For those of you not living in Ottawa, I can faithfully report that today is far too beautiful a day to be sitting inside doing anything - including blogging. Today’s one of those days in our household where we marvel at how richly we have been blessed; a beautiful ride in the Gatineau Hills, drop Zak off at the park early for his last bat-boy stint this season, come home and get my little girl ready for the game. And it’s not even noon yet.
But back to the today’s post. An eternity ago, on Media Day, I had the great fortune to speak with Dusty Wathan. One of the things he told me was that even though he wasn’t the every day catcher, it seemed that come the end of the year he was playing every day. It’s certainly played out that way again this year for Mr. Wathan - he scored the winning run last night all the way from first! Sometimes two outs are a blessing; Dusty was running on contact, and when Mike Vento bobbled Danny Sandoval’s shot to right field it gave Dusty enough of an opening. I literally did a double take - was that Dusty Wathan? It looked way too fast. Eyewitness accounts confirm that it was in fact the “back-up” catcher.
I’ll try to get a little bit more posted later, but for now I’ll just add a couple more “end of year” categories I missed yesterday.
Fastest Lynx: Chris Roberson vs. Javon Moran
Most deserving a September call-up (non 40 man roster): Gary Burnham vs. Joe Thurston
Staff bracket ommission:
Francois vs. Steve.
Our picks will be published tomorrow.
Now finally, a scout.com article about prospective September call-ups:
Help Wanted: Prospects On The Way?  |
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Scott Mathieson could help. (AP/Gail Burton) |
Rosters expand to 40 players on Saturday, meaning that the Phillies could add a bunch of players to their active roster. Are there any players who might be able to lend a helping hand down the stretch? |
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| The Phillies 40 man roster has just three position players who are not on the active roster. Catcher Rod Barajas will come off the DL to provide security behind the plate, although Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste will likely continue to see the majority of time behind the plate, but at least manager Charlie Manuel can hold back Barajas as an emergency catcher and use either Ruiz or Coste as a pinch-hitter in a key position.Outfielder Chris Roberson is a near lock to return to the Phillies and injured outfielder Michael Bourn should also return before too long. Roberson and Bourn will give the Phillies some speed off the bench, which will be helpful down the stretch. The Phillies used some speed in the ninth inning against the Mets on Thursday and it helped lead to an 11-10 win and a series sweep.The Phillies have already recalled Kane Davis to help the pitching staff. Davis pitched well 303, 3.06 with 4 saves) out of the Lynx bullpen and can at least provide a fresh arm out of the bullpen to save some miles on the “regulars”.Some of the walking wounded should return. Cole Hamels suffered a setback in his recovery and his return is now scheduled for September 10. Yoel Hernandez should return at some point as should Ryan Madson. Madson especially would be a huge addition to the back end of the bullpen. Scott Mathieson will also come off the disabled list in his comeback from Tommy John surgery and will join the Phillies bullpen, but it’s going to be hit and miss on just how much help he’ll be able to provide and how much the Phillies will want to push him. Geoff Geary is pretty much of a lock to return to the Phillies once rosters expand.Julio Mateo, who the Phillies acquired from the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline, may get an opportunity to join the club. Mateo had three saves in four opportunities with Double-A Reading and posted a 3.00 ERA in ten games. His combined minor league numbers between pitching at Triple-A Tacoma and Double-A Reading were impressive at 4-1 with 15 saves and a 1.46 ERA. Then again, Mateo is scheduled for a September 4 court date on domestic abuse charges.The Phillies don’t have much in the way of veteran pitchers on the 40 man roster that they can look to for help. A left-hander with at least some Major League experience could help and the Phillies have that in Fabio Castro. Another left-hander, J.A. Happ isn’t likely to get a recall to Philadelphia. Right-handers Joe Bisenius and Anderson Garcia are possibilities, but not very likely.
If they can clear a spot or two on the 40 man roster, the Phillies might have another name or two to add to the mix and here’s where it gets interesting. Right-hander John Ennis had a cup of coffee with the Phillies and could be back for another sip. Gary Knotts would be an interesting addition, since he has some Major League experience and he pitched well at both Reading and Ottawa. In his two stops, Knotts had a combined ERA of 1.85 with three complete games, including two complete game shutouts. Phenoms Carlos Carrasco, Patrick Overholt and Josh Outman aren’t likely to get calls. Zack Segovia started the season with the Phillies, but after a disappointing season, he’s not likely to get a call this September. Third baseman Mike Costanzo, who put up strong numbers for Double-A Reading also isn’t likely to get a call. As for surprise position players the Phillies can look to, the most interesting name is Gary Burnham. The left-handed hitting veteran minor leaguer is a Chris Coste clone who deserves an eventual shot at playing in the majors. Burnham hit .297 with 12 home runs for Ottawa this season, but it’s unlikely that he’s going to get his shot this September with the Phillies. The most help is likely to come from the disabled list as players return to action. Their returns though will come with question marks as the Phillies look to find out just how healthy they are and how much they may be able to help down the stretch. |
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*** UPDATE ***
Post blog: Congratulations to Kane Davis, the last of the original Lynx roster pitchers to make it to Philadelphia!
Post post blog: Gary Burnham a “Chris Coste clone” - we love that the writer is interested in Gary, and we know he meant it as a compliment, but in our books Coste doesn’t hold a candle to Gary. Mr. Burnham is all class.
