59 thoughts on “Box Score Recap – 8/5/2017”

1. Can someone explain to me the negative comments about Kilome . . . maybe negative is the incorrect word to use but he certainly hasn’t gotten as much praise. There have been comments as recent as yesterday but not limited to yesterday about how pitchers have passed him by . . . He’s moved up a level each year and has kept his ERA almost at 2.50 all year long (2.59), his BB/9 believe it or not is at it’s lowest it’s been in 3 years (granted only by a slim margin), he’s giving up less hits than IP and his K rate, while moving up is still at about 8k/9 . . . who knows what he’s working on which could affect that number. And there have been no reports of issues with his stuff. Just don’t get it, I for one am still excited about him. As well as excited about Sixto, Seranthony and Medina.

   1. There’s 2 ways of thinking that other pitchers have passed him. One is that he has gotten way worse, the other is that they have added tons of other young pitching talent, like Sixto.
      Speaking of Sixto, it seems like he had a rough first game, but I’m sure he will be dominating that league in no time

      1. If you look at Kilome’s season and compare to his previous he has improved with his lowest ERA, most wins, lower WHIP, and fewer walks. Only has the K’s have gone backwards just a bit 10.2 last year to 7.7 this year (but still higher than the previous 2 years) He has not gotten worse, but he has improved. The only thing I can say is if he was passed by other prospects it would be because they have done so well themselves.

         1. That’s what I’m trying to say Bob. Last year we and a lot of others were all over and excited about Kilome. Matt Winkleman would tweet “Kilome Day” when ever if was his turn to throw. The kid is still throwing really well . . . Same stuff . . . At a higher level . . . Where did the buzz about him go? Depending on how he does at Reading there is a possibly we may see him at the end of next year (I realize that’s slim and it’s about a 99% chance he does this instead: Reading until about June and then gets a bump to LHV. Provided he deserves the call up. )

            1. He does need to be added to 40 man roster, so we will see him in spring training. But yeah a possible appearance towards end of next year is not out of the question. (see Anderson 2017) If he dominates in AA and AAA then may be sooner, who knows

            2. I was one of those who stated he had been “passed by” other guys. Seems as though Sanchez and Medina have passed him by based on scouting reports for consistent game in, game out performances. That’s not to say Kilome’s season hasn’t been successful, it’s because the other guys seasons have been just that good. I think the concern over offspeed pitch consistency in the command and control dept is where Franklyn falls behind others and his fastball is matched or exceeded as well. I’m not saying he won’t continue to succeed. And I am happy to see his promo to AA. Looking forward to see how he closes the year out in Reading!

   2. The K% is a pretty big deal in terms of generating buzz. If Kilome is going to be a TOR pitcher in the majors like a lot of us were dreaming about when he came on the scene in the GCL, he’ll need to have his strikeout stuff working. When you have Sanchez and Medina dominating, even though it was a lower level, and Dominguez doing it at the same level then it’s easy to feel like those other guys have passed him by.

      Not to mention, Kilome’s best month of the season so far was April, so it’s been awhile since he was at his best. His July was pretty “meh” judging from his 1.60 WHIP, but clearly the Phils saw enough that they liked to move him up.

      1. I get that the strikeout is sexy for a pitcher but think of it this way . . . He’s not one of those guys getting beat up Bc he can’t put someone away (VV), he obviously can pitch a little bit keeping runners off the board (ERA just north of 2.50), with his stuff it’s only a matter of time when he starts K/per ip and then it’s next level dreaming of what he is.

         1. It’s hard to compare Velasquez getting beat up a little in the majors with Kilome in Hi-A. Since this is all about projection, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see Kilome having a similar problem when he gets to that level. His stuff is good enough that hitters in the FSL can’t square it up consistently but we’ll have to see how more advanced hitters do.

            And, for clarity, I like Kilome and wouldn’t call his season a disappointment or anything. He hasn’t really broken out but he’s still got a chance. He’s probably got more work to do on his changeup at this point than we would have hoped for.

         2. EricD…..look at VV’s 10.6K/9 in the minors….so far his overall pitching repertoire has not translated well in the majors…..for a variety of reasons. Though he does still have that high swing and miss

            1. VV is reminding me of Vicente Padilla. Has great potential, flashes it at times, but never really breaks through as top end starter. Now VV still has time

            2. Yes I realize what you guys are saying . . . I’m obviously having trouble expressing it in writing . . . Regardless he’s not getting the love that he should be, that’s all.

               1. Eric, Kilome is just striking out a little less than years past so armshair scouts automatically write him off. He still has some solid potential. He could be in AAA or the show by middle of next year.

               2. SO per 9 innings for Kilome:
                  2014 – 5.6 Rk
                  2015 – 6.6 A-
                  2016 – 10.2 A
                  2017 – 7.7 A+
                  He had a 1 year spike but in general is still trending up. All of his other numbers are getting better in higher levels. No worries he is doing well – well enough for a promotion.

   3. Kilome has grown physically every year. He has adjusted each year to different circumstances. He does well with all this going on. He was just advanced to Reading. What is not to like?

2. No one seems to realize that Kilome was sent to Reading, that’s big news. As for Sixto’s terrible outing, the Phillies are probably delighted. It will help them to convince him that he can’t rely on just the fb and can’t pitch in the middle of the plate. Let’s see how he does next start.

3. Philly Fanatic in Williamsport last night. Everybody loves him. Nice size crowd 2,148. Nick Maton needs some recognition. The 7th round SS is having a really nice season.

   The Pirates and Cardinals are coming to Williamsport on the 20th to play a game for all the Little League World Series teams, their families and hosts. Good PR move for both orgs. The amount of construction for one game is unbelievable. Huge scaffolding behind the left-center fence for a video screen. Another behind CF just for a “batter’s eye”, I assume a giant tarp or something like that. Huge temporary buildings on 1B and 3B sides that are to be clubhouses. Half of the outfield parking lot taken up with temp buildings for TV. It’s looking like a really big deal. Gonna be cool!

   1. Shame MLB could not have arranged the schedule in the off-season for the two PA teams to be playing there at that time…Phillies and Pirates….that would have drawn a huge crowd also.

      1. I don’t think they are worried about the crowd they draw. I read that the MLB game was for Little League participants and their families, it is being held during the LLWS. Maybe Hari S could shed some light.

         1. Hi Jim…was away from home all day or would have answered sooner. This game is something that LLB approached MLB about doing during the LLWS (which is why it can’t be in the off-season Romus, not to mention lack of staffing during the off-season). MLB thought it would be good PR so agreed. Nobody will be turned away 3up3k, as the game is not open to the public. The fans will be the Little League World Series teams, families and hosts. The Pirates and Cards, I was told by a reputable source, are being compensated by MLB commensurate with what their average earnings would be for a Pittsburgh home game.

            The rumor (told to me by a sports media guy) says that this is going to become an annual event with another PA team playing in next year’s game.

            1. Yea, I read that it wasn’t open to the public but I thought there were a limited number of seating that would even be an issue with the teams and their families..

               1. I doubt it. Capacity is 2,366 never filled yet. Then there’s space for several hundred temporary seats along both outfield sides, plus standing room. Should be plenty to handle the Little Leaguers,

      2. Crowd won’t be the problem. In fact, they will be turning away many who would want to see the game. Game is being played for the benefit of little league players and of course for the PR that MLB will get..

         1. Understand the crowd is not the issue……I was thinking from a PR aspect for the Keystone state

4. so JP had 25 homers in about the first 475 games of his career, now 12 in about the last 30. 26ks vs 18 walks in this span, and of course the batting avg way up from what it was in the prior 365 days.

   Braves may have Maitan, but we have Maton.

   1. TEXT DELETED

      1. Mature

         1. My comment was in ref to Anon’s comment

   2. RAEF,

      And instead of a Dog Days of Summer swoon, JP is picking up the pace, a nice turn around from past years. Maybe red pin stripes come April.

5. The DSL White team is playing pretty well. They are 33-21 and 6 games back of the Division leading Mets but they’re in 2nd place. Pitching has been pretty good. Rosso has been promoted to the GCL. Another guy has pitched pretty well. Bryan Alcala has been solid as a starter. He’s a 6’5” 215 lbs 19 yo righty. As with Rosso, his age is a red flag, with many 17 yos gracing opposing lineups, but his 10 outings are pretty impressive. In those 10, he has 1 lousy outing; 1 okay outing and 8 very good outings. His last outing, yesterday, was an 8 inning 3 hitter with 7 Ks and no BBs. He’s given up 38 hits in 52+ innings. He has good size and hope to see him next year state-side.

   On the Hitting side, Francisco, their CF’er, is hitting .316/.392/.428 with 14 SBs in 21 attempts. He’s 19 and in his 1st season so it could be more age related but he’s played well all year long. Nick Torres, a bonus baby SS signed last year, is hitting .310/.360/.390. A young guy who has hit very well all season.

   1. Rosso’s age is 20 which is about average for the GCL. 19 is only slightly above average for the GCL. So really, neither case is about older pitchers beating up on younger hitters. Phillies DSL rosters contain fourteen 20 year olds, fourteen 19 year olds, fifteen 18 year olds, and yes twenty-four 17 year olds, And many of the 17 year olds have not seen significant playing time as of yet.

6. Eric, people also forget that Kilome got shelled through his first few starts last season at Lakewood. Through 6 starts, his ERA was 7.30, only to finish the year with a 3.85 ERA and average more than a K per inning. The only stick in the mud, is his control. His walk rate is way too high. The good thing, is he keeps the ball in the yard. He’s only surrendered 14 long balls in over 300.0 IP. With the rise of Sixto and Adonis, it’s simply the too much talent syndrome when it comes to Kilome. I’m a fan of him

7. This board overrates pitching velocity.
   Pitchability is equaly or more important. Look at Fanti and Arauz numbers. I like Kilome. The only issue is walk rate. Sixto is a nature freak. He didn’t walk anybody last night. That is just unbelievable for a 19y.o. kid starting in advanced A. It shows guts

   1. There is some truth in higher veloy for RHPs that will tend to show some success..
      Maybe more so than RHPs in the high 80s and low 90s.
      Granted for LHPs it is not as critical

   2. The truth is, you need both. Velocity and command are needed to be a good major league pitcher. Pitchers can improve command but it’s tough to suddenly throw 92-95 if you’ve always thrown 88-89.

   3. lWfan no way prove to me velocity doesn’t matter. For every low velocity guy who is pitching I will show you a thousand who didn’t make it cause they didn’t have enough velocity to keep batters honest. Even Nola didn’t start pitching better until he got his velo up to 94. right handers, except in a few cases need to hit 94 or better to be good pitcher. left handers get away with less. cause of there natural movement. you underrate velo. like so many. iI laugh when they come on and post well so and so hits 90 and is good. one out of a thousand who have that pinpoint control and good enough secondary pitches to get away with less. its a joke to say guys who hit 90 will get to be good major leaguers. keep thinking velo isn’t important. In fact you could be the gm of the phillies, he like pitcher who cant break a egg and pitch to contact. that why are starters stink.

      1. I’ll name you one high velocity pitcher who could never make it through a lineup the second time because he had no command or secondary pitches. Ethan Martin (remember him?) You need both command and velocity.

         1. Oh man, I remember Ethan Martin well. He had no command whatsoever.

   4. …and don’t forget, Sixto just turned 19 – 8 days ago. The kid is amazing. I like Kilome as well and hope he makes it. However, he has always had two problems; consistent control and location, and lack of reliable secondary pitches.

   5. Command & control + movement both V,V and Pivetta really didn’t have there’s. When you Grove a 95 mph Fb and up it’s gets hard In The ML . You also need 2 off speed pitches too.

8. Sixto Sanchez had a rough night, and I am ok with that. I always want to see how a player responds to a rough start, or stretch of games. Sanchez seems like he keeps an even keel on the mound, and I look for him to rebound as he gets use to the league.

   1. Good thing was ZERO WALKS, and 75% strikes, was pounding the zone….

9. I will pose this question, and I will be interested in the responses(if any). With a big influx of Latin pitching in the organization, would the Phillies be adversed to asking Pedro Martinez to be a guest instructor during spring training next year? I ask this because Jesen Therrien sought advice from outside the organization in order to improve his slider, and I wonder if the Phils would be in someone who is respected tremendously among Latin pitchers to help in their development.

   1. At the lower levels you have Alex Concepcion, Hector Mercado, and Hector Berrios.
      Then there is Jesus Tiamo during the spring training camps to help a little from a catcher’s perspective..
      Pedro would be a big name , but like you say, it may only be a spring training one week show….he does have a regular gig with MLB network that keeps him busy..

      1. Hector Berrios is our PC in Williamsport. Fantastic coach and a really nice guy. Used to see him on the streets every afternoon about 4:30-5:00 taking his pregame run in his Phillies sweats.

10. Eshelman is another example of pitchability to look into.

11. Hari S – I got to see Maton play a couple of times in CT. Was impressed. Do you think he can play SS at the higher levels?

    His brother pitches in relief for the Padres. After a poor start, he got his ERA under three until he gave up 2 runs yesterday.

    Also, doesn’t anyone know what’s going on with Guthrie? Are they going to wait until next season to get him started?

    1. On Maton yes and be an above avg Defensive SS. He needs to gain wait and Strength but this bother is 220 lbs.

    2. Away all day or would have answered you sooner Ciada. Yes, I think he can make the Show someday. Nick has a good glove although he did get tied up on a bad hop Saturday night. I’ve seen him make some clutch hits too. And of course he was drafted 7th round which is fairly high. Nick is 6’2″ and only 165, but then again, shortstops aren’t supposed to be big guys.

12. JPC may end up at .240 BA, 15 HR, .350+ OBP. Solid season after that horrendous start.

13. Looks like Knapp is going on the DL, sending back to Philly for at least ten days…. Looks like Alfaro gets at least another week or so in the show…

14. what ever happened to Lou marson

    1. Angels signed him to a minor league deal last year…..could have retired now.

    2. Lou is the hitting coach for the Salt Lake Bees, AAA team of the Angels.

15. Getting pretty happy for Crawford. Seems like he has figured somethings out. Good for him, glad to see him catching up “closer” to his hype.

16. Hoskins to play LF in AAA. If he’s not terrible, he should be called up within a few days. Love the move.

    1. It is not completely foreign to him being out in the OF…..40 some games in the OF with Falmouth of the Cape league-’13, and 37 games in LF @ Sac State as a freshmen.

       1. He will do just fine imo

          1. Agree….past great defensive Phillies’ LFers…..Lonnie Skates Smith, Bull, Pat the Bat, Raul, Stinky..its not like they are loaded in their history with golden glovers out there.
             Hoskins just needs to start to see some MLB pitching….they can always take him out in the 7th if they wanted more defense.

Comments are closed.