Outman, Carrasco, and Carpenter to start '08 in Double-A?

The Allentown Morning Call is getting ready for the start of Lehigh Valley Ironpigs baseball with a look at who might be on their roster as they open up Coca-Cola Park.

In the story, they get a quote (below) from Steve Noworyta that indicates where former Threshers Josh Outman, Carlos Carrasco, Andrew Carpenter, Joe Bisenius, and J.A. Happ will likely start the 2008 season.

"The Outmans, the Carrascos, the Carpenters, those types of player are still going to be in Double-A. This club is more the [Jason] Jaramillos and the [Joe] Biseniuses and the J.A.] Happs, those types of guys sprinkled in with the free agents that we've signed."

Other former Threshers mentioned in the article as potential Ironpigs are Mike Spidale and Scott Mathieson. Mathieson, who is getting married later this afternoon, missed most of the 2007 season after Tommy John surgery.

Read the whole Allentown Morning Call Story

Former Thresher Joe Bisenius may end up in Philly's bullpen in '07

Ken Mandel of MLB.com has a story up that talks about the Winter Meetings, the Rule 5 Draft, and Joe Bisenius.

"He's throws hard, touching 97," said Steve Noworyta, director of Minor Leagues. "Any time you have a guy throwing that kind of number, you have to give him a look."

Noworyta said Bisenius is generally in the 92-94 mph range, but brought the gas on a night when he was being watched. Bisenius is looked at as a long shot to make the bullpen, but Noworyta said he might be factor at some point in 2007.

Eventually, he might be a closer.

"Possibly," he said. "He's got the makeup. When he crosses the line, he turns into a different person. His fastball is dominant."

Check out the whole story here

Affiliate Shakeup - Say Goodbye to Batavia and

Hello to Williamsport.

The Phillies announced today a two-year working agreement with the Williamsport Crosscutters in the short-season Class A NY-Penn League. The Phillies had been affiliated with Batavia for nearly 20 years prior to this change.

Steve Noworyta, Director, Minor Leagues comments:

"Relocating our short-season team to Williamsport continues our plan of getting as many of our minor league teams as close as possible to Philadelphia. With AAA moving to the Lehigh Valley in 2008, the lone exception will be Clearwater. The great facilities in Clearwater will continue to be home for the Threshers and the Gulf Coast Rookie League team."

For those who may not be aware, the AAA Phillies affiliate for the 2007 season will be the Ottawa Lynx located in Ontario, Canada. Scranton is now an affiliate of the New York Yankees.