Around the System–Middle Infield

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A look at where we are at up the middle throughout the organization.  Plenty to talk about at the top level…

Lehigh Valley

Freddy Galvis, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2006; Hitting .265 in 49 AB’s since being sent down to AAA; 1HR 6RBI; 10 games at SS with 1 error (.979); 2 games at 2B without an error; 1 game at 3B without an error.

Cesar Hernandez, 23, SIgned as a free agent in 2006; .313/.379/.418 in 297 AB’s; 2HR 27RBI; 27/33 SB; .315 vs. LH, .312 vs. RH, .274 with RISP; .327 since June 1; 10%bb/18% k rates; 74 games at 2B with 9 errors (.974); 4.50 R/F; 2 games in the OF without an error; Hernandez has been outstanding this year and extremely consistent as well. He is among the league leaders in several offensive categories and his defense has been well above average as well.

Michael Martinez, 30, Acquired in the 2010 Rule 5 draft; .316/.368/.412 in 177 AB’s; 2HR 23 RBI; 6/9 SB; .389 vs LHP, .285 vs. RHP, .354 with RISP; Hitting .431 since June 1; 7%bb/14%k.  43 games at SS with 9 errors (.952); 4.14 R/F; 2 games at 2B without an error; 7 games in the OF without an error; 2 OF assists; Well, this is really something….Martinez has been nothing short of spectacular for the ‘Pigs and I really have difficulty saying that based on my prior beliefs about his talent level.  He is getting on base, showing tremendous hustle, getting key its and playing good defense. That said, please don’t bring him up.

Pete Orr, 34, Re-Signed as a free agent in 2013; .233/.272/.360 in 189 AB’s; 3HR 19RBI; 5SB; .189 vs. LH, .243 vs. RH, .259 with RISP; 5%bb/18%k rates; .222 since June 1; 17 games at 2B with 1 error (.987); 1 game at 3B without an error; 28 games at SS with 3 errors (.976); 4.32 R/F; 10 games in the OF without an error. Sporadic playing time has gotten even more sporadic with Galvis in Lehigh Valley; Orr is not performing in the manner we are accustomed to seeing in Lehigh Valley, as he has struggled to produce.  That said, Orr gives 100% all the time. 

Reading

Albert Cartwright, 25, Acquired from Houston in 2010; .254/.324/.380 in 287 AB’s; 7HR 27RBI; 15/22SB; .328 vs. LH, .235 vs. RH, .239 with RISP; 7%bb/21% k rates; .233 since June 1; 74 games at 2B with 9 errors (.974); 4.55 R/F. Cartwright was outstanding at the beginning of the year, but has struggled over the last two months. His glove also inhibits his progress at times.

Edgar Duran, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2007; .231/.279/.320 in 281 AB’s; 3HR 23 RBI; 9/14 SB; .170 vs. LH, .246 vs. RH, .288 with RISP; 5%bb/21% k rates; .222 since June 1. 74 games at SS with 16 errors (.948); 3.91 R/F. A very pedestrian body of work for Duran this year.

Troy Hanzawa, 27, Phils 16th round pick in 2008; .295/.336/.388 in 129 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 1HR 10 RBI; 1/3 SB; 4%bb/15% k rates; 9 games at 2B with 2 errors (.957); 30 games at SS with 2 errors (.982); 3.70 R/F. Hanzawa has played his role of the 3rd middle infielder well. When he plays he shows competent defense with the historically typical middle infield bat.

Clearwater

Carlos Alonso, 25, Phils 32nd round pick in 2010 ;.270/.378/.372 in 282 AB’s; 4HR 31RBI; 1SB; .229 vs. LH, .286 vs. RH, .254 with RISP; 13%bb/12% k rates; .248 since June 1. 71 games at 2B without an error (1.000); 4.70 R/F; 2 games in the OF without an error; 2 games at 3B without an error. Alonso will probably never play in the majors but I like what he brings to the table. He gets on base and scores a ton of runs and gives a good deal of added value to the lineup. Additionally, flawless in the field.

Jose Mojica, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2013; .241/.308/.291 in 203 AB’s; 0HR 23RBI; 1SB; .274 vs. LH, .227 vs. RH, .243 with RISP; 7%bb/18% k rates; .155 since June 1. 61 games at 2B with 9 errors (.966); 4.15 R/F. Mojica has been borderline non existant over the last 6 weeks. The numbers are reminiscent of Steve Jeltz.

Matt Tolbert, 31, Signed as a free agent in 2013; Hitting .444 in 9 AB’s after spending the first 3 months of the year on the DL.

Lakewood

Gustavo Gonzalez, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 5 games at 2B with 2 errors; 4 games at SS with 2 errors; Currently on the DL; Hitting .250 in 24 AB’s

Angelo Mora, 20,Signed as a free agent in 2010; .207/.296/.295 in 271 AB’s; 3HR 26RBI; 11SB; .210 vs. LH, .196 vs. RH; .199 with RISP; 9%bb/19% k rates; 26 games at SS with 4 errors (.961); 3.77 R/F. 45 games at 2B with 9 errors (.964); Mora spent the first couple months in Lakewood and struggled was sent down to Williamsport and played well in his brief stint there and was called back up due to the injury to Roman Quinn. Mora is on the upswing but 2013 has been a real struggle for him.

Roman Quinn, 20, Phils 2nd round pick in 2011 draft; .238/.323/.346 in 260 AB’s; 5HR 21RBI; 32SB; .266 vs. LH, .230 vs. RH, .203 with RISP; 9%bb/22% k rates. 66 games at SS with 31 errors (.878); 3.39 R/F. Quinn had real issues transitioning to SS before breaking his wrist.  He will be out until at least mid August.  Offensively, Quinn clearly continues to have the ability to be an offensive catalyst even with the lower than expected average this year.

Jon Roof, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2013; .301/.375/.460 in 176 AB’s between Clearwater and Lakewood; 5HR 29RBI; 3SB; 11%bb/11% k rates; 17 games at 2B with 2 errors (.968); 9 games in the OF with 1 error; 22 games at SS with 3 errors (.969);  Roof was sent to Lakewood not because of performance but out of necessity after a glut of injuries to the BlueClaws infield. He has performed admirably with the bat and is serviceable with the glove. My belief is that Roof is seen as a AAAA guy at best.

Alejandro Villalobos, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2010; .283/.333/.342 in 152 AB’s; 0HR 20RBI; 1SB; .302 vs. LH, .273 vs. RH, .321 with RISP; 4%bb/13% k rates; .346 since June 1. 34 games at 2B with 1 error (.993); 4.26 R/F. I hope to see Villalobos receive alot more playing time during the last 7 weeks of the season. He has played well, hit in the clutch and doesn’t strike out.  Only 21 and with Quinn out, playing every day makes sense. 

Williamsport

Malquin Canelo, 18; Signed as a free agent in 2011; Hitting .237 in 38 AB’s; 0HR 2RBI; 2SB; 12 games at SS with 2 errors (.960)

Jairo Cardozo, 19, Signed as a free agent in 2010; Hitting .192 in 26 AB’s; 2 games at 2B with 1 error; 3 games at SS with 1 error; 2 games at 3B without an error

Andrew Pullin, 19, Phils 5th round pick in 2012 draft; .296/.318/.457 in 81 AB’s; 1HR 10RBI; 1SB; Plenty to be encouraged about as Pullin is playing 2B for the first time. Still a raw talent, Pullin is putting in the time and producing thus far this year. 20 games at 2B with 2 errors (.950); 4.50 R/F

GCL

JP Crawford, 18, Phils 1st round pick in 2013; Hitting .455 in 33 AB’s;  6 games at SS with 2 errors (.944)

Jair Morelos, 19; , Signed as a free agent in 2010; Hitting .316 in 19 AB’s; 3 games at 2B without an error; 4 games at SS with 1 error.

Robinson Torres, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2010; Hitting .233 in 30 AB’s; 8 games at 2B with 2 errors (.933)

13 thoughts on “Around the System–Middle Infield”

    1. He’s already a top 100 prospect and rises every week. This draft class is so exciting.

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      1. Is he a top 100 already? How many players in this seasons preseason top 100 were from the prior draft class? I don’t know the answer, but my gut says it is only a handful (and even fewer that we’re drafted out of high school).

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  2. I did a doubletake on your comments about Carlos Alonso and then looked him up and realized that his OBP is .378, rather than .278. Still very old for CLW, but those are good numbers.

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    2. Alonso is one of those guys I really root for. I know his chances of playing in the show are minimal but he plays the game the right way. If guys, who are blessed with tons of talent, played like he does, there would be a lot of superstars in the big leagues. The guy he reminds me of is Pete Rose. He doesn’t have the tools but he has that hard-nosed attitude. He seems to have only 1 speed, all ahead full.

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  3. I’ve asked this before but how come Hanzawa has not gotten a shot. Ive never seen him play but he always seems to hit ok and being able to field three infield spots should warrant some value right ? And im with ALEC , hoping Crawford is the real deal , it will be a nice change to have a 1st round pick actually be a quality player, not just a guy with great athletic talent but somebody with baseball talent

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    1. Hanzawa is almost 28 and hasn’t ever had an OPS over .700 in full season ball. He’s just not a good enough hitter.

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  4. Crawford has played 9 games in his short minor league career and has not failed to get at least one hit in each of those games. Thanks to another multi-hit game today he extended his multi-hit game streak (at least 2 or more hits in a game) to five straight.

    Franco/Biddle/Crawford are my top 3 prospects and the order I’d rank them.

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  5. Crawford looks so different from the players in the system because the Phillies haven’t drafted this high in a long time. They have one natural and many others who work very hard and pay the price for success. If Crawford works hard he’ll be that much better.

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  6. Happy to see Hernandez continue playing well. Wish he could play a little SS rather than CF as a backup position though. I still think he grades out as an average 2B if his defense is very good. Without power his ceiling is limited as he will likely walk less. The speed is a benefit. Will be interesing how he fits if Utley is resigned.
    Galvis should have a career as long as MacDonald due to his excellent fielding. I am not a believer in the bat. A combo of Galvis and Hernandez and Revere is a fairly putrid OPS middle.

    After them their is little else until the very unproven youngsters. Duran is still young but with average defense and no bat he will not make the majors. I certainly root for Alonso but I expect him to be a Hanzawa type, moving throughout the organization if he finds nothing better as a free agent.

    At least Roof has a higher SLG% for full season guys than Martinez.

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    1. Hernandez like every other LA infielder started at SS. In 2007 in the VSL, he had 15 errors in 43 games. Although those stats don’t tell you much because most VSL shortstops have a huge # of errors, what is telling is he played 14 games at 2B that same year and had no errors. He turned the double play very well also. With Galvis already in the system locking up SS, i think they decided Cesar was better suited for 2B. The normal progression is to keep him at SS until you can’t stand it anymore. If he’s not blocking someone better, then keep him there. Villar may have had something to do with that. I’m not sure if they played together or not. Too lazy to look it up.

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    2. “A combo of Galvis and Hernandez and Revere is a fairly putrid OPS middle.”

      Agreed. IMO opinion there simply isn’t enough offensive projection for those three to ever play together. That is why with Jimmy’s power decline, it would be very tough to lose Utley

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