62 thoughts on “Clearwater Threshers Recap – 5/31/2018”

1. Moniak is hitting .327 since he turned 20 on May 13. He’s raised his average 29 points over that stretch. No HRs, very few BBs and a ton of Ks on the season though. Haseley, in his last 8 games is hitting .367. He’s also thrown in 5 BBs over the 8 games. That’s a .457 OBP. Very quietly Luke Williams is coming on a little. In his last 10 games, he’s raised his average 51 points. Sounds like an awful lot but when you’re at .114, raising it to .165 is not that great. He has 6 BBs over that 10 game stretch too. He had 29 SBs last year and only has 3 so far this year. I guess if you don’t get on base, there can be very few SBs but his OBP last year was .269. He’s at .296 this year. I’m not willing to give up on Williams just yet but when it’s time to give Scheiner a promotion, his time may be up.

   Danny Brito may not be hitting the ball well this year but he has a .990 Fielding Percentage with 2 Es in 45 games. I hope the bat livens up a lot and puts on display the prospect I think he is.

2. Very exciting week for system. excellent pitching from most of the top pitching prospects( including lefties galore)
   MM and Haseley having some sustained success ( In case of MM I think its important because it shows he can have success and he’s not completely overmatched)
   also starting to see some promotions
   looking forward to seeing Hall’s work at AA.
   only part that’s tough now is the lack of position prospects at AAA since they are all in Philly
   Quinn would have gotten his shot with Hoskins out if he had stayed healthy

3. Hall in Reading is going to be something. Congratulations on the promotion! Sanchez soon to follow would be exciting to see as well …

   We say it a lot, but it bears repeating: This system is stacked with starting pitching talent. It seems like every day there are at least two legitimate SP prospects putting up lines like the ones above: 6-7 innings, K an inning, few ER. I’ve seen the “grow the arms” thing mocked by some commenters because of recent first round draft tendencies, but it seems to be coming to pass.

   Has anyone seen velocity readings for Kyle Young? I’d love to know if he’s adding a few ticks on his FB.

   1. last I heard Young was at 88 to 91.

4. BTW, good luck to Andrew Pullin in his retirement. It’s got to be tough to put together some seriously good hitting seasons in the minors like he did and not have it blossom into a big league career.

   1. WOw, I missed that. yeah, getting to AAA but not ” the show” is tough. players who are tweeners in terms of power, limited speed and limited defensive versatility are going to struggle getting to show in modern era.
      players need to learn as many positions as possible defensively given the frequency of 4 man benches.
      the days of the “greg hobbs” lefty bat off the bench roles are becoming less available

      1. It’s also a cautionary tale about extrapolating EL/AA hitting statistics to IL/AAA and the majors. Pullin looked like he would hit at the highest levels, but so did Matt Rizzotti, and many others.

         On another front, the development of front line, young pitching from low A ball to the majors is the headline story for this team. I need to watch his recent starts, but as much as he struggled with control, Kilome’s pure “stuff” has definitely improved in the last year or so – he still has a lot of upside.

         They said their goal was to develop waves of pitching prospects and that’s exactly what they’ve done. And we can see at the major league level just how many games a mediocre hitting team can win when it brings two Cy Young candidates (Nola and Arietta) and a #2 (yeah, that’s how Pivetta has pitched thus far) to the mound 3 out of 5 days.

         1. And another thing – Haseley’s growing plate discipline is a HUGE development. He has the hit tool and I suspect the power is going to develop over time – but what was unclear was how well he could control the strike zone and he was not good at it earlier this year. As he’s settling in, he’s doing just that and this, as much as almost anything else, will dictate his ability to succeed at higher levels.

            1. And yet another thing – how good is Seranthony Dominguez? I’m sure he won’t stay this hot, but I don’t see the league really figuring him out. There’s basically no human alive that can hit a 98 MPH fastball that breaks like a cutter – you can’t adjust to that pitch and that’s what makes him special. He easily could develop into a top 5 closer in baseball – perhaps he’s already there.

               1. yeah but according to some, you don’t need a closer. you bring your best into the seventh inning if there runners on. they hand it over to Neris or Garcia. I saw that post the other day, I Thought my head was going to explode.

               2. Yeah, I’m using the term closer generically for your highest leverage reliever and I’m actually very open to the possibility that using your best reliever at the most critical juncture of games is more useful than just routinely slotting a guy in for 9th inning work when you’re ahead. In fact, Bill James did a study of this a few years ago and concluded the most useful spot for your best reliever is when you are tied or one run ahead. Your head shouldn’t explode – I think they are onto something with how they are using Seranthony. It takes guts to go against the orthodox thinking – but I think they are right. And by the way, this how teams used to use their best reliever going back from the 1940s through the early 1980s. The best reliever used to be considered the “fireman” brought in to save a potentially bad inning from turning worse. I think the old guys were right.

               3. rocco…analytics , analytics……you bring your best in for the opponents top of the order lineup…if they are coming up in the 7th, then do it.
                  After the starter is gone….any inning could become a closing inning.

               4. I think the most impressive things about Seranthony are his control, No walks so far and his demeanour. Looks like he’s in total control out there.
                  oh yeah, the 98 MPH cutter is pretty impressive too, LOL

               5. Anyway, on James’ analysis. What James really found out was that, by far, the most effect a reliever could have was in the late innings of a tied game. This goes against a very specific orthodox baseball practice of NOT putting in your best reliever in a tied game on the road. And, again, I think James was right. I cannot tell you how many games I’ve seen blown by a road team that, instead of putting in its closer or another top reliever in such a game, puts in a middle reliever or mop up guy – which is exactly the opposite of what should be done.

               6. Everything about Seranthony is impressive. I remember watching Craig Kimbrel when he first came up and I immediately thought that this guy was going to be the best closer in baseball for a decade. I feel just about the same with Seranthony. He’s got it all going on, including poise, mound presence, control/command and a good breaking pitch. He just has to stay healthy and retain the velocity. He’s already pitching at an elite level.

               7. Rocco you head seems to explode a lot… Has to be painful I would think…

               8. Catch22hman, that is exactly how the Red Sox used Sam “Mayday” Malone back in the day

               9. Using your best relief pitcher in higher leverage situations (relative to a 9th inning “save” opportunity) is a very basic and simple concept, and should not make any heads explode. What might explode heads is how/why the entire league blindly followed the 9th inning “closer” model for so many years (since Tony LaRusso with Dennis Eckersly at Oakland in the late 1980s), to the obvious detriment of their winning chances.

               10. Rocco, you seem to hate the idea of a fireman because to u it is some new fangled thing that flies in the face of history. I love to idea because I know my history.

         2. Steve Susdorf.

            1. Tagg Bozied.

               1. If you look at his AAA statistics, Bozied probably was a big league worthy player. If he had been on a team like the As, he might have gotten a chance. But he was typecast as the minor league slugger and that doomed him.

   2. Pullin retired once before in April 2016. I think he discovered how much he’d miss it and was back in a month. I’m not saying this is going to happen again but thought it should be mentioned. It could be they were about to release him and he retired instead. I’m not sure if there is a benefit to either scenario.

      1. That was a little out of frustration and not going to Reading and repeating CLW.

      2. Pullin may have been the next man up in the case of another injury. I can’t understand giving up on your dream when your that close. Best wishes Andrew.

5. Glad to see Hall get the promo.
   The ‘one-trick pony’ may start opening some national eyes.

   1. I expect him to do well in AA (I also expected Randolph to do well, so that’s no guarantee), but we’ll know much more about him if and when he gets to AAA.

      1. agreed
         at this point, I honestly barely look at positive numbers in AA/EL
         KNapp looked like the second coming of mike pizza offensively in that league ( I think he hit in the .350 range)
         just put in your time at AA and we’ll see you in AAA LHV for a better assessment.

         of course, then pitching is the opposite
         if you are excelling as a pitcher in AA/EL, youre probably the real deal

         1. Exactly – you nailed it. My experience is that there is usually little or no drop off between pitching performance from AA to AAA, which is why pitchers (especially relievers) often go quickly from AA, AAA to the majors, like Seranthony. If you are able to dominate hitters in the EL/AA, you’re probably not that far off from being a major league pitcher – seriously. And the hitting is exactly the opposite. I wouldn’t say a good performance for a hitter in AA is meaningless, it’s just not a reliable barometer of how the hitter will do in AAA and the majors.

            1. Catch, I think the big difference is in triple a. they throw so much junk. Veterans with experience, I hardly ever see a hard thrower, when I watch curves, off speed. I rather hit in double a. then triple a. The other think I notice is how the umpire don’t stay with a pitch. Some of those umpires in triple a really are bad. and its hard for the hitters. when they call pitches 5 inch’s off plate a strike.

               1. rocco…..you see Will Little yesterday in Dodger stadium?
                  One of the poorest jobs I have seen thus year.
                  Both calling pitches and plate coverage.
                  He had to grade out low….missing the Franco blunder at the plate was really a strike against him.

               2. I saw part of the game last night and some of the pitch calls were positively baffling. Nola threw a great 4-seemer that definitely hit the inside-middle of the plate and it was called about. A batter later he threw exactly the same pitch, but it was more inside and rather borderline and it was called a strike – almost like an admission that he screwed up earlier. It was really bad and if you’re a Dodgers fan you’re probably incredulous that the umpire never bothered to watch whether Franco touched the plate and how the Dodgers video crew missed that is beyond comprehension. Everyone who was watching the play and all the announcers saw that. I think the video dude in LA is looking for a new job today.

      2. Agree.
         No guarantees as they climb up the rungs.
         The one aspect I like about Hall…he was a pure hitter his first two years of college (500PAs)…that is almost the same BB and K rate with just average ISO.
         Then he got the lift in ’16 and it carried over to the professional levels.
         I think he may be incorporating his first two years hitting philosophy with the last three years. I have seen him go to left field when other teams did a shift.
         If he can maintain this production in Reading and then LHV, he has a decent shot in the majors.
         But AAA pitchers are the hardest at the top of the minor league ladder, so good luck to him.

         1. I missed the game romus. I was on a date with Kathy from weight watchers. I Think you dated her. Blonde about 249 lbs. 4 ft 11 inches of real women

            1. rocco…LOL…yes a real hottie.

   2. Now that Hall is up, wonder when Listi goes to Reading.

6. Jim excuse me if you already talked about this. I miss it if you did. What in your opinion is the difference in Moniak now from the beginning of the year. I read joe Jordan said he was hitting the ball hard about month ago. but had to get stronger. what’s your take on him . ty

   1. in my mind, biggest thing about this stretch for MM is that it shows him that he CAN compete and succeed. Hopefully that helps his confidence and helps him relax

7. Hall and Sixto to REA – it’s about time!! Medina should follow soon, probably after the Rule IV draft where I expect the Phils will draft some college arms that will play in WIL/LWD.

   I’m not hating on Harold Arauz, but this junk ball experiment needs to stop.

   Klentak need to trade Mills, Lively and Taveras for some comp pick or J2 money so prospects like Howard, Rosso, Parkinson can move up for better challenge.

   1. Lively definitely should be moved
      there are multiple pitchers at AAA ,Del santos, Irvin, ahead of him as next man up at this point in case Eflin continues to struggle
      I admire lively’s approach and mound tenacity, just doesn’t have the stuff to excel at next level.
      moving him for J2 money to a team like Baltimore makes sense

   2. Another candidate for a promo soon, I would think, is Edgar Garcia from Reading to LHV.

      1. @romus – are you sure that you got the “correct” Garcia?!? kidding aside, Edgar Garcia is really flying under the radar in this site. He can be better than Edubray Ramos. I lobbied for him and his wipe out SL in the prospect ranking but Fanti, Mills and you boy Hall got more love.

         While I like to see Kilome progressed into a rotation pitcher, but he can be an awesome back end reliever — looking at Seranthony, Arano, Ramos, Edgar Garcia and Kilome (all will be in the 40-man by Nov) — that’s some nasty arms there.

         1. KK Romus is old , he gets confused sometimes

      2. agreed
         not sure why he is still at reading

   3. I believe Howard has one more start at Lakewood. If all goes well, he should be in Clearwater sometime next week.
      As I’ve been telling you, Sixto is on the express train to the Phillies BP later this summer (if the team is still contending for the division title).
      Also … how fun/satisfying is it to sit in front of your TV every night and watch these former prospects performing like studs (Aaron Nola, Ser-Ant’ny, Jorge Alfaro, Scott Kingery, Nick Williams last night) at the MLB level.

      1. yeah
         especially when you know they are all still learning and scratching the surface of their ability

      2. @hinkie – we are almost always in the same page. the only scenario i can for the Sixto express train to happen is if Klentak shed a lot of bodies by Jul/Aug — like trading or DFA 5-7 players in the current 40-man.

         The Phillie Flyer Express train that I can see this summer is probably Edgar Garcia. He will be promoted to LHV at some point this month, then Kapler will watch him at Lehigh 4-5 weeks after then we’ll see him in the red pin stripes.

         The Sixto Express Specials that I can see is that the Phils doing a Kingery-treatment for Sixto next season. Sixto will be invited in the ST, signed to a contract then added in the 25-man before 2019 starts.

      3. I’ve seen a few Lakewood games, I’d rather see them call up Ramon Rosso, see how he can do in Clearwater. He leads the team in K’s (63), he’s 2nd in Whip behind the starters (not counting Young who has only 18 ip) (.94)

      4. Hinkie…Sixto to the Phillies in 2017 if i contention!
         I am sure you realize, that means he goes on the 40 2 or 3 years ahead of schedule.
         That means his clock starts 2 or 3 years early.
         That may mean…more $$$$$$.
         Once he is on the 40 in the majors in his age19 season this year as a reliever, he can only be sent back down to begin pitching as a starter again, by burning an option in the spring in his age20 season.
         And he must be carried on the 40.

         1. ‘if in contention’

         2. I’m a believer that there are only so many pitches in an arm. I am completely on board with moving pitchers quickly.

            I don’t see Sixto listed as a starter in any of the next 3 games at Clearwater …his last start was 5/25 … could this be another indicator of a potential promotion?

            1. TomB……more than likely, instruct him to pack his stuff and then help him make the travel arrangements to Reading, PA.

8. Pullin’s retirement reminds me of Troy Paulsen, a shortstop prospect in the mid 90s, who voluntarily retired and surprised the organization. These guys put their lives into the big-league dream and, at some point, realize only a select few make it and make it big. I wonder what Paulsen is doing these days?

   1. https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-paulsen-34017160

9. Lots of players performing better now than earlier in the season. If Hall goes up, Green or Tomscha will go to LHV to play 3B, with Walding on the big club. Hall going up also allows Listi to play 1B every day. A Sixto move up will be the first of many pitcher promotions coming. Last night, Kilome, Medina, and Young all pitched well. Lots of good pitching in May. The MM revival is very exciting especially since we all buried the 19 year old. Let’s hope he keeps it up and proves us all wrong.

10. Great night by both MM and Haseley . Young looks good too, congrats to Hall .

11. It’s official: Tomscha and Davis to LHV. Heiker to REA. Hall to REA.

12. Whatever happened to Greg Pickett?

    1. Jim wrote on May 19th:
       “:here are some hold overs in extended spring training who were on the 2017 Williamsport roster – Andrew Brown, Orestes Melendez, Jesus Azuaje, Brian Mins, Greg Pickett. I would expect all but Pickett to be on the 2018 roster. I haven’t seen Pickett in over a week.”

       1. Jim wrote yesterday that Pickett was back in Clearwater.

          “Ben Pelletier and Drew Stankiewicz have begun making appearances in the XST line ups. Greg Pickett is back in Clearwater.”

13. Hall already in action tonight.
    Wasted no time getting into Reading .
    Batting cleanup, behind Green and in front of Grullon.

    1. Hall hr already lol .

Comments are closed.