Minor League Discussion: Week of November 19, 2018

Weekly Discussion

Tuesday is the deadline for roster expansion to 40 players prior to the Rule 5 Draft.  The Phillies 40-man roster stands at 34 players.  This deadline can effect up to 6 minor league players exposed to the Rule 5 Draft.  Adonis Medina is probably the only lock.  Other pitchers who may have worked their way into the conversation are Luke Leftwich, Tyler Viza, Seth McGarry, Edgar Garcia, Tom Eshelman, and maybe Alejandro Requena.  Among position players, maybe catchers Austin Bossart, Edgar Cabral, and Deivi Grullon will get consideration.  I don’t think Arquimedes Gamboa is likely to need protection.  A dark horse could be Jose Pujols.

The Arizona Fall League ended Thursday for our guys.  The Scottsdale Scorpions finished in third place in their 3-team division, 1.5 games out of first place, with a 14-15-1 record (.483).

Austin Listi slashed .250/.321/.303/.624 in 76 at bats.  He walked 8 times and struck out 8 times.  He played LF in the Fall Stars Game and went 1-2 with a HR and 4 RBI.  He probably would have been the MVP of the game had it not been for a 2-out rally in the bottom of the ninth by the other team.

Darrick Hall slashed .238/.286/.444/.730 in 63 at bats.  His 4 HR were second on the team behind Peter Alonso’s 6 in 35 more at bats.

Arquimedes Gamboa slashed .186/.319/.220/.540 in 59 at bats.  He drew 12 walks, but also committed 3 errors.

Luke Williams slashed 0.97/.222/.161/.384 in 31 at bats.  He played error-free ball, but it’s hard to develop any consistency in just 9 games.

Luke Leftwich posted a 0.00 ERA in 8 games, 10.1 innings.  He walked 3, struck out 12, and had a 0.87 WHIP.

Jonathan Hennigan posted a 1-0 record with a 1.29 ERA in 8 games, 7.0 innings.  He struck out 9, but his 5 walks pushed his WHIP up to 1.57.

Seth McGarry posted a 1-1 record with 2.25 ERA in 7 games, 12.0 innings.  He struck out 15, but walked 9, and had a 1.58 WHIP.

Tyler Viza posted a 1-1 record with 3.47 ERA in 6 games, 23.1 innings.   He struck out 20, walked 7, and had a 1.29 WHIP.  He closed out his season with 5.0 shutout innings walking one and striking out 9 batters.  The 9 strike outs were tied for the most this season, and were the second most in the last 10 AFL seasons.

This is the Phuture Phillies Discussion Page for Prospect and Minor League discourse. No Phillies talk here.

Key Dates:

  • October 9, 2018 – Opening Day for the Arizona Fall League (AFL)
  • October 12, 2018 – Opening Day for the Mexican Winter League (MPL)
  • October 12, 2018 – Opening Day for the Venezuelan Winter League (LVBP)
  • October 13, 2018 – Opening Day for the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM)
  • October 22, 2018 – Opening Day for the Nicaraguan Winter League (LNBP) 
  • November 2nd of the last year of a player’s Minor League Uniform Player Contract, the player’s Minor League Uniform Player Contract shall expire and the player shall become a ‘Minor League free agent’ unless the player’s Major or Minor League club has remaining options to renew the contract.  (Major League Rule 55)
    • According to Major League Rule 3(b), “All Minor League Uniform Player Contracts between either a Major or a Minor League Club and a player who has not previously signed a contract with a Major or a Minor League Club shall be for a term of seven Minor League playing seasons.”
  • November 2, 2018 – Opening Day for the Columbian Winter League (LCBP)
  • November 6-8, 2018 – GM meetings, Carlsbad, CA.
  • November 14-15, 2018 – Owners Meetings in Atlanta , GA.
  • November 15, 2018 – Opening Day for the Puerto Rican Winter League (LBPRC)
  • November 15, 2018 – Opening Day for the Australian Baseball League (ABL)
  • November 17, 2018 – Last game of the Arizona Fall League (AFL)
  • November 20, 2018 – Deadline for roster expansion to 40 players prior to the Rule 5 draft.
  • November 26-29: MLBPA Executive Board Meeting, Dallas, TX
  • December 9-13, 2018 – Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • December 13, 2018 – Rule 5 draft.
  • TBA – (last year on February 14) – pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training (tentative: report on 2/13, first work out 2/14)
  • TBA – (last year on February 19) – all other players report for full squad workouts (tentative: report on 2/18, first work out 2/19)
  • TBA – Minor League Spring Training begins

The rosters and lists are up to date.

Transactions (newest transactions in bold text)
11/16/18 – Phillies signed free agent INF Ali Castillo to a minor league contract/Reading
11/16/18 – Phillies signed free agent P Camilo Brazoban to a future services contract
11/12/18 – SS Pedro Florimon elected free agency

11/10/18 – Phillies signed free agent P Carlos Valero to a future services contract

11/8/18 – Phillies signed free agent RHP Jose Guaramaco to a future services contract
11/7/18 – Phillies signed free agent OF Derek Escobar to a future services contract
11/2/18 – Phillies sent SS Pedro Florimon outright to Lehigh Valley
11/2/18 – OF Ryan Goins elected free agency
11/2/18 – 1B Zach Green elected free agency
11/2/18 – C Matt McBride elected free agency
11/2/18 – LF Danny Ortiz elected free agency
11/2/18 – C Nick Rickles elected free agency
11/2/18 – SS Dean Anna elected free agency
11/2/18 – RHP Pedro Beato elected free agency
11/2/18 – CF Collin Cowgill elected free agency
11/2/18 – RHP Ranfi Casimiro elected free agency
11/2/18 – C Logan Moore elected free agency
11/2/18 – 3B Jesmuel Valentin elected free agency
11/2/18 – RF Jiandido Tromp elected free agency
11/2/18 – 2B Heiker Meneses elected free agency
11/2/18 – RHP Mario Sanchez elected free agency
11/2/18 – RHP Harold Arauz elected free agency
11/2/18 – C Gabriel Lino elected free agency
11/2/18 – 3B Will Middlebrooks elected free agency
11/2/18 – RHP Alberto Tirado elected free agency
11/2/18 – C Kevin Martir elected free agency
11/1/18 – Phillies signed C Victor Cairo to a future services contract
10/29/18 – Lehigh Valley released 1B Joey Meneses
10/25/18 – DSL Phillies Red activated 1B Maximo De La Rosa
10/25/18 – DSL Phillies White activated RHP Jose Brazon
10/10/18 – Reading activated RHP Mario Sanchez from the 7-day disabled list
10/10/18 – Reading activated LHP JoJo Romero from the 7-day disabled list
10/10/18 – Reading activated RHP Alexis Rivero from the 7-day disabled list
10/8/18–Phillies signed free agent RHP Carlo Reyes to a minor league contract.
10/5/18–3B Trevor Plouffe elected free agency.
9/27/18–Phillies signed free agent RHP Cristofer Adames to a minor league contract
9/22/18–Phillies signed free agent LHP Joel Valdez to a minor league contract.
9/14/18–Phillies signed free agent RHP Hermes Astudillo to a minor league contract

50 thoughts on “Minor League Discussion: Week of November 19, 2018”

  1. Another Phillies catching prospect, from down under no less, 19-year old Mitch Edwards, goes yard last Wednesday night in the AuBL:

    The Aussie catcher signed five months ago for $131K at of Canberra, as an 18-year old and is in his second full year playing in the AuBL .His father, John, played in the Twins and Rockies’ organizations and has been his advisor all thru his yuoth and development phases.
    I have to assume Mitch Edwards will probably be ticketed again for the GCL come 2019
    Phillies have a strength in numbers at catching in their system for sure.

    1. Edwards hit .250/.308/.417 in the GCL last year. He only had 39 PAs but had 4 XBH out of his 9 total hits. He’s a switch hitter, who looks like a fun guy to watch, and I agree the catching prospects are all lined up in the lower minors. From GCL West squad, Abrahan Gutierrez and Logan O’Hoppe. GCL East had Juan Aparicio, Jack Conley and Edwards plus Carlos Oropeza, who was nothing to sneeze at. Rafael Marchan, Jesse Wilkening and Lenin Rodriguez handled Wmsprt. Go up a level and Rudolfo Duran, Gregori Rivera and Colby Fitch are standing there right now. I didn’t even peek at the DSL catchers and who might get a promotion there. I think Marchan and Aparicio are two of the best in the organization and any of the others might be able to go to much higher levels.

      1. bellman1….that is one area that Phillies fans can be optimistic about for the future.
        Gutierrez was rated very high 2/3 years ago as an international signee by the Braves and really is a good hitter with power and size, AND can catch from what I have read. Maybe some may change positions at some point later…but right now it looks very promising for the system..

  2. Wonder if recently signed 16-year old Hermes Jose Astudillo is related to former Phil prospect now Twins player, Willians Astudillo…both from Barcelona, Ven.

  3. When I think about Rule 5 and the fact that a major league club would need to keep them on their 25 man for a full season I DON’T think about any of our players who need protection warranting that type of exclusivity.

    I’m saying I would not protect any of the aforementioned.

    1. DMAR…teams that normally elect are from the bottom of the standings normally…padres have been big selectees from the past…but their system is loaded now so who knows if they will participate. Also Reds, Os, Marlins, Royals, Tigers or Rangers, s could be selecting a lot this time around.

      1. Hey Romus sorry I missed that Medina was on that list so yes he needs to be protected and they did. I was surprised that they also protected Gamboa.

        1. Gamboa on..Grullon not….makes no sense…so when Alf or Knapp gets hurt who gets the call as the back-up…Chris Coste?
          And what GM in their right mind would select Gamboa?
          His metrics have been mediocre at best for his career, not even a Double AA player yet …plus they all know how his emotional maturity at this point is
          I am beginning to get more and more disenchanted with this disjointed FO.
          And Walding…..let him go and hook on with another team that will give him an opportunity….if they drag their feet, like they usually do anymore, on moving Franco….Walding at age 26 is headed for LHV again…I am sure he is thrilled about that.

    2. Adonis Medina absolutely needs to be added to the 40 man. He’d be the first pick (by the O’s) if he was not protected. Eshelman, Gamboa, and Grullon could possibly be taken. I doubt Gamboa could stick on a MLB roster all season, but I guess stranger things (Carlos Tocci made it through last season with the Rangers despite a .225/.271/.283 slash) have happened.

      1. Usually teams will not select position players until after they have played in double AA ball.
        But one tie a few years ago the Padres did select a pitcher from the Cardinals out of A ball…Luis Perdomo, I think his name was
        But really the rebuilding teams usually do all that type of selections and realize they can stash a guy for a year while they continue on their rebuild.

        1. Padres selected Allen Córdoba from the cardinals in 2016 after he played in the Appy league. I remember wondering “what the….”.

      2. I think many of us would be furious if we lost Medina in the rule 5 draft. I’d imagine Middleton would be as well. Such a move would be a fireable offense imo. You can’t risk losing a pitcher like Medina.

  4. Thanks, Jim, for instituting a weekly minor league discussion so that minor league comments can go in one place and Harper/Machado comments can go in another place.

  6. Tyler Viza has taken everything the organization has thrown at him (Fall league, pre-mature promotions, innings-eating) and made lemonade. Seems like a total class act, would be thrilled for him if he got 40-man protection, although I don’t think he’d need it. Could see some spot starts for him at MLB level some day. Maybe a switch to long relief would aid his career?

  7. I think that Medina is a “no doubt about it” addition and Garcia is pretty close to that. I think Tyler Viza gets protected as well.

    2. I would protect only Medina and Bossart. Teams may look for a backup C who calls/frames well. Besides, the Phillies have only Alfaro and Knapp on the current 40man. Bossart may be the nearest to MLB ready catcher in the system. Not a Grullon man, myself.

      1. Agreed on Medina – but Bossart? He’s a minor league back-up catcher. Guys like him are a dime a dozen. He is never a guy you protect. If you do, it’s a sad commentary on the state of your team.

        1. Just my take, Catch. I think he’ll be a big league backup catcher before long, and for now in this organization that has little catching in the upper levels, he’s got value. Plus I like his acumen at a premium defensive position.

          2. No, he really doesn’t have value as a player – he’s the ultimate low level commodity. He’s not a guy you protect.

    1. From the Giles trade almost three years ago…and then there was two now from the haul…Vinny and Tom Eshelman.

      1. Nobody wants to hear this, but it was still a good trade. Vinny has been worth more than Giles since the trade occurred and he still has upside.

        1. Nobody wants to hear this, but it is fact.
          And if Eshelman doesn’t come around, or they do not protect him tomorrow and he gets selected, then it is basically Vinny for Giles.
          And as for worth…..do you really think the Astros would have got to the WS without Giles without his 34 saves, 2.4 FIP and 1.04 WHIP?
          I believe the Astros got what they needed from Giles, and perhaps more in their trade with Toronto…..still waiting for the Phillies to get more than 5 innings a game from Vinny on 3 out of every 4 starts.

  9. I think the utilization of Bossart has been atrocious. He’s got the skills. Of course, I’m his uncle so opinions may vary.

    1. Well that would certainly be consistent with the questions regarding the system’s development approach. Utilization. If one guy who makes the final call on a player doesn’t line up with several of the eyes watching the same young player on a daily basis, we have a problem.

    2. Ugh sorry for my stark comment above. I mean no disrespect to your nephew as a person nor do I make any comment on how he might surpass expectations. But market value is what it is – maybe, over time, his play will change that market value perhaps markedly. I do wish him and all of our other prospects well.

  10. Medina and Garcia are definites to me. Is Llovera on the list? If so, he’ll be protected. Eshelman has a chance if they think he has a chance. I thought Gamboa and Brito would be protected too but with both at high A, maybe not. Pujols will be protected if there’s a spot and they think he has a chance to make the majors.

    1. I also thought Grullon would be added but it sounds like he might not. It wouldn’t surprise me if Knapp ends up in LHV, with Grullon and Bossart, playing multiple positions and someone not here takes another 40 spot.

      1. If the Rangers took Tocci last year…I can readily see Jose Pujols being picked up from one of the rebuilding teams.
        He definitely has more power than Tyler Goeddel had who the Phillies drafted a few years ago and a cannon for an arm in RF.
        Look at what the Padres did with Franmil Reyes’ and how he turned out from what was a somewhat checkered minor league career….though he did not K at all like Pujols does.

    2. Llovera needs no protection this year….that was discussed over the weekend….next year will be his year for protection.

        1. Yeah..Jim reported the other day, he signed a few months shy of his 19th birthday, So he gets that additional year before decision time comes.
          Which is perfect since he will probably be at Reading at the start, or in the middle of next season, and will be tested by better hitters in the EL

  11. Only Medina in my opinion. These other guys have too many holes and are unlikely to help team this year. Take the risk and save making them free agents faster.

    Saw some Fall league games this year. The pitchers I saw looked pretty good but control was iffy. Gamboa was overmatched and played mostly 3B. Hall had power profile with poor contact. Listi looked like a hitter but a few too many pop ups.

  12. Phillies announce 3 additions to 40-man before tonight’s deadline –

    1. Gamboa is a head scratcher for me.
      I do not think any team would select him at this stage of his development.

      1. I’m going to guess that he created a buzz at the AFL with his glove. He must look like a utility guy.

  13. Really surprised Pujols wasn’t protected. Also surprised Zach Green left as a free agent. 😦

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