Some Bowa Half Field activity this morning in Clearwater as Larry Bowa himself hit ground balls and provided instruction to minor league infielders Casey Martin and I believe Wendell Rijo.
Three pitchers threw side bullpens - 25 to 30 pitches - LH Ethan Lindow & LH Ethan Evanko and RH Braden Zarbnisky.
Things continue to ramp up for minor league mini camp which begins next week.
Remembering the 2016 Reading Phillies. The team went 89-52 under the helm of Dusty Wathan and finished first in the Eastern Division before succumbing to Trenton in the playoffs. The group was heralded for it’s great offense and specifically the long ball. The team led the league in ten different offensive categories. Rhys Hoskins and Dylan Cozens were nicknamed the “Bash Brothers” as Cozens hit 40 home runs and Hoskins tallied 38. Veteran Jake Fox hit 23 home runs that season. Cozens won the league MVP trophy and he and Hoskins were named co winners of the 2016 position player’s Paul Owens Award. Ben Lively won the Owens Award for best pitcher.
Thirty two players who appeared as members ( including in season MLB rehab assignments ) of the 2016 Reading Fightin Phils played or continue to play in Major League Baseball : Hoby Milner, Ben Lively, Michael Mariot, J. P. Crawford, Jimmy Cordero, Dylan Cozens, Severino Gonzalez, Jake Fox, Thomas Eshelman, Alec Asher, Cody Asche, Aaron Altherr, Victor Arano, Jorge Alfaro, Jeremy Bleich, Yacksel Rios, Joely Rodriguez, Roman Quinn, Edubray Ramos, Ricardo Pinto, Nick Pivetta, Daniel Stumpf, Anthony Vasquez, Mitch Walding, Vince Velasquez, Jesmuel Valentin, Jesen Therrien, Rhys Hoskins, Mario Hollands, Mark Leiter, Greg Infante and Scott Kingery.
Other Notes : Eight young men received their high school diplomas yesterday at the Dominican Academy in a graduation ceremony. I’ve written about this program before and think it’s a great thing that the Phillies offer a program to the players whom may not otherwise be able to complete their high school education. Each year a new group dons the graduation gowns and caps and receives recognition for earning their diploma. Respect is earned, this program and the students who have and continue to pass thru it have certainly garnered a deserved respect. Amongst this year’s graduates was LHP Manuel Silva who was part of the Jersey Shore Blue Claws 2021 pitching staff.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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