Comments to get it going:

–With how poor the Phils bullpen has been, it is time to take a shot on Jake Diekman. He clearly has the “stuff”. It is simply a matter of whether he is ready. Sometimes ready needs to be pushed along by circumstance.

–Credit where it is due to Anthony Hewitt who had an outstanding week, raising his average on the year to the .270 neighborhood.  Aberration or new pattern? I will take the former.

–Drew Naylor 5 runs in 5 innings of work which would have qualified for Not Hot status, however, coming off Tommy John surgery, he gets a pass as this was his first start in over a year.  Glad to see him back on the mound. Continue reading Hot or Not →

A good week for the ‘Pigs who went 4-2 and now stand at 17-13, 2.0 games behind division leading Pawtucket in the Northern Division of the International League.  Lehigh Valley opened a four game series in Indianapolis and then move on to Louisville.

‘Pigs leaders:Hitting:Domonic Brown 5th in triples(2) Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

The first of the “Around the System” reports for the 2012 season.  I am looking to make this a regular feature once again but it may be a bit slower than in years past because of time constraints.  Look for a report on Middle Infielders sometime next weekend, if not earlier.

Lehigh Valley

Cody Overbeck, 25, 9th round pick in 2008, .282/.324/.408 in 103 AB’s; 2HR 15 RBI; 6%bb/16%K rate; .355 vs. LH, .250 vs. RH, .292 with RISP. 28 games at 1B without an  error. Overbeck  has deservedly started receiving some attention as the most consistent hitter in the Lehigh Valley lineup and a guy that has been a regular run producer throughout his minor league career. Another month or two of this type of production should lead to promotion to Philly talk. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infielders →

A few observations: Sources say that hitters havent seen much of Trevor May’s curveball this year (which is a plus pitch), because the Phillies brass want him to focus on developing his slider.  Whatever he has been throwing, it has been with success as he had 5 wins in April.

—Cody Asche, the Clearwater 3B is a guy worth keeping an eye on.  A 4th round pick out of University of Nebraska, Asche struggled in WIlliampsort last year, but is putting it together in the early going for the Threshers.

–With promotions to Philadelphia and recent struggles in the Lehigh Valley rotation, the time is right to consider the promotion of Tyler CLoyd into the Lehigh Valley rotation.  Since mid season last year, he has been extremely consistent in AA and is a regular on our “Hot” list.

–Jesse Biddle makes the “hot” list but that was based on his effort late last week.  Most notable is the fact that he lasted just 0.1 of an inning last evening, leading to speculation of an injury. Continue reading Hot or Not →