With Chase Utley signed through the 2013 season, this again is not an area of great concern for the Phils, however, they surely need to upgrade their bench up the middle of the infield. Eric Bruntlett simply will not cut it, especially as both Utley and Rollins need some time off as their careers march on. See below the fold for the review of second baseman in the system.
Lehigh Valley
JJ Furmaniak, Age 30, Signed as a free agent prior to ’09 season. .230/.276/.333 with 5 HR and 48 RBI’s in 378 AB’s. 4 SB. 4 errors at 2B (.982) Also played 30 games at 3B and 31 at SS. .186 vs. LHP; .250 with RISP. Furmaniak’s role with Lehigh Valley expanded once Pablo Ozuna was suspended and Jason Donald was traded. Furmaniak is an average AAA player but that is about it. He lacks range up the middle and does not have the arm to play 3B every day. That being said, he is versatile and a good guy for a AAA team to have around, I just don’t know that it will be in Allentown.
David Newhan, Age 36, Signed as a free agent in 4/09. .275/.335/.402. in 356 AB’s. 6 HR 48 RBI and 4 SB. .294 post all star break, .292 with RISP. 4 errors at 2B (.974)Also played 15 games at SS, 2 at 3B, 1 at 1B, and 22 in the OF. Newhan was signed to be a player/coach for Lehigh Valley and probably played a little more then expected and generally played very well. Newhan doesnt cover as much ground as he used to but gives you a good at bat and is a very good example for the younger players. His is probably just as versatile as Furmaniak and gives you more offensively.This, again, is a situation of need, and whether a better offer will be available to Newhan. It did sound like he wanted to play another year. Whether it will be in the Phils organization is a crapshoot.
Reading
Brad Harman, Will be 24 in November, Signed by the Phils as a free agent in 3/03. .201/.271/.310 in 422 AB’s. 5 HR and 41 RBI’s. .122 post all star game. .190 with RISP. 10 errors, .981 fielding %. It was Harman’s 6th full season in the organization and 2nd full season at Reading and it was very disappointing. He simply didn’t hit. What was a miserable first half, turned into a more miserable second half culminating with Harmon’s removal from the 40 man, to make room for September call-ups. SOme in the organization remain intrigued by Harman. Whether that will be enough to bring him back for a third year at Reading, I simply wouldnt even guess.
Clearwater
Fidel Hernandez, Will be 24 in January. Signed as a free agent in 3/03. .265/.295/.314 in 472 AB’s. 2 HR and 35 RBI’s. 19 SB (11CS), 9 errors, .984 fielding %. This was Hernandez third year in Clearwater (2nd full season) and he had a pretty good year, earning all star honors. I believe the Phils will have a 40 man roster decision on Hernandez, who just completed his 5th pro season. I doubt Hernandez will be protected, but assuming he is back in the organization, Reading should be his next stop.
Lakewood
Harold Garcia, Will be 23 in October, Signed as a free agent in 2004. .291/.350/.414 in 444 AT bats. 8 HR and 55 RBI, 42 SB. 14 errors (.974). An excellent year for Garcia, who played a huge role in leading the Blueclaws to the South Atlantic championship. His glovework needs improvement and he is old for this league but his stats were very impressive, showing speed a bit of pop and good average. Clearwater next season, with a double jump to Reading not totally out of the realm of possibility.
Williamsport
Adam Buschini, Age 22, Phils 4th round pick in 2009 draft. .228/.329/.328 in 180 AB’s. 2 HR and 15 RBI’s. 15SB. .156 vs. LHP; .234 with RISP; 6 errors, .974 fielding %. The Phils I am sure expected more out of the 4th round pick then what they got from Buschini. His numbers do not show he is ready for anything beyond where he is, but at 22 and a fairly high draft pick, he may be in Lakewood by mid year next year.
Gulf Coast League
Cesar Hernandez, Age 19, Signed as a free agent in 2006. .267/.351/.313 in 150 AB’s. 0 HR and 18 RBI’s. 13SB. .279 with RISP. 10 errors, .940 fielding %. The biggest issue for Hernandez is his defense. He had a decent offensive season, but I wouldnt expect promotion for the youngster until his defense is solidified. I would expect Extended Spring Training and based on his defense, either GCL or Williamsport.
Matt McConnell, Age 23, Phils 36th round pick in 2009 draft. ,245/.319/.284 in 102 AB’s. 0 HR and 8 RBI with 3 SB’s. .214 with RISP. 4 errors (.926). Also played 11 games at 3B (3 errors/.906). I would be surprised to see McConnell back. He simply didnt show enough as a 23 year old in a rookie league to warrant a return.
Phuture Phillies 
Nothing to see here. Fortunately Utley will be around for at least another 4 years and finding utility middle IF’ers to perform Bruntlett’s role isn’t particularly difficult.
In reality, Bruntlett does an ok job of fulfilling his role already. It was a mistake by the organization to try using him to be their primary RH hitter off the bench.
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Yes, really grim.
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Buschini’s major league debut was definitely disappointing on the whole, but a truly dreadful June and July masked a somewhat encouraging August and September run…
June/July: 80 AB — .163/.272/.250 — 13.0% BB — 33.8% K
August/September: 100 AB — .280/.351/.390 — 9.9% BB — 17.0% K
Plus he managed to steal 15 bases while only being caught once. That being said, he’ll be 23 next year, and since he can’t play shortstop, he doesn’t really project as a classic utility guy, so his bat is going to have to improve a bunch to carry him.
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if he could hit like when was in aug/sept. he could go up eventually
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Yuck. I asked this question before and I didn’t see a response but maybe someone may know, is next years draft deep in inf prospects or is it difficult to tell who will be there prospects wise?
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I’d like to see them get aggresive with Harold Garcia. It’s not like he’d be getting in anyone’s way at the higher levels.
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Time to start drafting infielders.
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Why should they draft infielders when there are so many toolsy outfielders with questionable hitting ability available?
;^)
– Jeff
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I know this is off-topic, but I thouhg others might find it inetersting. Philliesnation.com is doing a top 25 Phillies prospect list. They have completed 5-25. I think it’s safe to assume 1-4 in some order are Taylor, Drabek, Brown and D’Arnaud.
5. Zach Collier, OF
6. Trevor May, RHP
7. Joe Savery, LHP
8. Vance Worley, RHP
9. Sebastian Valle, C
10. Mike Stutes, RHP
11. Antonio Bastardo, LHP
12. Anthony Gose, OF
13. Colby Shreve, RHP
14. Anthony Hewitt, 3B
15. Justin De Fratus, RHP
16. Sergio Escalona, LHP
17. Yohan Flande, LHP
18. Julian Sampson, RHP
19. John Mayberry, Jr., OF
20. Mike Cisco, RHP
21. Freddy Galvis, SS
22. Jonathan Pettibone, RHP
23. Domingo Santana, OF
24. Jonathan Singleton, 1B
25. Drew Naylor, RHP
I was surpised to see Collier so high and Gose and Santana so low. Also notice the abscence of Rosenburg, Matheison (maybe no longer considered a prospoect), Carpenter, and Schwimer. What are your thoughts?
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A year ago, the team had strong depth up the middle with Marson, Jaramillo, Donald et al. Obviously, they’re all gone now. Among Amaro’s tasks this winter will be finding better backups at the major league level, and probably inking some high-minors reserves who offer more than the likes of Hoover and Furmaniak. Fortunately, this is the sort of the thing the Phils as an organization have done reasonably well over the last four years or so. If free agency doesn’t hold much promise, trading a Mayberry or Carpenter for their middle-infield equivalent might be a good way to go.
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No one can possibly believe Eric Bruntlett is anything but a figment of Charlie’s imagination.
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Best.nowheels please.comment.ever.
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I agree with Friar about Buschini. He had a very hard time with the transition. A lot of guys do. August was nice and it seemed that every day he was getting better. I’d push him because I think he has talent. Garcia also should be pushed along. I was surprised he wasn’t moved up mid-season but he hits well in every other month and only hits .211 against lefties. Might be the staff wanted to see more consistency and have him hit lefties better.
The only option worse than “Unassisted Triple-play” Bruntlett would be Harman. I really expected more from Harman.
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I just read the latest BA issue which previewed the 2010 draft ( in limited fashion). Pitching is the strength of the draft but I did notice a few 3B prospects listed in their top 20 college and top 20 high school players list. Second basemen were scarce. Chase will be harder to replace than Mike Schmidt.
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wow in regards to the phillies nation top 25 list how the hell is gose 7 spots behind collier, did whoever did that list watch this season
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PGD, I agree. I had to laugh at the write-up on Collier. No mention of his horrible ratios. What a spin job!
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The trick with a utility infielder with this club is that with Utley and Rollins playing every day, you have to find a player willing to ride the pine for extended periods of time.
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chase will be harder to replace than mike schmidt? on what planet.
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Minors-AAA
I say promote Brad Harman anyway. Harman at 24 and Ozzie Chavez at 26 (approximate ages next season) would be better alternatives than Minor League Veterans. That would just be spinning the wheels.Everything I see says Harman’s fielding at 2B is all right, and if he can hit better he can learn at AAA as well as AA. Then the system won’t be clogged for players who might need to move up.
At AA, Freddy Galvis at SS , is the key. The best option at Middle Infield for next season would be Galvis at SS, and Fidel Hernandez at 2B. I will recognize the thought of Galvis not being promoted, by giving the alternative of F. Hernandez at SS, and Harold Garcia at 2B. I say all 3 could handle the level, so there is a conflict. SS Troy Hanzawa could also figure at AA. So, maybe that’s 4.
A(A) next season would likely be Hanzawa at SS and Garcia at 2B. Galvis, if not promoted also figures here well. J.V.Andino figures here if some here are promoted. I don’t think they will drop Fidel Hernandez down to Clearwater, So these should figure all together. Interesting the situation at AA and A(A).
Lakewood A, I say they should start prospect Jonathon Villar and Cesar Hernandez at SS and 2B respectively. over Jeremy Barnes and Adam Buschini. The Villar-Hernandez combo has more upside, I say, and if fielding is an issue, it can be learned at any level just as well.
Williamsport, after the draft they can drop down alternates Barnes and Bushini to team with Australian Alan Scheonberger, and maybe a College draftee or two.
GCL- Since I have all the Middle Infield types as promoted or out next season, here, I advocate bringing in two Dominican prospects Eladio Berroa and Geancarlo Mendez to mind the SS and 2B positions for Extended Spring Training, and to alternate and/or compete with USHS draftees in the June Draft.
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RickWiseGuy, good second basemen are almost never found as amateurs. They’re usually shortstops who move over as they become pros.
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John: That would be planet earth in the year 2022 (approx) when Chase’s Hall of Fame plaque is hung on the walls at Cooperstown. I’m a big fan of Schmidt too. Rolen looked like a good possibility to replace him but injuries and a questionable attitude sidetracked him.
Alan: Good point about second sackers. Shortstop is where many top athletes play before moving elsewhere in the pros. Good research topic if someone wants it.
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lets see best third baseman in mlb history 1) schmidt 2) brett 3) mathews. and its not even close between 1 and 2. 2nd baseman. 1) hornsby 2) collins 3) morgan 4) lajoie5) sandberg 6) robinson. rick i love utley too but the difference between him and schmidt is light years. schmidt is one of the 15 greatest players to ever play the game. utley may someday rank in the top 10 but is not close to schmidts ability. btw i meant top 10 2nd baseman not all players like schmidt. cmon rick get real.
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John: In honor of Mike Schmidt’s 60th birthday yesterday I would like to amend my earlier statement and concede the point to you.
While Chase Utley will be very very hard to replace when he retires, Mike Schmidt has been (for 20 years now) and will continue to be, harder to replace than any one who has ever worn Phillies pinstripes ( or those ugly powder blue unis they used to wear).
Peace.
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John from Philly – The reason it is not close between 1 and 2 ( schmidt and brett) is because you forgot 1A – Robinson Brooks
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Yeah and Alomar too.
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I don’t know if Schmidt is among the 15 best players of all time, but he is definitely in the top 50 and probably in the top 30. He’s the best third baseman of all time by quite a significant margin and he’s pretty clearly the best Phillie ever (Carlton and Roberts are not that far behind, but they’re not as good as Schmidt).
As for Utley, the book is still being written. He could end up in the top 5 at second base in MLB history and could also end up being in the top 5 Phillies of all time (in fact, I think this is likely to happen). But it’s very, very unlikely that he would ever top Mike Schmidt as the best Phillie ever – I just don’t see that happening as he started later than Schmidt and has never had a year that was as good as Schmidt’s best years. The only thing in his favor is that he plays a defensive position where his upgrade over the average player is, perhaps, more dramatic. But that won’t be enough to make up the ground.
Still, he’s quite a player that Chase Utley – if he has a weakness in his game, I’d like someone to explain that to me because, in my mind, he’s about as close to a “perfect” ballplayer as one can get.
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I promise to stop the “big league” talk. I just couldn’t resist responding to this thread.
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As for infield prospects. It’s pretty much Harold Garcia, Freddy Galvis and a bag of bolts. And Garcia and Galvis are not that great nor that advanced. The team has a big problem in these areas and they have to address it, most likely with one or more trades or FA acquisitions as well. It’s not just a drop off after Rollins and Utley, it’s the freaking Grand Canyon.
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