Some minor league assignments

Spring Training 2012

Courtesy of Matt Gelb.

AA Reading: May, Pettibone, Julio Rodriguez, Jiwan James, Tyson Gilles, Sebastian Valle
A+ Clearwater: Brody Colvin
A Lakewood: Altherr, Eldemire, Kyrell Hudson, Brian Pointer, Maikel Franco, and Tyler Greene
Extended ST: Larry Greene and Roman Quinn

Not many big surprises. It will be interesting to see JJ and Gillies in the same outfield, and I expect that if this happens Jiwan James will play RF. Also nice to see Pointer is headed to Lakewood. Not surprised to see LG and Quinn head to XST, and I expect one/both of them will make it to Lakewood in May, which we’ll call “The Jon Singleton Plan”

104 thoughts on “Some minor league assignments”

  1. Like I alluded to below, the article says players are still in “workout groups” and Gelb is positing at this late date that these assignments will be unchanged. That is why there are some : likelies included. I, for one, will believe the assignments when posted in rosters around the day before the first game.

    Like

  2. Some questions and comments I have from seeing this:

    1. How long are Colvin and Gillies at their levels? Are the Phillies looking for them to just get off on the right foot (maybe keep Colvin in Florida till the weather gets warmer) or are they keeping them at their respective levels for extended periods of time?
    2. I think they want to keep Tyler Greene at LKW all year so I think Quinn is headed to WPT.
    3. Larry Greene seems destined for GCL or WPT, his hit tool isn’t Singleton and I think they would like to move him slowly.
    4. Do the Phillies push their athletic OFs quickly from A- to A+ if they succeed early (I am looking at you Altherr) to make room for guys behind them?

    Like

    1. Uhland:
      Although there seems to be a backlog of players of similar talent or similar expected talent, I do not know that there has been a lot of proof of exceptional ability at the professional level. I may be a bit jaded, but there always seem to be great expectations for the incoming crop of minor leaguers. However, very few actually make it to the Major League level and even fewer are truly impact major leaguers. Since The unheard of boom period of Rollins, Utley, Howard, Ruiz, Hamels, our system has not produced much in the way of stars in the 7 years or so since. This includes both players on the Phils and sent in trade. The jury is still out on some sent packing, but the closest is likely Travis D. and he might be a year away. Even assuming Travis D. makes a big impact next year, that would be 8 years without producing another star unless I am missing someone. We even had the #1 prospect in all of baseball as recently as 15 months ago and he is being sent back to AAA. Trust me, I want the next crop to come along, but also know it is a tough game and a long road to high impact success at the major league level. It is nice to dream, but to keep my sanity I just look back at the flame outs as much as the success stories.

      Like

        1. I suppose Gio was high impact last year but, even assuming that is the case, he was a White Sox minor league product more than a Phillies product. As I recall, we received Gonzalez and Rowand in the Thome tade and then sent Gonzalez back to the Sox along with G. Floyd a year later for that “stud” pitcher F. Garcia. I do not personally view his 1 year with the Phils as a demonstration of the Phillies producing a star from their system.

          P.S. Imagine if we kept Floyd and Gonzalez?

          Like

          2. Another thing worth considering about us not producing real MLB players from our farm is that, simply put, we weren’t an ideal situation for any player until a few years ago. It’s not a stretch to think we couldn’t sign some players because we were perennial losers (and sometimes just didn’t draft players for that reason). And then we started winning and stopped having first round draft picks, so we couldn’t draft the impact players that move fast through the minors. Not to say we couldn’t draft impact prospects, but they would have to be further away. How much further? Well… 4-5 years would seem right to me. That is to say, isn’t this about the time we should have realistically expected our next batch of impact players from the farm? Brown, Travis D., etc. seem to fit the time table.

            Not to say we have to like it, but it seems logical to me.

            Like

      2. Michael Bourne was an All Star and 2-time gold glover. Happ and Worley garnered rookie of the year support, helping the Phillies to a pennant and 102 win season, respectively. Bastardo looks like he’s for real (if he can ever stay healthy a full season). Burrell, Lieberthal, Wolf, Byrd, Silva, Madson, Myers, and Rolen were stars from around or just before your “boom” period. Brown will be a major league regular and potential all-star. Stutes doesn’t seem to be too special, but he, Galvis and a few other relievers are poised to get get real chances at key roles the next couple seasons. I’ve been following the Phils and their minor leaguers since the 70s and I have to agree with uhland, at least with respect to AA. I don’t know about Clearwater, but Reading certainly has far more than its usual share of exciting prospects this season.

        Like

    1. Agreed – I think the performance of those three will determine the strength of the Phils system this year. If all those guys perform, people will start rating the system higher. If those guys struggle, then the system will be in question once again. I think the most likely outcome is somewhere in the middle – performance is up and down with someone really struggling and someone doing ok.

      Like

    2. 1. I hadn’t really heard anyone include Rodriguez in the “Baby Aces” before.

      2. I fear the nickname sets these kids up for failure in the eyes of fans, since most don’t really project as Aces for their ceiling.

      Like

      1. I hadn’t heard anyone include Pettibone in that trio before either. That’s how things change in the minors I guess, with Cosart traded and Colvin repeating a level.

        Like

  8. Looks like reading will be the first boxscore I open, no surprise there. Anybody see any velocity reports on J-Rod this spring??

    Like

    1. Not me, that LWood outfield (plus Franco and Greene) will get my attention. No word on Dugan but I’m guessing he’s going to be a 1st baseman most of the time (with Stassi) because he’s been passed. Altherr, Pointer, and Eldemire have all looked very good and will play alot. Hudson and Dugan were passed and will fight for time.

      Like

      1. I know you were down there Murray, so you know better than I. Still, I am surprised Hudson has been passed considering the improvements he made last year and the positive comments we have heard from the Phils on him. Meanwhile, I can’t remember hearing much about Pointer.

        This is not to say Pointer is unworthy – I think he had a strong campaign in the GCL. I’m just saying that usually you can get a feel about prospects from a few comments here and there from Nowortya, Wolever, or the players’ manager. I remember hearing good comments about Hudson.

        Like

        1. I think Hudson and Eldemire will be OF regulars at LKWD, and Pointer and Altherr will split time (or one might DH). I don’t think anyone has passed Hudson. His defense, which the Phils value highly, is superb.

          Like

          1. There is a DH in the SAL. All 4 guys will get regular at-bats, unless you believe they will give all of the 1B and DH abs to Dugan and Stassi. It would be surprising if they limited those guys’ at-bats for the sake of Stassi.

            Like

            1. The other 1B in the mix is Chris Duffy. He lost weight and looks great but only one of Stassi or Duffy will make this team to allow at bats for Dugan. They’ll have six guys for 4 positions plus DH each day. Interestingly however, Eldemire played on the likely CWater team the last few days allowing Hudson to play on the LWood team and it could be that they’re trying to decide if Eldemire could play up since he is an older college guy. From what I saw of him, he looks great and could jump way up to be a top 10 prospect after the season. I like Hudson and want him to play so he can develop but Altherr, Pointer and Eldemire all look great so far and Pointer has been batting 3rd which is usually a sign (Franco bats 4th and Altherr 5th).

              Like

  9. Interesting but I don’t agree with Matt that LG and Roman will make it to Lakewood this season. My prediction is WPT at best for both. Both of them are very raw baseball players really only having 1 tool each. Power for LG and speed for Quinn.

    Like

    1. Actually it wasn’t Gelb who said that, it was phuturephillies in the post. Gelb in his article/update only said this ‘Both of the Phillies top two 2011 picks, Larry Greene Jr. and Roman Quinn, appear to be destined for extended spring training. They were both drafted out of high school and apparently didn’t leave a good enough impression to break camp with a full-season team.’

      Like

      1. Ahhh….I see. In the end the development staff knows their make-up better than me. If they think either can handle the challenge without losing confidence if they struggle some I’m all for it.

        I’m a big believer in early success and building off that confidence it creates.

        Like

    2. Based on what blueclaws blog has been posting, it sounds like Quinn can hit. Everything I’m reading about him is getting me positive. I don’t think he will supplant T. Greene at LKW unless TG is really struggling, but I could see Quinn starting at WPT, which is a good sign (i.e. instead of starting at the GCL).

      Like

        1. I expect Asche will start at CWater at 3B, Dugan will be the back up 1B and 5th OF at LWood, not very good for a 2nd round pick, and Morgan has looked good and will probably start in CWater.

          Like

          1. So you have Asche jumping LKW? That would be great, but he did struggle a bit at the plate in WLPT last year.

            Like

            1. I agree but honestly they’re more worried about playing Franco where he should be and that’s Lakewood. Plus the fact that Asche was a college guy means they would rather he struggle at CWater than Franco.

              Like

            4. I’m guessing Asche will be starting at 3b for Clearwater only until Harold Martinez is healthy.

              Like

      1. I’ve had good luck with the SRO tickets, but Nik makes a good point. You should be prepared to arrive early, find a good spot on a railing along one of the baselines and drop anchor.

        Like

    3. They’re not bad if you get there early – go behind home plate, or close to that up top in the 300/400 range. It won’t fill up as fast as down below and it’s a perfectly good view with the rail. Plus, there’s High & Inside. But, yeah, if going by yourself prepare not to move from your spot. If you have at least one other person then get there early, set up shop, and be able to hold two spots as you guys rotate when you have to urinate.

      Like

      1. Getting some reps in last year seems to have helped him – even if it was only to give him the confidence that he could play at that level. Super excited!

        Like

    2. Do you have a link to confirm? According to the Blueclaws sight they lost 9-3 and Logan Moore had 2 RBIs. So Maybe Greene hit those during batting practice.

      Like

  12. In the Phillies game Galvis was basically the only offense that was shown by the entire team. Batting right-handed (I would say his weak side) against Lester he ripped a ball down the LF line for a double, but Montenez was gunned down at the plate. His next AB against Lester he hit a solid line drive but right at the RF and his last AB he grounded out batting left-handed. Day before he got 2 hits also from the right side so just maybe he can hold down 2b at least until Utley hopefully returns sometime in late May.

    Like

  14. Lakewood should be a fun team to watch. They will be be able to rotate the OF around as they all can play multiple spots in the outfield. Franco at 3b (going w/him as Paul Owens Award winner for 2012). Should be interesting to see Tyler Greene at SS in his first full season. Dugan at 1st base, Not sure who will be at 2nd base. I’m assuming Stumpo will catch.

    Like

    2. Agreed, this will be a fun team. Plus some combo of Garner, Morgan, Wright, Manzanillo and Nesseth will be in the rotation. Guys worth watching (though I admit none of them as interesting as Biddle last year).

      Like

      1. I’ve been playing with guessing rotations but I’m still not sure. Garner, Lino Martinez, Manzanilla, and Nesseth are pretty likely at LWood. Morgan definitely looks like CWater and Wright will start at one of the two. He started yesterday for CWater group and did ok so that bodes well for there. Interestingly, Bonilla has pitched totally out of the pen so far so I don’t think he’s starting to start the year.

        Like

        1. I wonder if they’re trying to limit Bonilla’s innings that way or something. There’s absolutely no reason to move him permanently into the bullpen at this point based on his performance.

          Like

          1. They started Bonilla in the pen last year. He closed a lot of games and then switched with Hollands in the 2nd half. I’m not sure I like that trend but it will give two guys (don’t know who the other guy would be) a spot in the starting rotation for half a year and as a reliever the other half. Any sign of Mario?

            Like

            1. Maybe it is a way of getting both Perci Garner and Bonilla to Clearwater without jumping Garner’s innings too much. The staff could be Colvin, Biddle, A Wright, A Morgan, Bonilla and P Garner.

              Like

            2. That would be a rotation worth following! I like the number of potential MLBers in that group.

              Like

  15. Galvis is a BASEBALL PLAYER. he does so many things right. If he is this good at 2nd now image by the end of the season (if necessary) or a year or two from now.
    Playing a year with FG may make Rollins more ready to move to third next year.

    Like

      1. What I meant by “ballplayer” is Freddy knows the game and doe everything to the most of his ability. Whether he prospers or not ,he does the max. That is to be respected.

        Like

    2. Utley on Galvis:
      Chase Utley has liked what he’s seen from Galvis this spring. “I’ve talked to him a little bit. I’ll talk to him a little bit more,” Utley said. “But Freddy’s a good baseball player. He’s young, but he has a lot of instincts and a lot of ability. Defensively, he’s outstanding. And he can swing the bat. He’s starting to swing the bat a little better. He’s fun to watch. He’s a good kid.”

      Like

    3. Rollins bat doesn’t project at 3rd. Saying that, our current 3rd basemen’s bat doesn’t project at 3rd so you never know….

      Like

      1. Well he wouldn’t be a prototypical 3B in terms of offense. But I don’t think I’d say his bat “doesn’t project” there. According to wOBA, Rollins (.329) would have placed close to middle of the pack, just below Scott Sizemore and Alberto Callaspo (both .330), and just above Wigginton (.322… oh, the irony), of 3B with 400+ PA.

        And yes, that is better than Polanco (.304). So it would be a clear upgrade over current options, and probably not as bad as we anticipate even in the context of the rest of the league.

        Like

      2. Polanco is fine (not great but OK) at 3B if healthy. MLB average is pretty down at 3B these days.

        Larger point is right on. Rollins does not profile well at 3B. We also have no idea if Galvis can hit enough to profile as a starting SS much less a starting 2B. He really should get some more AAA time though he is our best option now.

        Like

      3. League Averages, NL 2011:

        3B: .257/.317/.387
        SS: .261/.314/.374

        Third basemen hit for slightly more power. That’s fine, Rollins’ 16 home runs would’ve ranked 5th among third basemen in the league.

        Like

  16. Nice to see Dom Brown w/2hrs in his 2 minor league games played. The kid can hit. What the Phils need to do is hire his own personal fielding instructor. Garry Maddox is still in the area. Have Maddox hang out with Brown a few times a month during the season and teach him the proper ways to play OF. Reading looks like they are going w/James in left, Gillies in CF, and Castro in RF. Gillies looks like a true leadoff hitter. Gets his walks and steals bases. Could be the Phils future leadoff guy if they can’t resign Victorino.

    Like

    1. James in LF to accommodate Castro in RF?? If anything, it will be the other way around. I’m not positive that Castro will start in Reading though. I agree that it looks like he probably will but its not a definite. The Phils will need to decide what they do with Podsednik, Spidale, Clevlen, Mitchell, and Susdorf. If they keep Podsednik at AAA (Brown, Podsednik, and Montenez starting), there will be a ripple effect that could cause Mitchell to start at AA and Castro at A+. This might be the end of the Phillies road for Spidale. There could still be a shift of Gillies to A+ to start in CF there.

      Like

      1. If Podsednik doesn’t make the Phils I think he may ask for his release. There will be team interested in having him on their roster. Spidale is just creating a log jam. Has been a good minor leaguer. Maybe he can comeback as a coach later down the road. I think Clevelen and Susdorf platoon at DH at Reading and spot start in corner OF spots. Mitchell I think will be the 4th OF at Lehigh Valley. Really can’t see Gillies going down to Clearwater. Castro could but from what I read it sounds more and more like Reading

        Like

        1. The Phils actually control Podsednik to something like June 1. That’s the main reason that all the writers think that Pierre will beat him out initially. He can ask for his release but the Phils don’t have to agree until June. Personally, I’d release him now if he doesn’t make the club but that’s just me. That would give Mitchell a job at AAA and Castro a job at AA. I agree on the Clevelen/Susdorf job share at AA. They both really want to be at AAA but I don’t see the spots there.

          Like

    3. Hired someone who had to work at being an outfield. HOFer, natural fielders, and such often make poor teachers. Greg Gross will do well I believe. He had to work to become an excellent outfielder.

      Like

  17. I don’t think it will be an issue with the Spring Podsednik has its typical that a guy of his tenure will request his release so he can catch on with a big league roster. He can easily be 24-25th guy on one of the clubs out there.

    Like

  18. Monday Minor League Games Report
    (all games against Yankees affiliates)

    Lehigh Valley (won 5-4)

    Dave Bush started and gave up two runs in 3.1 innings. Michael Schwimer threw two scoreless innings and Tyler Knigge threw a scoreless 9th.
    Domonic Brown, who homered on Saturday, homered again here, going 3-4.
    Steve Susdorf was 2-3 and scored twice. Brown and Susdorf combined for all five LHV hits while John Suomi drove in two runs despite going 0-2.

    Reading (won 6-3)

    Jonathan Pettibone allowed just one run over 4.2 innings in his best start of the spring. For the first time, pitchers hit. Pettibone went 0-1 with a walk.
    Chris Kissock gave up two runs in 2.1 innings while Mike Cisco and Justin Friend each threw scoreless innings.
    Cesar Hernandez, hitting 2nd behind Tyson Gillies, went 2-2 with a triple, RBI,and three walks, so he was on base five times.
    Gillies, meanwhile, went 1-2 with three walks and stole three bases.
    Sebastian Valle, hitting 3rd behind those two players, drove in a pair of runs, as did Miguel Abreu.
    Jiwan James hit 6th and played left field while Gillies played center. This could obviously be a suberb defensive outfield behind some top prospect pitchers. Leandro Castro, also a very good defensive outfielder with a top arm, played right.

    Clearwater (lost 8-3)

    Austin Wright got the start here and went four innings allowing two runs on three hits with four strikeouts.
    Jordan Whatcott gave up a run in two innings, Frank Gailey five in 1.2 and Juan Sosa got four outs on one hit.
    Albert Cartwright went 2-3 as the 2B,  while Cameron Rupp homered for the Threshers.
    Jim Murphy, Anthony Hewitt, Cody Asche, D’Arby Myers and Miguel Alvarez added hits.

    Lakewood (lost 9-3)

    Mike Nesseth started and gave up four runs in one inning before coming out. Kenneth Giles allowed two runs in three innings with four strikeouts. Mario Hollands gave up one run in two innings.
    Gauntlett Eldemire continued his strong spring, going 2-4.
    Kyrell Hudson, Aaron Altherr, Kelly Dugan, Chris Duffy, and Logan Moore added hits, with Moore picking up two RBIs.
    Positionally: Moore caught, Dugan played first, Gustavo Gonzalez second, Tyler Greene short, Trey Ford third, Altherr left, Hudson center, and Eldemire right.

    Like

    1. Early showing by Brown that it’s ridiculously redundant for him to face AAA pitchers. If we don’t get excellent defense and at least above average offense from LF, I’ll be really really mad at the Phillies brass.

      Like

      1. It is good to see that Brown has the maturity to go the the AAA camp and perform well instead of feeling sorry for himself and underperforming. All indications are that he will hit, but it is the fielding that he must correct. Hopefully, he can do that soon and help the Phillies this year.

        Like

        1. Yes, I know defense is the issue. But I’m also aware that outside of JMJ, perhaps, we aren’t looking at terribly good defense in LF anyways. I’m of the opinion that we have incredible defense everywhere else, and we could use a boost in offense, so why not deal with it for a little bit?

          Oh well.

          Like

          1. Brown doesn’t have to be a star out there but he absolutely needs to make the routne plays and right now, he doesn’t make them routinely. Its hard to believe this kid was a major receiver prospect in football since he takes such terrible routes on fly balls. Catching a football up in the air is some of the same mechanics. Dom has to hit so well that the Phils will have no choice but to promote him. I’m sure that’s what Charlie told him the other day. If he’s hitting 400 with 5 homers in late April and the Phils bats have been silent, don’t tell me that he won’t get consideration because he will. He just has to show defensive improvement and good work habits.

            Like

    2. LWood is going to be so much fun to follow. Btw, in addition to Greene, Franco and the multiple outfielders, Logan Moore has looked very good. Keep an eye on him too. On the other hand, CWater’s lineup looks awful. Murphy, Alonso, Duran, Asche, Rupp, Alvarez, Myers and Hewitt with Lavin and Rice in reserve. Outside of Biddle and Colvin, no reason to look here… If Reading OF is James, Gillies, and Castro, that might be the best defensively and fastest Phillies OF ever (I’m still surprised James played left yesterday). Of course, Altherr, Hudson, and Eldemire would be almost as good defensively.

      Like

      2. I’m surprised how little mention has been made of the potential “awfulness” of the Clearwater lineup. Unless guys like Gauntlet Eldemire and Maikel Franco make a quick jump, there will be no position players worth following.
        It would be nice if Franco moved up quickly, so Walding could get a shot at Lakewood. The video I seen here and other places make me believe Mitchell Walding could become a big time prospect very quickly.

        Like

        1. He could but Franco is very young also and struggled at LWood big time last year. I don’t think they’ll push him up until late in the year, if at all. CWater will have Asche and later, Martinez, at 3rd so there’s no room for Franco there either.

          Like

  20. After another pounding today for Stutes and Bastardo, I think its time to realize that the Phils could send Stutes down, keeping Herndon, and DL Bastardo, keeping Savery or Valdes and only retain six relievers for the first 5 games at least because Blanton won’t start until the 9th game. Would they send Stutes down? I think they will.

    Like

    2. Herndon has out pitched Stutes since last July. I don’t see why there is such an assumption that Stutes will beat out Herndon for the last RH reliever spot. The books out on Stutes. Stutes’ control reverted back to the norm, and major league hitters just wait him out until they see a fat fast ball. Herndon is nothing special, but at least he has the ability to keep the ball down.

      Like

    1. Rupp is definitely in Clearwater. Because of their college experience and age it will be good for Wright and Morgan to go to Clearwater. Three left handers. They will probably allow Manzanillo to refine his delivery at Lakewood. He has the upside of a major league starter, but lacks the control he needs for that to happen. I am glad to see the Phillies are not in panic. They are putting their minor league players in a position to succeed. Their pitching throughout the system is excellent. The pitchers had better be good at Clearwater because they will not get many runs. Alonso is still under the radar, but it seems to me he has been this group’s best hitter for average over the time he has been a pro.
      I see that Villanueva is in that twilight zone of being old for his stage of development. They have jettisoned the other players in that category. He is still around. It wouldn’t hurt Clearwater to have his bat.

      Like

  22. ZO quote
    You will know by Friday whether or not Juan Pierre is making the Opening Day roster.
    Looks like a “get ready” thing. In other words he is out and pods is in,

    Like

  23. I think its usually the case that one of the teams will lack for talent. Very excited about the Reading team as I get to see them when they come to Trenton and I’m sure to get down to Lakewood to see a game or two this season.

    If Pods doesn’t go north with the team after yesterdays walk off and they take Pierre I’ll be livid especially after I put myself in the Brown camp and they trampled my hope to see him start the season with the big club. No Howard, no Utley how do you turn your back on that type of offensive production.

    Like

    2. A poster said it earlier, if brown is killing it, Say mid-.300’s BA, mid 400’s OBP and a hand full of HR’s he’s going to be playing for the phillies, defense be damned. As much as some people here think he needs to learn defense, you can’t teach that kind of run production. It’s all going to boil down to the phillies offense this year, if they’re losing games where our staff gives up 3 runs or less on the regular, brown will be a full time starter before the end of the year. At this point, if I was setting the over-under on his call-up date, I’d say Mid-June.

      Like

      1. I disagree. I don’t think the Phillies have any intention of bringing Brown back up until/unless he significantly improves his defense. I think it’s pretty obvious the only reason he already hasn’t been named the starting LFer is because of his defensive issues.
        My opinion, as of now Brown would be a net negative run creator with the Phillies. He would give up more runs on defense then he would produce on offense.

        Like

        1. Would you believe that in Lakewood he played 69 Games in CF had 137 Chances and held a .971 fld%. Look he’s always been an inconsistent defender and I’m not going to ignore his recent misadventures in LF but we’re over reacting to how bad it actually would be.

          Its not like we’re trying to put him at SS. And like most teams with a Plus offensive player with poor defensive skills you take them out late in games for a defensive replacement.

          Like

  24. Matt Way and Eric Pettis gone…….I guess Way could not recover fully from the injury/condition.

    Like

Comments are closed.