Daily Archives: May 17, 2009

Lehigh Valley Weekend Game Report, Lose 7th Straight and Cervenak

7. Lehigh Valley

5/15/09–The ‘Pigs road trip mercifully ended on Friday, with a 8-5 loss to Columbus on Friday night.  The game was over early, as starter Justin Lehr (5-2), who has been excellent thus far this year, was rocked allowing seven runs (including three homers) in five innings, as the CLippers took a 6-0 lead.. This was never much of a game, with the ‘Pigs losing their season high fifth straight, however, John Mayberry hit his 8th homer of the year, and Mayberry , Ozuna, and Donald all had two hits for Lehigh Valley.

5/16/09–The Lehigh Vallfey losing streak continued and now  stands at six, after a 4-1 loss to Gwinnett in the ‘Pigs return home on Saturday.  Kyle Kendrick (2-3)started and did not pitch well, going five innings and giving up four runs on four hits. He walked four, struck out four, hit two batters and gave up a homer. Braves prospect Tommy Hanson started for Gwinnett and the ‘Pigs simply could not figure him out as he pitched seven scoreless innings.  The lone ‘Pig run came in the 8th after Pablo Ozuna scored on a Rich Thompson ground out. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekend Game Report, Lose 7th Straight and Cervenak →

VSL Season Starts Monday – Initial Roster Posted

1. VSL/DSL

The Venezuelan Summer League starts Monday for the Phillies with an 11:30 AM game against the VSL Cardinals.  The Phillies play a 70-game schedule running through early August, playing 5-6  games a week.  The Phillies are one of 8 teams in the VSL (unlike the Dominican league where almost all major league organizations are represented.

The big news for the Phillies is that both of their high profile signings from last winter are on the VSL roster.  Since GCL season does not stat for another month or so, there is still a chance that a couple of these players will end up in Florida.  SS Nerio Rios is 17 years old and reported to be a plus defensive player with more offensive potential than Freddy Galvis.  Bernardo Solarte is also 17 years old and is an OF, most likely the starting CF on the VSL squad.  Solarte is a player in the mold of Leandro Castro with good speed along with power potential.

The one disappointing note is that there are no new pitchers listed under the age of 19.  These early rosters are sometimes a work in progress, so other younger signees may show up later.  Last year’s VSL staff was somewhat disappointing, so an influx of younger, projectible arms is needed.  The youngest pitcher on the roster is 17-year-old Jorge Guzman who only pitched limited innings last summer as a 16-year-old.  4 of the 5 catchers on the roster are new signees with Hector Barrios being another signee from Panama.  One interesting note is that OF Rudney Balentien (from Curacao) has been transferred to the VSL after 2 seasons in the DSL.  We will follow up this initial post with periodic updates once play has started.

Continue reading VSL Season Starts Monday – Initial Roster Posted →