Phillies’ Minor League Rosters set, seasons open this week

Posted by Mike Frohwirth

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.