Monthly Archives: June 2010

Roster Shuffling, Zagurski Up, Mathieson Down

Transactions

Lots of goings on today at CBP, with Jimmy Rollins activated, Carlos Ruiz placed on the DL, Greg Dobbs designated for assignment,  Mike Zagurski called up from Lehigh Valley, and Scott Mathieson clearing waivers paving his way back to Lehigh Valley.

Ruiz was placed on the DL with what is most likely a minor concussion retroactive to Saturday June 19, 2010.  He will be eligible to come off the DL on Saturday July 3rd.  Dane Sardinha currently is the backup catcher after his recall from Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Since the designation of Scott Mathieson for assignment on Saturday, the Phils had been going with 11 pitchers, which changed today with the recall of LHP Mike Zagurski from AAA Lehigh Valley. Zagurski has been outstanding as of late, having not allowed an earned run since April 30th (19 appearances) and is leading the International League in K/9. After undergoing Tommy John surgery is ’08, and working his way back through the system last year, Zagurski has an impressive ERA of 2.35 and WHIP of 1.14. Mathieson did, in fact, clear waivers today and he was optioned back to Lehigh Valley.

The struggling Greg Dobbs was also designated for assignment after hitting just .152 this year and 1-25 in his pinch hitting specialty.  With his designation, the Phils have 10 days to trade, release, or waive Dobbs.

Lakewood Weekly Report (6/14-6/20) Plus First Half Review

4. Lakewood

Recap: The BlueClaws went 5-2 on the week en route to clinching the SAL North first half title with Sunday’s win.  Jonathan Singleton led the way with two home runs and 5 RBI on Sunday to back a decent start from Brody Colvin.  The week caps a stretch that saw the ‘Claws win 16 of their last 21.  As an aside, last week’s column noted that Sebastian Valle’s two-HR game last week was the first since 2006–turns out I’d gotten that information from a bad source and Derrick Mitchell actually had been the last to do it in 2008.  I can say, with a fairly high certainty, that Singleton’s two-HR game Sunday was the first for the ‘Claws since Valle’s last week.

Continue reading Lakewood Weekly Report (6/14-6/20) Plus First Half Review →

June 22nd discussion

Box Score Recap

Looking at last night’s scoreboard reveals the following results

GCL Phillies win 2-1.
Williamsport lost 6-1.
Clearwater wins 4-0.
Lehigh Valley wins 6-4.

VSL Early Season Update

1. VSL/DSL

We are now about one third done with the 2010 Phillies VSL season and we are starting to get a picture of the strengths and weaknesses of the squad.  The Phillies stand at 12-12 so far, tied for 3rd place in the 7 team league.  They trail the league leading Mariners by 2.5 games.  The Phillies have a relatively young offensive squad and a veteran pitching staff.  The young hitters, led by IF/C Willans Astudillo are holding their own, putting up a team OPS of .684.  The pitching staff is even better, though they are led by several older pitchers. Continue reading VSL Early Season Update →

June 21 Open Discussion

Daily Discussion

Last night’s scores

Williamsport won 4-2.
Lakewood won 6-3.
Reading won 7-4.
Lehigh Valley won 4-1.

Congrats to the Blue Claws, who won the first half title.

‘Pigs Weekend Update

7. Lehigh Valley

A good weekend for the IronPigs, a statement that has not been made often.  See below for game reviews, notes and transactions.

Thursday–Brian Mazone (4-6), Oscar Villarreal, and Mike Zagurski combined on a 3 hit shutout as Lehigh Valley blanked Scranton 2-0, opening a four game series Thursday evening.  Mazone went six very strong innings, giving up just two hits, and Zagurski earned his first save of the year, pitching a scoreless ninth, striking out 2. The ‘Pigs runs came in the third when the red hot Andy Tracy (10) smashed a 2 run homer. John Mayberry was 3-4 with a run scored, while Melvin Dorta added 2 hits and a stolen base. Continue reading ‘Pigs Weekend Update →

Midseason Review: My Top 30 prospects

** My Top 30 Prospects

As we’ve just crossed the mid way point of June, we’re about 10 weeks into the season, with another 10 weeks to go. Position players who have been in a full season league all season have around 200+ AB, pitchers have 65+ innings, so we can start to draw some preliminary conclusions. As I’ve pointed out a number of times this season, when looking at prospects, you really have to be careful of making judgments based on small sample sizes, both positive and negative. While the developmental curve is just that, a curve, and serves a general purpose, there are always guys who will develop more quickly or more slowly than the “average” guy, so its foolish to write a guy off early, and also foolish to assume Player X is the next stud based on 50 AB or 20 IP. That said, we’re halfway through the season, so I figured I’d share some thoughts on my top 30, and how my opinion may have shifted based on a half season of data. Check below…

Continue reading Midseason Review: My Top 30 prospects →

Scott Mathieson designated for assignment

Other Stuff

According to Todd Zolecki. Who doesn’t normally make up nonsense.

Unless the Phillies have a trade lined up for him, and the team just wanted to make sure he was healthy (hence, him pitching last night), this move makes absolutely no sense at all.

Thanks for the memories Scott, we wish you well.

Update —>; If this is truly a 40 man roster issue, wouldnt you rather risk losing Drew Carpenter, at best a fringe swingman, instead of a guy who throws 96? And why not move Ryan Madson to the 60 day DL?

This makes no sense at all.

Update #2 –> Here is the explanation. Weird.

June 18th Recap

Box Score Recap

A special Friday night update in honor of the beginning of Williamsport’s season

Williamsport wins 5-3.
Lakewood wins 4-2.
Clearwater wins 9-4.
Reading won 9-8.
Lehigh Valley lost 4-1.

Domingo Santana handled the demotion ok. 3/3, 2B, 2 HR. Not bad.

Zach Collier done for the season

Collier, Zach

Collier, as you know, has been dealing with a hand/wrist injury for the last few months, and according to this article, he is now being ruled out for the season. Collier came out strong after being selected in the compensation round in 2008, but he struggled last season, and 2010 now goes down as a lost season. Collier doesn’t turn 20 until September, so time is still on his side, but he needs at bats, and losing an entire season is a big blow. Provided he comes back fully healthy in 2011, he’ll be back at Lakewood at age 20, which is just fine, but he desperately needs to log 500+ PA in 2011 to get back on the developmental track.