Posted: Thursday, April 23, 2009, 10:59 AM | 14 comments |
 

Drabek's prospects, plus Ruiz's rehab assignment
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1:25 p.m.: An update, courtesy of the Phillies media relations staff. Catcher Carlos Ruiz will begin his rehab assisgnment Saturday in Lehigh Valley. Manager Charlie Manuel said Wednesday he expected the assignment to last four days, which means Ruiz could be back with the Phillies by next Wednesday.

^

1) People in the Phillies organization were buzzing yesterday after the performance of arguably their three top pitching prospects, all of whom struck out at least 10 batters in appearances on Tuesday. Most impressive was 2008 second-round draft pick Jason Knapp, a mammoth righthander who does not turn 19 until August. Knapp struck out 14 in seven innings for low-Class A Lakewood. Right behind him was Kyle Drabek, the 2006 first-round draft pick who underwent Tommy John surgery in the summer of 2007. I talked to Phillies assistant general manager Benny Looper about Drabek, and he said there was a good possibility that Drabek ends up in Double A Reading at some point this season. At the same time, the Phillies are going to be cautious with their young arms. With J.A. Happ and Kyle Kendrick providing good depth for the big league rotation and Carlos Carrasco, who also pitched well Tuesday, at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, there is no rush. Looper said the question comes down to what is the best place for a player to continue to develop. Don't be surprised if that place is Double A for Drabek.

2) Carlos Ruiz should begin a rehab assignment this weekend, although the Phillies are being cautious with him. The oblique injury is one that can easily re-occur if it does not heal all the way. And with the various awkward movements Ruiz makes behind the plate, he needs his core to be in good health. It is doubtful that Ruiz will be ready when he is eligible to come off the disabled list on Sunday, but he could be back at some point next week.

3) Lou Marson will return to Triple-A once Ruiz is called up.

4) Brad Lidge hasn't pitched in four days, but the closer told me yesterday he is anxious to get back on the mound and see how a minor adjustment in his delivery helps him out. Lidge threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday.

5) Cole Hamels will make his third start of the season today against Dave Bush. I'm sure everyone is anxious to see how he performs.
Posted by David Murphy @ 10:59 AM  Permalink | 14 comments
14
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:20 AM, 04/23/2009
    Is waiting for the day when our rotation is hamels, Carlos Carrasco, Happ, Drabek and Knapp with Kendrick as the 6th guy. What a great home grown rotation that will be in 3 years
    — jeff gross
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:09 PM, 04/23/2009
    I wonder if the development of the young pitchers will allow the Phillies to let Brett Myers walk after this season?
    — wearethechampions
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:20 PM, 04/23/2009
    What Knapp is doing is not normal, 14 Ks when you are 18years old, very exciting.
    — ktdb05
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:21 PM, 04/23/2009
    SS Rollins, Jimmy 1 4 .179 CF Victorino, Shane 1 5 .245 2B Utley, Chase 4 12 .362 1B Howard, Ryan 2 9 .300 RF Werth, Jayson 2 9 .306 LF Ibanez, Raul 5 11 .365 3B Feliz, Pedro 1 9 .326 C Coste, Chris 0 5 .222 P Hamels, Cole (0-1, 11.17)
    — russ4philly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:39 PM, 04/23/2009
    Yes, it most likely will. I am a huge Myers fan, but unless he has a CY Young Caliber Season, I don't see the Phillies re-signing him and it is a thin SP Market after the season. At some point, you gotta give these kids a chance. JA Happ has not gotten his yet, but will by the end of the season or start next season. Next year will probably Hamels, Blanton, Moyer, Happ, and hopefully Carrasco or some new guy. Its a shame because Myers wants to stay in Philly, but I don't see it happening. Remember the days where no one wanted to play for the Phillies? Glad those days are behind us.
    — PhillyPhan35
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:49 PM, 04/23/2009
    The Phils made a huge mistake this year by re-signing Moyer. I love the guy but a 47 year old dude is not going to win you 16 games this year. I wish they would of signed Derek Lowe to a 3 year deal and when this season ends you can let Myers go.
    — Air Force Mike
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:14 PM, 04/23/2009
    jeff - What about Cole Hamels? Dont forget about him, even though he is struggling right now..
    — gallen024
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:53 PM, 04/23/2009
    WTF?!?!?!? Can they - the Phils - get it together already???
    — dksurf
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:01 PM, 04/23/2009
    Hamels is out of the game. Got hit by a line drive off the bat of Prince Fielder in the 4th inning. The ball hit him in his pitching arm. He had a bunch of strikeouts before Braun hit a 2 run homerun just before the injury.
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:05 PM, 04/23/2009
    Hamles have a left shoulder contusion. The Phillies, in the other hand, are hitless thru 3 innings agains Dave Bush.
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:06 PM, 04/23/2009
    Oops, Hamels has...
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:32 PM, 04/23/2009
    Consistency ain't a trait the Phils seem to have mastered...unless of course you buy in to the premise that the Phils are consistently inconsistent. Dang, they can be frustrating to the everyday fan!!!
    — dksurf
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:40 PM, 04/23/2009
    How soon you all forget 2008 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
    — Klambake


14 comments
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times. E-mail Dave at dmurphy@phillynews.com.

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