Daily Archives: June 14, 2015

Open Discussion: Week of June 15th

Weekly Discussion

Here’s an open discussion thread so the minor league posts don’t get cluttered with Phillies’ talk and other topics.

Draft Tracker is pinned at the top of the site.  No signings official, but a few kids are reporting to Clearwater tomorrow.

Some random stuff to light a fire –

  • If Freddie Galvis can’t make a routine throw … never mind.
  • They finally promoted Nola to LHV.
  • Well, he should have been promoted to Philadelphia.
  • Or, they should have left him in Reading.
  • Does Chase Utley have any options left?
  • The Phillies now have the worst record in baseball.
  • Who’s going to last in Philly longer, Giles or Sandberg/McClure/Bowa?  My first thought when I saw the clip was, “Really?  They’re going to get in the face of the guy who actually has a future in Philadelphia?”

Box Score Recap – 6/14/2015

Box Score Recap

Lehigh Valley (23-42) shut out the Norfolk Tides 2-0.  Phillippe Aumont had one of those lines he puts up occasionally – 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 9 K, 106 pitches, 56 strikes – but pitched effectively when he had to, kept the Tides off the board, and got the win.  Jason Berken was the bridge to the ninth inning, and Jake Diekman notched his second save.  Brian Bogusevic hit a solo HR (6) in the first inning and Russ Canzler added an insurance run in the sixth.  Gabriel Lino, the only “prospect” in a line up AAAA players, went 0-3.  Anthony Vasquez (1-3, 2.73) pitches tomorrow.  After the game, the Phillies announced the promotion of Aaron Nola from Reading to the IronPigs.  Pitching in the losing environment that surrounds the Lehigh Valley affiliate should prepare him for a later call-up to the major league team. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/14/2015 →

Aaron Nola promoted to Lehigh Valley

Other Stuff

The State secret that is Ruben Amaro’s timeline for Aaron Nola was finally learned today with his call up to AAA Lehigh Valley to presumably make his first start Thursday in Allentown.  Nola, who just turned 22 has been consistently outstanding this year, with a 7-3 record and a 1.88ERA in his 12 AA starts.  In 76.2IP for Reading, Nola has allowed just 59 hits, walking 9 and striking out 59, while holding the opposition to a .219 avg.  After having one start skipped to “keep him fresh”, Nola threw 5 innings yesterday (69 pitches), and yielded 2 earned runs on a first inning 2R homer.  Just one year removed from college ball, I would expect the Phils to keep Nola at no more than 160-170IP this year and to be closely monitored post All Star break.  Top prospect status aside, Nola will be a very welcome addition to both the team (23-42) and the fans in Allentown who have had very little to watch and even less to cheer about as we approach the minor league seasons half way point.

Around the System–Corner INF

Other Stuff

The moves to me at this stage are obvious.  Stassi to Lehigh Valley, Charles playing regularly in Reading and Hoskins to Clearwater.  See the evidence below.

Lehigh Valley

Chris McGuiness, 27, SIgned as a free agent in 2015; .226/.342/.296 in 159 AB’s; 1HR 16RBI; 16%BB/15%K rates; .263 vs LHP; .215 vs RHP; .200 last 30 days; .205 with RISP; 38 games at 1B with 2 errors (.994); 8.18 R/F.  Has been consistently unproductive all year.

Russ Canzler, 29, Re-Signed as a free agent in 2015; .260/.319/.383 in 196AB’s; 4HR 20RBI; 8%BB/18%K rates; .276 vs LHP; .254 vs. RHP; .211 over last 30 days; .245 with RISP; 28 games at 1B with 2 errors (.992); 5 games at 3B without an error; 6 games in the OF with 1 error.  After a fast start, Canzler has been almost non-existent for over a month now.

Cord Phelps, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .220/.298/.269 in 182 AB’s; 2HR 9RBI; 2SB; 10%BB/15%K rates; .224 vs. LHP; .218 vs. RHP; .267 over last month; .250 with RISP; 27 games at 3B with 3 errors (.952); 22 games at 2B with 2 errors (.981).  Has provided little to no offense while continuing his versatility in the field

Reading

Art Charles, 24, Acquired from Toronto in 2013; .274/.355/.514 in 146 AB’s; 6HR 27RBI; 12%BB/24%K rates; .304 vs LHP; .268 vs RHP; .177 over last 30 days; .283 with RISP; 18 games at 1B with 2 errors (.988); 9.22 R/F. After an unbelievable start, Charles has come back to Earth, hard over the last month.  That said, he is playing sparingly and I would like him to receive more regular time.

Brock Stassi, 25, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011; .333/.395/.498 in 207AB’s; 7HR 48RBI; 3SB; 10%BB/12%K rates; .388 with RISP; .339 over last 30 days; 48 games at 1B with 3 errors (.992); 8.19 R/F; 2 games in the OF without an error.  Stassi has been consistently outstanding all year.  I am far from convinced of any major league credentials, however, he should be in Lehigh Valley.  With an organizational guy above him who is hitting .226 with 1HR, there is no reason Stassi should be in Reading after 600 plus AB’s at this level.  Move Stassi and let Charles play. Continue reading Around the System–Corner INF →

Box Score Recap – 6/13/2015

Box Score Recap

Lehigh Valley (22-42) lost to the Norfolk Tides 5-4 in 10 innings.  Joely Rodriguez lasted 4.2 innings.  He was lifted after his 7th walk and 100th pitch.  Chris Leroux held the fort thru the eighth.  Juan Gutierrez pitched a clean ninth but gave up the winning run without recording an out in the tenth.  The good news is he was able to maintain his 9.00 ERA through 2 appearances with the ‘Pigs.  Russ Canzler went 3-5 with a HR and 2 RBI.  Phillippe Aumont (2-4, 2.58) pitches tomorrow. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/13/2015 →

Kelly Dugan Returns, Again; June 13, 2015

Game Reports, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Even though the Threshers played a double header against the Brevard County Manatees, the big story was the return of Kelly Dugan.  He played right field in the first game and was the DH in the night cap.  He went a combined 2-7 with a BB, K, and his first HR of the season.  He hit the ball hard most at bats.  The original plan was for Dugan to play the outfield Friday and Saturday, DH on Sunday, then take stock.  Friday’s rain derailed that plan.  I expect that he’ll play the outfield Sunday.  He could return to Reading not long after that.  He looks ready.

The Threshers lost the opener.  Continue reading Kelly Dugan Returns, Again; June 13, 2015 →