SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Baseball America Releases Top Ten Phillies Prospects

Published on January 6, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, N.J. - BlueClaws outfielder Dominic Brown tops Baseball America's annual top ten list of the best prospects in the Phillies organization. Brown was with Lakewood in 2008 and highlights a list that features eight players who played with Lakewood and two more who could be BlueClaws in 2009.

Brown, who was selected in the 20th round in the 2006 draft, hit .291 with nine homers and 54 RBIs with Lakewood in 2008. The 21-year old was sixth on Baseball America's 2008 Phillies list, and Baseball America editor John Manuel said Brown's stock is quickly rising.

"The buzz on Brown is growing in the industry," said Manuel. "He's got big tools, a feel for hitting, a right field arm, and athleticism."

Carlos Carrasco, who was number one the last two years, was number two this year. He was on the BlueClaws 2006 South Atlantic League Championship team, and started 2008 with Double-A Reading before finishing the year 2-2 with a 1.72 ERA with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He has a chance to make the Opening Day roster for the Phillies this year as the team's fifth starter.

Lou Marson, the starting catcher on the 2006 BlueClaws, was placed third. Marson spent the year with Double-A Reading, and played on the US Olympic baseball team before being a Phillies September call- up. He traveled with the team during their World Series run.

"It was great to be around the guys and watch them get ready to play every day," said Marson. "Just being there, having conversations with them, and watching the game, it was a valuable experience."

Shortstop Jason Donald, who was with the BlueClaws in 2007, was ranked fourth. Donald, like Marson, spent the year with Reading and played on the Olympic team, which took home the bronze medal.

Pitcher Kyle Drabek, who missed most of the season due to injury, was fifth. The 2007 BlueClaws pitcher threw eight games at lower levels before pitching to a 3.05 ERA in the Hawaiian Winter League.

Michael Taylor, who combined to hit .345 between Lakewood and Clearwater last year, was ranked sixth. He skyrocketed up the list after not being ranked in the top 30 last year. The Stanford outfielder was called up at the All-Star break after hitting .361 with Lakewood, and continued his strong play, batting .329 with Clearwater with nine home runs.

Catcher Travis D'Arnaud, a 2007 supplemental first round pick who spent a few weeks with Lakewood last year, was seventh. Outfielder Zach Collier, a 2008 supplemental first round pick who should be in Lakewood in 2009, was eighth. Pitcher JA Happ, a BlueClaw in 2005, was ninth with pitcher Jason Knapp, a New Jersey native who could also spend 2009 with the BlueClaws, rounding out the top ten.

The Lakewood BlueClaws, the single-A affiliate of the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, welcomed 425,166 fans to FirstEnergy Park during the 2008 season which upped their eight-season total to 3,595,378. They have led the South Atlantic League in average or overall attendance in each of their eight seasons.

For more information call 732-901-7000 or visit the BlueClaws website at www.BlueClaws.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from January 6, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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