Falling Off the Radar

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Andrew Carpenter had another awful outing today against the Canadien national team, going 2 innings and giving up 2 runs on 3 hits.  Most concerning were his four walks allowed.  While there had been a great deal of hope from sources within the Phils organization that he would become the season in AAA, he is pitching himself out of the picture quickly.

Note:  John Mayberry continued to swing a hot bat, connecting on his first homer of the spring in the game today.

54 thoughts on “Falling Off the Radar”

  2. Pat Burrell is right. The box score says it is his first because it technically isn’t a real spring training game I guess.

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  3. Hey dont forget Slayden He is at least making noise. Werth maybe rethinking coming in out of shape . Mayberry and Slayden are hungy

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  4. For whatever reason Carpenter has had success with Huppert it would be a mistake to send him anywhere but AAA

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  5. Pat, that’s only his second. Although he is making a case to stick with the big boys. Let’s see if he can keep it up all spring, once the pitchers start throwing anything but straightballs. Same goes for Slayden. I’m always pulling for Jeremy, he doesn’t quit.

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  6. whatever happens, that golson for mayberry trade looks great right now. i doubt that golson would be hitting like this. he does seem very hungry.

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  8. I hate to see that happening with Carpenter though. This time last year there was so much hope. I guess one bad year isn’t the end of everything, but he certainly needs to start turning the corner soon.

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  11. I believe I read somewhere that Golson is hitting over .400 early on in Rangers camp.

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  12. Mayberry is now 8 for 20 with 4 extra base hits & 7 RBI this Spring…though it is important to note that today’s game didn’t count towards ST stats.

    He’s making a decent splash for that 25th spot on the roster.

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  13. Looks like Carpenter is struggling with his confidence and cant really find a groove right now. Maybe he’ll figure it out but his future looks a lot less promising.

    As for Mayberry, you’ve got to be excited with the way he’s playing, he could see valuable playing time the way he’s doing right now. I also love Slayden but there’s no spot for him so hopefully they hang on to him but a trade could be imminent.

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  14. Luckily he’ll get a long look this spring due to the WBC (mayberry that is). Slayden is tradebait at best and Jason Michaels-lite on a good day.

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  15. Slayden looked good today…obviously. Although, he popped into foul territory and a decent third baseman would have caught the ball. Whoever was playing third at the time for Canada (Bowman I think), got twisted around and didn’t get a good look at the ball, so Slayden almost didn’t get a chance to hit his HR. Credit to Jeremy, though, he got a pitch and rocked it.

    Mayberry is flat out impressive. I’ve been familiar with him (well his stats at least) since after he was initially drafted by the Mariners and opted to attend Stanford. But, never got the impression of how athletic he really is. Small sample size, but he’s looked very good. He made consistently hard contact today and he generates top range power when he gets his arms extended.

    Donald was less than impressive today. He struggled a bit at SS and seems to be pressing at the plate. He didn’t make very good contact in any of his at bats today and you can tell from his body language that he’s down a bit.

    Lou turned the count around in his only plate appearance and worked for his walk. He looks good and just as importantly, he looks and carries himself like he belongs.

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  16. What impressed me in watching Slayden so far this spring is that he took a righthander deep yesterday in Dunedin and a lefty, on big slow curve, deep today at Clearwater. Both were “no doubt about its” to right. Slayden is definitely a two tool player: he can hit either side with power. On the other hand Mayberry is just plain scary with all his tools. His long ball to left today made it out of Brighthouse on its way to the Carpenter Complex in left. Even his foul balls down the third base line have defined the “hot corner” for what it is. This guy is doing it all. I am still impressed when he picked up a stolen base on McCann Sunday at Disney. Looks like one of the hottest baseball tickets this summer just might be to see two outfielders for the Iron Pigs.

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  17. Let’s face it, we can debate Slayden all we want, but there are two people that messed up his chances early on this year – and that’s his parents. If the chromosones had merged differently he may be right handed – but as it is he’s a lefty and I agree he may best be suited as trade bait right now (so it’s good he’s showcasing himself this spring – though as pointed out above it’s very early).

    As for Mayberry I’m all for giving the kid (and he’s not THAT young) a shot coming out of the spring. I really don’t see that many better options out there on the current squad.

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  19. Why would being a left hand batter hurt
    Slayden.

    vs. LH
    avg obp
    2007 0.333 0.404
    2008 0.336 0.377

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  21. From spring training so far, I’d rather have Slayden as a bat off the bench than Stairs. He’s more versatile defensively and hits for better average. Plus Slayden would be cheaper and Stairs more likely to fetch something in a trade.

    Stairs big homer was super clutch, but he can’t live on it forever.

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  22. Lefthandedness is linked to the gene LRRTM1. (the same gene linked to schizophrenia) But in twin studies, only something like 70% of twins were both lefthanded- meaning that it is also partially environmental. So his parents are only 70% to blame.

    Couldn’t help myself.

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  23. good grief. So many wasted brain cells on Jeremy Slayden. You realize he was 26 in AA last year? Can you imagine what Matt Stairs would do with 500 abs in AA? 2 yrs ago he had a .917 OPS in 400 ABs the majors… extrapolate.

    Have you guys learned anything from following minor leaguers? look, Slayden could certainly make contact. He might even pop a few if given the chance, and might even not look ridiculous doing so (Steve Jeltz is the only Phillie to hit HRs from both sides of the plate mind you. He looked good doing that too.). But he’s had 1500 minor league at bats, against significantly younger competition the whole time, and has never stood out. He’s at an age where it is extremely unlikely to get much better and it is foolish to base conlusions on 15 abs in spring training that were almost entirely against fellow never-wills. ugh.

    But yeah, love him. Matt Stairs who?

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  24. CORRECTION* Steve Jeltz is the only Phillie to hit HRs from both sides of the plate IN THE SAME GAME mind you. He looked good doing that too

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  25. Golson is 5 for 12 (.417), 2 dbls and 3 RBIs. He also has 4Ks and no BBs. Small sample but it looks like Mayberry and Golson have both benefitted from a change of scenery. Not sure Golson will stick with Texas but Mayberry’s doing everything he can to stay.

    I like to root for Slayden. All he does is hit. He does the most with what he’s been given. He’s a chronic over-achiever. It doesn’t matter if he’s a 5th OF’er in Philly or a long term AAAA guy. He’ll make the most of it. Gotta like that.

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  26. In the short term, Stairs is a better bench option than Slayden. The latter is a relatively poor fielder with an arm that’s only really suited for left field — not that Stairs is a Gold Glover, mind you, but he’s a sure thing against MLB pitching at least. If Stairs is dealt to make room for anyone, it’ll be Mayberry (who can serve as the primary right-handed bench bat, and provide insurance for Werth).

    That being said… it’s odd, Will, that you’d knock Slayden while extolling the virtues of Stairs. It took Stairs over 1600 minor league at bats before he became a full-time major leaguer, and he was even playing in Double-A at age 26. As a late-blooming, poor-fielding, left-handed spare outfielder, Stairs actually serves as the perfect example of why we shouldn’t lose hope in Slayden.

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  27. My player McLouth is also an example of a late bloomer although it took the Pirates an extra year to see it. I wanted the Phils to get him after 2007 not Jenkins.
    Odd things can hold a player up. Nate for instance was a lousy pinch hitter.
    I see Slayden at AAA till interleague If Mayberry continues
    Ruben will have a giant feather in his cap.

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  28. No matter what Mayberry hits in spring, would he really be a bench candidate? They aren’t going to platoon him with Ibanez, and what, he might get a game here or there for Werth or Victorino (and Ibanez)? So, is it enough at-bats for a younger player vs. every day at AAA?

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  29. Will —
    I don’t regard Stairs’ .917 OPS 2 years ago as being all that relevant. People age and performance starts to fall off a cliff. Playing at age 41 is not the same as at age 39.

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  30. Can’t see Stairs staying here, Mayberry has more upside at this point. Stairs will forever be remembered for 1 hit, and 1 quote. He was a mercenary, that’s all.

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  34. I think everytime Greg Golson walks, it should get a mention on the site. It won’t happen very often. though.

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  37. It’s early but I’m keeping Mayberry on the 25 man and letting Stairs go. I can get Mayberry enough at bats off the bench, spot start him for Ibanez and Victorino. Of Course when I start him for Victorino Werth moves to center.

    What the heck can the Kid play any 1B I can get Howard a night off every now and then. At 26 why waste his time at AAA?

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  38. does anyone think that Werth will be ready for the opener???
    Will they hold him out as a message??

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  39. IMO, Mayberry will be in AAA this year. He does not provide any defense besides RF. We have been playing bruntlett all over the outfield this spring, making him more of an all around utility guy.

    Also, with Marcus Giles looking like a very nice addition to the bench, we are no longer in need of a right handed bat off the bench.

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  40. does anyone think that Werth will be ready for the opener???
    Will they hold him out as a message??

    Message for what? For him not being 100% ready to go in the beginning of March? Spring training is extra long this year, he’s fine.

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  41. Thank you for being the voice of sanity here…Werth will be fine.

    Putting Bruntlett in CF is a huge mistake…he’s not even close to an acceptable option there.

    I honestly think they’re gonna give Mayberry every chance in the world to win a roster spot…he should get a ton of ABs because of the WBC.

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  43. i know its early but maybery could be the steal of this year.he looks for real. definately worth a shot on the roster. good call nepp brunlett barely belongs on this team let alone platooning. as i said how about kendrick and giles for hughes. if the yankees would do it. just a thought. maybe crazy.

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  44. John, that has to be one of the worst trade proposals I have ever heard in my lifetime. You are attempting to trade Kendrick, who alone, might fetch a broken jock strap, and Giles, a man who was not played professional baseball in over a year, for a star prospect. Absolutely horrendous. Sorry if that was a bit harsh…

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  46. PP
    I think everyone in the organization is looking at the new GM
    It is obvious this organization has tolerated guys like Myers, etc. coming in unprepared. Werth must be a lot less than
    100% from the negative statements from the Phils (like
    0-2 in a B game) maybe i am wrong but having lived thru the Vaugh Hayes thing, well at least we have people to push him a little
    Bruntlett cant hit and can barely field period

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  47. Unfortunately john that trade proposal would not bring us even a top prospect who has struggled a bit like hughes. Actually it’s not even near enough. Just a year ago he was the main man in the santana proposal. This wouldn’t even be enough for kennedy. I think it would have to be Happ if he does well this spring, Marson as a replacement for jorge in a couple years,and maybe a guy like escalona to get back a young high ceiling guy like hughes. This may not even be enough for yankees and maybe too much for phils to give up. I love trade proposals though and as fans we will often overvalue our players and how they are perceived by other teams gm’s. I think we are ok on starting pitching unless we net a top tier guy like peavey. Here’s a trade proposal: I love Donald but his value may be at it’s highest. If we package him with Happ, Marson(if travis had a good year at clearwater), and Taylor (if mayberry did well at ML level and Brown dominated clearwater) for zimmerman (who migh soon be too expensive for the nats) at the end of this year (winter meetings).

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  49. werth will be fine this year. His final full season totals will be .271-27-93 with 25 sb”s and plus defense. Those are star #’s. not superstar but definitely star. not bad for a guy we got off the scrap heap. Great job Pat! same goes for Dobbs, Durbin(FA), Eyre, and JC! Paulino and mayberry could be this years version of a nice cheap pieces of the puzzle.

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  50. personally i would not do my proposed trade with yanks, it’s just what they are probably looking for. I would be ver afraid to put taylor in that trade because i think he has huge upside. Donald,Happ would prob. get it done if the yanks feel donald could spell a-rod and then be a quality role player upon return.

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  51. werth
    Hope you are right Marky Mark but this team runs on attitude
    and respect. Utley may be banging on his ear as we type

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  52. I don’t understand what your problem is with Werth. Players come into spring training out of shape all the time….. that’s why the MLB holds spring training in the first place… to get players in game shape. So relax.

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  53. nadoul i mentioned that my proposal was crazy,just the musings of spring. marky your proposal of the entire farm system for hughes i hope was a parody. were fine the way we are with taylor, brown, d,armand and drabek waiting in the wings. once again i have to endure the never ending eagle talk, while the gold standard and world champs are ignored by the carpetbagging media. oh well i guess 4 million phillie fans are laughing with me.

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  54. It was actually only 3 guys for hughes, happ, marson, escalona. Hardly the whole farm. I would do this trade but would only do the other trade- donald, happ, marson, taylor for Zim if those other things mentioned worked out because we wouldn’t need marson if travis was dominating and wouldn’t need taylor if brown was dominating, zim would replace donald and happ would be replaced by carasco. This proposed trade takes place after the 2009 season so these questions would be answered. If it was to be done right now i would pass because the chance of all of those things happening is slim and we might have some studs in this group.

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