Triple A:
Stephen Randolph has had success since being acquired from the Astros. Randolph made three appearances this week, pitching four-plus shutout innings, while picking up a save. With the ongoing talk about the Phillies wanting another lefty arm in the bullpen, Randolph will most likely be the first arm recalled.

**Kris Benson pitching a simulated game Saturday in Clearwater, and appears to be behind his sore groin. He still has a long road ahead of him, but barring no new setbacks, Benson should be with the Phillies by mid-June. That is if he doesn’t opt out of his contract on June 1st. Given his desire to play for a winner, and the continuing struggles in the Phillies bullpen, I can see him sticking around.

Double A:
Greg Golson has continued to impress at Reading, and is starting to turn his raw talent into a more polished type of player. Golson is first in the Eastern League in hits (54), third in the Eastern League in average (.331), second in stolen bases (14). He’s also coming off his finest game as a professional. In Sunday’s game against Akron, Golson was 5 for 6 with a home run, 5 RBI’s, and a stolen base. The one knock of Golson is his strikeouts. He has 48 in 40 games this season.

Every week in On the Farm, we seem to mention Antonio Bastardo. That’s because the prospect continues to impress. Bastardo started Sunday’s game against Akron, and went 6 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 run. He also struck out 5. In 4 starts at Double-A, Bastardo is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA. While his strikeout ratio has dropped since his promotion, that should increase with experience.

Josh Outman has found a groove since converting to the bullpen. The left-hander has an 8 inning scoreless streak, where he’s struck out 7. His ERA on the season now stands at 2.68.

Single A:
Lakewood closer, Jared Simon has overcome a rough start to Sally League play, and has settled in as a reliable bullpen arm. Over the past month, Simon is 1-0 with 4 saves a 1.69 ERA.

Michael Taylor has continued his hot hitting. The Phillies Minor League Player of the Month for April, has continued his hot hitting in the month of May. Taylor has hit .368 with 5 home runs and 13 RBI’s this May. Given his torrid pace, it wouldn’t be surprising if by month’s end, his patrolling right field in Clearwater.

**Although Benson is not a minor league player, he technically is on the Iron Pigs roster.