Lehigh Valley

Rhys Hoskins, 24, Phils 5th round pick in 2014; .284/.385/.581 in 401AB for Lehigh Valley; 29HR 91RBI; 4SB; 14%BB/16%K; For Phils: .298/.424/.754 in 114AB; 16HR 34RBI; 17%BB/19%K; .240 vs LHP; .315 vs RHP; Combined: 45HR 125RBI; 116 games at 1B with 10 errors (.989); 27 games in the OF with 1 erro.  I cant find enough superlatives to express the level at which Hoskins has impressed this year.  The numbers speak for themselves, but the transition to MLB, while learning to play a new position has been nothing short of exceptional.  Is currently making Babe Ruth look like a minor league home run hitter: Grade: A+; 2018: Philadelphia

Brock STassi, 28, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011; .251/.325/.351 in 179AB; 4HR 23RBI; 10%BB/21%K; .163 vs LHP; .277 vs RHP; .237 last 30 days; For Phils: .167/.278/.295 in 78AB; 2HR 7RBI; 13%BB/24%K; 54 games at 1B without an error; 13 games in the OF without an error; After an outstanding 2016; Stassi came back to Earth this year and leveled off to be the AAAA player he likely is long term.  Plus defense, good batting eye, but ultimately limited enough offensively that I don’t see him sticking with the Phillies; 2017: C; 2018: Stassi is a minor league free agent and will likely go where the best opportunity presents itself.

Hector Gomez, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2017; .236/.260/.425 in 212AB; 7HR 27RBI; 3%BB/20%K; .200 vs LHP; .248 vs RHP; 57 games at 3B with 8 errors (.937); The expectations for Gomez were significantly higher than the production, which was hampered by multiple injuries.  Grade: C-; 2018: Talent pushing upward in the organization, so likely elsewhere

Reading

Damek Tomscha, 26, Phils 17th round pick in 2014; .307/.386/.439 in 362AB between Clearwater and Reading; 11HR 52RBI; 3SB; 9%BB/14%K; .345 last 30 days; 43 games at 1B with 1 error (.997); 51 games at 3B with 12 erros (.907); 13 games in the OF without an error; After a second full season as a 25 year old at Lakewood last season, Tomscha finally moved along to Clearwater and had a lot of success.  He matched that level of success in Reading in his 50 games.  Grade: B+; 2018: Reading

Mitch Walding, 25, Phils 5th round pick in 2011; .236/.327/.516 in 351AB; 25HR 62RBI; 11%BB/32%K; .229 vs LHP; .240 vs RHP; .178 with RISP; 96 games at 3B with 15 errors (.943); Walding completed his 6th year in the organization and most of the trends he started his career with hold true, including striking out a ton and struggles against left handed pitching.   He has become more selective at the plate and hit for a significant amount of power but the .178 average with RISP is troublesome.  He missed about a month injured or he likely would have hit 30HR; Grade: C+; 2018: Walding is eligible to be a minor league free agent if the Phils don’t add him to the 40, which I believe to be unlikely. Continue reading Report Card–Corner Infield →

We are entering the quiet time for Phillies discussion.  The minor league seasons are completed.  The major league playoffs loom on the horizon without the Phillies, yet again. So before I switch to off season reporting, how about one more poll? Continue reading Moving Forward into the 2017 Off Season →

Lehigh Valley

Jorge Alfaro, 24, Acquired from Texas in 2015; .241/.291/.358 in 324AB with Lehigh Valley; 7HR 43RBI; 5%BB/33%K; .279 vs LHH, .223 vs RHH, .247 with RISP; 77 games caught with 2 errors (.997); 9 passed balls; 15/46 CS (33%); After starting the season very hot, Alfaro struggled for large portions of the year with the bat and was merely adequate with the glove.  Because of the injury to Andrew Knapp in Philly, Alfaro got the call up and he has caught fire at the plate but his defensive inadequacies come out frequently.  Grade: C; 2018: Alfaro is without options.  He will be in Philly.

Logan Moore, 27, Phils 9th round pick in 2011; .233/.310/.362 in 210AB; 6HR 31RBI; 11%BB/31%K; .133 vs LHP, .261 vs RHP; .239 last 30 days; 58 games caught with 4 errors (.991); 5 passed balls; 19/45 CS (42%); Moore continues to be an excellent defensive catcher that pitchers trust and enjoy throwing to.  His offense is a notch above poor.  Grade: C; 2018: Moore will be a minor league free agent.  The Phils would be wise to bring him back for depth.

Nick Rickles, 27, Acquired from Nationals in 2017; .258/.292/.422 in 158 AB between AA and AAA; 4HR 17RBI; 5%BB/15%K; 33 games caught with 2 errors; 3 passed balls; 11/26 CS(42% CS rate); Rickles was a depth pickup mid year for the organization and did a nice job filling in for both Reading and Lehigh Valley when needed; Grade: B; 2018: Likely elsewhere

Reading

Deivi Gruillon, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2013; .249/.283/.398 in 354AB between Clearwater and Reading; 12HR 37RBI; 5%BB/22%K; .229/.270/.410 in 83AB with Reading; 12 games caught with 12 errors (.985); 10 passed balls; 40/109CS (37%); Overall a decent season for Gruillon who progressed through Clearwater to Reading, showing a level of competency with the bat and hitting for some power.  For a guy who has always had his defense mentioned as his most positive attribute, he struggled a bit with his glove, but his arm was excellent.  Grade: B-; 2018: Reading. Continue reading Report Card–Catchers →

With apologies to Barry Manilow, we have survived Hurricane Irma.  I live in a Clearwater non-evacuation zone, so we decided to shelter in place with family and friends when the storm was projected to turn north above Cuba and travel up the east coast of Florida.   Continue reading “Looks Like We Made It, …” →

Lakewood

Gustavo Armas, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 15 games (7 starts) between Williamsport and Lakewood; 1-4 with a 5.19ERA; 1SV; 52IP 57H 10BB 48K; .277 opp avg; 1.29WHIP; 0.83GO/AO; 1.7BB/8.3K per 9; .318 opp avg last 30 days; Armas struggled after his promotion but threw well for the Crosscutters.  Grade: C; 2018: Lakewood

Casey Brown, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2016; 22 games, 2-2 with a 2.95ERA; 42.2IP 41H 11BB 25K; .247 opp avg; 1.22WHIP; 1.32 GO/AO; 2.3BB/5.3K per 9; .224 vs LHH, .263 vs RHH; .212 last 30 days; Brown did a good job in his role primarily as an innings eater.  At 24 and in Low A, without overpowering stuff, he will likely become a free agent once again.  Grade: B

Ismael Cabrera, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 33 games, 8-5 with a 3.63ERA; 57IP 50H 19BB 57K; 3.0BB/9.0K per 9; .242 opp avg; 1.21WHIP; .231 vs LHH, .250 vs RHH, .255 last 30 days; Cabrera has now thrown 48 games over two seasons in Lakewood, continuing to do a competent job.  Grade: B-; 2017: CLearwater

Tyler Hallead, 22, Phils 24th round pick in 2016; 27 games, 1-1 with a 5.05ERA; 41IP 32H 22BB 49K; .216 opp avg; 1.32WHIP; 1.26 GO/AO; 4.8BB/10.8K per 9; .258 vs LHH, .183 vs RHH, .143 last 30 days; Hallead had an excellent August but is a guy that has generally been mediocre through his two years in the organization.  Grade: C; 2018: Important that he proves himself prior to the next draft class coming in…

Jon Hennigan, 23, Phils 21st round pick in 2016; 30 games, 1-3 with a 5.84ERA; 3SV; 49.1IP 47H 27BB 67K; .245 opp avg; 1.50WHIP; 0.67 GO/AO; 4.9BB/12.2K per 9; .293 vs LHH, .209 vs RHH, Hennigan missed the last month of the season injured and it was pretty clear through looking at his three outings prior to being placed on the DL that he was likely pitching injured.  Like many at he lower levels, needs to throw strikes.  Grade: C-; 2018: See Hallead, Tyler

Will Hibbs, 23, Phils 19th round pick in 2016; 45 games between Lakewood and Clearwater; 6-4 with a 2.48ERA; 20SV; 69IP 40H 24BB 80K; .163 opp avg; 0.93WHIP; 1.29 GO/AO; 3.1BB/10.4K per 9; Hibbs absolutely dominated the SAL League this year and was the best closer in the league.  His short call up to Clearwater, was not pleasant or successful.  Here is hoping 2018 is different…Grade: A-; 2018: CLearwater

Jake Kelzer, 24, Phils 18th round pick in 2016; 18 games between WIlliamsport and Lakewood, 1-1 with a 4.40ERA; 28.2IP 26H 11BB 24K; .248 opp avg; 1.29WHIP; 3.5BB/7.5K per 9; 3.74ERA and .235 opp avg while pitching for Lakewood; Far from overwhelming but competent results for Kelzer.  Grade: C+; 2018: Another one of the “tweeners” who may or may not be given a shot to advance/come back.

Mauricio Llovera, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 30 games (10 starts); 2-4 with a 3.35ERA; 86IP 81H 33BB 94K; 3.5BB/9.8K per 9; .250 opp avg; 1.33WHIP; 0.75GO/AO; .276 vs LHH, .226 vs RHH, .370 opp avg last 30 days; Llovera was predominately a starter during the second half of the season but the bullpen is probably the long term landing spot.  After an outstanding 2016 in the GCL, he threw well this season skipping Williamsport; Grade: B-; 2018: Clearwater

Addison Russ, 22, Phils 19th round pick in 2017; 17 games between WIlliamsport and Lakewood, 1-2 with a 3.98ERA; 31.2IP 31H 9BB 40K; 2.6BB/11.4K per 9; For Lakewood: 3.49ERA; .241 opp avg; 1.20WHIP; The first two professional games for Russ with WIlliamsport were ugly, however he bounced back with Lakewood to throw very well.  2017: B; 2018: Clearwater

Williamsport

Luis Ramirez, 19, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 23 games, 1-3 with a 2.27ERA; 11SV; 31.2IP 26H 16BB 23K; .226 opp avg; 1.33WHIP; .211 vs LHH, .241 vs RHH, .191 last 30 days; 4.6BB/6.5K per 9; First time pitching in the States and did a very nice job as a 19 year old in WIlliamsport.  Control needs work.  Should move along to Lakewood; Grade: B+ Continue reading Report Card–Relief Pitching, Lakewood, WIL and GCL →

Lakewood

Luis Carrasco, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 10 starts, 3-3 with a 3.33ERA between Williamsport and Lakewood; 51.1IP 44H 24BB 31K; .230 opp avg; 1.32WHIP; 1.54 GO/AO; 4.2BB/5.4K per 9; 4 starts for Lakewood; 1-3 with a 4.43ERA; .280 opp avg; 1.52WHIP; 4.4BB/4/7K per 9; Adequate season for Carrasco who threw well enough in Williamsport to join Lakewood.  After dominating in the GCL in 2016, he looked much more average against more advanced competition.  Grade: C+; 2018: Lakewood

Bailey Falter, 20, Phils 5th round pick in 2015; 21 starts, 8-7 with a 2.99ERA; 114.1IP 117H 23BB 105K; .270 opp avg; 1.22WHIP; 1.10GO AO; .331 vs LHH, .231 vs RHH, .220 last 30 days; 1.8BB/8.3K per 9; A very strong year for Falter who is a good example of what outstanding command can do.  His extremely low walk rate allowed for an increased occasional margin for error when challenging hitters.  Grade: B+; 2018: Clearwater

Adonis Medina, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 22 starts, 4-9 with a 3.01ERA; 119.2IP 103H 39BB 133K; .227 opp avg; 1.19WHIP; 1.22 GO/AO; 3.0BB/10.0K per 9; .258 vs LHH .200 vs RHH, .204 last 30 days; .214 with RISP; Outstanding year for Medina who albeit with a poor won/loss record, continued show progress and potential as a top of the rotation starter in the upcoming years.  Grade: A-; 2018: Clearwater

Nick Fanti, 20, Phils 31st round pick in 2015; 21 starts, 9-2 with a 2.54ERA; 120.1IP 87H 28BB 121K; .200 opp avg; 0.96 WHIP; 0.70GO/AO; 2.1BB/9.1K per 9; 10 starts Post All Star game, 2.88ERA and .221 opp avg; After spending two seasons in the GCL, Fanti moved to Lakewood and was tremendous, allowing 2 runs or less in 12 of his 21 starts.  There was concern that he would slow down in the second half but proved the doubters wrong, including throwing a no hitter July 17th.  Grade: A; Certainly Clearwater…I see one of the Medina/Falter/Fanti trio double bumping to Reading. Continue reading Report Card–Starting Pitching–Lakewood, WIL and GCL →

The winner of the first annual Phuture Phillies Hitting Award is Rhys Hoskins.

The co-winners of the first annual Phuture Phillies Pitching Award are Tom Eshelman and Sixto Sanchez.   Continue reading First Annual Phuture Phillies Hitting and Pitching Awards, 2017 →