A second look at Relief Pitchers. See below for stats and comments.

Lehigh Valley

Scott Mathieson, 26, 25 games, 2-2 with a 2.43 ERA, 12 saves, 29.2IP 20H 12BB 34K, 3 hr allowed, 0.68 GO/AO; 1.08 WHIP; .194 opp. avg., .222 vs. LH, .172 vs. RH, .273 with RISP. Slight bumps lately for Mathieson but he remains right at the top of the radar screen for a Phils call up.

Mike Zagurski, 27, 27 games, 0-2 with a 2.48 ERA, 29 IP 22H 13BB 43K , 1 hr allowed, 1.21 WHIP, 1.33 GO/AO, .206 opp. avg., .229 vs. LH, .186 vs. RH, .205 with RISP. Has not given up an earned run since April 30.  Zagurski has been outstanding of late as the lefty stopper in the ‘Pigs bullpen.  Good command and has been striking out hitters at a very impressive rate.

Oscar Villarreal, 28, 20 games, 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA; 25.2 IP 24H 7BB 21K ; 1.21 WHIP; 3 hr allowed, 2.50 GO/AO, .250 opp. avg., .333 vs. LH, .190 vs. RH; .417 with RISP, 0-1 with a 4.73 ERA in his last 10 games. Villarreal still needs alot of work to reach his pre-Tommy John form.  Scary numbers with RISP.

Alex Concepcion, 25, 14 games, 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA; 19IP 14H 5BB 11K, 2 hr allowed; 1.00 WHIP; 0.77 GO/AO; .197 opp. avg., .194 vs. LH, .200 vs. RH; .308 with RISP; 2-0 with a 4.97 ERA in his last 10 appearances.  Concepcion throws strikes which is more than can be said for many and has a very deceiving change up.  I would like to see him get more meaningful innings for the ‘Pigs.

Brian Gordon, 31, 20 games, 0-1 with a 3.57 ERA; 40.1IP 38H 9BB 41K, 2 hr allowed, 1.17 WHIP, 0.85 GO/AO, .244 opp. avg., .2315 vs. LH, .181 vs. RH, .237 with RISP, last 10 games he is 0-1 with a 2.41 ERA and a WHIP under 1.00.  If there can be an unsung hero for a team as bad as Lehigh Valley, Gordon is it, as he has pitched very well cleaning up many a mess left for him.

Ryan Vogelsong, 32, 17 games, 3-4 with a 3.75 ERA; 10 relief appearances.  50.1 IP 47H 31BB 60K, 5 hr allowed; 0.81 GO/AO; .246 opp. avg., .244 vs. LH, .248 vs. RH, .212 with RISP; 1-3 with a 1.62 ERA as a reliever. 6BB 23K in 16 IP.  Vogelsong struggled mostly with his control as a starter and has looked very good out of the ‘pen.  He has very good “stuff”.  It is simply a matter of commanding it.

Brandon Duckworth, 34, 11 games (6 starts); 1-2 with a 4.21 era; 36.1 IP 36H 14BB 39K 2 hr allowed; 1.38 WHIP; 1.33 GO/AO; .263 opp. avg., .254 vs. LH, .269 vs., RH; .276 with RISP; 0-0 with a 2.00 ERA in 5 games out of the bullpen. Duckworth has pitched well out of the ‘pen, less so in the rotation.

Ehren Wasserman, 29, 18 games, 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA; 26IP 29H 13BB12K 5 hr allowed; 1.21 GO/AO; .296 opp. avg.; .302 vs. LH, .291 vs. RH; .321 with RISP; 1.62 WHIP. Pretty consistently awful before being placed on the DL with an arm strain.

Reading

Tyson Brummett, 25, CLearwater: 0-0 with a 0.59 ERA in 11 games. 15.1IP 7H  4BB 11K 2 saves; 0.73 WHIP.  Called up to Reading in mid May; 10 games, 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA; 13.1 IP 20H 6BB 11K;l 1.97 WHIP; .339 opp. avg. For as good as Brummett was in CLearwater, he has been that bad in Reading as he continues his full time transition into a relief role.

John Ennis, 30, 9 games, 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA; 17.1Ip 18h 5BB 8K; 4 hr allowed; 0.32 GO/AO; .188 with RISP.  Ennis continues his recovery from TJ surgery.  Still too early for much of an opinion.

Sergio Escalona, 25, 24 games, 1-4 with a 2.84 ERA; 6 saves;  25.1 IP 22H 12BB 21K; 4 HR allowed; 1.29 GO/AO; 1.34 WHIP; .232 opp. avg., .159 vs. LH, .294 vs. RH; .083 with RISP; 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in his last 10 games.  Escalona has pitched generally well and has done what he needs to do, which is get lefties out.

Matt German, 25, 22 games, 1-1 with a 4.87 ERA; 20.1 IP 18H 15BB20K 1.00 GO/AO; 1.65 WHIP, 3 hr allowed; .237 opp. avg., .239 vs. LH, .233 vs. RH; .250 with RISP; 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA in his last 10 outings (7BB in 9.1 IP). German has been struggling with his control which makes his game difficult.  The soft tosser must be precise if he is to be effective.

Michael Schwimer, 24, 24 games. 4-2 with a 2.51 ERA; 6 saves; 32.1 IP 24H 13BB 44K , 3 hr allowed; 1.14 WHIP; 0.89 GO/AO; .203 opp. avg., .286 vs. LH, .158 vs. RH; .069 with RISP; 2-1 with a 1.35 ERA  in his last 10 outings with 3 saves (20K in 13.1 IP).  Not much to find fault with here as Schwimer has pretty much dominated and has shown the ability to throw multiple innings several times.  I would think a promotion may be in the cards shortly.

Michael Stutes, 23, 24 games, 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA; 35IP 28H 20BB 35K, 2 hr allowed; 1.37 WHIP; 1.09 GO/AO; .220 opp. avg.,194 vs. LH, .250 vs. RH; .192 with RISP; 1-0 with a 2.93 ERA in his last 10 outings (22K, 15.1IP) Stutes has been throwing well in his transition to the bullpen.  His control remains an issue that must be worked on.

Ty Taubenheim, 27, 7 games, 2-1 with an 8.44 ERA; 16IP 24H 7BB 13K; .358 opp. avg. AFter getting absolutely bombed in his first several outings, Taubenheim has been effective of late.  It will take awhile for his numbers to recover from the early horror.

Chance Chapman, 26, 9 games, 0-0 with a 5.02 ERA. Has been on the DL for the last 5 weeks.

BJ Rosenberg, 24, 5 games, 1-0 with a 20.25 ERA in Reading. The man thought to be the Reading closer coming into the year has spent most of the season on the DL (2 stints), and has been on since June 3 in his most recent stint.

Jason Stephens, 25, DId not give up an earned run in 6 outings (13 innings) prior to being placed on the DL 6 weeks ago.

Clearwater

Tyler Cloyd, 23, 18 games, 1-2 with a 5.34 ERA; 30.1 IP 39H 9BB 22K; 0.74 GO/AO; .317 opp. avg., 1.60 WHIP; .288 vs. LH, .338 vs. RH; .250 with RISP; 1-2 with a 7.27 ERA in his last 10 games.  Cloyd has been getting hit hard as is pretty evident by his line above.

Justin DeFratus, 22, 22 games, 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA; 11 saves, 29.1IP 20H 11BB 34K, 1 hr allowed, 1.06 WHIP; 1.55 GO/AO; .194 opp. avg., .195 vs. LH, .194 vs. RH; .160 with RISP; 0-0 with a 3.14 ERA and 4 saves in last 10 outings. DeFratus, a FSL All Star appears to be another candidate worthy of promotion as he has shown the consistency necessary to succeed at this level.

Edgar Garcia, 22, 17 games, 1-0 with a 4.97 ERA; 29IP 30H 14BB 31K, 4 hr allowed, 0.72 GO/AO; .256 opp. avg., .342 with RISP; 1.52 WHIP; .277 vs. LH, .243 vs. RH; 1-0 with a 5.51 ERA in last 10 games.  The converted starter has not had an easy go of it in his acclimation to the ‘pen.  His K rate provides some hope.

Chris Kissock, 25, 20 games, 3-2 with a 2.41 era; 33.2 IP 30H 4BB 22K, 1 save, 2.00 GO/AO; 3 HR allowed; 1.01 WHIP; .236 opp. avg., .229 vs. LH, .241 vs. RH; .275 with RISP; 1-2 with a 3.12 ERA in last 10 outings. Very impressive this season for Kissock after a mediocre ’09 in CLearwater.  He now has 67 appearances in High A, so it’s probably time to see what he has at AA.

Korey Noles, 24, 20 games, 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA; 27.2 IP 35H 9BB 15K, 2 hr allowed, 1.59 WHIP; 1.32 GO/AO; .302 opp. avg., .270 vs. LH, .316 vs. RH; .316 with RISP; 0-1 with a 3.77 ERA in last 10 games.  ALthough Noles has a good ERA, this is a situation where that is deceiving as he has been struggling, and getting hit fairly hard.

Jon Velasquez, 24, 19 games (3 starts); 2-3 with a 1.88 ERA; 1 save; 38.1 IP 28H 16BB 29K, 1.15 WHIP; 0.54 GO/AO; .206 opp. avg., .185 vs. LH, .225 vs. RH; .156 with RISP; 2-1 with a 2.11 ERA in last 10 games.  Velasquez has very quietly been quite impressive. AFter spending the second half of ’09 with the Threshers, Velasquez is another candidate to move up.

Lakewood

Mike Bolsenbroeck, 23, Was just added to the Lakewood roster.  Has not made an appearance as of yet.

Jacob Diekman, 23, 21 games, 2-0 with a 1.90 ERA; 23.2 IP 16H 15BB 30K; 0 hr allowed; 1.31 WHIP; 2.64 GO/AO; .178 opp. avg., .174 vs. LH, .179 vs. RH; .258 with RISP; 0-0 with a 3.27 ERA in last 10 games.  Diekman’s control is a concern but with that being said, he has been very difficult to hit.

Jordan Ellis, 24, 23 games, 2-2 with a 2.73 ERA; 33IP 24H 12BB 37K , 4 saves, 1.09 WHIP; 1.19 GO/AO; .209 opp. avg., .226 vs. LH, .202 vs. RH, .233 with RISP; 0-1 with a 0.63 ERA and 3 saves in last 10 games.  Ellis has opened some eyes this year after a very difficult ’09.

Ebelin Lugo, 20, 16 games, 2-1 with a 1.30 ERA; 27.2 IP 23H 9BB 23K, 1 hr allowed, 1.16 WHIP; 1.29 GO/AO; .232 opp. avg., .182 vs. LH, .252 vs. RH, .238 with RISP; 2-1 with a 1.40 ERA in last 10 outings.  Lugo has been excellent.  No reason to rush the 20 year old.

Eric Massingham, 23, 20 games, 0-1 with a 2.73 ERA; 2 saves, 33IP 29H 9BB 24K; 1.15 WHIP;1.09 GO/AO; .234 opp. avg., .269 vs. lh, .208 vs. RH; .205 with RISP; 0-0 with a 1.31 ERA in last 10 games. Massingham was a 25th ROund pick in last years draft and has looked good in his jump from Short Season ball to Lakewood.

Luke Wertz, 24, 12 games, 0-1 with an 0.36 ERA; 1 save; 25IP 9H 4BB 18K; 0.52 WHIP; .111 opp. avg., 1.29 GO/AO; .040 vs. LH, .143 vs. RH.  Wertz has dominated but lost a month to the DL.  I would expect a post all star break promotion.

Josh Zeid, 23, 26 games; 4-2 with a 3.11 ERA; 7 saves; 37.2IP 33H 13BB 36K, 4 Hr allowed; 1.22 GO/AO; .239 opp. avg., .226 vs. LH, .247 vs. RH.152 with RISP; 1.22 WHIP; 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA in last 10 outings.  After an outstanding start, Zeid has come back down to Earth over the last several weeks.  Still shows alot of promise, just needs more consistency.