9 players optioned/re-assigned to minor league camp

Spring Training 2012

Per this quick post, the following players have been re-assigned:

Dave Bush
Austin Hyatt
Pat Misch
JC Ramirez
BJ Rosenberg
Sebastian Valle
Cesar Hernandez
Harold Garcia
Tyson Gillies

No real surprises here. A lot of these guys will benefit from regular ABs/innings in minor league ST games instead of sitting on the bench for the MLB spring games.

48 thoughts on “9 players optioned/re-assigned to minor league camp”

  1. Also just saw Harold Garcia was outrighted off of the 40 man roster. Not a surprise…Best of luck to Harold in getting healthy.

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  2. I thought Dave Bush had an outside chance to make the Opening Day roster but otherwise I agree. The players cut today never had much of a chance to make the team

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  3. Only surprise is that I Gillies might hang around a bit longer, but I guess the Phils have seen enough to assess where he is at this point of development.

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    2. Only AAA guys were kept around. Gillies needs to stay healthy and play eveyday because he looks far behind in his hitting. I’m hoping he just needs to relax and remember how to use the whole field. I’ll be curious to see if they start him at Reading or CWater.

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    3. I think they saw how healthy he is and that’s all they need to know. As others mentioned he needs as many reps as he can get now.

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    3. Now we just need a Kevin Walter sighting. He missed most of last year. Not sure what his health status is for this year. Anybody hear anything

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    4. Didn’t Domingo Santana play in the GCL the year after signing with the Phils (So he was/turned 17) during that season. Which would be the same as Tocci who they signed for their highest ever latin american bonus (was over $750k i think).

      I’m guessing he’ll definitely head to extended and then depending on how he looks it will determine if he goes to GCL, the VSL/DSL or just stays and practices in Clearwater this season.

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      1. Every other Latin signee who received over 200K, the last 4 years, played in the GCL the next season. I’m not sure why some have this idea that Tocci won’t do the same.

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        2. I thought physically he may not have been deemed developed enough. Santana was a man-child. When the Phillies signed Tocci I saw him listed as 6-2, 155.

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  6. Jim Callis, BA, has Roman Quinn as the 4th ‘speediest’ prospect in the minors behind Hamilton (Reds), Trout (Angels) and Brown (Giants). IMO when Quinn gets his first PA in GCL/Williamsport he shoots to the top.

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    1. Top 5 is nothing to be ashamed about. I haven’t seen them all in person, but I do know Trout is a freak of nature with his speed. I’m excited to see Quinn in action, I would love to see that kind of speed in red pinstripes.

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      1. Hamilton is ridiculous as well. One of the interesting subplots of the minor leagues is whether the Reds send Hamilton to High A Bakersfield, which has perhaps the worst groomed infield in the minors.

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  7. The Eric Pettis blog was outstanding, take a look at the BlueClaws Blog if you haven’t seen it. An interestign tidbit form today’s first games was that Asche played 3rd, not 2nd. I wonder if the idea of 2nd base has been scrapped for Asche. That would mean that Franco, Asche and Martinez, thrid basemen all, will have to be split up in some way. Supposedly Martinez is hurt right now so that leaves him out of the mix.

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    1. And lest you forget…….Walding may be going over to third soon…he mentioned it as a possibility a few months ago. So there could be a logjam of sorts in the lower levels. Not sure how that will all play out since none figure to be as high as CLW, at least not until mid-2012 season at the best.

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    1. At this point Savery looks like the best option. I haven’t noticed any of the left handers wanting to take over the spot except for him. He might stick. Diekman really needs AAA work on command — three strikeouts, two hits and a run today. The guys they brought in have looked like the players that the other teams have passed on. I was hoping Valdes would be the guy, but he didn’t look like the guy yesterday. The Phillies could also opt to have Bastardo only. They seemed to be playing with the idea of using Kendrick, but if Blanton is traded, they will need Kendrick as a fifth starter.

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    2. I don’t think either makes it. Maybe Savery but they don’t really need a 2nd left hander if Contreras is healthy.

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  9. Trying to figure out the starting staffs for each level. I got:
    AAA: Elarton, Pinero, D Bush, Pat Misch and Hyatt
    AA : T May, Pettibone, Rodriguez, Cloyd and Buchanan
    A+ : Colvin, Biddle, Bonilla, P Garner, A Wright
    A. : A Morgan, Manzanillo, L Martinez, C Klevan, E Stewart

    I’m not sure where Nesseth, K Giles and some others fit in. A lot of competition for few spots.

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    1. Looks pretty good. I think Pinero will opt out by May 1 if he does initially go down to AAA. That could then move up Cloyd to AAA and Colvin to AA. Matt Way could be another starter in AA. I think Nesseth might get the nod over Stewart at Lakewood w/Stewart coming up early in the season

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    2. I’d love to see Cloyd be given a chance in AAA. He’s earned it based on performance and he’s still a semi-prospect. The same can’t be said for anyone else there, save Hyatt.

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      1. I don’t see Cloyd being assigned to AAA, since they didn’t invite him to major league camp. Even if they were to cut a Dave Bush or Pat Misch, I think they would probably fill out the AAA starting rotation with a Ryan Feierabend or Sanches. If Cloyd blows AA away the 1st month he might be able to take Pinero’s spot when/if he opts out.

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        1. There’s a possibility that the Phils could cut Pineiro before March 30, less they get stuck paying him a bonus for keeping him in the minors.

          Misch and Sanches, those type of guys don’t prevent you from promoting a Tyler Cloyd. Those are guys (particularly Misch) who soak up innings when you don’t have a prospect available. I really have no idea what they’ll do with Cloyd though. When it comes to the veterans, there are a lot of factors beyond ability that dictate where they go.

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          1. I agree that none of those guys, save Pinero, would keep Cloyd in AAA. I didn’t mean to imply that. I think he won’t be in AAA, because they didn’t think enough of him to invite him to major league camp.
            Triple A is where you stash your emergency major league arms. If they thought he was going to be a part of their AAA staff, I would think they would have had Cloyd in camp to take a closer look.

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  10. Willis throws today with lots riding on it. Savery has looked pretty good while Diekman needs to go to AAA and work on his control. I don’t know what will happen with Purcey, Horst, and Valdes. How many lefties do you want at AAA with most of those spots already filled anyway? I’m guessing they’ll keep Horst at AAA with Diekman and Savery and release the other two. From what I can tell, Herndon has the team made and Contreras being healthy is the only possible opening for Willis. If Contreras goes on the DL, which is very possible, and Willis flames out, which is also possible, the last spot will be a battle between Schwimer, Savery, and Sanches. Good stuff!
    And I love reading about minor league spring training games. I’ll be there this weekend to see for myself. The two A teams play at home Sunday, it should be awesome.

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  11. Not be mean spirited but Willis is not needed. Savery has done everything asked and is a question that needs answered. He is backed up by Diekman at AAA. That’s overage with no magic or miracle cures needed. After yesterday there can be no question about Stutes.

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  12. Honestly, I think Herndon needs innings. I’d use his option and give him starts at either AAA or AA for at least half a season.

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  13. Agreed Chuck A insurance starter who complete the situation. Although I have hopes for JB, since he is finally in shape. Great starters, deep BP (mlb ,milb), hopefully some good decisions on position players. If Cholly adjusts ,then all is good.

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  14. Herndon hasn’t made a professional start since 2008. I think the ship has sailed on his starting career. Besides, Herndon posted a 1.55 ERA in the bullpen after the All Star break. In the second half he was as good as anyone in our pen.

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  15. So brown is out again, this time… stiff neck. Kid needs to quit getting these little injuries. The last 2 years he’s been a walking dream client for an orthpedist… He’s only 24, it’s getting bothersome.

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    1. In hind sight, I might be more irritated than normal because of all the other injury problems the Phillies have and taking it out on brown. We’re going into spring with the walking dead as our infield.

      So here’s the real question people… how are the Phillies going to transition into having their key players replaced by younger players.

      1. When does Jroll get replaced as a full time starter? And how do they source his replacement?

      I think Jroll starts for 2 or 3 more years, at that point one of these SS’s we drafted last year will hopefully be panning out, Galvis provides a 1-2 year stop gap before returning to defensive replacement roll or being traded. (Phillies aren’t going to sign a young, top SS any time soon, they’re rarely available on the market (reyes and rollins were just too old)

      2. Ryan Howard?

      The damn contract, who knows, but whenever he gets replaced, he’ll likely be replaced via free agency (or by Larry Green).

      3. Utley?

      I think this position is particularly tricky. I’m not sure he’s going to last more than another year or two tops. I suspect once his contract expires he’s out. The thing is, we have no available talent in that time frame and second basement are rarely available via FA. I suspect this position is targeted in a trade or someone who’s playing 2B out of position picked up through FA or Trade.

      4. Victorino

      He’s not that old, but I’m including him on this list because if brown can improve his fielding this year, Vick walks and they promote brown.

      5. Polly/3B

      Obviously this position will have to be filled externally given the time frame, I’m hoping for a stop gap and for Franco or one of the SS’s who can’t cut it at short to take over in 3 years. (So sign a player for 2 years starting next year)

      6. Hallady & Lee & Hamels

      Halladay strikes me as a Rodger Clemons type (minus the roids and with a real work ethic), he’s not injury prone and I could legitimately see him being near the top of his game for another 5 years (I anticipate a 2-3 year extension once his current contract expires). Lee meanwhile based on pitch FX, has steadily increased the velocity on his fast ball. Looking at the last 5 years, his average FB velo was 89.2 90.2, 91, 91.1, 91.4. This bodes extremely well for lee’s future though a major injury to his throwing arm/should could derail him, I think he should remain quite competitive for the balance of his contract. Hamels, is obviously young and will be resigned.

      Which basically means, given the roster, we’re going to be short 3 current super stars, howard, ultey and rollins in 3 years. (I DON’T WANT TO DEBATE IF HOWARD IS A SUPERSTAR). Is that replaceable?? Given the solid pitching I think we’ll be ok for the next few years, the real fear is after that.

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      1. That’s always the question, isn’t it? I can’t really speculate on how much longer Utley has, but I will say this: he better be a Phillie for life. I’m not saying I want him manning second base until he retires, but I am saying I want him in our organization forever. If he physically can’t handle 2B anymore, sign him as our lefty PH. After he retires, if he wants a coaching job, give it to him.

        That aside, we’ll use your estimates for the core. We’ll say 2 years for Utley, 3 for Rollins, 5 for Howard (theoretically, he can just be replaced as soon as he’s ineffective, seeing as we’ll be eating at least a part of that contract no matter what).

        In 2 years, the FA pickings at 2B are indeed slim. Arguably the best option is Alexi Casilla. However, there is a name on the list of FA-to-be that does intrigue me, if the FO is willing to be creative (and hey, they brought Polly in to play 3B, it could happen): Asdrubal Cabrera. That could kill two birds with one stone if either he or Rollins are willing to play 2B. Granted that still leaves us with a hole at either SS or 2B for the following year, but it’s easier to fill a hole when it’s either/or than to fill specifically one thing. Hopefully we’ll have a position prospect ready to be called up in 2-3 years to make this even easier on us.

        As for Howard, it’s not particularly difficult to fill a 1B need. It’s hard to say who will be a FA in 5 years, but a current young stud is a possibility (someone like, say, Eric Hosmer), and 1B prospects are probably the most abundant type of prospect, so it’s very probable we’ll have an established one by then.

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      2. The bottom line is that any team that hopes to contend needs to develop new superstars. It doesn’t matter what position they come up as. But if you don’t have that position player who is top 10-ish in the league, it’s tough to build a World Series contender.

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  16. Willis has been released and Manuel is gushing about Galvis’ play at 2B. I guess Charlie’s not completely sold that Utley will be ready on opening day.

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    1. The fact that Utley still isn’t even taking infield practice tells me that its very unlikely that he’s going to be able to play regularly anymore, even if he is available for opening day.

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    2. I hope Charlie doesn’t keep Freddy G. with the big club just for ‘insurance’ sake….didn’t that type of thought slow the develoipment of Dom Brown a few years ago when Vic was in and out and Jayson Werth went to CF IMO Freddy needs to play everyday..be it in Philly or LHV.

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  17. I’m not worried. New stars will emerge and be signed. Try as we may to factually put a name on who that prospect will be we just can’t. I love baseball, I love the Phillies so I just sit back and enjoy the show.

    and of course banter with you guys about it all!

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