Pitching trio making impression

02/26/2006
CLEARWATER, Fla -- The starting rotation for Double-A Reading looks to include three of the organization's top prospects in Gio Gonzalez, Cole Hamels and Scott Mathieson. All three could advance quickly if they continue to progress.
Hamels, 21, has been on the fast track since becoming the team's first-round pick in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. The problem for the left-hander has been staying healthy, something he hasn't done in the past two years. In 2005, it was his back, which he said now feels great. It's easy to salivate over Hamels' statistics as a professional: 152 innings, 88 hits, 62 walks and 208 strikeouts, with an ERA of 1.54.
Gonzalez, 20, one of the left-handed pitching prospects acquired for Jim Thome, roared through low and high Class A with the White Sox, allowing 97 hits in 131 innings with 163 strikeouts. His fastball tops out at 95 mph but stays mostly in the 92-94 range.
Mathieson, 22, is the lone right-hander of the trio and also throws hard. Mathieson struck out 118 batters in 121 1/3 innings and had a 4.14 ERA. He'll hone his skills pitching for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.
On the move: Catcher Jason Jaramillo is the team's catcher of the future. The former Oklahoma State star had a productive season at Class A Lakewood, batting .304 with eight homers. The switch-hitter will likely be rewarded by skipping high Class A Clearwater, and should start the season at Double-A Reading.
Names in the game: John Russell, who spent 10 years as a backup catcher in the Minor Leagues, has rejoined the organization as the manager of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. He replaces Gene Lamont, who left to become the Tigers' third-base coach under Jim Leyland. Russell, 44, spent the past three seasons as the Pirates' third-base coach and catching instructor, but had managed for eight seasons in the Twins' Minor League system.
They're No. 1: Mike Lieberthal (1990), Pat Burrell (1998), Brett Myers (1999) and Chase Utley (2000) will all be part of the team's push for the playoffs, while Gavin Floyd (2001) and Hamels (2002) could arrive at some point in 2006.
Class of '05: Mike Costanzo, the Phillies' first selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, is likely going to start the season at Class A Clearwater. He played at Class A Batavia in 2004 and will skip Lakewood, a lower Class A affiliate. If he continues to progress, the team's potential third baseman of the future could finish the season at Double-A Reading.
What they're saying: "It was almost like I was trying to figure something out that shouldn't have to be figured out. It all snowballed. I tried to figure things out, then one thing led to another." -- Floyd, on his disappointing 2005 season at Triple-A

Source: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/