Report Card, Relief Pitchers, Lower Half

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Lakewood

Geoff Broussard, 23; Phils 23rd round pick in 2013 draft; 35 games between CLearwater and Lakewood; 4-3 with a 3.59ERA; 1 SV; 72.2IP 84H 12BB 61K; 5 HR allowed; 0.81 GO/AO; .285 opp. avg; .304 vs. LH, .273 vs. RH, .244 with RISP; 1.32WHIP; 1.5BB/7.6K per nine; Broussard pitched in just three games for CLearwater before being sent to Lakewood where he had a fairly good season. Grade: B-; 2014: Clearwater

Chris Burgess, 23; Phils 26th round pick in 2013 draft; 24 games between Williamsport and Lakewood; 2-5 with a 3.75ERA; 5 saves; 36IP 36H 17BB 28K; 3.06GO/AO; .265 opp. avg; 1.47WHIP; 4.2BB/7.0K per nine; For Lakewood; 20 games, 2-4 with 5 saves, 3.19ERA; 1.48WHIP; .274 opp. avg; Burgess, out of Oklahoma Christian, did a decent job transitioning to professional baseball. Grade: C+; 2014: Start at Lakewood but a quick call up if successful

Zach Cooper, 23; Phils 15th round pick in 2012 draft; 33 games; 1-3 with a 3.97ERA; 2 saves; 47.2IP 56H 24BB 39K; 1.43 GO/AO; .293 opp. avg; .338 vs. LH, .268 vs. RH, .234 with RISP; 1.68WHIP; 4.5BB/7.4K per 9; Cooper has outstanding after being drafted in 2012 and took a step backwards this year. He was very hittable and had a relatively high walk rate.  Grade: C-; 2014: Cooper probably did just barely enough to move up, although he spent a good portion of AUgust on the DL.

Delvi Francisco, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 46 games; 4-5 with a 3.18ERA; 9 saves; 62.1IP 55H 46BB 75K; 2HR allowed; 0.78 GO/AO; .231 opp. avg; .253 vs. LH, .216 vs. RH, .220 with RISP; 1.62WHIP; 6.6BB/10.8K per 9; A very good year for Francisco, albeit with some significant control issues.  Having come to Lakewood straight from the GCL, 2013 should be considered successful. Grade: B; 2014: Clearwater. He has to get the walk rate down drastically for long term success.

Lino Martinez, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2009; 24 games (2 starts) between Williamsport and Lakewood; 2 saves; 35.2IP 40H 23BB 37K; 4HR allowed; 1.32 GO/AO; .274 opp. avg; 1.77WHIP; 5.8BB/9.2K per 9; For Lakewood: 17 games, 1-3 with a 5.19ERA; 1.88WHIP; .290 opp. avg. Pretty lousy year across the board for Martinez who has now spent upwards of two seasons in Lakewood. Grade: D; 2014: If Martinez is back, I cant imagine him promoted based on performance.

Chris Nichols, 23, Phils 31st round pick in 2012; 23 games (1 start) between Williamsport, Lakewood and Clearwater; 2-4 with a 4.57ERA; 41.1IP 47H 9BB 27K; 1.07 GO/AO; .285 opp. avg; 1.35WHIP; 2.0BB/5.8K per nine; Nichols pitched well for Williamsport but was ineffective in both Lakewood and CLearwater. Grade: C- 2014: I would be surprised if Nichols were back.

Kevin Walter, 21, Phils 20th round pick in 2010; 23 games (5 starts); 0-2 with a 5.92ERA; 51.2IP 53H 28BB 36K; 1.57 GO/AO; .265 opp. avg; .241 vs. LH, .282 vs. RH, .308 with RISP; 1.57WHIP; 4.9BB/6.3K per nine; Walter had another disappointing year this year in Lakewood.  He will be going into his 4th year in the organization next season and has yet to fulfill the promise he had out of high school. Grade: D; 2014: Lakewood for a last shot.

Christopher O’Hare; Phils 23rd round pick in 2013 draft; 5 games between GCL, Lakewood and Clearwater; 0-1 with a 3.60ERA; 5IP 5H 2BB 6K. O’Hare was placed on the DL in early July and missed the last 7 weeks of the season.

Williamsport

Tyler Buckley, 22, Phils 27th round pick in 2013 draft; 21 games, 0-2 with a 2.22 ERA; 4 saves; 28.1IP 20H 13BB 27K; 1.25GO/AO; .202 opp. avg; 1.16WHIP; 4.1BB/8.8K per 9; .231 vs. LH, .183 vs. RH, 259 with RISP; A very successful start to Buckley’s professional career. Grade: A-; 2014: Should be ready for the double bump to CLearwater.

Rob Marcello, Soon to be 23, Phils 17th round pick in 2013 draft; 18 games, 2-0 with a 5.55ERA; 24.1IP 33H 11BB 16K; 1 save; 1.12GO/AO; .320 opp. avg; 1.81WHIP; 4.1BB/5.9 k per nine; .172 vs. LH, .378 vs. RH, .225 with RISP; Marcello, a lefty, was absolutely destroyed by right handed hitters. Not quite sure what the next step will be as he did show effectiveness against lefties. Grade: D; 2014: Lakewood

Manny Martinez, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 19 games; 0-1 with a 3.00ERA; 24IP 23H 13BB 27K; 0.60 GO/AO; .245 opp. avg; .351 vs. LH, .175 vs. RH, .278 with RISP; 1.50WHIP; 4.9BB/10.1K per 9; Martinez generally did a nice job but needs to improve against lefties. Grade: B; 2014: Lakewood

Mark Meadors, 21; Phils 21st round pick in 2013 draft; 20 games between GCL and WIllaimsport; 2-2 with a 2.88ERA; 2 saves; 34.1IP 21H 12BB 28K; 3.87 GO/AO; .178 opp. avg; 0.96WHIP; 3.1BB/7.3K per 9; .156 vs. LH, .220 vs. RH, .320 with RISP. Meadors threw very very well, and showed a great deal of promise.  Grade: A-; 2014: CLearwater

Jon Musser, 21, Phils 21st round pick in 2010; 21 games (14 starts) between Lakewood and Williamsport; 2-9 with a 6.17ERA; 84.2IP 103H 46BB 49K; 0.92GO/AO; .306 opp. avg; 1.76WHIP; 4.9BB/5.2K per nine; Musser was consistently very bad for both Lakewood and Williamsport. In three full seasons in the minors, his ERA has never been better than 6.17.  Grade: D-; 2014: If he is back I would assume the Phils attempt to start him at Lakewood again.

Keivi Rojas, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 22 games; 1-2 with a 3.00ERA; 2 saves; 36IP 27H 13BB 44K; 1.27 GO/AO; .200 opp. avg; 1.11WHIP; 3.2BB/11.1K per nine; .158 vs. LH, .231 vs. RH, .132 with RISP; Rojas was pretty close to dominant for the Crosscutters.  Grade: A; 2014: Start in Lakewood but could rise quickly to CW.

Felix Santos, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 38 games between Lakewood and Williamsport; 3-3 with a 3.66ERA; 3 saves; 76.1IP 76H 25BB 68K; 0.91 GO/AO; .262 opp. avg; 1.32WHIP; 2.9BB/8.0K per nine; Santos was sent back to Williamsport when their season began after a fairly ineffective beginning of the year in Lakewood. For Williamsport, Santos did a nice job, but I expected him to stick in Lakewood and be a key part of their bullpen this year based on his 2012.  Grade: C; 2014: CLearwater

Matt Soren, 22, Phils 19th round pick in 2013 draft; 14 games between GCL and WIlliamsport; 1-1 with a 5.48ERA; 23IP 23H 10BB 20K; 0.92 GO/AO; .258 opp. avg; 1.43 WHIP; 3.9BB/7.8K per 9; For WIlliamsport: 8 games; 0-1 with a 6.18ERA. Soren was effective with GCL and then not good for WIlliamsport.  Grade: C-; 2014: Williamsport

Josh Warner, Soon to be 21, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 26 games (9 starts) between Lakewood and WIlliamsport; 3-7 with a 5.27ERA; 70IP 88H 27BB 52K; 1.03 GO/AO; .312 opp. avg; 1.64WHIP; 3.5BB/6.7K per 9; Warner was bad in his 6 starts and only slightly better for Williamsport. His stats went backwards after spending time with both teams in 2012. Grade: D+; 2014: One more shot in Lakewood.

GCL

Rivar Angulo, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 1 game; 0-1 with a a 40.50ERA.  Threw in one game and was awful.

Richard Bielski, 18, Phils 14th round pick in 2012 draft; 18 games; 3-1 with a 1.17ERA; 4 saves; 23IP 19H 4BB 15K; 0.82 GO/AO; .226 opp. avg; 1.00 WHIP; 1.6BB/5.9K per nine; Excellent season for Bielski who consistently got hitters out. Grade: A; 2014: Lakewood with a drop back to Williamsport when their season starts if necessary.

Jesen Therrien, 20; Phils 17th round pick in 2011 draft; 11 games (6 starts); 2-3 with a 5.45ERA; 38IP 42H 15BB 26K; 1.64 GO/AO; .276 opp. avg; 1.50WHIP; 3.6BB/6.2K per 9; Mediocre numbers bouncing into and out of the rotation. Grade: C; 2014: Williamsport

Cody FOrsythe, 23, Phils 25th round pick in 2013 draft; 19 games; 3-0 with a 2.28ERA; 2 saves; 23.2IP 22H 4BB 19K; 0.45 GO/AO; .259 opp avg; 1.09WHIP; 1.5BB/7.2K per nine; Forsythe, who played college ball at SOuthern Illinois pitched very well in the GCL, as well he should as a seasoned college guy. Grade: B; 2014: Lakewood

Will Morris, 20, Phils 24th round pick in 2013 draft; 17 games; 1-3 with a 4.15ERA; 3 saves; 30.1IP 33H 6BB 24K; 0.84GO/AO; .266 opp. avg; 1.28WHIP; 1.8BB/7.1K per nine; Morris did a nice job and is ready to move up. Grade: B-; 2014: Williamsport

Lewis ALezones, 17, Signed as a free agent in 2012; 14 games; 1-1 with a 1.82ERA; 24.2IP 16H 16BB 15K; 1.35 GO/AO; /180 opp. avg; 1.29WHIP; 5.8BB/5.6K per nine; Alezones, who doesnt turn 18 until November threw well but must get the walks under control. Grade: B; 2014: Williamsport

Jordan Elliott, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA; 10IP 5H 1BB 6K; Elliott threw very well in limited action after being picked up as a free agent.

Denton Keys, 19, Phils 11th round pick in 2013 draft; 9 games (2 starts); 2-2 with a 5.68ERA; 19IP 23H 5BB 11K; 1.37 GO/AO; .311 opp avg; 1.47WHIP; 2.3BB/5.2K per nine; Very pedestrian numbers for Keys who was a late signee, but relatively high draft pick. Grade: C; 2014: GCL

Ronald Mendez, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 15 games; 1-1 with a 3.15ERA; 3 saves; 20IP 21H 2BB 12K; 0.88GO/AO; .263 opp. avg; 1.15WHIP; 0.9BB/5.4K per nine; A nice job by Mendez who was in the States for the first time after three years in the VSL. Grade: B+; 2014: Williamsport with Lakewood not out of question

Chris Motta, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 4 games; 0-1 with a 4.91ERA; 7.1IP 11H 4BB 6K. Unimpressive in his limited work.

Braden Shull, 20, Phils 27th round pick in 2011 draft; 4 games; 0-1 with a 12.00ERA; Second season in the GCL and pitched sporadically and poorly.

Matt Southard, 21, Phils 28th round pick in 2013 draft; 9 games (1 start); 0-1 with a 7.80ERA; 15IP 17H 11BB 11K; 2.30 GO/AO; .279 opp. avg; 1.87WHIP; 6.6BB/6.6K per 9; Not a pretty professional start for Southard.

Franklyn Vargas, 19, SIgned as a free agent in 2011; 2-0 with a 4.34ERA in 13 games; 18.2IP 9H 20BB 13K; 0.60 GO/AO; .148 opp. avg; 1.55 WHIP; 9.5BB/6.3K per nine; Like many others in the organization, Vargas is practically unhittable but doesnt need to be because he cant throw the ball over the plate. He has clear talent but the control will hold him back until resolved.  2014: Williamsport

9 thoughts on “Report Card, Relief Pitchers, Lower Half”

  1. I read a report from one of our posters that Elliot and Motta have been released. I like Buckley and Bielski a lot. I imagine they may try Bielski as a starter. He is so young and so good. Buckley could get to the majors in two or three years. Burgess did well after being promoted. The three late signees from three years ago have not done well. I expected a lot more of Shull.

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  2. Not yet any kind of Phuture Phillies lineup here: so many young ones and we don’t know how any will turn out well. At first impression, there doesn’t appear to be any so-called “can’t miss” guys among these. The drafts and other FA signings in recent years have not yielded pitching so much as position players. A change now is needed.

    Hunting down pitching as a priority should be the FO’s focus. Pitchers who are closer to the bigs than HS guys; i.e., college age guys. Focusing scouting in a concentrated way on pitching might just give desired results. Lesser tracking down position players….

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  4. Read an on phoulballz.com that Zach Cooper made the transition to a sidearm delivery which gave him more movement and a few extra mph. That transition is also what landed him on the dl as his body isn’t used to the new delivery. He went to instructs to get used to it more and make up for lost time

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    1. Average to plus fastball, feel for a curveball. Command is ok, purely a bullpen arm, but one that could have a major league future if it all sticks together.

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    2. Keivi Rojas has been a fixation of mine. This is what Mitch Rupert wrote about him:

      Utilized a running fastball that sat 92-94 and gained better command of a curveball which made him a tough pitcher for two months. Struggled down the stretch as he tired and began to fall behind hitters. Gave up 13 of his 27 hits over his final six appearances. Not a great prospect, but the strikeout numbers and low hit numbers are worth keeping an eye on.

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  6. I would like to point out that Denton Keys had one awful outing (8/2 versus Astros).
    His line was .1IP 6R 5ER 3H 2BB. If you disregard that one outing his season line would be 18.2 IP 20H 9R 7ER 3BB 10K 0HR 3.38 ERA. Take it one step further, after that disaster in the last 6 appearances his line was 16IP 16H 7R 5ER 3BB 9K 0HR 2.81 ERA.
    Personally the two young pitchers I can’t wait to check out are Viza and Keys. Keys needs to improve the hit per inning stat.

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  7. I assume most organizations have ‘live arms’ which is code for good stuff but not control. It is just sad to see so many guys throughout the organization who cannot throw strikes. But of course guys with good stuff and command are called ‘prospects’ and not ‘live arms’.

    Although, a control only guy is someone like Cloyd who is getting shelled again.

    As Puddinhead mentioned, any of these guys going to tried as a starter next season?

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