The Clearwater Threshers (71-57) crept closer to clinching the North Division with a double header split with South Division leader, Charlotte, winning 3-2 and losing 3-2 in nine innings. They go into the final week of the season in pretty good shape.
The Threshers finish the season with a seven game road trip. Lakeland has 8 games remaining, and Dunedin has 7 games left.
Game One: Mauricio Llovera (7-7, 3.83) gave up two first-pitch HRs in the first inning to the lead off and clean up hitters, but then put his foot on the throats of the Stone Crab batters. He allowed just 2 hits and a walk the rest of the way and struck out eleven in a complete game victory. All his pitches were working. His mid-90s FB, SL, CH, and even his new CB.
Mickey Moniak went 2-3 with two, RBI doubles. His first double pulled the Threshers within a run of Charlotte. Brian Mims walked to lead off the third inning. With one out, Arquimedes Gamboa singled him to second. Moniak followed with an RBI double to left.
Still trailing entering the seventh, Jose Gomez and Gamboa opened the frame with walks. After a pitching change, Moniak launched a game-tying double to left. With nobody out, Coach Williams held Gamboa at third. After a strike out and intentional walk, Kyle Martin lined a game-winning single to right.
- #6 Mickey Moniak (.263) went 2-3 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI, BB
- #12 Daniel Brito (.237) – DNP
- #11 Arquimedes Gamboa (.213) went 1-3 with a run scored, BB, 2 K
- #17 Jose Gomez (.220) went 0-3 with a run scored, BB
Game Two: Bailey Falter (2.70) survived a first inning in which he gave up 3 consecutive singles to start the game but just one run as Kevin Markham and Mickey Moniak threw out runners on the base paths. Falter settled down and limited the Crabs to the one one run on seven hits. Jake Hernandez (2.74) and Addison Russ (1.86) pitched scoreless innings. Trevor Bettencourt (0.64) pitched both extra frames and allowed the shootout runner to score in both innings.
Grenny Cumana (.287) and Kevin Markham (.256) had 2 hits each. Luke Williams stole his 13th base.
- #1 Sixto Sanchez (4-3, 2.51) – placed on the 7-day DL in June, 2018
- #3 Adonis Medina (9-4, 4.31) – DNP
- #6 Mickey Moniak (.263) went 1-4 with a run scored, 2 K
- #12 Daniel Brito (.237) went 1-4 with a double, RBI
- #11 Arquimedes Gamboa (.211) went 0-4 with 2 K
- #17 Jose Gomez (.220) went 1-4 with 2 K
- #20 David Parkinson (2-0, 1.17) –
GCP Phillies East (30-24) lost to the Cardinals, 4-1 in the one-game semifinal. Victor Santos pitched five, four-hit innings. He allowed an unearned run after a fielding error with two outs in the first inning. He struck out four. Mark Potter pitched a clean sixth but after the Phillies tied the game in the seventh, he loaded the bases on a HBP, single and a walk. After a sac fly, he was replaced by Eric White who allowed both inherited runners to score on a sac fly and an RBI double. Tyler Mckay struck out two in a one-hit eighth.
The Phillies scored their run when they loaded the bases with two out on a single, walk, and hit batter. They scored on a fielding error. Julio Francisco went 2-4. Luke Miller went 2-3 with a run scored and a walk. James Smith went 1-1 with a double.
- #25 Dominic Pipkin (1-2, 3.64) made 10 appearances, 8 starts. In limited action, he pitched 29.2 innings. In a SSS, he posted a 1.180 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9, and 5.5 K/9.
GCL Phillies West finished in second place in the GCL Northwest Division with a 30-24 (.556) record.
- #14 Luis Garcia finished the season with a league best .369 AVG. His .433 OBP placed third, his .488 SLG placed 13th, and his .921 OPS placed seventh. These were not only team leading but also the best of both Phillies GCL entries. Garcia’s 33 runs scored were fourth in the league following team mate Yerwin Trejo’s 40. He led the league with 62 hits. Placed second with 32 RBI. Trejo’s 23 stolen bases led the league, Garcia had 12.
Lehigh Valley (79-53) beat Scranton, 5-3 the day after walking off and clinching the IL North Division Championship. Cole Irvin notched his franchise record setting 13th victory. He held the Railriders to one run on five hits and a walk in six innings. He struck out four. Tom Windle (4.35) pitched a scoreless inning. Edgar Garcia (18.00) gave up 2 runs in his AAA debut. Pedro Beato (3.23) picked up his 33rd save.
Fresh of their division clincher the night before, the IronPigs struck out 15 times. But they took the lead for good with 3 runs in the fourth inning on Aaron Altherr’s RBI double, Danny Ortiz’ RBI double, and Zach Green’s RBI single. They tacked on runs in the seventh and eighth on solo HRs by Matt McBride (10) and Dylan Cozens (19). Cozens had 2 hits.
- #8 Ranger Suarez (2-0, 2.92) –
- #9 Enyel De Los Santos (10-4, 2.43) –
- #10 Cole Irvin (13-4, 2.67) – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
- #15 Roman Quinn (.296) – recalled by Phillies on 7/27/2018
- #16 Dylan Cozens (.233) went 2-4 with a run scored, double, HR (19), RBI, 2 K
- #21 Drew Anderson (8-4, 3.75) –
- #28 Tom Eshelman (2-13, 5.83) –
Reading (62-68) lost to Portland, 10-2. Blake Quinn (0-1, 7.50) made a spot start and gave up 5 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in three innings. Jose Taveras (7.16) pitched two innings and gave up 4 runs (3 ER) on five hits. Seth McGarry (4.31) gave up one run on two hits in two innings, striking out four. Jeff Singer (2.78) pitched a clean inning. Pedro Florimon (.222) hit a solo HR in a rehab start. Austin Listi (.290) went 2-4.
- #4 Adam Haseley (.316) DNP
- #5 JoJo Romero (7-6, 3.80) – placed on the 7-day DL on 7/20/18
- #22 Kyle Dohy (2-4, 6.63) –
- #23 Cornelius Randolph (.244) DNP
- #24 Connor Seabold (1-4, 4.91) – DNP
Lakewood (81-49) beat Hickory, 5-1. Spencer Howard pitched six, one-run innings. He allowed 4 hits, walked none, and struck out seven. He had a game score of 72. Luis Carrasco (3.02) picked up the three-inning save (4) allowing one hit, walking two, and striking out three.
The BlueClaws overcame an early deficit with 2 runs in the fourth on Jake Scheiner’s 2-run HR (13). They padded their lead with 3 runs in the sixth on Matt Vierling’s solo HR (6)and Nick Maton’s 2-run single.
Vierling (.292) went 2-4 with 2 runs scored, a HR (13), and RBI. Simon Muzziotti went 1-3 with a stolen base (17). Scheiner (.297) went 2-4 with a run scored, HR (6), and 2 RBI.
- #7 Jhailyn Ortiz (.224) went 0-3 with a BB, 3 K
- #12 Daniel Brito (.252) promoted to Clearwater, August 3rd.
- #18 Kyle Young (3-3, 2.98) – placed on the 7-day DL on 7/15/18
- #19 Spencer Howard (9-8, 3.79) – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
- #20 David Parkinson (8-1, 1.51) – promoted to Clearwater on 8/2/18
- #30 Nick Maton (.262) went 1-4 with 2 RBI
Williamsport (29-39) beat Mahoning Valley, 11-0. Ethan Lindow (2-2, 2.39) pitched six, three-hit, shutout innings. He walked none and struck out nine. He had a game score of 79. Austin Ross (3.56) picked up the three-out save (1) striking out four and allowing a hit and a walk.
The Crosscutters opened the scoring with Ben Aklinski’s RBI single in the third inning. They added 3 runs in the fifth on Jonathan Guzman’s RBI, bunt single and Alec Bohm’s 2-run triple. The Cutters put the game away with 6 runs in the seventh on Lenin Rodriguez’ bases-loaded HBP, Seth Lancaster’s bases-loaded walk, and Matt Kroon’s grand slam HR (2). They tacked on a run when Bohm singled home Aklinski after a lead off triple.
In all Williamsport drew 5 walks and had 5 batters hit by a pitch – Ben Pelletier, Danny Mayer twice, Jake Holmes, Lenin Rodriguez. No Scrappers were hit and drew just one walk.
Aklinski (.258) went 2-3 with 3 runs scored, a triple, RBI, and 2 walks. Rodriguez (.205) went 2-3 with 2 runs scored, a double, and RBI. Kroon went 3-3 with 2 runs scored, a HR (2), 4 RBI, and a walk. Bohm had 3 RBI.
- #2 Alec Bohm (.220) went 2-5 with a triple, 3 RBI, K
- #13 Francisco Morales (4-3, 5.52) – DNP
- #26 Kevin Gowdy – 60-day DL
- #29 Jhordany Mezquita (1-0, 3.60) – DNP.
- #29 Colton Eastman (0-2, 3.00) –
DSL Phillies Red finished the season 31-40 (.437) in fifth place in the DSL South Division.
DSL Phillies White finished the season 39-33 (.542) in fourth place in the DSL San Pedro Division.
Here’s the affiliate scoreboard from MiLB.
The rosters and lists are up to date as of August 26th.
8/25/18–RF Jiandido Tromp assigned to Reading from Lehigh Valley
8/25/18–LHP Jeff Singer assigned to Reading from Lehigh Valley
8/25/18–RHP Edgar Garcia assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
8/25/18–Reading placed LF Adam Haseley on the temporarily inactive list
8/25/18–Brian Mims assigned to Clearwater from Williamsport
8/25/18–RHP Ben Brown assigned to Williamsport from GCL Phillies West
8/23/18–Philadelphia activated LHP Luis Avilan.
8/23/18–Philadelphia placed RHP Edubray Ramos on the 10-day DL. Right index finger blister.
8/23/18–Philadelphia sent SS Pedro Florimon on a rehab assignment to Reading
8/23/18–Philadelphia recalled C Andrew Knapp from Lehigh Valley
8/23/18–Lehigh Valley activated 2B Ryan Goins from the 7-day DL
8/23/18–Reading sent RHP Mario Sanchez on a rehab assignment to GCL Phillies East.
8/23/18–RHP Blake Bennett assigned to Williamsport from GCL Phillies West.
8/23/18–RHP Jack Perkins assigned to GCL Phillies West from Williamsport
8/23/18–LHP Jhordany Mezquita assigned to GCL Phillies West from Williamsport
8/23/18–LHP Ethan Evanko assigned to Williamsport from GCL Phillies West.
8/22/18–Philadelphia designated RHP Jose Taveras for assignment.
Phuture Phillies 
Spencer Howard was throwing gas topping out at 98 mpg.
Mickey Moniak last 30 games:
.313/.349/.487 with 6.2% BB 10.9% k.
last 10 games:
.375/.432/.525
There is still some room on boat but seats are filling up fast.
I’ve been saying it all year and I think it now more than ever – Spencer Howard is a really good prospect. I think he has at least #2 potential and part of his struggle with walks has, I believe, been due to his great pitch movement. He could move 2 or 3 levels next year as all the pieces fall into place.
Howard’s last 10 starts – outstanding.
6-1, 1.99 ERA, 54 IP, 34 H, 21 BB (only so-so stat) and 72 Ks!
Vierling has done great too – the power is eye opening because the other skill seem quite solid.
I have the feeling that they’ll take their time with Howard due to control issues. That’s not usually something that resolves overnight. The upside is exciting though.
It’s impressive what Vierling is doing for a guy who was just drafted. I usually don’t look at those stats much but when it’s full season ball instead of Williamsport it’s harder to ignore.
Ethan Lindow, the 19 yo lefty who was a 5th round pick last year, is having a very good year. In 12 starts, 11 could be called quality starts. He had one clunker, giving up 4 runs in 5 IP back on August 6. Every other start has been 5 or more innings, never giving up more than 2 runs in any of them. He might be giving up a few too many BBs (19 in 64 IP) but that’s just picking at nits.
Luis Garcia‘s season was spectacular. The above were good stats but by favorite stats of his was his 11.2% k rate (which is elite) and his 8% walk rate (which is very good). The patience and contact ability that he showed at an age of a Junior in high school is amazing. Add on reports of great defense and you are looking at a top 5 prospect for sure.
Yup – I’ll have him ahead of Ortiz and behind only Sixto, Medina, Bohm and Haseley (and the last one is a close call). Big “up” arrow.
He has to make the top 100 list.
Still very early for Luis Garcia but look forward to following him as he works his way through the Phillies system.
Has there been any word on Sixto? Looks as though they want to get him ready for next season.
I see Hasely DNP the last 2 games, but did not hear anything about him being hurt. I guess I missed something, any word?
TIL…..temporary inactive lit…usually personal business…team will not normally announce why, unless player/family allows.
list..not lit
Matt Vierling could be a legit ‘premier’ prospect worthy of top 30 consideration.
Another 5th round wonder perhaps in the making.
What position does Luis Garcia play ?
Very good shortstop
IMO after seeing Eickhoff and Irvin’s start the past two days one of them ought to be pitching for Pivetta come Friday.
Eickhoff or Irvin over Pivetta?
IF one of them came up though, why not over VV?
There seems to be many on this site who are ok with VV and not Pivetta. Nothing against VV but I continue to be more excited about Pivetta.
Here’s the comparison…
Pivetta Velasquez
K/9 10.72 9.91
BB/9 2.51 3.70
K/BB 4.27 2.68
HR/9 1.32 0.98
GB% 44.3% 38.6%
BABIP .337 .290
ERA 4.71 4.05
FIP 3.61 3.71
xFIP 3.28 4.05
IP/start 5.19 5.12
Pivetta shows much better command. Much better GB%. Much better xFIP!
Pivetta also suffers from higher BABIP that should revert to mean (especially since their Hard% and Soft% are very similar).
Pivetta is only in his 2nd year (and 1st full season). And his K/9, BB/9, HR/9, GB%, FIP, xFIP are all improved Yr-to-Yr.
I just don’t see why everyone wants to give up on Nick. If we traded for someone with this profile I think we’d be pretty optimistic. Just my .02.
JohnK….you make a good argument with their respective peripherals.
To this summary:
Pivetta:
bWAR…….1.9
fWAR……..2.7
WARP…….3.4
ViVe::
bWAR……2.9
fWAR…….2.4
WARP……1.9
They are really very close…flip a coin IMO.
I may lean Pivetta based on age, a year younger….and no TJ shelf-life concerns.
Thanks Romus.
I agree, the two of them are very close. I like them both and would love to see each reach their full potentials! They both have improved over 2017 and that is reason to celebrate. This final month is huge for the team …and also for each of them to try to solidify a spot for next year. (I imagine we’ll add a f/a SP. I’ve hoping for Corbin, though his star his risen so much his asking price & yrs may get beyond what I’d want to give, especially with Yankees rumored to be interested.)
A nice write up on Llovera
Another really good arm – they weren’t kidding when they said they intended to produce pitchers in waves and many of these guys have enormous upside.
I will mention on the 97. Adam McInturff (2080) had him up to 97 in March. Jim had him up to 97 in June. Jim also had him up to 97 in August of 2016 as a starter. As a reliever last year I had multiple reports of 97s and 98s, and I believe I have heard a 100 from him.
vIagain,
I saw Llovera pitch about 10 days ago and posted on him then. Basically, sat 93-94, touched 96-97 often; command of breaking balls and seemed as strong in his last inning as he did early. Very impressive.
Quick correction on Vierling he has 7 HR’s not 13 but a quick look at BR does make it appear that he has 7 and 6 over 2 levels.
Hey gang – I’ve been in lurk mode all year but I figured I would post my thoughts on the Lakewood game I went to last Monday (8/20) when I did a brief vacation before heading up North for some training. Here are some pretty brief thoughts, but feel free to ask me about some players and I’ll try to answer.
-Will Stewart seemed very efficient. While he did give up a couple of runs, he cruised through the first two innings. He was pulled after five – my guess is they’re watching his innings or they had him on a pitch count (although he probably couldn’t have been over 75 pitches).
-Vierling crushed a homer to left-center. Given his overall numbers for the year, he’s certainly put himself on my personal prospect radar. Let’s see how he does in Clearwater next year and if he rakes, give him a midseason promotion to Reading and we’ll take it from there…
-Reliever Zach Warren really stood out for me. He was brought into the 9th in a 5-5 tie with nobody out and runners on 1st and 2nd. The first batter was trying to bunt and had no shot – Warren either throws a splitter or a really nasty slider. My best guess (I couldn’t see the radar) was that he was throwing in the low 90s and this pitch was plummeting way out of the strike zone. The poor bunter tried to hold off his first two attempts but offered at both before flailing at a pitch that bounced on the plate. He was obviously upset and may even have gotten himself tossed (someone was thrown out of the game for arguing the bunt attempts but I forget who). Warren then K’ed the next two batters on pitches that were clearly out of the strike zone – some of them may even have been bouncing in front of the plate.
After Lakewood didn’t score in the bottom of the 9th, Warren came out for the 10th with the designated runner on 2nd (not a fan of the rule, but it prevents games from running too long so I guess it’s okay but only in the Minors). Unfortunately a seeing-eye single plated the runner. Warren then proceeded to strike out the side. This time he was throwing fastballs instead and the batters were taking strikes. Whatever he’s throwing, it reflects in his numbers 91 Ks in 52.2 innings (!) and a WHIP just over 1. He’ll be worth following closely to see if he can fool hitters at higher levels.
Again, feel free to ask about other players or the guys I mentioned and I’ll see what I can remember.
Jeff
Thanks for sharing Jeff what did you like or not like about Jhailyn if he played….
DMAR – Jhailyn is a big kid, that’s for sure. He stroked a nice double into the gap, but I seem to recall some of his other at-bats not looking too good. Still, given his age and size, he’s definitely a legit prospect. I’d be all for him repeating at LKW next year.
Jeff