Here’s the open discussion thread for Phillies’ talk and other topics.
The Phillies went 3-3 last week. They won both games of a two-game series against the White Sox, beating White Sox’ ace Chris Sale in the getaway game. They traveled to New York to play the Mets and lost 3 of 4. Their record stands at 70-86 (28-38 since the All Star break). Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of September 26th
Hey guys, I am Kirsten Karbach, play-by-play broadcaster for the Clearwater Threshers. I look forward to contributing some of my thoughts on Threshers baseball here on Phuture Phillies, and would love to hear any suggestions you may have for future articles. My thanks to Jim Peyton for welcoming me aboard.
To kick things off – a look at my picks for “Best tools” amongst Threshers players in 2016.
Best Fastball: Victor Arano
Sits mid-90’s out of the bullpen, frequently hit 97-98.
Best Breaking Ball: Drew Anderson
Good break and good command, even when he didn’t have his best stuff he was still able to use it effectively to keep guys off balance.
Best Changeup: Will Morris
Not many guys at this level relied a ton on their changeups, but Morris mixed his low-80’s change well with a low-90’s fastball and used it as a put-away pitch.
Best Control: Tyler Viza
Viza – who throws five pitches (fastball, cutter, slider, curve, changeup) – walked only eight batters total in nine starts for Clearwater. His K to BB was nearly seven in 49.2 innings with the Threshers.
Best Speed/Baserunning: Scott Kingery
Kingery by far led the team with 26 stolen bases, and was successful 83.9% of the time. In his two-year career, Kingery is 41-of-49 (83.7%) in stolen base attempts.
Best Strikezone Discipline: Chace Numata
Numata struck out just 41 times in 94 games, while his 37 walks were third-most on the team. Had he amassed enough plate appearances to qualify, Numata would have led the league in plate appearances per strikeout ratio at 9.00. The leading qualifier was Kevin Taylor of St. Lucie, at 8.44 TPA/SO.
Best Power Hitter: Kyle Martin
Martin slammed 19 home runs, which tied Art Charles for the highest single-season mark by a Thresher, and tied for fourth-most all-time by any Clearwater batter.
Best Outfield Arm: Carlos Tocci
More for accuracy than for strength. Tocci generally shows very good awareness and led the team with nine outfield assists, good for fourth-most in the FSL.
Best Defender: Kyle Martin
Martin broke the FSL record for consecutive games without committing an error (95) at first base, and tied the mark for highest fielding percentage on record for FSL first basemen (.998). He did not commit an error until August 25 – on a wind-blown, dropped popper behind first base – and fell just nine games short of becoming the only FSL first baseman on record to turn in an errorless full season.
Under the Radar Prospect: Drew Anderson
Anderson returned from Tommy John Surgery this year to make seven strong starts in Lakewood, before debuting with four no-hit innings in Clearwater’s combined no-no over St. Lucie on July 10th.
The right-hander showcased some of the best stuff of any Clearwater arm in 2016. His fastball – which sits 92-95 and hit as high as 97 mph – and curveball are both big-league caliber pitches. Anderson also has a slider and a changeup but threw them rarely because he simply did not need them to be successful in the Florida State League. Anderson is still just 22 years old, and the development of at least one of those offerings as well as his ability to stay healthy will key his rise as a prospect moving forward.
For some time now, I have been recruiting Kirsten Karbach as a contributing writer here on Phuture Phillies. Kirsten is the voice of the Clearwater Threshers. Among many things she does for the Threshers, Kirsten broadcasts over a hundred ballgames each season, seventy home games and a large number of road games. Continue reading Introducing Kirsten Karbach, a New Contributor to Phuture Phillies
Going into 2016 offseason, the Phillies will have a lot of roster decisions. More than just who to protect from the Rule 5 Draft. They will also have to balance who they protect while building a roster to compete at the major league level. Continue reading 2016 Roster and Rule 5 Decisions
Here’s the open discussion thread for Phillies’ talk and other topics.
The Phillies went 4-3 at home last week. They took 2 games each from the Pirates and Marlins, hurting both of their wild card chances. And probably, should have swept the Marlins. Their record stands at 67-83 (25-35 since the All Star break). Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of September 19th
The Lakewood BlueClaws’ season came to an end last night. Their stellar second-half run fell short of an SAL championship when they were bested by the Rome Braves in a best of five series, three games to one. Rome’s array of first round starting pitchers proved to be too strong for the BlueClaws’ hitters. They were held to two runs while losing the final three games of the series. Continue reading Box Score Recap; Post Season – 9/16/2016
The Lakewood BlueClaws wasted some fine pitching last night as they were shut out by the Rome Braves. They trail the Braves in the SAL championship series, two games to one. Lakewood ran into another tough pitcher in Kolby Allard. The BlueClaws’ Alberto Tirado was almost as effective, and the bull pen was efficient, again.
Game four is an elimination game for the BlueClaws. It will be played in Lakewood on Thursday night. Continue reading Box Score Recap; Post Season – 9/15/2016
I picked up the Phillies’ 2016 Instructional League Schedule at the Carpenter Complex today. I also picked up the official roster. And, yes, Cole Stobbe will be here as reported in an interview in the Omaha World Herald, shared with us by Bobby Pedagogy, and surmised by the rest of us.
I have attached the schedule and roster below. Continue reading 2016 Instructional League Schedule and Roster Update
Final report card of the year looking at relief pitchers at the upper parts of the organization.
Lehigh Valley
Luis Garcia, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 48G; 6-3 with a 2.14ERA; 13SV; 54.2IP 38H 24BB 53K; .203 opp avg; 1.13 WHIP; 2.09 GO/AO; 4.0BB/8.7K per 9; .203 vs LHH, .203 vs RHH; After throwing in 72 games for the Phillies in 2015, I was surprised to see Garcia start the season in Lehigh Valley and I was even more surprised that with the lack of bullpen depth in Philly, he didnt receive more of an opportunity with the big club before September. He pitched well for Lehigh Valley and is out of options next season. Grade: C+; 2017: ELsewhere, based on the lack of big league opportunity this season.
James Russell, 30, Signed as a free agent in 2016; 29G (13 starts) for Lehigh Valley; 3-5 with a 4.29ERA; 79.2IP 88H 19BB 49K; 11HR allowed; .272 opp avg; 1.34 WHIP; 0.74 GO/AO; 2.1BB/5.5K per 9; .176 vs LHH, .301 vs RHH, .346 last 30 days; Russell started the year in Philly and was sent down to Lehigh Valley after several awful outings. He pitched well for Lehigh Valley in multiple roles in the seasons final month where he really ran out of gas. Grade: C; 2017: Elsewhere
Dailier Hinojosa, 30, Acquired off of waivers from Boston in 2015; 22 games; 1-3 with a 2.96ERA; 24.1IP 25H 14BB 23K; .281 opp avg; 1.60 WHIP; 0.64 GO/AO; 5.2BB/8.5K per 9; Hinojosa was expected to be a key member of the Phils bullpen. That didnt happen. First, he was ineffective for the Phils, then was injured and after he came off the DL was very inconistent for Lehigh Valley. Grade: C-; 2017: I would be surprised if he were back
Colton Murray, 26, Phils 13th round pick in 2011; 27G; 2-2 with a 2.95ERA; 36.2IP 31H 15BB 36K; .230 opp avg; 1.25 WHIP; 0.97 GO/AO; 3.7BB/8.9K per 9; .242 vs LHH,. .259 vs RHH; Murray pitched well for Lehigh Valley but has struggled during multiple stints with the Phillies; I would expect him to spend another year as pitcher #14-15 in the organization, bouncing back and forth to Philly when (if) injuries occur. Grade: C+
Elvis Arajuo, 25, SIgned as a free agent in 2014; 18G, 1-0 with a 2.18ERA; 20.2IP 15H 6BB 19K; .195 opp avg; 1.02WHIP; 0.87 GO/AO; 2.6BB/8.3K per 9; .148 opp avg last 30 days; Arajuo pitched very poorly for the Phils in 32 games this season, struggling with his control and simply getting hit around. To his credit, he came down to AAA and threw well, but the Phils saw enough of Arajuo to not call him back up in September, leaving you wondering what his future with the organization may be.
Joely Rodriguez, 24, Acquired from Pittsburgh in 2014; 53G; 7-0 with a 2.35ERA across 3 levels; 5SV; 76.2IP 65H 23BB 69K; .237 opp avg; 1.15 WHIP; 2.06 GO/AO; 2.7BB/8.1K per 9; For LV: 13G, 0-0 with a 2.79ERA; 19.1IP 16H 6BB 18K; .232 opp avg; 1.14 WHIP; 2.8BB/8.4K per 9; Rodriguez left 2015 as a failed starting pitcher and was removed from the 40 man roster. He successfully reinvented himself as a left handed high leverage reliever and did an excellent job. One of his primary issues in ’15 was his control, which was much improved this season. With his call up to Philly in September, much rides on his performance as the role of LOOGY at the highest level is open for the taking. Grade: A- Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Relief Pitchers, Top Half of Organization
Baseball America posted a report that lists the players the Phillies invited to Instructs this fall. Players are scheduled to report this Sunday. I won’t have to stalk the Complex to get a roster this year. Yay!
The list includes 62 prospects – 30 pitchers, 7 catchers, 14 infielders, and 11 outfielders. Continue reading 2016 Instructs Roster
