Monthly Archives: July 2009

Mailbag: Instruction, Halladay, Brown, Lidge, and more…

Michael Schwimer Blog

Before I get started on this week’s entry, I would like to thank everyone for reading my blog and for your kind words.  As a result of your interest and participation in this blog, I have received many good questions.

Since I have received so many questions, I will devote this entry to answering some of them.  Also, in the future, please send your questions to me via email at x rather than posting your questions in the comments section of the blog.  This would be very much appreciated.

Continue reading Mailbag: Instruction, Halladay, Brown, Lidge, and more… →

VSL Update – July

1. VSL/DSL

This post will serve as a quick mid-season update for the VSL team.  We will follow up at the end of the season with a more complete prospect list and review.

The VSL Phillies are currently in 6th place out of 7 teams in the VSL with a 21-33 record.  The team is a relatively young team offensively, and has consequently had some trouble scoring runs.  The offense was helped immensely by the mid-season addition of 2 more experienced players (Luis Martinez – sent down from GCL, and Rudney Balentien – previously in the DSL).  The pitching staff, on the other hand, was a little older and contains fewer prospects.  Its best pitcher (Ely Izturriaga) was also promoted to GCL. Continue reading VSL Update – July →

Trade Discussion, Week of July 20th

Trade Discussion

I know that Halladay mania has swept this site, and most of Phillies fandom, and that’s fine, its something legitimately exciting and definitely something worth talking about. But it has started to invade every other corner of this site, and in sticking with my past preferences, I’d like to fence off all the trade talk into one spot, and this is going to be the spot. I’ll make sure this post stays on the first page of the site so its easy to find, but please do not post your trade chatter in other discussion topics. Thanks.

A review of my Top 30

** My Top 30 Prospects

I’ve been meaning to take a look at my top 30 rankings from this past winter, so I suppose now is as good a time as any. I’ll just give a brief sentence on each, and whether I think their stock is up, down, or unchanged. This isn’t my current top 30 ranking, I’m not moving anyone around from my prior ranking, just giving a brief comment on each guy. So, here goes, check below the fold…

Continue reading A review of my Top 30 →

‘Pigs Weekend Update

7. Lehigh Valley

After rain washed out the game Friday night, a doubleheader was scheduled on Saturday with Gustavo Chacin getting the call in Game One, and falling behind early 3-0, giving up runs almost every time he fell behind in the count.  The ‘Pigs couldn’t get their offense going until the fourth, and when they did, the floodgates opened.  The six run fourth included a Miguel Cairo RBI single, 3 run double by JJ Furmaniak and a two run homer by Jason Ellison (4)off of Rochester starter Phil Humber. Rochester bounced back with two more runs off of Chacin (4-3), in the sixth, who departed having gone 5.1 innings, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits.  He walked 2 and struck out 1.  With the score 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth, Mike Cervenak ripped an RBI triple, which gave Lehigh Valley the all important insurance run in the shortened 7 inning game. Jack Taschner came in and pitched a scoreless 7th to pick up his first save of the year.  David Newhan continued scorching the ball against Rochester with 3 hits, while Cervenak added two of his own. Continue reading ‘Pigs Weekend Update →

Around the System (Outfield)

Around the System

A second look at the outfielders in the Phils system, prior to the trading deadline.

Lehigh Valley

Jason Ellison, Age 31, 81 games in the OF–.241/.324/.328; 4 HR 23 RBI , 7 SB, .219 with RISP, 9 outfield assists, 1 error

Rich Thompson, Age 30, 74 games in the OF, .249/.313/.349; 2 HR 27 RBI, 18 SB, .295 with RISP, .162 vs. LHP, 7 OF assists, 1 error

Mike Spidale, Age 27, 49 games in the OF, .296/.336/.422; 3 HR 23 RBI, 8 SB, 3 assists, 1 error (combined Reading/Lehigh Valley)

David Newhan, Age 35, 22 games in the OF, 12 at DH, 2 at SS, 5 at 3B, 15 at SS.  .274/.339/.429.  6 HR 32 RBI, 1 SB.  .291 with RISP. .405 vs. LHP.

Michael Taylor, AGe 23, 79 games in the OF, 20 at DH.  .329/.405/.567.  16 HR 67 RBI, 19 SB, 6 OF assists, 1 error. (combined stats) Continue reading Around the System (Outfield) →

Daily Discussion

Daily Discussion

A Nationals Scout has been at Coca Cola Park checking out Lehigh Valley the last three nights and is following the team to Charlotte for their three game series against the Knights.

Joe Savery had a rough night in his first post all star game start, taking the loss (12-2), and giving up six runs on 8 hits in 5 innings of work last night for Reading.

Michael Schwimer pitched two shutout innings for Clearwater last night, striking out 5 of the 6 hitters he faced, while Steve Susdorf added another multihit game to his book, raising his average with CLearwater to .414.

Continue reading Daily Discussion →

Daily Discussion

Daily Discussion

OF Dominic Brown, SS Freddy Galvis, and P Scott Mathieson were all activated from the disabled list by Clearwater, giving their roster a much needed jolt.  Onto the disabled list went SS Jesus Villegas Andino, P Julian Sampson  and C Orlando Guevara.

C Tim Kennelly homered in his first game behind the plate for Reading, while Jeremy Slayden continued swinging his hot bat since his demotion back to AA.  Slayden is hitting .375 with 7 homers since being sent down, seeing time mostly at DH. It was a rough outing for Kyle Drabek in the Reading loss, allowing 5 earned runs in 6 innings.

Another “under the radar” name in Lakewood is second baseman Harold Garcia.  Garcia,  22, is hitting .292 with 7 HR and 43 RBI for the BlueClaws, to go along with an impressive 29 SB, and .325 avg. with RISP.

Carlos Carrasco on the mound in Game Two tonight for Lehigh Valley in their doubleheader, looking to get on track after a disappointing first half.

 

Daily Discussion

Daily Discussion

Both Reading starter Yohan Flande and Lakewood starter Justin DeFratus have had trouble adjusting to their new environments, FLande in Reading, and DeFratus starting.  Flande is now 0-4 witha 7.58 ERA in his first 4 starts with Reading, while DeFratus is 0-3 with an 11.15 ERA in his first 4 starts for Lakewood.

Anthony Gose stole his 50th base of the season last night for Lakewood in their 14-11 loss.

A fractured left hand will keep Reading starting catcher Tuffy Gosewich out of the lineup for an extended period of time. Continue reading Daily Discussion →

Taylor Called Up to Lehigh Valley, Donald Update, Daily Discussion

Transactions

It was confirmed through the IronPigs that Michael Taylor was called up.  He is starting in left field and hitting third.  Phillies Assistant GM Benny Looper mentioned that Jason Donald has a slight setback and is currently running at about 75%.  The ‘Pigs are hoping to have Donald back in the lineup next week.

Kyle Kendrick (6-5) picked up  his 9th quality start in his last 10 starts, going 8 very strong innings against Rochester in the Lehigh Valley 5-4 win tonight.  Kendrick gave up just 5 hits, didnt walk a batter and struck out 5.  He threw 87 pitches, 63 for strikes.  In his Lehigh Valley debut with his parents in the stands, Michael Taylor was 0-3 with a walk and a run scored.  He hit a ball very hard, lining out to third base and was very impressive running the bases, scoring from first easily on a double.