Lehigh Valley (stats thru Saturday)

Luis Garcia, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 13 games, 1-1 with a 3.18ERA; 17IP 12H 11BB 14K; .207 opp avg; 1.35 WHIP; 1.75 GO/AO; 5.8BB/7.4K per 9; .250vs LHH, .190 vs RHH, .188 opp avg in May.  When he has gotten the ball over the plate, Garcia has been effective, however getting the ball over the plate has been a battle.

Severino Gonzalez, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 12 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2-0 with a 2.19ERA; 24.2IP 25H 4BB 14K; .250 opp avg; 1.18 WHIP; 0.94 GO/AO; 1.5BB/5.1K per 9; For Lehigh Valley: 2.57 ERA; .271 opp avg; 1.29WHIP.  Gonzalez has pitched pretty well in his transition to the bullpen.

Bobby LaFromboise, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2016; 11 games, 1-3 with a 6.00ERA; 15IP 26H 9BB 8K; .362 opp avg; 2.33WHIP; 1.31 GO/AO; 5.4BB/4.8K per 9; .500 vs LHH, .340 vs RHH; .436 in May; LaFromboise came close to making the Phils opening day roster after pitching very well in Spring Training, however has been absolutely brutal this year for LV.  The LOOGY has allowed left handed hitters a .500 average.  Not much more to say.

Edward Mujica, 32, Signed as a free agent in 2016; 17 games, 0-3 with a 5.79ERA; 10/14SV; 18.2IP 25H 2BB 16K; .321 opp avg; 1.45 WHIP; 0.82 GO/AO; 1.0BB/8.0K per 9; .375 vs LHH, .296 vs RHH; .351 opp avg in May; While leading the league in saves, Mujica’s performance has been mediocre at best.

Edubray Ramos, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 17 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2-1, 1.54ERA; 7/9SV; .188 opp avg; 0.73 WHIP; 0.84 GO/AO; For Lehigh Valley: 6G, 1-0 with a 0.00ERA in 8.1IP; 0.0BB/8.7K per 9; .154 vs LHH, .263 vs RHH, .219 in May.  Ramos is the reliever that has most impressed in the organization and assuming continued production will see time in Philly this year. Continue reading Around the System–Relief Pitching →

Lehigh Valley have won four straight and eight of their last nine games and now sit at 23-18, and are tied for first in the Northern DIvision of the International League. After finishing up their series against Toledo at home on Sunday, Lehigh Valley has on off day on Monday which will be spent driving to Pawtucket where the ‘Pigs open a three game series on Tuesday against the Red Sox.

News and Notes: Taylor Featherston has hit safely in his last 9 games (.15-42, .357).

—David Buchanan has been throwing well as of late, going 2-0 with a 2.70ERA in his last three starts.

–OF Cedric Hunter has been playing well and has hit safely in his last 6 games (10-27,.345)

—–Darnell Sweeney is hitting .323 in his last 17 games.

–RP Edubray Ramos has not allowed an earned run since being called up from Reading, a streak that has spanned 6 games and 8.iIP.  More remarkably, in his 23.1IP between Reading and Lehigh Valley, Ramos has walked just 1 and struck out 24.

–Over the last 9 games, Lehigh Valley pitchers are 8-1 with a 2.05ERA (88IP, 20ER)

–Pitcher James Russell has not been scored upon in his last 4 games, spanning 6.2IP.

–RP Bobby LaFromboise who had an excellent SPring Training and was one of the last cuts by the Phils has pitched very poorly for Lehigh Valley all season and has a 9.00ERA in his last 6 games.

‘Pigs Prospects: Cameron Perkins has hit safely in 6 of his last 7 games bringing his average back up above .300 for the year.  Over his last 27 games, Perkins is hitting .326 with a HR and 10RBI and has been playing all three positions on the OF. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

A whole lot to be excited about.

Lehigh Valley

Mark Appel, 24, Acquired from Houston in 2015; 7 starts; 3-2 with a 3.58ERA; 37.2IP 36H 18BB 34K; .250 opp avg; 1.43 WHIO; 0.97 GO/AO; 4.3BB/8.1K per 9; .220 vs LHH, .271 vs RHH, .258 opp avg in May; Appel has thrown generally well however his control has been the demon that has really gotten him into trouble at times.

Alec Asher, 24, Acquired from Texas in 2015; 8 starts between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 4-2 with a 2.30ERA: 54.2IP 39H 7BB 35K; .193 opp avg; 0.84WHIP; 1.18 GO/AO; 1.2BB/5.8K per 9; For Lehigh Valley: 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA and .144 opp avg in 4 starts; After the disappointment of having been sent to AA to start the year, Asher has been consistently excellent for both Reading and Lehigh Valley.

David Buchanan, 27, Phils 7th round pick in 2010; 7 starts; 2-2 with a 3.92ERA; 43.2IP 46H 7BB 18K; .274 opp avg; 1.21 WHIP; 1.40 GO/AO; 1.4BB/3.7K per 9; .302 vs LHH, .257 vs RHH, .275 opp avg in May; .250 opp avg with RISP.  Buchanan is a serviceable AAA starter but really doesn’t have the “stuff” right now for any more than that.

Zach Eflin, 22, Acquired from Padres in 2014; 7 starts, 5-0 with a 2.36ERA; 45.2IP 30H 7BB 39K; .185 opp avg; 0.81 GO/AO; 1.04 GO/AO; 1.4BB/7.7K per 9; .190 vs LHH, .182 vs RHH, .185 opp avg in May; Eflin has been outstanding through the first six weeks of the season and has played himself in a position as a potential call up should Adam Morgan continue to struggle.

Jake Thompson, 22, Acquired from Texas in 2015; 7 starts; 2-4 with a 3.32ERA; 38IP 33H 13BB 30K; .237 opp avg; 1.21 WHIP; 0.98 GO/AO; 3.1BB/7.1K per 9; .229 vs LHH, .242 vs RHH, .169 opp avg in May; A very slow start for Thompson, which he has overcome in his last 3 starts, yielding 1 ER in 19IP spanning those starts.

Reading

Ben Lively, 24, Acquired from Cincinnati in 2014; 8 starts, 6-0 with a 1.53ERA; 47IP 31H 14BB 46K; .185 opp avg; 0.96 WHIP; 0.84 GO/AO; 2.7BB/8.8K per 9; .174 vs LHH, .195 vs RHH, .177 opp avg in May; Lively has been as good as any pitcher in the organization through 8 starts.  Look for a call to Lehigh Valley over the next month. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching →