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Top Prospect Biddle Added to Winter Tour

Biddle, who pitched for BlueClaws in 2011, comes to Winter Tour on January 23rd
January 10, 2013
LAKEWOOD, NJ - Phillies top prospect and former BlueClaws LHP Jesse Biddle has been added to the Phillies Winter Tour stop in Lakewood on January 23rd. He joins Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, infielder Kevin Frandsen, and Phillies front office executives.

Doors open at 6 pm and the program will begin shortly thereafter. Dinner is served at 7 pm. Tickets are $40 per person, and include a three-course meal. To register, call Lindsay Lubeck at 732-901-7000 ext 100.

Biddle, a Philadelphia native and first round pick of the Phillies in 2010, spent the 2011 season with the BlueClaws, earning a spot on the post-season South Atlantic League All-Star team. Biddle's 2.98 ERA ranked fourth in the South Atlantic League and he finished fifth in the league with 124 strikeouts.

He moved to Hi-A Clearwater in 2012, and went 10-6 with a 3.22 ERA (third best in Florida State League), striking out a league-leading 151 hitters in 142 innings pitched.

Baseball America recently ranked Biddle first among all Phillies prospects.

"We're very excited that Jesse can join us on the 23rd," said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. "He's obviously an exciting prospect for all Phillies fans and special to us because of his success as a BlueClaw."

Also at the event will be Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who enters his 9th season at the helm of the club. Manuel is the winningest manger in franchise history and guided the Phillies to the 2008 World Series title among five postseason appearances. Prior to managing the Phillies, Manuel led the Indians from 2000-2002.

Kevin Frandsen hit .338 in 55 games with the Phillies this year after hitting .302 in 99 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The California native was originally drafted by the Giants in 2004 out of San Jose State University.

At each Phillies Winter Tour, the BlueClaws and Phillies offer a series of raffle prizes that can be won by the guests at the event. This year, the Phillies have supplied the following: Ryan Howard and Chase Utley signed bats, Jonathan Papelbon and Cliff Lee signed baseballs.

All proceeds from the event benefit BlueClaws Charities, the BlueClaws official non-profit 501c3 organization. BlueClaws Charities has donated over $500,000 to local non-profit organizations and fundraising events in the last four years.

Guests can choose their main course between chicken francese, roast prime rib, and herb crusted salmon. There will also be a cash bar.

- BlueClaws -