Phillies' Spring Training: Who's Who?!: The Catchers and Outfielders

My Fellow Phans,


Here as promised is the next part of my Spring Training outlook. Last time we got to know the infielders that the Phillies down in Clearwater. Now, we will introduce the catchers and outfielders. Enjoy!

Catchers

Roster:

Carlos Ruiz:

Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .302 AVG 8 HR 53 RBI

Career Major Stats: .260 AVG 30 HR 191 RBI

I don’t think the Chooch needs any introduction. The silent assassin behind the plate for the Phillies has seen his offensive numbers increase over the past few years. I think it is safe to assume that this could be Ruiz’s best year in the big leagues yet. I’m actually an all-star season from one of the most underrated players in all of baseball.

Brian Schneider:

Bats: Left – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: 240 AVG 4 HR 15 RBI

Career Major League stats: .250 AVG 63 HR 371 RBI

Schneider is the backup catcher on our squad. I’m sure some of you recall his days in Washington and New York when he seemed to make a habit out of destroying Phillies pitching. He is a solid backup catcher. He can handle the pitching staffs and provided a few key hits last season. That is all you ask from a backup backstop; good defense and solid offense. Schneider fits both.

Non-Roster:

Tuffy Gosewisch:

Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .241 AVG 9 HR 32 RBI (AA)

No Career Major League stats

Gosewisch was a guy that I had never really heard of until season. He was actually drafted by the Phillies in the 11^th round of the 2005 draft. He has been in the organization ever since making it as high as AAA Lehigh Valley in 2009. His career minor league stats aren’t that impressive, but 2010 was his best year thus far so that is always a plus.

Erik Kratz:

Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .274 AVG 9 HR 41 RBI (AAA)

No Major League Career stats

Kratz has played 9 seasons in the minors, never breaking into the major leagues.  From his start in 2002 until 2008, he played at various levels in the Blue Jays organization and has spent the last 3 years in the Pirates’ organization. The 30 year old is not just a catcher, but can always play 1B, 3B, and the OF as well.

Joel Naughton :

Bats: Left – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .308 AVG 5 HR 31 RBI (A)

No Career Major League stats

The Australian prospect started in the Phillies system back in 2005 and has been improving annually. I don’t think he was drafted as I saw no information, but he is only 24 and could one day be a key player in the Phillies’ catching plans.

Dane Sardinha:  

Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .207 AVG 5 HR 24 RBI (AAA) - .205 AVG 3 HR 8 RBI (13 games – MLB)

Career Major League stats: .151 AVG 3 HR 14 RBI

Sardinha is easily the most identifiable of the non-roster invites thanks to his brief time with the Phillies last season. He was actually drafted by the Reds way back in 2010 and has seemed limited time in the majors. I have always liked this guy for some reason although he still needs time in the minors before he is major league ready.

Outfielders 

Roster

Domonic Brown:

Bats: Left – Throws: Left

2010 Stats: .327 AVG 20 HR 68 RBI 17 (AA&AAA)

Career Major League stats (2010): .210 AVG 2 HR 13 RBI

Brown’s debut in the big leagues started with a splash as he launched an RBI double in his very first game. After that, the hype was tremendous and he kind of deflated after that game. I guess that is to be expected for a young player. I’m not going to say that I was rooting against him in the right field battle this spring, but I think that needs another year in the minors and then can take over for the departing Ibanez after this season. Sadly, he left yesterday’s game with an injury which all but ended his right field bid. Either way, this young man is going to a true talent in the game someday, we will just have to wait for that to happen.

Ben Francisco:

Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .268 AVG 6 HR 28 RBI 8 SB

Career Major League stats: .263 AVG 39 HR 140 RBI

One of my personal favorites, Francisco was the unknown part of the Cliff Lee deal back when we acquired him the first time. Few realize that he was an everyday starter for the Indians when we got him putting up solid numbers in Cleveland. He has the potential to be a 20 homer guy with a full season and he may just get that chance this season with Brown’s injury.

Ross Gload: .

Bats: Left – Throws: Left

2010 Stats: 281 AVG 6 HR 22 RBI

Career Major League stats: .283 AVG 34 HR 214 RBI

Gload is the primary bat off the Phillies’ bench. His most common role through the years has been the pinch hitter position and this is where he excelled at all year. At the times, he was asked to fill in due to injuries, he performed this role admirably. Gload has been around since 2000 and is a quality major league hitter. I look forward to seeing him play this season.

Raul Ibanez:

Bats: Left – Throws: Right

2010 Stats : .275 AVG 16 HR 83 RBI

Career Major League stats: .284 AVG 232 HR 970 RBI

I don’t think I need to give a serious description about RAAAUUULLLLL Ibanez. He is a seasoned veteran entering the final year of his contract with the Phillies. The main question with Ibanez is his age as he enters this season at the old age of 38, at least from a baseball perspective. Hopefully he holds up and has one more productive year for the Phillies.

John Mayberry:

Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .267 15 HR 65 RBI 20 SB .740 OPS (AAA)

Career Major League stats: .232 AVG 6 HR 14 RBI (50 games)

Mayberry is a right handed slugger whom always seems to be on the brink of making the Phillies’ roster. He’s actually been one of my personal favorites ever since he homered off of Andy Pettitte. Anyone else remember that? He was actually drafted by the Rangers in 2005 and entered the Phillies’ organization in 2009. He may turn out to be a bench player on this year’s roster since the team still needs a right handed bat.

Shane Victorino:

Bats: Switch – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .259 AVG 18 HR 69 RBI 34 SB

Career Major League stats: .279 AVG 62 HR 293 RBI 143 SB

The Flyin’ Hawaiian needs no introduction. Victorino is one of the most beloved Phillies players to date.  The speedy centerfielder is a vital cog in the Phillies’ offense. He provides a dynamic to the game that few others players can do with courtesy of his speed. It has been fun to watch Victorino develop as he is and we hope that he can continue to improve as time goes along.

Non-Roster  

Matt Miller:

Bats: Right – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .325 AVG 10 HR 81 RBI .840 OPS (AAA)
No Career Major League stats

Well, this guy was hard to find information on. What I do know is that he was drafted in 2004 by the Rockies. This is his first season with the Phillies’ organization having played 7 seasons in the minors before this year spanning from A to AAA.

Brandon Moss:

Throws: Right – Bats: Left

2010 stats:  .266 AVG 22 HR 96 RBI (AAA)

Career Major League stats: .238 AVG 15 HR 78 RBI

Moss was drafted by Boston was back in 2002.He played briefly for the Red Soxs before being dealt to Pittsburgh in the Manny Ramirez 3-Team deal in 2008. He played for the Pirates a few seasons before being released in 2010. Just two weeks later, he signed with the Phillies and was invited to Spring Training.

Delwyn Young:

Bats: Switch – Throws: Right

2010 Stats: .236 AVG 7 HR 28 RBI

Career Major League stats: .258 AVG 17 HR 81 RBI

Another Pirates castoff, Young was drafted by the Dodgers in 2004, traded to Pittsburgh in 2009, released in November 2010 and signed with the Phillies. From what I’ve seen from him, he is a solid player. An interesting note, he was the first player to homer and knock in a run against Washington’s young superstar Stephen Strasburg. Sadly, that may be his biggest claim to fame. 

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