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Jason Zgardowski Pitching in Instructional Leagues

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As those that read this blog are aware of the Phillies signed a couple of undrafted free agents this summer.  One of those was Jason Zgardowski a 6’5″ RHP, who just turned 21 about 3 weeks ago.  This weekend he posted the following video of him pitching against the Baltimore Orioles in the Florida Instructional … Read more

2014 Lehigh Valley IronPigs Recap: Interview with KRAM

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Before we jump into talking about players why don’t you introduce yourself and where people can find your writing?

I write a column called “Kram’s Korner” for the Horn and Bell Blog of the Lehigh Valley Noise Nation.  “Kram” is an old joke–backwards for my real name–which just kind of stuck.  And, it helps keep my baseball life separate from my real life.  The 209 in my twitter handle refers to my section at Coca Cola Park in Allentown.  I’ve been a full-season ticket holder there since the 2009 season.   Web: www.noisenation.wordpress.com  Twitter: @Kram209

It was not a great year for the Ironpigs statistically or in the standings, but we all know that doesn’t tell the whole story in the minor leagues.   Can you quickly sum up the season for everyone out there?

2014 was the “season of change” for the IronPigs.  The AAA roster was subject to 166 roster transactions over our 144 game schedule.  The turnover was most pronounced at home, with our proximity to Philadelphia and Reading.  I believe this was responsible for our league-worst home record.  The away record, however, was among the league-best, as the roster galvanized a bit on the road trips. While there were plenty of home losses, we saw many players play, and the team continued to play hard throughout the season.  I did feel we had a chance to win every night.  There were seasons in the past where that wasn’t the case.  

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J.P. Crawford Named #2 Prospect in Florida State League

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J.P. Crawford has placed second on another Baseball America League Top 20, this time finishing #2 behind Pirates RHP Tyler Glasnow.  Crawford was promoted to the Threshers in July and went on to hit .275/.352/.407 with 8 HRs, 10 SBs, and 28 walks to 37 strikeouts.  It was a very impressive run for the 19 … Read more

2014 Lehigh Valley IronPigs Recap

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Team: Lehigh Valley Ironpigs
Record: 66-78
Standings: 6th in the North Division

Top Hitter Stat Lines:

Maikel Franco – 133 G – 16 HR – 3 SB – .257/.299/.428
Tyler Henson – 123 G – 9 HR – 19 SB – .272/.331/.415
Russ Canzler – 112 G – 13 HR – 3 SB – .276/.347/.474

Top Pitcher Stat Lines:

Greg Smith – 157.1 IP – 4.40 ERA – 37 BB – 92 K
Luis Garcia – 46.2 IP – 0.96 ERA – 16 BB – 52 K
David Buchanan – 57.0 IP – 3.95 ERA – 21 BB – 46 K
Cesar Jimenez – 49.2 IP – 1.45 ERA – 15 BB – 46 K

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Jesmuel Valentin Named #12 Prospect in Midwest League

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When Ruben Amaro moved Roberto Hernandez in a waiver move to the Dodgers for two players to be named later, the expectations were not high on the potential return.  However, those opinions have faded quickly as the return turned out to be 2B Jesmuel Valentin and RHP Victor Arano.  Arano did not crack the MWL … Read more

J.P. Crawford Named #2 Prospect in South Atlantic League

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Baseball America continues their League Top 20s with the South Atlantic League.  The only member of the Blueclaws to make the list is shortstop and 2013 first round pick J.P. Crawford who came in at #2 on the list, just behind Nationals RHP Lucas Giolito.  BA notes that Crawford is the rare shortstop that combines … Read more

2014 Reading Fightin Phils Recap: Interview with Mike Ventola

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Before we jump into talking about players why don’t you introduce yourself and what you do?

My name is Michael Ventola and I am the play-by-play radio voice of the Reading Fightin Phils.  I broadcast all 142 games home and away for the Fightin Phils.

You covered the Fightins from start to finish, can you sum up their season as a whole?

I can easily use one word to describe the season:  Challenge.  The Fightin Phils roster suffered over a 100 moves throughout the entire season and only finished with a handful of players that began with the team on opening day.  The team though continued to play hard each and every game.

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Adam Morgan Assigned to the AFL

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Scottsdale roster addition: LHP Adam Morgan (@Phillies) #afl14 — MLB's Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) October 1, 2014 Morgan made his season debut in Instructs last week.  The LHP was ranked in the Top 100 prospect by Keith Law after the 2012 season (#1 in the Phillies system).  He missed all of 2014 recovering from shoulder … Read more

2014 Reading Fightin Phils Recap

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Team: Reading Fightin Phils
Record: 66-76
Standing: 6th in the Eastern Division

Top Hitter Stat Lines:

Cameron Perkins – 52 G – 3 HR – 5 SB – .342/.408/.495
Jake Fox – 78 G – 22 HR – 0 SB – .308/.383/.591
Kelly Dugan – 76 G – 5 HR – 1 SB – .296/.383/.435
Tommy Joseph – 21 G – 5 HR – 0 SB – .282/.345/.551
Carlos Alonso – 127 G – 10 HR – 8 SB – .272/.367/.396

Top Pitcher Stat Lines:

Ken Giles – 15 IP – 1.20 ERA – 5 BB – 29 K
Adam Loewen – 103.1 IP – 3.31 ERA – 53 BB – 75 K
Colton Murray– 59.0 IP – 2.29 ERA – 22 BB – 60 K
Severino Gonzalez – 158.2 IP – 4.59 ERA – 34 BB – 115 K
Aaron Nola – 24.0 IP – 2.63 ERA – 5 BB – 15 K

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