I meant to make this post right after the draft, but life kind of got in the way. Well, better late than never. A few days ago we went over 4 million hits since the inception of the site. I realize a lot of that is people hitting refresh, but every hit counts! In all seriousness, its been a really wild ride over the last 3.5 years, and most all of it has been positive. As I mentioned previously, I’m planning some redesign stuff for the site, but I really like where the content of the site has gone. Over the last 6 months, I’ve received quite a few offers to have ads placed on the site for a fee, and I’ve also received an offer (somewhat sizable too) for the domain name itself. But as I’ve stated in the past, I will never put ads on the site, and I have no plans on selling the domain name or content. The handful of donations I received, and more importantly, the consistently positive direction of the site is enough to keep me happy and motivated. This site would be nothing without the help of my fellow writers, notably Gregg and Todd, who manages all of the transactions and rosters on the pages at the top. Another thanks goes to all of the affiliate writers and those who have written guest articles, as well as those who have helped with the nuts and bolts of the site. And most importantly, a big thank you is in order for all the people who continue to come here, read the stuff we write, engage in solid discussion, and share this site with their friends. Next stop, 5 million!
Monthly Archives: June 2010
Roster Moves
Reading reliever Mike Stutes, 23, was called up to AAA Lehigh Valley, taking the roster spot of Scott Mathieson who was called up to Philadelphia yesterday. Stutes has been effective in the mid to late innings for Reading going 3-0 with a 3.79 ERA and 2 saves in 25 games. In his 35.2 innings of work he has walked 21 and struck out 37. Opponents are hitting just .217 against him (1.92 with RISP). He will likely be placed in that same mid to late inning role in the Lehigh Valley bullpen.
STarter JC Ramirez was called up to Reading from Single A Clearwater. Ramirez, 21, is 4-3 with a 4.06 ERA in 11 starts for the Threshers this year. In his 64.2 innings he has given up 63 hits, walked 17 and struck out 55. Ramirez has a WHIP of 1.23 and the opposition is hitting .259 against him. Acquired in the Cliff Lee deal, Ramirez will immediately step into the Reading rotation.
Activated from the DL and assigned to CLearwater is starting pitcher Mike Cisco. Cisco, 23, has been on the DL since the end of April. I would imagine this to be a short-term stint in CLearwater, as he regains his arm strength. Cisco threw fairly well in his four Reading starts prior to going on the DL, and was 1-3 with a 3.68 ERA in those outings, with the opposition hitting just .220 against him.
June 18th Discussion
Mathieson Called Up
The long awaited 2010 Phillies debut of Scott Mathieson is here as he was called up today when lefty Antonio Bastardo was placed on the DL with left elbow “ulnar neuritis”. Mathieson has been lights out in his position as the Lehigh Valley closer except for his most recent outing during which he gave up a game winning grand slam to Fernando Martinez. In his 25 outings, Mathieson was 2-2 with a 2.43 ERA and 12 saves (5th in the IL). Opponents are hitting just .194 against him. Mathieson, coming off two Tommy John surgeries, throws very hard, with his fastball hitting 100 mph on the Lehigh Valley radar gun at times. In addition to the fastball, Mathieson has been throwing both his curveball and change in key situations.
June 17th Open Discussion
Keep the personal attacks, derogatory language and childish antics to a minimum*
Last night’s games
Lakewood loses 9-2
Clearwater wins 2-1.
Reading loses 11-9.
Singleton takes an 0/4, Hewitt goes 3/4. Mass hysteria ensues.
* NONE AT ALL. Please don’t make me play comments police. Just stop. There’s no need to discuss it, or anything else. Just don’t engage in it.
The emergence of Brody Colvin
My time is short during the week, but I really had to point out Brody Colvin’s breakout. Back in April I said not to really worry about early struggles. The jump to full season ball for high school pitchers can be tough. Learning to throw every 5 days, dealing with the common arm soreness from a pro routine, bigger crowds and ball parks, tough lineups, its a learning process. Colvin’s splits, by month
April: 15.1 IP – 11.15 ERA – 23 H – 9 BB – 9 K – 0.85 GO/AO
May: 33.2 IP – 3.21 ERA – 28 H – 10 BB – 31 K – 0.94 GO/AO
June: 20.1 IP – 1.77 ERA – 16 H – 5 BB – 21 K – 2.08 GO/AO
Last 10 appearances: 59 IP – 3.05 ERA – 49 H – 19 BB – 55 K – 1.35 GO/AO
And that includes a horrendous 1.2 IP – 5 ER game on May 12th. Since that appearance he has 6 starts
39.1 IP – 1.61 ERA – 28 H – 9 BB – 39 K – 0 HR
And the scouting report matches. His fastball has been 93-94 and he’s hit 96 on occasion with improving command. I think if Jarred Cosart is 1-A in terms of pitching prospects, Colvin is 1-B. It will be interesting to see if Cosart is promoted in the next few weeks. I’d personally like to see both guys stay at Lakewood all season, and then move up the ladder at the same time. I think you’ll see a friendly rivalry develop there, and that could be beneficial for both of them.
Around the System–Relief Pitchers
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. Continue reading Around the System–Relief Pitchers
Lehigh Valley Weekly Report
Lehigh Valley is now 25-40, and in last place of the Northern Division of the International League, 13 games behind division leading Syracuse. ‘Pigs leaders thru 6/15 include: Hitting: Cody Ransom, 8th in AB’s (243), 7th in runs (40), 3rd in HR’s (15), 6th in RBI’s (46), 3rd in strikeouts (77); Andy Tracy is 2nd in Walks (43) and 3rd in OBP (.405); Rich Thompson is tied for 6th in SB’s (14). Pitching: Andrew Carpenter is tied for 5th in Wins (6); Nate Bump is tied for 5th in Wins (6), 6th in ERA (2.73), tied for 3rd in starts (13) and 4th in IP (79); Brian Mazone is tied for 3rd in starts (13) and 7th in IP (75); Scott Mathieson is 5th in saves (12); Joe Savery is tied for 7th in HR allowed (10) and 6th in walks (32). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report
June 16 Discussion
Site Design Changes/Help
Quick update here.
Over the next couple days/weeks, you’re going to see some changes to the site. I’ve started to grow unhappy with the way the site looks. I get lots of compliments (and I appreciate all of them) on the content of the site, but I want the site to be more visually inviting. While I’m not ready to splash out $500+ on a custom designed WordPress theme, which will involve even more than just the money, I am going to go about cleaning up the display here. That means that the layout of the site is going to change, some stuff will be moved, some stuff won’t be displayed anymore, and things might just look all out of sorts. But hang with me, it will be worth the hassle. If you are looking for anything specific and can’t find it when stuff starts to get moved around, you can always use the SEARCH box at the top right of the site, I’ll make sure to leave that there.
I’m also going to ask for help on two fronts.
1. If you’d like to help (well, you’ll have to do most of it) design the new header for the site, and you have experience with photoshop, please send me an email at phuturephillies at gmail dot com.
2. I’m also looking for someone to help me with a simpler (but more time consuming) task in terms of getting some of the content here properly organized. Again, if you’d like to help, send me an email to the same address right above.
Thanks.
Phuture Phillies 