We complete the first trip around the system with a look at the Relievers. Likely promotion material over the next month to six weeks: Stutes, Robles, Murray, O’Sullivan, Inch/Broussard. We will take our next trip around the system in June.
Lehigh Valley
Mike Stutes, 26, Phils 11th round pick in 2008; 17 games; 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA; 1 save; 23.1IP 20H 10BB 22K; 1.27 GO/AO; .225 opp. avg., 1.28 WHIP; 3.9BB/8.5K per nine; .214 vs. LH, .230 vs. RH, .226 with RISP. In his last 10 outings, Stutes has a 1.93 ERA and the opposition is hitting .196 against him. He clearly is the next call up for the Phils when they decide to release someone (Durbin) or an injury to a RHP.
Joe Savery, 27, Phils 1st round pick in 2007; 12 games; 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA; 15IP 11H 6BB 18K; 1.13 WHIP; 2.71 GO/AO; .200 opp. avg., .211 vs. LH, .194 vs. RH, .231 with RISP. Other than his last outing which was miserable, Savery has been outstanding this year and as we have seen by his two call ups, is firmly on the Phils radar screen.
Jake Diekman, 26, Phils 30th round pick in 2007; 17 games; 1-0 with a 6.75ERA; 3 saves; 17.1IP 18H 21BB 18K; 2.75 GO/AO; .281 opp. avg., 2.25 WHIP; .150 vs. LH, .341 vs. RH, .192 with RISP. This season has been pretty much an unmitigated disaster for Diekman, who has basically lost any idea of where the ball is going against right handed batters. His splits againt lefties remain very good, and only 2 of his 21 walks have occurred against lefties. Definition of a LOOGY.
Bobby Bramhall, 27, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 3 games, 0-0 with a 6.35 ERA; 5.2IP 7H 2BB 4K. Bramhall was just signed a couple of weeks ago and has been unimpressive.
Justin Friend, 26, Selected by Phils in 2010 Rule 5 draft; 13 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 1-2 with a 6.75ERA; 21.1IP 24H 19BB 20K; 2.02WHIP; 1.87 GO/AO; .279 opp. avg., .306 vs. LH, .200 vs. RH, .294 with RISP. Again, control is the issue as Friend is giving up 8.0 bb/9. SInce his return to Lehigh Valley a little over a week ago, Friend has looked good, going 5.1IP without giving up a run.
Cesar Jiminez, 28, SIgned as a free agent in 2012; 10 games (2 starts); 0-1 with a 3.20 ERA; 25.1IP 24H 7BB 21K; 1.17 GO/AO; .255 opp. avg., 1.22 WHIP; 2.5bb/7.5K per nine; .300 vs. LH, .234 vs. RH, .259 with RISP. Jiminez has done a nice job in whatever role he has been asked to step into thus far.
JC Ramirez, 24, Acquired from Seattle in 2009; 15 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 1-1 with a 4.24 ERA; 23.1IP 21H 9BB 20K; 1.26 GO/AO; .226 opp. avg., 1.28 WHIP; 3.5BB/7.7K per nine; 6.06 ERA and .275 opp. avg. with Lehigh Valley. Ramirez was outstanding with Reading but has struggled since his return to Lehigh Valley. Simply is not consistent.
Reading
Jay Johnson, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2011; 14 games; 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA; 2 saves; 14IP 17H 10BB 17K; 1.93 WHIP; 6.4BB/10.9K per nine; 0.69 GO/AO; .279 opp. avg., .217 vs. LH, .316 vs. RH, .368 with RISP. Again, walks kill and when you combine that with the .368 with RISP, not very good.
Tyler Knigge, 24, Phils 12th round pick in 2010; 13 games, 2-2 with a 5.31 ERA; 20.1IP 25H 8BB 13K; 0.88 GO/AO; .298 opp. avg., 1.62WHIP; 3.5BB/5.7K per nine; .257 vs. LH, .327 vs. RH, .261 with RISP. Knigge has quite simply been much more hittable this year. Has not had the put away pitch that he had in 2012.
Mike Nesseth, 25, Phils 17th round pick in 2010; 14 games between Clearwater and Reading; ,0-1 with a 5.16 ERA; 22.2IP 31H 5BB 9K; 1.26 GO/AO; .337 opp. avg., 1.59 WHIP; 2.0BB/3.6K per nine. The lone bright spot is an impressive walk rate. Nesseth was promoted out of necessity but has not pitched well. I don’t recollect a K rate from a reliever as low as Nesseth’s, and when you combine that with the .337 opp. avg, we are talking a recipe for disaster. I have always liked Nesseth and he knows how to pitch. Something doesnt add up.
Mauricio Robles, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2012; 13 games; 2-1 with a 1.77 ERA; 1 save; 20.1IP 11H 10BB 30k; 0.75 GO/AO; .159 opp. avg, .222 vs. LH, .137 vs. RH, .308 with RISP; 1.03 WHIP; 4.4BB/13.3K per nine. Robles has been perhaps the most impressive reliever in the organization during the first seven weeks of the season. He is ready for AAA and I would expect his call up soon. Has been dominating.
Colby Shreve, 25, Phils 6th round pick in 2008; 10 games between Clearwater and Reading; 0-2 with a 6.00ERA; 18IP 19H 14BB 12K; 0.95 GO/AO; .284 opp. avg., 1.83 WHIP; 7.0BB/6.0K per nine. The bb/k ratio says it all. Shreve has been ineffective.
Kyle Simon, 22, Acquired from Baltimore in 2012; 12 games, 0-1 with a 5.40ERA; 5 saves; 16.2IP 20H 10BB 13K; 3.50 GO/AO; .303 opp. avg., 5.4bb/7.0K per nine; .292 vs. LH, .310 vs. RH, .200 with RISP; Simon was very good early on, but has struggled with his command as of late and hasn’t been able to put hitters away.
Juan Sosa, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2007; 11 games, 1-0 with a 5.75ERA; 1 save; 20.1IP 21H 18BB 14K; 1.53 GO/AO; .269 opp. avg., 1.92 WHIP; 8.0BB/6.2K per nine; .346 vs. LH, .231 vs. RH, .167 with RISP. Yet another reliever who is walking more than he is striking out. A recipe for complete disaster.
Clearwater
Luis Garcia, 26, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 9 games, 0-1 with a 2.19 ERA; 4 saves; 12.1IP 10H 4BB 12K; 2.83 GO/AO; .222 opp. avg. 1.13 WHIP; 2.9BB/8.9K per nine. Garcia has provided some much needed help to an over worked Clearwater bullpen after he was signed two weeks into the season.
Chris Nichols, 22, Phils 31st round pick in 2012; Has thrown in one game and pitched well.
Severino Gonzalez, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 2 games; 0-0 with an 0.00ERA; 3IP 3H 0BB 4K. So far, so good.
Colton Murray, 23, Phils 13th round pick in 2011 draft, 14 games; 2-1 with a 3.47ERA; 3 saves; 23.1IP 18H 10BB 25K; 0.59 GO/AO; .205 opp. avg., .206 vs. LH, .204 vs. RH, .200 with RISP. 1.20 WHIP; 3.8BB/9.6K per nine. Murray has been one of the few legitimate bullpen bright spots in the organization thus far this year. If he maintains this production, he should be in Reading by late June.
Ryan O’Sullivan, 22, Acquired from Dodgers in 2012; 17 games; 2-2 with a 1.99ERA; 2 saves; 22.2IP 20H 10BB 17K ; 2.62 GO/AO; .241 opp. avg; .148 vs. LH, .286 vs. RH, .172 with RISP. 1.32 WHIP; 4.0BB/6.8K rate. Has pitched very well, especially against lefties.
Luis Paulino, 23, SIgned as a free agent in 2007; 11 games; 1-3 with a 7.45 ERA; 2 saves; 19.1IP 29H 10BB 20K; 0.80 GO/AO; .349 opp. avg., 2.01WHIP; 4.6BB/9.3K per nine; .303 vs. LH, .380 vs. RH, .360 with RISP. Simply not pretty.
Ken Giles, 22, Phils 7th round pick in 2011; Has been on the DL for all but 3 days this year.
Lakewood
Geoff Broussard, 22,Phils 23rd round pick in 2012; 7 games between Clearwater and Lakewood, 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA; 15IP 17H 3BB 19K; 0.67 GO/AO; .283 opp. avg., 1.33 whip; 1.8BB/11.4K per nine. Still very early for Broussard but I like what I am seeing. Note the BB:K.
Zach Cooper, 23, Phils 15th round pick in 2012; 10 games, 0-2 with a 3.38ERA; 16IP 20H 8BB 17K; 0.93 GO/AO; .308 opp. avg., 1.75WHIP; 4.5BB/9.3K per nine; .333 vs. LH, .295 vs. RH, .259 with RISP. Mediocre at best thus far for Cooper.
Delvi Francisco, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 12 games, 1-2 with a 2.29ERA; 19.2IP 18H 13BB 21K; 1.18 GO/AO; .243 opp. avg., 1.58WHIP; 5.9BB/9.6K per nine; .233 vs. LH, .250 vs. RH, .152 with RISP. Too many walks, but plenty of reason for hope with the 20 year old Francisco.
Jordan Guth, 22, Phils 9th round pick in 2012; 10 games (5 starts); 1-4 with a 4.01ERA; 33.2IP 32H 15BB 26K; 1.78 GO/AO; .244 opp. avg., 1.39WHIP; 4.0BB/7.0K per nine; 0-0 with a 1.59 ERA in 11.1IP as a reliever, with 12K’s. Guth really struggled in the rotation, but as bad as he was starting, he has been excellent out of the ‘pen thus far.
Steven Inch, 22, Phils 6th round pick in 2009; 15 games, 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA; 4 saves; 19IP 15H 7BB 12K; 2.50 GO/AO; .224 opp. avg., 1.15WHIP; 3.3BB/5.7K per nine; .261 vs. LH, .205 vs RH, .208 with RISP. A couple of bumpy outings lately, but Inch has thrown very well this year in high pressure situations.
Felix Santos, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 9 games, 1-0 with a 5.23 ERA; 20.2IP 20H 9BB 18K; 1.33 GO/AO; .250 opp. avg., 1.40 WHIP; 3.9BB/7.8K per nine; Santos has been fine, nothing more, nothing less.
Jeb Stefan, 23, Phils 22nd round pick in 2012. 11 games, 0-3 with a 5.50ERA; 18IP 22H 9BB 16K; 1.67WHIP; 4.5BB/8.0K per nine; 0.62 GO/AO; .297 opp. avg., .303 vs. LH, .293 vs. RH, .261 with RISP. Stefan has shown very little during the first seven weeks of the season, although his last 3 or 4 outings have begun to show some progress.
Phuture Phillies 
As if it was not obvious, relievers are fickle.
Savery should have been one of the first players bounced off the 40-man and really should have stuck in the majors over Horst or Valdes. Diekman has lost something but is still killing lefties. Maybe Phillies will get a manager who can use him correctly.
The whole Reading bullpen has been bad, except scrap heap pickup Robles.I never understood how Friend was so good. Knigge not doing anything thus far, as bad as his AFL performance. I did not expect much from Simon as a ground ball reliever without a dominant pitch. I figure that’s why Baltimore tried to keep him as a starter.
I expected Murray to fast track as a reliever. I thought he was an excellent draft choice, though we’ll see how he does in a hitters part like Reading. O’sullivan was a nice guy to get in a trade, not expecting anything from him but it’d be nice if he progresses.
All the Lakewood guys are too old. I suppose I can hope on Francisco and Inch (who has way too few Ks).
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I think Luis Garcia has been outstanding I was in clearwater this evening and he was toping out at 97 with movement. He looks like he is throwig a 2 seamer with alot of life left to it. Speaking to a philliea scout this guy might have a chance to end up in the big leagues this year.
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Where’d Garcia come from? Stats sites say he did not play in 2011 and was horrible for Newark last season. He’s 26 now and finished A ball terribly at 23 in 2010.
It would be an amazing find if the Phillies were able to build him into a major leaguer from that background.Thanks for the scouting info!
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It seems like none of the relievers can find the strike zone…
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What strike zone? Is that somewhere between 1st and 3rd base? I’ve seen double digit BBs in the boxscore multiple times. Young pitchers, BBs can kill and I’m not talking about the kind that come from guns. BBs can kill a career. Wouldn’t you rather go out with a bang than a whimper? Throw the ball over the plate and show you belong or take your glove and go home. You’ll be out of baseball just as fast throwing BBs as giving up hits and the long ball. At least you can talk about the big bang theory. It’s better than saying you walked your way home.
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I am totally amaze. That guys like Diekman, cant’t come in for one inning with his stuff and get people out. Just throw your best for one inning and these guys cant do it. Rosenberg with that fastball and he just gets lit up. stutes who I loved=. maybe can help.but for the most part. not being able to build a bullpen. from your system,makes me really think.We need to start scouting different.
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I think we need better coaches. When a whole group of talented players inexplicably fail at the same time, I tend to think that coaching is at least partially to blame. I’d ride the AAA pitching coach’s ass out of town and I’d do it before Memorial Day. I don’t know who that is, but I frankly don’t care. He needs to go because pitchers are actually regressing on his watch. Agree completely that it’s utterly incomprehensible that a guy with stuff as good as Diekman should go backwards. Stutes and Rosenberg have also regressed and you can’t be impressed with the direction in which Morgan is headed. It’s also noteworthy that Pettibone stunk in AAA before he was promoted to the majors. Coincidence? Maybe, but I’d bet not – not with this many inexplicable failures.
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Catch let’s not forget as it pertains to Diekman that he also regressed under Dubee which is why he got sent down. You might be right and the AAA pitching coach needs to be looked at but these kids need to take their career’s into their own hands and get the job done.
Here is an article on Ray Burris you might find interesting http://articles.mcall.com/2013-05-11/sports/mc-ironpigs-insider-ray-burris-0511-20130511_1_ironpigs-pitchers-jake-diekman-ethan-martin
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