Arizona Fall League Begins

8. Arizona Fall League

Minor League baseball is back, at least for the next month or so as the Arizona Fall League begins their schedule today. The Mesa Solar Sox, the team that the Phils are affiliated with start their schedule with a 2:35 first pitch today.  John Mayberry Jr, is hitting cleanup, playing right field, while Matt Rizzotti is hitting right behind Mayberry and playing first base.  Look for twice a week updates on the Fall League starting this week.

46 thoughts on “Arizona Fall League Begins”

  4. Re: Instructional League – Zolecki reported Singleton was adapting to LF decently. It seems to me that there could be a chance that Singleton could play LF next year at Clearwater. There does not seem to be anyone already ticketed for the third OF spot at that level. Clearwater didn’t have any OF prospects and Hewitt isn’t graduating.
    CF, James, RF Castro and LF Singleton?

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  5. @Mike77 –

    Are your thoughts on Hewitt not graduating to Clearwater speculation? Personally, I (and probably pretty much everyone here) would agree with you – Hewitt did nothing to earn a bump to Clearwater. I think it may be time for him to hang up the spikes.

    I certainly would have no problem with that outfield – and Singleton certainly seems athletic enough that he could handle a switch to leftfield.

    – Jeff

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  8. Jeff,
    No. That wasn’t my opinion. There was a link in Philly.com in late August that quoted one of the Phillies’ Assistant GMs as saying Hewitt would be repeating his level. Can’t find the link right now.

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  9. Anyone who had the horrible stats he had (yet again) should not be even considered for a promotion. The guy is a bust, 3 years now and this guy has done absolutely nothing to prove he belongs even playing baseball. Here’s to him hacking it in the indy leagues in a year or two.

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  10. Don’t understand the harsh tone, just because the guy isn’t panning out. Travis Mattair was given a heroes’ goodbye on the site when he decided to admit he wasn’t good enough. Not much difference between the two wasted draft picks to me.

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  11. At least Hewitt has shown power. His performance isn’t as bad as Kyrell Hudson’s.

    Anonymous, the Florida Instructional League isn’t really a competitive league per say. There’s little to gain from gleaming any kind of statistics so the only real way to find of good information is to personally scout. Klaw was scouting there and wrote up a piece but didn’t see the Phillies. I imagine most scouts are heading to the AFL anyway.

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  12. I think that Anthony Hewitt should go to Clearwater next year and just hope that he does a little better than he did in Lakewood. If he stays in Lakewood, he will be 22 which is kind of old for Low A.

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  15. CLW- Got James and Castro plus Michael Dabbs and Brian Gump, so they could slide Singleton out there. 1B-They could slide one of the 2 LF to 1B, or got Batts and Barnes combining at 3B/DH , so they could move Batts to 1B or 2B or OF. Key is Middle Infield,, got Schoenberger at SS and Perdomo at 2B , backed by Mintken and Buschini, so if they go that younger route there, then they can move Batts to 1B. (Got Hanzawa and the rest of the holdovers as promoted or released) . But They could bring back Michael Durant and keep him at that level to play some 1B.

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  16. The Venezuala Winter Leagues started too. Galvis was 1 – 3 with a run scored. Harold Garcia went 0 -5 with 2 Ks. In addition to Mayberry and Rizz mentioned above Brummett was lit up for 4 hits, 3 R, 2 ER in 2 innings. On the plus side, he had 5 Ks. Our old friend Michael Taylor went 2 – 4 with a HR and 2 RBIs. I could mention Mevin Dorta but then I’d have to duct tape my mouth.

    Did anyone read the article on Brown in Philly.com? Link is here. http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20101013_John_Smallwood__Phillies__Domonic_Brown_learning_how_to_be_a_winner.html

    Did you notice the part about Manual saying, “I think that when you are managing in rookie ball, A ball, AA, AAA, winning should be put first. I want players to learn how to win in the minor leagues.”? This was a bit surprising to me because I always thought that the minors was for prospect development. If Lakewood had only won 20 games all year, but the pitching staff still had the season it had (I know… it would be hard to only win 20 games if the pitchers were that successful), wouldn’t we be calling it a great season anyway? I can tell you that winning is always better than losing. A pitcher throws a 4 hitter and loses 1 – 0 still feels badly the team lost. The seasons Rizz and Worley had weren’t dampened by the fact that LHV and Reading went nowhere.

    I think this explains the Lakewood titles in the last two years. Williamsport and GCL playing so much better too. When we were calling for call-ups of certain guys from Lakewood to Clearwater, and they weren’t happening, the explanation might be in Charlie’s statement. Get the winning attitude and maybe players develop faster. It’s the chicken versus the egg. Does winning develop players or does the development of players bring the wins?

    I realize I went overboard here. Throw me a life vest. But it does explain why the Managers at LHV and Reading are out.

    What organizations have had the most successful Minor Leagues (based on wins and losses) and does that translate to the big clubs? Without looking it up, my 1st thought would be teams that pick early in the 1st round year after year (Pirates/Nationals). But I also know that the Yankees have won the AAA crown a couple of years in a row.

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  17. Thanks Mike for the info about Hewitt.

    I recall there being some low-level harshness towards Mattair, especially when it was obvious during the second half of his second year that he didn’t look like he was going to cut it. (and that was more along the lines of, “he’s not showing us anything”) With Mattair, there was also the factor that he was skipped Williamsport – plus Hewitt is a year older than Mattair. I think Mattair also gets some points for realizing a professional baseball career wasn’t for him, and quietly stepped down. I think if Hewitt does the same thing, we will probably all wish him well.

    And while it’s not his fault, Hewitt is also carrying the baggage of all of the other high risk, toolsy outifled picks that haven’t panned out for the Phillies. Alan is right – Hudson performance has been even less productive that Hewitt’s. But hey, Dom Brown is doing pretty well!

    – Jeff

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  18. Bellman,
    I think you need to put Manual’s comments into the context of the organization as a whole. For any manager, the goal is to win games but in the minors, the manager needs to do his winning within the context of player development. Thats where the GM, Minor league coordinator, etc. come into play with determining who gets regular playing time, who are the starters, relievers, etc.

    IF it was only about wins and losses, players like Hewitt and Mattair (while he was in the system) would not be everyday players based strictly on their performances just as there is no way the manager has the option to not play a guy on an injury rehab assignment. If the main goal was winning, would a minor league manager really have a rehabbing reliever pitch the first inning of the game and then follow-up with that night’s starter?

    It is the organization’s management that sets the rosters, promotes/demotes players, and dictates playing time (to a certain extent) and it is then the job of the managers to win based on what he’s given to work with.

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  19. manuel .is 100% right…winning is an attitude and it is contagious…he doesnt mean hurt a prospects development for the sake of a win…its more about having that drive that hunger that sick to your stomach feeling when you lose…thats something u cant get in abatting cage or watching film…of course the main goal of the minors is to get players ready for the majors but he rather have a prospect that hates to lose!

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  20. I don’t think Buschini will get promoted to Clearwater either. He was no better than Hewitt really. Gump may be a cut down casualty.
    If the organization deems Singleton a credible LF, I see Clearwater this way:
    RF Castro
    CF James
    LF Singleton,
    SS Hanzawa,
    2B/3B Schoenberger
    3B/2B Barnes
    1B Jim Murphy
    C Valle

    Hanzawa won’t get promoted to Reading, he didn’t earn it and Galvis is blocking him. Murphy, if he isn’t cut, probably won’t get promoted either (they have to save 1b for Savery at Reading).

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  21. Does the legend of “the Riz” continue? Good start. Sorry put I find this situation sooo interesting..

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  22. Leandro Castro hasn’t played RF much. How is his arm? I’d be inclined to suggest he and Singleton rotate in LF, with Singleton playing some first base and Castro DH’ing on odd days. Maybe Derrick Mitchell stays back in Clearwater in right field, or D’Arby Myers plays some as well.

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  23. I think they could start Savery at 1B in Clearwater. I hope so. A much better confidence builder to start him in a less challenging league and give him a chance for extended success with the bat. It will not hurt him at all to bring him to Reading in July if he shows consistency. Those who think his success in 45 ABs at AAA is meaningful, when he is not really well scouted as a hitter there and not on anyone’s radar, are incorrect, IMO. As a hitter, he is still at the level of the lower minors and needs to start there. Reading in April, when pitchers get serious, could derail his transformation. Adjusting to getting 4-5 ABs every day is challenge enough for someone like him.

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  24. Castro has 3 OF assists in 15 games from RF the last 2 years at Lakewood. Unless you know which base he got the outs, I guess it doesn’t mean much.

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  25. Hudson and Mattair play(ed) the field very well. I think fans take it easier on them because they consistently saw them doing good things every game (defense). Hewitt might hit ten jacks in a given year, but you probably won’t see many/any of them so it’s easier to get down on him – that and the 1st rounder status.

    Strangely, I still hold out some hope that the light bulb comes on for Hewit. He’s too gifted and works too hard not to have SOME improvement….but I said the same thing last year.

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  26. The High schoolers, in general cause an inordinate amount of disappointment when they struggle or don’t pan out. I see numerous references to Kyrell Hudson. He was not a 1st round pick. Why is he lumped in with Hewitt? Hudson was a 3rd round pick. He hasn’t looked good. Meanwhile a guy like Buschini, who was a 4th rounder, escapes criticism. Who’s the bigger failure, the 20 year old in SS ball or the 23 year old in Low A?

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  27. The failure is the scouts who picked these kids so high, unless the kids are lazy not there fault they cant play

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  28. Mitchell is a six-year minor league free agent this year and likely won’t be back with us. Don’t think he’s making the 40-man roster. The kid just looks like a ballplayer (as they said in moneyball, he has the “face”). He’s just too inconsistent. He certainly shows flashes, just not enough of them.

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  29. Just out of curiousity, why does anyone still care about Savery? What could Savery possibly provide for the Phillies ever in his life? A left handed 1st baseman in 3-4 years? seriously? The fact people say Hewitt is a bust who should quit and yet some still mention Savery like he is in any way shape or form a prospect is such a joke.

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  30. Jameson–
    You may want to note that Anthony Hewitt has done absolutely ZERO in his entire minor league career which at this point is stuck at the Low A level. While far from advocating Savery’s status as a prospect, he has shown a great deal more as a minor leaguer then Hewitt has. It is a difficult comparison because you are comparing a formerly a pitcher to a hitter, but it is not as if Hewitt is struggling in AA and AAA. He can’t hit in Rookie Ball, short season ball or Low A ball. Still, if I were a betting man, and I had to bet one of the two played in the majors at some point, the clear choice is Savery in my mind. (And yes, the chances of either making it are extremely slim)

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  31. Mayberry still looks like a platoon player at the very best. However, with Ibanez and Brown as lefties, he and Francisco could get some time. I’d really like to see Rizzotti continue to tear up the competition.

    Proposed Clearwater roster seems reasonable. I think Castro would be okay in RF. (Seems like a Francisco type: some speed and power, poor eye, lower average, adequate fielder at all OF positions.) Singleton to LF and Savery at 1B makes sense but I think that depends on how they look in the Spring. Infield seems somewhat unsettled.

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  32. I dont think there is any way Savery drops as low as High A assuming he looks half way decent at 1B/OF. I think he begins in Reading.

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  33. Mike77 – good point about Buschini – we have to be equally critical when the highly drafted non-tool shed prospect don’t work out too well. Anyone remember the Taylor Mach fiasco? We should be balanced in our criticism. Hell, I’d rather them take a project with a big upside than take a guy with more advanced skills whose upside is as a AAA player. Mach was the kind of guy that would have been chosen by the Phils in 1992 – a nice college player who did not project in the pros.

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  34. Yeah, I actually thought Buschini would have a much better year. It obviously didn’t happen and his stay would likely be over save for the fact that he was a high pick and there is a dirth of middle infielders in the system…

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  35. I believe MORE criticism should be made to picks like Buschini than to the Hewitt, Mattair and Hudson picks. Guys like Buschini are taken that high because they are supposedly the surer bet to advance. The minor league scouts, and the like, should be criticized more because there was less projection needed in their evaluations of a supposedly more polished player.

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  36. I have Buschini as a back-up at Clearwater, because see Barnes and Steven Batts (one of the top Lakewood performers and only a year older than the Barnes- Buschini, Ruf contingent that came in) Schoenberger, and also work in the younger Perdomo as IF in Clearwater and back ’em with Buschini and Mintken. There is no sense in leaving Buschini in Lakewood , because Cesar Hernandez should stick at 2B in Lakewood and you could use Carlos Alonzo at 3B , who might offer more than Buschini there now(I’d also work in Klocke the catcher there) and a bench role there would not differ much from the higher level, and Buschini given his College experience he should be able to play high A by now, regardless.
    Murphy they won’t keep at Clearwater, because he came into pros as a 5th year senior,and if they thought he should not be advanced they might likely release him, and they decided that he might retire.
    Hewitt has power. Even 11 HR’s in full season minors , who would bet everything they have that the other OF candidates at Lakewood, (think there is about 9) Eldemire, Dugan, Miguel Alvarez, Collier, Altherr, Hudson, Geancarlo Mendez, and Domingo Santana could even equal that amount , even at Lakewood. Even had to bet, Santana might be a good bet, but there’s 4 OF/DH spots , so maybe they might be better served to give Hewitt another chance. But, if the Mike Sweeney trade is not yet settled, I see the glut at this position gives the possibility that one of these guys could go, maybe even Hewitt , but I doubt it’s him.
    Savery has potential as a Longman/ OF/1B/DH/ PH/PR and looks more likely to be protected now on 40 man despite the claims of some it would never happen. A minor league exec said he will likely start off in high minors, agree with that and with possible MLB service beginning next season.

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  37. Mike77,

    I agree and would also add that they deserve more criticism because of the Phillies place in the financial structure of baseball. As a big market team, the Phillies can go out and sign a mid-level player vs. wasting a early draft pick on a safer pick who projects as an average major leaguer.

    I’d much rather they take the bigger gamble on the physically gifted player with star potential even if the failure rate is much higher. If they can get 1 Ryan Howard for every 10 Greg Golson’s then to me its worth it.

    Now if we were talking about some small market team that cannot afford to bring in a guy like Polanco at $5m per season to fill a roster hole then the dynamic changes and the need is for a higher success rate to fill out a competative major league roster.

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  38. regarding OF possibilities at Lakewood…I kinda like Santana , Altherr and Dugan as the starters based on potential/results so far…Eldemire and Collier and probably Hudson need to play a bit first i guess at Extended ST…not sure who would be 4th and 5th OFs and or 1B/DH!

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  39. Castro actually has a very good arm and is able to play all three outfield positions. Gump will go back to Clearwater but could platoon with a James Murphy with Singleton bouncing back and forth. Savery will not start any lower than Reading. The Phillies have told us that Savery would not drop down far which means Reading to me with Rizz at LHV. By the way, I expect Barnes to be back at 2B next year (at C Water) with Mattair back from college at 3B (in C Water – I heard he talked to the Phillies and will be at Spring Training but nothing has been confirmed).

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  40. Oh god Marfis….now we have heard it all. Savery in the majors next season. Good stuff. We havent heard from you regarding Gillies exoneration. Are you still waving your confederate flag at the Georgia border?

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  43. Btw – Cosart is throwing that well because he was actually eager and ready to pitch again in the playoffs but the team correctly held him out. He’s feeling fine.
    Next year, the Lakewood staff will again be strong with Julio Rod + Biddle leading the staff with Garner probably and possibly Buchannan and Hollands but with plenty of competition for those last 2-3 spots.

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  44. FYI – Rizz 1-3 with an rbi and Zeid pitched 3 innings, alowing 2 hits, no walks and 1 run with 3 Ks. Unfortunately, BJ Rosenberg got rocked.

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  45. Savery could likely hit well enough to pinch hit in MLB now, and the fact he can play a couple of positions as well as be a long reliever and utility pitcher can put him in there. The theory that because he has not regularly hit for awhile he should deep into the bowels of the system to learn everything from this is how we hold the bat on up is not right.. The long slog up one level at a time is more believed by frequenters of sites like this than normal folks.
    Tyson Gillies opened the door to criticism through his own actions and misdeeds. The beliefs by some that this grouping should be given every consideration no matter the misdeed or never given any kind of proper punishment or even inconvenience no matter thier level of deviancy leads to the dangers, poor living conditions, and daily outrages found in the neighborhoods of this grouping. A long overdue first step in cleaning up this situation would be cleaning up the drug users involved.
    Tyson Gillies was not exonerated whatsoever, but merely the Criminal Justice System declined to pursue the case. A reason may have been the Prosecutor did not believe he could meet the burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt given the facts or evidence at hand. Also the Prosecutor has a budget, the cost of pursuing this case , given the media attention from Philly and elsewhere and the high priced legal representation brought by Gillies(no doubt aided by the contributions of some Fat Cats) may have driven up the cost of pursuing the case beyond the potential reward of a simple possession conviction. And the paltry return raises the question of why would anyone bother with a “set-up” over this?
    The proof by some of no “fingerprints on bag” and “drug test” are not conclusive. Prints – a bag is usually processed by someone other that the user or purchaser, placed in a plastic baggie (which is difficult to retrieve prints from regardless) with a knot tied in the end. The purchaser can simply grasp the knot between the knuckles , drop into pocket or something for transport, and upon approach of police or such, grasp knot again between knuckles and toss it – no prints. Drug test- where? , administered by who?, tested by who?, who took the test?, etc. Usually a high priced lawyer will have medical professionals they work with, and will give them the results they pay for. Most people rather than not being smart enough to take a private drug test can not afford it. It may be that the state of Florida created a loophole in drug posssession laws to enable “Fat Cats” to skirt the law by having a drug test “phonied up” by a private doctor under a lawyers direction. They either rig up phony results without a test even being administered, or they do some actual testing using the fluids of some recluse they keep on retainer as a “clean test factory”. Facts of past and the future regarding this , still undetermined.

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  46. Marfis-
    You have zero clue. By way of background, I am a prosecutor and have been so employed for 15 years and I can honestly say that your next clue will be your first.

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