Lehigh Valley Roster

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The Lehigh Valley roster came out today, albeit in an incomplete fashion as the final roster will be dependant on the last couple roster moves the Phils need to make.  This is where we are at currently…

Catcher: Erik Kratz, 31, Kratz, a 2010 IL All Star was a key member of the team last year, hitting .288 with 15 HR and 53 RBI.

Tuffy Gosewisch, 28, had a very good season for Reading last year. His strength continues to be his defense, however, he provided some punch at the plate last year hitting .247 with 13 HR and 66 RBI.

John Suomi, 31, typically moves up and down the minor leagues filling in where the Phils need a spare catcher.  I would expect the same role in 2012.

1B–Cody Overbeck, 26, was the Phils 6th round pick in 2009 and was very good at the plate last season knocking 24 HR and 72 RBI for Reading and Lehigh Valley.

INF–Joe Thurston, 32, a minor league veteran who is entering his second stint in the Phils organization. SIgned just last week, Thurston hit .300 for AAA New Orleans last season.  He has some pop as well as decent speed and should add necessary versatility to the ‘Pigs infield.

INF–Andres Blanco, 28, was signed just yesterday after he failed to make the Nationals Opening Day roster. Slick fielder up the middle who does little with the stick.

INF–Kevin Frandsen, 29, was a key contributor to the Lehigh Valley club last season hitting over .300 in his suspension shortened season.  Again provides versatility as he can play anywhere in the infield and gives you a professional at bat.

OF–Domonic Brown, 24, tries to recover from his very disappointing 2011.  My memory of his last trip around LF in Lehigh Valley is far from a pleasant one.  Hopefully he has a shorter memory than I do.  A ton of skill, needs to out it together.

Rich Thompson, 33, I love the way Thompson plays, all out, all the time.  He is a guy that will never hurt you as he is a plus defender, runs the bases very well and has a very high baseball IQ.

Derrick Mitchell, 25, gets his first shot in AAA after a solid 2011 in Reading where he was one HR short of 20/20.  He added 79 RBI’s and hit .265.  The naturally athletic Mitchell should see some significant playing time.

Lou Montanez, 30, was signed as a free agent out of the Cubs Organization where he hit well over .300 at AAA Iowa last season.  Montanez opened some eyes in Spring Training hitting major league pitching very well for the Phillies and should man RF for Lehigh Valley this season.

SP–Austin Hyatt, 25, will be getting a good look at the front of the Lehigh Valley rotation after winning 12 games as Reading’s most consistent starter last season.

Dave Bush, 32, returns after finishing the final month of last season with the IronPigs,  The local product out of Conestoga High should give consistent quality innings for the LV rotation.

Pat Misch, 30, was signed as a free agent out of the Mets organization in the off season.  Misch bounced back and forth between Buffalo and New York over the last several seasons and fits into the category of “8th starter” in the Phillies rotation.

Tom Cochran, 29, was signed as a free agent out of the Reds organization where he made  12 starts in his 27 appearances.

Scott Elarton, 36, is the real mystery as he was once a high round talent but has only pitched in 16 games over the last 3 seasons. His last start was in 2007 and has made 8 trips to the DL during his major league career.

RP-Phillipe Aumont, 23, should open the season as the Lehigh Valley closer after having a good deal of success at the back of the ‘Pigs bullpen in 2011.  Acquired in the CLiff Lee deal, Aumont bounced back strong in 2011 after a disastrous 2010.

Jake Diekman, 25, was one of the big stories of Spring Training earning accolades from Rich Dubee time and again.  After rough beginnings in 2011 in Reading, Diekman had an outstanding second half of the year as well as a successful stint in the Arizona Fall League, earning him a spot on the 40 man roster.

Jeremy Horst, 26, was acquired from Cincinnati in the now infamous WIlson Valdez deal.  He made his major league debut in 2011 for the Reds making 12 appearances with a credible 2.93 ERA.

David Purcey, 29, signed as a free agent after spending last season with three different organizations.  A starter for much of his first six seasons, I would expect he sees time in both the rotation and as a long man for the ‘Pigs this season.

Brian Sanches, 33, returns to the Phillies organization for his second stint after spending the last three seasons as a key cog in the FLorida Marlins bullpen.  I would expect Sanches to be used in the 6th and 7th inning by Lehigh Valley, and depending upon specific need could be in Philadelphia sooner rather than later with question marks surrounding Stutes and Contreras.

Michael Schwimer, 26, was consistently dominant for Lehigh Valley last season going 9-1 with a 1.85 ERA and earning an IL All Star appearance. He struck out opponents at a rate approaching 12 per 9 innings while holding opponents to a batting  average right around .200.  His performance led to a call up with the big club that was rocky, but Schwimer remains on the short list to return to Philly at some point in 2011.

Three spots remain to be filled on the Lehigh Valley roster.  They should include one pitcher (DeFratus/Savery/Valdes); one OF and an additional infielder (Orr/Luna?)

34 thoughts on “Lehigh Valley Roster”

  1. Reading’s roster is posted on their websight too, but for some reason I can’t copy and paste a link right now. No big surprises. I was trying to follow the box scores, but didn’t notice , did Overbeck get any at bats in big league games this spring?

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      1. I thought it was strange that Lerud was on the 40 man roster (+ sign next to his name). I wondered why the Phils would have 5 catchers on the 40 man? But I checked other sources and he’s not on the 40 man.

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  3. Susdorf and Spidale are back in Reading again. I wonder why LHV has three catchers. It looks like a spot is being held for Podsednik.

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    1. AAA & AA rosters increased from 24 to 25 this year and they decided to carry a third catcher. Good idea because they were burned several times the last 2 years having only 2.

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        1. The permanent increase to 25 was approved in late January. I tried to find the entire article but all I could find was this:
          The National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues today announced that the active roster limit for teams in the Triple-A and Double-A classifications will be raised to 25 players for the 2012 season. .

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    2. Nice to see Spidale back – he’s sort of the Rich Thompson of Reading. This will mark his 6th season in Reading – absolutely unheard of at the AA level. I’m sure the org would love to have him and Rich in the org after their playing days are over.

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  5. Cloyd and Susdorf back in Reading is too bad, repeating a level they dominated. The Phils, in their infinite wisdom, know more about their own players than I do, but I can’t help but wonder why they need to have guys like Elarton and Cochran blocking Cloyd, or why Susdorf doesn’t even get a bench spot in AAA, since I guess that’s where he’ll be in Reading. The DH rules are not different between the Eastern and Int’l Leagues, correct?

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    2. My feeling on the Cloyd is things will work out for him in a few weeks. I could be totally wrong, but something tells me Elaraton isn’t going to be with the organization for the long haul. I think Bush is technically the #6 starter (7th after Kendrick) and if Elaraton struggles early, I think he’ll hang them up or be released. This in turn will create an opening for Cloyd.

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      1. I was fooled, I totally expected Susdorf to be the aaa DH after trading Rizz. Also, it looks like Cochran has a spot in the rotation but I’m nor sure who is out. Misch? Cisco will be up at Aaa at some point this year, their pen is just stacked there.

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    3. Add Cisco to that list. What 8-0 doesn’t get you a promotion. Mike should learn to cook, juggle and play the guitar maybe at the same time. At least you should find out what you have .
      PRESHA COSI PEP
      FREDA DOTTI FROMI FREKALOMER

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      1. 8-0 is insignificant for a reliever. Cisco’s impeccable control took a step back last year. I think he’ll be up but the bullpens are just crowded opening up the season. If he pitches well though, he’ll get chances.

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          1. There’s no predictive value to it. Besides, you know that the way wins and losses are assigned is quite screwy when it comes to relief pitchers. The win is awarded to the pitcher of record when the R-Phils get the lead. Not that Cisco didn’t pitch well, but you have to be a bit lucky. Mike Cisco went 0-3 at the plate, so he literally had almost no control over that part of his record.

            Win/Loss % for starters is one things. But for relievers well, no one is holding Bruce Sutter’s winning percentage against him.

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            1. 1.59 ERA is better than good especially with win/loss. You can only do what they ask you to do. If Cisco remains healthy two years in a row,he will exceed given a chance.

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          2. Wow to say that what people do in the past is mensingleas is just plain wrong. So in your mind, since Rizz is the hottest player in the minors, we should be able to get a top player in a trade. What do you think people base future potential on? Current performance sure is considered, but so is past performance. RIGHT NOW, Rizz is an outlier based on his past performance. Maybe YOU don’t think it’s important, but I’d bet the people who get paid to evaluate talent think it’s VERY important.

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        2. I suspect the control will continue to suffer not because he can’t throw strikes but afraid to as the hitters are more advanced. Control pitchers with marginal stuff quickly become nibblers.

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  6. You guys know from his tweets that Schwim is looking for a place to stay at LHV? I thought the team was responsible for housing at that level.

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  7. Anybody know the clearwater roster? Some names out there that arent on any of the other rosters that i’m curious to see if they are in Clearwater or not.

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