Daily Archives: July 5, 2015

Open Discussion: Week of July 6th

Weekly Discussion

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

In the past week, the Phillies have –

  • Announced the hiring of Andy MacPhail to succeed Pat Gillick as club President.
  • Announced interim mgr. Pete Mackanin will be remain thru the end of the season.
  • Announced the signing of international free agents Jhailyn Ortiz & Rafael Marchan.
  • Opened up a 7.5 game lead over Miami. Colorado & Milwaukee are a half game back.
  • Released Yoel Mecias (Prospect rank: #19 MLB, #10 PP Top 30, #6 Fangraphs, #12 BA, #14 Sickels, #4 BP, #4 MinorThoughts, unranked by Law)
  • Announced the trading of Future Considerations, RHP Chris Oliver and LHP Josh Taylor to Arizona for Future Considerations.

The two pitchers represent one-third of Lakewood’s starting rotation.  Shane Watson replaced Yoel Mecias (released) who replaced Ricardo Pinto (promoted to Clearwater).  Taylor’s spot comes up tomorrow.  Oliver’s on Thursday.  Their rotation looks like this over the next 6 days – Not Taylor, Viza, Casimiro, Not Oliver, Garcia, Watson.  Fill in the blanks!

Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of July 6th →

Box Score Recap; (and International Bonus Pool Primer) – 7/5/2015

Box Score Recap

Lehigh Valley (36-49) beat the Rochester Red Wings 4-2.  Jason Bergen came within one out of a complete game.  After a two-out, two-run HR, he was lifted in favor of Dustin McGowan who came in to pick up the save.  Aaron Altherr (.327) went 1-4 with a double.  Gabriel Lino (.291) went 1-4.  Chase d’Arnaud had 3 hits, a double, a HR, and an RBI.  Tyler Henson had 2 RBI.

Continue reading Box Score Recap; (and International Bonus Pool Primer) – 7/5/2015 →

Phils Make a Trade

Other Stuff

No, Hamels, Papelbon, Utley, Howard, Revere and everyone else on the 25 man roster are still here, but the Phillies did acquire the #1 International Signing Slot from Arizona for the 2015-16 signing period.  In return, the Phils gave up their #9 slot, and Lakewood pitchers Chris Oliver and Josh Taylor.

Oliver was the Phils 4th round pick in 2014 and has been disappointing since coming aboard last year.  Oliver, who is soon to be 22, was 4-5 with a 4.04ERA in his 13 starts.  The problematic part of Oliver’s development has been bb/k ratio.  He is averaging 4.2BB/3.5K per 9 this year which leads to trouble on both ends of the spectrum.  The opposition was batting .291 against Oliver (.352 over the last 30 days).

Josh Taylor, 22,  was an undrafted free agent out of Georgia State and is 4-5 with a 4.63ERA in his 13 starts this year. His bb/k ratio is good at 3.2BB/9.2K per 9 and the opposition was hitting .265 off of him.  Over the last 30 days, Taylor is holding the opposition to an average of just .213.

Box Score Recap – 7/4/2015

Box Score Recap

Lehigh Valley (35-49) beat the Rochester Red Wings 4-3.  Aaron Nola allowed 3 runs and 9 hits while striking out six over six innings.  Five hits including a home run in the fifth put the IronPigs in a 3-2 hole.  A late rally and strong pitching out of the bullpen by Seth Rosin and Adam Loewen, who picked up his third save, preserved the win.  Aaron Altherr (.333) went 2-3 with a double, walk, and 2 RBI.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/4/2015 →