Iron Pigs Preview

7. Lehigh Valley

As I flip my calendar to February, I begin chomping at the bit for the arrival of pitchers and catchers, so, with that comes an early look at what to expect in the Lehigh Valley next year.  A huge turnover on the roster will lead to what many believe will be a very exciting team, filled with a combination of prospects and proven AAA players.

Going around the horn, Andy Tracy will return and play first base after a very good year last year with the ‘Pigs that included a September callup with the World Champion (had to say it) Phils.  Tracy, 35, hit .288 with the ‘Pigs last year with 22 homers and 85 RBI to go with a very good .382 OBP.  Tracy although lacking range, is very dependable in the field as well, committing only 3 errors in his 104 games at first.  I would expect Tracy to receive the bulk of the playing time at first.

At second base, comes a question mark, with the Phils acquisition of 30 year old Marcus Giles providing the major league club insurance should Chase Utley not be ready opening day.  Giles has not appeared regularly in the minors since 2002, however, once the Phillies roster is healthy, a continued role in Philadelphia for the younger of the Giles brothers appears to be a longshot.  Having last played in the majors in 2007 with the Padres, Giles is looking to rejuvenate what was a solid career with the Braves.

Look for top prospect Jason Donald to take over at shortstop in Lehigh Valley this Summer, coming off an very good season in Reading, and an even better Fall in the Arizona Fall League.  Donald, 24, hit .307 for Reading (AA) last year with 14 HR and 54 RBI in 362 at bats.  He showed some speed with 11 stolen bases and a very good OBP of .391. He did commit 18 errors in 91 games at short last season, but Donald is clearly on target for a continued progression through the Phillies system.

Off season acquition Terry Tiffee, 29, looks to have the lead on the every day job at third base, replacing Brennan King. Tiffee hit .378 (not a typo) in the hitting heavy Pacific Coast League last year with 9 HR and 69 RBI’s in his 392 at bats. His OPS of .977 was equally impressive. While third is his regular position, Tiffee can play first and both corner OF positions if needed providing adequate defense.

6’6, 230 pound newly acquired John Mayberry looks to have the job in RF locked down without too much competition.  Acquired for much maligned prospect Greg Golson, Mayberry, 25, has an interesting skill set that should be followed this year.  Mayberry hit .263 with 16 HR and 58 RBI in AAA  last year. He added 6 stolen bases in his 437 at bats.

Returning to play CF is soon to be 30 year old Rich Thompson. Thompson jump started the Iron Pigs after his early season signing last year providing energy both at the plate and in the field. WHile hitting .264, Thompson stole 25 bases (at a rate of 93%) giving the ‘Pigs a lift on the base paths.  He added 4 homers and 42 RBI’s in his 352 at bats.  Additionally, Thompson was very solid in the field, covering a ton of ground from the CF position.

The LF job looks to go to 26 year old Jeremy Slayden who was not protected on the 40 man roster.  Slayden who has been nothing but consistent year after year in the Phils minor league system, hit .298 with 17 HR and 81 RBI in just under 500 at bats with Reading.  While the Phillies enthusiasm in Slayden appears to be lacking at is my belief, that he projects to be a 4th or 5th OF in the majors.

Not much more needs to be said to pump up the credentials of Lou Marson, the Iron Pigs catcher this year.  Marson, only 22, has made the climb through the minor league system quickly handling his duties both behind the plate and at bat very well.  His leadership is consistently mentioned as well, a very important quality at his position. Marson hit .314 with 5 HR and 46 RBI in 322 at bats for Reading, missing about a month for the Olympics last year. Marson also has an excellent eye at the plate, having walked 68 times in his at bats and threw out 36% of would be base stealers.

32 year old Mike Cervenak, who has played both corner infield and outfield positions will see time there as well as most of his time as a designated hitter.  Cervenak, who had multiple call ups to the Phillies last year, is a dangerous AAA hitter who has provided consistent offense each of his 4 full seasons in AAA.  Last year with the ‘Pigs he hit .311 with 10 HR and 66 RBI in 456 at bats.  While a “hacker” at the plate, the hacking pays off a large percentage of the time with almost 30% of his hits being for extra bases.

Another “insurance policy” for Chase Utley is 34 year old Pablo Ozuna who has 300 games of major league experience at practically every position.  Primarily an infielder, Ozuna split time with the White Sox and the Dodgers last year, hitting .260 in 98 major league at bats.  His last year in the minors was 2004 at Scranton where he split time between second and SS, hitting .307 in the Phillies system.

Another note worthy signing is 33 year old Jorge Velandia has has played for almost two dozen teams in his minor league career.  Primarily a slick fielding SS, Velandia hit .233 last year in AAA with 3 HR and 20 RBI in 300 at bats.  I would look for as a depth infielder unless the injuries to Utley/Feliz lead to recall of other ‘Pig prospects.

JJ Furmaniak, 29, was signed after a year in Japan.  Furmaniak whose primary position is SS, can also play 3B.  He last played AAA ball in 2007 has a very good year hitting .292 with 15 HR and 51 RBI.  The 2007 season included 16 games with the Oakland A’s.

30 year old Wilkin Ruan appears to have the inside track on one of the reservve OF positions. Ruan hit .341 at AAA (Pacific Coast League) last year in 211 at bats.

34 year old, former major leaguer, Damon Hollins, gives the ‘Pigs a power source off the bench having shown decent power in his career.  Coming off a season where he hit just .220, he did knock 16 HR in his 363 at bats at AAA Omaha.

Additioanlly, Outfielders Chris Walker and Jason Ellison (who spent a considerable amount of time with the Giants in 2005) are in contention for roster spots as well.

Check back over the next week or so for a look at a pitching staff that will have a very new look this year.

25 thoughts on “Iron Pigs Preview”

  3. I watched Tiffee play a lot when he was in my hometown of Rochester a few years ago. The guy can flat out rake from both sides of the plate.

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  4. anyting is better than laster year. Terrible place for the best manager in the system. yes the whole system

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  5. I think that Harmon is a real question mark. I am not sure how you can promote someone that hit .210 with a .280 OBP without showing something more. It is one thing if his glove was outstanding (i.e. Freddy Galvis) but Harmon has not shown that kind of talent with the glove. Until Harmon shows something more at the plate I think he remains in AA, also recognizing that AA and AAA pitching are not all that different with the prospect pool in AA. As far as DOnald at 3B, he got in some games there in the Fall League and was adequate. I, too, would like to see that and I believe it will happen to at least a small extent with 3B such a question mark for the Phillies in 2010 at the end of Feliz contract.

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  6. Nice writeup. I’m glad that the fans of the Lehigh Valley will have what looks like a much more competitive and interesting team to root for in 2009, featuring probably four of the more interesting guys in the system in Marson, Donald, Mayberry and Carrasco.

    I agree that I’d like to see Donald get time at 3b. He should be in the running for that job with the Phils for 2010, if he has enough arm for the position.

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  8. Thompson, Ruan, Slayden, Mayberry with Cervenak as utility will be the outfielders.

    Hollins, Ellison, and Walker will not be sent to AA Reading

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  9. I think Donald will play some 3B. What happened to King?

    Why would you promote Harman? I think he still has potential but he needs to repeat.

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  11. I think Mayberry makes the Big Club out of Spring Training. That is if nothing else happens on the Free Agent market. The phillies desperately need an RH outfield bat and they don’t have one right now. Thus Mayberry should have the inside track to make the club out of ST…assuming he does well ST.

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  12. interesting club. a mix of uber 4A vetrans and some real prospects. i would expect this club to win a lot of games (not that that matters). but it will be good for the prospects to be around former mlb’ers. show them what it takes and some tricks of the trade. good move by ruben.

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  14. It looks like there might actually be some players worth watching this year.

    On another note, I think Harman should be promoted – he had a pretty bad year offensively, but still managed to show some pop in his bat. Plus, he (from the couple of times I’ve seen him) seems to have a very good glove, but also a very good baseball instinct. I described it in another post as similar to the way Utley plays – very heads up and aware of the situation. He made a brilliant tag-and-throw double play to seal a 2-1 win against Trenton with the bases loaded in the ninth. There’s no reason that he can’t have the same impact as Bruntlett on a major league team.

    – Jeff

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  15. Jeff – I think that’s a valid point but Harman still could develop enough hitting-wise to be a starting 2nd baseman (somewhere else). I think at this point he needs to be considered trade bait, so what would help his bat recover, and therefore his value, most, going to AA or AAA? I guess AAA considering his age.

    I just talked myself into agreeing with you. HA!

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  16. I disagree with the Harman-Bruntlett comparison. At least with the notion that there’s no reason Harman can’t do Bruntlett’s job. If you can’t hit over .210 in AA you can’t hit .240 in the majors. I haven’t given up on Harman completely but he’s got a long way to go from where he was last year if he’ll ever be even a bench player in the majors.

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  17. Well, let’s see how Harman does this year before we write him off. I agree that he had a bad year with the bat, but he probably would’ve hit 20 homers if he didn’t have that cup of coffee in Philly. Even if he can’t hit .240 in the majors (or even .217, which was what Bruntlett hit), he is probably the equal of Bruntlett defensively, and he has a little more pop in his bat. Of course, Bruntlett is a better baserunner.

    Okay, so what I’m saying is that if Harman, be it at Reading or at Lehigh, can hit around .260 this year (career minor league avg: .256), then he is still a legitimate major league prospect.

    – Jeff

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  18. Great write-up, as usual, Gregg. I see some enthusiasm about this year. LHV fans deserve it. I think Marson, Donald and Slayden will show some of the younger talents and these AAAA guys look like they’ll keep the club moving forward.

    I think Harman was a bit of a head case after he was called up by the big club early last season. Everyone was wondering why Donald didn’t get the call. I think when Harman went back to AA his head wasn’t on straight. I’d have him get back in the swing at AA to start and promote him if it’s warranted.

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  19. Wasn’t Donald hurt at the same time that Rollins was, thus leading to Harman being called up? Plus BH was on the 40, so neither a roster move wasn’t necessary.

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  20. Brennan King was not offered a new contract for the guy wondering. He won’t be missed (99 ga, 5 HR 34 RBI, .240).

    Tiffee will be better. He was PCL batting champ last year. Be wary of PCL averages, but Tiffee will be better than King.

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  21. Harman’s promotion last year was testament to how pourous IronPigs were in middle of infield with Chris Woodward, Casey Smith, Gookie Dawkins last spring – can’t wait for Donald!

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  25. Mikeb There is no need to jump especially when MT at first had trouble at Clearwater then adjusted. Midseason anything is possible especially if there are injuries or non-performance at the bigs . I am not a fan of Raul but he is a hitter so patience

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