Lehigh Valley Report–End of Season Edition

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Put another year in the books for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs who finished the year in 3rd place of the Northern Division of the International League at 75-68, 9 games back of division leading Scranton.  The season was a challenging one for Lehigh Valley. From the get go they were faced with a myriad of call ups and injuries that left the team in a state of total flux, literally all year. With the Phillies bullpen decimated by both injury and ineffectiveness, just about every pitcher in the bullpen on the IronPigs opening day  roster received  a shot with the big club. My perspective is that even with a record that stood well below the level of success of the 2011 team, the job done by Manager Ryne Sandberg was far better, getting alot more with less talent.  On paper, this was no more than a .500 team that Sandberg took into the final weekend of the wild card hunt.

Before we retreat into the world of statistics, I wanted to say thank you to the General Manager of the IronPigs Kurt Landes, Media Relations Director Matt Provence, Manager of Media Relations Jon Schaefer, and Media Relations Assistant Tim Doohan.  While often hearing good natured ribbing from the “real media” about being “just a blogger”, the Lehigh Valley management has always treated me and the site with the same high degree of professionalism as any other media member, providing the exact same access and information to me as to others.  I greatly appreciate the access which allows me to pursue a true passion of mine, which ultimately allows all of us to share the information I am able to provide. As always, the end of the minor league season, feels as if I am losing a friend for the next seven months and I already look forward to 2013 and the exciting team Lehigh Valley is likely to have.  Now enough with the sappy and on the baseball….

‘Pigs leaders: Kevin Frandsen was 3rd in doubles (34) and 5th in avg. (302); Cody Overbeck was 6th in RBI’s (71); Kyle Hudson was 8th in SB’s (22); Tyler Cloyd was 4th in wins (12), lead the league in ERA (2.35) and led the league in WHIP (1.01); Pat Misch was 2nd in the league in losses (12); Scott Elarton was 4th in losses (11), 5th in starts(26); worst ERA (5.41) and 3rd worst WHIP (1.57); Philippe Aumont was 5th in saves (15); Tom Cochran was 4th in walks (70)

Notes: Lehigh Valley were shutout a franchise high 13 times in 2012.

–Lehigh Valley once again led the league in attendance, drawing over 622,000 fans during the season for an average of almost 9,100 a game,

–JC Ramirez has been unscored upon in 11 of his last 12 games, throwing 18.1 innings, allowing just 9 hits, walking 6 and striking out 12.

–After having significant control problems during the early season in Reading, reliever Juan Morillo has opened my eyes, having seen hom several times in Lehigh Valley.  In his last 7 games with the ‘Pigs, he has thrown 12 innings, allowed 2 runs and struck out 18.

–After losing seasons in the first three seasons in the franchise’s history, Manager Ryne Sandberg enjoyed winning seasons the last two years.

—Cody Overbeck ended the season having hit in 8 of his last 10 games (.351) and over 70 RBI’s on the season.

–OF Steve Susdorf hit .329 over his last 23 games of the season, ending the year over .280.

—Tyler Cloyd was named the Lehigh Valley Most Valuable Pitcher, while Kevin Frandsen took the honors for Most Valuable Hitter.

—Scott Elarton won his last start of the year, after going 17 consecutive starts (105 days) without a win.

—Michael Schwimer’s health remained a controversial topic as the season ended.  Ruben Amaro was quoted as saying that “he wouldn’t be put on disabled list:, but Schwimer was certainly not ready to pitch. He hardly threw during soft toss the last several days of the season and Colton Murray was called up from Clearwater to give the ‘Pigs an extra arm in the bullpen.

—OF Derrick Mitchell hit just .132 in 18 games since being activated from the DL in Mid-August after missing two plus months with a broken wrist.

–In his last four starts of the season, Tom Cochran was 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA.

–In his last 19 games of the season, OF Kyle Hudson hit just .189, including 16 k’s.

—Sebastian Valle threw out just 2 of 16 runners trying to steal since his AAA call up.

-In his last 13 outings of the year, Justin DeFratus was 0-0 with a 2.04 ERA and 3 saves in 17.2 IP.

–After relief pitchers Jake Diekman and Justin DeFratus (and the continued unavailability of Michael Schwimer) were called up to Philadelphia, Clearwater closer Colton Murray joined Lehigh Valley for the final two games of the season.

—Tyson Brummett had a bounce back season this year for Lehigh Valley going back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen.  In 7 starts Brummett had a 2.48 ERA.

—Mario Hollands tied a Lehigh Valley record by allowing four home runs in a game during his last start against Scranton.

–In his last 20 starts of the season between Reading and Lehigh Valley, Jon Pettibone was 12-5 with a 2.65 ERA.

–Even while missing two months of the season, OF Derrick Mitchell led the team in OF assists with 8.

–Lehigh Valley opens the 2013 season at home against Syracuse on April 4th.

32 thoughts on “Lehigh Valley Report–End of Season Edition”

    1. I think that Sandberg is ready for an MLB job- if the Phils want him to be Charlie’s replacement, then they better act now. If not giving him the Manager’s position, then at least a Vukovich-level bench coach type of job. It’s probably time to end the Charlie Manuel era – too much went wrong this year, and while a lot of it is not his fault, the team seems like it needs some new blood in the dugout

      – Jeff

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      1. I would’ve agreed with you in July, but given the way the team’s played at somewhat full strength, it’s been apparent Charlie’s not really the problem.

        That said, Sandberg needs to be on the MLB coaching staff next year.

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        1. are you watching the same games as i am. the number one problem is charlie. when you don”t have superior talent, sound strategy is needed in key situations. WHY PITCH TO CHIPPER. charlie is always on the wrong end of stratigic decisions. charlie has to go.

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          1. It’s Charlie’s fault Horst let two runners on? It’s Charlie’s fault Pap let it get to Chipper in the first place? Yea, we’re watching the same games you are. The bullpen is terrible, the offense inconsistant, and the starting pitching no where near as good as it was last year. He’s not the best but my God, he’s not this teams problem.

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            1. yea actually it is charlies fault horst let those two runners on! horst got the last out of one inning then pitched a full inning and was sent out there again to start another inning. charlies done this all year with the pen! guys would pitch good and he would leave them in too long and , well what you saw was the result most of the time! then the next pitcher comes in with 2 runners on …you get the picture. as far as chipper goes charlie should have went to the mound or let it be known to pap not to pitch to him! it’s his job to manage or in many cases mismanage as he’s done.

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          2. Because walking Chipper puts the winning run on base.

            If your umpty million dollar closer can’t get an out in that situation then go home and take the loss. It happens – even to the Braves closer the day before – but it has happened to Papelbon too much this year for what he is being paid.

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          3. He won with some of the best players the team ever had in their prime.They covered up his many mistakes. Now the team needs a manager he has failed.
            He must go and I am not sure Ruben should stay

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          4. Since the most recent loss to Atlanta was brought up, I got an impression of a possibility while watching on TV. A couple , or so, of batters before C. Jones, Dubee went out to talk to Horst. I thought there was a possibility that Dubee told Horst to issue a semi-intentional walk, as they brought in Papelbon after that batter. i also entertained the possibility that this might have been done solely to put Papelbon into a save situation, and thereby improve the player/agent morale vis-a-vis the contractual incentives situation. I entertain the possibility this is the case, or it may be bull, you decide.

            I also see on philly.com that Philly is lobbying to get the Prado double changed to an error by Frandsen, and thereby improve the ERA of Papelbon and Horst.

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  2. Sebastian Valle seemed to whelm LHV – you know, he wasn’t overwhelming, but he didn’t really underwhelm either. There are going to be tons of interesting prospect ranking debates over the winter – one of the more interesting ones will be where does Valle rank, and who is the better prospect: him or Tommy Joseph. Hell, this could be its own thread and we could debate it ad nauseum. Although personally, I feel that Joseph may come out on top. Valle’s ridiculously low BB% sets off warning signs. Besides, I just realized that Joseph is also almost a full year younger – and Valle has always been young for his age 8^).

    – Jeff

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  3. I am surprised, what with Ruiz and Schneider injured, that the Phils did not call up Valle for a September look. I think the Phils have always carried 3 healthy catchers once rosters expanded. It’s tough if you get into a 14 inning game to keep a single catcher out there while the other is stashed on the bench in case of injury. And as Ruiz is around the club doing his running, I think he could provide some valuable tutelage to Valle for down the road. Think the Phils blew a development opportunity here.

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    1. He is still young and very raw, there was no point in starting his arb. clock when they could have Lerud as a easy DFA candidate granted Valle is on the 40 man it just wasn’t worth the risk.

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  4. Was Hollands that good to be brought up to AAA or was he just a warm pitching body?

    He sure look effective in LHV

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  6. Great stat on Mitchell, he could get the call next year midseason if there are a couple injuries. From what I have heard Ryne really likes him, hopefully next year is a breakout season for him.

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    1. Sandberg does like him alot…However, who knows if Mitchell will be back. There will be OF’s coming up from Reading, definitely Gillies and I would think Castro and with Mitchell becoming a minor league free agent, having completed six full minor league seasons. I would think that he goes where he thinks he will play the most. I like him myself, but the injury may have really hurt his ability to be part of the organizations future.

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  8. It’s not necessarily that Cholly is a bad manager; it’s because he’s become a barrier to the youth movement about to begin next season. Ceratainly we ALL know that he greatly prefers to have veteran players on his team and it appears he may have difficulty being patient while a newbie plays and learns the MLB way.

    OTOH, Sandberg is younger and more attuned to the developing way as he has been doing at Lehigh Valley (and before w the Cubs) for the ’11 and ’12 seasons…and very well, with masking tape and baling wire.

    We know that several newbies are likely to be on the ’13 squad sometimes. Sandberg AT LEAST should be given a bench coach job w the team in ’13!! For sure! Can’t afford to lose the Phils next manager.

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    1. What youth have the Phillies had that Charlie has decided not to play? Of the young guys who have been brought up over the last few seasons who has been slighted aside from maybe Dom Brown? Stutes, Bastardo, any young bullpen arm really have gotten serious burn. Mayberry has gotten serious burn. Galvis was getting serious burn. I’m not even sure Brown is actually his fault. Hasn’t it been Charlie who has said he’s wanted to see guys like Ruf and Cloyd in action? I don’t think he’s opposed to youth he just wants to see performance. Because let’s face it everytime the Phillies lose everyone is jumping down his throat. The fact is aside from Dom Brown the Phillies haven’t had much youth to trot out there. You can’t just make youth appear.

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      2. Agreed. Charlie plays the players that he is given. Of course, he is not going to bench a regular to play a rookie very often. But few managers would.

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  9. Gregg, if anyone in the “real” media gives you any crap, just let me know. I’ll squeeze that gelatinous junk, they call a brain, right out of them.

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