Around the System–Corner Infield

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With the end of the season, comes the final “Around the System” report where we take a look at each player in the organization and how he performed this year, along with a projection as to where the player will begin the 2012 season.  We start with the corner infield. Look for the report on Catchers either Friday or Saturday.

GCL

Chris Duffy, 23, Phils 26th round pick in 2010 draft.  28 games at 1B with 3 errors (.987); 8.91 R/F.  .293/.399/.504 in 123 AB’s; 6 HR 27 RBI; .282 vs LH, .298 vs RH;.220 with RISP; .395 in August;  14%bb rate/22% k rate. Duffy had a good year but is 23 and in Rookie Ball. I would think Lakewood next Spring.

Michael Marshall, 23, Phils 30th round pick in 2011 draft; .229/.323/.349 in 83 AB’s; 1 HR 12 RBI; .333 vs. LH, .206 with RH; .259 with RISP, 11%bb/16% k rate; 20 games at 1B without an error; 8.70 R/F. Marshall didn’t show a heck of alot in his limited playing time.

Matthew Holland, 24, Phils 22nd round pick in 2011 draft, .236/.309/.409 with 4 HR and 15 RBI in 110 AB’s; 7%/21% bb/k rate. .333 vs. LH, .209 vs RH, .242 with RISP; 14 games at 1B with 3 errors (.972); 7.50 R/F; 7 games in the OF with 1 error.  Holland showed a bit of power but little else

Trey Ford, 21, Phillies 14th round pick in 2011 draft; .252/.350/.367 with 3 HR and 13 RBI in 120 AB’s; 12%bb/20%k rate; .217 vs LH, .247 vs. RH, .270 with RISP; 34 games at 3B with 8 errors (.922); 2.79 R/F; 3 games at SS with 5 errors (.667). Ford should make the step to SS Williamsport to start next season.

Williamsport

Brock Stassi, 22, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011 draft; .200/.291/.233 in 150 AB’s; 1 HR 14RBI; 3SB; 11%bb/9%k; .083 vs. LH; 222 vs. RH; .224 with RISP. 49 games at 1B with 3 errors (.993); 8.65 R/F.  Stassi certainly didn’t do anything to stand out.  It’s a crapshoot whether or not he will be back.

Harold Martinez, 21, Phils 2nd round pick in 2011 draft; .256/.357/.346 in 234 AB’s; 2HR 31 RBI; 3/4 SB; 14BB/23% k; .273 vs. LH; .251 vs. RH, .244 with RISP. 41 games at 3B with 9 errors (.928); 2.83 R/F. Martinez played well enough to start next season as the regular 3B in Lakewood, but he did not set the world on fire this season. I would be surprised to see a double jump to Clearwater.

Maikel Franco, 19, Hit .123 in 65 Mid Season aB’s for Lakewood and was sent back to Williamsport; In Williamsport: .287/.367/.411 in 205 AB’s; 2HR and 38 RBI; 11%bb/13%k rate; .239 vs. LH, .301 vs. RH, .412 with RISP. Totals: .247/.318/.360 in 267 AB’s; 3 HR and 44 RBI.  51 games at 3B with 5 errors (.947); 2.65 R/F. Franco played very well in Williamsport, but without power or speed.  He was overmatched in his short time in Lakewood.  He should start the season on the Lakewood roster and get regular AB’s and then judge where he is at when Williamsport begins.

Geancarlo Mendez, 21, .238/.306/.342 in 336 AB’s primarily at Lakewood but ended season in Williamsport; 3HR 38 RBI; 12/15 SB; 9%bb/15%k rates. 44 games at 3B with 12 errors (.893); 2.27 R/F. 11 games at 1B with 2 errors (.975); 12 games in the OF with one error. I think the Phils start Mendez back up at Lakewood after a fairly mediocre year, a season in which he was a butcher in the field.

Lakewood

Jim Murphy, 25, Phils 17th round pick in 2006 draft; .268/.361/.490 in 463 AB’s; 22HR and 77 RBI; 11%bb/24% k rates; .286 vs LH, .260 vs. RH, .261 with RISP; .235 since July 1. 128 games at 1B with 10 errors (.991); 8.91 R/F. Murphy had a good year, albeit at Low A ball at the age of 25.  With almost 1500 at bats in A Ball at the age of 25, and not having progressed more than he has, I would be surprised to see Murphy back.

Drew Hillman, 22, Phils 18th round pick in 2011 draft; .190/.242/.310 in 58 AB’s in Lakewood with 1HR and 4RBI; In the GCL: .253/.310/.352 in 91 AB’s with 0HR and 6 RBI. 28 games at 3B with 6 errors (.913); 2.25 R/F. Hillman played high Division One ball in college and really didn’t do much to stand out this season.  WOuldn’t be surprised to see him get a full season of AB’s at Williamsport and if successful, a 2013 double jump to Clearwater.

Clearwater

Darin Ruf, 25, Phils 20th round pick in 2009; .308/.388/.506 in  484 AB’s; 17HR and 82 RBI; 10%bb/18%k rates; .358 vs. LH, .291 vs. RH, .343 with RISP; .320 post all star break.  74 games at 1B with 5 errors (.992); 8.72 R/F. 3 games at 3B with 1 error; 6 games in the OF with 2 errors.  Just an excellent year for Ruf.  Will be Reading’s 1B next season and is going to the AFL starting in November.  Downside is his age.

Jeremy Barnes, 24, Phils 11th round pick in 2009; .230/.260/.322 in 87 AB’s for Lakewood with 1HR and 10 RBI; .267/.335/.403 in 367 AB’s in Clearwater with 9 HR and 45 RBI; 8%bb/22% k rates; .298 vs. LH, .253 vs RH, .307 with RISP. 77 games at 3B with 11 errors (.941); 2.27 R/F. 15 games at 2B with 6 errors (.914). Barnes recovered well after starting the year in Lakewood. He should be moving along to Reading for 2012.

Travis Mattair, 22, Phils 2nd round pick in 2007; .266/.308/.395 in 124 AB’s for Lakewood with 2 HR and 18 RBI; .207/.279/.356 in 188 AB’s for Clearwater with 6 HR and 26 RBI; 4SB; .265 vs. LH, .195 vs. RH, .264 with RISP; .194 Post All Star Break. 88 games at 3B with 12 errors (.941); 2.17 R/F.  A very disappointing return for Mattair who took a year off to play college basketball.  After some early hope with Lakewood, Mattair got hurt and was less than successful with the Threshers both at the plate and in the field.  If he is back, it should be at Clearwater.

Reading

Matt Rizzotti, 25, Phils 6th round pick in 2007; .295/392/.511 in 499 AB’s; 24HR 84 RBI; 4 SB; 14%bb/22%k rates; .336 vs. LH, .278 vs. RH, .269 with RISP; .292 Post All Star. 96 games at 1B with 9 errors (.988); 7.74 R/F. Another excellent year with the bat for Rizzotti, who hit for average, power, and had an outstanding batting eye.  Rizzotti’s defense continues to hold him back.  He is again eligible for the Rule 5 draft and I would be surprised if he is protected and not so surprised if he is taken.  He can help an American League team. With Ruf coming up from Clearwater, Rizzotti goes to Lehigh Valley, as a DH/IB with Cody Overbeck for 2012.

Carlos Rivero, 23, Acquired from Cleveland prior to 2011 season; .275/.331/.440 in 491 AB’s; 15HR and 66 RBI; 5/8 SB; 7%bb/20% k rates; .326 vs. LH, .257 vs. RH, .286 with RISP.  Had 27 AB’s with Lehigh Valley and hit .185.  133 games at 3B with 27 errors (.913); 2.14 R/F. Rivero had a very good year for Reading, putting himself on the radar screen as a legitimate 3B prospect, albeit with significant deficiencies in the field.  Already on the 40 man roster, he will start 2012 as the Lehigh Valley 3B I believe.

Lehigh Valley

Cody Overbeck, 25, Phils 9th round pick in 2008; .275/.331/.532 in 233 AB’s in Reading; 18HR and 46 RBI; 8%bb/23% k rates; .279/.331/.416 in 226 AB’s with Lehigh Valley; 6HR and 26 RBI; 5%bb/29%k rates; .282 vs. LH, .277 vs. RH, .208 with RISP; Hitting .384 since August 1.  96 games at 1B with 4 errors (.995); 8.95 R/F. Also played 2 games at 3B (2 errors) and 9 games in LF (1 error). Overbeck split the season almost in half between Reading and Lehigh Valley and although the AAA transition was difficult at the beginning, came on very strong at year’s end.  Overbeck, who is going the AFL, has put himself in a position where the Phils should probably add him to the 40 man roster. 

Jeff Larish, 28, Signed as a free agent prior to 2011 season; .240/.330/.449 in 254 AB’s; 13 HR and 37 RBI; 12%bb/30% k rates; .221 vs. LH, .247 vs. RH, .217 with RISP. 51 games at 1B with 2 errors (.996); 9.18 R/F. 19 games at 3B with 4 errors (.927). Larish suffered a nasty broken leg around mid-season and did not return.  He provided good defense and a bit of offensive punch but struck out a ton.  I would be surprised to see him back.

Tagg Bozied, 32, Re-Signed as a free agent prior to 2011 season; .238/.371/.503 in 189 AB’s; 11 HR and 31 RBI; 16%bb/33% k rates; .276 vs. LH, .221 vs. RH, .236 with RISP. 25 games at 1B with 2 errors (.992); 7.92 R/F; Also played 9 games at 3B (2 errors) and 8 games in the OF without an error. Bozied was on and off the DL all season not because he was injured but because Lehigh Valley needed roster space.  I doubt this was what Bozied bargained for and he deserved more.  More than likely, his average suffered as a result of his on again, off again status.

Pete Orr, 32, Signed as a free agent prior to 2011 season; .267/.324/.391 in 281 AB’s; 5HR 26 RBI; 15/20 SB; 6%bb/19% k rates; .259 vs. LH, .270 vs. RH, .243 with RISP. 47 games at 3B with 3 errors (.977); 2.70 R/F; 14 games at 2B with 1 error (.982); 9 games at SS with 1 error (.950) and 9 games in the OF without an error. Orr was up and down between the Phillies and the ‘Pigs and when he played for Lehigh Valley, he played well, showing speed, occasional power and grit. Given all this and Orr’s versatility, the Phils would do well to bring him back in a similar role next year.

22 thoughts on “Around the System–Corner Infield”

  1. Good luck to Rizz in the AL via Rule 5! Philadelphia has no real reason to add him to the 40 man at this point. As a Reading season ticket holder he has been fun to watch hit.

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    1. I doubt he gets claimed. By some miracle if he does, he most likely won’t make it the entire season with an American League club.

      I hope he gets claimed and has success but if other organizations thought that highly of him, they would have tried trading for him this year or claimed him back in Spring Training.

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      1. Some AL team would probably pick him up in the Rule 5. They’ll give him a shot and then offer him back. I don’t think Philly would take him back. They have Overbeck and Ruf who are very similar players and Mayberry may have already cemented a spot as backup to Howard.

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    2. I haven’t ever seen Rivero play. Is he as bad a fielder as his stats suggest (27 errors in 133 games)? By comparison, Polanco has 9 errors in 99 games this year. Based on the fielding numbers, Rivero would have to be an amazing hitter to even be considered for use at 3B by the Phillies.

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  3. I would like to see Rizzotti and Overbeck maybe compete for a spot on the big league club next season if they dont get rule 5’D. Because the Phils will need to fill a few spots on the bench with hitters.

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    1. I think Rizzotti is more advanced as a hitter but he would be pretty well limited to pinch hitting only with only the rarest of starts. I guess that isnt all that much different from Ross Gload. Overbeck isnt a bad defensive 1B and I think can continue to progress through some work on his hitting at the minor league level. Neither can really play anywhere but 1B and Rizzotti struggles even there. I am a little disappointed that the Phils gave up on Overbeck as a 3B.

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      1. Gregg, I guess the outfield did not work out so well for Overbeck based on your comments. Can they try him at 3b in FIL or Winter Ball?

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      2. There’s still time for Overbeck to improve, but he sure looks like a classic AAAA guy right now. If he can’t get that K rate down to, at least, 25% I think he’s stuck at AAA.

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  4. I don’t understand why Rizzotti is of no use to the big league ball club. Rizzotti seems reasonably advanced as a hitter and can give a “professional at bat” (one of Charlie’s favorite sayings.) Why would he have no use in a Ross Gload type role? It would save the Phils from having to go out and pay a guy a million or two to be their LH bat off the bench.

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    1. Because he’s never been a regular pinch hitter (and despite what fans believe, it’s probably the hardest thing to do in baseball besides pitch and catch). He’d be a waste of a 40 man spot. I’d rather see any open spots go to relievers. (There isn’t any open spots but 2 60 day DL candidates).

      When Gload’s healthy he plays a slick defensive first base and can hold his own in the outfield (he isn’t much worse than Brown).

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      1. Nobody’s a regular pinch hitter… until they are, so that’s a circular argument. Not to say I disagree with the rest of your statement, but no one comes up as a pinch hitter.

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    2. Just to add, if the Phillies spend $1 million on a bench player, they’d only be saving $600,000 by playing Rizzotti instead of a veteran. That’s not going to prevent them from signing anyone.

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    3. Because in the 21st century (and 5 man benches) there is no such thing as the Russ Gload roll in the sense that you mean. The Phillies certainly didn’t plan to have a player on the bench who could PH only; no sane team would do that intentionally, or even give such a role to a player who can play only a poor 1B (except maybe an AL team because of the DH). It’s a bit of a mystery why the Phillies kept Gload on the 25 man all year, but they sure as heck won’t repeat the experiment.

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      1. I’d add that, despite the Gload situation, as a general rule the Phillies are particularly concious of the need for bench players to have positional flexibility, which makes it particularly unlikely they will adopt your suggestion.

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  5. Without Singleton, this really isn’t a very inspiring group especially considering that 1B/3B are supposed to be your power hitters. I would definitely not give up on Overbeck because he can hit. No minor leaguers ever have experience at pinch hitting but it doesn’t mean that they can’t learn to do it. I’m sure Gload started when he played in the minors. Unfortunately for Overbeck, hitting lefthanded is preferred because there’s so mnay more right relief pitchers. that actually gives Rizz a chance but it will have to be with an AL team since he just can’t field.

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  6. Hopefully, next year at this time, we’re talking about Larry Greene and a couple of other drafts picks successes. I hope we’re talking about the strength in the corner infielders at lower levels of the organization. You can always rent AAAA guys to fill in but it would be nice to talk about close proximity prospects on the corners.

    It’s not like the Phils haven’t tried to boost the position. Singleton and Mattair come quickly to mind. Remember Hewitt was going to be tried at 3B. Overbeck was a third baseman too. some guys can’t field the position and some guys can only field.

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    1. I’m hoping that Greene stays in LF which is what they said when they drafted him. He’ll be much more valuable there than at 1B.

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  7. IT’S strikes me as funny people saying gload can field. saw a interview by one of the phillies announcer with former player who played with gload. he said gload is best off the bench and he was laughing as he said you dont want him in the field,

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    1. At this point, with his hips, you don’t want him in the field, but go back a few years and he was fine in the field. You wouldn’t want him in the field full-time, but to spot start he’s fine for that.

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