Around the System, Bullpen (A)

Around the System

Read below the fold for a look at the performance of the Clearwater and Lakewood bullpens this year, and what the future holds for each player in the ‘pen.

Clearwater

Chris Kissock, Age 24, Drafted by the Phils in the 9th round of the 2007 draft. 47 games, 3-5 with a 3.98 ERA. 72.1 IP, 15BB 59K; 1.36 GO/AO, .288 opp. avg., (.275 with RISP), 7 HR allowed, 1.34 whip. Kissock improved during this seasons second half, showing glimpses of a power pitcher.  Kissock may not be quite ready for AA ball yet.  Its a crapshoot as to whether he will be in the Clearwater ‘pen or in Reading to start next year.

Carlos Monasterios, Age 23, Acquired by the Phillies in 2006 as part of the Bobby ABreu trade. In Clearwater, 35 games (7 starts); 5-6 with a 3.73 ERA; 82IP, 27BB 71K; 1.24 GO/AO; .237 opp. avg; 2 saves; 1.19 WHIP. Monasterios was called up to Reading during the seasons last week and made 2 appearances, going 0-0 with a 3.68 ERA. Monasterios had a good year, primarily out of the bullpen making the FSL All Star team.  Look for him in the Reading bullpen next year.

Dan Brauer, Age 25, Will be 26 in October. Drafted by the Phils in the 6th round of the 2006 draft.  39 games, 2-1 with a 6.51 ERA. 55.1 IP, 47BB 56K, 1.37 GO/AO, .238 opp. avg., (.260 with RISP), 2 saves, 3 HR allowed, 1.75 WHIP. Brauer really struggles with his control with very high walk rates in both 2008 and 2009.  Brauer was in Clearwater for the 2008 season as well. I would be surprised to see him back for a third season with the Threshers and think it more likely that he will be released.

Walter Tejada, Age 24, Will be 24 at the end of the month.Signed as a free agent by the Phillies in 2004. In Lakewood, 4 games, 0-0 with a 4.05 ERA; 6.2 IP, 4BB 8K. In Clearwater, 32 games, 2-3 with a 2.89 ERA. 43.2 IP, 22BB 30K, 0.69 GO/AO, .266 opp. avg., (.203 with RISP), 1 save, 1.53 WHIP. Combined stats: 2-3 with a 3.04 ERA in 36 games. 50.1 IP, 26BB 38K, 0.75 GO/AO, .275 opp. avg. Tejada is another “tweener”. Between A and AA.  He was fairly effective in 2009, however is not overpowering enough to have a walk rate as high as his.  I would expect him bouncing back and forth between Clearwater and Reading next year.

Robert Roth, Age 21, Phillies 19th round pick in 2006 draft.  In Lakewood, 28 games (5 starts); 4-4 with a 6.54 ERA; 52.1 IP, 29BB 30K, 1.29 GO/AO; .291 opp. avg., 1.50 WHIP. In Clearwater; 3 games, 0-0 with a 10.80 ERA. 3.1 IP, 1BB 4K, 1 save; .357 opp. avg.. Combined stats: 31 games (5 starts); 4-4, with a 6.79 ERA; 55.2 IP, 30BB 34K, 1.31 GO/AO; .295 opp. avg., 1.71 WHIP. Not a good year for Roth, who missed a portion of the year injured.  He was “promoted” to Clearwater at years end, because of need rather then performance.  AFter an impressive ’08 season as a starter in WIlliamsport, Roth returned as a reliever after he was injured and it was not real pretty. Opponents hit him around, his command was off, and he was not putting away hitters.  I would look for him in CLearwater in 2010, primarily because of the good number of arms coming through Lakewood.

Lakewood

Ryan Bergh, Age 24, Drafted by the Phils in the 26th round of the 2008 draft. 45 games, 3-6 with a 5.05 ERA; 71.1 IP; 21BB 51K; 3.54 GO/AO; 1.46 WHIP; .286 opp. avg., (.330 with RISP); 13 saves; 6.81 ERA post all star break ERA (22 games). After dominating the GCL in 2008 and a very good first half of 2009, Bergh came back to Earth with a difficult second half of 2009. Bergh was surely on a road to promotion until the second half bump, but even still, I would expect him in Clearwater next year. The numbers with RISP need to improve drastically, especially as Bergh was used in the back end of the ‘pen.

Eryk McConnell, Age 24, Drafted by the Phils in the 20th round of the 2008 draft. In the GCL: 6 games, 0-1, 1.50 ERA, 6.0 IP, 0BB 3K, 4 SV, 0.67 WHIP; In Lakewood, 12 games, 2-1 with a 4.07 ERA, 24.1 IP, 4BB 17K, 2.24 GO/AO, .295 opp. avg., (.333 with RISP), 1 save. Combined stats: 18 games, 2-2 with a 3.56 ERA, 30.1IP 4BB 20K, .281 opp. avg., 5 saves, 1.19 WHIP. After 13 games with Lakewood in ’08 and 12 more games in ’09, I think the Phils will push McConnell to Clearwater to see what, if anything, they have.  McConnell hasnot done too much to be overly impressed with, or disappointed in, other then to say he has good control.

Jacob Diekman, Age 22, Drafted by the Phils in the 30th round of the 2007 draft. 32 games (2 starts); 2-0 with a 4.04 ERA; 55.2 IP; 28BB 52K; 1.51 GO/AO; .266 opp. avg., (.257 with RISP); 2 saves; 1.56 WHIP; Post all star break; 1-0 with a 1.24 ERA in 21 games with the opponent hitting just .186. Diekman seemed to figure it out over the last two months of the 2009 season, pitching in important roles and showing a good deal of effectiveness. The hard throwing lefty should start next year in CLearwater.

Santo Hernandez, Age 25, Will be 26 in January.  In Lakewood, 29 games, 5-2 with a 1.71 ERA; 52.2 IP; 26BB 63K; 1.76 GO/AO; .190 opp. avg.(.235 with RISP), 4 saves. In Clearwater, 16 games, 1-0 with a 4.57 ERA; 21.2 IP; 13BB 28K; 0.42 GO/AO; .207 opp. avg. Combined stats: 45 games, 6-2 with a 2.54 ERA; 74.1 IP; 39BB 91K; 6 saves; 1.18 GO/AO; .196 opp. avg., 1.23 WHIP. I admittedly cannot find how Hernandez was acquired, I presume as a free agent. He pitched very well in 2009, although old for SIngle A ball.  He was sent back down to Lakewood to help them with their playoff push after a mid-season promotion to CLearwater.

Freddy Ballestas, Age 22, Will be 23 in October. Signed by the Phils as a free agent in 9/04.  18 games(4 starts) for Lakewood, 1-3 with a 4.98 ERA; 47IP, 16BB 46K; 1.00 GO/AO; .280 opp. avg.(.344 with RISP)1.46 WHIP. Also threw 3.2 shutout innings in 1 game for Williamsport.  Ballestas was OK during his stint with Lkakewood this year.  His strikeout numbers were nice, but he had significant troubles with RISP.  I would expect him to start in Lakewood, with a hopeful progression to CLearwater during the year.

Jordan Ellis, Age 24, Drafted by the Phils in the 28th round of the 2008 draft. In Lakewood, 17 games, 4-4 with a 6.42 ERA. 33.2 IP, 14BB 44K, 1 save; 1.22 GO/AO; .286 opp. avg., 1.49 WHIP. ALso pitched in 2 games in Williamsport and one game in CLearwater without success.  Combined stats: 20 games, 4-6 with a 7.23 ERA, 37.1 IP, 19BB 49K, 1.29 GO/AO; .301 opp. avg., 1 save; 2 homers allowed; 1.66 WHIP. The Villanova product was unimpressive this year after showing promise during his rookie (2008) campaign.  His strikeout rate was very good, but everything else was pretty much awful this season for Ellis.  Even with his advanced age for “A” ball, I wouldnt think his performance warrants promotion.

Esmelvin Jiminez, Age 22, Signed by the Phillies as a free agent in 2005. Jiminez was all over the map in 2009, pitching in the Gulf Coast League, Williamsport, Lakewood, and Clearwater.  He made 11 appearances for Lakewood and no more then 7 anywhere else.  Combined: 30 games, 3-4 with a 5.12 ERA, 45.2 IP, 12BB 33K; 6 HR allowed; 0.94 GO/AO; .263 opp. avg., 2 saves; 1.27 WHIP. Jiminez struggled in Lakewood and CLearwater in 2009.  Before promotion, Jiminez will have to establish he get get A ball hitters out.

NOTE: Luke Wertz and Austin Hyatt will be covered with Short Season/Rookie Bullpen Report

27 thoughts on “Around the System, Bullpen (A)”

  1. Obviously an uninspiring list. However, Diekman has absolutely put himself back on the radar with his second half. Someone here mentioned that he went to a sidearm motion. Whatever the change was, he went from a guy that couldn’t throw strikes or get outs to a machine with “BJ like” numbers. He and DeFratus could share the closer duties in Clearwater next year.

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  2. I just started following minor league baseball this year and have been to multiple games at Lakewood, Reading, and Lehigh Valley. I have also learned a lot from this website and others, but was wondering how promotions worked in the minors. In my opinion our best prospects are currently on rosters in Lakewood and Reading. Is it likely that most of the top Lakewood propects will be promoted to Clearwater and most of the top prospects in Reading will be promoted to Lehigh Valley?

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  3. The end-of-season promotions of Schwimer and Rosenberg make this list a lot less enticing. Of the above names, I’m most interested in Monasterios, Diekman, Ballestas, and Ellis. Diekman will have to make some strides with his control — 4.5 BB/9 is way too many — but as a lefty, he’ll continue to get opportunities. Monasterios had his most effective pro season ever, so the move to the bullpen seems to be suiting him well. And while the surface numbers for Ballestas and Ellis don’t look pretty, their peripherals actually aren’t too bad…

    Ballestas: 9.0 K/9 — 3.0 BB/9 — 45.4% GB — 2.83 FIP
    Ellis: 11.8 K/9 — 4.6 BB/9 — 43.2% GB — 3.20 FIP

    As a draft prospect, Ellis threw pretty hard, so if he’s still got velocity, he’s got a shot (albeit a small one). Still, slim pickings for the most part down at this level.

    Anyway, nice work, Gregg.

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  4. Gregg, from the “transactions” page – there is a Baseball America link dated 1/14/09 stating the Phils signed Santo Hernandez. The following excerpt is taken from that article:

    Perhaps the most interesting name here is Santos Hernandez. Signed by the Rockies in 2000 and released three years later, the Dominican-born righthander has spent the past five seasons bouncing around the independent circuit (after landing briefly in the Mexican League in ‘05). He’s still just 25 and he’s coming off a solid year for the United League’s Laredo franchise: 8-6, 3.55 with 132 strikeouts and 37 walks in 112 innings which earned him a spot on our Independent Leagues Top Prospects list. Hernandez did little, performance-wise, to bolster his case this winter in the Puerto Rican League, however, as he walked seven and struck out four in 6 2/3 innings. Most of the damage came in his lone start.

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  6. most moderately successful low-A starters end up as relievers at higher levels, which leaves most moderately successful low-A relievers, well, nowhere. I would be shocked if a single one of those pitchers above ever threw a pitch in the show. Maybe one of Diekman or Ballestas as a LOOGY.

    At any rate, thanks Gregg, it’s still good to get an inventory of the Phillies system.

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  8. i think ballestas is starting to look better he’s cum a long way since last season with a 6.72 over all era he got hamered in clearwater last year 11.05 era with 2ks 12bbs

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  9. I always had Ballestas as a RHP.

    The notion that these players are big longshots has alot of merit.

    I recall the BA story on Santos Hernandez, seems like it was from a try out camp with some others. The BA thing probably says as much.

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  11. Gregg, Can you easily show Diekman’s numbers pre and post July 1 including his lefty righty splits? Thanks . I’m pretty sure his control went from awful to good over night. If he started dropping down, as someone here said, and he now throws strikes, it could absolutely make him a Loogy possibility at the major league level.

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  12. In July/Aug/September, Diekman was 1-0 with a 1.30 ERA in 27.2 IP. He walked 12 batters in those 27.2 IP, as opposed to 16 in his first 28 innings of the year.

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  13. If you read Mike Schwimer’s blogs carefully, you may have noted that Dan Brauer (Northwestern graduate) was studying for his GMAT test. My guess is that he is probably just about ready to go to business school and he’s done with professional baseball. I’d be shocked to see him come back.

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  15. Guys,

    You can’t just look at Diekman’s numbers to make a determination about him. In the first half of the season he threw overhand and struggled…

    In the second half of the season he has switched to sidearm and has been very very good. He hasn’t even lost any velo on his fastball. With a year to work on his delivery from the side and his off-speed pitches from the side, Diekman has a real shot to be a lefty-specialist in the pros…Just saying that its a lot more than numbers with kids at this level.

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  16. Here’s a small mark against Diekman, he blew last night’s save for Lakewood , marring Trevor May’s 5 inning shutout at that point, He gave up some stuff in 1/3 of an inning , and Wertz came in and gave up a couple of hits , which likely added some runs to Diekman’s totals, though he struck out 3 in 1 1/3.

    And a couple of alarming notes from that game, philly.com blurb on game said: ” Lakewood CF , Greg Gose”.
    Greenville save recorded by Kyle Rutter.

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  18. Well a factor might be that Diekman came in the 6th inning and after that. Lakewood was behind. I know Hyatt has done 3 inning relief jobs at Williamsport, but maybe they might have him as a starter now. They went Way, J.Sanchez, T.May, with an offday in between, So with 2 games in the next two days, maybe they go Hyatt as a starter. They could probably come back with Way in the 5th game (if necessary). The possible starters in game 4 I would see as Hyatt or Andrew Carpenter. The rest have pretty much been used as relievers. So, I say, it depends on whether they think Carpenter had too much time off to be a starter right now, and if they do, I think they go Hyatt, who has started for a time at the end of season.

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  20. OK, Korey Noles , guess I must have skipped over that name when I scanned the roster above. That , and I see Hyatt pitched in relief for 3 days a short time back. I guess , theoretically , he could rest today , and start the last game with 3 days rest, but I doubt that, so maybe Way comes back for game 5 (if necessary) . Or maybe they want to consider Way’s season finished and try Andrew Carpenter in the final game of season. So I rate it Way, Carpenter, Hyatt. But having Hyatt in relief may be better there. But, Korey Noles is a good choice, fields the position well, So maybe this ends minor league season, today.

    Seems to me , Instructional League starts in 3 days, So one might think the rosters for Philly would be out for now, Or at least a speculative preview on here. Maybe the Lakewood guys don’t go. Word might come down soon,.

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  22. Jacob Diekman (0-1) came on in the sixth and quickly allowed a run. After walking the leadoff batter Zach Gentile, he got a pop out before another walk and an RBI-double by Mitch Dening. Luke Wertz was the third pitcher in the ballgame for the BlueClaws and entered with runners on second and third with one out. Wertz allowed a single and a run to score and then a sacrifice fly before getting out of the inning with the score 3-1 in favor of the Greenville Drive.

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  26. Looks like that information on the 5th starter was not really necessary.

    Who or what is KG? The Kannapolis Goober? Maybe the glossary section could open a section with all the hip I’m in with the In-crowd initials and nicknames so the less be-Knighted won”t have to puzzle over them.

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  27. I assumed KG was Kevin Goldstein and I think he’s from baseball prospectus. Couldn’t find the comments, that’s why I asked for a link.

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