A 2-4 week for the ‘Pigs, coming home from a rough road trip. The ‘Pigs are in 5th Place of the Northern Division of the IL, 11 games behind division leading Scranton. Lehigh Valley batting leaders include Andy Tracy who is 6th in the league in homers (9), and Rich Thompson who is 8th in stolen bases (13). On the pitching end, Andrew Carpenter is 8th in Wins (5), 10th in ERA (2.75), 4th in innings (68.2) and 9th in WHIP (1.15). Kyle Kendrick is 6th in innings (67). Carlos Carrasco is 9th in innings (66.1) and 2nd in strikeouts (67).
Week in Review
6/8/09–The recently traded Justin Lehr came back to haunt the IronPigs as he pitched well and got the win in the 8-5 Louisville victory over Lehigh Valley. The ‘Pigs jumped on Louisville early on a first inning RBI single by Andy Tracy, however Louisville came back with two in the first, and two more in the fourth and fifth to take a 6-1 lead before Lehigh Valley could answer back. A three spot in the 6th, made it at least somewhat respectable as both John Mayberry and Lou Marson had RBI hits in the inning. Jake Woods (3-1) got the spot start for Lehigh Valley and went 4 innings, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits. Jason Donald had a good night at the plate going 3-5 with a run and a stolen base. Andy Tracy also had 2 hits for the ‘Pigs.
6/9/09–Louisville concluded their smoking of the ‘Pigs on Tuesday night with a 7-4 victory over Lehigh Valley, giving them a four game series sweep. Carlos Carrasco (1-7) started and had a horrible outing going 5 innings, giving up 7 runs (6 earned) on 9 hits. He walked 2, struck out 4 and gave up 2 home run balls. The ‘Pigs were down 6-2 by the end of the third, and the game never was close. Miguel Cairo had the only notable night offensively for Lehigh Valley, going 3-4 with a homer (3).
6/10/09 OFF
6/11/09–Lehigh Valley opened a series at home against Charlotte and took the first game of the series 2-1, behind another superb outing by Andrew Carpenter (5-0). Carpenter went seven very strong innings(at one point retiring 15 straight), giving up just 1 run n 6 hits. He didnt walk a batter and struck out four, keeping Charlotte hitters off balance all evening. Lehigh Valley picked up an early run on a John Mayberry sac fly and added another run in the third to make it 2-0 on a Mike Cervenak RBI single. The lone run CHarlotte scored came in the 7th off of Carpenter. Sergio Escalona pitched the 8th and 9th, retiring all six hitters he faced, earning his first save as an Iron Pig. Mike Cervenak was a very welcome addition back into the ‘Pig lineup and had two hits. Jason Donald ended the Charlotte sixth with a highlight reel defensive play on a ball hit up the middle, in which he fully extended to make the play, then did a full 360 and threw out the runner.
Pig Prospects- Jason Donald — Donald was 5-25 (.200)this week with no extra base hits, and 6 strikeouts. He also committed 2 errors. Possibly coming off the aftereffects of his hamstring problems, DOnald struggled this week, adding on to a difficult year. AT the plate, he is .230/.293/.324 with a homer 16 RBI’s and 6 SB’s. His average is now at .148 with RISP and he has struck out in 26% of his at bats.
Lou Marson–Marson came on strong this week, going 7-18 (.389), with 2 doubles and 4 RBI’s on the week, leaving him at .232/.317/.330, with a homer and 8 RBI’s. He average with RISP went up to .226. Defensively, Marson is at 22% (9 for 41) of runners thrown out. With the Phillie callup of Paul Bako, it has been made clear that the Phillies want Marson to put in his time at triple A.
John Mayberry —Mayberry was 4-19 (.211) with 2 doubles and 4 RBI’s this week, as he readjusts back to playing every day after sitting the bench in Philly for two weeks. .272/.335/.512 on the year with 8 HR and 29 RBI. A strikeout rate of 31% is still very high, but Mayberry is hitting in the clutch at .313 with RISP.
Carlos Carrasco–A lousy outing for Carrasco who was hit around by Louisville for 7 runs (6 earned) over 5 innings. After four consecutive quality starts, Carrasco fell back into bad habits, and paid for it. On the year, 1-7, 5.56 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 19 BB 67K, .352 with runners in scoring position.
Kyle Kendrick–A fourth consecutive quality start for Kendrick as he went 7 strong innings, giving up three runs against Louisville. Both his control and his velocity looked good in this outing. There is alot to be said for Kendrick’s consistency this year, despite the adversity he has faced. His line: 4-4, 4.03 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 21 BB, 39K, .189 opponenet average with RISP.
Andrew Carpenter– An excellent week for Carpenter, who earned two wins in his starts (the only ‘Pig wins since we last spoke. He went a combined 14 innings, giving up one run on 10 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 10. Once again, Carpenter has been extremely consistent this year and flat out fantastic since he was sent back down. His line: 5-0, 2.75 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 21BB 45K, opponents .227 with RISP.
Sergio Escalona– Three outings, in which he went a combined 4 innings, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits. He walked one and struck out four. After taking the loss last Saturday, Escalona shut CHarlotte down on Thursday, with 3 strikeouts in the six batters he faced. He looked far more confident on the hill on THursday, and made several hitters look silly.
Transactions: OF Mike Spidale was recalled from AA Reading. Spidale, 27, was hitting .297 with 3 HR and 16 RBI, and 3 SB for Reading. He is a good outfielder and has some speed, but I wouldnt expect him to do much more than the 4th OF spot in the Valley. Sent down after a very disappointing first two months in Lehigh Valley was Jeremy Slayden. Slayden was hitting .227 with 4 HR and 12 RBI with the ‘Pigs, mostly in a platoon role. His defense has been poor and a few baserunning blunders have been problematic as well.
Starting 2B Pablo Ozuna was suspended for 50 games for an “elevated testosterone level” when he was drug tested pursuant to the MLB agreement. Ozuna was hitting .295 with 0 HR and 15 RBI in his 51 games this year. Other than Mike Cervenak, Ozuna had been the most consistent ‘Pig hitter.
Mike Cervenak was activated for the DL after missing just under a month with a fractured wrist. The Pigs desperately need his bat and his energy in the lineup.
Notes: Carlos Carrasco is 1-6 with a 6.80 ERA in his last 9 starts.
Phuture Phillies 
Stark, ESPN
• Phil-Ins: One more tidbit on potential Phillies deals: Clubs that have spoken with them have come away thinking there’s almost no chance they’ll talk about the two young left-handers in their rotation, J.A. Happ and Antonio Bastardo, or their three elite prospects, outfielder Dominic Brown and right-handers Kyle Drabek and Jason Knapp. And it would take a huge deal to pry away infielder Jason Donald or pitcher Carlos Carrasco. But the belief is that hot outfield prospect Michael Taylor (now hitting .345 in Double-A) and/or Lou Marson (the catcher for the ’08 U.S. Olympic team) could be had for an impact pitcher.
Marson was once viewed as the catcher of the future. But Carlos Ruiz’s ascendance has rewritten that script. “If they want to move Lou Marson, I’d take him,” said one scout. “I think he’s an everyday catcher. I like the way he takes charge of the game. He’s athletic. He doesn’t have much power, but he hits to all fields and he puts the ball in play. I still see him as an everyday guy.”
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Too bad the Phils can’t find a role for Slayden who has a very rare speciality of being able to come off the bench to deliver pinch hit, grand slam, game winning, home runs. He hit one tonight for Reading which was a 9th inning walk off and he hit a pinch slam last Fall in the AFL which clinched a game for Mesa to get them into the championship game. Slayden does have a knack for hitting with the bases loaded. Last year for Reading he was 6 for 16 with 19 rbi’s with the bases loaded according to the R-Phils site.
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I really think it is time to reward Carpenter.
Fantastic Night for the Phils
1.big club great victory
2.AAA Carpenter dominates again
3.AA beat the Yanks
In his previous five starts, the Thunder’s Zach McAllister was 4-1 with an 0.79 ERA
4.A+ good pitching Sam Walls save
5.Heitor Correa teenager of the week
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Carpenter could be very valuable this year. He’s been very, very good lately. He won’t wow you but he keeps them in games. Bastardo will probably pitch pretty well for the Phils until he’s been through the league once. Teams will adjust and he’ll have to become more of a pitcher than he is now. Carpenter could be the guy who will will pick up that slack if Bastardo hits the wall. Kendrick is also keeping him name in the mix. Carrasco is young and needs more seasoning. I hope he’s ready next year for a spot in the rotation. I think he will be.
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I really would like to see Carpenter start and Bastardo in rhe pen depending on Bastardo’s start.
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On daily new live last night , they had on a guy who follows the minors for some blog he was with scouting director marty. W. It seem by there reaction about Taylor that he is special, so I don’t buy into them giving him up, maybe it was me but came away that he is untouchable. not only good with the bat, but they said he has a cannon for a arm, he is special.
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I am trying to find the williamsport and GCL rosters, what’ listed is that a partial for williamsport? Because its filled with guys 24 and 25 only three guys listed are under 22, or is there a day they bring out the new roster.
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Williamsport’s roster is a work in progress. It will be staffed by recent draft signees, so until that process is sorted there seems like little benefit to perusing it.
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Gregg, thanks for the write-up. Do you have any idea what Carpenter is doing differently? It is so odd to me that he has become a shut-down starter in AAA. The only difference I can see from the numbers is that he’s giving up fewer hits than he was in Reading. Is he getting lucky? Or is he dominating and getting weak contact?
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mikemike- A number of the stragglers still listed as remaining on the Williamsport roster have already been released.
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Five games is a long time to lucky. A word from Moyer, a new beginning, something snapped in a good way.Let bring him back here.
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Carp has given up 3 earned runs in 34.1 innings at AAA since his start with the Phils.
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Boston–
Honestly, it is strange to me as well. I have seen quite a few of his starts including last night, and he has not been overpowering. He is throwing around 86-88, but is changing speeds very well and staying in front of almost every hitter. Last night, there were several fly balls hit pretty hard but they were right at people. In my opinion, Carpenter does noticably bear down when runners are on base. I think one of the primary differences that I can see is that he is really gaining confidence in throwing breaking pitches behind in the count.
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Great write-up Gregg. I too am interested in what you saw with Carpenter, and how he’s gotten to be so effective recnetly. If you have any insight, I’d love to hear it. Do you have any realible gun readings? Is it a matter of him hitting his spots?
Off-topic – don’t trade Taylor, unless it’s Oswalt or Halliday.
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Stark has priviledge of real info with Phillies. Taylor will be traded.
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If they trade Taylor they better get an Oswalt type pitcher in return or Phuture Phillies will burn down.
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Carpenter’s fastest pitch last night was 88 mph. He was generally between 86-88 and hitting spots VERY well.
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Stark USED to have priviledged information. Many speculate that he and Ed Wade spoke often. And I can believe that given how off-keel his reports have been over the last few years. Stark lost his source; unless he’s got an in with Amaro, I don’t take a lot of what he says seriously.
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It is beyond me why you would even think of trading a player with an unknown ceiling. What bothered me a little is the anouncers went a little overboard on Werth’s catches.
Swisher made the same catch, the same night and went farther. A great catch by both but “wheels” yaps I always wonder what’s behind it. I dont know if he is Amaro’s mouthpiece like he has been in the past for others.
Oh well tonight should be great baseball.
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Gregg, thanks a lot, I really appreciate it! Sounds like he’s the same pitcher but is commanding his pitches better and maybe pitching with more confidence. Again, thanks a lot.
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I will be despondent (good vocab word, huh?) if they trade Taylor no matter what, but I’ll be really sad if it’s not for someone who is a true ace. I no longer consider Oswalt an ace (he’s a very good 2 right now). Halliday is an ace.
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Yea Pablo Ozuna
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They made such a big deal about the Werth catch because if he doesn’t catch it they lose the game. Difficult catch without even considering the circumstances. Plus the Phils went on to win the next inning because he made that catch.
Side note: I hope we don’t trade Taylor, he’ll step right into where Werth leaves off at the end of 2010.
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Gregg Says:
Carpenter’s fastest pitch last night was 88 mph. He was generally between 86-88 and hitting spot
Maybe that just it . He stopped trying to be something he isn’t
and overthrowing.
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Maybe someone at the big club asked him to make a slight mechanical change to his delivery, but I think there was a serious change in this kid.
Has there ever been in his entire minor league career a series of games that have gone as well as these have? (Specifically at AA or AAA)
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Kendrick is back up to replace Eyre. More then likely he goes into the rotation and Tony B goes into the pen.
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Rodeo i dont htink thats the case. I think they let bastardo start, they use Kendrick out of the pen as insurance in case one of our SP gets shelled. we have used alot of the bullpen in the last few games and need the extra arm.
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I hope you’re right dcwildcat – we’ll know on Sunday when it’s AB’s turn.
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This off topic but I found it remarkable and a view towards pitching technic. Watch Lester’s left leg as his finishes his pitches. It really never even comes around. The whole finish becomes almost a ballet movement. Incredible balance.
Sorry if I am wrong but it seemed like something to bring up.
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I think I know what is going on with Carpenter. Are you guys ready for it? I think it is called SSS, or, Short Sample Syndrome. Do not panic. It happens to everyone from time to time. If he just gets plenty of rest, keeps his hot dog intake high, and stays away from any sort of exercise equipment, the SSS should clear itself up in 2-3 weeks.
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What a shame. It seems to me that if Koplove would of persisted he would be with the Phillies now.
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escolana is back up!
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Sergio Escalona was sent down 6/03, recalled 6/13. Isn’t there a ten day rule on sending a guy down then back up? That would explain Kendrick, a warm placeholder body until Escalona was again eligible.
With a 13 inning game last night and Bastardo going one inning tonight due to the rain, I wonder if the Phils will opt to add another arm for tomorrow’s game.
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What a mess. Maybe two Taschner has really got to go. Sergio
seems to have lost something. That was the worse game in years. The whole team was tight and it rubbed off.
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