The topic of much of the season to this point is where does this team go from here.  Most of it centers around the lack of stars in the minor league system.  Not all players can be stars because it takes a level of natural ability already present to be able to reach such lofty status.  Rather than just list off guys I thought I would do this in the style of creating a team of the player with the most star potential at each position on the field.  This is a team to dream on, not a team to count on, but it is an intriguing exercise nonetheless.

Catcher – Gabriel Lino

Big raw power and big arm, but the hit tool and defensive fundamentals are flawed.  Additionally there are makeup questions with Lino and he is very far away from his ceiling with plenty to go wrong.

First Base – Dylan Cozens

A bit of a cheat here as he is still in RF, but I think his long term home is first base (he could still make it to the majors in the OF).  Cozens is a gigantic human being with power to match, he has some clue of what he is doing at the plate and plenty of athleticism right now.  He is only 18 years old and a bit stiff so there are question about how he will hold up long term.  His position won’t matter if he hits though. Continue reading Who actually has Star Potential? Or the All-Projection Team →

The ‘Pigs are 4-2 on their 8 game home stand that began last Thursday and concludes tomorrow morning against Louisville. After 32 games, Lehigh Valley now stand at 14-17 and are  in 4th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 6.5 games behind division leading Buffalo.  The ‘Pigs conclude their home stand with a Thursday morning contest and then go on an 8 game road trip against Durham and Norfolk.

‘Pigs Leaders:Cesar Hernandez is 6th in AB’s (119); 9th in runs (18); 3rd in hits (41); 1st in triples (4); 7th in SB’s (9) and 7th in avg (.345). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

There has been a good deal of chatter about Jesse Biddle’s last start, admittedly disappointing after simply dominating in several starts just prior.  In Biddle’s last outing, he lasted less than an inning, and was removed because of an organizational pitch count.
According to a very good source, Biddle was fighting a respiratory infection that took a considerable amount out of him prior to his start Saturday. I thought this tidbit noteworthy to help calm the “panic” in at least this area,  after a fairly miserable weekend of Philadelphia baseball throughout the organization.

A look at the 2B/SS through the system.  The talking points will surely be Hernandez and Quinn. Next up is the OF, Thursday or Friday next week.

Lehigh Valley

Cesar Hernandez, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2006; .358/.412/.514 in 109 AB’s; 2HR 11RBI; 8/8 SB; 8%bb/15% k rates; .360 vs. LHP; .357 vs. RHP; .333 with RISP. 26 games at 2B with 3 errors .970); 3.69 R/F.  Hernandez simply could not have played better than he did during the seasons first month.  Incredibly consistent, he has been getting on base, stealing bases and very good in the field. Starting to convince me that he can start in the majors as I watch him more and more. 

Pete Orr, 33, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .185/.254/.222 in 54 AB’s; 0HR 1RBI; 1SB; 12 games at SS with 1 error (.981); 3 games at 2B without an error.  A total non factor during the seasons first month.  We have seen much more from Orr at this level in years past. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →