Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day, and apologies for the lateness on this recap. This will be a quick one. Continue reading Reading Report: 5/19-5/26
Monthly Archives: May 2014
General Discussion – Week of May 26, 2014 – Ridiculously Long Mets Series Edition
The Phils are in the middle of a three game set with Colorado that closes tomorrow night, and is followed by a five game series with the Mets that lasts through Monday. That’s 20% more potentially very bad baseball than the schedule makers intended. I hope the town can survive.
Discuss.
Top 30 Stock Watch (21-30 and Off the List)
We are now nearly two months into the minor league season so it is time to do a quick look through the ranks and see how players are getting on. It is way too early for a reranking of the list, but I am going to see whose stock is trending up or down, or staying constant. For the first part I pulled 10 names off of my thoughts on those that missed the Top 30, as well as numbers 21-30 on the actual Top 30.
Jake Sweaney (C/OF) – Sweaney’s move to the outfield is a bit shocking this early, but catching was never a guarantee. Still a lot to see about the bat and whether it will play in a corner. He is certainly athletic enough to make it work. Stock: Reset
Jiandido Tromp (CF) – Tromp started the year as the odd man out in Lakewood, but got his chance when Larry Greene was injured early in the year. Tromp isn’t lighting the HSAL up, but he has flashed some power and speed, and some raw tools to make him interesting. He should continue to get sporadic. Stock: Trending Up Continue reading Top 30 Stock Watch (21-30 and Off the List)
Box Score Recap – 5/26/2014
Ken Giles earned his third save at AAA, allowing a hit and striking out one in 1.2IP. Cam Perkins was pinch-hit for with Anthony Hewitt in the seventh inning of a game where Perkins had one of three hits and the only extra-base hit. Not sure why anyone would do that without good reason, and we know “getting Anthony Hewitt a plate appearance” hasn’t been a good reason for like four years now.
Samuel Hiciano is puttin’ a hurtin’ on South Atlantic League pitchin’ right now – he’s OPSin’ 1.187 over his last 10 games and sits at .833 on the year after a 2-3 on Monday. He remains a very interestin’ guy. Ok, I’m don’. Also in that one, Tyler Viza recorded 18 outs, three by strikeout, one by flyball, and 12 on the ground, two of which were turned into double plays. That’s some heavy stuff he’s tossin’. Sorry.
And finally, our young friend Jesus Alastre was 2-2 to extend his hitting streak to all 10 professional games in which he’s ever played. Here’s something though – he’s been blanked in stolen base attempts – oh-fer his first four. Maybe give him the stop sign, coach. Just an idea.
The AAC playoffs; May 21-25, 2014
Here are a few random observations from the tournament. I watched 90 innings of baseball during the American Athletic Conference tournament. They refer to themselves as The American. No comment. Would have watched 27 more innings if I didn’t have something else planned on Thursday. (Missing Thursday meant I missed 12-2 Kyle Funkhouser.) The 8 teams played round-robin within their respective pools Wednesday thru Saturday. The pool winners advanced to the championship game on Sunday. Houston was the tournament champion, beating Louisville handily, 10-4.
The only Baseball America, top 100 prospect in the tournament was Louisville’s Nick Burdi. Continue reading The AAC playoffs; May 21-25, 2014
XST; May 26, 2014
This will be my first eXtended Spring Training report in a couple weeks. The Williamsport and Gulf Coast teams seem to be taking shape. With most of the rehabbing players having returned to their assigned teams, I have been watching prospects more than watching games. I have been concentrating on players like Cord Sandberg and Trey Williams. Williams has been playing first base every game but only recently started taking in-game at bats again. He went 1 for 4 today with a double. His defense has consistently improved since the beginning of camp.
Sandberg went 0 for 1, but what a day. He worked an 8-pitch walk in the 1st inning after falling behind 1-2. In the 3rd inning he grounded out to second in a 6-pitch at bat. He saw 7 pitches while working a walk in the 5th inning. He finished with a 5-pitch at bat in the 8th inning when he was he by a pitch and loaded the bases. After a line drive double play left second base open, he stole the base. Continue reading XST; May 26, 2014
It Isn’t Time for Maikel Franco, Yet
This weekend the Phillies put Cody Asche on the disabled list retroactive to Friday with a hamstring injury, publicly the Phillies have said the move is precautionary and Asche should be back in the minimum amount of time. This has led to a ton of speculation surrounding the Phillies pre-season #1 prospect, Maikel Franco.
It is easy to see why the push for Franco in the big leagues. He is exciting and new, the team is old and not very good. Franco offers the sexiest of offensive potential with towering HRs from a right handed batter. The fanbase wants someone like Franco to come up and save this season, or at least provide hope leading into next year. It is entirely understandable, but now is not the time. Continue reading It Isn’t Time for Maikel Franco, Yet
Box Score Recap – 5/25/2014
Ethan Martin stuck out two in a clean inning of work, his first clean outing in almost two weeks. Aaron Altherr had two hits (and two strikeouts), while Cam Perkins was 1-4 plus a BB. Jesse Biddle was held out of his start after he suffered headaches from being hit in the head with hail during last week’s storm in Reading. No, I am not trying to be funny. This is a thing that occurred. That note was first reported by Mike Drago from The Reading Eagle. Give him a follow on Twitter @mldrago
Perhaps Miguel Gonzalez was also in a hail storm. Not sure. Might explain some things. Adam Loewen pitched well in his return to the hill after a couple years playing the field. Sure, he met some nice hits, but in the end, he decided to come back to his first love, pitching. He and pitching will be married in a civil ceremony in June, and hitting is not invited. Yeah, it didn’t end well.
J.P. Crawford left early for unknown reasons. I will update this item if we hear why. And Jesus Alastre did it again, hitting in his ninth straight game to start his pro career.
The APhilliated Podcast
This season Mark Perlman-Price (Broadcast Assistant for the IronPigs) and Michael Vetola (Radio Broadcaster for the Fightin Phils) have teamed up for a Phillies minor league podcast. They have interviewed players and coaches as well as had on various beat writers and broadcasters associated with the major and minor league teams. In their latest episode they brought me on to talk about Reading park factors, and how it appears from the statistical side, from observation, and how it affects players and managers.
You can download any episode here https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aphilliated-podcast/id854317012?mt=2
And while we are talking podcasts, Jay Floyd of Phoulballz puts out the PhoulBallz podcast which you can find here https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/phoulballz-podcast-jay-tug/id534600778?mt=2
Box Score Recap – 5/24/2014
Ken Giles works a six out save for Lehigh Valley – he struck out one a hit a man. Phillippe Aumont also had a nice outing, retiring five of six batters he faced, including two Ks. Cameron Perkins was 2-5 and hosed Francisco Lindor at the plate.
I’m having a hard time talking up Clearwater results lately. Mostly because I go a little dizzy and nauseous when I look at their boxes. And Saturday they had two boxes. Luckily I took a Dramamine. Lakewood box scores, on the other hand, make me swoon. Also helped by Dramamine. Andrew Pullin was 3-5 with his sixth home run, while Mitch Walding was 4-5 with his first bomb of the year. J.P. Crawford and Samuel Hiciano added multi-hit games. Drew Anderson allowed 4H, 3BB and 7K in six scoreless. That makes three strong starts in a row for the 20-year-old righty.
And finally Jesus Alastre was 2-2 with a double in extending his season-and-pro-career-long hitting streak to eight games. At some point, one of you will figure out what the record is for such a streak. I honestly don’t have a good guess where to look for that.
Phuture Phillies 