Phillies' Spring Training: Who's Who?!: The Infielders

My Fellow Phans,

First I wanted to wish you a Happy Cliffmas as Cliff Lee is set to make his 2011 Phillies debut in just about 30 minutes; I also wanted to deliver another section of my Spring Training information.

Here is your Who’s-Who of Phillies’ players down in Clearwater. Let’s start with the infielders! I must make a note that some of these guys were difficult to find a lot of information on. The Phillies have traded away most of the significant names in their farm system and therefore, a lot of these names are unknown even to myself. I did my best to make sure that you get information on these guys you will be seeing this spring.

Roster Infielders

Brian Bocock:

Utility Infielder - Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .226 AVG 4 HR 31 RBI

Career Major League Stats: .134 AVG 0 HR 2 RBI

Bocock was actually the Giants’ opening day starting shortstop back in 2008 when Omar Vizquel went down with an injury. He didn’t perform very well during his time there and was quickly replaced mid-April. He’s been with the Philllies’ Minor League system since January 2010 appearing in limited time with the big club.

Freddy Galvis:

Shortstop – Bats: Switch – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .233 AVG 5 HR 48 RBI 15 SB (AA)

No Major League stats

I don’t know much about Galvis. The 21-year old Venezuelan was signed by the Phillies in 2006. Reports on him are that he has good speed to go along with Gold Glove caliber defense. He’s never been higher than AA in our system, but has the youth and ability to make his way through the ranks.

Harold Garcia:

Infielder – Bats: Switch – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .305 AVG 8 HR 64 RBI 29 SB (A&AA)

No Major League stats

Garcia was signed as an amateur free agent in September of 2004. Since then, he has been slowly climbing the ranks of the Phillies’ farm system and currently sits at the AA level. He has good speed as he stole a career-high 42 bases during the 2009 season at Lakewood.

Cesar Hernandez:

Infielder – Bats: Switch – Throws: Rights

2010 Stats: .325 AVG 0 HR 23 RBI 32 SB (A)

No Major League stats

I honestly couldn’t find much on this guy. In fact most of the sites that I researched were all about a former Reds’ outfielder by the same name. He has been in the Phillies system since 2007 and was finally promoted to the A- level in 2010. He doesn’t seem to have much power, but like others on this list, he has a nice amount of speed.

Ryan Howard:

First Base- Bats: Left – Throws: Left

2010 Stats: .276 AVG 31 HR 108 RBI

Career Major League Stats: .279 AVG 253 HR 748 RBI

I would make a joke about not knowing a thing about Howard, but with the lack of knowledge on the previous players on this list, I have to admit that I am glad to finally see a name that I was extremely familiar with! I don’t think there is much to say about Howard that you wouldn’t know. He was drafted in 2001, making his debut in September 2004. He proceeded to win the Rookie of the Year award in 2005 and the MVP in 2006. He is the fastest player in the history of the game to reach both the 100 and 200 home run mark (in terms of games) and currently sits 3^rd on the Phillies’ career home run chasing only the great Mike Schmidt and Dale Ennis in that category. Yes, I think it’s a safe assumption that he’ll be on the club this season.

Michael Martinez:

Second Base – Bats: Switch – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .312 AVG 11 HR 56 RBI 23 SB (AA&AAA)

No Career Major League stats

Martinez was taken by the Phillies in the rule 5 draft. He has been described as an athletic second baseman whom can also play shortstop, and apparently, centerfield as well. His 2010 stats are from the Nationals’ minor league system, the team the Phillies snatched him away from, and he has never played a game in the Majors. He is just another speedy infielder with little power; a growing trend of the Phillies’ minor leaguer infielders on this list.

Placido Polanco:

Third Base – Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: 298 AVG 6 HR 52 RBI

Career Major League Stats: .303 AVG 96 HR 631 RBI

We all know and love Polanco. He is a scrappy player whom has made a living out of putting the ball in play. I would like to note here that third base is not his only position as he can solidly play SS, second base and even the outfield as well. I just listed third as his primary spot since that is where he’ll be playing this season.

Carlos Rivero:

Infielder – Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats:  .232 AVG 6 HR 43 RBI (AA)

No Major League stats

I cannot find much on Rivero. He was in the Indians’ organization up until the Phillies claimed him off waivers in November of 2011. His stats from 2010 were from the Indians’ AA affiliate.

Matt Rizzotti:

First Base – Bats: Left – Throws: Left

2010 Stats: .343 AVG 17 HR 76 RBI (A&AA&AAA)

No Major League stats

Rizzotti may be the biggest offensive hitter in the Phillies’ organization not named Dominic Brown. He has been developing rather nicely over the past few years and has quickly been climbing the ranks of the minors playing in A, AA and AAA this past year. Ironically enough, he was actually drafted by the Twins in the 2004 draft, but he decided to go to college and then was drafted by the Phillies in 2007.Obviously, there is no room for him at the moment, but that gives this young man more time to develop in the minors. You can see from those stats that he is truly a fine looking young talent. I look forward to watching him this spring.

Jimmy Rollins:

Shortstop – Bats: Switch – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: 243 AVG 8 HR 41 RBI 17 SB

Career Major League stats: .272 AVG 154 HR 662 RBI 343 SB

Rollins may be the closest to a team captain that this team has. I don’t think there is much else to say about him. He was the NL MVP in 2007. Last season, he was off to a blistering hot start hitting .391 in his first 7 games in April before going down with an injury. When he returned, he was never the same. I’m expecting a healthy J-Roll this year and that should translate to a very good season for our outspoken shortstop.

Chase Utley:

Second Base – Bats: Left – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .275 AVG 16 HR 75 RBI 13 SB

Career Major League stats: .293 AVG 177 HR 650 RBI

I think it’s safe to say that there is not a Philadelphian that doesn’t know Mr. Utley. Ever since he blasted himself into the hearts of Philadelphians with a punch hit grand slam his rookie season. It’s funny to think that Chase was once the backup to Polanco at the second base position. A lot has changed since then.

Wilson Valdez:

Middle Infielder – Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .258 AVG 4 HR 35 RBI 7 SB

Career Major League stats: .240 AVG 5 HR 62 RBI

Last season, Valdez came out of nowhere to steal the super utility role from Juan Castro. He was an injury callup and ended up playing 111 games for the big club. I admit at first, I was not a fan of Valdez, but I warmed up to him as the season went along. He played a critical role in the Phillies season last year and he appears to have the inside track on our utility role for this upcoming season. I look forward to having him for an entire season.

Non-Roster Invitees

Josh Barfield:

Second Base – Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: 294 AVG 5 HR 36 RBI  (AAA)

Major League stats: .264 AVG 16 HR 112 RBI

Barfield was drafted in 2001 by the San Diego Padres and went on to make his debut them in 2006. His rookie season wasn’t that bad (.280 AVG 13 HR 58 RBI) He was traded to Cleveland in November of that same year. His numbers in Cleveland never amounted to much. He was released by the Indians in 2009, actually was signed briefly by the Padres was cut once again, and then ended up in Philadelphia thanks to a deal in November of 2010.

Tagg Bozied:

First Base – Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .315 AVG 27 HR 92 (AA)

No Major League stats

The more I read into this guy’s stats, the more I wonder why he has been so traveled throughout the minor league system. Since 2001, he has been through several organizations including the Padres and Mets’ minor league affiliates. I’m not sure what is more interesting: that fact or his name itself. He has never been to the majors, but his power is something that should be valued. 2010 was his first year with the Phillies playing for Reading. This is another guy that I am intrigued by and hopefully we get to see him this spring.

Jeff Larish:

First Base – Bats: Left – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .179 AVG 2 HR 9 RBI

Career Major League stats: .224 AVG 8 HR 32 RBI

Larish was drafted by the Tigers back in 2005. He made his debut with Detroit in 2008 and since then has played sparingly for the Tigers and Athletics.

Pete Orr:

Infielder – Bats: Left – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .264 AVG 12 HR 45 RBI (AAA)

Career Major League stats: .260 AVG 3 HR 35 RBI

Does anyone else, besides me, remember this guy from when he was with Atlanta back between 2005-2007. Perhaps you recall his 2008-2009 days with the Washington Nationals? Regardless, when Pete Orr has played, it’s been with a National League East team. He was never a power hitter, but the thing that I admired about Orr was his ability to play every position and I mean every position. During his time in the big leagues, the Canadian born player has logged time at 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF, and DH. I’m sure he could even play first base if needed. He gives a new meaning to the idea of super utility player. He may not make our roster, but his skills could be a valuable asset to have down the line.

Robb Quinlan:

First Base / Third Base – Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .121 AVG 0 HR 2 RBI

Career Major League stats: .276 AVG 25 HR 121 RBI

If anyone knows anything about Rob Quinlan is that he has been a career Angels player since his debut back in 2003; the team that also drafted him back in 1999. Outside from that, the only other thing I knew coming in about him was that he was a Greg Dobbs-type player with the ability to play the corner infield spots as well as the outfield. He is not a young guy at any stretch of the imagination, at least compared to others on this list, being a 33 year old non-roster invitee. He is not a big power guy, but has a steady batting average and can play those multiple spots. All he needs is a place to play. 

So that is your look at the Phillies’ infielders for this spring training. I apologize that I couldn’t get loads of information on everyone, but I just hope that this gives you the fans, a better idea of some of these unknown names that we are throwing out on the field this spring training. Look for the catchers and outfielders next followed by the pitchers! 

Enjoy the game today everyone! 

Until we meet again Phillies Fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!