Take a look below the fold for the bullpen report specific to Lehigh Valley and Reading.  Expect to see Part Two of the report (Clearwater and Lakewood) around mid-week and the last of the bullpen report (Williamsport and GCL) prior to next weekend.

Lehigh Valley

Cedric Bowers, Age 31, Signed as a free agent prior to ’09 season.  48 games, 4-3 with a 1.93 ERA; 60.2 IP, 45 BB 67K, .182 opp. avg., (.108 with RISP), 1.36 WHIP, 1.20 GO/AO, 1 homer allowed. 5 saves. Looking at his stats, the only issue with Bowers, a hard throwing lefty is his control.  Unfortunately it is a big problem as he allows well over 6 walks per nine innings.  Otherwise, he is dominant.  He simply is not going to get a legit shot in the majors until his control improves.  Bowers will be going wherever he gets some assurance of at least a shot of a major league job.

Steven Register, Age 26, Signed off of waivers from Colorado in June ’09.  In 34 games, Register was 2-3, with a 3.70 ERA.  41.1 IP, 12BB 28K, .272 opp. avg., (.295 with RISP), 4 homers allowed, 7 saves. Register was maybe a slight bit above average in his 3 plus months in Allentown.  While the Phils thought enough of him to use a 40 man roster spot on him most of the year, he was removed from the 40, to make room for September call ups.  Unlikely he will be back.

Gary Majewski, AGe 29, Signed as a free agent prior to the ’09 season.  In 51 games, he was 0-5 with a 4.02 ERA.  62.2 IP, 24BB 43K, .298 opp. avg.(.298 with RISP), 5 saves, 4 HR allowed, 1.53 WHIP. The stats are actually better then he looked.  I highly doubt Majewski will be back.

Jason Anderson, Age 30, Signed as a free agent prior to the ’09 season.  Reading: 14 games, 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA; 20IP, 3BB 13K, .200 opp. avg., 0.90 WHIP.  Lehigh Valley, 37 games, 2-2 with a 3.55 ERA, 50.2 IP, 20BB 34K, 5HR allowed, 0.88 GO/AO, .232 opp. avg.,(1.95 with RISP), 1.20 WHIP.  COmbined stats: 51 games, 3-3 with a 3.44 ERA.  70.2 IP, 23BB 47K, 0.97 GO/AO, .222 opp. avg., 1.11 WHIP. Anderson was probably the most reliable Lehigh Valley reliever this season.  After bouncing back and forth between Reading and Lehigh Valley numerous times over the last two years, Anderson established himself in Allentown and pitched very well.  As with all minor leaguers, their goal is the majors.  I think the Phils would like to bring Anderson back, but he will be where he has the best shot at his goal.

Jake Woods, Age 28, Signed as a free agent prior to the ’09 season.  42 games (6 starts), 5-2 with a 3.46 ERA. 80.2 IP, 29BB 53K, 0.92 GO/AO, .263 opp. avg., (.243 with RISP), 7 homers allowed, 1.37 WHIP, 2 saves. Woods basically did whatever was asked of him this year including several spot starts on very short notice that bloated his ERA a bit.  Woods is a very good guy for an organization to have because he has so many roles he can play fairly well.  Again, a minor free agent, so he will be going where the best opportunity presents itself.

Joe Bisenius, Age 27, Phils 12th Round pick in June 2004 draft. Combined minor league stats: 20 games, 0-3 with a 8.10 ERA; 26.2 IP; 15BB 37K; 1.56 GO/AO; .296 opp. avg; 1.76 WHIP. Bisenius spent almost the entire year on the disabled list and when he was pitching he was almost completely ineffective.  The lone bright spots came during the last week of the season for Lehigh Valley, when he threw three shutout innings.  Bisenius was removed from the 40 man roster to make room for September call ups.  While letting go of a pitcher that throws as hard as Bisenius does comes with some risk, I believe that Bisenius has run his course with the Phils organization and wont be be back next year.

Reading

Mike Zagurski, Age 26, Phillies 12th round pick in 2005 draft. After serious surgery, started the year in Clearwater with 3 appearances, and did not give up a run in 3 innings.  Progressed to Reading, and was 3-4 with a 3.57 ERA in 45 appearances.  57IP 27BB 63K, 0.94 GO/AO; 8 saves, .219 opp. avg.,(.121 with RISP), 7 HR allowed; 1.30 WHIP. Interesting splits for a lefty: .260 vs. LH and .193 vs. RH.  A productive year for Zagurski, albeit up and down at times. A member of the 40 man roster, I would expect him in Lehigh Valley next year.  He has one option remaining going into next year.

Pat Overholt, Age 25, Will be 26 in February.  Phillies 22nd round pick in 2005 draft.  Overholt went back and forth between Reading and Lehigh Valley a couple of times, primarily because of injuries and call ups in Lehigh Valley.  For Reading: 0-1, 4.83 in 39 games.  50.1 IP, 30BB 39K, 1.49 GO/AO, .273 opp. avg., 1.65 WHIP, 9 homers allowed.  For Lehigh Valley, 1-1 , 2.81 ERA in 10 games, 16IP, 13BB 10K, .235 opp. avg., 4.14 GO/AO, 1.56 WHIP.  Combined stats: 49 games, 1-2 , with a 4.34 ERA, 66.1IP 43BB 49K, .265 opp. avg., 1.63 WHIP. Overholt is a guy that has shown promise at times over the last several years, but his time to perform may have come to an end. He walks too many hitters and is too prone to the long ball to have major league success.

Chance Chapman, Age 25, Will be 26 in February. Phillies 8th round pick in 2007 draft. In Clearwater, 11 games, 3-1 with 0.77 ERA; 23.1 IP 7BB 18K, 0.59 GO/AO; 1.84 opp. avg., 0.90 WHIP.  In Reading, 38 games, 7-1 with 2.73 ERA; 52.2 IP; 18BB 49K; 0.68 GO/AO; .225 opp. avg (.200 with RISP); 1.15 WHIP.  Combined stats: 49 games, 10-2 with a 2.13 ERA; 76 IP; 25BB 67K; 0.65 GO/AO; .213 opp. avg., 1.07 WHIP; 3 HR allowed. CHapman was amazingly consistent this year, with excellent numbers across the board.  He experienced early growing pains moving up to Reading, but they were quickly resolved and he was shutting down the opposition very effectively by years end in AA.  His spilts are interesting, as there is no real difference between RH (.223) and LH (.227) .Chapman throws strikes and challenges hitters two qualities that should keep him moving along.  While not necessarily looking dominant, his numbers border on dominant.  Next season:  Reading to start the year, and Lehigh Valley by mid season.

Scott Mathieson, Age 25 (Will be 26 in February), Signed as a free agent prior to ’09 season (He had been “non tendered”, prior to the Phils re-signing him.) Gulf Coast League: 4 games, 2-0 with 0.00 ERA, 6IP, 2BB 8K, 0.83 WHIP. Clearwater: 5 games, 0-0 with 0.00 ERA, 1 save; 7 IP; 3BB 9K; .167 opp. avg., 1.00 WHIP; Reading: 13 games, 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA, 19.1 IP, 7BB 17K, 0.58 GO/AO, .149 opp. avg; 0.88 WHIP.  Combined stats: 22 games, 4-0 with a 0.84 ERA, 32.1 IP, 12BB 34K, 0.64 GO/AO; .149 opp. avg., 0.90 WHIP. Mathieson is an easy guy to root for, a very good guy with a ton of talent, fighting back from 2 Tommy John surgeries. There has been nothing to suggest the hard throwing right hander is having trouble, but he is not quite there yet.  He needs to show he can pitch consistently over a whole season. His 2009 season was all he or the organization could ask for.  I would expect him in Lehigh Valley to start next year, with a very real chance to quickly crack the Phillies bullpen if the progression continues.  The Arizona Fall League season should be telling for Mathieson against very good competition.

Sergio Escalona, Age 25, Signed by the Phillies as a Free Agent in 2004, Will have two options remaining going into 2009. Escalona didnt know whether he was coming or going in 2009, bouncing back and forth between Reading, Lehigh Valley, and Philly. For Reading:  32 games, 2-1 with a 1.77 ERA; 40.2 IP, 14BB 38K, 1.73 GO/AO, .208 opp. avg., (.156 with RISP), 12 saves. 1.10 WHIP Lehigh Valley: 15 games, 0-2 with a 5.95 ERA, 19.2 IP, 8BB 15K, 2 saves, 0.91 GO/AO; .266 opp. avg., 1.47 WHIP. Combined minor league stats: 47 games, 2-3 with a 3.13 ERA; 22BB 53K; 5 HR allowed; 1.38 GO/AO; .228 opp. avg., 1.23 WHIP. Escalona had a very good year in Reading and was moderately effective when called up by the Phillies.  In Allentown, he struggled.  Escalona will begin at least in Lehigh Valley with the very real possibility he could start the year in the Phillies ‘pen.  The 2010 season for Escalona is very dependant on Scott Eyre. If Eyre retires, as many assume he will, Escalona is a front runner for the Phillies bullpen. NOTE: Escalona has been recalled by the Phillies for the month of September as is currently pitching out of their bullpen.

Brian Rosenberg, Will be 24 next week, Drafted by the Phils in the 13th round of the 2008 draft. In Lakewood: 7-2 with an 0.89 ERA in 37 appearances. 50.1 IP, 10BB 65K; 1.13 GO/AO; .200 opp. avg., 19 saves, 0.93 WHIP; In Reading: 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA in 10 games.  10.2 IP, 4BB 8K, .263 opp. avg., 3 saves; 1.31 WHIP. Combined stats: 7-3 with a 1.18 ERA in 47 games.  61IP, 14BB 73K, 1.06 GO/AO, ZERO homers allowed, .211 opp. avg., 22 saves. Seasons don’t get a heck of alot better than Rosenberg’s 2009 campaign.  He had a long scoreless streak and couldnt have been more consistent.  He and Michael Schwimer will be quite a 1/2 punch (or 1/1a) in the back of the Reading bullpen next year.

Michael Schwimer, Age 23, will be 24 in February; Drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round of the 2008 draft. In Clearwater: 48 games, 2-1 with a 2.85 ERA. 60IP, 19BB 82K, 1.16 GO/AO, .204 opp. avg., 20 saves, 1.05 WHIP.  In Reading: 5 games, 2-1 with a 7.71 ERA; 4.2 IP, 2BB 7K, .350 opp. avg.. Combined stats: 53 games, 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA; 64.2 IP; 21BB 89K, 1.13 GO/AO, .216 opp. avg., 2 homers allowed. This is getting repetitive, but Schwimer had an outstanding year. The huge righty dominated Single A ball, striking out well over a batter an inning, with good control and allowing just 2 homers. With his promotion to Reading came some late season struggles, but the sample size is so small that the concern is negligible at best.  Next year: Sharing Reading closer duties with BJ Rosenberg.

Alex Concepcion, Age 24, will be 25 at the end of the month; Signed by Phils as a free agent in April 2003. Lehigh Valley stats: 6 games, 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA; 14IP , 1 BB 8L; 1.00 GO/AO; .278 opp. avg., 1.14 WHIP; 1 save. In Reading: 32 games (7 starts); 3-2 with a 3.10 ERA; 81.1 IP, 11BB 47K; 1.10 GO/AO; .232 opp. avg (.225with RISP); 2 saves; 0.98 WHIP. Combined stats: 38 games (7 starts); 2-3 with a 3.21 ERA; 95.1 IP, 12BB 55K; 1.08 GO/AO; .239 opp. avg.; 10 HR allowed; 3 saves; 1.00 WHIP. Concepcion was flat out solid all year, predominately for Reading, but also during a brief recall to Lehigh Valley.  Post all star break: 2.59 ERA; 1.98 opp. avg., While Concepcion does not throw anything spectacular, he has excellent control and can both start and relieve.  The Phils would do well to make sure they have a place for him in the organization next year.

Antonio Bastardo; Age 23, Will be 24 at the end of the month. Signed as a free agent in 2005. In Reading, 11 games (5 starts); 2-2 with a 1.75 ERA; 36IP 7BB 41K; 0.94 GO/AO; .179 opp. avg(.217 with RISP); 3 saves; 0.81 WHIP; In Lehigh Valley, 2 games(both starts), 13IP; 3BB 12K; 0.73 GO/AO; .234 opp. avg.; 1.07 WHIP. For the Phillies: 5 games (all starts); 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA; 22.2 IP; 8BB 19K; 0.50 GO/AO; .283 opp. avg.; 1.50 WHIP. AFter getting called up to the Phils, Bastardo again suffered shoulder problems, which should lead to him being used exclusively out of the bullpen.  He can be very effective with both his change up and his fastball but those are basically his only two pitches.  I would look for him to compete with Escalona for a roster spot in Philly next year, with the loser closing games in Lehigh Valley.

Jason Mackintosh, Age 29, Re-Signed as a free agent prior to the ’09 season. In Clearwater, 3 games, 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA. 5IP , 0BB 3K. In Reading, 20 games, 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA; 23.1 IP; 12BB 19K, 1.08 GO/AO; .239 opp avg., (.220 with RISP); 1.46 WHIP.  Mackintosh finished the last 5 weeks of the season on the DL.  He has pitched ok during his two years in the organization, but I would expect this journeyman elsewhere next year.

Matt German, Age 25, Signed as a free agent in 2007. 11 games, 0-1 with a 1.17 ERA. 15.1 IP, 8BB 19K, 0.59 GO/AO, .182 opp. avg., 1.17 WHIP. German was placed on the DL in May and did not return.  German is basically a junk-baller but with that being said, has gotten hitters out at each level.  He had a very nice K rate, albeit in limited AA innings.  I would expect him back in Reading next year to prove himself over a longer period in AA.