Inside the Clearwater Threshers

GCL Playoffs Start Today

2008-08-28T10:35:00.000-04:00

The GCL Phillies made this year's postseason and will be traveling to Pirate City in Bradenton to take on the GCL Pirates in a one-game first round.

The winner will face the winner of the GCL Twins and the GCL Nationals in a three-game finals.

BERRY BREAKS RECORD

2008-08-08T20:14:00.001-04:00

CLEARWATER, Fla. –Threshers centerfielder Quintin Berry set a new Clearwater record for stolen bases by an individual in a season tonight, August 8. Berry’s steal in the second inning was his 41st of the season and broke the old mark of 40 that was set in 1997 by Reggie Taylor.

The evening also marks the third annual Pitch for Pink Night – an evening during which the Threshers join with Morton Plant Mease to raise awareness about and funds for the fight against breast cancer, and Berry setting the record on this night should not be surprising. Julio De La Cruz threw a no-hitter on Pitch for Pink Night in 2006.

A native of San Diego, Calif., Berry led the South Atlantic League in steals last season while with Lakewood, swiping 55 bags and finishing second overall among all minor league players in the category.

He was named to the SAL’s mid-season and postseason All-Star teams for his speed on the basepaths and his consistency at the plate. The left-handed batter hit .312 over 126 games, including a 14-game hitting streak.

That streak was the best of his short professional career until he surpassed it this season during a hot July for him in Clearwater. For the month, he hit .367 including hitting in 15 straight to end the month. The streak has continued into August as he now has the longest streak in the Florida State League this season at 24.

The 2007 winner of the Paul Owens Award – given each year to the player deemed the best in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system – was selected by the Phillies in the fifth round of the June 2006 draft. He is in his third professional season.

Lou Marson - Olympian

2008-08-08T15:22:00.000-04:00

Video from NBColympics.com

Berry Named Phillies Minor League Player of the Month

2008-08-08T11:46:00.000-04:00

Thresher centerfielder Quintin Berry was recognized by the Philadelphia Phillies as the club’s minor league player of the month of July, the team announced this week. In July the left-hander batted .367 while driving in 15 runs and scoring 14. His 40 hits and 13 stolen bases led the entire Philadelphia farm system.

The San Diego native began what has turned into a 24-game hitting streak by recording a hit in his last 16 games of the month. He raised his season batting average nearly 40 points over the span of the month from .233 to .270.

In addition to 15 multi-hit games, Berry also recorded three multi-steal games including two games in which he swiped three bags.

The 2007 winner of the Paul Owens Award – given each year to the player deemed the best in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system – was selected by the Phillies in the fifth round of the June 2006 draft. He is in his third professional season.

Monday, August 11

2008-08-07T11:51:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder that on Monday, August 11 the Threshers and Lakeland Flying Tigers will complete a suspended game from July 2. The game is in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Threshers leading 5-1.

The game will be completed as a nine-inning game.

A seven-inning second game will begin after a 20-minute intermission.

Doubleheader Updates...

2008-08-04T20:23:00.003-04:00

Game Two

~Quintin Berry advanced to second after reaching on a walk in the fifth, but he advanced on a wild pitch.

~The Threshers have trailed three times... coming back to tie the game at 1 and 2... but they're now trailing 5-2 after a two-run homer in the 5th.

~Quintin Berry has just extended his hitting streak to 21 games.

Game One

The Threshers dropped the first game of the doublheader with the Blue Jays tonight (makeup from a game originally scheduled for 6/21) with Darren Byrd picking up the loss. He went the distance (7 innings) giving up just one run (a home run) on eight hits. He walked two while striking out three. A quite solid performance.

The Threshers managed just four hits, one of which was by Quintin Berry, extending his hitting streak to 20 games and his games on-base streak to 35 games.

Updates from Fort Myers...

2008-08-02T19:18:00.004-04:00

10:13 Update

Threshers get runners on, including Berry who drew a walk, in the 9th, but can't move them over. 5-4 final in favor of the Miracle... Berry now has three games to break the stolen base record at home.

9:31 Update

Threshers fell behind 5-2, but a pair of runs in the seventh brings Clearwater within one. Berry is 3-4 on the night and scored one of the two in the seventh. Still no stolen bases though...

8:36 Update

3-2 Miracle lead in the 5th... Berry got on in the 5th with another hit, but was stranded at 1st.

7:36 Update

Scoreless through 2... the Threshers have struck out four consecutive times.

Original Update

Quintin Berry extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a single in the first, tying Gus Milner for the longest in the league this season. His consecutive games on-base streak extends to an impressive 33. However, he was picked off.

Update from last night... they changed the error in the 11th from a throwing error on Portes to a missed catch error by Woodard.

BERRY TIES RECORD

2008-08-01T22:02:00.000-04:00

Quintin Berry has just tied the Clearwater record for steals in a season... he has 40...

Ramblings...

2008-07-30T14:40:00.000-04:00

...A little late with this, but Andrew Carpenter was promoted to Reading earlier this week...

...Brian Schlitter was activated from the DL this week, as well...

...Quintin Berry remains two steals away from breaking the club record for stolen bases in a season...

...Berry's 39 steals are the most in the Phillies organization this season...

...JA Happ, who leads the International League with 127 strikeouts, has been sent to Philly...

...Clay Harris picked up his 4th home run with Reading, a ninth-inning, two-run blast in a win over New Hampshire...

...Greg Golson and Brad Harman had a pair of homers last week at Reading...

...Matt Spencer is hitting .436 since his trade to the Oakland organization, while Adrian Cardenas is hitting .286 with a homer...

Phinley Doll Has Arrived at Diamond Outfitters!

2008-07-29T16:37:00.000-04:00

The Threshers are pleased to announce a new product at Diamond Outfitters... a fantastic, cuddly Phinley doll!

Below (click to make it bigger) is Phinley with... Phinley!

Phinley (the smaller one) retails for just $15 and can be purchased when you next visit the shop!

PITCH FOR PINK - AUGUST 8, 2008

2008-07-25T14:05:00.008-04:00

Below you will find information about ticket packages that are available for businesses, ticket packages available for individuals, and a donor form for those who would like to make a donation to this fantastic night that supports such a great cause. Also included is a press release about the evening. Click on the images to enlarge them.

This year marks the third annual Pitch For Pink Night. All proceeds benefit the Susan Cheek Needler Breast Center at Morton Plant Hospital and 100% of the money raised will remain in the local community.

If you need more information, please contact awarner@threshersbaseball.com or call Amanda at 727-712-4405.

Those Who Have Moved Up...

2008-07-22T10:47:00.002-04:00

The Reading (AA) roster has quite a few players on it who have played with Clearwater this season... here's a brief update on how they've been doing:

Clay Harris started off slowly after his call to the R-Phils earlier this month but has certainly been coming on strong as of late. In 11 games with the team, the LSU product has ~~eleven~~ three home runs. That, combined with his .324 average, has him OPSing at 1.041. Not too bad...

Jake Blalock is hitting .283 with the Phillies, including a pair of 3-5 performances late in June.

We'll update the pitchers later on...

THIEFS!

2008-07-21T22:15:00.001-04:00

The Threshers stole... wait for it... nine bases tonight. Five of the nine came in one inning.

From the boxscore...

SB: Watson 2 (2, 2nd base off West/Purdom, 2nd base off West/Purdom), Berry 3 (34, 2nd base off West/Purdom, 3rd base off West/Purdom, 3rd base off West/Purdom), Hernandez, F 2 (4, 2nd base off West/Purdom, 3rd base off West/Purdom), Taylor (2, 2nd base off West/Purdom), Gosewisch (2, 2nd base off Miller, Ju/Purdom).

CS: Taylor (2, 3rd base by West/Purdom).

Meat Loaf may have said 2 out of 3 ain't bad... I'm saying 9 out of 10 ain't too shabby either.

More moves...

2008-07-21T11:29:00.001-04:00

What does Dorothy say in the Wizard of Oz, "my, how people come and go so quickly here"... or something like that.

7/20
Brett Myers rejoined Philadelphia

7/21
Harold Garcia sent to GCL Phillies.
Doug Morales sent to Williamsport.
Rob Watson signed as a minor league free agent.
Kevin Mahar signed as a minor league free agent.

Find out more about Watson and Mahar by clicking here.

Catching Up...

2008-07-21T10:47:00.000-04:00

Here are all of your roster moves to catch you up on...

Harold Garcia added from the GCL Phillies.
Brett Myers added from Reading.
Adrian Cardenas & Matt Spencer traded to Oakland.
Doug Morales added from Williamsport.

This is Garcia's fourth professional year, spending the last three with the Venezuela Summer League Phillies. In 19 games this season with the Gulf Coast Phillies, Garcia was hitting .258. The Maracibo, VZ native had 17 hits, four of which were triples.

Morales is in his sixth professional season. He spent 13 games with Clearwater in 2006 before being sent to Lakewood and Batavia. He spent all of last season with Lakewood. In nine games at Williamsport, Morales was hitting just .192 with just five hits; he already has three in two games with the Threshers.

Cardenas and Spencer joined the Stockton Ports on Saturday. In two games, Cardenas is 2-9 with a run scored while Spencer, who has been moved to 1B defensively, is 4-8 with a pair of runs.

Brett Myers Joins Threshers

2008-07-18T16:23:00.000-04:00

RHP Brett Myers was added from Reading (AA) today. We'll have a complete roster update as soon as possible. Things have been a little crazy since the trade yesterday.

More on Trade...

2008-07-17T20:50:00.000-04:00

The A's are excited about what they're getting...

Press conference link is available at the top of this page from mlb.com.

Stay tuned for more reaction...

(Somewhat) Breaking News: Two Traded

2008-07-17T20:05:00.000-04:00

If you were wondering like I was why Adrian Cardenas and Matt Spencer were not in the lineup for the first game of the DH at Brevard County tonight, one need only look to mlb.com for the answer. The Phillies have acquired P Joe Blanton from Oakland for INF Adrian Cardenas and OF Matt Spencer of the Threshers and former Thresher P Josh Outman.

Former Threshers Named to US Olympic Team

2008-07-17T16:38:00.001-04:00

Jason Donald and Lou Marson will represent America at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games next month in Beijing, China.

Here are a couple of quotes from the team's manager, Davey Jonhson about the two...

On selecting Jason Donald for the Olympic team:
"He's a great-looking shortstop. Great hands, good arm and his offensive arms are outstanding. I like his makeup. He was way up on our list to begin with and once I got the chance to get to know him a little bit, I liked him even better."

On selecting Lou Marson for the Olympic team:
"He really impressed me during (the Futures Game). He caught the first three innings. We don't give the signs to the catcher. He told (pitcher) Brett Anderson to throw over to first and he picked (a runner off). His numbers are outstanding for a catcher, great offensive catcher, and I got reports that said everything about him is good."

The entire roster can be found here.

Futures Game, Harris, and more...

2008-07-13T13:44:00.003-04:00

The 2008 Futures Game is being played right now at Yankee Stadium. Lou Marson and Jason Donald both started for the US team, though Marson has been lifted already. The game is being played on espn2.

The Reading Eagle has a good article on Clay Harris. Thanks to Kevin for the link which you can access by clicking here.

The Threshers are looking to end their five-game skid today here at Bright House Field. It's Wet-n-Wacky Day, so come dressed accordingly!

Game Day - July 7 vs Palm Beach

2008-07-07T17:46:00.005-04:00

TONIGHT'S GAME VS THE PALM BEACH CARDINALS HAS BEEN POSTPONED AND WILL BE MADE UP AS PART OF A DOUBLEHEADER THAT WILL BEGIN AT 5:00 PM TOMORROW, JULY 8.

Two Sent to Reading (AA)

2008-07-07T12:17:00.002-04:00

Sorry about the time between the last update and now. As you know if you were at the game, Thursday night was a crazy (but amazingly awesome) night. Many thanks to the 9,090 of you who came out to Bright House Field. Congratulations, you were part of a record crowd!

Speaking of Thursday, P Edgar Garcia was promoted to Reading during the day. He joined Tyson Brummett, Sam Walls, and Brett Harker. He made his AA debut on Sunday, picking up a loss. He gave up five hits in his six innings of work while allowing two runs. He struck out four.

Garcia will be joined by INF Clay Harris. Harris, who hit his eighth homer of the season over the weekend at Dunedin, has been on fire recently. raising his batting average from a season low of .263 on June 17 to .351 through Saturday night.

Honors Pile Up for Harris

2008-07-02T15:34:00.001-04:00

Thresher INF Clay Harris, already named last week's FSL Player of the Week, was announced as the Phillies Minor League Player of the Week for the same period. Here is the official announcment from the Phillies...

**Player: 1B Clay Harris, Clearwater. Batted .545 for 7 games (12-22) with 4 HR, 12 RBI. He had his first multi-home run game on Saturday, hitting 3 and driving in 6 in 11-3 romp at the St. Lucie Mets. In his 4th at-bat, he was hit by a pitch, setting off a bench-clearing incident. In his 5th at-bat, he was again hit without any other incidents. Last 10 games: .581, 4 HR, 16 RBI. For the season: .350 in 39 games, 7 HR, 31 RBI. The 25-year-old right-handed hitter was a 9th-round selection in 2005 out of LSU.

First Round Choice Signs

2008-07-02T11:47:00.001-04:00

From the Phillies...

"Shortstop Anthony Hewitt, the Phillies’ first-round selection last month, has agreed to terms and will report to Clearwater, Fla., later this week, Director of Scouting Marti Wolever announced today.

Hewitt, 19, received a bonus of $1,380,000 plus eight semesters under a college scholarship program.

The Phillies have signed 27 of the 53 players they selected, including the first five."

Clay Harris - FSL POTW

2008-06-30T16:46:00.001-04:00

The Florida State League announced Threshers infielder Clay Harris as its Player of the Week for the period June 23-29, 2008.

During the period, the Slidel, La. native produced 12 hits in 22 at-bats for a .545 average. Four of Harris’ hits were home runs, including three in consecutive at-bats on June 29 against St. Lucie. Harris drove in 12 RBI during the week.
A Louisiana State University product, Harris was taken in the 9th round of the 2005 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. For the season he his hitting .350 with a team-leading seven home runs, and his 31 RBI place him fourth on the team.