Phillies Notes: Tommy Joseph and Cody Asche are waiting in wings
Come wintertime, the Phillies could have vacancies at catcher and third base. They are upbeat about Tommy Joseph and Cody Asche, and they will test their faith in those two prospects with aggressive promotions to triple A.
Come wintertime, the Phillies could have vacancies at catcher and third base. They are upbeat about Tommy Joseph and Cody Asche, and they will test their faith in those two prospects with aggressive promotions to triple A.
Both Joseph and Asche will start 2013 at triple-A Lehigh Valley after leaving strong impressions during big-league spring training. Joseph, 21, will be one of the youngest players in the International League. Asche, 22, began 2012 as single-A Clearwater's third baseman and reached triple A in just his second full season of professional baseball.
If the Phillies are to consider them as replacements for Carlos Ruiz and Michael Young - both of whom can be free agents at season's end - they want to see success at the highest level of minor-league ball.
Joseph emerged from a catching logjam. Sebastian Valle ended 2012 at triple A but will return to double-A Reading in 2013. It is possible he plays left field, a position he tried during spring training. Cameron Rupp will also catch at Reading.
At triple A, the IronPigs will feature a rarity: The entire starting rotation is made up of young pitchers. The best prospect of the bunch is Adam Morgan, a 23-year-old lefty who ascended two levels last season. He is joined by Jonathan Pettibone, Ethan Martin, Tyler Cloyd and B.J. Rosenberg.
Jesse Biddle, rated by most as the organization's top prospect, will pitch at double-A Reading. It's close to home for the Germantown Friends graduate.
One of the more fascinating decisions was to send 17-year-old outfielder Carlos Tocci to single-A Lakewood. The Venezuelan will be the youngest player in BlueClaws history and likely the youngest player in the South Atlantic League. Tocci signed in 2011 for $759,000, one of the largest bonuses the Phillies have ever awarded an international signee.
Roman Quinn, a speedy shortstop, will be Tocci's teammate at Lakewood. Righthander Shane Watson, the team's first pick from the 2012 draft, is headed to Lakewood, too.
Larry Greene Jr., the team's top pick in 2011, is notably absent from Lakewood's roster. Greene played 70 games at single-A Williamsport in 2012. He will remain in extended spring training to start 2013.
Greene was selected 39th overall in 2011. The 40th pick was Jackie Bradley Jr., who will start in left field on opening day for the Boston Red Sox. Bradley signed for $100,000 more than Greene.
Extra bases
Fifteen players on the 2013 opening-day roster were not on the roster that opened 2012. . . . Braves starter Tim Hudson has allowed seven career home runs to Ryan Howard. That is tied for the most by any hitter. . . . The Phillies flew to Atlanta on Sunday night.
