The Phillies completed a trade yesterday aimed at bolstering their infield/bench. They acquired New York Mets’ infielder Asdrubel Cabrera for #10 prospect, Reading’s RHP Franklyn Kilome.
At first look, Cabrera appears to offer added offensive punch as we approach the stretch run for the division. I think that is accurate. He hits for average and supplies power. He also seems to fit the organization’s obsession with plate discipline – 19.9% K-rate and 7.1% BB-rate. Plus he sees a slightly under league average 3.85 pitches per at bat. He is in the option year of his contract, so the 32-year old is a rental. He has played second base exclusively this season, but manned shortstop 45 times last season and in 100% of his defensive appearances the previous years. With the recall of Roman Quinn, the Phillies have added 2 players to the 25-man roster who can start and/or add depth to their bench.
The cost was a prospect who is being passed by younger prospects and just made his first significant move down the MLB top 30 prospect list. I have watched Kilome since he arrived at the Complex in 2014. He was always imposing on the mound, but he never really mastered control of his pitches. His 3.4 BB/9 at Clearwater in 2017 was his lowest since his 2014 GCL season (2.5), but he posted a 4.6 in 5 starts with Reading at the end of the season and barely improved to 4.5 in 19 starts this season. I would rather he had been a part of a package for Machado, but the gains in this trade outweigh the negatives. (Oh, I’m not a believer that a pitcher with inconsistent control will suddenly find it coming on in relief.)
Of course, the trade came after I listed all the prospects with their teams. I think I updated their ranking correctly. If I didn’t, please let me know in the comments section. I do realize that I left Kilome as one of our #10s. I’ll leave him there for a week or so as a reference. I forgot how repetitive and time consuming this is. If I made any egregious errors in a player’s stat line, let me know in the comments section. Thank you.
The Clearwater Threshers (53-49) beat Lakeland, 6-4 in a rain-shortened game. Adonis Medina (9-3, 4.64) won with probably less than his best stuff. He gave up 4 runs in five innings on 7 hits and 2 walks. He struck out six.
The Threshers collected 10 hits and 4 walks in six turns at bat. They opened a 3-run lead in the first inning on Jose Pujols’ 2-run triple and Kyle Martin’s RBI single. After Lakeland came back to tie, they re-took the lead in the third on Luke Williams’ RBI double. After another tie, the took the lead for good with a run in the fifth on Martin’s sac fly. They scored an insurance run they wouldn’t need in the sixth on Edgar Cabral’s RBI single. The game was stopped and eventually called after their half-inning.
Pujols (.300) went 2-3 with 3 runs scored, a triple, 2 RBI, and a walk. Luke Williams (.249) went 2-3 with 2 doubles and an RBI. Kevin Markham (.327) went 1-3 with an outfield assist at home.
2016 13th round pick, Andrew Brown makes his Clearwater debut Saturday, taking Felix Paulino’s spot in the rotation. The Granite Hills HS alum has snuck under the radar for 2.5 seasons. He has pitched effectively at three levels and sports a gaudy 1.5 BB/9 and an 8.0 K/9 this season. The RHP is listed at 6’1, 180.
- #1 Sixto Sanchez (4-3, 2.51) – placed on the 7-day DL on 4/15/18
- #3 Adonis Medina (9-3, 4.64) – 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
- #6 Mickey Moniak (.252) – went 1-3 with a run scored, BB
- #11 Arquimedes Gamboa (.227) – went 2-3 with 2 runs scored, BB, K
- #17 Jose Gomez (.221) – DNP
GCP Phillies East (17-13) no game scheduled.
- #25 Dominic Pipkin (0-1, 3.07) –
GCL Phillies West (16-14) split with the Yankees East, losing 3-1 and winning 5-1.
Game One: Victor Vargas (1-2, 6.21) pitched five innings and gave up one run on 3 hits and 3 walks. he struck out six. Jose Conopoima (2.82) pitched two, no-hit innings. The Phillies scored 2 runs in the first on a wild pitch and Logon O’Hoppe’s RBI single. They added 2 more runs in the second on Luis Matos’ RBI single and a wild pitch. They added another run in the sixth on a throwing error.
D.J. Stewart (.361) went 2-4 with a run scored and a double. Logan O’Hoppe (.489) went 1-3 with a run scored, an RBI, and a walk.
- #14 Luis Garcia (.391) – went 0-2 with a run scored, BB, HBP
Game Two: Kyle Gogloski (1.04) pitched a six ining three-hitter. He held the Yankees scoreless, walked 2, and struck out seven. Blake Bennett (2-1, 1.98) pitched three innings, two in OT. He gave up 3 runs (2 ER) on 5 hits. He struck out five. The Phillies were held to 4 hits and scored their only run in overtime.
Yerwin Trejo (.322) went 2-4. Corbin Williams (.297) went 1-3. Luis Rojas had an outfield assist at home.
- #14 Luis Garcia (.391) – DNP
Lehigh Valley (62-40) postponed, rain.
- #8 Ranger Suarez (1-0, 0.57) –
- #9 Enyel De Los Santos (9-3, 1.99) –
- #10 Cole Irvin (9-3, 2.93) –
- #15 Roman Quinn (.296) – recalled by Phillies on 7/27/18
- #16 Dylan Cozens (.237) –
- #21 Drew Anderson (6-3, 4.02) –
- #28 Tom Eshelman (1-9, 5.97) –
Reading (48-56) lost to Richmond, 2-1. Alexis Rivero (3.96) was pressed into service as a starter in Ranger Suarez spot and pitched effectively. He allowed one run in three innings on three hits. He walked none and struck out two. Aaron Brown (5.59) followed with three no-hit innings, walking 2 and striking out three. Edgar Garcia (2.92) tossed two no-hit innings, striking out two. After the Phils tied the game in the top of the ninth on Deivi Grullon’s RBI single, Seth McGarry (1-3, 3.67) lost in a walk off when he gave up a run on a HBP after loading the bases on a single and two walks. The only out recorded was on an attempted sacrifice. Deivi Grullon (.289) went 3-4 with an RBI. The Phils went 2-13 with RISP. Jan Hernandez was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Grullon’s RBI single.
- #4 Adam Haseley (.373) – went 1-4 with a double, K
- #5 JoJo Romero (7-6, 3.80) – placed on the 7-day DL on 7/20/18
- #10 Franklyn Kilome (4-6, 4.24) – traded to NYM for Asdrubel Cabrera
- #22 Kyle Dohy (0-2, 5.06) – DNP
- #23 Cornelius Randolph (.237) – went 3-3 with a BB
- #24 Connor Seabold (0-2, 6.98) – DNP
Lakewood (63-40) beat Hagerstown, 10-8. Lakewood overcame an 8-1 deficit in the fifth inning, culminating with 5 runs in the eighth. Will Stewart (1.88) had his worst start of the season, giving up 7 runs on eight hits and 2 walks in four innings. He struck out two but was hurt by 2 long balls. Tyler Fallwell (5.14) held the fort with three, one-run innings on 3 hits. Luis Carrasco (4-0, 3.47) got the win with a scoreless inning. Zach Warren (2.27) picked up his eighth save with a three-strike out ninth inning.
Lakewood scored a run in the third inning on an RBI ground out when the Suns had just a 5-run lead. They began their comeback with a run in the fifth on Jake Scheiner’s RBI double, cutting the lead to 8-2. They took a bigger chunk out of the lead with 3 runs in the sixth on Colby Fitch’s RBI single, Josh Stephen’s RBI triple, and Daniel Brito’s sac fly. The BlueClaws completed their comeback with 5 runs in the eighth on RBI singles by Simon Muzziotti and Scheiner, a fielding error, Nick Maton’s 2-run double. Maton also moved into the top 30 with the trade of Kilome to the Mets.
Muzziotti (.289) went 2-5 with 2 runs scored, a double, and 2 RBI. Scheiner (.290) went 2-4 with a run scored, double, 2 RBI, and a walk.
- #7 Jhailyn Ortiz (.233) went 0-5 with 3 K
- #12 Daniel Brito (.253) went 2-4 with a run scored, RBI, SF
- #18 Kyle Young (3-3, 2.98) – placed on the 7-day DL on 7/15/18
- #19 Spencer Howard (6-7, 4.50) – DNP
- #20 David Parkinson (8-1, 1.51) – DNP
- #30 Nick Maton (.270) went 3-5 with a run scored, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, K
Williamsport (15-24) lost to Hudson Valley, 3-2. Manuel Silva (2.97) gave up 2 runs in five innings on 5 hits and 2 walks. He struck out five. Rafael Carvajal (0-1, 1.69) gave up a run in 2.1 innings on 3 hits. Keylan Killgore (1.35) let the inherited runner score on a double before retiring the next 5 batters in order. He struck out 2 in 1.2 innings.
The Cutters scored their 2 runs in the second inning on RBI singles by Jesse Wilkening (.276) and Keudy Bocio. Madison Stokes (.362) went 3-4 with 2 doubles. Bocio (.179) went 2-3 with an RBI. Bocio had an outfield assist at second, Ben Aklinski had an outfield assist at home. The Cutters had just 6 hits.
- #2 Alec Bohm (.192) – placed on the 7-day DL on 7/14/18
- #13 Francisco Morales – (3-2, 6.11) – DNP
- #26 Kevin Gowdy – 60-day DL
- #29 Jhordany Mezquita (1-0, 3.80) – DNP
- #29 Colton Eastman (0-2, 9.00) – DNP
DSL Phillies Red (19-28) lost to the Yankees, 8-1.
DSL Phillies White (27-19) lost to the Brewers, 6-1 and 1-0.
Here’s the affiliate scoreboard from MiLB.
The rosters and lists are up to date as of July 27th.
7/27/18–Philadelphia optioned LHP Ranger Suarez to Lehigh Valley
7/27/18–NYM traded 2B Asdrubal Cabrera to Philadelphia for RHP Franklyn Kilome.
7/27/18–Philadelphia recalled CF Roman Quinn from Lehigh Valley
7/27/18–Philadelphia recalled RHP Yacksel Rios from Lehigh Valley
7/27/18–RHP Andrew Brown assigned to Clearwater from Lakewood
7/27/18–LHP Will Stewart assigned to Lakewood from Williamsport
7/27/18–RHP Michael Gomez assigned to GCL Phillies West.
7/26/18–Philadelphia optioned RHP Drew Anderson to Lehigh Valley
7/26/18–Philadelphia signed free agent RHP Kyle Arjona to a minor league contract.
7/26/18–Philadelphia recalled LHP Ranger Suarez from Lehigh Valley
7/26/18–Reading sent Trevor Bettencourt on a rehab assignment to GCL Phillies East.
7/26/18–Clearwater sent LHP Bailey Falter on a rehab assignment to GCL Phillies East.
7/25/18–Philadelphia recalled RHP Jake Thompson from Lehigh Valley
7/25/18–Lehigh Valley placed RHP Steve Geltz on the 7-day DL
7/24/18–Philadelphia recalled RHP Drew Anderson from Lehigh Valley
7/24/18–Lehigh Valley placed Matt McBride on the 7-day DL, right patellar tendonitis
7/24/18–Lehigh Valley placed Danny Ortiz on the 7-day DL retro to 7/21, thigh contusion
7/24/18–RHP Ranfi Casimiro assigned to Reading from Lehigh Valley
7/24/18–CF Roman Quinn assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
7/24/18–Cristian Lima assigned to DSL Phillies Red from DSL Phillies White.
7/23/18–Philadelphia optioned RHP Mark Leiter Jr. to Lehigh Valley
7/23/18–Philadelphia optioned RF Aaron Altherr to Lehigh Valley
7/23/18–Reading placed RHP Harold Arauz on the 7-day DL
7/23/18–C Gabriel Lino assigned to Clearwater from Reading
7/23/18–CF Roman Quinn assigned to Reading from Clearwater
Phuture Phillies 
It would have been nice if Kilome could have gotten to point where he was able to throw strikes on a consistent basis. But, with no measurable progress on that front, the Phillies were at least able to convert him into an asset in order to aquire bench help. I wish him well.
I agree. Maybe a change of scenery will ignite Kilome and we’ll have regrets but I’m not seeing it in my crystal ball.
I don’t know what happened to ‘C’ in July but I like it. I went looking for a downside in his July performance and all I could come up with was he has 1 more CS than SB. .390/.478/.545/1.023 is insane when you look at his numbers April through May. There was no hint this was coming. He was averaging 21 Ks per month and then has only 9 in July. He has 13 BBs in July and that ties his highest in any other month this year. There’s still a few days left. He finally hit more than 1 tater in a month. He has more hits in July than he had in April and May combined and 4 less than May and June combined. This is much more than what I thought we had when we drafted him. It is one month. It is Reading, where some guys improve dramatically and then stagnate. So I’m not calling for ‘C’ to see the show next year but this is impressive. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get a few ABs in LHV before the season ends.
In May, Joe Jordan in fact predicted Randolph’s revival later in the season based on his past trends..
Prospects do not improve linearly. They improve on a parabolic curve. Sometimes it just clicks.
Didn’t realize that prospects improve at a parabolic rate, which can be defined mathematically by an equation and a smooth curve. That’s damn interesting.
If my math is correct, the Phils have 3 prospects in the top 100. Obviously, the top 100 rankings will have a good number of hits and misses. However, the Phils were touted as having a “stocked” pharm system. Seems to be a case of a mile wide and an inch deep. Thoughts?
Simply put….cycles of graduations, and then evolution of maturity.
In the last 13 months Phillies top 100s have ‘graduated from the prospects ranks’ to the majors…Hoskins, Alf, Kingery and JPC.
The latest and newest prospects now have to evolve from A level on upward.
Yep young players will come up later this yr . Maton ,Mickey , C , Grullon still looking good. Stewart and Holmes are doinv real well.
And Pujols ?? Muzziotti and Scheiner??
Talking about Maton, I can see him being bumped up to Reading next year with Gamboa staying at Clearwater. Very disappointing year for Gamboa. Still young so he can repeat. I believe Maton can do a respectable job at Reading.
I was initially concerned about giving up young talented pitcher. Always thinking coaching should be able to help with control issues. This being said, I now realize Kilome was subject to rule 5. Wondering if anyone has opinions on whatever tough decisions are looming for 40 man. I just read that Clearwater’s Pujoles is subjected. I hate to lose a power bat
The 40 this year ….as for some notable pitchers that need protection vs whether or not Kilome would have remained or traded as he was, are:
….the six I see as having a case for protection….Tom Eshelman, Edgar Garcia, Ramon Rosso, M. Llovera, luke Leftwich, and of course Adonis Medina.
So decisions would have to be made anyway in a few months.
Romus, other than Medina (and maybe Pujols as the one bat), I don’t see any danger of the other pitchers being taken in rule 5.
There is very low risk of Leftwich getting selected in Rule 5. And in the unlikely event he is selected, well, that’s okay.
Probably a similar situation for Eshelman.
There is nothing like a player being traded to make you look at his prospect status without the rose colored glasses.
Kilome does have some good raw stuff, but that has not manifested in high K rates. As Jim pointed out, his command has not improved in 4+ years. He might be a late bloomer, but the reality is he needed to be protected soon (I think this is his 5th year so after this year, but check me). And I don’t see him being worth one of our 40 spots. There is a chance he figures it out in the future, but a greater than 50% chance he doesn’t get more than a cup of coffee.
And I agree with Jim, moving someone to the pen can increase velo, but doesn’t change command problems. Frankly it magnifies command issues as the margin of error is smaller out of the pen.
Seranthony Dominguez had control issues as a starter. Not saying Kilome would definitely have the same easy transition but it is possible.
Seranthony had elite strikeout numbers. Completely different prospect profile. But if your point is that we traded a prospect that “maybe” will become a good relief pitcher for a veteran utility defender with an .800+ OPS, then I would do that deal any day of the week.
Dominguez also had more of a 3rd pitch than Kilome does but that’s pretty much moot since he went into the bullpen.
My point is that there are guys who really benefit from moving to relief. Kilome’s profile is very well suited for that. I think some people are focusing on his negatives so it seems like we didn’t give anything up.
As Jim said, Kilome is being passed by other P’s in the system. This frees the Phillies a spot for Rule 5 and 40 man roster. Kilome has been the most frustrating prospect for me. I hope the change of system helps him with his dream of getting to the majors.
When I saw the trade come across, My first thought was we received the bat we wanted for someone who is regressing. Good deal IMO.
Hopefully the Phillies will have another Adonis Medina ‘diamond- in- the- rough’ pitching prospect in 2016 $150K signee RHP Victor Santos. So far his metric in the GCL are good and worth noting. I wonder what his stuff’s measurable are at.
Yes, Romus. I was just checking the box scores. Santos had it going today: 6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 11 K !!! I have read no scouting reports on the kid. If anyone has a report, please share it. Otherwise, maybe Jim will have something tomorrow (although, I think today’s game was in Tampa).
Hinkie…….Jeff Israel sometimes has some good stuff on a lot of the new guys.
He is on twitter and writes for PMT.
Good trade, exactly the trade I expected.
Silva and Muzziotti are two guys who should be on our top 30. Both have very bright futures.
C and Pujols plus Luke Williams are three surprising turnaround stories. All three have reopened the book that had been closed on them. I’m excited to see what they do next.
I was waiting to see Medina’s follow up start to his last superlative one but it wasn’t very good. He still needs to find consistency.
Murray, Mickey Mo might it into that same category for some who wrote him off earlier this year, though it also might be a bit premature to say he’s out of the woods. Pujols still Ks a lot.
Tores also looks terrific, he’s only 18 and is hitting very high after hitting 333 in the DSL as a 17 yr old.