Morning Musings

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Life has slowed down to a pace where I have ten minutes to out some thoughts together this morning.  Here it goes….

–Although I didn’t expect much when JC Ramirez was called up to help out in the Lehigh Valley bullpen, his first two outings have been very strong.

–Lehigh Valley OF Derrick Mitchell, coming off an 8 RBI night (in a double header), broke his wrist and will miss at least the next 6 weeks recovering.

—Tyson Gillies has begun only very minimal physical activity recovering from his wrist injury/concussion and he still is at least a week away from a return.  This is just another in a long series of physical set backs for Gillies, who was playing well up until the time of his injury.

–It is time to start paying some real attention to 21 year old Dominican Lisalberto Bonilla.  During his 22 games  between Clearwater and Reading he has held opponents to a .191 average and is striking out 12.3 per nine.

—Jesse Biddle was scheduled to start last night for CLearwater and did not.  Clearwater is on the road, so it is more difficult to get information.  Stay tuned.

–It is time to take a look at why Lakewood is performing so badly.  They are now equally miserable swinging the bat, as well as throwing the ball.   Coming into the year, Lakewood looked to be a team with talent. 61 games in they are without a major bright spot.  Having a dozen 20 year olds performing below expectations is very problematic for the system.

–Williamsport and the GCL Phils begin play a week from tomorrow, the 18th.  Look for rosters to be filled out after a 5 day mini camp in Clearwater this week.

 

47 thoughts on “Morning Musings”

  1. Lakewood would seem to be a puzzle…the glimmer of hope, most are young for the level, WTE of Gauntlett. Now the question begs the org….do you have some repeat there again next year, while the some of the upcoming Crosscutters may need to move up next year.

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    1. Lakewood is young and has some prospects, but I think they have performed close to expectations. Even being young they are not bolstered by a great deal of top picks who all got held back in extended. Plus, the pitching staff has a few possible prospects but no real prospects. The two arms that would have helped were double-jumped to Clearwater (Morgan and Wright).

      So performance at Lakewood is pretty much in line with expectations. It does not diminish the real prospects like Franco and Pointer and Dugan that are making progress even if they struggle at times. They should be much better next year because Williamsport could be loaded this year.

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      1. Morandini would be a scape goat. They should look in the mirror at some of their choices in the 2009 and 2010 drafts and their decision to spend basically the lowest amount in MLB over those 2 years getting guys signed.

        The performance of Lakewood roster is not entirely surprising.

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  2. Is Bonilla a starter candidate or will he be 100% pen going forward? I seem to remember last year he began the year starting and then moved to the pen, but I may be wrong. Maybe they are just limiting his innings for the time being?

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    1. Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I think Bonilla started last year in the pen and switched to starting later in the year.

      Seems to me that if the team thinks he has a future as a starter, he’d be doing that right now. Crowded rotation or not.

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      1. Perhaps his physique has something to do with his placement. Maybe they want him to get a little bigger and stronger.

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  3. I’ve been high on Bonilla since his days in the Latin leagues. He was impressive back then, and he’s impressed me at every step. He’s gotta cut down the walks, but he knows how to strike guys out. It looks like he’s in the pen for now, but I’d imagine they’ll stretch him back out to be a starter next offseason if they think his performance warrants it.

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    1. His performance definitely warranted staying in the rotation, so I’m not sure it’s a performance based thing with him. But yes, last year he started in the bullpen and then switched to starting.

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  5. You mean we won’t have to read what Mitchell had for breakfast and when he should be called up to be the 5th OF, for six weeks?

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  6. The game that Biddle was supposed to start got rained out. I was there, waiting to see him throw against the St Lucie Mets.

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  7. Stewart and Klevens at Lakewood, have pitched well enough to win , but the bats go silent on those nights. The constant pressure of no run support has to wear them out. Like Cliff Lee on the big.

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    2. I think the problem with Lakewood v. the rest of the Sally League is the *lack* of tools, to be honest. The team has been spoiled the past few years to have staff aces with big upside (Biddle, May, Colvin, Cosart, Knapp); who’s the best pitcher on that staff this year? Hard to project any of them as big leaguers.

      Most Sally teams have highly touted 2011 draft picks playing big roles. The Phillies’ first two 2011 picks are going to Williamsport. With all due respect to the kids in Lakewood (many of whom I like quite a bit), it’s hard to compete on the field without comparable talent.

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  9. I had high hopes for Mitchell since he can catch the ball. It can be an amazingly cruel game.

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    1. Derrick is getting two pins in his hand tomorrow. Worst case it will be another 6 weeks best will be 4 weeks. He has shown that he not only can adjust to every level he moves up but can play well enough to set him self apart. He will get a shot at the bigs and when he does there is no evidence to suggest that he will do anything but play well. Nowheels in the next two seasons you will be watching derrick in the bigs, of that I am certain.

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        1. I brought this idea up a few weeks ago. It seemed a good idea when the big club was in striking distance, but everybody there is struggling too much to think this season is anything but a wash. Not sure what rushing May would really accomplish.

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  12. great idea him, cloud, to starting staff, and we can get as high as maybe 6th in the draft next year

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  13. I always thought JC Ramierez’s stuff would play up as a reliever. I hope he still isn’t “pitching to contact” like he did last year. Two good pitches, one or two innings. He should do well.

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  14. If Ramirez continues to do well, he could find himself in the majors very quickly, considering the fact that he’s righthanded and on the 40-man.

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  15. How can anyone judge a pitcher yet alone a prospect with the Phils defense. For those who doubted Galvis, what say you now.

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  16. Can someone tell me why Luna was not playing third, Hide Ty at first he is sort of passable there.

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      1. thanks I seem to see Luna when he does well.. It makes you long for the days of Don Money. With Fredie out I am down to Worley as a rooting interest.

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        1. Can Frandsen catch the ball? When everyone on this site said Wigginton was a hack in the field, I thought everyone was exaggerating but good lord was I wrong. Might be the worst defensive player I’ve ever seen.

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  17. Still looking for updates on signed draft picks. I believe Callis reported that Kevin Brady has signed

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  18. Back in the day, Al Capp had a four panel cartoon strip in many daily papers. One of his characters was named Joe Phipzk (sp?) who was always shown with a dark cloud over his head. The idea was that he was fated to always have troubles.

    Many years later, I’d like to nominate Gillies as our own “Joe Phipzk.” The guy can’t get a break. His leg injury after coming to the Phils was misdiagnosed and/or given poor treatment. He ended by having to start all over again. In the process he lost two full years plus of playing time.

    At last in physical condition that allows him to play again, coming back well and lately had been on a hot hitting streak…and then he gets hurt with a concussion and more… and out again.

    Myself…I gotta root for this guy…to pick up the pieces and come on strong again. Blow those clouds away!

    And all this about a guy who has conquered his deafness to become a pro baseball player with realistic MLB dreams.
    Mr. Gillies, I recognize your character! Thank you. Good fortune!

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  19. I see Ervis Manzanillo has dropped to the Williamsport roster. He’s had a tough go of it at Lakewood. He’s young and raw but is known to have a good arm and he’s a lefty. It just hasn’t come together for him yet.

    Lakewood is in a spiral down. the most interesting boxscore review for me in Lakewood. I want to see how they lost the game this time. sometimes it’s giving up run early. Or runs late. Or an error. Or total lack of hitting. They mirror the big club. If a pitcher has a good outing, the defense lets them down or no one hits. If the team hits the ball well and the starter does a good job, then the relievers give up runs. In the words of Rosana Rosannadanna, “It’s always something.” I guess I’m dating myself there.

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  20. That is ok. Gilda was a true genius ,taken way too early. One can’t even imagine Gene Wilder’s pain.
    I am excited about the short season starting and changes at higher levels. Besides what else is to get excited about.

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  22. Bonilla reminds me of Pedro minus the sweltering FB Pedro featured early on in his career. Having said that by all accounts Bonilla’s FB is lively and the separation he gets with his change is enough to get the solid K rate.

    My guess is they look at his frame and wonder if he will remain durable enough to stick as a starter.

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