Former standout Brandon Duckworth, who was signed to a minor league deal this winter, is one of five pitchers fighting for the last three spots in the IronPigs' bullpen, according to Morning Call beat writer Jeff Schuler.
Schuler, reporting from Clearwater, has been painting a picture of the Phillies' Triple and Double-A squads. According to Schuler, the Pigs' rotation is basically set with Nate Bump, Andrew Carpenter, Brian Mazone, Joe Savery and Ryan Vogelsong. He also believes Scott Mathieson, Mike Zagurski and veteran Jason Anderson are the only locks for the 'pen. Meanwhile, Oscar Villarreal, a higher-profile minor league signing, will likely start the season on the disabled list. The prospect-thin Pigs are facing another dearth in talent offensively. The roster will be filled with many of the players fans saw in spring, including guys like Cody Ransom, Wilson Valdez, Paul Hoover and Andy Tracy. Schuler sees Tagg Bozied, Melvin Dorta and Luis Maza battling for the final roster spot. [Complete Schuler Triple-A sneak peek]
As expected, Double-A will be the main attraction, with Domonic Brown and Tyson Gillies expected to patrol the FirstEnergy Park outfield. The Phillies have their work cut out for them trying to decide how to best to arrange a crowded pitching staff, a list that includes Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Brummett, Chance Chapman, Michael Cisco, Sergio Escalona, Yohan Flande, Edgar Garcia, Matt German, Santos Hernandez, Jason Macintosh, Drew Naylor, J.C. Ramirez, B.J. Rosenberg, Michael Schwimmer, Jason Stephens, Michael Stutes and Vance Worley. [Complete Schuler Double-A sneak peek]
Transactions: More minor leaguers received pink slips, a list headed by former Rays first-round pick Jason Standridge. The list of released players you haven't read about already includes RHP Mark Doll, RHP Miguel Matos, RHP Angelo Sanchez, LHP Walter Tejeda, 1B Gaby Martinez, SS Evan Porter, SS Jesus Villegas Andino, OF Javis Diaz, OF Carl Uhl (via Baseball America).
Great success! Beerleaguer took down Todd Zolecki 1,495-1,297 to advance to the final round of The Phield where he will face The Fightins. Voting begins 8 p.m. Thursday.
Congrats
Posted by: Meyer | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 08:53 PM
What will be the over/under on games until Dom hits LV?
Posted by: ozark | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 08:54 PM
June 15th for EL DOMO.
Posted by: Meyer | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 08:58 PM
Talented or not, the Phils minors are filled with great names.
Posted by: Meyer | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 09:02 PM
Meyer: I just told my wife that we need to change our kid's name to Chance Chapman to ensure at least a sniff at a professional baseball career.
Posted by: Vicarious | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 09:12 PM
Poor Ducky... Perhaps it's time for him to open the Duck Pond Used Car Emporium. Good luck in the finals Jason. The MSP annual has made for fine bathroom reading by the way.
Posted by: John | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 09:30 PM
Congrats Jason, a well deserved victory.
Posted by: Inky | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:00 PM
With Zolecki knocked out, the path to your well deserved victory is clear.
Posted by: limoguy | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:02 PM
SHould be interesting...The Phightins' got a higher total vote than anyone else. Vote early and often!
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:21 PM
BLers should submit comments here as to why BL is better than The Fightins. A haiku from Andy would be fitting. As would a statistically backed argument from from Dave X and Sophist. And of course, the usual Spock vs. Capt Kirk back-and-forth about issues large and small regarding the two tourney finalists, followed by meta-arguments about the arguments themselves.
JW - it might be worth it to update the side columns referencing Winter Ball, Beat Blogs, and your marketplace (to drive your products like the excellent "Yo, new thread" shirt.
Good luck tomorrow.
Posted by: TNA | Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:29 PM
Big 4am post.
Congrats on getting to the finals, gonna be a dogfight between BL and The Fightins.
Posted by: Knight | Thursday, April 01, 2010 at 04:40 AM
Per MLBTradeRumors, the Phillies are close to a multi-player deal for Albert Pujols. Supposedly the deal is centered around Ryan Howard contingent on a multi-year extension for Pujols with Dom Brown, Jarred Cosart and Sebastian Valle rumored to be part of it.
Are you freaking kidding me?!? That would be awesome!
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, April 01, 2010 at 07:52 AM
April Fools!
Posted by: gm-carson | Thursday, April 01, 2010 at 07:59 AM
LOL
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, April 01, 2010 at 08:00 AM
NEPP I know that you are a fairly lucid poster.. So, if the Pujols thing is a referential joke, I get it. MY MLB Trade rumors have no such rumor. Plus.. that trade sucks..unless we're getting David Freese in the deal.
Posted by: Robby J | Thursday, April 01, 2010 at 08:07 AM
That's honestly probably about what the Cards would ask for. It would be a high high price though.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, April 01, 2010 at 08:09 AM
So, Kyle Kendrick may get in the rotation through the back door. I think he may produce similar numbers to Blanton. At least in the short-term. Any thoughts?
Posted by: Robby J | Thursday, April 01, 2010 at 08:35 AM