Overbeck to Triple-A, Savery Back in Baseballtown

(Reading, PA) -- Cody Overbeck, who is currently leading the Eastern League in home runs (18) and RBIs (46), is among four R-Phils players that have been promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley today, as announced by the Philadelphia Phillies. Joining Overbeck in Lehigh Valley will be RHP Justin De Fratus, RHP Philippe Aumont, and LHP Ryan Edell.

With the moves, Reading will welcome back former Eastern League All-Star Joe Savery, who was hitting .307 for Clearwater (A+). Savery, who won 12 games for the R-Phils as a starting pitcher in 2009, was off to a hot start offensively for the Threshers this season. Reading will also receive relievers Justin Friend, and Chance Chapman. Friend, a 2011 Florida State League All-Star, was on Clearwater’s roster, while Chapman was with Lehigh Valley.

Earlier this week Overbeck, 25, was named as the Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Player of the Week, and has been one of the best hitters in the Eastern League all season. The Atoka, TN native is currently hitting .275 with 18 home runs, 43 runs scored, and 46 RBIs over 62 games. He’s appeared at four different positions this season for Reading, including first base (36), third base (1), left field (9), and DH (17).

Overbeck has also won two other awards already this season. The slugger was named as an Eastern League Player of the Week (for the period of April 7-17), and on May 6, he was named as the Eastern League’s Player of the Month for April. He finished the month with a .321 batting average, a .593 slugging percentage, six home runs, four doubles, 15 runs scored, a stolen base, and 20 RBIs.

Originally selected by the Phillies in the 9th round of the 2008 draft, Overbeck enjoyed much success a season ago. The University of Mississippi product began 2010 with Clearwater (A+) and hit .302 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs through 58 games. He was named to the Florida State League’s All-Star Game and was promoted to the R-Phils a short time later. In 78 games with Reading last season, Overbeck hit .255 with 13 home runs and 41 RBIs. He combined to have 24 home runs and 82 RBIs in 2010.

Savery, a 2009 Eastern League All-Star with the Reading Phillies, returns to Baseballtown as a position player. The Rice University product began his professional career as a pitcher, but made the transition to first base full-time after the 2010 season, and has excelled at the dish. Through 54 games this season, the Texas native was hitting .307 with two home runs and 25 RBIs with Clearwater. He was named as the Philadelphia Phillies Player of the Month for April, after hitting .450 with one home run and 10 RBIs in April (21 games).

Reading will also receive reliever Justin Friend, who was currently 2-3 with a 2.12 ERA in 26 games for Clearwater (A+). Friend was second in the Florida State League with 19 saves. Chapman, who began the year in Reading, was currently 2-2 with a 5.29 ERA with Lehigh Valley. A native of San Luis Obispo, CA, Chapman, 27, was 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three games with Reading earlier in the season.
De Fratus, 23, has appeared in 23 games out of the bullpen for Reading and has posted an impressive 4-0 mark with a 2.10 ERA. A member of the Phillies 40-man roster, De Fratus had a team-high eight saves and is ranked as the 15th best prospect in the Phillies organization by Baseball America.

Aumont, 22, has not allowed an earned run over his last seven appearances for the R-Phils and has gone 1-5 with a 2.32 ERA in 25 games. A native of Gatineau, QC, Aumont was originally acquired by Philadelphia from the Seattle Mariners along with outfielder Tyson Gillies and pitcher J.C. Ramirez for pitcher Cliff Lee on December 16, 2009, and is ranked as the 14th best prospect in the Phillies organization by Baseball America.

Edell, 27, posted a 5-1 mark with a 3.50 ERA over 12 starts with Reading this season. A native of Boston, MA, Edell has won two of his last three starts, and has posted a 1-0 mark with a 1.32 ERA in two June starts.

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