Box Score Recap – 6/28/2013

Box Score Recap

Tyson Gillies is probably ready to go back up to AAA. Maybe that’s the move that clears an outfield spot for Kelly Dugan without sitting down Anthony Hewitt. Not that I’m worried about sitting down Anthony Hewitt, but he’s hitting fairly well, and is still young enough to want to keep on the field, I guess. And, as has been the case a half dozen times in the last couple years, I have now spent more time thinking about Anthony Hewitt than anyone should. Still rooting for the guy, mind you.

Mario Hollands the definition of hard-luck loser. Gave up 2 runs on 7 hits and no walks, and struck out 9 in 7 innings. Darin Ruf and Cody Asche both stroked their 19th doubles of the year. Dylan Cozens with his first HR of the young season. Johnathan Knight hosed two baserunners from left field. Braden Shull pitched his third professional inning. 2H, 1BB, 2 wild pitches. But he’s out there an not injured and that’s nice.

And finally, 19 year-old VSL LHP Jesus Chavez dominated in his start, throwing 6 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 8. He’s been excellent so far, and young enough to keep an eye on. You can check out what AndyB had to say about him and most everyone else on that team in his Early Season VSL Report.

Here’s the affiliate Scoreboard from MiLB.

http://www.milb.com/scoreboard/index.jsp?sid=milb&org=143&ymd=20130628

6-28-2013

 

67 thoughts on “Box Score Recap – 6/28/2013”

    1. He’s .306/.342/.389 over his last 10. That’s still pretty uninspiring, although an improvement for him.

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  2. I think it also might be time for consideration on boosting both Alonzo and Carmona up a level. No one of import playing 2b in reading, and u can send one of the older reading guys to lakewood to play 2b and mentor a bit. On another reading note, i think they bring Jiwan back up before Dugan gets a shot.

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  4. Two hits two games for young JP . Although i could have lost a day somewhere . Been in the high sierra s . Is there any track record for an early double jump gcl to lakewood

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  5. I look at Tommy Joseph’s BA and realize Carlos Ruiz isn’t going anywhere any time soon. You have to wonder if he is truly healthy right now.

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    2. Over the last 2 years, Kratz has actually been something like 23rd in the majors in catcher WAR, so I think he’d be an ok stopgap. Him and Rupp splitting time next year could probably work.

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      1. Brian – was thinking the same thing only this morning. While far from a perfect solution if a team wants to give us some value in return for Ruiz – I say we do it. We’re certainly not going to make him a Q.O. so he can therefore sign with another team w/o compensation for the Phils. OTOH – what kind of deal can he really expect on the open market? Does a 2yr / 10mil contract get it done? I would do that. Still, I think his future with the Phils hinges on what other teams may be interested ahead of the deadline (if any). I keep hearing the Yankees who have an obvious and glaring need behind the dish

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      1. On a serious note; Franco’s LD rate is really, really low for his career and has decreased even further since his promotion to Reading. The power tool is for real but the number of ground balls making it through the infield for hits will surely decrease as he faces more advanced hitters. I’m loving Franco, he’s having a great season, he’s might be our no. 1 prospect right now (‘might’ as I still have Biddle in that spot), but he’s looking more and more like a .250-.260ish hitter. Accompany that with 25 hrs and above-average defense at 3B and we really have something valuable.

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        2. Of his 97 hits this season, 46 have gone for extra bases. I’m highly suspicious of any metric that suggests he doesn’t drive the ball.

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          1. So if you ld is low, you project as a low average hitter?? what is ben reveres ld?? just wondering. I think if he is a 250 or lower hitter, then not much to get excited about. especially, after reading how slow he is,and some have said he has a arm bar swing. a lot of negatives on kid who moved fast throught the system.

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            1. So if you ld is low, you project as a low average hitter??

              No, no. And your mention of Revere is precisely my point. Revere has wheels; you want him hitting line drives and ground balls. Franco OTOH does not have speed, so you want him hitting LDs and FBs (FBs because of the power tool of course).

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            2. Mike – ‘driving the ball’ implies power. Ben Revere can have a 30% LD rate without ever be accused of driving the ball. I think everyone would agree here that there is no better outcome off of the bat than a LD. Forget where the balls lands or if it is hit directly at a defender. If you have an extreme LD rate your going to hit for average. You can’t say the same about FBs or GBs

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            3. This makes sense. However, I’d still question the metric. Nearly half of his base hits have gone for extra bases, and you have to assume a good portion of the remainder were as well (I can’t imagine Franco legging out too many infield singles based on his speed). Therefore, if he’s not hitting a lot of line drives overall, then he has to be getting lucky with the ones that he does hit. Yet his BABIP isn’t outrageously high at any point in his career.

              I’m not saying he’s going to be a .300 hitter in the majors … I’d expect .270-.280 with power based on his numbers in the minors. I just have doubts about his reported low percentage of line drives based on the numbers he has produced.

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            4. “I just have doubts about his reported low percentage of line drives”

              I wouldn’t disagree with this. Accuracy of book-keeping or a website’s ability to extract accurate data of players in the minors is always a concern, particularly when dealing with advanced metrics.

              First Inning is one of the few sites I am aware of that track this level of detail for minor leaguers. Link below. Looking at these stats alone and when considering the very high GB rate and very, very low LD rate, I’m somewhat compelled to conclude that a high percentage of his singles are coming in the form of GBs. Of course he’s driving the ball as his ISO is a clear indication of this. But more than 50% of his hits are singles – and it appears that many of these singles take the form of GBs rather than the much preferred LDs. Now, while a hit is a hit, my original contention was that the less than fleet-footed Franco would likely see a decrease in GB singles as he faces more formidable defenses who have greater range. Considering his ‘over the fence’ type of power, I could see him as a .280 or better hitter in the bigs only if his LD rate increases to a more acceptable 18-20%

              http://firstinning.com/players/Maikel-Franco-a/

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  7. I don’t know if this has been reported elsewhere here but I just read on yahoo that Yoel Mecias is to have Tommy John surgery.

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      1. Most Tommy John surgeries are successful so maybe he can come back strong. I hope he has a successful surgery and recovery.

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    3. Boooooo. That’s two of our better pitching prospects (Morgan) coming down with potentially serious arm injuries this season.

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  8. Clearwater offense looks anemic without Franco.

    Zach Green got the pitch selection memo. Promising, promising, promising . . . . .

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      1. Nice find and thanks for sharing. Great read. ZG is becoming one of my favorite lower-level players

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        1. Agree with nice find.
          I’d still like to given Green a few games at SS if he can still handle it. I never like moving player down the defensive spectrum without some very serious reason. His bat would be seriously awesome at SS. I know he projects better at 3B so it is worth him working there, but I’d still like to see him get some games at SS each season.
          (Kinda like I’d want to see with Jan Hernandez.)

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      2. He is maybe four years away. With that size and quality righthand bat, make him a catcher. Logan Moore has been catching only three years and he already defensively tops in the system.

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        1. How about this?—> keep ZG playing 3rd base. He has all the tools for him to be successful there. While ZG climbs through the levels Franco plays 3rd (wonderfully) at the MLB level and when ZG is ready to move up to MLB, Howard will either have retired, had his contract run out or (what…??) traded. Then move Franco to 1st base and ZG to 3rd. THAT would be big time right-handed power in the lineup. Brown to carry the left-handed bat.
          As to fielding at 3rd base, ZG should develop into a above average fielder…he already has all the arm needed and is said his “picking” (i.e., glove work) is good and capable of becoming superior.

          As for catchers, we gotta believe that that position will be filled by any combination of Knapp, Sweaney, Lino, and Joseph aided and abetted by one or two LA catchers already in the system.

          ZG for 3rd base, please.

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          1. No nee to move anyone off of 3B yet but right now Franco seems to be the best fielding 3B in the system.

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  9. My HOPE for Larry Greene:

    We heard last year that Franco’s slow start at Lakewood may have been due to the organization ordering him to go the other way with balls. After the all star break, he was turned loose. MAYBE something similar happened to Greene. He’s been a different player since the break, making more contact, a bit more power. At least there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, and just maybe, it is NOT a train!

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  11. Just when I think I’m out … Gillies pulls me back in.

    I agree with Brad’s assessment above. Send Gillies back to AAA and promote Dugan to Reading. If he handles the promotion, send him to Philly in September (if not sooner). I’m tired of the “if”s with Gillies. He’s clearly a very talented player and he appears to finally be healthy. It’s time to see if we’ve got something with this guy.

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    1. I have to think that James is merely getting his timing back at GCL and should be promoted any day now. Not that Dugan is not deserving but I suspect there is a clearer short-term plan with James. It’s also not out of the question that James eventually reports to LV – though I think Reading is where he goes next

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  14. A question re: J.P. Crawford. I know its GCL and more about getting reps and instruction than anything, but is he seen as a potential leadoff bat? Because he’s hit in that position in each game since his debut.

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    1. If I had to guess, it’s because they’re trying to max his AB’s this year… following the “best player hits first logic” that is followed so often in the low minors.

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  15. A question. I was looking at other teams drafts. The cardinals started a 3rd round choice, at fsl and now he is at double a , in his first full. year, he is a college pitcher. has anyone on here remember the phillies starting a draft choice at fsl. And moving him to double in first full season. just never seen it myself. Another one the cadinals moved fast was Wacha.

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    1. pat burrell did exactly that. and randy wolf skipped Clearwater completely and started his first full season in reading. obviously a while back for both those guys. T

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  16. Thanks for the mention of Johnathan in the article! Super cool!! We were excited when both plays happened. It was our first game watching this season and great to see some of the new faces out there. Got to see J.P Crawford playing SS which was nice and got to see James hit one over the right field fence. Crawford seemed like a great player made a great play while he was in the game as well. Also seemed like a great team player as well, seems like a great addition to the ball club. Hope you all have a great Saturday 🙂

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    1. Thanks for the first hand report! It’s the one thing we can’t garner from the stats and any further feedback would continue to be appreciated!

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  18. Mario Hollands: no reason to now keep him at Clrwtr. Move him up to Reading ASAP. His stats at Clwtr show 54 Ks vs. 12 BBs. More innings than hits. He is approaching his 25th birthday…He seems to be a candidate for the pen at least though he has been starting of late.

    Beneficial to check him out at AA. See what they’ve got. With his penchant for throwing strikes he could help that beleaguered pen in Philly. Move him up, please!

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    1. Hollands is an org controlled arm. He’s been pushed all over the different levels for years. Not sure if he’s a minor league FA next year or not but he is not worth a 40man spot so maybe next season if he is good through rest of this year he will actually get on legitimate shot at AAA bullpen which is likely he only shot at the majors.

      Seems like a great guy (lefty starter/long reliever who knows enough about pitching and willing to play wherever the organization puts him) to have, maybe he does take advantage and force promotions (like Ruf did).

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  20. Severino Gonzalez, 20, made his debut at Lakewood Thursday by pitching four scoreless innings against Pittsburgh’s West Virginia affiliate. He struck out the side in the first inning and finished with six strikeouts while allowing just two hits. His fastball topped out at 91 m.p.h., but scouts in attendance were impressed by his ability to change speeds and throw a variety of breaking pitches

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    1. This article is eye-opening when it comes to Phillies’ Latin American workings and evaluations. The hesitancy on the part of some in the organization to sign Franco to far less then $200K because of HIS FOOT SPEED. Are you kidding me! And it took a deposed scout…Chuck LaMar and also Looper to sway the vote. Phillies are IMO, like the proverbial squirrel…they find their ‘nut’ based on luck, certainly not to spending, when it come to LA prospects. This organization needs a philosiphical change in management.

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      2. I don’t get that from the article at all. A lot of people, in and out of the organization, had questions about him because of his speed. The Phillies are the team that signed him.

        Hindsight is 20-20 anyway.

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        1. +1 … You can’t refer to it as luck when you pay a scout to find players, take that scout’s advice and sign said players.

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          1. I refer it to luck, when there is DEBATE over a player over $100K in 2010, not $100K in 1990 value-dollars, because of his foot speed and all his OTHER tools are above average.
            And the fact, they even thought of making him a catcher at one point because of shis foot-speed. Ridiculous. Marlins had no reservations on wanting Miguel Cabrera in 1999 becasue of his foot-speed.

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        2. It’s funny – I’m probably as negative about Amaro as anyone on this site, but I think there is a very human tendency to look at EVERYTHING in the least favorable light once we form a negative opinion about someone. In this case, it’s even worse, as people have turned on the whole organization.

          Here’s the thing – I think Amaro on balance is a bad GM and not well suited to what the team needs to do now to return to contender status. But that doesn’t negate the good things he has done. As for the organization as a whole, in terms of acquiring and developing talent, the worst things you can say are (a) they are mediocre when the dynamic of the game demands excellence, and (b) they are overly constrained by ownership that, while not “cheap,” see, e.g., their spending at the major league level, is apparently unduly supportive of the commissioner’s efforts to contain costs. But neither of those deficits should cloud the strengths of the organization, and to regard the acquisition and development of Franco as anything other than a positive for the organization is IMO insane.

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          1. All the above . The thing i would add is he has the third highest payroll, and he cant build a good team. that is the biggest problem. He imo just doesnt know how to construct a bullpen or team. and overplays his hands, when he goes after free agents. like Paplebon, he could have had him for three instead of four years. like signing a bad player like Durbin. the over paying for Pence, The really scary part to me is. that Montgomery wont fire him. so we are stuck with him. And the real sad part is his latin scouts are good , but he wouldnt give them the money to go after the better prospects. The one and two million bonus kids. Why as a gm couldnt he give Sal Agnostelli a bigger bonus pool to work with. just wondering.

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          2. LarryM says:….’and to regard the acquisition and development of Franco as anything other than a positive for the organization is IMO insane’
            Did not say it is was not a positve , nor implied that. Inferred, that the org were lucky with Franco and his future promise as a ballplayer. Franco, prior to last year’s CBA, is an exception. Virtually, the majority of all Phillie’s Latin’s signings, with the odd exceptions ie Ruiz, end up any where from role players to non-MLB players, And we all know why that was the situation.

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  22. DeFratus lost his 3rd game in a week. If he gets sent back down, who is the next man up? Robles? Martin to the pen? BJ? AA arm?

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