Phillies busy in Clearwater long after spring

For the Phillies, 44 players were chosen in the three-day Draft. Those who sign soon will begin their professional careers right away. The road to Citizens Bank Park has an early stop in Clearwater, Fla., for a mini-camp that begins on Monday.

With Spring Training for Minor Leaguers, extended spring, the fall instructional league program and a Class A team in the Florida State League, young prospects can spend a lot of time in Clearwater.

For some new signees, Clearwater will be their home for the summer as members of the Gulf Coast League Phillies. Others may wind up in Williamsport, Pa. And, if are advanced enough, Class A Lakewood or Clearwater. For many, this will be the first time away from home for an extended period of time -- a huge adjustment.

Mini-Camp

The new signees will arrive in Clearwater on Sunday and undergo physicals at 7 a.m. ET on Monday. Following a meeting of the instructional staff, an intrasquad game will be played.

The rest of the week:

• Tuesday -- mini-camp workouts, extended spring game vs. the Blue Jays at noon
• Wednesday -- player photo day begins at 7 a.m., mini-camp workouts, extended spring game vs. the Yankees at noon
• Thursday -- Mini-camp workouts, extended squad travels to Tampa, Fla., to play the Yankees
• Friday -- Final mini-camp workouts followed by an intrasquad game. Those who are assigned to split-season Williamsport will fly to Philadelphia in the afternoon and then bus to their summer homes in Williamsport.
•Saturday -- Gulf Coast League squad works out at Carpenter Field while Williamsport squad works out at Bowman Field.

Instructional staff: Mike Compton, field coordinator; Jorge Velandia, assistant field coordinator; Gorman Heimueller, pitching; Doug Mansolino, infield; Steve Henderson, hitting; Andy Abad, outfield/base running; Ernie Whitt, catching -- plus the staffs from Williamsport and Gulf Coast League Phillies.

Williamsport Crosscutters
Season opener is 7 p.m. ET on Monday, June 18, against the State College Spikes at Bowman Field. Williamsport is in the Pinckney Division of the New York-Penn League.

Season: 76-game schedule concludes Sept. 4.

Roster: 30 active, but only 25 will be in uniform and eligible to play in any given game. No more than four players 23 years or older; no more than three players on the active list may have four or more years of prior Minor League service.

Staff: Andy Tracy, manager; Rafael DeLima, coach; Aaron Fultz, pitching coach; Takayuki Sakurai, athletic trainer.

Gulf Coast League Phillies
Season opener is noon ET on Monday, June 18, against the Tigers at Carpenter Complex. Phillies are in the North Division.

Season: 60-game schedule concludes Aug. 25.

Roster: 35 active, but only 30 will be in uniform and eligible to play in any given game. At least 10 must be pitchers as of July 1. No player may have three or more years of prior Minor League service.

Staff: Roly deArmas, manager; Kevin Jordan, coach; Les Lancaster, pitching coach; Troy Hoffert, athletic trainer.

There is no admission fee for Gulf Coast League games that are played at noon or 10 a.m. ET. Games are not scheduled on Sundays. Fans are urged to wear hats because of the strong summer sun and the potential of droppings from flocks of seagulls.

Rehabilitation
Major league and Minor League players on rehab can be assigned to the Clearwater facilities.

Staff: James Ready, Minor League athletic training and rehabilitation coordinator; Paul Fournier, Minor League strength and conditioning coordinator; Carlos Arroyo, rehab pitching coach.The Phillies have numerous big league players on the disable list. Many will rehab in Clearwater and could see game action with the Gulf Coast League squad or Clearwater Threshers.