Phuture Phillies

Box Score Recap – 5/18/2013

bradindc — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:33:33 +0000

Aaron Altherr came back from the “Whatever that’s called that’s not the disabled list” List on Thursday, after recovering from what I’m guessing was a concussion related to his collision last week. He had an interesting night – 1-5 with a triple and 4Ks. He’s hit in 12 straight, wrapped around that “Listing”, but on the downside, he’s got one more K in May than he did in April, and there’s still a week and a half left. A bit of a flag to watch out for on him.

Elsewhere, Nic Hanson (I’m not the only one who thinks he omits the “k” from his first name, right?), struck out 9 of the 24 men he faced in 5 2/3 innings, though he allowed 7 hits and 4 runs. The hits and runs aren’t great, but that’s a lot of Ks, regardless.

Here’s the affiliate Scoreboard from MiLB.

http://www.milb.com/scoreboard/index.jsp?sid=milb&org=143&ymd=20130518

Possible Call-ups to the Reading Fightins

joecull — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:50:58 +0000

Obviously, Reading isn’t much of a team to watch right now with the obvious exception of number one prospect Jesse Biddle. On the other hand, Clearwater is a very exciting team to watch right now, with a bunch of talented youngsters. While it’s only May, you have to that somebody will get a call-up to Reading from Clearwater sooner or later. I’m not sure who, but I have a few possibilities in mind.

Pitching

Perci Garner- Garner has had an unexpectedly great season so far. As of now, he’s 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA. Not bad. But there has been one big problem- his control. So far through 47.2 innings pitched, he’s given away 20 free passes. Thankfully, he’s been able to limit the damage by keeping the ball in the park, only giving up 2 homers.

While Garner has pitched well, the Phillies should wait a bit to see if they can sort his control problems out.

Gabriel Arias- another pitcher who has been pretty dominant so far. 5-1 with a sparkling 1.69 ERA, Arias started off the season as a reliever, but he’s recently started starting for Clearwater. All of his numbers look good right now- WHIP (1.125) HR/9 (.4) BB/9 (2.5) K/9 (7.0). Case in point- if Arias keeps pitching like he has been, a June/July call-up would definitely seem likely.

Hitters

Maikel Franco- it’s hard not to be impressed with Franco. This year, he’s overcome his usual early-season slump, notching 8 homers (25 XBH) and 32 RBI. Furthermore, Franco is hitting .291/.341/.557.

All the numbers are impressive, but the Phillies should take their time with Franco- let me remind you that he’s still only 20.

Kelly Dugan- Dugan was injured to start the season, but now that he’s playing again, he’s tearing the cover off of the baseball. In 79 PA, he’s hitting .307/.359/.500 with 3 homers and 12 RBI. However, if you look at his stats more closely, you’ll find some uglier ones. As of now, he has 3 walks compared to 20 strikeouts. To say the least, that’s not too good of a ratio.

Dugan has missed a lot of time with injuries, so he’ll need to accelerate his way through the system faster than Franco will have to. But I’d keep Dugan in Clearwater only if tomake sure this isn’t a hot streak, as this is his first year in A+ ball.

Cameron Perkins- In a team full of hot hitters, Perkins may be the hottest of them all. The 6’5″ 195 pound outfielder has been on fire, hitting .361/.383/.561. While his lack of walks (5) has been discouraging, he’s partially made up for it with his lack of strikeouts (19). For safe measure, he’s added on 3 HR and 3 SB.

Like many others on this team, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a mid-summer call-up.

Aaron Altherr- another 6’5″ outfielder, Altherr has been ripping as of late. Altherr is hitting .333/.393/.566 with 4 homers, 8 stolen bases, and 25 RBI. A toolsy outfielder, this seems to be the year that Altherr is pulling everything together.

It’s unlikely that Altherr is called up this summer as the Phillies organization will want to make sure this isn’t a case of somebody catching lightning in a bottle.

For the most part, it seems as if the prevalent theme with these guys is that a mid-summer call-up is most likely, unless injuries force the organization’s hand.

Box Score Recap – 5/17/2013

bradindc — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:20:27 +0000

Ethan Martin went 7 and pitched pretty well – he gave up 8H and 2BB, struck out 6k. Cody Asche went deep for his fourth of the year. Nick Hernandez with a very nice bounce back from a poor start last time out – 1R, 3H, 1BB, 8K in 6 IP. Brian Pointer with his 14th steal out of 16 tries, Roman Quinn with his 19th out of 24. The SAL leader, Kannapolis (White Sox) 2B Micah Johnson, has 37 in 44 tries, in 36 games. I think that’s worthy of a “wow”…or maybe a “whoa”.

Here’s the affiliate Scoreboard from MiLB.

http://www.milb.com/scoreboard/index.jsp?sid=milb&org=143&ymd=20130517

Box Score Recap – 5/16/2013

bradindc — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:13:19 +0000

Maikel Franco with two homeruns in his last one game – if he keeps up that pace he’ll hit several hundred this year. Of course, over a larger sample, it’s closer to like the mid-twenties, I guess. Which I’m still ok with…just lacks that certain something.

Here’s the affiliate Scoreboard from MiLB.

http://www.milb.com/scoreboard/index.jsp?sid=milb&org=143&ymd=20130516

Around the System–Relief Pitchers

gregg — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:14:35 +0000

We complete the first trip around the system with a look at the Relievers. Likely promotion material over the next month to six weeks: Stutes, Robles, Murray, O’Sullivan, Inch/Broussard. We will take our next trip around the system in June.

Lehigh Valley

Mike Stutes, 26, Phils 11th round pick in 2008; 17 games; 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA; 1 save; 23.1IP 20H 10BB 22K; 1.27 GO/AO; .225 opp. avg., 1.28 WHIP; 3.9BB/8.5K per nine; .214 vs. LH, .230 vs. RH, .226 with RISP. In his last 10 outings, Stutes has a 1.93 ERA and the opposition is hitting .196 against him. He clearly is the next call up for the Phils when they decide to release someone (Durbin) or an injury to a RHP.

Joe Savery, 27, Phils 1st round pick in 2007; 12 games; 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA; 15IP 11H 6BB 18K; 1.13 WHIP; 2.71 GO/AO; .200 opp. avg., .211 vs. LH, .194 vs. RH, .231 with RISP. Other than his last outing which was miserable, Savery has been outstanding this year and as we have seen by his two call ups, is firmly on the Phils radar screen.

Jake Diekman, 26, Phils 30th round pick in 2007; 17 games; 1-0 with a 6.75ERA; 3 saves; 17.1IP 18H 21BB 18K; 2.75 GO/AO; .281 opp. avg., 2.25 WHIP; .150 vs. LH, .341 vs. RH, .192 with RISP. This season has been pretty much an unmitigated disaster for Diekman, who has basically lost any idea of where the ball is going against right handed batters. His splits againt lefties remain very good, and only 2 of his 21 walks have occurred against lefties. Definition of a LOOGY.

Bobby Bramhall, 27, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 3 games, 0-0 with a 6.35 ERA; 5.2IP 7H 2BB 4K. Bramhall was just signed a couple of weeks ago and has been unimpressive.

Justin Friend, 26, Selected by Phils in 2010 Rule 5 draft; 13 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 1-2 with a 6.75ERA; 21.1IP 24H 19BB 20K; 2.02WHIP; 1.87 GO/AO; .279 opp. avg., .306 vs. LH, .200 vs. RH, .294 with RISP. Again, control is the issue as Friend is giving up 8.0 bb/9. SInce his return to Lehigh Valley a little over a week ago, Friend has looked good, going 5.1IP without giving up a run.

Cesar Jiminez, 28, SIgned as a free agent in 2012; 10 games (2 starts); 0-1 with a 3.20 ERA; 25.1IP 24H 7BB 21K; 1.17 GO/AO; .255 opp. avg., 1.22 WHIP; 2.5bb/7.5K per nine; .300 vs. LH, .234 vs. RH, .259 with RISP. Jiminez has done a nice job in whatever role he has been asked to step into thus far.

JC Ramirez, 24, Acquired from Seattle in 2009; 15 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 1-1 with a 4.24 ERA; 23.1IP 21H 9BB 20K; 1.26 GO/AO; .226 opp. avg., 1.28 WHIP; 3.5BB/7.7K per nine; 6.06 ERA and .275 opp. avg. with Lehigh Valley. Ramirez was outstanding with Reading but has struggled since his return to Lehigh Valley. Simply is not consistent.

Reading

Jay Johnson, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2011; 14 games; 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA; 2 saves; 14IP 17H 10BB 17K; 1.93 WHIP; 6.4BB/10.9K per nine; 0.69 GO/AO; .279 opp. avg., .217 vs. LH, .316 vs. RH, .368 with RISP. Again, walks kill and when you combine that with the .368 with RISP, not very good.

Tyler Knigge, 24, Phils 12th round pick in 2010; 13 games, 2-2 with a 5.31 ERA; 20.1IP 25H 8BB 13K; 0.88 GO/AO; .298 opp. avg., 1.62WHIP; 3.5BB/5.7K per nine; .257 vs. LH, .327 vs. RH, .261 with RISP. Knigge has quite simply been much more hittable this year. Has not had the put away pitch that he had in 2012.

Mike Nesseth, 25, Phils 17th round pick in 2010; 14 games between Clearwater and Reading; ,0-1 with a 5.16 ERA; 22.2IP 31H 5BB 9K; 1.26 GO/AO; .337 opp. avg., 1.59 WHIP; 2.0BB/3.6K per nine. The lone bright spot is an impressive walk rate. Nesseth was promoted out of necessity but has not pitched well. I don’t recollect a K rate from a reliever as low as Nesseth’s, and when you combine that with the .337 opp. avg, we are talking a recipe for disaster. I have always liked Nesseth and he knows how to pitch. Something doesnt add up.

Mauricio Robles, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2012; 13 games; 2-1 with a 1.77 ERA; 1 save; 20.1IP 11H 10BB 30k; 0.75 GO/AO; .159 opp. avg, .222 vs. LH, .137 vs. RH, .308 with RISP; 1.03 WHIP; 4.4BB/13.3K per nine. Robles has been perhaps the most impressive reliever in the organization during the first seven weeks of the season. He is ready for AAA and I would expect his call up soon. Has been dominating.

Colby Shreve, 25, Phils 6th round pick in 2008; 10 games between Clearwater and Reading; 0-2 with a 6.00ERA; 18IP 19H 14BB 12K; 0.95 GO/AO; .284 opp. avg., 1.83 WHIP; 7.0BB/6.0K per nine. The bb/k ratio says it all. Shreve has been ineffective.

Kyle Simon, 22, Acquired from Baltimore in 2012; 12 games, 0-1 with a 5.40ERA; 5 saves; 16.2IP 20H 10BB 13K; 3.50 GO/AO; .303 opp. avg., 5.4bb/7.0K per nine; .292 vs. LH, .310 vs. RH, .200 with RISP; Simon was very good early on, but has struggled with his command as of late and hasn’t been able to put hitters away.

Juan Sosa, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2007; 11 games, 1-0 with a 5.75ERA; 1 save; 20.1IP 21H 18BB 14K; 1.53 GO/AO; .269 opp. avg., 1.92 WHIP; 8.0BB/6.2K per nine; .346 vs. LH, .231 vs. RH, .167 with RISP. Yet another reliever who is walking more than he is striking out. A recipe for complete disaster.

Clearwater

Luis Garcia, 26, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 9 games, 0-1 with a 2.19 ERA; 4 saves; 12.1IP 10H 4BB 12K; 2.83 GO/AO; .222 opp. avg. 1.13 WHIP; 2.9BB/8.9K per nine. Garcia has provided some much needed help to an over worked Clearwater bullpen after he was signed two weeks into the season.

Chris Nichols, 22, Phils 31st round pick in 2012; Has thrown in one game and pitched well.

Severino Gonzalez, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 2 games; 0-0 with an 0.00ERA; 3IP 3H 0BB 4K. So far, so good.

Colton Murray, 23, Phils 13th round pick in 2011 draft, 14 games; 2-1 with a 3.47ERA; 3 saves; 23.1IP 18H 10BB 25K; 0.59 GO/AO; .205 opp. avg., .206 vs. LH, .204 vs. RH, .200 with RISP. 1.20 WHIP; 3.8BB/9.6K per nine. Murray has been one of the few legitimate bullpen bright spots in the organization thus far this year. If he maintains this production, he should be in Reading by late June.

Ryan O’Sullivan, 22, Acquired from Dodgers in 2012; 17 games; 2-2 with a 1.99ERA; 2 saves; 22.2IP 20H 10BB 17K ; 2.62 GO/AO; .241 opp. avg; .148 vs. LH, .286 vs. RH, .172 with RISP. 1.32 WHIP; 4.0BB/6.8K rate. Has pitched very well, especially against lefties.

Luis Paulino, 23, SIgned as a free agent in 2007; 11 games; 1-3 with a 7.45 ERA; 2 saves; 19.1IP 29H 10BB 20K; 0.80 GO/AO; .349 opp. avg., 2.01WHIP; 4.6BB/9.3K per nine; .303 vs. LH, .380 vs. RH, .360 with RISP. Simply not pretty.

Ken Giles, 22, Phils 7th round pick in 2011; Has been on the DL for all but 3 days this year.

Lakewood

Geoff Broussard, 22,Phils 23rd round pick in 2012; 7 games between Clearwater and Lakewood, 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA; 15IP 17H 3BB 19K; 0.67 GO/AO; .283 opp. avg., 1.33 whip; 1.8BB/11.4K per nine. Still very early for Broussard but I like what I am seeing. Note the BB:K.

Zach Cooper, 23, Phils 15th round pick in 2012; 10 games, 0-2 with a 3.38ERA; 16IP 20H 8BB 17K; 0.93 GO/AO; .308 opp. avg., 1.75WHIP; 4.5BB/9.3K per nine; .333 vs. LH, .295 vs. RH, .259 with RISP. Mediocre at best thus far for Cooper.

Delvi Francisco, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 12 games, 1-2 with a 2.29ERA; 19.2IP 18H 13BB 21K; 1.18 GO/AO; .243 opp. avg., 1.58WHIP; 5.9BB/9.6K per nine; .233 vs. LH, .250 vs. RH, .152 with RISP. Too many walks, but plenty of reason for hope with the 20 year old Francisco.

Jordan Guth, 22, Phils 9th round pick in 2012; 10 games (5 starts); 1-4 with a 4.01ERA; 33.2IP 32H 15BB 26K; 1.78 GO/AO; .244 opp. avg., 1.39WHIP; 4.0BB/7.0K per nine; 0-0 with a 1.59 ERA in 11.1IP as a reliever, with 12K’s. Guth really struggled in the rotation, but as bad as he was starting, he has been excellent out of the ‘pen thus far.

Steven Inch, 22, Phils 6th round pick in 2009; 15 games, 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA; 4 saves; 19IP 15H 7BB 12K; 2.50 GO/AO; .224 opp. avg., 1.15WHIP; 3.3BB/5.7K per nine; .261 vs. LH, .205 vs RH, .208 with RISP. A couple of bumpy outings lately, but Inch has thrown very well this year in high pressure situations.

Felix Santos, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 9 games, 1-0 with a 5.23 ERA; 20.2IP 20H 9BB 18K; 1.33 GO/AO; .250 opp. avg., 1.40 WHIP; 3.9BB/7.8K per nine; Santos has been fine, nothing more, nothing less.

Jeb Stefan, 23, Phils 22nd round pick in 2012. 11 games, 0-3 with a 5.50ERA; 18IP 22H 9BB 16K; 1.67WHIP; 4.5BB/8.0K per nine; 0.62 GO/AO; .297 opp. avg., .303 vs. LH, .293 vs. RH, .261 with RISP. Stefan has shown very little during the first seven weeks of the season, although his last 3 or 4 outings have begun to show some progress.