5.53 ERA in 24 games (21 starts) combined with the Gulf Coast League Phillies and the Williamsport Crosscutters. This season, the 21-year-old has been much more solid in the starting rotation for the BlueClaws.  Through 9 starts, Kleven has tallied a 3-4 record with 3.59 ERA while holding opponents to a .238 batting average. Take away one start in which Kleven struggled against the Hagerstown Suns, allowing 6 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings, in mid-April, and Kleven has a 2.60 ERA this year. The 6-foot-6-inch 225-pounder regularly hits 92-93 MPH with his fastball and has averaged 7.74 strike outs per 9 innings this season. Video of Kleven throwing a bullpen session can b...

The Class A Lakewood BlueClaws lost in controversial fashion on Sunday evening, dropping their series finale against the Hagerstown Suns (Nationals affiliate), by a score of 7-6, in front of 5,457 fans at Lakewood's FirstEnergy Park. In the bottom of the 8th inning, trailing 7-5 with the bases loaded and 1 out, Lakewood second baseman Carlos Perdomo laced a low liner toward Hagerstown shortstop Jason Martinson .  In a fashion that Phillies fans are used to seeing, when Chase Utley , on occasion, allows such hits in similar situations to drop so he can attempt to double up baserunners, Martinson did not catch the ball on the fly and immediately flipped the ball to second base for a force out on the runner from first base.  Outfielder Brian Pointer , who was on second base, retreated to the bag with the assumption the liner would be caught. A throw to third base drew the call from the umpiring crew for the second out.  The umps then ruled that the runner at second ha...