Iron Pigs Report

7. Lehigh Valley

Lehigh Valley is now 25-44, in last place and 16.0 games back of front running Scranton in the Northern Division of the International League. The passed week was another decent one for Lehigh Valley as they went 4-3 on the week. Mike Cervenak continues among league leaders in several categories including at bats (5th-249), runs (6th-43), hits [1st-78] and avg. (10th-.313). Andy Tracy is 3rd in the league in walks (36). Pitching leaders include Brian Mazone who is 4th in wins(7), 9th in ERA (2.93), leading the league in innings (92.0), and 4th in WHIP (1.04). JA Happ is 5th in innings (82.0) and leading the league in strikeouts (87). Matt Childers is 5th in the league with 8 saves. The long ball continues to be an issue for Happ as he is 7th in the league in homers allowed with 11.

Lehigh Valley wasted yet another fine effort by Brian Mazone (6-4) on Friday evening in a 2-1 loss. Mazone went 6 strong innings, yielding just 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits. He walked one and struck out 2. The ‘Pigs could not figure out Indianapolis starter Ty Taubenheim who left the game leading 2-0 after 8 innings. Lehigh Valley scored one in the 9th on an RBI single by Jon Knott, but left the tying run stranded on base. TJ Bohn has a multi hit game (2-4) for the ‘Pigs.

Gary Knotts (2-1) pitched an outstanding game for Lehigh Valley as they opened a series Saturday against Rochester in Allentown. Knotts threw 6 shutout innings, while striking out 7 and not walking a batter in the 8-2 ‘Pigs win. The offense was clicking as well scoring 8 runs on 14 hits, with Brandon Watson leading the pack, going 4-5 with a run scored and 2 RBI’s. Other offensive notables were Oscar Robles (2-5, double, 4 RBI’s), Mike Cervenak (2-5, run, double) and Jon Knott (2-4, run, double).

On Sunday, Lehigh Valley took their second in a row against Rochester on a sweltering afternoon at the Coke, 5-4 in 10 innings. Travis Blackley started and was fairly effective giving up 2 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings of work. He walked 4 and struck out 3. He also picked off 2 baserunners with an excellent pick off move slightly reminiscent of Steve Carlton. Matt Childers (3-2) pitched 2 scoreless innings to get the win. Rochester jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but the ‘Pigs put a three spot on the board in the 6th, taking a 4-2 lead that they couldnt hold. Rich Thompson was the offensive hero going 4-5 with a double, stolen base, and 2 RBI’s. Andy Tracy went 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI’s as well.

On Monday, another good outing by Les Walrond (1-5) was wasted in the 4-1 loss. Walrond, the hard luck loser, went 6.1 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits. He walked one and struck out 2. Both Brenan Watson and Andy Tracy had 2 hits, but that was just about all the offense could muster in the loss.

AFter a rainout against Buffalo on Monday, the ‘Pigs opened their series against the Bisons with a doubleheader Tuesday evening. JA Happ (4-5) started Game One and got the win, although it was not one of his better efforts. He went 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 7 hits. He walked 2 and atruck out 6. RJ Swindle pitched 2 shutout innings in relief. Jon Knott led the offense going 2-3 with a triple, and a key 3 run homer. Mike Cervenak added 2 hits, including a double.

In the nightcap, Brian Mazone (7-4) continued his run of excellence pitching a 3 hit shutout over Buffalo, for the doubleheader sweep. Mazone walked two and struck out 6. Backup Catcher John Suomi was 2-3 including an RBI double, and a 2 run single by Mike ROuse accounted for the 3-0 win.

On Thursday, the ‘Pigs lost 5-4 to Buffalo. Gary Knotts (2-2) started and had a rare rough outing going 5 innings and giving up 5 runs on 7 hits. He walked one and struck out 4. Offensive notables were Brennan King (2-4, run, RBI), Andy Tracy (2-4, double, RBI) and Jason Jaramillo (2-4, run).

Transactions: OF Chris Snelling accepted his assignment to Lehigh Valley from the Phillies, rather than opting into free agency. Much of that decision more than likely had to do with his $450,000 guaranteed salary that will be paid if he stays in the Phillies organization. Snelling was hitting .231 for the ‘Pigs (in 26 ab’s)before his recall and subsequent injury. Relief pitcher Steve Kline was suspended indefinitely by the International League for making contact with umpire Mike Estabrook during an argument on Monday night. The length of his suspension will most likely be decided sometime on Friday.

Reliever Steve Kline was released by Lehigh Valley on Wednesday. Kline was expected to be an impact lefty out of the bullpen with potential to help put the Phillies but was a major disappointment with an 0-2 record and a 5.16 ERA in 20 games.

Notes: The hitting streak of Jason Jaramillo ended at 13 games.

—JA Happ is 3-2 with a 3.28 ERA in his last 9 games started (57.2 IP, 21 ER)

–In the first 31 games for Lehigh Valley, they hit .151 with RISP. Over the next 32 they hit .303.

—Les Walrond has not allowed more than 3 earned runs in any of his 8 starts, yet the ‘Pigs are just 1-7 in those games.

—Steve Kline was ejected from the game against Rochester on Monday after an entertaining argument with Home Plate Umpire Mike Estabrook. It took Jason Jaramillo, Dave Huppert, and pitching coach Rod Nichols to restrain Kline, who wasnt happy with balls/strikes calls.

–The ‘Pig OF has not thrown out a runner on the basepaths in almost 3 weeks.

—Gary Knotts had the first quality start by a right handed pitcher since April 14th, with his impressive effort last Saturday night.

–Lehigh Valley is 14-9 in their last 23 games.

—JA Happ is 4-2 with a 3.45 ERA in his last 10 starts, while Brian Mazone is 7-2 with a 2.39 ERA in his last 12 starts.

—Brennan King has now gone 46 games without an error.

—Steve Green is 2-0 with an 0.86 ERA in his last 10 games.

18 thoughts on “Iron Pigs Report”

  1. Jaramillo’s splits by month

    April: .193/.227/.277
    May: .295/.378/.410
    June: .323/.432/.419

    Still no power, but hes definitely picked things up. He had a 14:3 K to BB rate in April, but is at 17:13 in May/June.

    I think he’s basically a gap to gap guy as a hitter, maybe 5 HR a year in the majors, but the possibility of a few doubles. He looks like a backup catcher at this point, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to float both his name and Ruiz’s name out there and see if we can’t grab something of value, maybe a reliever, in return.

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  2. Good update. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Jaramillo got hot as the season progressed last season as well. Even though Marson looks like the real thing, and they’re fine at the Major League level, I wouldn’t be in much of a rush to jettison Jaramillo. He’s a brass-tacks handler who will eventually get to the show in a backup role. Maybe not in Philly however.

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  5. Marson still needs work fielding his position. He picked up his 9th error of the season last night when he plunked a batter running to first after fielding his slow roller hit down the first base line. Jaramillo has 7 errors this year. This compares in fewer chances for them each of them to Ruiz’ 3 errors and Coste’s 1 error so far. The Phils have only 4 errors charged to the catcher position overall this year.

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  7. Couple of questions?

    Who does the FO call up if we need a spot start? Mazone or Happ? Who would you call up?

    Could Watson or King be a bat off the bench in the Majors, not expecting much form them, or are they really just AAAA guys? I mean is Watson that worse the Taguchi and is King that much worse than a Wes Helms type?

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  8. Happ is on the 40 man, so he’s the logical choice over Mazone just from an administration standpoint.

    I think Watson > Taguchi at this point. Theres really no place for King with Dobbs and Bruntlett serving as primary backup INF. The problem for me right now is carrying Clay Condrey over Snelling. Condrey has pitched exactly 1 time since May 30th, and Madson now appears to be the long man/mop up reliever, and hes more than capable of going 2+ innings, as is Durbin.

    This is really the only roster inefficiency right now, outside of Taguchi, who is worthless.

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  9. Thanks for responding.

    Yeah I don’t mean that we should definately replace Watson or King, but just wondering if they could be on a MLB roster in general, Always kind of felt for the guys that have the ability to hit at the MLB level but has not truly gotten the oppurtunity.

    Condrey is a little of a waste, but considering what we have seen in the past with this team, don’t you think we need the extra man in the pen?

    I also don’t see Taguchi lasting all yr.

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  12. Tough to say. Happ is on the 40 man, as is Bisenius, though hes now at Reading, so I have no idea where that puts him on the pecking order.

    I suspect that if they need a starter, Happ is first in line. If they need a reliever, things get blurred a bit. If they need an OF, Snelling is first in line.

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  13. If its a starter they need…its Happ, a reliever you would think equals Outman.

    ****outside of Taguchi, who is worthless.****

    He fills our “wacky Asian guy” quota for the roster. Its a requirement on Pat Gillick teams to have 1 asian ballplayer.

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  14. I agree about Taguchi: he’s completely worthless. Can he do anything above replacement level at this point in his career? Before Golson’s blog induced slump, I thought he might replace Taguchi sometime in July. Even a slumping Golson could probably offer the Phils more than Taguchi. I’d make the switch right now…Golson isn’t exactly building confidence in Reading.

    Right now, despite his AA slump, Golson could give the Phils outstanding outfield defense, a great pinch runner and a more dangerous pinch hitter than Taguchi. Golson could be the 08 version of Michael Bourn, with more power. His lack of plate discipline would be almost irrelevant in this role. I really think Golson’s maturation process could be accelerated with a few months in a Major League clubhouse, taking batting practice in CBP and getting tips from Charlie. A few successful at bats against big league pitching could boost his confidence. Greg’s never going to be a patient hitter, or at least won’t develop that patience in the minors. I think he can physically do it, right now, and help the Phillies in the process…So why not? His ability as a late innning pinch runner and defensive substitute(LF 7th-9th inning) could even win a couple games. Even as a hitter, I don’t think he’d be terrible last bat off the bench…He hit big league pitching well in spring training…If Golson only hits .200, he’d be a huge upgrade over Taguchi.

    Snellings bat is much more advanced, but hitting isn’t a huge aspect of this role. If Golson’s tools are as advertised, his speed, arm and range could really help the Phillies in the late innings. Young players don’t stop developing once they reach the majors.

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  15. Well…maybe they DO lose ground in develop-ment sitting on the bench awaiting to pinch-run, etc.

    Yr disgust w Taguchi is justified; but Golson’s being tested in AA is for the benefit of his LEARNING in preparation for a later role in the bigs.

    Right now he is being tested whether he can adjust to the way he is being pitched to. differently than earlier in this season. Adjustments, which go on continually in the majors, too, are essential to hitting.
    Right now he seems to be “adjusting” to reognizing the breaking pitch in time to adjust his swing.

    He either will make that adjustment, soon, or become another “also-ran.” AA ball is where the challenge needs to be met; the MLs are beyond his present abilities at the plate.

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  16. baxter,

    “Golson could be the 08 version of Michael Bourn, with more power. ”

    I love Goslon’s D and he has way more pop but he wouldn’t really do what Bourn was able to do. Bourn draws walks at more than 3 times the rate that Golson does. Bourn’s SB percentage is tremendous, and while Golson is fast, he’s no Michael Bourn on the base paths.

    I prefer Brandon Watson in the role. While Golson might get a very slight edge over Watson as a base-stealer, he’s no comparison for getting on base and putting the ball in play. Just last season Watson broke a 95 year-old International League record with a 43 game hitting streak. And he’s starting to heat up. Pinch hitters need to move runners; Golson whiffs too often to help much off the bench.

    As others have said, Golson needs more time to develop. He won’t learn much sitting on the bench in Philly.

    So Taguchi isn’t as pathetic as he seems right now. He’s an experienced PH and a decent defender. He’s nothing special but he won’t give away as many AB as Golson, that’s for sure. But I think Watson would be an upgrade. Taguchi might have throw-in value in a deal–it would be better than trading a prospect.

    I would rather see Mazone over Happ. Long term Happ clearly gets the edge but I want to see what Mazone does at the ML level. I’m just uneasy about the long ball with Happ, but as Phuture points out, Happ is on the 40 man and that makes a big difference.

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  17. From Jim Salisbury:

    Dice-K does Allentown
    Boston Red Sox righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka will make a minor-league rehabilitation start Monday night against the Phillies’ triple-A Lehigh Valley club in Allentown.
    While Matsuzaka pitches at Coca-Cola Park, his big-league teammates will be in Philadelphia for the first of three games against the Phillies.

    Iron Pigs Report

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