A look up the middle at Phils prospects.  A reminder that grades are based on my expectations for a players performance pre-season against how they actually performed. Look for the next report, on catchers, out Monday,

Lehigh Valley

Jesmuel Valentin, 22, Acquired from Dodgers in 2014. 269/.341/.395 in 446AB between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 9HR 52RBI; 4/8SB; 10%BB/16%K; For Lehigh Valley: .248/.325/.381; 4HR 14RBI in 105AB; 10%BB/20%K; 116 games at 2B with 14 errors (.975); 9 games at SS with 3 errors (.900); After missing almost all of 2015 suspended, Valentin had a very good year producing consistently in Reading and being rewarded with a late season callup to Lehigh Valley.  Having watched him several times, I do believe he profiles as a major leaguer, although probably not a starter.  He was solid at 2B, walked a good deal and produced runs with the bat.  Grade: B; 2017: Lehigh Valley and could see him in Philly late next year

JP Crawford, 21, Phils 1st round pick in 2013; .250/.349/.339 in 472AB; 7HR 43RBI; 12/19SB; 13%BB/15%K; For Lehigh Valley: .244/.328/.318; 4HR 30RBI; 7/11SB; 11%BB/16%K; .244 vs LHP; .244 vs RHP; .197 last 30 days; 123 games at SS with 19 errors (.966); Going into 2016, I expected Crawford to make his Phillies debut in September.  It appears that will not happen as the level of production did not equate with expectations this season.  Crawford clearly has the talent based on what he is able to put together 3,4,5 games at a time, however lacked the consistency this year that he will need to be the all star major leaguer that he is projected to be.  Crawford played very well in the field, continued to have excellent plate discipline but simply didnt produce with the bat after two extended slumps at the beginning of his time in Allentown and during the last month of the season.  Grade: C-; 2017: Lehigh Valley to start with hopefully a call up to Philly come June/July.

Darnell Sweeney, 25, Acquired from Dodgers in 2015; .233/.299/.345 in 400AB; 6HR 35RBI; 12/23SB; 9%BB/23%K; .242 vs LHP; .226 vs RHP, .211 last 30 days; 40 games at 3B with 7 errors (.924); 54 games at 2B with 5 errors (.980); 20 games in the OF without an error; It was pretty clear the Phils expected alot more out of Sweeney who was placed on the 40 last season, and removed from the 40 just last week.  A very disappointing year after going into Spring Training with a real possibility of making the big league club.  Grade: D; 2017: If he is back it will be in Lehigh Valley and not on the 40.

Reading

Scott Kingery, 22, Phils 2nd round pick in 2015; .281/.335/.388 in 531AB between Clearwater and Reading; 5HR 36RBI; 30SB; 7%BB/16%K; For Reading: .250/.273/.333 in 156AB; 2HR 18RBI; 4/6SB; 3%BB/22%K; .214 last 30 days; 125 games at 2B with 11 errors (.980); Kingery was excellent for Clearwater throughout the season and was called up to Reading in late July.  After some early success with the Fightins’, Kingery struggled with the stick over the last month.  Perhaps most problematic is the 3% walk rate for a guy that should be hitting at the top of the lineup.  Defense was excellent all year.  Grade: B; 2017: Reading with potential to move to Lehigh Valley come July. Continue reading Post Season Report Card, Middle Infield →

A reminder that “grades” are based upon my pre season expectations for that player against themselves, not against each other.

Lehigh Valley

Brock Stassi, 27, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011; .267/.369/.437 in 375AB; 12HR 58RBI; 1/3SB; 14%BB/17%K; .293 vs LHP; .254 vs RHP; .302 last 30 days; .279/.372/.476 post all star break; 86 games at 1B with 1 error (.999); Grade: B-; The 2015 numbers in Reading were surely inflated by the ballpark but Stassi has had a decent year after struggling through the seasons first few months.  He is among the league leaders in both walks and OBP and has shown some power during the second half of the season.  His defense continues to be excellent.  2017: I would like to see Stassi back to give the Phils some depth, and I expect him to do that in Lehigh Valley

Darin Ruf, 30, Phils 20th round pick in 2009; .294/.356/.429 in 350AB; 20HR 65RBI; 8%BB/21%K; .331 vs LHP; .273 vs RHP; Hit .307 with 11HR post all star break; 47 games at 1B without an error; 26 games in the OF without an error; 2 OF assists; Grade: C+; Coming into the year, I truly thought that Ruf would establish himself in a similar manner that Tommy Joseph has in Philly.  That clearly did not happen.  That said, after Ruf was sent down, he has been consistently productive for Lehigh Valley hitting for both power and average, with most of his success coming predominately against left handed pitchers. 2017: Ruf is out of options and I simply don’t see a way he is brought back.  Another organization.

Taylor Featherston, 26, Signed off of waivers in 2016: .254/.311/.428 in 402AB; 13HR 37RBI; 6/9SB; 6%BB/23%K; .240 vs LHP; .260 vs RHP; .180 opp avg last 30 days; 50 games at 3B with 9 errors (.930); 28 games at 2B with 4 errors (.966); 17 games at SS with 5 errors (.945); 4 games at 2B without an error; Grade:B-;  Featherston was a productive offensive player who was capable of playing multiple positions defensively albeit not so well.  He had a cup of coffee with the Phils and it went less than smoothly in his short time in Philly. Currently sitting with a 40 man roster spot, I see Featherston being designated for assignment with the possibility of him rejoining the organization as a minor league free agent

Reading

Rhys Hoskins, 23, Phils 5th round pick in 2014; .281/.377/.566; 38HR 116RBI; 8/11SB; 12%BB/22%K; .277 vs LHP; .282 vs RHP; .264 last 30 days; 129 games at 1B with 14 errors (.988); Grade: A; Outstanding offensive production all year from Hoskins. Hit for power, average and produced a ton of runs.  Hit lefties well and even showed some speed. It si the defense that is not major league ready  2017: Lehigh Valley Continue reading Post Season Report Card, Corner Infield →

A reminder that grades are based on a players expected performance (in my mind) for 2016, not against others.  Next up: Corner Infielders

Lehigh Valley

Anthony Vasquez, Soon to be 30, Re-Signed as free agent in 2016; 28 games (27 starts) between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 12-4 with a 3.08ERA; 3 complete games; 172.1IP 168H 43BB 119K; 15 HR allowed; .261 opp avg; 1.22 WHIP; 0.88 GO/AO; 2.2BB/6.2K per 9; .244 opp avg last 30 days; Vasquez was once again excellent, with stats that were actually slightly better for Lehigh Valley than for Reading.  Grade: A-; 2017: Having thrown 300+ very good innings over 2 seasons for the Phils organization without getting a spot start in the majors, Vasquez will go wherever he has his last best shot at the majors.

Nick Pivetta, 23, Acquired from Washington in 2015; 27 starts, 12-8 with a 3.27ERA between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 148.2IP 128H 51BB 138K; 12 HR allowed; .235 opp avg; 1.20WHIP; 1.07 GO/AO; 3.1BB/8.4K per 9; For Lehigh Valley: 5 starts; 1-2 with a 2.55ERA; .233 opp avg; 1.22WHIP; Major steps forward this year for Pivetta who stayed predominately healthy, pitching very well all year. He should be protected on the 40 man roster in the off season and projects to be a mainstay of the ‘Pigs ’17 rotation.  If 2017 is successful, a September ’17 callup is likely.

Ben Lively, 24, Acquired from Reds in 2014; 28 starts between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 18-5 with a 2.69ERA; 170.2IP 118H 42BB 139K; .192 opp avg; 0.94WHIP; 0.85 GO/AO; 2.2BB/7.3K per 9; For Lehigh Valley: 19 starts, 11-5 with a 3.06ERA; .196 opp avg; 0.93WHIP; 2.1BB/6.9K per 9; .150 opp avg last 30 days; Simply outstanding this year. Lively took his game to another level, Grade: A+; 2017: I see him as the Phils #5 starter

David Buchanan, 27, Phils 7th round pick in 2010; 27 starts; 10-9 with a 3.98ERA; 167.1IP 163H 40BB 95K; 15HR allowed; .257 opp avg; 1.21 WHIP; 1.31 GO/AO; 2.2BB/5.1K per 9; .239 vs LHH, .266 vs RHH, .273 opp avg last 30 days; 6-4 with a 2.93ERA in 11 post all star game starts; Buchanan was just awful during the first part of the season but had a very strong second half and the whole body of work looks pretty good when it is all said and done.  That said, I don’t think (based on Buchanan’s experience) that he is more than a AAAA pitcher, and his days in the organization are likely numbered with the talent surrounding him.  Grade: C+; 2017: Another organization Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Starting Pitching, LV, Reading and Clearwater →

The post season report card series begins with a look at starting pitching at the lower levels of the organization.  Grades are based on my expectations for the player entering the season against themselves, not against other players.  Next up: Starting Pitching at LV, Reading and Clearwater

Lakewood

Harold Arauz, 21, Acquired from Houston in 2015; 19 starts; 6-6 with a 3.18ERA; 99IP 79H 24BB 85K; 4HR allowed; .216 opp avg; 1.04WHIP; .148 GO/AO; .215 vs LHH, .216 vs RHH, .190 opp avg last 30 days; 2.2BB/7.7K per 9; Arauz came into his own this year pitching very well throughout the year with the Phils trying to limit his innings in his first year of full season ball.  Very consistent, good command and showed the ability to put hitters away. Grade: B+; 2017: Clearwater

Seranthony Dominguez, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2011; 13 starts between Williamsport and Lakewood; 6-3 with a 2.34ERA; 65.1IP 42H 24BB 65K; .185 opp avg; 1.01WHIP; 1.40 GO/AO; 3.3BB/9.0K per 9; For Lakewood: 10 starts, 5-2, 2.42ERA: .202 opp avg; 1.12WHIP; 3.7BB/9.3K per 9; Dominguez had an excellent progressing quickly to Lakewood and continuing with a string of excellent starts for the Claws.  Walks need to come down a tick.  Grade: A-; 2017: Probably will begin in Lakewood but could move to Clearwater quickly.

Tyler Gilbert, 22, Phils 6th round pick in 2015; 23 starts, 7-9 with a 3.98ERA; 131IP 136H 26BB 106K; 10HR allowed; .264 opp avg; 1.24 WHIP; 0.99 GO/AO; 1.8BB/7.3K per 9; .266 vs LHH, .263 vs RHH, .320 last 30 days; Overall a decent year for Gilbert who struggled and seemed to run out of gas towards the end of the year.  He showed very good control this season but was very hittable at times.  Grade: C+; 2017: CLearwater

Franklyn Kilome, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 23 starts; 5-8 with a 3.85ERA; 114.2IP 113H 50BB 130K; 6HR allowed; .259 opp avg; 1.42 WHIP; 1.02 GO/AO; 3.9BB/10.2K per 9; .272 vs LHH, .247 vs RHH, .227 last 30 days; 2.77ERA; 1.22WHIP; .233 opp avg post all star break; Kilome really struggled during parts of the first half of the season, lacking confidence and command.  He strung together a very nice second half to end the season on an up note and reemphasize he has lights out stuff when he is on.  Grade: B-; 2017: Clearwater Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Starting Pitching–Lakewood, Williamsport, GCL →