Haverford Product Tommy Bergjans Set To Make Phils Organization Debut

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Phillies made headlines last week when they traded veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In return, the Phillies got back a veteran catcher in A.J. Ellis and he made quite the impression in his first game with the Phils on Sunday. His two-run double snapped a 1-1 tie in the 7th inning against the Mets in a game the Phillies won 5-1.

On Tuesday night, the other player the Phillies acquired in that deal (Phils also will receive a player to be named later) will hope to make as big an impact in his first game with the organization.

Right-hander Tommy Bergjans, a Haverford College product, is expected to take the mound for the High-A Clearwater Threshers as they visit Brevard County.

"Obviously, you want to make a good first impression," Bergjans tells KYW Newsradio. "But I'm just treating it like any other ball game. Just worry about what I can control, go out there and compete."

Listen to the entire interview with Haverford product Tommy Bergjans:

Bergjans says he had no inkling he was going to be traded to the Phillies last Thursday.

"I was basically sitting on my couch around noon, one-ish," Bergjans says. "Got a call from the Dodgers farm director, Gabe Kapler, who informed me that I was traded and yeah, it was definitely pretty surprising. I had no idea, no inkling at all."

After starring for the Division III Fords, Bergjans was drafted by the Dodgers in the 8th round in 2015. Prior to the trade he had spent the entire 2016 season with the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Despite a 3-13 record, Bergjans showed a lot of promise with his three pitches (fastball, curve ball and change-up). In 130 innings with the Quakes, Bergjans struck out 133 batters while walking just 29.

He reflects on his first full season as a pro.

"Interesting," Bergjans says. "At times frustrating. But hopefully I think I did a pretty good job of controlling what I can control. The way I evaluate myself, I guess, is each game was doing my best to control the strike zone and I think I did a pretty solid job of that overall."