Best of luck to former BlueClaws 2B Josh Tobias, who has been traded to the Red Sox in exchange for RHP Clay Buchholz.
Tobias, a 10th round pick of the Phillies in 2015 out of the University of Florida, opened the season with the BlueClaws, hitting .304 with seven home runs. He was promoted to Clearwater at the end of July, where he finished the season hitting .254 with two home runs in 34 games.
He was a South Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star, appearing in the league’s All-Star Game, and then named to the SAL Post-Season All-Star team as well.
Logically, Tobias would go to Hi-A Salem to open 2017. Remember too, he was working at second base and in left field with the BlueClaws and played a few games in the outfield with Clearwater as well. He’s a switch-hitter, and being able to play a few different positions would be an additional asset for him as he moves up the ladder.
In Buchholz, the Phillies add depth to their pitching staff and a pitcher that finished the season strong:
Phillies In his final 16 appearances in 2016 (8 starts), Clay Buchholz posted a 5-1 record with a 2.80 ERA & held opposing hitters to a .212 AVG.
About the Picture – Josh Tobias is shown in the photo above with Bam Bam, a cat that was here on Caturday last July (just a few weeks before Tobias was promoted to Clearwater).
