Monthly Archives: June 2013

Box Score Recap – 6/14/2013

Box Score Recap

Mitch Walding went 3-5 with a homerun last night. He’s walking plenty, but striking out too much. He’s having a better June than he had May, hopefully he’s settling into the league after a pretty bad slump. Speaking of walking plenty, Delvi Franciso has 20 in 30 IP. For not having been on the mound as a professional until last year, and having jumped a level, I guess he gets a pass for now, especially since he also has 33K.

Just ICYMI – a couple days ago, the club released recognizable names Miguel Alvarez, Jan Olmo, and most notably, Tyler Greene. I was going to go on a long diatribe about K Rates and small samples and BABIP, but I think if you, like me, liked Tyler Greene in the winter of 2011-2012, and you heard and ignored the arguments people made about the flaws behind his 2011 GCL stats, then you, like me, have already heard the sermon I would be trying to preach. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/14/2013 →

What is a Prospect?

Other Stuff

As everyone is aware the major league draft occurred occurred a week ago.  The first big wave of signings have come in and the big question is what type of player are these no additions to the minor league system.  Rather than go through them and try to make a snap decision based on limited knowledge and reports as to what type of players they are this is going to explore more the type of players that comprise a minor league system.

Prospects:

A prospect is a player that has the raw ability to have reasonable projection to be a contributor on the major league level.  This does not by definition  mean that prospect equals major league regular and it also does not include player who project only to get a quick cup of coffee in the majors. Continue reading What is a Prospect? →

Box Score Recap – 6/13/2013

Box Score Recap

Maikel Franco strikes again. Homer #15. Brody Colvin with a respectable start for Reading after a stint in the bullpen post-injury. Severino Gonzalez, back in a bullpen role, struck out 5 of the 11 men he faced in three scoreless innings in relief of Ethan Stewart, who has walked 42 batters in his 38.1 IP this year. That’s…that’s not so good.

Florida State League All-Star Break is this weekend – there are a handful of Clearwater guys participating. I don’t see that MiLB.TV has the game. I guess it’s possible they add it between now and Saturday evening. Williamsport starts Monday. GCL, (Gulf Coast League, in case you’re new here), starts Friday.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/13/2013 →

Hot or Not

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A look at the time period of June 6th thru June 12th. As always, a minimum of 12AB’s for hitters to be considered.  Some random thoughts…When Utley gets activated should some thought be given to calling Asche up for a month while sending Howard to the DL and Young over to first?  I would hope Kelly Dugan is in Baseballtown come July…Tyson Gillies has fallen back into the same old thing….With his small frame, Hoby Milner is putting up some big numbers…I am beginning to get concerned about Shane Watson. Not panicked yet, but concerned….Very nice to see Diekman on the Hot list. The Phils desperately need a dependable LOOGY. Diekman isnt there yet, but another 5-10 good outings and maybe he gets the call…Finally, Steven Inch has the distinction of making the Not Hot List as a starter and reliever this week…On the bright side, he is an SAL All Star. Continue reading Hot or Not →

Lehigh Valley Weekly Report

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A good week for Lehigh Valley, who went 5-2 on the week and now stand at 33-32, and in 3rd place of the Northern Division of the International League, 4.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket.  The ‘Pigs have an off day Wednesday and then continue their home stand with four games over the weekend against Scranton before they leave for an eight game road trip.

‘Pigs Prospects: Darin Ruf’s homerless streak has now reached 100 plus AB’s, to go along with 25 strikeouts in his last 88 AB’s. He has had a nagging hand injury but that said, Ruf simply isnt producing in the manner necessary to get serious consideration for a call up.  After a three hit night in Game Two last night, Ruf is at .262/.339/.407 on the year with 5 HR and 30 RBI. Since May 1, Ruf is hitting .259 with just 1 HR. Ruf works very hard and has played LF quite capably, but this funk has led to a larger question mark next to his name in regards to big league potential. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Box Score Recap – 6/11/2013

Box Score Recap

Yoel Mecias with the pitching performance of the day, 1R, 2H, 2BB, and 7K in 5IP., followed up by 3R (2 earned), on 5H, 2BB, and 5K in 6IP from Seth Rosin. Cameron Rupp’s OPSing 1.000 in 1 game at AAA, after a double in three trips to the plate. His ISO is also good, at .334. Both are totally sustainable, I’m sure. Aaron Atlherr with his 7th HR, and Roman Quinn with his 29th steal, and his 26th error. Now that’s what I call filling up the stat sheet and yes I just said that and no I don’t think I’m going to take it back.

An so we come to Kelly Dugan – two hits and two walks on the day. His OBP .417, his OPS .994. Sure, he’s got a .425 BABIP, but it’s on a nearly 25% (!!!) line drive rate. Time to throw him into the fire at AA and see if he stays hot or cools off. Which, I’ll admit, is kind of confusing given the fire reference. How about throw him into the lion’s den and see if “gets eaten alive” or “kills a lion with his bare hands”. That sort of works. Dunk him in water and see if he’s a witch? No. Hmm…something about the “batcave”? That’s baseballish. And I mean the animal bats, not Batman. If they ever make a comedy version of Batman, maybe his dad could direct and Sandler could play the starring role. That would be super. Anyway, here’s some boxes:

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/11/2013 →

2013 Draft Thoughts (And other Random Phillies Thoughts)

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Given that this is one of the first time in the past two weeks that I have worked less than 12 hours I thought I would write about the draft, and it kind of spiraled from there.

I want to start by thanking dcwildcat53 for posting the picks throughout Day 3 of the draft.

Your two biggest sources of information going forward are going to be Brad’s Draft Tracker which will remained pinned to the top until the signing deadline and the 2013 Draft Page.  We will work to add more content to both going forward to keep you up to date on signings and all other information you might desire about the 2013 draft.  Look for individual threads with major signings and news to pop up as we gain information. Continue reading 2013 Draft Thoughts (And other Random Phillies Thoughts) →

Box Score Recap – 6/10/2013

Box Score Recap

Now that’s a good start from Austin Wright – 5 1/3IP, 0R, 2H, 2BB, 7K, threw more than 2/3 of his pitches for strikes. Let’s all cross our fingers he’s back to normal. Franco and Dugan both with HR off Mets prospect Noah Syndergaard, ranked #54 by BA this offseason. Good to see.

Also of note: rain. Rain’s been huge lately. Really finding its groove. Looking for that June 15 promotion. 

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/10/2013 →

Around the System–Catchers

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The ranks are thinning due to the myriad of injuries suffered throughout the organization…Here is what we currently are looking at in each level of the system.

Lehigh Valley

John Suomi, 32, Phils re-signed as free agent in 2013; Hitting .268 with 2 HR and 7RBI in 41 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley. 7 games caught without an error; 4 passed balls; 3/9 caught stealing (33%);  Suomi continues to serve in his designated role as a back up catcher wherever he is needed in the upper levels of the minors.

Cameron Rupp, 24, Phils 3rd round pick in 2010; (Reading) .245/.329/.455 in 143 AB’s; 8HR 21RBI; 9%bb/23% k rates, .106 vs. LHP, .266 vs. RHP, .324 with RISP, .271 since May 1.  32 games caught with 4 errors (.985); 2 passed balls; 8/33 caught stealing (24%); Rupp has developed well, and was rewarded with his promotion to Lehigh Valley with the glut of injuries at the catcher position.   Good defensively (receiving and calling the game) and his bat continues to show glimpses of real promise. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →