Only 140 days until the opening pitch of the 2012 Season! In the mean time here’s a wrap of the most recent news and a preliminary look forward.
Coca-Cola Park
The construction of the Red Robin Tiki Terrace and Oasis is progressing nicely. The main steel support structure is mostly complete and as I was leaving CCP on Tuesday (11/15) another full load of steel was being delivered. Amazingly, the field is still exquisitely manicured. Bill Butler is the man!
IronPigs Coaching Staff
As previously reported, Andy Tracy has joined the Philadelphia organization as a coach and (former) Reading Coach Mark Parent has been hired by the White Sox. Thanks to long time poster Emily who found this article, it’s possible that Ryne Sandberg just may return to the Lehigh Valley in 2012. Could this be the first and only successful “occupy” campaign? We can only hope!
If the Phils decide to promote from within will we perhaps see former Phil Mickey Morandini from the Williamsport Crosscutters (Class A Short Season) make a move to Reading or perhaps LHV? Former MLB pitcher Lance Carter and SS Jorge Velandia are also on the Crosscutter’s coaching staff.
The Clearwater Threshers (Class A Advanced) have a few former Major Leaguers on their staff as well. Dusty Wathan a catcher has a history with the Phillies, Reading, and forerunner to the IronPigs the Ottawa Lynx. John Mizerock who actually managed 13 games for the Royals in 2002 and former MLB pitcher David Lunquist round out the Threshers staff.
Over in Lakewood, the BlueClaw’s (Class A) staff consists of former Major Leaguers 3b Chris Truby, P Steve Schrenk and IF Greg Legg who’s been a member of the Phillies organization since he was drafted. Perhaps we’ll see some promotions from here.
With the departure of Parent from Reading (Class AA), Frank Cacciatore and former MLB pitcher Bob Milacki remain. Reading will be looking to replace their manager as well. There could be quite a shuffling of the staff within the Phillies’ Minor League Affiliates.
Let’s not forget we have Sal Rende and Rod Nichols to add to the mix. Seems the Phillies have various options to work with utilizing current staff but it appears they may need to bring in some outside talent especially if Ryno does not return.
IronPigs Free-Agency News
So far, free agents Pete Orr and Kevin Frandsen have reportedly been signed and Orr will be a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. It’s likely at some point we will see both of them return to the IronPigs in 2012.
IronPigs Fall/Winter Ball
There’s a number of current or former IronPigs honing their craft in fall or winter ball. Our own Reading born Richie T (Rich Thompson) has appeared in 9 games for the Dominican League’s Estrellas de Oriente. Rich went 9 for 35 (.265) 1 2b, 1 HR, and 9 SB. Former IronPig Mike Zagurski 3.00 ERA in 11 appearances and Philly Michael Martinez are also on the team.
Juan Perez (P) has appeared in 14 games and has a 0.00 ERA in 16 2/3 innings and has yielded only 5 hits for the Gigantes del Cibao also of the Dominican League.
SS Freddy Galvis who was named Phillies Minor League Player of the Year returned to his native Venezuela for the Aguilas del Zulia and is hitting .222 in 36 AB with 9 RBI’s.
Cody Overbeck, listed at 1B has taken to the Arizona Fall League where he is hitting .324 with 79 AB in 23 games.
There were also a number of other players that are listed on rosters of various fall/winter ball leagues but they had no listed uniform number nor stats.
Who do you think we may see back at the IronPigs in 2012 and who may be promoted either to the coaching staff or the lineup?
DiPro’s Dish – OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Former IronPig Andrew Carpenter has been claimed off waivers by Toronto!
“Will we see highly touted RHP prospects Trevor May, Kyle Drabek or Jarred Cosart in the Lehigh Valley next year?”
Jarred Cosart was traded to the Astros on 7/29/11 in the Hunter Pence deal. Kyle Drabek was traded to the Blue Jays on 12/16/09 in the Roy Halladay deal.
The Phillies did sign veteran LH reliever Raul Valdes on November 10th.
On the SECTV-2 Pot Belly report this week they discussed the possibility of Kevin Frandsen being given an opportunity to replace Michael Martinez on the Phillies’ active 25 man roster this year since Martinez can be optioned this year after fulfilling his Rule 5 requirements in 2011.
And before anyone gets too excited about Ryne Sandberg returning, don’t forget that there are several major league teams that still have to fill an entire coaching staff, including the Cubs under new manager Dale Sveum and the Red Sox who still haven’t selected a manager,
And congratulations to Phillippe Aumont on being added to the Phillies 40 man roster today along with Tyson Gillies, Jake Diekman and Sebastian Valle. That was expected because all of these guys would have been exposed to the Rule 5 Draft this year if left off the major league roster.
I think the signings will pick up before the end of the month. We need starting pitching.
I just put that Cosart, Drabek stuff in there to see if anyone was paying attention. HAHA
Actually I really should check the date of my sources before posting – the information was from 2009. That will teach me to create posts after a 3 Martini Lunch. lol
Good find Decal – thanks – and more great info – keep it a commin’ – I need to something to pacify the next 140 days!
DiPro
Yay, Aumont! I doubt Sveum will want Ryno in Chicago. Too much pressure. I don’t see Boston hiring Sandberg as manager, either, although they could surprise me.
“Thanks to long time poster Emily who found this article, it’s possible that Ryne Sandberg just may return to the Lehigh Valley in 2012.”
I’m trying to decide whether I should be a good English teacher and point out the comma splice here or just keep it to myself and let Noise Nation wonder exactly what I’ve been doing to coax our boy back to Allentown for another season. XD