Former Threshers Now Free Agents

The following former Threshers are now free agents:

Name (Most Recent Organization)

Brad Correll (Red Sox)
Elizardo Ramirez (Reds)
Matt Sweeney (Astros)
Julio de la Cruz (Phillies)
Charles Weatherby (Phillies)
Jason Wylie (Phillies)
Allen Davis (Phillies)
Chris Key (Phillies)
Luis Villarreal (Phillies)
Cory Willey (Phillies)
John Urick (Phillies)
Carlos Leon (Phillies)
Peeter Ramos (Phillies)
Nic Jackson (Phillies)
Alfredo Simon (Rangers)

Check out the whole list from Baseball America.

Update: Former Threshers in Reading

Eleven former Threshers are currently on the Reading Phillies (Double-A) roster.

Here is an update of how they are doing with Reading so far this year.

Allen Davis - Given up zero hits in five out of his 10 relief appearances

Julio De La Cruz - Strictly a reliever this year. In 25 appearances he's got a 1-1 record with a 3.78 ERA. He also has three saves. Hitters are batting .224 against him and he's got a strikeout to walk ratio of 2.2 to 1.

Chris Key - 4-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 24 appearances out of the bullpen. He has a strikeout to walk ratio of 4 to 1.

Patrick Overholt - Scattered eight hits over five innings in his debut with Reading on Saturday.

Chris Coste - Joined Reading after a month with Ottawa (Triple-A). He is hitting .288 in his 19 games with Reading. Against lefties he is 7 for 17 (.412) with three home runs.

Mike Costanzo - Batting .325 in his last ten games. In five of those games he has gotten two hits. His 13 home runs lead the Eastern League. He has 29 extra-base hits which ranks him tied for fourth in the Eastern League. Leads Reading in walks with 27.

Michael Garciaparra - He is 12 for 36 (.333) with runners in scoring position.

Jesus Merchan - Leading the Eastern League in hitting with a .356 batting average in 48 games. Only struck out eight times in 163 at-bats. Hitting .410 on the road. His on-base percentage of .422 is third best in the Eastern League.

Peeter Ramos - Was three for five with two runs scored in a game on June 7 against Harrisburg. Has nine hits in 22 at-bats (.409) with runners in scoring position.

Branden Florence - Still on the disabled list. Injured in April and missed the entire month of May. Close to missing the whole month of June as well.

Mike Spidale - Was two for four with a stolen base in his second game with Reading (vs. Trenton) on June 15.

Recent transactions

Time to recap some of our recent transactions

May 4
Kevin Howard sent to Lakewood
Michael Garciaparra added from Extended Spring Training

May 5
Allen Davis promoted to Reading

May 6
Victor Hall released
Carlos Pena added from Extended Spring Training

May 7
Michael Garciaparra added from Extended Spring Training
Pete Shier added from Reading

Some information about our new players:

Carlos Pena is a right-hander who has been both a starter and a reliever during his time in the Phillies minor league system. He played last season with the GCL Phillies, where he came out of the bullpen 15 times. He was 1-2 with a 2.96 ERA and picked up two saves.

Pete Shier started the season with the Threshers, but only played in two games at shortstop before being promoted to Reading. He played second base, shortstop, and third base in his 6 games with the R-Phillies.