Lehigh Valley Weekly Report

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Lehigh Valley have finally begun playing a bit better, having gone 4-4 over their last 8 games, but still sit in last place of the Northern Division of the International League, at a woeful 10-24 already 10 games behind division leading Pawtucket.  The ‘Pigs embark on a 7 game road trip starting Thursday evening in Rochester, continuing against the RedWings over the weekend, before visiting Syracuse early next week.

‘News and Notes: Cody Asche had 5 plate appearances in his first game back at AAA and Columbus couldn’t get him out.  He went 2-2, with 3 walks and a run scored and an uneventful night in LF.

–OF Brian Bogusevic was named International League Batter of the Week on Monday.  While playing a very good CF, Bogusevic has hit safely in 26 of his last 28 games, hitting .357 with 2HR 11RBI, 20RS and 4SB during that time frame.

–Lehigh Valley is 7-8 is games Chase D’Arnaud starts and 3-16 when he doesn’t start.

—Phillippe Aumont earned his first “quality start”  since 2010 with a six inning, 0ER performance last Friday.  He followed that up with an eye opening seven inning, 0ER, 0BB outing yesterday.

–The ‘Pigs have allowed 9% more walks than anyone else in the International League.  At the same time, they have struck out the least amount of hitters.  Not good. Recipe for 10-24.

–Last Saturday, Adam Morgan had the longest outing of any Lehigh Valley starter, going 7.1IP, while allowing just two earned.

‘Pigs Prospects–Maikel Franco continues to be on fire.  He has hit in his last 9 games (.486, 17-35, 3HR 12RBI) and in 27 of his last 31 games, during which he has hit .358 with 4HR 23RBI and 12 doubles.  His defense has also been stellar at 3B.  I expect that this is the last time we will be writing about Maikel Franco before he is called up to Philadelphia.

Tommy Joseph was placed on the DL on Tuesday with what Lehigh Valley is calling a concussion.  With previous concussion problems, this may be precautionary but more realistically, Joseph continues having the cumulative effect of taking numerous significant shots to the head.  Prior to being placed on the DL, Joseph was having an awful start to the season hitting under .130 in over 75 AB’s.

David Buchanan has had two “quality starts” since being optioned from Philadelphia, although I admittedly am not a fan of that statistic.  Looking further, Buchanan was moderately sharp going 6 innings in one start and six 2/3 in the second start.  He was very hittable having allowed 17 in his 12.2 innings of work but looking at the bright side, did not walk a batter during that time frame.

Next Week: Morgan, Murray, Rosin

‘Pigs League Leaders, Hitting:Maikel Franco leads the league in AB’s(137), hits(48), doubles (12)RBI’s (23), 4th in avg (.350) and 4th in SLG(.540); Brian Bogusevic is 9th in AB’s(124), leads the league in runs(21), 3rd in hits(42), 9th in OBP(.406) and 7th in avg (.339).

Pitching:Phillippe Aumont has the 3rd best ERA (1.36) and 9th best WHIP (1.09); Colt Murray leads the league in appearances(15); Paul Clemens is 2nd in walks allowed, Joely Rodriguez is 3rd in walks allowed (20) and has the 2nd worst WHIP (1.89), Adam Loewen is 9th in walks allowed(17)

Probables: Thur: Morgan; Fri: Gonzalez; Sat: Rodriguez; Sun: Buchanan

Transactions: A busy week. In summary, Catcher Rene Garcia was sent to Reading, Tommy Joseph was placed on the DL, C Logan Moore was called up from Reading, Infielder Chris Nelson was released, Cody Asche joined the team after being optioned from Philly, Pitcher Paul Clemens was placed on the DL, P Nick Hill was re-assigned to Reading, Pitcher Adam Loewen was activated from the temp inactive list, and  P Severino Gonzalez joined the team after being optioned from Philly.  Got it?

 

18 thoughts on “Lehigh Valley Weekly Report”

      1. Asche has looked competent thus far. He only really had to range for one ball, but ended up short-hopping it–which was better than diving and missing it. I’m not sure anyone else makes that catch either. His throws have been questionable so far though–not that he doesn’t have the arm, just missed the cut-off a couple times.

        Aumont has been the model of consistency: consistently around the plate and not walking batters. His velocity might be down a bit, but he’s hitting his spots, mixing pitches, not over-throwing, and getting good calls from the umps. He’s commanding the curve for strikes right now. His head is clear and he’s approaching the game the right way. Let’s see if he can keep this up.

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  2. A question I hope someone can answer. KLaw is a guy a lot of us here read, and he still thinks Franco is an average 1B as his future. LarryM, who we don’t hear from anymore, has explained, at length, the view that his BB total limits his ceiling. I know that is the shorthand version. We will see on that. But, my question is KLaw’s view on Franco’s D. Everyone associated with the team thinks he is an excellent defensive 3B. That certainly increases his value vs.a future at1B. Soft hands, really good arm. I don’t understand the issue.

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    1. I think his issue – defense wise – is he has great hands but limited range, side to side, and that is the detractant. He is said to get anything near him but due to his “thick” lower body doesn’t have the quick step range to get balls in the hole.

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    2. Well, we’ve all seen him in the majors at third. He’s got soft hands, is highly coordinated (which also bodes well for his hitting) and has a rocket arm. But he’s not a fast guy, so the issue will be range. That’s it – range. If his range is average, he will be an above average third baseman at the very least. At first, he’s already well above average in my view – the guy is just a strong ballplayer and a really coordinated fielder. But he’s not fast and the question is whether he’s quick enough to have acceptable range.

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      1. We all know that reflexes are more important than range at 3B. I’ve seen lots of slow guys in sports with a quick first step. My recollection of Franco’s defense last year was that he was very solid and could become very good. He has a very strong arm and very soft hands which reminded me a lot of Pedro Feliz. I’ll take that defense at 3b any day of the week. The new era starts this weekend!

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        1. Brooks Robinson had average to below average speed and he’s the greatest fielding third baseman of all time (certainly the best I ever saw) – maybe even the greatest overall fielder of all time, aside from Ozzie Smith.

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          1. Scott Rolen was not the fastest guy in the world either. Range at third base is emphasized too much.

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            1. Scott Rolen could absolutely run and was a well above average runner for a 3B.

              Having said that I’ve seen Franco play multiple times in Lakewoord and in Trenton, and I’ve always said from the start he can play 3B in the majors at a level that is average to very good.

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            2. Maybe his first 4/5 years but he was average…but when he got bigger and his back bothered him, he just rumbled.

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    3. Matt there have been a lot of good players who walk less. I just like the fact franco works the count, and from the times I have seen him , isn’t chasing the bad breaking balls. I laugh at people who say he isn’t a good third basemen, he can field and move at third, The only question I have on him is how long will it take him to adjust to major league off-speed pitching , and once the league see him can he adjust again, I get excited about this kid, because he attacks the baseball, he reminds me of a young dick allen. tomahawks the ball. I listen larry on a lot of prospect he said were untouchable and not one so far is a star. I Just think minor league stats are hard to judge a player on without seeing him play.

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      1. Unfortunately, he’s no Richie Allen. Now he was a prospect! For those that don’t know about him, check out his rookie year stats from 64 and realize they’re only part of the story. He could hit balls so far that you couldn’t see them land….

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        1. I Didn’t mean he was Richie. I meant his swing reminds me of a young rich allen; But Richie was a bad third basemen, cat like but coudnt throw

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      2. rocco…went thru this already with DR players. They historically have the lowest (MiLB) BB rates …power hitters that is….vs other players.
        Check it out:
        Vladimir Guerrero –8%.Robinson Cano – 7%,Sammy Sosa – 6%
        Adrian Beltre – 12%, Julio Franco –9%,Hanley Ramirez –7%,Ruben Sierra –9%
        ….just to name a few…..didn’t seem to hurt their legacies.

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  3. That seems to be what people here who have seen him say. That is what I thought watching him here last year, even with a SSS. That he can be an above average 3B if his range is even average. That seems to be a much higher ceiling player than an average 1B. I know we can have a tendency to over value our own prospects, but he looks like a much better 3B than what KLaw indicated. And, he is certainly wrong a significant amount of time. I just happened to read it again yesterday, and it raised the question.

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    1. Class of ’10 draft slowly being attrite.
      Nesseth today, soon could be Pointer or Numata

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