CLEARWATER IS LOADED
The Clearwater Threshers, the Phillies' high Class-A affiliate in the Florida State League, got the 2011 season off to a winning start Thursday night with a 10-1 thrashing of Dunedin, the Toronto Blue Jays' high Class-A affiliate. Stud Phillies prospect Jonathan Singleton, an eighth-round pick by the big club in 2009 out of Lakewood, Calif., began the 2011 season right where he left off last year when he led the BlueClaws to their second straight South Atlantic League title. The 19-year-old Singleton, who has moved to left field this season after playing first base his entire life, is one of the youngest players in the Florida State League. He won't be 20 until Sept. 18. The South Atlantic League's Most Exciting Player and top Major League Prospect in 2010 as voted by Baseball America, Singleton is ranked No. 39 by Baseball America among its Top 100 prospects. He went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored Thursday night. Joining him in the hit parade were former pitcher Joe Savery, the Phillies' No. 1 pick in 2007 (19th overall) out of Rice University. The left-handed hitting Savery went 4-for-4 Thursday night in his quest to become aneveryday player after flaming out out as a pitcher. Outfielder Leandro Castro, a 21-yaer-old Dominican who helped Lakewood win the SAL title last year, went 3-for-5 with an RBI, three runs scored and he stole a base. Speedy centerfieler Jiwan James, a 6-4, 200-pounder who many compare to Domonic Brown (I don't see it), went 2-for-4 and stole two bases. He was a huge reason Lakewood won the SAL title last year. He reminds me more of a Chris Roberson type, who played in the Phillies' system. Stud right-hander Jarred Cosart, a 38th-round pick by the Phillies in 2008, went six innings and allowed just two hits while striking out two to pick up the win. He did walk four batters, but it's only April 7. Cosart, a 6-3, 180-pounder, will be 21 on May 5, so his future is very bright. He was a Future Games selection last season while going 7-3 for Lakewood. He is ranked No. 70 by Baseball America among its Top 100 prospects. Coming out of high school, Cosart wanted big money and he had a commitment to Missouri, so teams figured he was unsignable. The Phils stayed with him and inked him at the signing deadline in August of 2008 for approximately $500,000. This Clearwater team is loaded with many of the prospect who led Lakewood to back-to-back South Atlantic League titles, so it should be a great season in Clearwater this summer.
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