Former Threshers pitcher Scott Mathieson has been recalled from Scranton (AAA) by the Phillies.
Mathieson is just one of a flurry of transactions the Phillies have made since Hector Made joined the Threshers less than a week ago.
PJ Antoniato was sent to Batavia after Made arrived from Tampa.
You might be asking yourself. Why does it matter to the Clearwater Threshers that Sal Fasano was traded to the Yankees today?
It's about the other side of the trade. The Phillies received second baseman Hector Made in the deal. Made was playing for the Tampa Yankees, but has now been assigned to the Clearwater Threshers. He is 21 years old and a native of the Dominican Republic. On the season, Made was hitting .286. He also has three home runs and 28 RBI in 86 games.
Former Thresher pitcher J.A. Happ was just named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week for July 17-23.
Happ is now pitching for the Reading Phillies. On the week, he was 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA. He struck out 15 over 14 innings only giving up 9 hits and 3 walks.
The Threshers roster is undergoing quite a change this weekend.
Matt Thayer is headed from Clearwater to Lakewood and Ron Hill along with prospect Greg Golson are coming to Clearwater from Lakewood.
Pitcher Joe Bisenius has been promoted from Clearwater to Reading.
The NewsTribune located in LaSalle, Illinois had a story in yesterday's edition about two of their area residents who are in the minor leagues. One of those is former Threshers pitcher J.A. Happ. Happ is currently pitching for the Reading (AA) Phillies.
Threshers relief pitcher Nate Johnson has just been named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week for July 10-16. Johnson has not allowed an earned run in his last eight appearances (10.2 IP). On the week, Johnson played in three games. He was 2-0 and also picked up a save in four innings of work. Johnson struck out four, walked one, and did not give up a hit on the week.
He was drafted by the Phillies in the 20th round of the June 2004 draft. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Iowa. He played for Batavia and in the Florida Instructional League in 2004 and Lakewood in 2005. Johnson led the Blueclaws with 12 wins.
There should be a longer release up on the Official Site sometime soon.
Nate's wife Shannon works part-time in Diamond Outfitters (Team Store), come by the ballpark and congratulate her!
Andy Baldwin.
This will be Andy's 16th start of the season. He's 6-6 with a 4.07 ERA. He's got one complete game on the season. In 110.2 innings he's given up 118 hits and struck out 80 with only 17 walks.
As many of you probably experienced, the big storm rolling through the Tampa Bay area also made it's way to Bright House Networks Field. Our game was postponed just around 7pm.
For more information, please visit the Official Site.
Taking a look at the list of transactions, one finds a familiar name. Catcher Jeff Winchester is back again. This time from Reading. He joined the Threshers roster again yesterday (7/17).
Prior to the games of July 18, 2006
OF Branden Florence is moving up the charts in batting average. He's up to the fifth position with his .314 batting average. His 331 at bats is tops for all batters in the Top 10. Florence is number 2 in the league in hits with 104, just behind Alexi Casilla of the Ft. Myers Miracle (107).
OF Brian Burgamy is fourth in the league in OBP with a .395 average. He leads the league in runs scored with 72.
P Andrew Baldwin is in fourth in innings pitched with 110.2.
The first place Clearwater Threshers have jumped into first place in another category. The Threshers have jumped past the Daytona Cubs on the FSL Attendance Report. Prior to tonight's ballgame, the Threshers have announced a total attendance of 107,227 for an average of 2,383 per game. The Threshers are now averaging 40 more people a game then the Daytona Cubs. Come on out to the ballpark and help the Threshers keep first place on the field and on the FSL Attendance Report!
We've got an eight-game homestand filled with some great promotions starting tonight.
One of the most exciting will be on Friday. Former FSU star and current Buccaneer defensive end Greg Spires will be on hand with former USF star and current Buccaneer running back Andre Hall signing autographs from 7:15pm-8:15pm. They are also scheduled to throw out the first pitch.
Do you live in a Bright House? If so, turn on Catch 47 right now and watch the Clearwater Threshers take on the Tampa Yankees at Legends Field. The game is currently in the bottom of the 1st inning.
Phillies catcher Sal Fasano joins the Clearwater Threshers today as part of his rehab assignment. He was put on the Phillies DL due to left knee inflammation.
In other player moves, pitcher Pat Overholt was promoted from Lakewood (A) yesterday to the Threshers. Also, pitcher Brian Reed was sent back to the Threshers from Reading (AA). Reed has already appeared in 14 games with the Threshers this year and has 6 saves.
Former Clearwater Thresher outfielder Chris Roberson was optioned to Scranton (AAA) after catcher Mike Lieberthal was activated from the DL.
Doug Fernandes has a story in today's Sarasota Herald-Tribune about the quest for a new ballpark in Sarasota. Mr. Fernandes spotlights the success of Bright House Networks Field in hosting special events like Boo Bash, concerts, corporate outings, and much more.
Threshers GM John Timberlake was quoted throughout the article.
To read the whole story click here.
Just got a list of some of the more recent player moves in and out of Clearwater.
Gary Harris signed with the Phillies as a minor league free agent and was assigned to Clearwater on July 9th.
Alberto Cambero was sent over to the GCL Phillies on July 10th.
Jeff Winchester and outfielder Brian Sellier were both sent back from Reading on July 12th. Winchester was shuttled right back to Reading on the 13th. Joining Winchester on the trip up to Reading was Gary Harris.
Pitcher Jacob Barrack was released.
The Clearwater Threshers are returning to Bright House Networks Field tonight. Don't miss Thirsty Thursday where you can get 2 for 1 on ALL drinks!
You'll be getting something on your way in to the ballpark (first 500 guests get battery-operated mini fans) and something on your way out (Sara Lee bread) on Friday.
We've got yet another great Fireworks Show planned for after the game on Saturday.
Don't miss ANY of the action at Bright House Networks Field!
All 3 games are scheduled to start at 7:05pm with the gates opening at 5:45pm.
Phillies pitcher Jon Lieber has completed his rehab and has been activated off the disabled list. Lieber's return to Philadelphia meant that someone needed to be moved and it turns out that it is former Threshers pitcher Scott Mathieson. Mathieson was optioned back to Reading (AA). This was Mathieson's first experience in the big leagues during the regular season. He pitched in four games with the Phillies, and was the starter in three of those outings (21.1 innings). Mathieson showed good control only walking five batters and striking out 14. He also picked up a hit (.250 avg) in one of his four major league at-bats.
Bringing the kids? Come early, the first 500 kids (13 and Under) will receive a Backpack.
It's St. Petersburg Times Family Night, bring the coupon out of your St. Petersburg Times to receive 4 Field Box Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas and 4 Bags of Chips for only $25.
On your way out of the ballpark, don't forget to pick up a loaf of Sara Lee bread!
According to Dennis Deitch in the Delco Times, Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal has returned to Philadelphia and is not expected to make a return trip to Clearwater for rehab. He did not play any rehab games with the Threshers, but is expected to rehab with Reading or Scranton before he returns to the Phillies roster after the All-Star break.
You can read the whole story here.
As promised, here are some updated player moves from the last few days.
Pitcher Luke Lockwood was promoted to Reading on July 1st, and he returned to the Threshers yesterday (July 4).
Before I even got a chance to pass along more information about Jesus Merchan, he was promoted to Reading. Joining Merchan on the trip up north on July 4th was Brian Sellier.
Catcher Orlando Guevara was shuttled up to Scranton on the 4th to take the place of Carlos Ruiz. Ruiz was brought up to the big club after Sal Fasano was placed on the DL. Infielder Alberto Cambero was brought over from the Gulf Coast Phillies to fill the roster spot here. About all I could find on Cambero was that he's 20 years old and he's from Venezuela.
Rick Rousos of the Lakeland Ledger writes in today's edition that the L-Tigers might be changing it up a bit. The folks in Lakeland have hired Plan B Branding in hopes of duplicating the success that we've had here in Clearwater with our new look. They do say that they are going to keep the word "Tiger" in there somewhere. According to the article they have until September 1 to present the changes to Minor League Baseball.
Read the whole article here.
Threshers pitcher Julio De La Cruz has just been named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week for June 26 through July 2. De La Cruz pitched eight innings and didn't allow any runs in his start on July 1st at Tampa. He also struck out three and only gave up four hits in picking up the win. He is 2-0 with a 0.63 ERA for his last two starts.
He joins Andy Baldwin as the only two current Threshers who have won the award in 2006. Former Threshers Scott Mathieson, Zach Segovia, and Cole Hamels (twice) have also won the award this season.
The official site may run a longer release later today has a story up now. (Updated 1:00pm)
Hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July. I know mine was pretty relaxing. Got the chance to get to the movies and also got to see a ton of fireworks that were shot off around the Bay.
Most folks have until Noon to get in today, but the Ticket Office and Store have been open since 10am. Several other staffers have also come in early to get ready for tonight's 7:05pm game against the Lakeland Tigers. Gates open early today for Happy Hour (4:30pm).
There have been a few more player moves since I last posted any several days ago. I hope to get some information about them sometime today.
If you missed June 30th or July 3rd, you missed some of the best crowds AND fireworks of the year. Our next fireworks show is scheduled to follow the game this Saturday (July 8th). If you haven't yet, get your tickets NOW!
We you part of the 8,000+ fans in attendance on Friday? If not you missed quite a night. Your Clearwater Threshers staff worked VERY hard on Friday trying to make the night great for everyone. Most everyone in the building had a chance to work in multiple locations. After the Ticket Office slowed down around 8:15pm I went out to help in the Left Field Concession Stand and brought a few Ticket Office employees with me. I ended up running items from the commissary for awhile and then was thrown on a cash register. Saturday was a well-placed day off for the staff. Many folks took advantage and slept in and/or took some afternoon naps.
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