Minor league report: Phillies sign seven

The latest batch includes six returning players, including veteran outfielder Jim Rushford and left-hander Brian Mazone.

As reported on Baseball America’s transaction update, the Phillies signed 1B/2b John Urick (’06 Low-A Lakewood); 2b/3b Joey Hammond (’06 Double-A Reading); 3b Brennan King (’06 Triple-A Scranton); LHP Brian Mazone (’06 Triple-A Scranton); OF Jim Rushford (’06 Triple-A Scranton); OF Pedro Swann (’06 Triple-A Scranton) and OF Evan Tartaglia (’06 High-A Winston-Salem).

Beerleaguer: Besides Rushford’s dedication (this will be his fourth season with the organization), Mazone is perhaps the only player of note. The 30-year-old left-hander finished 13-3, 2.03 ERA with Triple-A Scranton and was scheduled to make an emergency start with the big club back on Sept. 6, an opportunity that eventually fell through at the last minute.

Primarily a junkball pitcher who changes speeds, Mazone had a superb season for the Barons, including 85 strikeouts to 36 walks. He also kept the ball in the park, giving up just six home runs in 20 starts. Pitching this fall in the Venezuelan League, he is 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA over 15 1-3 innings.

Besides Mazone, the rest have been retained due to lack of position depth, if for no other reason. Swann is a 36-year-old Delaware product who’s been all over the map, including Ottawa, where he is likely to return again in 2007. King is a 25-year-old third baseman who had a decent year with Scranton. Tartaglia is the only new acquisition and appears to be a slashing castoff from the White Sox system.

Comments

[kdon]

Wow, Mazone is pretty interesting. He doesn't even make it out of the independent leagues for a full season until he is 29, but then puts up two incredible seasons at AA and AAA. Those kind of hit rates, HR rates and K/BB ratios can't be flukes...the guy knows how to get people out. I don't care if you are 5'2" and throw Euphus pitches all day, this guy is good.

I think right now he would be my #1 canidate inside the organization for the 5th spot in the rotation (although this may say more about the dearth of internal options than Mazone).

I also think King would be an offensive improvement over Nunez, though probably giving it away with defense.

And to continue the Soriano thing (which is really all there is to talk about), I've been in favor of signing Soriano given the qualifications I (and Oisin) made forever. I was only anti-Soriano when he was compared with Manny.

[Carson]

yes- transactions!

wait, these are only minor leaguers...well, it's something.

[kdon]

Err...never mind on King, .302 OBP at AAA! Enjoy your Iron Pig hat Brennan!

[Tim]

The Mets added another outfielder to their left-field mix Wednesday, acquiring Ben Johnson and right-hander Jon Adkins from the Padres for right-hander Heath Bell and left-hander Royce Ring, FOXSports.com has learned.

[mg]

File these signings under "Misc.-Trivial" category. Maybe Mazone gets some time but the rest are pure fillers.

[Bob D]

Mazone has some definite potential at the least as insurance for the Phils sitting at AAA. Kind of like a Paul Byrd type. effective but not flashy. Good signing with him.

[chris]

No doubt the steroids helped Mazone.