Lehigh Valley has been playing well at long last having won 9 of their last 11 games and are 17-9 over their last 25 games.  Unfortunately, the recent hot streak is not enough to overcome an abysmal start and Lehigh Valley currently sits at 38-50 and in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 9 games behind division leading Rochester.  Lehigh Valley completes a three game series at home against Pawtucket tonight before heading to Pawtucket for three over the weekend.  The International League All Star Game is next week, creating a three day break for the ‘Pigs next Monday thru Wednesday.

News and Notes: Lehigh Valley has double digit hits in 10 of their last 11 games.

–Over the last month, INF Russ Canzler is hitting .312 with 4HR 20RBI, 16RS and 10 doubles. (34-114)

–INF Chase D’Arnaud has a team leading 24 multi hit games,  including four consecutive multi hit games this past week.  Since becoming a regular in mid May, D’Arnaud leads the league in runs scored.

—Jesse Biddle made his AAA debut last night and it was not pretty.  He last just 2.1 innings and gave up 7 runs on 5 hits, walking six and striking out a lone batter.  He threw 73 pitches, just 33 for strikes.  In 15 starts in Reading, Biddle was 7-2 with a 4.23ERA and 1.54 WHIP.  Biddle’s command and confidence remain the two major issues that must be addressed for long term success. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

A look at starting pitching in the upper parts of the organization.

Lehigh Valley

Aaron Nola, 22, Phils 1st round pick in 2014; 16 starts between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 10-3 with a 1.97ERA; 100.1IP 83H 14BB 83K; 5HR allowed; .230 opp avg; 0.97 WHIP; 1.2BB/7.5K per 9;  For Lehigh Valley, 4 starts, 3-0 with a 2.28ERA; .264 opp avg; 1.23 WHIP; .231 vs LH, .288 vs RH.  You cant ask for much more out of Nola.  He has impressed consistently all season long.

Severino Gonzalez, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 9 starts for Lehigh Valley, 1-4 with a 4.38ERA; 51.1IP 53H 12BB 27K; 5HR allowed; 2.1BB/4.7K per 9; .268 opp avg; 1.27 WHIP; 0.65 GO/AO; .282 vs LH, .257 vs RH, .250 last 30 days.  Gonzalez has bounced back and forth between Philly and Lehigh Valley and has taken a beating in the big leagues.  Just 22, he needed this full season to develop in AAA and hasn’t been given that opportunity.

Anthony Vasquez, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 17 games (11 starts) between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 5-3 with a 3.95ERA; 70.2IP 63H 26BB 46K; 3.3BB/5.9K per 9; .246 opp avg; 1.26 WHIP; 0.97 GO/AO; For LV: 9 starts, 4-3 with a 4.96ERA; 45.1IP 43H 21BB 31K; .254 opp avg; 1.41 WHIP; 4.2BB/6.2K per 9; .306 vs LH, .241 vs RH, .326 last month.  After pitching very well in Reading and equally well in his first few outings in AAA, Vazquez has struggled of late.

Jason Berken, 31, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 17 games (8 starts); 5-5 with a 3.33ERA; 73.1IP 73H 21BB 48K; 2.6BB/5.9K per 9; .262 opp avg; 1.29 WHIP; 0.95 GO/AO; .262 vs LH, .261 vs RH; .222 last 30 days;  Berken is 4-2 with a 2.27ERA as a starter and has been one of the rare pitchers who have performed consistently well for the ‘Pigs this year.  No reason that Berken shouldnt get a shot with the big club this year based on his performance, the fact that he has major league experience and the further fact that the Phils desperately need someone to eat innings.

David Buchanan, 26, Phils 7th round pick in 2010; 4 starts, 2-0 with a 2.53ERA; 21.1IP 28H 4BB 14K; 1.7BB/5.9K per 9; .311 opp avg; 1.50 WHIP; 1.29 GO/AO; Buchanan just returned with a very good start after missing close to two months with a significant ankle sprain.  With three or four good starts, he will quickly be back in Philly.

Reading

Zach Eflin, 21, Acquired from Padres in 2015; 14 starts, 5-4 with a 2.88ERA; 84.1IP 77H 16BB 42K; .244 opp avg; 1.10 WHIP; 1.11 GO/AO; 1.7BB/4.5K per 9; .308 vs LHP; .189 vs RH; .286 last 30 days; 6 HR allowed; .302 with RISP.  The bottom line from Eflin looks very good. Absent one awful outing, the bottom line would be excellent.

Ben Lively, 23, Acquired from Reds in 2015; 16 starts, 7-6 with a 3.76ERA; 95.2IP 100H 31BB 66K; 8HR allowed; .279 opp avg; 1.37 WHIP; 0.91 GO/AO; 2.9BB/6.2K per 9; .291 vs LH, .269 vs RH, .296 last 30 days; .203 with RISP.  Lively’s performance with RISP accounts for his low ERA which he should be lauded for.  His peripherals otherwise are adequate but nothing spectacular. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching, LV, REA, CW →

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.