Around the System–Bullpen, Clearwater/Lakewood

Other Stuff

This is the last stop on the first trip Around the System.  Looking forward, we will start again with a look at the corner infielders sometime the week after the draft.

Clearwater (Stats thru Friday’s games)

Garrett Claypool,23, Phils 11th round pick in 2010; 14 games, 2-1 with an 8.33 ERA; 27IP 31H 12BB 33K; 3 HR allowed; 0.55 GO/AO; .287 opp. avg., .395 vs. LH, .215 vs. RH; .321 with RISP; 1.59 WHIP; 4.0BB/11.0K per Nine; CLaypool has been brutal, after some high hopes following a good season in Lakewood.  Lefties are just crushing him.

Ryan Duke, 23, Phils 25th round pick in 2011; 14 games; 0-2 with a 4.32 ERA between Lakewood and Clearwater; 3 saves; 16.2IP 20H 7BB 21K; 0.50 GO/AO; .299 opp. avg., 1.62 WHIP; 3.7BB/11.2K per nine; 0-0 with a 6.43 ERA in 5 outings with CLearwater.  Pitched well early for Lakewood and was quickly promoted to CLearwater.

Tyler Knigge, 23, Phils 12th round pick in 2010; 19 games; 2-0 with an 0.67 ERA; 3 saves; 27IP 16H 6BB 22K; 0.90 GO/AO; .174 opp. avg., 0.81 WHIP; 2.0BB/7.3K per nine; .154 vs. LH, .189 vs. RH, .200 with RISP. Simply dominant thus far. SHould be in Reading in July.

Bryan Morgado, 23, Phils 4th round pick in 2010; 10 games; 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA between Lakewood and Clearwater; 21.1IP 21H 9BB 20K; 1.41 WHIP; 3.8BB/8.4K per nine; 0.81 GO/AO; .273 opp. avg., Morgado, a high draft pick has battled injuries over the past two years. Coming around this year, throwing fairly well.

Colby Shreve, 24, Phils 6th round pick in 2008; 16 games; 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA between Lakewood and Clearwater; 2 saves; 30IP 26H 11BB 32K; 1.23 WHIP; 3.3BB/9.6K per nine; 2.19 GO/AO; .239 opp. avg., Shreve probably was caught in a numbers game starting the year at Low A and was quickly promoted.  Has pitched well.

Juan Sosa, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2007; 19 games; 3-3 with a 5.73 ERA; 2 saves; 22IP 28H 4BB 24K; 1.45 WHIP; 1.6BB/9.8K per nine; 0.95 GO/AO; .304 opp. avg., .304 vs. LH, .304 vs. RH, .483 with RISP; The numbers with RISP say it all.

Hector Neris, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 18 games; 1-0 with a 3.08 ERA; 4 saves; 26.1IP 18H 9BB 29K; 0.50 GO/AO; .194 opp. avg., 1.02 WHIP; 3.4BB/9.9K per nine; .190 vs. LH, .196 vs. RH, .214 with RISP; Neris has pitched well, following a good year last year.

Lakewood (Stats thru Saturdays Games)

Gabrial Arias, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2007; 14 games; 1-2 with a 3.91 ERA;  25.1IP 27H 12BB 24K; 1.54 WHIP; 4.2BB/8.8K per Nine; .200 vs. LH, .316 vs. RH, .267 with RISP; Adequate.

James Birmingham, 23; Signed as a free agent in 2011; 5 games; 0-0 with a 6.35 ERA; 5.2IP 3H 3BB 4K; 1.00 GO/AO; .158 opp. avg., Birmingham was activated only 2 plus weeks ago.  Too early to tell this season.

Austin Brough, 24, 12 games; 0-1 with a 9.77 ERA between Lakewood and Clearwater; 15.2IP 26H 8BB 5K; 2.17 WHIP; 4.5BB/1.8K per nine; 1.33 GO/AO; .356 opp. avg. Brough was outstanding at WIlliamsport last season, and started this season in Clearwater and was brutal.  His demotion to Lakewood has not led to much more success.

Matt Campbell, 24, Phils 24th round pick in 2011; 8 games; 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA; 3 saves; 15IP 8H 6BB 13K; 1.13 GO/AO; .154 opp. avg; .200 vs. LH, .125 vs. RH, .067 with RISP. 0.93 WHIP; 3.6BB/7.8K per nine.  Activated in late April, Campbell has pitched well, as a 24 year old should at Low A.  Likely call up to Clearwater shortly if he keeps it up.

Colton Murray, 22;Phils 13th round pick in 2011;  15 games; 1-2 with a 4.56 ERA; 2 saves; 25.2IP 32H 12BB 21K; 1.32 GO/AO; .311 opp. avg., 1.71 WHIP; 4.2BB/7.4K per nine; .409 vs. LH, .237 vs. RH, .229 with RISP; 8 games in May, 0-1 with a 1.17 ERA.  Murray was getting crushed early on but his performance as of late have been very promising.

Mike Nesseth, 24, Phils 17th round pick in 2010; 11 games(4 starts); 4-1 with a 3.97ERA; 1 save; 34IP 27H 20BB 22K; 1.00 GO/AO; .209 opp. avg., 1.38 WHIP; 5.2BB/5.8K per Nine; .250 vs. LH, .152 vs. RH, .250 with RISP; Nesseth really struggled with his control as a starter (15BB in 15IP) and since being moved into the bullpen is 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA in 7 games. He has walked 5 in his 19 innings in relief and the opposition is hitting well below .200 against him.  Nesseth is a guy I really like and overcame significant arm troubles and pitched well on his way back to health last year in WIlliamsport.  Old for Low A, if and when he has success, the Phils will try to move him quickly.

Luis Paulino, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2007; 7 games; 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA; 1 save; 15.1IP 12H 5BB 13K; 0.57 GO/AO; .203 opp. avg., .185 vs. LH, .219 vs. RH, .231 with RISP; 1.10 WHIP; 2.6bb/7.6K per nine. Paulino was activated in late April and has pitched well in his limited opportunity.

12 thoughts on “Around the System–Bullpen, Clearwater/Lakewood”

  1. When healthy, does Morgado project as a starter? Who are the 2 or 3 guys on this list that are real prospects?

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    1. I think Morgado projects as a reliever like everyone else on this list. Not many real prospects are relievers in A ball, but I think Morgado, Knigge and maybe Neris have the best chance in this group. Sosa has good K and BB numbers but too many hits allowed.

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      2. I don’t think i’ll ever understand the logic behind drafting Morgado high in the draft, for the express purpose of making him a Reliever. He was a 3rd round pick, and signed for 275K, I believe. That seems like an awful waste, just for the small payoff of a Relief arm.

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        1. Agree there…..lots of recent money should logically dictate a starting role endeavor, at least for the initial developing period..

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        2. Well it definitely seems bad right now. I’m sure the Phillies were hoping he’d be at least close to the major leagues by now given his draft position. But I see your point since relievers have inherently less value than starters.

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  2. From what I recall, Shreve was a highly thought of prospect before he needed TJ surgery, and that was 3-4 years ago (right when he was drafted). He appears to be pitching well, so perhaps he is back to where he was before the surgery.

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  3. Just can’t get excited about any pitcher who’s already moved to the bullpen in A-ball and below.

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  5. Paulino is a converted infelder. He attempted pitching (2 games) in 2010. He didn’t play in 2011 as they probably tried to convert him to a pitcher. He’s been impressive for a conversion project.

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  6. I saw Tyler Knigge pitching for the Phils on TV during spring training and have been a fan of his ever since. Glad to see he’s doing so well. I just like his name.

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