Clearwater Threshers Recap – 6/27/2018

Box Score Recap

Break up the Threshers!  The Clearwater Threshers (38-36) came from behind again, scoring 4 runs in the final two innings to beat Daytona, 5-4.  The first place Threshers (by a half game over 5-0 Lakeland) are 6-0 in the second half, and 11-2 since a four-game sweep of Tampa .  They are 2-game over .500 for the first time this season.  In fact, they only ventured over .500 for the first time this season with their win in the first game of this three-game series on Tuesday.

Alejandro Requena (5.14), fresh off the DL, made his first start since April 14th and third of the season.   He gave up one earned run on five hits in six innings.  He walked none and struck out seven.  He needed only 67 pitches and threw 51 strikes (76.1%).  Blake Quinn (6.39), who had been extremely effective in April and very effective in May, continued with his abysmal June.  He gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in one inning.  The win went to Addison Russ (2-0, 5.79) who tossed two clean innings.

The Threshers scored a run in the fifth inning on Arquimedes Gamboa’s sacrifice fly.  They tied the game with 3 runs in the eighth on Grenny Cumana’s 3-run HR (2).  They took the lead in the ninth on Mickey Moniak’s RBI single.

The Threshers compiled 12 hits, 5 guys had 2 hits each – Adam Haseley, Jose Pujols (.317), Moniak, Luke Williams (.246), and Raul Rivas (.258).

  • #1 Sixto Sanchez (4-3 , 2.51): is on the 7-day DL with elbow inflammation
  • #2 Adonis Medina (7-2, 4.16):
  • #3 Adam Haseley (.299): went 2-4 with a BB
  • #4 Mickey Moniak (.251): went 2-5 with an RBI
  • #8 Arquimedes Gamboa (.246): went 0-3 with a run scored, RBI, BB, SF
  • #16 Jose Gomez (.221): DNP
  • #20 McKenzie Mills (0-2, 4.46):
  • #24 J.D. Hammer (1-1, 7.36): placed on DL
  • #27 Connor Seabold (4-4, 3.90): promoted to Reading
  • Bailey Falter (5-2, 2.96):

The GCL Phillies East (4-4) beat the Tigers East, 2-0.  Dominic Pipken made his first appearance as the starter and threw two, no-hit innings.  He walked two and struck out three.  One observer noted, “Pipkin threw the ball by batters, especially up in the zone, his fastball jumps out of his hand with rising movement, didn’t see much off speed today.”

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Photo courtesy of Frank Berlingis

Justin Miller (1-1, 2.57) threw four two-hit innings and got the win.  He walked three and struck out three.  Daniel Vilchez (0.00) chipped in with a clean frame.  Will Hibbs (0.00) earned his first save with two, one hit inings, striking out two.

The Phillies scored a run in the fifth on Jose Mercado’s solo HR (1), and a run in the sixth on a fielding error.  The 18-year old Mercado is the Phillies 13th round pick out of the Carlos Beltran Academy, PR.

Mercado (.313) and Julio Francisco (.381) had 2 hits each.

The  GCL Phillies West (3-4) beat the GCL Braves, 6-5.  Eudiver Avendano (3.00) had a rougher outing in this his second start.  He pitched three innings and gave up 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks.  Austin Ross (0.00) pitched two innings and struck out two, although an unearned run was scored behind him.  Adam Cox (0.00) pitched two scoreless frames.  Sati Santa Cruz (1-0, 0.00) picked up the win with one scoreless inning.  Jose Conopoima (4.15) gave up a run in the ninth inning.

The Phillies scored 2 runs in the top of the first inning on a ground out and Trent Bowles sacrifice fly.  They tied the game with 2 runs in the eighth on RBI singles by Logan O’Hoppe and Corbin Williams.  They went ahead with 2 runs in the ninth on a throwing error and a ground out.

Matt Kroon (.563) had 3 hits in 4 at bats, a walk, and two stolen bases.

Four guys had 2 hits.

D.J. Stewart (.353) went 2-5 with 2 runs scored.

Nick Matera (.333), this year’s 34th round pick out of Rutgers, went 2-4 with a run scored and a HBP.

Logan O’Hoppe (.444), our 23rd round pick out of St. John the Baptist HS in NY, went 2-4 with 2 RBI and a HBP.

Corbin Williams (.409), the 24th round pick out of the College of the Canyons, went 2-5 with an RBI.

  • #23 Luis Garcia (.300): went 1-5 with a run scored

In other action –

Lehigh Valley (45-32) beat Scranton, 4-2.  Drew Anderson gave the IronPigs seven innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk.  Brandon Leibrandt (1.45) pitched a clean inning.  Pedro Beato (4.33) picked up his 21st save.

The IronPigs took the lead with 3 runs in the first inning on Joey Meneses 2-run single and a double play ball.  They added an insurance run in the eighth on Alexi Amarista’s RBI single.

Dean Anna (.264) went 3-4 with a run scored.

Collin Cowgill (.236) went 2-4 with a run scored.

  • #9 Ranger Suarez:
  • #11 Enyel De Los Santos (7-3, 1.73):
  • #12 Tom Eshelman (1-6, 6.68):
  • #13 Roman Quinn (.289): 7-day DL, right middle finger strain
  • #15 Dylan Cozens (.226): called up to Philadelphia
  • #21 Drew Anderson (5-2, 3.35): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR 
  • #22 Cole Irvin (8-3, 2.54):

Reading (34-43) lost to Erie, 8-5.  Connor Seabold made his Reading debut and gave up 5 runs in three innings including a 3-run HR in the third inning.  Ranfi Casimiro (6.75) remained inconsistent, giving up a run in two innings.  Elniery Garcia (6.38) remained perfect, giving up at least a run in each of his 10 appearances.  Tonight, 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk in 1.2 innings.  Josh Tols (1.93) came in and stranded two inherited runners and went on to strike out four in 2.1 innings.

The Phils provided an early lead with 3 runs in the first on Austin Listi’s 3-run HR (2).  After the bullpen deepened the hole they were in, they scored single runs in the seventh and eighth on Austin Listi’s sacrifice fly and Cord Sandberg’s RBI single.

Every starter except Darick Hall had a hit.  Malquin Canelo (.261), Listi (.278), and Sandberg (.235) had 2 hits each.

Listi had 4 RBI, giving him 12 in ten games with Reading.

  • #6 JoJo Romero (5-6, 4.47):
  • #7 Franklyn Kilome (2-4, 4.52):
  • #9 Ranger Suarez (4-3, 2.76): promoted to LHV
  • #14 Cornelius Randolph (.190): DNP
  • #27 Connor Seabold (0-1, 15.00): 3.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Lakewood (45-30) beat Hagerstown, 4-3.  Will Stewart (1.17) allowed one run in five innings on 2 hits and 2 walks.  He struck out three.  As often happens at this level, Luis Carrasco (2-0, 3.97) blew the save and got the win.  He gave up 2 runs in three innings. Julian Garcia (3.00) got his first save.

The BlueClaws built a lead with 2 runs in the first on Daniel Brito’s two-out, two-run single; and one run in the third on Rodolfo Duran’s solo HR (9).  They took the lead in the eighth on Quincy Nieporte’s RBI double.

Duran (.243) went 2-3 with 2 runs scored, HR, RBI, BB.

  • #5 Jhailyn Ortiz (.238): went 0-4
  • #10 Daniel Brito (.237): went 1-3 with 2 RBI, BB
  • #17 Kyle Young (2-3, 3.19):
  • #19 Spencer Howard (3-6, 5.25):
  • #26 Simon Muzziotti (.293): activated 6/27/2018
  • #29 Nick Maton (.270): went 0-3 with a BB

Williamsport (6-5) did not play.  Look for movement between the Complex and Williamsport as early as Thursday.

  • Alec Bohm (.200):
  • #18 Francisco Morales (1-0, 3.24):
  • #28 Jonathan Guzman (.243):
  • #30 Jhordany Mezquita:

Here’s the affiliate scoreboard from MiLB.

Other prospects –

  • #25 Kevin Gowdy: not expected to pitch this season

DSL Phillies Red (7-15) lost 6-1.

DSL Phillies White (10-11) won 1-0.  Luis Gomez (1-0, 2.77) tossed five, no-hit innings in his first career start.  He walked one and struck out three.  Alexis Herrera (1.93) and Andy Reyes (3.72) completed the combined 3-hit shutout.  Herrera struck out 5 in three innings.

Transactions 

6/27/18–Connor Seabold assigned to Reading from Clearwater
6/27/18–Clearwater activated RHP Alejandro Requena from the 7-day DL
6/27/18–Lakewood sent IF Dalton Guthrie on a rehab assignment to GCL Phillies East.
6/27/18–Lakewood placed CF Kevin Markham on the 7-day DL retro to 6/26/18. Foot injury.
6/27/18–Lakewood activated CF Simon Muzziotti from the 7-day DL
6/27/18–RHP Eduar Segovia assigned to DSL Phillies White.
6/27/18–RHP Aldemar Rivas assigned to DSL Phillies Red from DSL Phillies White.
6/26/18–Philadelphia sent RHP Pat Neshek on a rehab assignment to Reading
6/26/18–Lehigh Valley sent RHP Tyler Viza on a rehab assignment to GCL Phillies West.
6/26/18–LHP Tyler Gilbert assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
6/26/18–LHP Ranger Suarez assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
6/26/18–Reading activated LHP Elniery Garcia from the 7-day DL
6/25/18–Philadelphia activated 2B Jesmuel Valentin from the paternity list.
6/25/18–Philadelphia placed RHP Edubray Ramos on the 10-day DL. Right shoulder impingement.
6/25/18–Philadelphia recalled Hector Neris from Lehigh Valley
6/25/18–Philadelphia optioned Mitch Walding to Lehigh Valley
6/25/18–SS Danny Espinosa assigned to Lehigh Valley
6/25/18–Lehigh Valley placed RHP Ben Lively on the 7-day DL retro to 6/23/18. Right shoulder sprain
6/23/18–DSL Phillies Red released C Ronaldo Gonzalez.
6/24/18–Philadelphia placed 2B Jesmuel Valentin on the paternity list.
6/24/18–Philadelphia activated RF Dylan Cozens from the 10-day DL
6/24/18–3B Alec Bohm assigned to Williamsport from GCL Phillies West.
6/23/18–Philadelphia sent RHP Pat Neshek on a rehab assignment to Clearwater
6/23/18–OF James Smith assigned to GCL Phillies East

The rosters and lists are up to date as of 6/27. (I’ve got 350 players in the organization.)

46 thoughts on “Clearwater Threshers Recap – 6/27/2018”

  1. LHV leads their division by 6 games. Unfortunately there aren’t any position player prospects on the team except Cozens and Walding (??). Cozens got the call but definitely needs more seasoning. Walding is another guy they call up when needed but with 7 Ks and 1 BB in 9 PAs, he isn’t much help. The pitching is a different story. They are 3rd in ERA in their league and 1st in WHIP. Cole Irvin and Enyel De Los Santos are very good prospects, who could easily see some time on the big club this year. Drew Anderson is also showing that he’s back to his old self. They also have some relievers who can be called up in a pinch.

    1. Indeed. I wrote before the season that the team would live and die with starting pitching—and they’ve come through. It’s been enjoyable going to the games knowing some level of “prospect” is starting every night. Our current rotation is Anderson, Eshelman, Ranger Suarez, De Los Santos, Irvin. Lively, Eflin, and Leibrandt have made starts.

      Hopefully Roman Quinn returns at some point. Joey Meneses isn’t a prospect per se but has been a very nice surprise. The veteran position players play hard and play together. Manager Gary Jones is a good baseball man who has everyone on the same page.

      And of course, the organization is already trying to sell playoff packages to season ticket holders.

      Good times in Allentown. Stop by some time, one and all.

  2. Kyle Martin better get over his demotion from Reading to CLW. We know he can bash A+ pitching but he might be playing his way out of professional baseball. He’s 25 and doesn’t have any upside left. He might be very lucky that Nieporte started slowly this year. He’s just now starting to hit well. Probably not well enough for promotion so Martin is safe for a little while anyway.

  3. Went to the Threshers game yesterday. Doesn’t appear that the Phillies new minor league nutrition program is paying off. The starting 8 for Daytona must have outweighed our starting 8 by 150lbs. Threshers looked like a team of basketball guards; Daytona looked like a team of linebackers. Moniak never touched the ball offensively with authority fair or foul. First hit was a half swing check that produced a slow ground ball to second which he beat out. Second hit was a bunt. He does look like he was born to play CF – instinctively tracking down deep balls to both his left and right with perfect routes.

  4. Tough year so far for Simon Muzziotti. That early injury has really contributed to a very slow start for him..
    Will Stewart, a ground ball machine, 7 last night of his 14 outs with a Game Score of 62 in only 5 innings pitched..
    Hopefully he will get the call to CLW soon.

  5. Gamboa is a strikeout machine lately. He’s in a funk.

    Maybe we should pay more attention to Rodolfo Duran. 9 HRs for a 20 yo catcher at that level is worth noticing. He’s got like nine walks all season but five of them have come recently.

  6. Another good game by Drew Anderson. My only concern with Anderson is that his FB velocity goes down as the game progress and command suffers due to fatigue. I really like him as a starter because he has a good pitch mix and he can command all his pitches. FB can go up mid-90s tops in 96/97, potential plus CB and can mix some CU,SL and Cutter too.

    The Phillies will develop Anderson as a starter but if Anderson cannot handle the starter workload (thus, losing velocity and getting fatigue) he can develop into a Josh Hader role – a middle reliever who can throw heat and plus breaking ball for an inning or 2 and can handle some high leverage relief.

    1. Drew Anderson has age and the pitching skills on his side.
      He has to have some value.
      I’d trade him for $1M to the Os, who often-times trade their int’l money, and get Starlyn Castillo’s John Hancock on an offer sheet.

      1. @romus – Klentak can get better than $1M IFA for Drew Anderson. Klentak got $250K from BAL last year for Tyler Stinking Frohwirth!!!

        If Klentak wants to play smart, he will start to talk to 8 teams who are exceeded their prior year pool – he can get the same $1M to lesser prospects.

        BAL can be a target again, but with their weak farm, Ben Lively might give him the same $1M. Some GMs including Klentak just gave up some B level prospects to get IFA money so GMs don’t normally overpay to acquire IFA $$.

        Last year, Klentak got some IFA $$ for Frohwith, Lovette and Eldridge — so non-prospects like Gilbert, Leftwich, Leibrandt, Viza, Wags, Gomez, Tromp can easily fetch Klentak a $300k-$500k IFA $$ each.

    2. Don’t see much special about Anderson. Strikes me as bullpen filler. Could be wrong.

      1. @8mark – unless you saw him in LWD in 2016 and REA early last year, Anderson doesn’t look good and promising.

        Anderson came from TJ surgery in 2016 where he only pitched 70 IP. In 2017, his load increased to 114 IP that’s why he looks fatigued in some of his late starts including the 2 innings he pitched for the Phils.

        I expect Drew Anderson to be fully recovered from TJ and he should be able to perform as expected for about 120-150 IPs.

        Anderson can be better than Eikchoff and if we are happy to see what Eflin is doing, Anderson can be that type of pitcher too — he has the size, the arm and the abilities to be a #3/#4, thus, better than Lively, Jake, Eshelman.

        1. @catch – Anderson is the better prospect than deFratus especially if Anderson move to the pen where his FB can regular touch mid-90s and his CB can be plus. Anderson is more of a poor man’s Seranthony,

          deFratus is an average starter in A level and below and he only started to show promise when moved to CLW’s bullpen. I see deFratus more as the Luke Leftwich type or Jose Tavaras if he moved to the pen.

          Yacksel Rios might be a better prospect than deFratus ever was and Rios was not even rated in the Top 30 ever.

          1. De Fratus had a mid-90s fastball and a plus slider at his best. Injuries and Ryne Sandberg just ruined his arm.

            1. That’s why I said Anderson is the better prospect than deFratus because Anderson’s floor is deFratus ceiling.

              Anderson can thrown up to mid-90s touching 96/97 with his FB and his CB is rate plus too.

            2. Both guys are/were RHP with mid 90s fastballs and plus breaking balls. De Fratus didn’t hit his ceiling, Anderson might but as reliever prospects the only difference I see between the two is that Anderson hasn’t actually been a full time reliever yet. Maybe he’ll be better at handling multiple innings, if he’s developed that way.

            3. By the time he hit the big leagues, he was generally pretty lame with a FB sitting in the low 90s and not much of a breaking pitch. He was not what we had hoped for.

  7. Drew Anderson should get the next call over Lively in the event of a SP injury in Philadelphia. Maybe an addition as a long relief option anyhow.

    1. I would give that call to Cole Irvin or Enyel De Los Santos before either Anderson or Lively at this point..

      1. there’s a big possibility that delos Santos will be called up since he will be added to the 40-man, but Irvin might need to wait. If the Phils want to throw a LH arm, Ranger will get the call as he is already in the 40-man.

        IFA signing starts next week. I’m hoping to see some movements to clear some log jams and move on from some fungible players/prospects.

  8. Congrats to Irvin and DeLoSantos on ASG selections (Meneses also)
    Of interest, Listi played LF last night. I’d be curious to know how he did out there if anyone went to the game.

    1. Didn’t see the whole game, but late in the game former major leaguer Josh Thole hit a deep shot to left (off his near namesake Josh Tols) which Listi tracked and caught either up against the fence or very near the fence. So, for what that’s worth…

  9. does anyone know if Alther has any options left? he is completely lost at the plate and could use regular atbats at LVH to get his swing back
    he’s not THIS bad

    1. Does it matter? He’s not a starter anymore, he’s lost all his playing time to Nick Williams.

      1. The Guru is that was true why was he starting over Williams last night against a right hander>>>>?????????

    2. Oh, how nice it would look to have Clint Frazier in RF and somewhere in the lineup!

      1. I wasn hpeoing thet we could gets Frazief fors a Pitchers Bit read yankeess wants moer

    1. rocco….give the kid a break….first time out.
      But look forward to Abrahan Gutierrez could be the future catcher for the Phillies.
      Only knock on him…..cannot run….maybe 5 seconds to first

      1. @romus – i got a new homie in Logan O’Hoppe. He’s my catcher of the future!

        1. KuKo…..yes, he could be diamond in the rough.
          Plenty of catchers to go around early on

    2. Cotto’s 1st inning. Not a good start of this pro career but he will bounce back.

      HBP
      1-run single
      Wild pitch
      Walk
      Walk
      HBP
      Sac Fly
      HBP
      Fly out
      Walk
      Ground out

  11. Fangrpahs Chat: 6/28/18

    Tori Lopardo:
    Which of the starters in the Phillies org would make the most impact/sense being moved to the pen? Kilome? Llovera? Romero?

    Eric A Longenhagen:
    Kilome (FB/CR guy at AA with 40 control) and Mau Llovera (frog-like 5-10 215lb righty up to 87 in HiA) are the guys. Still like Jojo Romero (athletic lefty, velo down early this year, pitching better now, plus change, pitchability) in a rotation

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