Morales Named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month

Congrats to BlueClaws pitcher Francisco Morales!
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BlueClaws RHP Francisco Morales was named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month for August, it was announced by the Phillies on Friday.
Below, find the official release from the Phillies. 
Williamsport infielder Kendall Simmons, Lakewood right-hander Francisco Morales, Clearwater infielder Dalton Guthrie and Reading infielder/outfielder Luke Williams have been named Phillies Minor League Hitter, Pitcher and Co-Defenders of the Month, respectively, for August.
The 19-year-old Simmons posted a .278/.398/.646 slash line, going 22-for-79 with two doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 19 RBI, 19 runs scored, 13 walks and three stolen bases in 24 games during August. He led all New York-Penn League hitters with a 1.044 OPS (min. 80 PA) and was tied for first in home runs last month. He finished the 2019 season ranked first in slugging percentage (.520), tied for second in home runs (12) and fifth in OPS (.853) in the New York-Penn League. The Georgia native was selected by the Phillies in the sixth round of the June 2018 draft.
Morales, 19, posted a 1.89 ERA (4 ER, 19.0 IP) with 28 strikeouts in five games (two starts) last month. Among all South Atlantic League pitchers in 2019, he ranked tied for seventh in strikeouts (129). The right-hander averaged 12.01 SO/9.0 IP and held opponents to a .226 batting average in 27 games (15 starts) with Lakewood this season. The Venezuela native was signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent in July 2016.
Guthrie, 23, appeared in 27 games (all starts) defensively in August without making an error. He had 97 total chances at second base (six games), third base (two games) and shortstop (19 games). Additionally, Guthrie helped turn 17 double plays. The Florida native was selected by the Phillies in the sixth round of the June 2017 draft.
The 23-year-old Williams committed just one error in 67 total chances last month at five different defensive positions: second base (three starts), third base (two starts), left field (four starts), center field (seven starts) and right field (12 games/10 starts). The Illinois native was selected by the Phillies in the third round of the June 2015 draft.
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