Lehigh Valley was powered by Danny Ortiz, Dylan Cozens, and Joey Meneses as well as strong pitching from Enyel De Los Santos en route to a route of Rochester.
Reading rallied to beat Richmond on four HRs by Damek Tomscha, Jan Hernandez, Malquin Canelo, and Deivi Grullon.
Clearwater wasted a very strong pitching effort from Mauricio Llovera and Darick Hall’s ninth inning HR in a loss to Dunedin.
Lakewood wasted a strong pitching performance by Damon Jones and lost to Columbia.
The Phillies dipped into Australia to sign a 17-year old middle infielder who hit .373/.411/.471/.881 in a SSS. He’s R/R, 185 cm, 74 kg. ( Curtis Mead, 6’1, 162)
Here’s the affiliate scoreboard from MiLB.
Lehigh Valley (14-12) beat Rochester, 11-3.
Enyel De Los Santos pitched 6.0 shutout innings, walking 5 while striking out eight. Ranfi Casimiro (3.77) gave up 3 unearned runs in 2.0 innings. Hoby Milner (3.60) struck out two in one inning.
The IronPigs raced out to an early advantage. They scored 2 runs in the first inning on Danny Ortiz 2-run HR (5). They scored 4 runs in the second on Roman Quinn’s RBI triple, Dean Anna’s RBI double, and Ortiz’ second 2-run HR (6). They added another run in the third on Joey Meneses RBI single. They continued to tack on runs with 3 in the fourth on Dylan Cozens’ 2-run HR (7) and Meneses’ RBI double. They closed out their scoring with a run in the seventh on another Meneses RBI double.
Meneses (.353) went 3-4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI. Ortiz (.293) went went 2-5 with 2 HR and 4 RBI (17). Anna (.250) went 2-3 with 3 runs scored, an RBI, and 2 walks. Mitch Walding (.282) went 0-2 but scored 2 runs on 3 walks.
- #11 Seranthony Dominguez (1-0, 0.00):
- #13 Enyel De Los Santos (3-0, 1.07): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 8 K
- #14 Tom Eshelman (1-1, 6.75):
- #15 Roman Quinn (.302): went 1-5 with a run scored, triple, RBI
- #17 Dylan Cozens (.295): went 2-5 with 2 runs scored, HR (7), 2 RBI (17)
- #23 Drew Anderson: 7-day DL, right forearm strain
- #24 Cole Irvin (0-1, 4.50):
Reading (10-14) beat Richmond, 7-6.
JoJo Romero was responsible for all 6 runs (5 ER) in 6.1 innings. Seth McGarry (0.77) stranded an inherited runner in 0.2 innings. Edgar Garcia (1-1, 0.51) mopped up and got the win with 2.0 shutout innings.
The Phils built a 3-0 lead before falling behind, 5-3. They fought back to take the lead in the sixth only to give it back. They finally went ahead to stay in the eighth.
They scored a run in the second on Jan Hernandez’ RBI single; and 2 runs in the third on Damek Tomscha’s 2-run HR (5). After falling behind, they scored single runs in the next three innings on Hernandez’ leadoff HR (1) in the fourth, Jiandido Tromp’s RBI double in the fifth, and Malquin Canelo’s solo HR (3) in the sixth. Deivi Grullon’s leadoff HR (4) in the eighth proved to be the game winner.
Cord Sandberg (.324) got a rare start and went 2-4 with a run scored, a double, and a walk.
Reading collected 15 hits. Tromp (.262) had 3 hits. Canelo (.291), Sandberg, Tomscha (.301), Hernandez (.349), and Grullon (.226) had 2 hits each.
Tromp and JoJo Romero successfully stole bases.
- #7 JoJo Romero (0-3, 7.18): 6.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 WP
- #8 Franklyn Kilome (1-0, 3.68):
- #10 Ranger Suarez (1-1, 3.90):
- #12 Seranthony Dominguez (1-2, 2.08): promoted to Lehigh Valley
- #16 Cornelius Randolph (.171): went 1-1 as a pinch hitter
Clearwater (11-17) lost to Dunedin, 3-2.
Mauricio Llovera (2-2, 1.59) pitched six innings and held the BlueJays to one run and struck out a season-high nine batters. Will Hibbs (6.75) struck out 3 in 1.2 innings, but walked two before giving up a 2-run double. Aaron Brown (4.86) held the Jays off the board over the remaining 1.1 innings.
The Threshers were held in check most of the game. They hit into three, rally killing double plays. They didn’t score until Darick Hall’s 2-out, 2-run HR in the ninth inning.
Hall hit his league-leading 10th HR. His is fourth with 24 RBI.
Austin Listi (.379) went 1-3 with a run scored and a walk. He .379 leads the league. His .438 OBP and .598 SLG are third in the league. Hall’s .636 SLG leads the league. Listi (1.035) and Hall (.997) are 2 and 3 in OPS in the league.
Jose Pujols threw a runner out at home.
Llovera labored through a 26-pitch first inning, but escaped unscathed. He settled in and pitched 6.0 solid innings, 89 pitches, 59 strikes (66.3%), and 15 of 25 first pitch strikes (60%). His FB’s range was 92-98 mph. It sat 93-95 mph, and touched 97 and 98 once each. &1.9% of the pitches Llovera threw were fastballs.
Nine strike outs was a season high and tied a career high. He got 2 swinging at 95 mph FB in the first inning. He got 2 more in the third – one swinging at an 88 MPH CH and one looking at a 95 mph FB. He got his fourth K swinging at a 94 mph FB. He struck out the side in the fifth one on an 87 mph CH, one looking at a 93 mph FB, and the last swinging at a 97 mph FB. His ninth came in the sixth, swinging at an 84 mph SL.
- #1 Sixto Sanchez (1-1, 3.71):
- #3 Adonis Medina (1-1, 5.66):
- #4 Mickey Moniak: went 1-4 with a double
- #5 Adam Haseley: went 1-4
- #9 Arquimedes Gamboa: went 0-4
- #18 Jose Gomez: DNP
- #22 McKenzie Mills (0-1, 3.12):
- #30 Connor Seabold:
- Bailey Falter (3-0, 2.35):
Lakewood (15-13) lost to Columbia, 2-1.
Damon Jones (2.63) pitched six shutout innings, holding the Fireflies to 3 hits. Julian Garcia (4.85) pitched a shutout inning. Kyle Dohy (1-2, 1.23) gave up the tying run in the ninth and the game winner in the ninth.
Lakewood scored an unearned run in the first inning without benefit of a hit. They got 2 more walks and 7 hits the rest of the way, but couldn’t add to their lead. Jake Scheiner (.256) went 2-5 with 2 doubles.
- #6 Jhailyn Ortiz (.158): is on the 7-day DL and physically in Clearwater
- #12 Daniel Brito (.205): went 0-3 with a run scored, BB, SB
- #21 Spencer Howard (2-2, 3.68):
- #29 Simon Muzziotti (.293): is on the 7-day DL (hand injury) and in Clearwater
These prospects are in Philadelphia.
- #2 Scott Kingery: 96 of 130 career AB, 36 of 45 days with Phillies (May 13th)
- #26 Victor Arano: 22.2 of 50 innings, 36 of 45 days (added to the 10-day DL)
And these guys are still in Clearwater.
- #19 Kyle Young: XST
- #20 Francisco Morales: XST
- #25 Luis Garcia: XST
- #27 J.D. Hammer: XST
- #28 Kevin Gowdy: not expected to pitch this season
XST
There are over 90 players at the Complex. The Phillies have provided a roster that includes 80 players in extended spring training.
2018 XST League Schedule and link to Phillies XST schedule.
Link to Phillies GCL schedule.
Transactions
5/4/18–Phillies signed Curtis Mead as an international FA; assigned to GCL Phillies West
5/4/18–Clearwater placed LHP Jeff Singer on the 7-day DL retro to 5/3/18
5/4/18–RHP Alberto Tirado assigned to Clearwater
5/4/18–Lehigh Valley activated C Logan Moore from the 7-day DL
5/3/18–RHP Spencer Howard assigned to Lakewood from Williamsport
5/3/18–Freddy Francisco signed as an international FA; assigned to DSL Phillies Red
5/3/18–Michael Guzman signed as an international FA; assigned to DSL Phillies Red
5/3/18–Nicoly Pina signed as an international FA; assigned to DSL Phillies Red
5/3/18–Eduar Segovia signed as an international FA; assigned to DSL Phillies White
5/3/18–Garrett Cleavinger transferred from Reading to Williamsport
5/3/18–Tim Berry transferred from Williamsport to Reading
5/2/18–Sutter McLoughlin opted for voluntary retirement
5/2/18–LHP David Parkinson assigned to Williamsport from Lakewood
5/2/18–Mani Boekhoudt signed as an international FA; assigned to DSL Phillies Red
5/1/18–Williamsport traded 1B Wilson Garcia to Frederick Keys
4/30/18–Phillies recalled LHP Zac Curtis from Lehigh Valley
4/30/18–Phillies recalled RHP Zach Eflin from Lehigh Valley
4/30/18–Phillies placed RHP Victor Arano on the 10-day DL retro to 4/29/18
4/30/18–Jake Thompson optioned to Lehigh Valley
4/30/18–Dixon Gutierrez released from DSL Phillies Red
4/30/18–Ronald Torrealba released from DSL Phillies Red
4/30/18–Derwuin Marchan released from DSL Phillies White
4/30/18–3B Heiker Meneses assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
4/30/18–Reading activated 3B Brandon Bednar from the 7-day DL
4/29/18–Phillies placed SS J.P. Crawford on the 10-day DL. Right forearm strain
4/29/18–Phillies recalled 2B Jesmuel Valentin from Lehigh
4/29/18–RHP Ismael Cabrera assigned to Williamsport from Clearwater
4/29/18–Clearwater activated RHP Will Hibbs from the 7-day DL
I’ve brought the rosters and lists up to date as of 5/4. I’ve got 327 players in the organization. It’s probably more.
Phuture Phillies 
Something’s changed in Jan Hernandez. He hit .212/.287/’415 in CLW last year but he had 16 HRs. This year, he’s hitting .349/.368/.460 with 1 HR. He’s cut back on his Ks a bit too. Maybe he’s cut down his swing a little? More contact and less HRs? Short season rules apply there seems to be a trending.
JoJo Romero has been just been awful. Far too many hits given up and too many BBs. Not a good combo. He hasn’t had a decent start this year. I’m not thinking about a demotion but he needs to make some adjustments and soon.
Yes it would be nice if the pitchers in our system weren’t just known for their colorful names. Really need to see somebody grab their opportunity and run with it. Our best pitching prospects are either taking a step back or being bubble wrapped like Grecian urns. And our best hitters presently are considered walk ins. De Los Santos is probably the closest to MLB ready and even his lack of control is a concern.
*walk-ons
Bellman, how about he just isn’t good enough. Small left hander with okay stuff. Why do you think he is better, the level caught up to his lack of stuff
I listened to some of the Reading game last night. According to the announcers, Romero’s velo has been down this season. He was hitting 92 last night. They said that was better than the rest of his other outings. I remember last season he was hitting 95. In the one game I saw him throw in spring training he was in the mid 90’s (I think he reached 96 once). Maybe there is something physically wrong with him. Don’t know.
Guys, let’s not be hasty to judge and write-off a quality prospect. Yes, JoJo Romero has struggled to start the season. That’s all. He’s a good pitcher with good stuff. (Lefty w/low 90s FB, touching 94/95, plus CH, & okay SL, CU, good command, high GB%). If his FB but improving then let’s wait to see what happens over time. I’ve posted when he’s been great and I’ll post now after some struggle. I remain confident, and why not, it”s sss. This is when it’s important to watch… How will he adjust? How will he handle it mentally? Keep in mind, he’s just 21 all season. C’mon JoJo!
John, I don’t think it’s a case of writing off prospects. It’s more of an overall concern with the system as a whole. When a few prospects aren’t performing well in a SSS, there isn’t a reason to think they won’t turn it around. But when virtually the entire farm has nary a standout among its consensus top young talent, even in early May, I begin to wonder what’s going on with player development as much as the quality of talent in the organization.
8mark- I brought this up to Jay Floyd on Twitter a few days ago about the system being down across the board and he told me to calm down lol. I too am seriously concerned about what the heck is going on in the Phils system. I’ve honestly never seen anything like it where almost EVERY top prospect across the board in a system is off to a slow start. Very very concerning.
Be patient with any pitcher jumping from Clearwater to Reading. The difference is enormous – much better hitters and a much worse environment for pitchers (hitter-friendly stadiums, like the one in Reading). Lots of great pitchers in the majors had ERAs in the high 3s and low 4s in their first time in the Eastern League. Give him a few months to adjust and don’t worry about it for now.
DeLos Santos needs to be rising up our prospect list. He has to be top 5 at this point and will likely be in Philly by July if he keeps this up, and lowers his walks.
Cozens is hitting and that might get him to Philly this year too. Quinn too.
Looks like Cozens and Hall are the system’s HR Derby candidates this season.
When one bashes..the other follows.
Hall’s 9th inning blast last night courtesy video Baseball Betsy.
Cannot help wonder what kind of exit velocity he gets when he mashes.
I think the Phillies have given up on Williams. I remain a big fan. He might need a change of scenery. Shame.
He’s always been a grade B/B- prospect. His lack of plate discipline kills him, his fielding metrics have always been bad and he has trouble catching up to good high heat. He’s a very flawed player and always has been. Again, Amaro would have been better getting two great prospects and a throw-in than 4 grade B prospects and a throw-in – but here we are, 3 years later with a lot of question marks. I’m not writing Williams off, but the odds are against him being anything more than a low second division starter. Kapler is doing the right thing in playing Altherr who is a much better baseball player.
If Cozens performs like this for a few more months, I expect him and Williams to trade places by mid-year. Cozens is flawed, but the guy is working and improving and the power is always tantalizing and it’s real.
Catch,
And what about Quinn swapping with Williams?
Like a lot of fans, I think Santana improves the team, but I wish they hadn’t gotten him. With Hoskins at 1B, Williams would be getting the playing time to prove himself and Quinn might be the fourth outfielder.
Meanwhile, I’d like to see Listi moved up if he continues hitting like this for several more weeks.
Guys,
Are we seeing the end of some long-time prospects: Aaron Brown, Pullin, Kyle Martin?
On the other hand, are any of Canelo, Jan Hernandez, Damek Tomscha, Cord Sandberg showing us they might make it to MLB?
Hot take, De Los Santos is our second best prospect. Exceptional K rate. Walks are a concern, but the stuff is there. We might have stole a really good pitcher.
Early returns do reflect that…Freddy is playing his usual great defense as a Padre but now the slash is.229/.316/.280
That’s still a better line then whoever the Phillies have at SS.
Need fresh reports on the stuff before we go that far. After the trade, scouting reports made him sound similar to Eflin but he hasn’t been able to miss bats like de los Santos. The secondary pitches are key.
I would say about De Los Santos that he needs to cut down down on his pitches per inning. It’s great that he has strikeout stuff, but if he is throwing 100 pitches in 5 innings, then we have another Vince Velasquez.
That’s why he’s not ready for promotion. Let him stay at AAA until he’s ready. He’s only 22
Wierd fact Elshman is going up against Brock Stassi, Taylor Feathers and Willians Astudillo all on the Twins AAA team.
Eshelman really took it hard today…..4 BBs also…12 hits….not sure what is going on with him this season