Monthly Archives: September 2015

Post Season Report Card–OF, CW, REA and LV

Other Stuff

Lots of talent to talk about here…Remember grades are based on expectations against the player themselves (pre-season) not against each other.  Next up: Relievers (LV, REA and CW), likely Tuesday.

Clearwater

Aaron Brown, 23, Phils 3rd round pick in 2014; .257/.324/.406 in 389AB; 11HR 47RBI; 10/18SB; 6%BB/21%K; .285 vs LHP; .242 vs RHP; .300 last 30 days; 104 games in the OF with 2 errors (.992); 6 OF assists; After starting the season slowly and a stint on the DL, Brown came on strong as a very important cog in the Threshers offense towards the end of the year.  He is one of my “under the radar” guys that if given the opportunity could break out next year.  Grade: B-; 2016: Reading

ANdrew Pullin, 22, Phils 5th round pick in 2012; .258/.300/.396 in 493AB; 14HR 73RBI; 1/6SB; 5%BB/15%K; .274 vs LHP; .250 vs RHP; .282 last 30 days; 98 games in the OF with 3 errors (.983); 10 OF assists; Pullin transitioned back to the OF this year and was the Threshers primary LF.  The transition was smooth and Pullin was a consistent key run producer in the Clearwater lineup.  Grade: B-; 2016: Reading

Carlos Tocci, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .287/.339/.363 in 509 AB between Lakewood and Clearwater; 4HR 43RBI; 17/28SB; For CW: .258/.296/.313 in 275AB; 2HR 18RBI; 3/12 SB; 4%BB/18%K rates; 127 games in the OF with 2 errors (.991); 5 OF assists; After almost 1200 plate appearances with Lakewood, Tocci was promoted after putting up outstanding numbers for the BlueClaws early this season.  Still just 20, Tocci’s transition to Clearwater was acceptable but he will need more time in High A before moving up.  His defense remains excellent.  Grade: B+; 2016: Clearwater Continue reading Post Season Report Card–OF, CW, REA and LV →

Playoffs Box Score Recap – 9/19/2015

Box Score Recap

And that will be your season!  The Reading Fightin’ Phils lost the fifth and deciding game of the Eastern League Championship Series 7-2 to the Bowie Baysox (BAL).  Reading had a fine season where they showed significant improvement over a 2014 team that finished 10 games under .500. Reading finished the 2015 season in first place in the Eastern Division and had the best regular season record in the entire Eastern League (80-61, .567).  With the loss, the seasons of all the organization’s affiliates have been completed.  Reading had been one of three teams to make the post season.  Six of the organizations’s eight teams finished with winning records. Continue reading Playoffs Box Score Recap – 9/19/2015 →

Playoffs Box Score Recap – 9/18/2015

Box Score Recap

Reading (80-61) was thumped in Game Four of the ELCS by the Bowie Batsox 9-1.  Ben Lively was ruffed up for seven runs in six-plus  innings.  He gave up seven hits and four walks and faced three batters in the seventh before he was relieved.  The Phils were held to four hits and Baysox’ pitchers walked only one.   With the series tied, the deciding game will be played on Saturday at 6:05 PM. Continue reading Playoffs Box Score Recap – 9/18/2015 →

Post Season Report Card–OF, GCL, WPORT and LAKEWOOD

Other Stuff

A look at outfielders in the lower levels.  A reminder that grades are based on performance against was expected pre-season of this player, NOT against others.  Next up will be outfielders at the upper levels.

Lakewood

Jiandido Tromp, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .216/.268/.354 in 412AB; 9HR 44RBI; 10/15SB; 6%BB/27%K; .217 vs LHP; .219 vs RHP; .290 last 30 days; 108 games in the OF with 2 errors (.992); 10 OF assists; After a very good 2014, much was expected of Tromp and took alot longer adjusting to the SAL than many expected.  He did play solid defense and came on at the end of the season. Already with over 1000 minor league at bats, I think he begins back in Lakewood.  Grade: D+

Chase Harris, 24, Phils 14th round pick in 2014; .255/.310/.294 in 310AB between Clearwater and Lakewood; 0HR 23RBI; 21/29SB; 6%BB/16%K; 80 games in the OF with 1 error (.994); 6 OF assists.  Harris was the odd man out in CLearwater, being demoted back to Lakewood when they needed roster space and then getting injured to end the season.  Harris is like many other OF’s in the organization…decent hitting tools, little power, good speed.  He may become victim to the numbers game once again as there are several younger players with similar skill sets.  Grade: C-

Cord Sandberg, 20, Phils 3rd round pick in 2013; .255/.303/.345 in 499AB; 5HR 59RBI; 5/12SB; 5%BB/17%K; .222 with RISP; .218 vs LHP; .269 vs RHP; .243 last 30 days; 120 games in the OF with 4 errors (.983); 13 OF assists.  Mediocirty for Sandberg this year, who showed his true potential in spurts and then really struggled in others. Grade: C; 2016: Clearwater

Herlis Rodriguez, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .294/.339/.425 in 445AB; 10HR 61RBI; 16SB; 6%BB/15%K; .326 vs LHP; .282 vs RHP; .297 since Aug 1; 98 games in the OF with 6 assists (.967); 21 OF assists; Rodriguez had an outstanding year in all aspects of his game, hitting for average, showing his speed and even hitting for some power.  He led all Phils minor league OF in assists as well.  After missing most of 2014, he is back on track.  Grade: A; 2016: Likely Clearwater, outside shot at a double bump to Reading. Continue reading Post Season Report Card–OF, GCL, WPORT and LAKEWOOD →

Playoffs Box Score Recap – 9/17/2015

Box Score Recap

Reading (80-61) emerged victorious from the pivotal third game of their best-of-five series against the Bowie Baysox 9-3.  Jake Thompson limited the Sox to one run in seven plus innings on four hits and three walks while striking out five.  Meanwhile, the Phils’ offense piled on with nine runs on 12 hits and six walks.  Their five-run, sixth inning lasted so long that Thompson went to the bullpen to warm up to keep loose.  Coincidentally, he gave up his only run in the bottom of the inning. Continue reading Playoffs Box Score Recap – 9/17/2015 →

Playoffs Box Score Recap – 9/16/2015

Box Score Recap

Reading (80-61) dropped the second game of their best-of-five series against the Bowie Baysox 10-3.  Ethan Martin and Joely Rodriguez were ineffective giving up eight runs in the first four innings.  When they weren’t walking batters (eight in 3.2 innings), they were getting hit hard (eight hits, 3 doubles and 2 triples).  The series moves to Bowie for the deciding three games. Continue reading Playoffs Box Score Recap – 9/16/2015 →

Post Season Report Card–Catcher

Other Stuff

All of a sudden, lots of talent behind the plate with many difficult decisions on “who goes where” come next season.

Lehigh Valley

Erik Kratz, 35, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .312/.433/.558 in 77AB with Lehigh Valley; 3HR 15RBI; 19%BB/19%K; 11 games caught with 1 error (.988); 1 passed ball; 1/6 CS (17%); Also played one game at 1B. Kratz was picked up late in the season as the Phils wanted a catcher to add to the September roster in Philly.  Kratz did his typical very competent job with Lehigh Valley.  Grade: B+; 2016: Either retired or with another organization

Gabrial Lino, 22, Acquired from Baltimore in 2012; .234/.277/.329 in 304 AB between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 3HR 30RBI; 6%BB/25%K rates; .215/.244/.272 for Lehigh Valley; Hit just .188 over last month of year; 83 games caught with 4 errors (.993); 8 passed balls; 31/76 CS (41%).  Although significant difficulties with the bat during the last two months of the season, Lino’s 2015 has to be considered a success as he established himself defensively behind the plate and showed the capability to hit a bit.  Grade: C+  2016: If the Phils have to make a choice between Lino and Moore, Lino has the advantage of being three years younger.  I see him back in Lehigh Valley.

Logan Moore, 25, Phils 9th round pick in 2011;.253/.312/.349 in 229AB between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 3HR 25RBI; 8%BB/19%K; For Lehigh Valley: .276/.338/.351 in 134AB; 62 games caught with 5 errors (.988); 5 passed balls; 29/55 CS (53%).  Moore had another excellent year with the glove and throwing runners out and was much improved with the bat.  I would have liked to have seen him play a bit more in Lehigh Valley as he is Rule 5 eligible and could easily take a spot on a major league roster as a backup catcher.  Grade: B+ Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Catcher →

Prospect Discussion: Week of September 14th

Weekly Discussion

Here’s an open discussion thread about minor league prospects.  Phillies’ talk and other non-prospect discussion should remain in the Open Discussion.

This is an open format for any minor league prospect you want to discuss.  Just to get the ball rolling, what is Angelo Mora’s future in the organization.  This was asked before, and I was one of several who pointed out his defensive liabilities.  I was probably harsher than most with my comments.  But here’s a kid who has put up great numbers at two different levels this season and is continuing to impress into the payoffs.

  • Angelo Mora, middle infielder
  • Bats both, Throws right
  • 5’11, 151 lb. (I think he’s heavier now)
  • Born 2/25/93 (age 22)
  • FA Dominican signed in 2011, age 18; played in the DSL
  • 2012; GCL Phillies
  • 2013; Lakewood (except for one week in June with Williamsport)
  • 2014 Clearwater
  • 2014; Dominican Winter League
  • 2015 Clearwater until July 22nd, then Reading for remainder of the season

Mora carries a career slash of .251/.306/.347/.653.  However this year he put together a .304/.326/.405/.732 in Clearwater in 241 plate appearances.  After being promoted to Reading, Mora slashed .327/.411/.531/.942 in 131 plate appearances.  He’s hitting .357 in the playoffs.

After playing predominantly SS in the rookie leagues, Mora split his time equally between second and short in Lakewood.  At Clearwater, Mora was moved full time to second to accommodate Roman Quinn and later the arrival of J.P. Crawford.  In addition to second and short, Mora has spent time at third, in left, and in right.  He also boasts an ERA of 0.00 in one inning pitched, although 2 walks drove his WHIP up to 18.00.  Mora posted a .986 Fld% at second while at Clearwater this season, and his career .963 is better than his career .947 at short.  The other positions are SSS.

Playoffs Box Score Recap – 9/15/2015

Box Score Recap

Reading (80-61) opened their best-of-five series against the Bowie Baysox with a 3-1 victory at First Energy Stadium.  Zach Eflin earned the win as he and two relievers kept the Baysox off the board until there were two outs in the ninth inning.  Eflin tossed six shutout innings and left after the Sox opened the seventh inning with a single off his leg into foul territory.  He allowed five hits, struck out five, and walked none. Continue reading Playoffs Box Score Recap – 9/15/2015 →

Post Season Report Card–Shortstop

Other Stuff

Next, we are taking a look at SS throughout the organization.  Two legitimate major league prospects in Crawford and Canelo.

Lehigh Valley

Chase D’Arnaud, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .268/.317/.354 in 497AB; 5HR 35RBI; 28SB; 5%BB/12%K; .258 vs LHP; .272 vs RHP; .228 last month; 87 games at SS with 22 errors (.945); 34 games at 3B with 2 errors (.972); 3 games in the OF.  Once D’Arnaud started playing every day, he played well and was among league leaders in SB and runs.  Grade: B; 2016: With Crawford knocking on the door, I don’t see D’Arnaud back.

Edgar Duran, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2007; .163/.242/.207 in 135AB; 0HR 9RBI; 8%BB/16%K; .163 vs LHP; .163 vs RHP; 44 games at SS with 8 errors (.960); 4.36 R/F; 2 games at 2B without an error; Duran missed considerable time injured this season, including the last six weeks of the season; Slick fielding, he is pretty much awful with the bat.  Grade: D; 2016: He could stick around in Lehigh Valley as a back up middle infielder

Reading

JP Crawford, 20, Phils 1st round pick in 2013; .288/.380/.414 in 430AB between Clearwater and Reading; 6HR 42RBI; 12SB; 13%BB/11%K; For Reading: .265/.354/.407 in 351AB; 5HR 34RBI; 7SB; 12%BB/11%K rate; .227 vs LHP; .282 vs RHP; .300 last 30 days; 106 games at SS with 27 errors (.953); 5.12 R/F.  After missing the first month or so injured Crawford had a very good, borderline excellent year.  He slumped a bit in late July, early August but came back strong in the seasons final weeks.  Exceptional batting eye, makes very regular contact.  In a “perfect” world, his average would be about 10-15 points higher and a few fewer errors.  That said, he is right where he needs t be to debut late in 2016.  Grade: B+; 2016: Lehigh Valley Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Shortstop →