Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/29/2018

Box Score Recap

Threshers win!  Threshers win!  Threshers win!

The Clearwater Threshers clinched the Florida State League North Division Second Half Championship and qualified for the post season.  Lakeland’s double header was cancelled due to rain, and all the Threshers had to do was win to eliminate the Flying Tigers, which they did.  With the victory, the Threshers will host game one of the three-game semifinal series against Daytona, the first half winner.  Games two and three (if necessary) will be played at Daytona.

Earlier in the afternoon, Jose Pujols was named the FSL player of the year.  before his promotion to double-A Reading, Pujols had compiled a 301/.364/.523/.887 slash with 18 HR and 58 RBI in 95 games.  Even though he was promoted on August 3rd, Pujols still ranks 2nd in batting average, second in SLG, and fourth in HR.  Manager Shawn Williams was named the FSL coach of the year.  He has led the team to a 75-48 overall record (best in the FSL) with 4 games left in the season.  This is a remarkable feat when you consider that the team saw its top four hitters promoted (Pujols, Darick Hall, Austin Listi, and Adam Haseley), a starting pitcher (Connor Seabold) promoted, and the prolonged absence of top pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez.

The Clearwater Threshers (75-58) beat the Jupiter Hammerheads, 2-1, behind Adonis Medina and clinched the second half.  Medina (10-4, 4.12) pitched seven innings of one-run ball.  He held the weaker sharks to 5 hits and struck out seven.  

Trevor Bettencourt (0.60) pitched a perfect eighth.  And, Addison Russ struck out the side on his way to his 14th save and the division-clinching out.

Kevin Markham (.244) put the Threshers ahead with a 2-run single in the seventh inning.  Edgar Cabral (.246) had reached on a fielding error with one out, and singles by Grenny Cumana (.289) and Jose Gomez (.221) loaded the bases.  Luke Williams (.253) had 2 hits and stole his 14th base.

Mickey Moniak didn’t play again, but he was in uniform and is in the picture above.

  • #1 Sixto Sanchez (4-3, 2.51) – placed on the 7-day DL in June, 2018
  • #3 Adonis Medina (10-4, 4.12) – 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 74 game score
  • #6 Mickey Moniak (.262) DNP
  • #12 Daniel Brito (.244) went 1-5 with a K
  • #11 Arquimedes Gamboa (.217) went 0-3 with a BB
  • #17 Jose Gomez (.221) went 1-4 with a K
  • #20 David Parkinson (3-0, 1.24) –

Lehigh Valley (80-55) lost to Pawtucket, 5-3.  Enyel De Los Santos (10-5, 2.63) gave up 4 runs on 8 hits in 4.2 innings.  Tom Windle (4.33) came in to get the final out in the fifth, stranding one inherited runner.  Austin Davis (2.59) pitched a scoreless, rehab inning. Yacksel Rios (3.57) struck our two in a one-hit inning.  Tyler Gilbert (3.74) gave up a run in the ninth.

Dylan Cozens provided the offense with 2 of the IronPigs’ 5 hits, both HRs (21) and 3 RBI. Cozens also supplied some defense, throwing out a runner at second base.

  • #8 Ranger Suarez (2-0, 2.91) –
  • #9 Enyel De Los Santos (10-5, 2.63) – 4.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
  • #10 Cole Irvin (13-4, 2.67) –
  • #15 Roman Quinn (.296) – recalled by Phillies on 7/27/2018
  • #16 Dylan Cozens (.239) went 2-4 with 2 runs scored, 2 HR (21), 3 RBI, K
  • #21 Drew Anderson (8-4, 3.75) –
  • #28 Tom Eshelman (2-13, 5.83) –

Reading (64-69) lost to Richmond, 3-2.  Ranfi Casimiro (5-4, 3.62) gave up 3 runs (2 ER) on 6 hits in six innings.  He struck out seven.  Aaron Brown (5.32) pitched two, one-hit innings.  

Damek Tomscha (.303) had 2 hits and a walk.  Darick Hall (.225) and Jose Pujols (.260) had an RBI each.  Drew Stankiewicz (.205) had a hit and 2 walks.  Austin Listi (.293) had a hit and a walk.

Cornelius Randolph missed his fifth consecutive game.  I was unable to find out why.

  • #4 Adam Haseley (.316) Temporarily Inactive List
  • #5 JoJo Romero (7-6, 3.80) – placed on the 7-day DL on 7/20/18
  • #22 Kyle Dohy (2-4, 6.30) –
  • #23 Cornelius Randolph (.244) DNP
  • #24 Connor Seabold (1-4, 4.91) – DNP

Lakewood (84-49) took two games from Greensboro, 4-1 and 8-5.

Game One:  James McArthur (0.00) pitched four, no-hit innings, issuing one walk.  Luis Cedeno (4-3, 3.12) gave up a run on a hit and 2 walks in two innings, and was awarded the win.  Connor Brogdon (2.54) struck out two while earning his 5th save.

The BlueClaws collected 5 hits.  Matt Vierling (.293) had a double and RBI.  Rodolfo Duran had a hit and an RBI.  Josh Stephen had a hit and a run scored.  Jake Scheiner stole his 10th base.

  • #7 Jhailyn Ortiz (.226) went 1-3 with 2 K

Game Two:  Gustavo Armas (3-1, 2.32) gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in five innings, striking out nine.  Tyler Fallwell (4.26) pitched two innings and gave up 3 runs.

Dalton Guthrie (.250) hit a 3-run HR (4).  Jhailyn Ortiz had 2 hits, a solo HR (13), and an RBI. Gregori Rivero (.211) had 2 hits, a double, HR (3), and RBI.  Josh Stephen (.246) had a double and run scored.  The BlueClaws scored their first 3 runs on a missed catch error, a throwing error, and a wild pitch.

  • #7 Jhailyn Ortiz (.229) went 2-4 with a run scored, HR (13), RBI, 2 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) –
  • #20 David Parkinson (8-1, 1.51) – promoted to Clearwater on 8/2/18
  • #30 Nick Maton (.260) went 0-4

Williamsport (30-40) game suspended in the fourth inning with the Crosscutters leading Mahoning Valley, 6-1.  Colton Eastman (3.00) had tossed three, three-hit innings giving up a solo HR and striking out five.  He was likely finished when the game was suspended, the Phillies have had him on an innings count since he was activated.  Ben Pelletier (.274) had 3 RBI on a sac fly and a 2-run double. Alec Bohm (.220) had a 2-run single. Keudy Bocio (.212) had an RBI single.  Jake Holmes (.253) had a sacrifice, walk, and HBP.

  • #2 Alec Bohm (.220) went 1-2 with 2 RBI, BB, K
  • #13 Francisco Morales (4-4, 5.36) –
  • #26 Kevin Gowdy – 60-day DL
  • #29 Jhordany Mezquita (1-0, 3.60) – DNP.
  • #29 Colton Eastman (0-2, 3.00) – 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

The GCL Phillies East finished in first place in the GCL North Division with a 30-24 record. They lost a one-game semifinal on the road against the Palm Beach Cardinals.

  • #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.

The 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.

The DSL Phillies Red finished the season 31-40 (.437) in fifth place in the DSL South Division.

The 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 29th.

Transactions (newest transactions in bold text)
8/29/18–Lehigh Valley placed 2B Trevor Plouffe on the 7-day DL
8/28/18–Philadelphia designated RHP Mark Leiter Jr. for assignment.
8/28/18–Philadelphia optioned C Andrew Knapp to Lehigh Valley
8/28/18–New York Mets traded RF Jose Bautista to Philadelphia for Player To Be Named Later or cash
8/28/18–Lehigh Valley activated RHP Ben Lively from the 7-day DL
8/28/18–Lakewood placed LHP Will Stewart on the 7-day DL. Left shin contusion.
8/28/18–RHP James McArthur assigned to Lakewood from Williamsport
8/28/18–Lakewood sent LHP Kyle Young on a rehab assignment to Williamsport
8/27/18–Philadelphia sent LHP Austin Davis on a rehab assignment to Lehigh Valley
8/27/18–Philadelphia sent SS Pedro Florimon on a rehab assignment to Lehigh Valley
8/27/18–Philadelphia traded 1B Jack Zoellner to Baltimore for Future Considerations
8/27/18–Lehigh Valley placed Jesse Valentin on the 7-day DL. Right hamstring strain.
8/27/18–Lehigh Valley activated C Nick Rickles from the 7-day DL
8/27/18–RHP Blake Quinn assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
8/27/18–RHP Will Hibbs assigned to Reading from Williamsport
8/27/18–RHP Eric White assigned to Williamsport from GCL Phillies East.
8/25/18–Philadelphia sent RHP Jose Taveras outright to Reading
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 placed 1B Justin Bour on the 10-day DL. Left oblique strain.
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.

52 thoughts on “Clearwater Threshers Recap – 8/29/2018”

  1. James McArthur, the 12th round pick out of Mississippi, has done well in his first season. He started in GCL pitching 1 one hit inning and then was promoted to Wmsprt. In the NYP league he gave up 15 hits in 28+ IP. He had a .64 ERA and .88 WHIP. He was just promoted to LKW and pitched 4 very effective innings yesterday. Just giving him a shout out.

    2. despite losing Rd 2 and 3 picks, 2018 is Johnny A’s best draft IMO. Except for pick 1.3 where the Phils save $$, Johnny A. swing at the fences and took some risks in Days 2 and 3. I like the Pipkin pick, who I thought a tough sign when he slips past Rd 3 and I love the college picks in Day 3 — McArthur, Killgore, McKay, Kinney, Potter and the last pick Waylon Richardson can be a really steal. Richardson is a TJ guy, but he has a live arm. I love the Logan O’Hoppe pick the most, but O’Hoppe might end up as the cherry on top since the Days 3 college arms have skills to be MLBer.

      1. Not going to judge him on the Bohm pick. That was a consensus pick so not sure it was to save $$. But it was one heck of a draft!

        1. i don’t see anybody judging any picks. Noting good performance of certain players is normal. nobody is drawing conclusions on the future of any draftees yet.

          2. I took it that when you note that “except for “pick 1.3” to mean that you are evaluating pick 1.3 as not a good pick but rather a money saving move. Upon review I can see it as meaning it wasn’t a risk pick which I agree with.

            And just for the record, Bohm was not my preferred choice at that spot but he was picked where most expected..

            1. Wondering if Bohm was selected as a need more than best available?
              I usually do not agree with much distinction between the two thought process when selecting that early, but I would like to get into the mind of Matt K and Johnny A for that instant and see what they were foreseeing for their selection.
              As for third base:
              So far he is horrific in the field….as advertised by scouting pre-draft analyst…..so first base probably will be his eventual position if he is unable to meet MLB standards..

            2. i think we agree, Bohm is also not my preference as the 1.3 pick but i can understand the rationale of the decision.

            3. Romus: Where are you getting reports about his defense being so bad? That’s really terrible news if accurate.

            4. Honch….17 games ….7 errors in Williamsport.(844%)…but most may have been after he got beaned in the calf nerve, not sure.

            5. Honcho, Bohm has 7 Es in 17 games at 3B. A .844 FPCT. Please someone give me an advanced fielding stat that says this guy could stick at 3B? I wasn’t for or against Bohm but he could struggle to make my top 10. I’ll give him a lot of leeway but putting him at #3 in the organization looks harder to defend. I must confess that stats matter for me and not just where a guy was picked in the draft. Even short season stats mean a little bit to me. If he was hitting .275/.340/.400 I’d give him a #5 slot. How about 1 HR in 120+ ABs? Now he’ll probably smoke one and I’ll come back with my tail between my legs. I thought he’d start in LKW and he never got there. An injury slowed him down but everything in my bones says he’ll take longer to develop than most people think. Take the winter off and get back to what made him the #3 overall pick in the draft.

            6. Got it. Hopefully the errors are due to limited mobility from the injury. Bohm not sticking at 3rd would be a huge disappointment IMO.

  2. Congrats to the Threshers. Three minor Jeanie managers were named manager of the year in their respective leagues. Very nice. Pujols and Meneses players of the year in their leagues.

    1. Kudos to the Phillies farm teams as we have at least three playoff teams. It is good to see the talent coming together on and off the field.

  3. Conspiracy theory: The org has held Sixto Sanchez out for such a prolonged absence so he could make a dramatic return in game one of the playoffs.

      1. Mickey is probably hovering around 10-12ish. I want to see more of Romero and see how he bounces back. Howard will be top 10 for me – I think he’s got a huge upside and is just scratching the surface of what he can do. I view Garcia much as I viewed Sixto a few years ago – huge riser, will probably be in top 2 or 3 by mid year next year, but I want to see more given his age and level.

    2. @catch – i have the same Top 6. But Luis Garcia will be a fast riser, I believe he’s legit. I’ve watched and followed a lot about Adonis Medina that I think he is underappreciated. Sixto and Garcia are the only prospects in the farm who are capable of making the Top 20 national.

      Francisco Morales has some helium especially if he can fix the control issues. I can’t wait to see Starlyn Castillo and his live arm next year.

    3. I’m not sure where I’d put Bohm yet, but I’ve got the same 1-2 and Haseley/Garcia in the same order.

      1. the screwy thing about Bohm is that the numbers are not good. unless you seen him in person and saw some really big red flags, you have to go with the pre-draft scouting reports (hit for power and average with good arm for 3B) which should put Bohm rightfully in Top 3-4.

        1. Any chance Bohm gets sent to the AZFL this year? I know there is an injury involved but its really not a good look that Vierling is already at LKW doing really well and Bohm appears to be having a hard time in WPT.

          1. Maybe, but I can probably see the Phils send (if they are not rostered with their home team for Winter League) Grullon, Pujols and Gamboa and see if enough to either trade them or protect them from Rule 5. Bohm can be a replacement and be part of the Taxi Squad.

            1. I think that would be a huge surprise. The Phillies send guys to the AFL when they think they are ready to shine in the high minors and that’s not Bohm – yet.

            3. Latin American players who have been drafted by their country’s winter leagues aren’t available to send to the AFL, unless an agreement can be worked out with the team that owns their rights. Pujols is on a DWL team and Gamboa is on a VWL team. I’m not sure about Grullon.

              Look for guys like Darick Hall, Austin Listi, Tyler Viza, and Luke Leftwich to be invited.

              Mickey Moniak’s and Adonis Medina’s names come up a lot. While Moniak remains a possibility, Medina is on a DWL roster.

              Alec Bohm remains an interesting choice, but in light of the knee injury he suffered during Williamsport’s season, the Phillies may opt to keep an eye on him in Instructs.

              Fortunately, the AFL rosters are due to be announced today, and we can stop guessing.

      2. As I read this, Matt Vierling has just driven in a run for Lakewood. He’s a candidate for Top 30.

        As for Bohm, like Bellman I’m not a fan of relying on how high a player is drafted in ranking him. Of course the player needs to get some credit for the scouting department having seen and evaluated him and picking him in the first round but somewhere beyond that, it seems like a cop out to say I’ll rank him high because the scouts ranked him high. But, since I haven’t seen any of them play, I’m in no position to do more.

  5. Crawford is playing everyday in LHV correct? I honestly think you start hearing less and less of him to the point where he’s our next Dom Brown except without the brief ML success. Hopefully he can be packaged in the off season with either Williams or Herrera.

    1. Nah, that’s unlikely in my view. He has a way more diverse skill set and plays a more premium position than Dom Brown. I still believe his likely destiny is as an average or more starting SS. But this kid needs a hitting guru to help him because there’s actually a lot of power and drive hidden in his swing, but in the minors he just became way too defensive in his approach. He needs to learn to pick his spots and attack the ball but all of the underlying skills, I think, are still there.

      1. I’ve just never seen what others have. I think he plays solid D however the bat is so far behind and the approach won’t mean anything if he can’t prove that he can square a ball up. And even tho people don’t want to see it, he hasn’t been that good since he was in clearwater.

        1. JPC’s ceiling is definitely capped without the hit tool. But if he fulfills his promise as a good defensive SS, then he can be serviceable as a bottom of the order bat like Galvis was. But I’m not really worry about the SS long term since I can see a lot of good SS in the farm.

      2. still think he needs to fix himself physically first. Would put him on intense strength & flexibility program this off-season. Been waiting on it for few years now. Doesn’t seem interested.

    2. If the Phillies sign Machado, I’d try a pkg. deal for a top of the rotation starter. Crawford will never become Machado at the plate, so I’d trade him and Hernandez, and a couple of middling pitchers. A solid, young Keystone combination should help a rebuilding team.

  7. Lets here it for Clearwater Manager Shawn Williams, the guy can really manage and he doesn’t need a loaded team. He gets the most out of every player !!

    1. Jimmy,

      I was there on the day that Luke Williams turned it around (or at least close to it.) One thing I noticed is that Williams stayed close in the dugout to the hitting coach and they talked a lot. At one point, Williams sort of semi-hugged the coach as a nephew might an uncle. I wonder if the turn around for Williams this year is attributable to coaching.

  8. Why showcase Sixto and Moniak at AFL? Sixto to show recovery, Moniak to show growth? More innings, extended season! Protection is warranted

    1. i thought teams are only allowed 7 players (4 pitchers at least 1 SP + 3 position). Luke Williams in an interesting choice. For Hall and Listi, I thought the Phils have seen enough of them, but maybe not. I kind of expect Leftwich (and Tyler Gilbert) and meeh on McGarry and Viza who i expect to be released soon.

      1. Sometimes it is not always about if they want to see more, unless a player needs more reps due to in-season injuries.
        And in the past it has been 6 or 7 sent…with proper allocation between positions.
        2017…7….. Bettencourt, Cleavinger, El Garcia and J.D Hammer, Edgar Cabral, Zach Green and OFer Cornelius Randolph
        2016…6…Aaron Brown, OF….Scott Kingery, 2B…Mitch Walding, 3B….Victor Arano, RHP….Miguel Nunez, RHP….Jeff Singer, LHP
        2015….7…. Edubray Ramos…Yacksel Rios…Jesen Therrien…Tom Windle…Drew Stankiewicz, ..J.P. Crawford, SS….Aaron Brown, OF
        2014….6….Roman Quinn…Logan Moore….Colton Murray….Ethan Stewart…..Ryan O’Sullivan…..Nefi Ogando
        2013…6…Aaron Altherr….Cam Perkins….Can Rupp…Ken Giles….Kyle Simon….Mike Neseth

        1. Hey Jim. Figured I would give you a heads-up on Mickey. He bruised his knee a little bit while playing catch before the last game he played in. He jumped up to catch a high throw and landed on some kind of berm or something. Didn’t tear or pull anything at all. Obviously or he wouldn’t have paid the game after! It just swelled up a little bit layer because of the impact. They planned on him taking the next day off anyways since they were so far up in the playoff hunt and after that happened they also have given them yesterday and it looks like today off. I think if it was a tight race he would have played the next day because his knee isn’t swollen anymore and feels good. I think they are just taking it easy with him since they’ve already made the playoffs now especially. I would think he would be in the lineup tomorrow. Get him ready for the playoffs and stuff. I will be in Clearwater for the game Tuesday. I will look for you

          1. So glad that he’s turning it around. I never worry too much when I see very young players struggle Because they’re often working on different aspects of the game. I think that he moves to Reading next year. If not on opening day, then by the middle of May for sure.

      3. Kurdt,

        The Phillies seem to see something in Viza. They’ve hung with him through some tough times.

    2. Luke Williams? Good for him. No one would have guessed it a year ago, even a few months ago. This will be a great chance for Hall and Listi to show they belong at LHV.

  11. As in previous years, expect the Phillies AFL participants to be in Clearwater during Instructs to be prepared for the October 9th opening of the AFL.

Comments are closed.