http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/21251 Recent articles about John Ennis en-us As the regular season approaches, the Phillies continue to pare down their roster. Pitchers Shane Youman and John Ennis are the next two to be reassigned to the minor league camp. There still haven't been any surprise cuts, neither of these players were expected to make the team. The only thing Youman had going for him was that he was a lefty, but like Ennis he is not a major league caliber pitcher. The Phillies have made all of the obvious cuts, but the tough decisions are coming soon. Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:35:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/203238 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/203238 *Grand Pappy Moyer has been named the #3 starter, meaning Kyle Kendrick will slot into the 4th spot with Brett Myers already claiming ownership of #1 and Cole Hamels playing bridesmaid. Since when did naming the #3 starter become such a big deal? I understand the hoopla surrounding the #1 starter because he gets to open the season, but after that so what? Who will land the coveted 5th spot...well, I can assure you it won't be Johan Santana. *Rule 5 pick Lincoln Holdzkom has been granted free agency. He was offered back to the BoSox, but they didn't have room on the 40 man roster for him, so he becomes a free agent. Reports have him signing a minor league deal with Philly and going to the minors. *Brad Lidge must have visited a witch doctor or faith healer because he'll soon be ready for game action and may just yet be ready for Opening Day after all. *Phillies spring record: 4-10, sounds eerily similar to past April starts. Some disheartening spring era's: JD Durbin 9.64, Travis Blackley 8.22, Kyle Kendrick 16.43, Joshua Outman 9.45, Carlos Carrasco 9.45, Chad Durbin 7.20, Cole Hamels 12.60, Adam Eaton 15.75, Tom Gordon 13.50, Joe Savery 10.80, John Ennis 27.00, and JC Romero 9.00. Most of us knew pitching was going to be a struggle, but thought our prolific offense would carry us...not so much so far. Abysmal spring averages: Geoff Jenkins .171, Jimmy Rollins .133, Pat Burrell .214, Chase Utley .214, Wes Helms .217, Jayson Werth .190, Ray Olmedo .125, Chris Coste .200, Jason Jaramillo .083, TJ Bohn .111, Brad Harman .167, and Matt Cervenak .000. Come Opening Day all of these crap-o-rific stats are erased, but I must admit the Phils "success" in past Aprils doesn't lead me to believe that these stats are a fluke altogether either. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:11:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/195498 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/195498 Adam Eaton. Adam F'n Eaton. Piece of no good donkey dung Adam Eaton. Piss poor excuse for a Major League pitcher salary whore Adam Eaton. Yep, I still hate him. This news shouldn't be new to any reader of this blog, hell Eaton knows firsthand the level of my hatred I have for him. I had this to say in the comments section yesterday prior to his spring training 2008 debut, "Eaton pitches today. I'll be following his spring closely, because as much as I hate him, I understand we need him. Benson won't be ready to start the season, Blackley is a longshot, and the Durbins really aren't that good. Eaton has had success in the past, just not really as a Phillie, so I'm hoping he can somewhat bounce back and at least turn in a 5 era, which is sometimes all you need to win with the Phils offense behind you. He needs to give 6 innings every time out though, too many short outings last season that killed the bullpen." See, even this angry hate-filled blogger can find it in his heart to give Eaton a second chance. Too bad he's promptly dashing all hopes of a rebound season as his line from yesterday's game was- 2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, and 1 HR. Don't worry though, both Durbins have sucked so far too, and Benson still isn't ready to pitch in a game, but at least Blackley tossed 3 scoreless frames. I know it's only spring training and that many players struggle, but in regards to Eaton this is merely continued suckage and I hate it! Click on URL for more story Sun, 02 Mar 2008 08:30:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/177651 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/177651 Charlie Manuel bestowed the honor of Opening Day starter on Brett Myers for the second year in a row. This is to the surprise of many, as Cole Hamels seemed to be the incumbent #1, but I pose the question- does it really matter? Brett Myers and Cole Hamels each have top of the rotation stuff, so I don't think of Myers as the go-to-guy or Hamels has the runner-up, rather view it as we have two #1.5 starters and it makes sense to have Myers go first (right) followed by Hamels (left) then Kendrick (right) then Moyer (left) then whatever trash we throw out their for the 5th spot. Prepare yourself- this is one of those rare occasions where I understand Manuel's reasoning and agree with it...mark this date. __________________________________ Reinforcement: I'm not sure the general public knows this, but the Pittsburgh Pirates are pretty bad. Despite the Buccos' propensity for sucking and housing underwhelming players, the Phils have decided to give shelter to yet another one of their castoffs. Earlier in the offseason the Phils took in Shane Youman, and now have blessed us with Ray Olmedo. A veteran of 5 seasons with the Reds and Blue Jays, Olmedo has appeared in 198 games playing 2B, SS, and 3B compiling a .228 average and .569 OPS. He won't make the 25-man roster, but he is only 27 years old and will serve as depth for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (*added bonus, this makes Ray a semi-Phucco). To make room on the 40-man roster, super prospect John Ennis has been designated for assignment...and to think he had so much promise. ___________________________________ Cancellation: The rain put the kybosh on a Florida State trouncing of the Phillies last night...thank goodness, that could have been very embarrassing for our Phightin's. Kidding aside, Joe Savery was pretty disappointed about not get the opportunity to shine in front of the Phils supposed Opening Day lineup which was set to play behind him. Now we move on to the real Grapefruit League action against some Major League competition, or at least of bunch of guys wearing Reds' uniforms who could some day maybe make a brief appearances in the Bigs. Grand Pappy Moyer gets the thrill of throwing the Phils first official pitch of spring training (like he hasn't done that 289 times before) and will be followed by Travis Blackley, Clay Condrey, Carlos Carrasco and Ryan Madson. Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:20:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/169568 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/169568 Private Matters: 1. What to do with Wes Helms? The man is a butcher at 3rd base, meaning his only real position is 1st base, but his bat failed miserably in Philly last season and caused the dynamic duo of Patty G and Rube to cast their line for the big catch of Pedro Feliz. This leaves good ol' Wesley without a spot on the 25-man roster and the Phils need to trade him...but nobody seems to want him. 2. Who fills out the bullpen? Five men are assured spots- Brad Lidge, Tom Gordon, JC Romero, Chad Durbin, and Ryan Madson. However, things get very dicey after them, and there's even the slight chance that Durbin snags the 5th spot in the rotation. The competition: wild fireballer with upside Francisco Rosario is out of options, Jars of Clay Condrey is good at times and abysmal at others, Fat Mike Zagurski is still recovering from injury, non-roster invitee and darkhorse candidate for second lefty Vic Darensbourg, Thee Model Dictator Fabio Castro, Rule 5 pick Lincoln Holdzkom, the enigma of JD Durbin, Pirates unwanted treasure Shane Youman, fallen prospect Joe Bisenius, recovering Scott Mathieson, and the improbable John Ennis. I say trade Chris Snelling and Wes Helms for some bullpen help! 3. Who is the 5th starter? We've got Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Kyle Kendrick, and Grand Pappy Moyer written in permanent ink for the rotation. Not sure who to pencil in for the last spot though. The competition: fan favorite and comeback player of the year candidate for '08 Adam Eaton (I just blew up the sarcasm meter), Rule 5 pick Travis Blackley (also an Aussie- yeah BloodStripes!), previously mentioned Chad and JD Durbin, and newly signed Kris Benson. Jose Mesa Where Art Thou?: Born Jose Ramon Nova Mesa, or more fondly referred to as Joe Table, has yet to latch on with a club and it's already spring training. The alleged 41 year old seems to have more lives than Contra (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a, b, a, select, start), so it's in the realm of possibility that it's only a matter of time before he pops up in someone's camp...I just hope it's not the Phillies. Mesa has already had two tour of duties with the Phightins and neither was particularly that great, although I will acknowledge his 102 saves for us. If he's looking for a reunion, he should go suck up to one of his other ex-teams (Orioles, Indians, Giants, Mariners, Pirates, Rockies, or Tigers). Honestly though, it's probably the end of the road for Mr. Table, and it's been a long bumpy road with 1022 career games and 321 saves...guess he's really not as bad as I make him out to be. Click on URL for full article and classic pictures. Sat, 16 Feb 2008 05:42:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/145234 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/145234