After a good first 2 innings, Kyle Kendrick was blasted in the 3rd inning, giving up 4 runs, on 5 hits. Antonio Bastardo fared no better against the tough U.S. lineup, giving up 5 runs (on 3 homers) in his 2.1 innings. He walked 2 and struck out 2.
As far as hitting prospects go, John Mayberry, Jr. was 1-5, Lou Marson 2-4, and Jason Donald 1-3 with his first homer of the spring, a solo shot.
Justin Lehr pitched a scoreless inning for the Phils, striking out 2, while Joe Bisenius gave up a run on 3 hits, in his inning of work for the U.S.
Phuture Phillies 
Sprong is by far my favorite season
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We all can’t be as perfect as you Seth.
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I just got back from the game too, and could add in some of my thoughts:
Both of Marson’s hits were hard grounders up the middle. His first at-bat was pretty impressive. After getting down 0-2, he fought back, fouled off a few pitches and worked the count to 2-2 before singling.
There were two stolen bases against Lou – including one by Victorino when they pitched out. The other steal he had no shot because Granderson got a huge jump.
Donald looked pretty solid in the field – handling four or five grounders at short with ease, even though Ryan Howard dropped one of his throws (three errors on the day for Howard, who looked abysmal in the field). His homer was a nice solid shot to left field.
Bastardo didn’t look so good – giving up homers on back-to-back pitches and was a bit wild.
Even though he’s not really a prospect at this point, Kendrick was really shaky. He was kinda up in the zone, and gave up some long fly balls in the first couple of innings. He really seemed to lose his composure in the third, which is not a good sign considering how much a strength that was his rookie year. I get the feeling the fifth starter job could be Happ’s.
That’s all I have to report. Hewitt didn’t strike out, but then again he didn’t play. I’ll be at the game on Saturday too and will give a report afterwards.
Oh yeah, and from a birdwatcher standpoint, there were a ton of turkey vultures circling around the ballpark throughout the game. Not sure what that means…
– Jeff
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I’ll second the report on Lou. He’s been impressive. Although, like I said yesterday, the only knock on him appears to be his throws to second. Neither of the SB’s were really on him today, though.
Happ has to have the 5th spot on lock down. I don’t see anyway that management could feel comfortable running Kyle out there over J.A.. Kyle’s best shot is probably for the long relief role at this point which, going by his splits, might be a good fit for him.
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I didn’t know Bisenius was pitching for the U.S….. He isn’t even good enough to be on the Phillies 25 man roster — who decided he should represent our country on the world stage?
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He was on loan to team USA for the day so that they wouldn’t burn up all their pitchers during the exhibition. Didn’t even have his name on the jersey he wore.
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Oh thank goodness, I was losing faith in my country in Joe Bisensus was one of our best and brightest.
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Kendrick’s problem has been getting his pitches up all along. First year, he was consistently at the knees or sinking to the calves or ankles. Now he is coming in thigh to waist high on a lot of pitches. His pitches are batting practice when hitters get a good look. He has a chance to be effective on the lower plane.
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Kendrick has been terrible for a while now. He’s very hittable and doesn’t strike anyone out. (here come the Kendrick lovers, giving comps on guys that don’t K alot)
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3.93 K/9 and a 5.55 FIP last year. The only other pitchers (100 IP min.) with less than 4 K/9 both had FIP’s under 5. There are some guys who can succeed in that low K/9 zone, but those guys all have lower BB/9 and HR/9 rates. His problem isn’t just about his not being able to miss bats (although that is a huge problem). He’s got a lot of work to do.
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Got there early enough today to wonder over to the Complex. Ruben was leaning against the fence at Ashburn field watching Hewitt take BP. Gillick was helping a senior citizen couple look for a minor leaguer who was just arriving in camp. Hewitt was the BP hitting star insiding out a long drive over the right field fence. That guy is strong. On the Schmidt Field Charlie and Milt Thompson, after the regulars finished BP and headed back to Brighthouse for the USA game, spent about 20 minutes working with Paulino on the empty field. Milt under handed about 75 ball from 20ft out from the plate for Pauino to take hacks at while Charlie work with him on his hand location and foot balance. The session ended with Charlie and Paulino walking to the outfield still discussing hitting while Milt grabbed a bucket to retrieve the balls Paulino sprayed all over the outfield.
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Great coverage, guys. Thanks!
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good scouting jeffo i think donalds finally beginning to relax at the plate. from what ive seen hes been fine in the field, the most important thing since he will hit big time. as far as the number 5 spot its , as i said, happs. he is so much ahead of kendrick as he showed last year. as much as i like kendrick his is not in this organization. now that the yankees need a 3rd baseman how about kendrick and giles for hughes. just a thought.
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As little as I know about all this, it seems to me from watching the way these kids have been treated by the organization, that both Marson and Donald have some defensive shortcomings. My guess is arm strength is the problem, Marson from behind the plate and Donald from 3rd base. Jason should be playing 2nd. The kid can hit.
I have watched Mayberry hit the tar out of the ball but the knock on him is not a lack of talent, its an inability to hit teh curve ball. That will show up shortly. I kind of tihnk when things are sorted out, that Jeremy Slayden will be a better OF prospect (as a reserve) than John Mayberry. Luckily the Phillies appear set in that position anyway.
I think Kendricks next move is Triple AAA. Let him work on a 3rd pitch without so much pressure on him. He is only 24, two years old than Carrasco. Maybe he can develoope more command down there too. Happ will be the 5th guy with Park in the wings should be falter.
The team looks good but luck always plays a big hand in winning championships. It did last year and we will need it again this year. My guess for the best short term prospect in they system is Michael Taylor This year will tell the tale.
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The Phillies system seems devoid of high value prospects at the top three levels. I still have reservations about Carrasco’s high WHIP and ERA at Double AA and it seems Marson has some question about his arm. Who else is there at Lehigh Valley? Don’t say Mayberry yet, let’s see if he gets sent down and then let’s see if they can teach him how to hit a curveball. For now, he is a decided longshot.
At Reading I hope (fingers crossed) that Mike Taylor is the real deal but we won’t know until later this year. After him what’s at Reading? I am talking about real prospects with a real upside. I don’t see anyone. Joe Savery could be considered if he can turn it around at Reading this year but not yet. His last year left a lot of questions. Drew Naylor is still a qustionmark. Slayden seems like a decent bench player prospect but that’s it.
Clearwater is a little murkier but no one stands out for me.
I’d like to say Kyle Drabek and he is one of their top guys but let’s face it, he has yet to prove anything at any level. I think he will but he hasn’t to date.
Fortunately, the big team is young and doesn’t need a lot of help. Fortunately, because it isn’t there.
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Kendrick can play third?
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A couple of other comments. Jason Donald can certainly hit in this league but where do they play him? The Phillies have known they needed a 3rd baseman for years. They also knew Donald wasn’t going to play shortstop in the bigs. So why didn’t they move him to 3rd years ago? When he was at Reading I spoke to someone there in authority and was told “the Phillies never asked up to move Jason”.
What does that tell you? I have to think his best shot is as a 2nd baseman if not an outfielder. So will he stick? He has the bat and they could use him from the right side but where do they play him and when? You might see him traded.
Kendrick has terrible numbers from last year but he is only 24 years old. Send him down to Lehigh Valley and let him work on a 3rd pitch and use Happ as the #5. If Kyle can come up with it, we can look at him again next Spring. For now, I don’t think they should even carry him North.
As to Lou Marson and why isn’t he sticking with the big club, he is young, only recently a catcher (HS) and has perhaps an arm question. He has good bat control and can put the bat on the ball but is short on power so if his defense is at all questionable, he too could be on the market.
None of which matters a whole lot because the parent team is set this year and next and who knows if the world is still going to be here in 2011.
But for now, there is a lack of true blue chip prospects in the Phillies high minors. Counting Drabek, I count one. And that’s a big maybe.
As I said earlier, my fingers are crossed for Michael Taylor but we will have to wait to see how he does this year before putting him in that category.
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Bisenius was “loaned” to Team USA during the game yesterday, during which he went in the Clubhouse and changed from his Phils jersey to a Team USA jersey.
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No Ruiz but if they’d like to try Jason Donald at 3rd, a Donald for Hughes trade could probably be arranged.
Has Huges’ potential dropped that much? Remember how huge a prospect he was? Now they bought themselves a terrific starting lineup: With CC Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain, Hughes is going back to Triple AAA so they must have lost a lot of confidence in him. You might get an even up for Jason IF they think he can play 3rd.
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I handed the job to Happ before ST. It was his to lose. So far, he hasn’t disappointed. My old pitching coach would have had 3 words for Kendrick, “Bend your back”. It always solved my issues with getting up in the zone. Kendrick doesn’t have electric stuff so every pitch is a purpose pitch. It has to be where he wants it, at the speed he wants it and have the movement he wants (maybe I should have changed ‘want’ to ‘need’). I hope Moyer has a nice long talk to him. I want him to succeed. I think he can. He might have to start in AAA.
Maybe he needs a knuckleball so that his fastball looks like it 95MPH.
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Yeah, Donald for Hughes may be doable for both teams. But Giles and Kendrick for Hughes is one of the more ridiculous suggestions I can recall seeing.
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It’s so clear that Kendrick needs to go down to AAA to finish the development that he never completed due to his premature call-up. He doesn’t have the pitches and command to become the type of pitcher he needs to be in order to succeed. It also wouldn’t surprise me if they traded him although it’s tough to see what kind of value he could bring at this point.
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Joey – thanks for being the site’s buzz kill. I think you’ve overlooked Dom Brown in your analysis.
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They will never trade Hughes for Donald, especially straight up. Isn’t Joba going back to the pen? Hughes is still very young, they’ll be sticking with him.*
*yeah, i’d do that trade.
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As much as I like Donald i’d do that trade in a second because hughes has ace potential. Maybe a 22 year old couldn’t handle the pressure of NY but If he was the 5 on phils there would be little expectations on him.
2010: hammels- hughes-blanton-carrasco-moyer and drabek almost ready….Ahhh it’s nice to dream
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In my opinion, Carrasco, Kendrick and Marson should be ticketed for Lehigh Valley. They all need more experience and there is no room for them on the Phillies right now. Donald will probably be there also, as both Giles, Cairo and Ozuna are all have solid major league experience. Mayberry has looked good so far, but there are a lot of outfielders and the extra right-handed bat will probably be someone who is able to play several infield positions. It is a long shot for him to make the Phillies unless Werth is more seriously injured than we think. I haven’t seen much support here for Park as a starter, but his record as a starter last year was good and it makes sense to have Happ in the bullpen as an extra lefthander, especially while Romero is out.
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Time’s run out on Kendrick. Happ should get the fifth spot.
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Joey the mets fan??
Please note that Marson and Donald have outperformed
the blue chipper every time.
Is there anything you have to say against Spring?
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i think that mayberry and happ are the only prospects with a chance to make the team. and i am not sure happ can come out of the pen. they tried that last year and it didn’t work. so if it is a tie, they will probably go with happ as the #5 and park in the pen. unless happ screws up. then he goes down and park starts. i think that CC needs more seasoning. no spot for donald and marson isn’t ready.
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I really like Donald to but I’d do that deal in a NY Minute. Only problem is Cashman won’t. It’s obvious they’ve shifted their philosphy to pitching. It’s more likely they’ll get Grudzelaniak.
Hopefully Donald picks it up here towards the end I’d rather him then Giles. It’s obvious he’s been pressing here early on.
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PP
Happ’s relief stint last year are not a good measure. For one he hadnt pitched in a while ,another he was great for a while then faded . I think he can relieve but two innings is best.
Unless he has gained strength this year. Used like Romero
I think he will be fine
How soon do they need a fifth starter?
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Donald for Hughes? Are you kidding me? The Yankees are not trading Hughes in the first place and in the second, they would never put a player like Donald on 3B. For a team like the Yankees, they might consider Donald for second but he doesn’t have the bat for 3rd for them. The Phils could cover it with their infield but the Yanks will spend to get a “real” 3b bat. Mayberry, Donald, and Marson will all be at AAA this year. The right handed bat could by Coste, if he gets healthy and they decide to keep Paulino, it could be Giles if he keeps playing like he is, and it could still be the lefty Stairs. I’m not convinced they want to trade or release Stairs because he has serious HR power off the bench and that’s a valuable commodity.
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On the “30 clubs in 30 days” show on the Phils, in the brief mentioning of the farm team, they listed the closest 3 position players and pitchers to making it (or at least thats what I think they were meaning to point out).
The position players were Donald, Marson, and Mayberry.
The pitchers – Happ, Carrasco, and Drabek.
When they asked John Hart (an advisor to the Rangers, I think) about his opinion of the minors, he talked mostly about Donald and Marson, but also mentioned two others: Brown and Taylor, likening them to Strawberry and Winfield, respectively. Very basic analysis, to be sure, but to have someone from the MLB persepctive mention these two…good sign??
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John Hart is just reading the others’ reviews of the organization.
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PP Fan, I’d love to know what you are seeing/hearing to so easily dismiss Marson as being “not ready”. I think there are some advantages to his seeing significant time in AAA (his arb. clock not being the least of these reasons), but he looks ready. I don’t think we’re going to see him improve much from a season in AAA….any real improvement is going to come from experience against top competition.
Personally, I wouldn’t let him break camp with the team, but my reasons for delaying his permanent arrival have more to do with contractual issues and the current makeup of the big league club. I don’t think anyone on here would argue that Lou, right now, would out produce Ruiz/Coste/Paulino.
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Murray, relax i don’t think anyone is talking about donald supplanting A-rod, only a fill in and then maybe nice utility player. There also isn’t any room for hughes right now so might be expendable. However they are probably going to use him next year if pettite doesn’t re-sign. I doubt joba will be back in the pen he is too valuable as a starter.
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donald is going nowhere thankfully and i would never trade a position player for a pitcher of equal ability especially a 3rd baseman. aside from ability the reason marson,donald will not be traded is simple, salary. on the mlb show it was very good except the big miss. luzinski in left all time? del ennis is the best left fielder in phillies history. much better fielder better rbi man higher ave. even in hr,s. never struck out.
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A full year in AAA will do nothing but help Lou Marson. He needs 500 ABs to keep up his progression and he wouldn’t get that in Philly. He needs to work on his footwork and throwing…things that are much easier to do in Lehigh than on a defending champion MLB ballclub.
He’s very young (especially for a catching prospect), and we have a very competent placeholder in the majors. If Ruiz goes down for an extended period, them maybe he gets called up but it won’t hurt him to play every day in Lehigh, polish his game, and be called up 1 Sept for some more MLB experience.
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In this economic era, I agree with Phils practice of holding a player back for an extra year or so (unless it hurts the big team). Start the arb clock later and get six of the player’s best years. That is the key to their philosophy and is consistent with building a team from within today. They handle that very carefully and wisely, IMO. There is enough experience and talent at C to let Marson stay in AAA for another 3-5 months. Ruiz is not as unproductive as last year. I expect .250+ BA with 8-10 HRs, Coste and Paulino to be very serviceable and help the team when they are playing.
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