Monthly Archives: October 2012

BP Prospect Profile on Maikel Franco

Other Stuff

For those of you who have access to BP’s pay content go to the site and read the full article at http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=18646#commentMessage as well as ask questions in the comments.

For those that don’t it is a large scouting report written by Hudson Belinsky who does a ton of scouting in the Northeast.  The premise of the article being that he often uses Lakewood as a venue to see the prospects in the SAL and can get caught up really watching a Phillies’ prospect, in 2011 it was Domingo Santana and in 2012 it was Maikel Franco.

Continue reading BP Prospect Profile on Maikel Franco →

Tyler Cloyd #19 on BA’s International League Top 20

Other Stuff

Today BA released their IL Top 20, on a whole it was a weak list with Cloyd making the back end of it.

Cloyd’s year has been much discussed and was phenomenal.  After his promotion to the big leagues he showed valid many of the concerns that were put forth about him.  Cloyd’s fastball sits 86-89 and can rarely touch 90, however he commands it well.  He also has an average change up and cutter to use against left handed hitters.  His curveball also is an average pitch but it does not have the ability to be a put away pitch.  At most Cloyd is a back end #4 starter but likely profiles as a fringy #5 starter.  He can be effective if his command is there but because of his stuff he has to perfect in order to succeed.

Missing the list were a trio of potential high impact relivers in Jake Diekman, Phillipe Aumont, and Justin DeFratus in addition to some other interesting middle relief prospects such as Michael Schwimmer and BJ Rosenberg.

General Discussion–Week of October 8

Other Stuff

Your place to talk about anything this week.  Arizona Fall League is in full swing.  Baseball America organizational rankings are wrapping up with 9 Phillies’ prospects making lists.

Arizona Fall League Kicks Off Today

8. Arizona Fall League, Asche, Cody, Collier, Zach, Joseph, Tommy

As most of you know, seven Phillies minor leaguers will participate in the Arizona Fall League this year as members of the Peoria Javelinas.  The list includes four Reading relievers, and three interesting position players: C Tommy Joseph, 3B Cody Asche, OF Zach Collier, LHP Jay Johnson and RHPs Colby Shreve, Tyler Knigge and Kyle Simon.

Continue reading Arizona Fall League Kicks Off Today →

Tommy Joseph #10, Cody Asche #17, and Jon Pettibone #19 on BA’s Eastern League Top 20

Asche, Cody, Joseph, Tommy, Martin, Ethan, Morgan, Adam, Other Stuff, Pettibone, Jon

Baseball America posted their Eastern League Top 20 today including three members of the Reading Phillies, note that Adam Morgan and Ethan Martin were not eligible for this list due to innings accrued.

Tommy Joseph – Joseph a catcher was the centerpiece of the trade with San Francisco for Hunter Pence.  He put up crazy numbers in the Cal League in 2011 and his numbers came down this year in the EL.  He has the ability to hit the ball to all fields and has at least plus power right now.  His contact rate has gone down recently but his walk rate has increased.  It is still to be seen where the Phillies send him next year with Valle at LHV and Rupp behind him.

Continue reading Tommy Joseph #10, Cody Asche #17, and Jon Pettibone #19 on BA’s Eastern League Top 20 →

Jesse Biddle #10 and Adam Morgan #12 on Baseball America top FSL Prospects List

Biddle, Jesse, Morgan, Adam, Other Stuff

Clearwater southpaws Jesse Biddle and Adam Morgan both made BA’s top 20 prospect list for the FSL.  They were the 2nd and 3rd best LHP and 5th and 6th best pitchers overall.

Biddle was the second youngest pitcher to qualify for the ERA title (behind former #2 pick Jameson Tallion).  He led the league in strikeouts with 151 and he was 10-6 with 3.22 ERA over 143 IP.  Biddle’s fastball sits average to slightly plus (90-93) though he can flash higher than that.  Biddles curveball is a true plus pitch and changeup is showing major improvement.

Adam Morgan led the league in strikeouts before being promoted to AA Reading (his FSL line was 118 IP 4-10, 3.29 ERA, 27 BB, 133 K).  His fastball is plus sitting 91-94, his secondary stuff profiles as average though there is some room for improvement.  Much of Morgan’s success can be attributed to his ability to locate his fastball throughout the zone.

At this point both profile to be at least #3 starters with the possibility of being slightly better than that.  Morgan having finished the year in AA is slightly ahead of Biddle in major league ETA but with Biddle opening the year in AA he is not that far away.

(Scouting reports paraphrased from Baseball America write ups)

Jason Pridie Elects Free Agency

Other Stuff

The dog days of the off- season have begun where the news may consist of Jason Pridie electing free agency. So, with that said, Jason Pridie, OF, has elected free agency.

Maikel Franco #16 on Baseball America top SAL Prospects List

Franco, Maikel, Other Stuff

Lakewood 3B Maikel Franco was ranked the 16th best prospect in the South Atlantic League by Baseball America after a very good season in which he hit .280 with 14 HR and 84 RBI’s.  Franco was the third highest ranked 3B on the list behind Trevor Story (Rockies) and Gavin Cherini (Red Sox). The Phils sit with two 3B in their system who are legitimate prospects at this stage (Asche and Franco) but will likely have to fill the position in the short term by signing a free agent to what is hopefully just a one-two year deal. (Youkelis, Keppinger)

Post Season Report Card, Bullpen, Williamsport and GCL

Other Stuff

We finally hit the last report card of the 2012 season.  It’s difficult as we reach the lower levels as I have seen very few of these guys play, and generally base the reports on their stat lines and trends over the last few years.  I would think that there are some limited circumstances where the Phillies see something outside the stats, but would also think it to be the rare occasion where there is a belief that a guy with a 7 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP is throwing well.  At any rate, enjoy…and we will kick off the Arizona Fall League season next week with Brad reporting.

Williamsport

Geoff Broussard, 22, Phils 23rd round pick in 2012;  20 games; 2-1 with a 2.41 ERA; 7 saves; 33.2IP 34H 8BB 36K; 2HR allowed; 0.88 GO/AO; .264 opp. avg., 1.24 WHIP; 2.1BB/9.6K per nine; Very good professional debut for Broussard. Grade: B+; 2013: Clearwater bullpen

Luis Gonzalez, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2009; 16 games (6 starts); 1 save; 50.2IP 51H 2HR 25BB 46K; 0.81 GO/AO; .258 opp. avg., 1.50 WHIP; 4.5BB/8.1K per nine; .380 vs. LH, .216 vs. RH, .246 with RISP.  Gonzalez did enough in 2012 to move him to Lakewood next year.  His numbers vs. LH are striking.  Grade: C+ Continue reading Post Season Report Card, Bullpen, Williamsport and GCL →

Roman Quinn named #3 NYPL Prospect by Baseball America

Other Stuff, Quinn, Roman

SS Roman Quinn was named the number three prospect in the New York Penn League by Baseball America behind Rays pitcher Taylor Guerrieri and Pirates pitcher Luis Heredia.  After being recognized as the fastest baserunner in the Phils system by BA in 2011, Quinn went on to hit .281 with 1HR and 26 RBI’s to go along with 30SB in a successful 2012 campaign.