EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Phillies June Minor League Winners

Published on July 7, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


Left-handed pitcher Joe Savery of the Reading Phillies is the Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June after a 5-0 month.

Outfielder Steve Susdorf, who began last month with the Lakewood BlueClaws before being promoted to the Clearwater Threshers on June 21, won the monthly honors for a player by hitting .390 in 25 games.

Savery, the Phillies' first-round selection (19th overall) in 2007 out of Rice University, posted a 1.76 ERA in six starts in June. In 30.2 innings, he held opponents to a .173 batting average (18 hits allowed). He walked 11 and struck out 21.

The 5-0 record extended his winning streak to 10, his lone loss coming in his second Double-A start on April 16 at Harrisburg. Through June, the 23-year-old had a 3.08 ERA. Savery, who also played first base at Rice, was sporting a .241 Eastern League average at the end of last month and had made eight appearances as a pinch-hitter.

Savery is one of four Reading players selected to the EL All-Star Game, July 15 at Trenton. He's joined by outfielder Michael Taylor, third baseman Neil Sellers and right-hander Vance Worley.

"Joe's command of his fast ball continues to improve," reports Reading pitching coach Steve Schrenk. "He's pitching inside and we added a two-seam fastball about 7-8 starts ago. He competes every time he takes the ball and will battle when he doesn't have his best stuff.

"After pitching a lot his first two seasons, he was able to rest last winter. He came to spring training in great shape and is a much-improved pitcher," Schrenk added.

Susdorf started the season in extended spring training, rehabbing from January 8 surgery on his left hip. He was activated at Lakewood on May 25.

The left-handed hitting Susdorf hit safely in 20 of 25 combined June games playing for Lakewood and Clearwater. He had 12 multiple-hit games and drove in a run in 12 games for a total of 18 RBI.

Among his 41 hits were six doubles, one triple and two homers. Most of his playing time was in left field.

Susdorf, also 23, was selected by the Phillies in the 19th round last year out of Fresno State University, winners of the 2008 College World Series. He began his pro career with the Williamsport Crosscutters.

"Steve is a professional hitter," says Lakewood manager Dusty Wathan, who also managed Susdorf last summer at Williamsport. "He does his homework on pitchers, studying them. He's the first one at the ballpark every day. Nice to see someone who works so hard do so well."

Previous 2009 winners:

April OF Michael Taylor (Reading) and LHP Yohan Flande (Clearwater)

May OF Michael Taylor (Reading) and LHP Antonio Bastardo (Reading/Lehigh Valley)

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Eastern League Stories from July 7, 2009


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