End of Season Review–Middle Infield

Around the System

A last look at the Middle Infield in 2010, how they fared and what to expect.  Next up: Catchers on Monday.

Lehigh Valley

Brian Bocock, 25, 380 AB’s; .226/.313/.303 with 4 HR and 31 RBI’s; 13/19 SB; .277 vs. LH, .212 vs. RH, .224 with RISP; .288 Post All Star; 11% bb rate, 21% k rate. 12 Errors in 119 games at SS (.977); 4.23 R/F. During the beginning of the season, Bocock looked completely lost at the plate.  He has improved dramatically throughout the season.  While I can’t imagine he is going to hit any more than.240 at any time, his defense is phenomenal and saves a ton of runs up the middle.  Mid season I could never could have imagined saying this, but I hope to see Bocock back in 2011.

Ozzie Chavez, 27, Reading: 188 AB’s; .218/.316/..287 with 1HR and 18 RBI’s; 3/7 SB; Lehigh Valley: 201 AB’s; .219/.263/.303 with 4HR and 14 RBI’s; 3/3 SB; .188 vs. LH, .234 vs. RH, .152 with RISP; .227 Post All Star; 6% bb rate, 18% k rate. Totals: 389 AB’s; .219/.289/.296 with 5 HR and32RBI; 6/10 SB. 12 Errors in 109 games at 2B (.974), 4.09 R/F; 10 games at SS without an error, 1 error in 4 games at 3B. Chavez is fundamentally sound defensively and overmatched at AAA offensively.  He may be back in the same role as 2010, which is floating between Reading and Lehigh Valley, wherever there is need.

Melvin Dorta, 28,  Reading: .176 in 17 early season AB’s; Lehigh Valley: 331 AB’s; .287/.323/.372 with 4 HR and 29 RBI’s; 7/12 SB; .321 vs. LH, .275 vs. RH, .265 with RISP, .288 Post All Star; 5% bb rate, 8% k rate.  7  Errors in 57 games at 2B (.970), 4.04 R/F, 2 Errors in 16 games at SS (.959), 2.94 R/F; 0 Errors in 6 games at 1B; 1 Error in 19 games in the OF. Dorta hit very well for Lehigh Valley however lost considerable playing time to Ozzie CHavez throughout the years second half.  Based on that trend, I would be surprised to see Dorta, who is a free agent, back.

Reading

Freddy Galvis, 20, 502 AB’s; .233/.276/.311 with 5 HR and 48 RBI; 15 SB, 4CS; .207 vs. LH, .241 vs. RH, .280 with RISP, .254 Post All Star; 6% bb rate, 17% k rate. 11 Errors in 138 games at SS (.982), 4.44 R/F. Not as bad as people expected with the bat and very good with the glove for Galvis. The Phillies will be paying close attention to Galvis next year with Jimmy Rollins entering the last year of his contract. I think he will be in Lehigh Valley in 2011, but in Reading for the first month or two.

Harold Garcia, 23, Clearwater: 179 AB’s; .335/.397/.492 with 3HR 32RBI; 17 SB 6 CS; 37 game hitting streak; Reading: 231 AB’s; .281/.340/.403 with 5 HR 32 RBI; 12 SB 5 CS; .282 vs. LH, .281 vs. RH, .368 with RISP; .284 Post All Star; 6% bb rate, 23% k rate. Totals: 410 AB’s; 305/.365/.441 with 8 HR and 64 RBI’s; 29 SB 11 CS. 4 Errors in 91 games at 2B (.990), 4.22 R/F; 2 Errors in 9 games at 3B (.900). Garcia has had an incredibly impressive season especially considering he missed the first month injured.  He did struggle a bit down the stretch but he should be protected on the 40 man roster in the off season.  2011: I would think the Phils may want him to get another 100-150 AB’s in AA, before AAA in June.

Keoni DeRenne, 31, Has played at every level in the organization hitting a combined .260 with 0 HR and 15 RBI’s in 154 AB’s. 0 Errors in 29 games at 2B, 3.90 R/F; 3 Errors in 9 games at SS (.937), 1 Error in 11 games in the OF, 1 Error in 2 games at 3B. He will be back if the Phillies need a MI body to fill a roster spot in the system in 2011.

Clearwater

Fidel Hernandez, 24, 280 AB’s; .289/.322/.332 with 1 HR and 23 RBI; 7/10 SB; .309 vs. LH, .266 vs. RH, .265 with RISP; .281 Post All Star; 4% bb rate, 9% K rate. 9 Errors in 72 games at 2B (.972), 4.35 R/F.After his May suspension for use of performance enhancing drugs (50 games), Hernandez was relatively solid this year at 2B. He now has well over 1200 at bats at Clearwater, spanning 4 different years. I believe he will be a six year free agent following this year and I would be a bit surprised to see him back.

Troy Hanzawa, 25, 397 AB’s; .224/.276/.262 with 0HR and 36 RBI; 2/5 SB; 246 vs. LH, .214 vs. RH, .268 with RISP; .237 Post All Star; 5% bb rate; 18% k rate. 19 Errors in 122 games at SS (.960), 3.70 R/F.  A very disappointing year for Hanzawa after a good year in Lakewood in 2009. Hanzawa is old for High A, and didn’t perform well in the Arizona Fall League last year. If he is back, its hard to see how he will move up a level.

Gabriel Suarez, 25, Signed late in the season as an extra Middle Infielder. Originally a 26th round pick by the Expos in 2004.  Hard to imagine he will be back.

Lakewood

Jeremy Barnes, 23, 390 AB’s; .292/.383/.441 with 4HR and 51 RBI; 10/19 SB; .319 vs. RH, .281 vs. LH, .310 with RISP; .313 since July 1; 13% bb rate; 19% k rate. 11 Errors in 68 games at 2B (.963), 4.24 R/F; 5 Errors in 22 games at 3B (.921), 2.64 R/F. Barnes had a very good year, albeit missing a good portion of time with a leg injury.  Certainly a move up a notch is in order, possibly a double bump to Reading based on his age.

Alan Schoenberger, 21, 285 AB’s; .253/.324/.379 with 5 HR and 35 RBI; 7/14 SB; .273 vs. LH, .247 vs. RH; .316 with RISP; .224 since July 1; 10% bb rate, 24% k rate. 4 Errors in 44 games at 2B (.980), 4.50 R/F. 10 Errors in 36 games at SS (.926), 3.56 R/F. 4 games at 3B without an error. Schoenberger saw a lot more playing time then expected with the trade of Jonathan Villar and handled himself adequately. I would look for him in Clearwater next year, in what will be his 5th year in the organization.

Keoni Ruth, 25, Signed late in the season after the Villar trade to provide some help in the MI. Hit around .230 in 100 AB’s. 1 error in 26 games at 2B (.991); 4.31 R/F.

Korby Mintken, 24, 205 AB’s between Lakewood and CLearwater; .205/.309/..548 with 0HR and 16 RBI’s; 16/18 SB.  4 errors in 20 games at SS (.951); 3 games in the OF without an error; 18 games at 3B with 2 errors (.951) and 4 errors in 25 games at 2B (.953) Good speed, but can’t get on base for the 2009 free agent signee.

Williamsport

Cesar Hernandez, 20, 255 AB’s; .325/.390/.392 with 0HR 23 RBI; 32/38 SB; .391 vs. LH, .301 vs. RH, .333 with RISP; 9% bb rate, 9% k rate. 7 errors in 65 games at 2B (.983), 4.83 R/F. Hernandez dominated the NYPL this year. Certainly Lakewood, with a double bump to CLearwater not out of the question.

Edgar Duran, 19, 251 AB’s; .235/.269/.299 with 0 HR 25 RBI; 8/13 SB; .224 vs. LH, .239 vs. RH, .277 with RISP; 5% bb rate, 18% k rate. 15 errors in 71 games at SS (.948); 3.86 R/F. Signed as a free agent in 2007, I would think Duran goes to Extended Spring Training and then a decision between Williamsport and Lakewood is made.

Matt McConnell, 24, 129 AB’s; .248/.339/.287 with 0HR and 12 RBI; 3/5 SB; 79vs. LH, .267 vs. RH; .229 with RISP; 13% bb rate, 19% k rate. 2 errors in 13 games at 2B, (.962), 3.85 R/F; 9 games at SS without an error, 2.89 R/F, 3 errors in 13 games at 3B (.917), 2.54 R/F. McConell’s stats at age 24 don’t do much to leave a very positive impression moving forward. 36th Round draft pick in 2009.

GCL

Matthew Payton, 22, 158 AB’s; .228/.307/..304 with 0HR 10 RBI; 9/9 SB; .171 vs. LH, .244 vs. RH, .229 with RISP; 8% bb rate, 20% k rate; 41 games at 2B and committed 4 errors (.977); 4.22 R/F. Phils 27th round pick in 2010 out of Western Kentucky. 2011: Extended Spring Training and then a make it or break it shot in Williamsport.

Nerio Rios, 18, 101 AB’s; .248/.296/.307 with 0HR and 9 RBI; 3/3 SB; .360 vs LH, .211 vs. RH; .300 with RISP; 6% BB RATE, 14% K rate; 30 games at SS and committed 9 errors (.936); 4.40 R/F. Rios showed some promise.  Still young so expect him in GCL with possible mid-season call up to Williamsport.

Stephen Malcolm, 20, 87 AB’s; .253/..343/.287 with 0HR and 10 RBI; 7/9 SB; .208 vs. LH, .270 vs. RH; .320 with RISP; 9% bb rate, 27% k rate. 27 games at SS, 9 errors (.922); 3.96 R/F. Phils 8th round pick in 2010 out of Jr. College. Probably not ready for Lakewood based on a high K rate in GCL, but the Phils may try to push the relatively high pick past Williamsport. Belongs in Williamsport in 2011.

Cale Owen, 23, 53 AB’s; .208/.288/.208 with 0HR and 3 RBI; 29% k rate. Went 1-3 at CLearwater. Played 9 games at 2B, 1 error (.964); 3 games at SS, 2 errors (.714) and 6 games at 3B, 1 error (.933).

33 thoughts on “End of Season Review–Middle Infield”

  1. Fidel Hernandez was a 6 year free agent last season, and came back. Maybe this season’s 50 game steroid suspension will be considered.

    Edgar Duran should go to Lakewood. Good defense and came on with the bat late in the season, so maybe he progresses going on. Hernandez and Duran came from the same town in Venezuela so they played together for a time and it might be of benefit to keep them together. If Schoenberger is to move up, and minor league free agents won’t likely be of much quality if they sign for A and below, who else? McConnell can be the back-up at Lakewood and he also played OF, don’t see no OF stats.

    I envision the MI situation through the organization next season, like this:

    GCL- Anderson Gonzalez and Francisco Silva, backed by Witer Jimenez and Eduards Tolo ( maybe they should add another Rookie level team for the next 2 years as there are excesses at numerous positions)
    WPT- Nerio Rios and Steven Malcolm, backed by Matt Payton and Cale Owen
    LKW- Edgar Duran and Cesar Hernandez, backed by Matt McConnell and maybe Jake Smith ( I see Carlos Alonso at 3B backed by Jim Klocke who also is 3rd catcher and this can slide Smith over to be INF back-up)
    CLW- Alan Schoenberger and Carlos Perdomo ( Jeremy Barnes to 3B) backed by Adam Buschini and Korby Mintken
    RDG- Troy Hanzawa and alternating 3 probable 3 free agents returning or adding others- Fidel Hernandez, Keoni Ruth and Gabriel Suarez (imagine they don’t have anyone else for reserve roles in upper minors, currently available)
    LVIP- Freddy Galvis and Harold Garcia ( must be added to 40 man roster or 6 year free agent , I believe) and returning or not minor league free agents in reserve.

    So, looks like another crop of numerous Minor League Free Agents in the upper reaches next season.

    Like

  3. Marfis-
    Thats insane. What has Hanzawa done to show that he, in any way, belongs at AA. With Garcia spending time in the FIL playing SS and 3B, there is absolutely no reason to rush him either to start the year at AAA. There is always your old favorite Ozzie Chavez, who you had as Major League ready last year.

    Like

  4. Alan–
    Im with ya….Bocock was simply awful at the plate during the first half and looked like a completely different hitter during the second half (he credits Greg Gross by the way). His fielding is as impressive as I have seen at the minor league level.

    Like

  5. I wonder if the improvement of Bocock etc helped Gross move to the bigs. I also wonder if he had anything to do with the correction of Ruiz’s swing while he was on the DL.

    Like

  7. Big fan of Barnes…looking for double jump and play 2b at Reading…think Garcia and Galvis can start at AAA…Hernandez to start at Lakewood then Clearwater…not sure about Duran over Malcolm to start at SS at Lakewood.

    Like

  8. Gregg, do you have any idea why Melvin Dorta’s playing time was reduced by Ozzie Chavez? It seems to me like a no brainer that Dorta should be starting over Chavez.

    Like

  9. Following the less than adequate corner infield review, this middle infield summation reveals other openings ready to be filled in the oncoming draft and aid from Hispanic sources abroad. With Villar gone this shows little sparkle at shortstop but two promising utility guys : Garcia and Barnes, but….

    No shortstop who can be visualized taking J-Rolls place. The recent concentration onh outfielders and pitchers has filled up those categories very well. So with 4 picks in the first two rounds, shortstop and 3rd base need to be filled a couple times over in those and the first ten rounds. College guys to be supplemented by follow-ups for prep guys at those positions.

    Like many here, I’m looking forward to June ’11 for good choices at these.

    Like

  10. philabaltfan–
    my opinion is that Dave Huppert, the ‘Pigs manager didnt like Dorta much as a player. Huppert insinuated that several times during post game press conferences. In my laymans opinion, it what was just an awful Lehigh Valley offense, Dorta should have been playing every day as they already had Bocock, who’s hitting is average at best at SS. They were basically giving up offense for defense at two of their positions.

    Like

  12. Cesar Hernandez had a nice season. Baseball America listed him out of nowhere as the organization’s #31 prospect, and he lived up to the billing.

    Like

  13. In regards to the infield there is no real pressure right now for a replacement on the ML level. I’m sure they will see if Rollins can bounce back from injury and see how Galvis does in AAA next year. I see Garcia replacing Valdez in 2012 as the back-up infielder. Not sure where Rizzoti and Overbeck fit. Maybe trade bait next year. If Garcia can’t make it Barnes could be given a shot as a utility infielder. Singelton won’t be with the big club till 2013/2014 and he might need a position change to get here.

    Like

  14. Why in the world would Galvis be in AAA next year? He’s a sure guarantee to repeat in Reading. No one is pushing him from Clearwater, his offense is still a huge question mark and he’s quite young. He’ll be 21 next year with a full season of AA at a .586 OPS clip to his mark.

    I would expect Harold Garcia to start the year in AA too.

    Like

  15. Please add C. Hernandez as an oncoming 2nd baseman. If he could make a double jump that would be helpful. In 3 years when Utley could have slowed down. SSs at DSL and VSL may help in about 4-5 years.

    In the meantime……….etc.

    Like

  17. Cheese it’s not like you are asking Hernandez to “walk the plank”. Please remember what Schwimer said about challenging players.

    Like

  19. How insane is it to prepare for the future? Do you believe Chase will be here forever?

    C Hernandez shows the best of any potential starting middle infielder in the system assuming Barnes and Garcia are viewed as second-stringers utility inf’rs now.

    Hope Barnes can be double jumped. Garcia to play winter ball; may just get enough experience there to be considered for a utility inf role sometime in ’11.

    Also, Malcolm is getting extra attention from the coaches. Nobody talks about him as a viable candidate for a starting role at the MLB level…yet.

    Let’s get ’em in the draft!

    Like

  21. He is not calling you insane for wanting to prepare for the future. He is saying you don’t promote a player based on organizational need. You promote a player based on where his skills say he should be placed. If Hernandez is promoted to Lakewood and he totally dominates low A pitching for 2 months, they will promote him. Double jumping minor league, middle infielders because Utley and Rollins are old, makes absolutely no sense.

    Like

  22. Double jumping doesn’t have to be accomplished at the season’s beginning. It can be accomplished via Lakewood to Clrwtr in one season..IF he shows worthiness.

    Can’t find–no matter how I look–anything wrong with that.

    Hoping it happens that way.

    Like

  23. Chuck LaMar has already said that Galvis will start in Reading next year, so I don’t understand where this AAA consideration is coming from especially when he performed to exactly at what LaMar wanted him to: .230-.240 and more than 4 HR’s in AA this year.

    Like

  24. Hanzawa- if Hanzawa is not going to hit much, what difference does it make what level he does not hit much at. I do not see him on the starting calibre player type of track, though good enough defensively to avoid bench status. Keeping him at Clearwater will block some advancements by Schoenberger or Barnes to Clearwater which might hinder the advancement of Edgar Duran to Lakewood, who started to hit at the end of season is a relatively big switch hitter, and is far ahead of Steven Malcolm. Do not be mislead by the placement of Malcolm and not Duran in the FIL, as they likely will see further development in the offseason by Duran in the Liga Paralela. These are the players they should concentrate on, and not waiting years for the offensive development of Hanzawa, trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

    Ozzie Smith Chavez I figure to be close to 6 year free agency status, so I did not include him on any projections. He is now bordering on minor league reserve/starter status and should not impede the ascenscion of Freddy Galvis or Harold Garcia to AAA. If placed on MLB roster, it would be to fill a role as SS capable reserve infield to play in the event of injury to a starter and not to bat or take the field except in urgent need , and could likely fill that role as well as numerous other players have filled that role over the years. On Galvis, I say he could produce offensively at least as well as he did in the past season at AA, so why jam up the system, then after the season at AAA, if it is determined he needs an extra season in minors , let him take that extra season in AAA. As to LaMar’s story, I read it, I remember it more as “if he repeats AA”, rather than “when he repeats AA”. I believe when the full season rosters are released following the next Spring Training, It will look similar to what I placed above. They should fill next season’s rosters by placing the correct players at the bottom rungs and pushing everyone up, If some of the less promising players can not thrive this way, keep advancing them to AAA, and they can either make it or wash out there.

    Like

  25. Marfis–
    You continue to make me laugh. Cant believe ur boy Ozzie Smith Chavez was overlooked by the Phils today when they called Bocock up..LMAO.

    Like

  26. Galvis and Garcia will start at Reading and Barnes will start at Clearwater. I’m expecting that Garcia and Barnes might both move up a level mid season. Barnes is the perfect utility infielder because he plays all three positions and can hit a little. Garcia on the other hand can not play SS and will never be a Ute in the bigs. Interestingly, the Phils are trying him at 3B and LF in the IL this fall to try and expand his value.

    Like

  27. Alan
    Why would I ask the Mets anything. No matter what they do its wrong. So using them as an example is pointless. Don’t for Omar is the best exec on the Phillies. What would we do without him.

    Like

  29. Top prospects by position

    Second Base
    1. Harold Garcia
    2. Cesar Hernandez
    3. Jeremy Barnes
    4. Melvin Dorta
    5. Alan Schoenberger

    Shortstop
    1. Freddy Galvis
    2. Anderson Gonzalez
    3. Brian Bocock
    4. Francisco Silva
    5. Alan Schoenberger

    Like

  30. Alan, can you explain why are you mixing in Dorta and Bocock as “prospect”? These guys, in my view are past prime and don’t even deserve mention. They’re career minor leaguers… no?

    Like

  31. Bocock hit 100 points higher in the second half at AAA. Combined with his defensive
    skill puts him back in prospect status and this from a guy who knocked him coming in. But facts are facts no matter how unexpected.

    Like

  32. Yes Sandberg, I will explain. I really have no limit to a prospect’s status as far as his age. 27-28 is generally the absolute limit but there are rare exceptions. Dorta has reached his peak in AAA, but you get to a point where you ask yourself, “how likely is the next prospect to reach the level that Dorta is at now?” Most prospects wash out before they even reach AAA, so that’s not a flippant question. For what it’s worth, Dorta is not a serious candidate for the top 30 (or even 50). The only top 30 candidates on those lists are Galvis, Gonzalez, Hernandez and Garcia.

    Like

Comments are closed.