Philadelphia Phillies prospect Anthony Gose led the minor leagues in stolen bases this season with 75 and is trying to help the Lakewood BlueClaws run away with their second ever South Atlantic League Championship title since being formed in 2001.

The BlueClaws have a 2-0 lead over the Greenville Drive in a best-of-5 Championship series. Gose went 4-for-9 in the first round of the playoffs against the Kannapolis Intimidators. Last night, Gose led off the first game with a solo home run to right centerfield and finished 1-for-4 en route to the BlueClaws 6-3 victory over the Drive. The second game, he went 1-for-4.

"The whole experience has been great," Gose says. "It was my first full-season so to be in the playoffs the same year is an amazing feeling. Hopefully we can come out with the victory and will probably be the greatest feeling ever."

The Bellflower, CA native finished the season hitting .259 with 24 doubles, 9 triples, 2 home runs and 52 RBI in 131 games. During the second half of the season, Gose fell into a couple of slumps which lowered his batting average. In his last ten games of the year, he was 5-for-41.

"We've had a few days off here and there this month so it's given my body a chance to reenergize a bit so now it feels great," Gose said. "I've gotten a second wind and now I am ready for anything."

The 2008 second round draft pick of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft passed up a scholarship to play for the University of Arizona and decided to pursuit his baseball career as a position player rather than a pitcher. During his high school career, he was a lefthanded pitcher who touched 97mph at times.

"I really enjoyed myself this season," Gose said. "It's been a blessing to me to have done good as I had done especially after not being what they called a "hitting prospect" out of high school. I feel I've done a lot for myself and proved to a lot of people what I'm capable of."

The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has been leading off or in the number two spot all season, switching with infielder Harold Garcia. Garcia also went deep in game one, going 2-for-4. Combined, Gose's 75 stolen bases and Garcia's 42 swipes, helped put Lakewood atop with their minor league leading 210 stolen bases.

 "Now, it's the time to really step up," Gose said. "We are playing for a championship right now and it's the main focus right now. You got to just put everything out the door, and it's another season starting."

Winning the stolen base title was a goal Gose had set for himself earlier in the season. He beat out Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Dee Gordon of the Midwest League by three stolen bases.

"Anytime you set a goal and you reach it, you always have to feel good about yourself," Gose said. "I said I wanted to lead the league and now that it's accomplished, it's time to think about and set another."

The 19-year-old was ranked by Baseball America as the Most Exciting Player, Fastest Baserunner, Best Baserunner and Best Defensive Outfielder in the South Atlantic League. Despite being picked off the first time he reached base in the series against Kannapolis, Gose is always ready to run for the title.

"I'm always aggressive," Gose said. "I don't think I'll have put the reins on me or anything. I made a couple mistakes on the bases last series. As far as that, I still have free will to do anything on the base paths."

San Diego Padres pitcher Aaron Poreda will be wearing a Padres jersey for the first time in his career since being traded before the deadline from the Chicago White Sox along with LHP Clayton Richard, RHP Dexter Carter and RHP Adam Russell for the Jake Peavy.

The left hand pitcher began the season with Double-A Birmingham Barons. He dominated the Southern League in his 11 starts going 5-4, 2.38 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 64.1 innings pitched. He made two starts with the Triple-A Charlotte Kings of the International League.

The California native had a brief month long stint with the White Sox. He pitched out of the bullpen holding opposing hitters to a .231 average striking out 12 batters in 11 innings pitched over 10 appearances.

Once traded, he pitched for the Triple-A Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League. Over seven appearances, he struggled going 0-3, 7.12 ERA walking 37 batters with only 30 walks over 32.2 innings.

Poreda was Chicago's 25^th overall pick in the 2007 MLB Draft out of the University of San Francisco and ranked the White Sox No. 2 best prospect in 2009 according to Baseball America.

Catcher Tony Sanchez was selected fourth overall in the 2009 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Sanchez, 21, signed for $2.5 million and reported right away to the Short-Season New York-Penn League to play with the State College Spikes. After four games with the team going 4-for-13, the Miami native was promoted to the Low Class A West Virginia Power.

With only a few games left, Sanchez has had one of the best professional debuts of any draftee this year. In 40 games with the Power, he has cranked 15 doubles, 7 home runs, 45 RBI while hitting .316.

The former Boston College standout led the team in batting with a .346 average, slugging percentage at .614, on base percentage at .443 and home runs with 14 while also leading runs scored with 63. He helped lead BC to their first NCAA tournament berth in 42 years and played in the longest ever college baseball game that lasted 25 innings during the season against Texas University.

The 6-foot-1, 220 pounder plays good defense and is quick behind the plate. He provides solid power and has potential to climb up the ladder through the minor leagues quickly.

Catching Around with Tony Sanchez

Favorite Movie: The Green Mile
Favorite TV Show: Planet Earth
Favorite Movie Artist: George Strait
Favorite Music: Anything country
Favorite Video Game: Call of Duty
Favorite Food: Tuna
Favorite Player: Yadier Molina
Pet Peeve: When other guys stick their hand in my catchers mitt.
Most Memorable Baseball Moment: 25-inning game against Texas at the regional.
Most Exciting Player Played With: Kevin Moran- he yells at the hitters
Pitcher You Enjoy Catching Most: Mike Belfiore- because if he's in the game, we have a lead and he's going to slam the door.

Daniel Gutierrez, Kansas City Royals pitching prospect, has been traded to the Texas Rangers according to his Facebook status update thirty minutes ago.

Gutierrez: "Just got traded to the Texas Rangers!!!. Woooohoooo"

Gutierrez, 22, was traded for C Manny Pina and OF Tim Smith.

The right hand pitcher has only started four games this year and made four other appearances in High Class A Carolina League with Wilmington.

The California native was drafted in the 33rd round of the 2005 MLB Draft. He was ranked as the Royals number 7 prospect in Kansas City's minor league system.

An hour past midnight, the Minnesota Twins called up righthanded pitcher Jeff Manship two weeks ago to make his first trip to the big league level. Tonight, he will be making his major league debut as a starter with the Twins against the Chicago White Sox.

The 24-year-old went 4-3 with a 3.22 ERA, with 30 strikeouts while walking 17 in eight starts with the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. This comes after his promotion from Double-A New Britain where he went 6-4 with a 4.28 ERA. Since being called to the majors, Manship has served as a relief pitcher adding depth to the bullpen.

On August 15, Manship made his major league debut. He threw one shutout inning with a strikeout against the Cleveland Indians. In five appearances with Minnesota, he has a 5.14 ERA with three strikeouts and three walks over seven innings.  

In 2004, the Notre Dame injured his arm right before his freshman year and underwent Tommy John Surgery. Manship came back strong and has been regarded as a top pitching prospect ever since. The Texas native tells us about his pitching, his time in college and talks about his favorite player, Ken Griffey Jr.

What would you say is your biggest strength?

I'd have to say the curveball. Since high school it has probably been my best pitch. Ever since high school, I have had to learn to use my other pitches to throw for strikes. In high school, it was just fastball or curveball, but you can't get away with that at this level. It has taught me to throw more changeups.

How did you develop your delivery? Have you always thrown the way you do now?

I kind of have an unorthodox delivery. I've been pretty successful with it, so they haven't really changed much there. As far as I can remember, my delivery has always been a little bit different. I blew out my arm before freshman year of college then had surgery, I came back playing catch and how I threw at the time stuck and fit in so that's how I throw (laughs).

Does your arm ever give you any problems since having the surgery?

I am happy I had surgery on my arm when I did. I blew it out after my senior year in high school. It was a pain trying to come back. Once I had the surgery I was pretty much relieved. It has been great since and I've had no problems in five years. It taught me work ethic. I had to stick with the rehab and came back stronger than before. The trainer at Notre Dame did a great job with me so I owe a lot of credit to him.

Notre Dame is big on their sports. Do you miss lacing up for your baseball games and being part of a big time college football and basketball school?

I miss my teammates. We were all such close friends and the camaraderie we had was awesome. Surprisingly, I only went to football games my freshman year. I have never been to one basketball game. I had tickets my sophomore year, but never went. I never found myself going because you have to stand the whole time and I didn't like that. I sound pretty lazy, but I had more fun watching it on television and having fun with all my friends watching it. I wasn't a fan of the weather either and don't miss it (laughs)

What is something about you people find surprising?

Surprising? Probably the fact I listen to a lot of heavy metal. Most people are taken back by that because they think I'll like country being from Texas. I like Slip Knot and Korn. Kind of shocking, right? No one ever believes that. It's funny, I can fall asleep to it sometimes (laughs).

Who was your favorite player growing up?

Ken Griffey Jr.. I think he is pretty much everybody's favorite player growing up. Anybody on that Mariners team; it was a fun team to watch.

Have you gotten the chance to pitch to him yet?

I actually have pitched to him before. He was the first guy I faced at Spring Training for the big league level. It was my first spring training and he was with the Reds at the time. I ended up getting him to fly out to left. It was probably one of my best baseball moments I've ever had. I was a little nervous.

Did you feel like a kid again having grown up admiring him?

Absolutely. I mean, just knowing that I played his video game when I was younger made it cool. It was fun. He didn't have a weakness in that game so I was nervous.

What was that like pitching against him for you? Were you wondering if he was punching in his code for an automatic home run or what?

(Laughs) I just remember watching him warm up. I knew he was still in the game. Then I came into pitch and began my warm up pitches. I saw him watching me while he was doing his practice swings and I'm standing there like, "Oh my God, this is unbelievable."

So what you're saying is you basically have the upper hand on him once you get a chance to face him again?

I don't know about that (laughs). He is a pretty impressive player so I can't take him lightly.  

Chicago Cubs number one prospect, Josh Vitters, got a nice 20th birthday present: an invitation to the prestigious Arizona Fall League.

"I called my parents and told them," Vitters said. "They were really excited for me. It's going to be really good and a lot of fun. "

He will play for the Mesa Solar Sox. The Cubs will have their 2008 first round pick, Andrew Cashner, taking part. The Futures Game MVP Rene Tosoni will be on the team, as well as Mike Stanton, David Cooper and Ryan Kalish to name a few.

"It's awesome," Vitters said. "It is a huge honor to be part of a roster with a lot of those guys. I can't wait to get out there and work on my baseball."

The former third overall pick of the 2007 MLB First-Year Player draft began the season in Low Class A Peoria and raked: .316, 15 home runs, 46 RBI. Vitters was then selected to the Futures All-Star Game in St. Louis representing the United States, along with former teammate Starlin Castro(World).

Now, the third baseman is on a tear at High Class A Daytona Cubs. He had been struggling hitting around .240 in his first 28 games after being promoted, but hit .351 (13-for-37) in his past 10 games with his only three home runs during the past two weeks.

"I feel awesome," Vitters said. "I am honored with all the things that have happened this year and real happy with how everything is turning out."

And his injured hand that has been reported to be giving him problems this year?

"It's feeling great right now and I can honestly say it is."

The Arizona Fall League is in its 18th season. It begins October. 13 and ends on November 19 with  the championship game set for Novmber 21.

Ranking prospects, to me, is very interesting. It is all about a player's skill, body type and mechanics. Personally, I think it's about prediction, athleticism and age. Here are some examples.

There are the players who put up great numbers, but it is not always about the home runs or strikeouts -- of course it does to an extent -- even though, in the end it is all about prediction.

Take Chris Coste. Coste attended and played for Division III Concordia College and was a three-time All-American there, but did not make it to the big league until he was thirty-three years old with the Philadelphia Phillies. Now, the North Dakota native is playing for the Houston Astros after being traded earlier in the year and is hitting .230 with 2 home runs and 16 runs batted in through 68 games. You'd think a player with his accolades would have gotten to the majors quicker, but, as he admits in his book, possibility because of his mechanics he may have been overlooked.

Then there are the players who are multisport athletes who are groomed to be professionals on the diamond and are great athletes in general. Their natural ability takes them a long way, but they still have to work on their talents like any other player.

Take Jai Miller. The fourth round pick of the Florida Marlins in 2003 MLB First-Year Player Draft is still finding his way to the major leagues. Miller, 24, passed up a football scholarship at Stanford University as a wide receiver (ranked no. 23 receiver prospect in the US in '03) to sign with the Marlins. He was rated a top prospect for the first few seasons, then after hitting .205, .207 and .209 respectively in his first three full seasons of baseball(while repeating Low Class A) he fell off the map. Now, the Alabama native is on an absolute tear with Triple-A New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League. He is hitting .289 with 22 doubles, 14 home runs and 46 RBI -- on pace to set career highs in all stats only 88 games deep. He has only 88 strikeouts and drawn 30 walks...I say only because he in his first full season back in '04 he 163 times with only 32 walks in 390 at-bats. He's come a long way and I wish him the best.

Then there are the young...the very young prospects who have been under scouts radars for years and years.

Take Austin Jackson. The 22-year-old is the New York Yankees top prospect according to Baseball America. The center fielder was ranked the top prospect once before by the same company...ten years ago as the top 12-year-old prospect in the country. 12? The Texas native has lived up to all expectations and is having a great year at Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre hitting .298 with 4 home runs, 57 RBI and 22 stolen bases(only caught stealing 4 times). He is just a phone call away and can be the next home grown Yankee. Over five seasons in the minors, he is a .287 career hitter.

Well, all that being said -- I would like to make a prediction of my own.

I'd like to rank my own top prospect, Gavin Coleman. He is a lefthanded hitter, throws right with great velocity, fast and full of energy. He is passionate and loves the sport of baseball. He has baseball in his family. He is the only one at his age I know who watches baseball as his number one choice of "show". He stands at about 4 feet tall, slim. He is 5 years old. Yea, I said it. 5 years old. Gavin Coleman, son of former National League President '94-'99 Len Coleman, is the number one 5 year old prospect in the country for baseball. Everyone is making predictions for every age possible, so why not make one of my own? (but seriously, this kid is the real deal -- I've never seen anything like it.

Baseball games are nine innings and can last anywhere between 2 and 3 hours. During that time, you want to see exciting plays; strikeouts, diving catches, stolen bases, home run. My favorite types of players are the Carl Crawfords and Jose Reyes of the MLB. Recently, I bumped into a trio of players who fit that entertaining and power-felt presence on the diamond -- Kenny Lofton, Darryl Strawberry and Paul Molitor.

I bumped into Kenny Lofton at the Mets vs. Braves game last Tuesday at Citi Field. He was at the game watching one of his former teams -- the Braves '97 (of the 12 he's played on over his 17 year career). He is still in great shape, looks like he can still play. The last time he played was in '07 with the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians then retired at 40-years-old.

I asked Lofton what he's been up to or doing in New York and he said how he's been golfing a nice amount (Funny thing, if you go onto his Wikipedia page there is a picture of him on a golf course and not a baseball field). He spent a few days in New York golfing and one of the outings was at Donald Trump's course. After his time in New York, he was going to Chicago and off to play more golf.

Me: "So you're on a golf tour, huh?"
Kenny: "I wouldn't say that, but..." (laughs)

Next was Darryl Strawberry. Recently, Straw has been on a tour promoting his book, Straw:Finding My Way, and helping the foundation he and his wife began, The Darryl Strawberry Foundation (http://www.darrylstrawberry.com/ds/) which raises money and awareness for Autism. His book by the way is a great read. If you are a Mets fan, or any baseball fan for that matter, definitely pick it up.

Darryl was in Lakewood, NJ making an appearance at the Philadelphia Phillies' Low Class A affiliate for Autism Awareness Night. He was also signing autographs....and a ton of them. There was a line stretching from centerfield BEHIND the batter's eye all the way to behind the plate on the concourse. He signed autographs from 7pm-9pm. His hand must've been killing him afterwards, but it just shows the kind of guy he is and he made a lot of people happy that night while promoting his foundation.

One of his sons was there and he was just sitting, looking around, dozing off -- you know; the common young teenage response when you are sitting down for long periods of time while your mom or dad is talking to someone. I went to the game as a fan and had Straw's book on me because I just finished reading it. I said to myself, "man, he looks bored". I turned to the family portrait picture page in the book and said, "hey my man, you wanna sign this?", he laughed, took the book and seemed nervous searching for a Sharpie pen to use then signed the book laughing. Hopefully when he went home he had a good story to tell.

Earlier in the season, I met and interviewed Hall of Famer Paul Molitor. He was also a real nice guy. He is now the infield and baserunning roving instructor in the Minnesota Twins farm system. He was checking out the Twins' Double-A New Britain squad. The St. Paul, MI native was a coach for a year at the big league level with the Seattle Mariners in 2004 as the batting coach. He is a great person to have on staff considering his accomplishments in the game.

This is a guy who had a  career .306 batting average, 3,319 hits, 234 home runs, 1,307 RBI and 504 stolen bases. Molitor is one of four players (Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb and Eddie Collins) in the history of baseball to finish his career with over 3,000 hits, 500 stolen bases, and a batting average over .300. He is also the only of the four to hit 200-plus home runs.

Asking him if he misses the game...
"Every once in a while you get out there and see that certain pitcher around you feel like you may still be able to take a good swing at it," Molitor laughed.

There comes a time when kids end their high school sports career and go onto college to focus on their careers. Having played baseball at a New Jersey baseball power house, Christian Brothers Academy, I knew what I wanted to do for a living -- sports reporting.

Bruce Beck, NY NBC sports anchor, and Ian Eagle, CBS/YES play-by-play, run a sports broadcasting camp called the Bruce Beck & Ian Eagle Sports Broadcasting Camp. I attended the camp two years in a row. It is a week long every summer and ran by top sports talents in the country. Mike Quick, of MSG, runs the advanced camp.

In the two weeks of camp, you learn anything and everything while getting advice from some of the top sports reporters/talents in the area - Sam Rosen, Kenny Albert, Billl Daughtry, Chris Carino. It is a great way to get an inside look at a career you are looking into. Kids from all over attend.


Recently, David Suntup (Syracuse '12 and one of the most passionate kids about sports reporting I've met) sent me over this link.
http://www.sportsbroadcastingcamp.com/

A year ago, I was in a bad accident and it makes you realize how precious life can be. Everything can be going good one minute, but the next -- who knows what will happen. I broke an arm and leg, but I am lucky enough to still be here. People sometimes take advantage of what they have and don't realize how lucky they are to be in a good situation or good parents.

Treat every day like your last, do something you love, always work hard and never give up. Don't let past success slow you down, keep working towards your goal.

I thank everyone in the industry who have taken the time to work with me, give advice and everyone I know - friends & family - who have supported me in life and recovery.

Baseball is the one sport that most likely everyone has played at one point in their lives. Players in the major leagues sometimes have kids, or relatives, who go on to play at the big league level as well -- Ken Griffey Sr. & Jr., Cecil & Prince Fielder, Felipe & Moises Alou and the list goes on. Rarely it seems brothers making it to the major leagues -- Roberto & Sandy Alomar, Brett & Aaron Boone, etc., but that list may soon have another pair of names added to it.

Tonight in Toledo, OH, Tigers AAA outfield prospect Jeff Frazier went up against his younger brother, Todd, for the first time in their minor league careers as the Mudhens played host to the Cincinnati Reds' AAA Louisville Bats.

Toledo won the contest 6-3. Jeff went 2-for-4 with 2 doubles, 2 runs and 1 RBI. On the other side, his younger brother went 1-for-4 and hit his first home run in just his second game at AAA. The four game series kicked off tonight and ends on Wednesday.

The Frazier family is from New Jersey and they live, eat and breathe baseball. Jeff and Todd's older brother, Charlie, played in the Florida Marlins system and reached AA. Jeff is the middle child and Todd, a 2008 first round supplemental pick, helped Toms River East capture a Little League World Series title in 1998. Both went on to play at Rutgers, where Todd broke Jeff's home run record.

"I remember when we were young, myself and Jeff would play whatever sport we could play, but we would never let Todd play because we'd say he's too little," Charlie said. "My dad would take the ball away from us and say, "Hey, you're only getting the ball back if you let Todd play" and I think that made Todd a little better because we'd always be beating up on each other."

Jeff, 27, is having a solid season in the Tigers' farm system hitting a combined .306 with 33 doubles, 12 home runs and 64 RBI between AA Erie and AAA Toledo. Todd, 23, is ranked as the Reds' no. 2 prospect in the farm system and led AA Southern League with 56 extra base hits cranking 40 doubles and 14 home runs while hitting at a .290 clip -- all before his promotion just 2 days ago and being placed at second base (after beginning his pro career at shortstop, then third base, followed by left field where he has been playing all season).

"Us as brothers all being able to play a high level of baseball is good family fun competition, but it has also helped us get to this stage," Jeff said.

The two are just a phone call away from the majors and may soon get their chance once rosters expand to 40 on September 1.