I visited the Complex today. There were 3 games being played, two against teams from the Detroit organization and one against a travelling team. I could only stay less than a couple hours before a recent injury started to bother me. I hadn’t been to the Complex in over a month and I spent a lot of time talking to old friends. Here’s what little I saw.
First, an Extended Spring Training Roster was available (2019 Extended Spring Training Roster).
I recorded who was playing with which coaching staff (Williamsport v. the GCL staffs) but I’m not ready to guess if these will become permanent assignments. Luke Miller hit a HR while I was talking to one security guard. I watched Jake Kinney pitch an inning. His FB was 88-91. He threw a slider and showed a CB on the last pitch I saw. I cut short a conversation with one of Clearwater’s finest when Jaylen Smith took the mound on Roberts. He pitched well. His FB range was 86-89. Curtis Mead came to bat while I was there and with a shift on purposely poked a ball through the 3-4 hole into RF. I got into a discussion with a scout from Baseball Prospectus. He told me that Kyle Glogoski was shipped to Lakewood. I haven’t seen the transaction, but I think he was charting during the Lakewood game. That’s all, intrasquads tomorrow, but it’s my 20th anniversary.
Clearwater (11-14) beat Fort Myers, 3-0 in Alec Bohm’s Advanced A debut.
Spencer Howard was bumped and Damon Jones (0.77) made the start. Jones threw 82 pitches (42 strikes) in his 4.2 innings and left the game having with runners on the corners and having kept the Miracle off the board while surrendering 2 hits and 4 walks. He struck out seven. Connor Brogdon (1-0, 2.04) stranded both runners and completed 2.1 innings of scoreless ball. Keylan Killgore (0.00) retired all 6 batters he faced while earning his first save.
The Threshers scored single runs in the third, fourth, and seventh inning on an RBI ground out and RBI singles by Nick Maton and Jake Scheiner.
Alec Bohm and Jake Scheiner each had 2 hits among the Threshers’ total of seven. The Threshers drew 8 walks, two each by Simon Muzziotti, Matt Vierling, Scheiner, and one each by Bohm and Jhailyn Ortiz.
Vierling stole his sixth base and had an outfield assist.
After Howard was bumped, the probables for Wednesday and Thursday became TBD with Young still scheduled to pitch Friday. I don’t know, but maybe a rotation spot is going to be available in Reading? Interesting to note that Eastman was promoted to Clearwater. Could be starting one of the next 2 games?
- #1 Alec Bohm went 2-4 with a run scored, BB
- #5 Spencer Howard (1-1, 2.25)
- #11 Jhailyn Ortiz (.186) went 0-4 with a BB
- #12 Simon Muzziotti (.250) went 0-3 with a run scored, 2 BB, and his 5th CS
- #17 Kyle Young (1-3, 4.29)
- #18 Nick Maton (.250) went 1-3 with an RBI
- #19 Rodolfo Duran (.137) went 0-5 with 3 k
- #20 Daniel Brito (.170)
Lehigh Valley (16-8) was crushed by Syracuse, 18-5.
Drew Anderson (0-1, 9.00) was plagued by his defense and gave up 7 runs (3 ER) on 7 hits and a walk. He lasted three innings. Kyle Dohy (33.00) gave up 5 runs in two innings. (This actually lowered his ERA from 54.00) Tyler Gilbert (0.00) pitched two scoreless inning and Edgar Garcia (1.93) pitched in with one. Matt McBride (0.00) took one for the team and was also plagued by his defense as he allowed 6 unearned runs on 4 hits and a walk.
The Pigs were never in this game. They were outscored 6-3 in the ninth inning. They scored single runs in the fourth inning on Lane Adams RBI double and sixth inning on Deivi Grullon’s RBI single. They scored 3 runs in the ninth on Shane Robinson’s 3-run HR (3).
Adams had 3 hits. Romine and Canelo had 2 each.
Canelo and Walding committed 2 errors each.
- #6 Enyel De Los Santos (2-0, 2.81) – recalled to Philadelphia
- #7 JoJo Romero (1-1, 8.83)
- #10 Ranger Suarez (2-1, 5.64)
- #16 Cole Irvin (2-0, 1.82)
- #22 Kyle Dohy (0-1, 33.00) – 2.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
- #28 Edgar Garcia (1-1, 1.93) – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Reading (11-10) lost to a very hot Harrisburg team (21-4), 3-1.
David Parkinson gave up all 3 Senators’ runs in four innings on 5 hits and 3 walks. He was lifted after 85 pitches. Jake Hernandez (1.88) walked 3 and struck out 3 in two innings. Alexis Rivero (6.75) pitched two scoreless innings. Aaron Brown (4.85) finished with one no-hit inning.
The Phils scored a run i n the first on Austin Listi’s RBI double.
- #2 Adonis Medina (0-1, 4.82)
- #3 Adam Haseley (.172)
- #9 Mickey Moniak (.195 went 0-4
- #13 Arquimedes Gamboa (.109) went 0-3
- #15 Mauricio Llovera (1-0, 2.51)
- #21 David Parkinson (2-2, 4.58) – 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR
- #22 Kyle Dohy (2-0, 0.82) – promoted to Lehigh Valley
- #25 Cornelius Randolph (.229) – on the 7-day IL
- #29 Connor Seabold – on the 7-day IL
Lakewood (8-17) lost to West Virginia, 2-0, even though they outhit the Power, 6-3.
James McArthur (6.23) didn’t get out of the first inning. After 32 pitches he had recorded 2 outs, gave up 2 runs on one hit and 4 walks. The hit was a HR. He relinquished the ball to Robinson Martinez (5.63) who stranded the 3 runners he inherited. He struck out 4 in 1.1 innings. Manny Silva (0.00) made his 2019 debut and pitched four, one-hit, scoreless innings. Ethan Evanko (2.13) retired the Power in order over the final three innings.
Without Alec Bohm, the BlueClaws were shut out for just the second time this season. They collected 6 hits. Rafael Marchan (.315) and Jake Holmes (who played third base) had 2 hits each. Garcia batted ninth.
- #1 Alec Bohm (.367) – promoted to Clearwater, 4/29/2019
- #4 Luis Garcia (.195) went 0-2 with a sacrifice
- #8 Francisco Morales (0-2, 7.02)
- #14 Rafael Marchan (.315) went 2-4
- #23 Dominic Pipkin (1-1, 4.41)
- #24 Kevin Gowdy (1.84)
- #26 Jhordany Mezquita (1-2, 7.71)
- #30 Manuel Silva (0.00) – 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Unassigned Prospects
- #27 Starlyn Castillo
Williamsport begins its 2019 season on June 14th.
GCL Phillies East begins its 2019 season on June 24th.
GCL Phillies West begins its 2019 season on June 24th.
DSL Phillies Red begins its 2019 season on June 2nd.
DSL Phillies White begins its 2019 season on June 2nd.
Here’s the affiliate scoreboard from MiLB.
The rosters and lists are up to date as of April 30th (and are pointing to current files).
4/30/2019 – RHP Colton Eastman assigned to Clearwater from Lakewood
4/30/2019 – LHP Manuel Silva assigned to Lakewood from Williamsport
4/30/2019 – Lakewood activated 2B Hunter Stovall
4/30/2019 – Luis Carrasco assigned from Clearwater to Williamsport
4/30/2019 – Julian Garcia assigned from Clearwater to Williamsport
4/30/2019 – Grant Dyer assigned from Williamsport to Clearwater
4/30/2019 – Damon Jones assigned from Williamsport to Clearwater
4/30/2019 – Seth McGarry assigned from Williamsport to Clearwater
4/30/2019 – Carlos Betancourt assigned from DSL White to GCL West
4/30/2019 – Phillies signed International FA P Camilo Hinestroza, assigned to DSL White
4/29/2019 – 3B Ali Castillo assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
4/29/2019 – LHP Jeff Singer assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
4/28/2019 – Clearwater activated LHP Zach Warren from the 7-day IL
4/28/2019 – RHP Victor Santos assigned to Lakewood from Williamsport
4/28/2019 – RHP Francisco Morales assigned to Lakewood from Williamsport
4/28/2019 – Grant Dyer assigned to Williamsport from Clearwater
4/28/2019 – Gustavo Armas assigned to Clearwater from Williamsport
4/28/2019 – Jhordany Mezquita assigned to Williamsport from Lakewood
4/28/2019 – Dominic Pipkin assigned to Williamsport from Lakewood
4/28/2019 – Seth McGarry assigned to Williamsport from Clearwater
4/27/2019 – Phillies optioned RF Dylan Cozens to Lehigh Valley
4/27/2019 – Andrew Brown assigned to Clearwater from Williamsport
4/27/2019 – 2B Hunter Stovall assigned to Lakewood
Phuture Phillies 
20th year!!! You gotta respect that. Love what you do. No one is better at it than you.
Too bad for LHV but if we take that game out of the mix, the other 3 games saw relievers pitch 17 2/3 Innings without giving up a single run or ER. Wonder if anyone saw Silva pitch? He could be a very good one. Did well at Wmsprt last year. He’s listed as 6’2″ 145 lbs. Looks like he needs to add some weight. If he needs help in this category, I think I can help him.
Congrats Jim on your, and the misses, 20th anniversary
Heres hoping for many more to come.
Looks like Kyle Dohy is not the answer for the big club ….not yet anyways.
i really didnt think the move up for Dohy with his stuff, was a big deal, Wrong again
Dohy being Dohy again. I wonder if he’s a bit of a head case or just your typical Lefty RP who can’t get out of his own way sometimes.
His actual line was 4 Hits 3 BBs 2 Ks. He threw 42 pitches and only 23 Strikes.
Enigma!!!!!!
Morning Call Game Note:
“Kyle Dohy’s struggles continued. He threw six consecutive balls to start the fourth inning (which extended his streak to 18 in a row dating back to Sunday) and was charged with five earned runs in two innings.”
….I suppose he is in the making of the next Mitch Williams.
Apparently Phillies intend on O’Hoppe heading for Williamsport next month…possibly with Aparicio….both have nothing to prove again in the GCL
I would have hoped O’Hoppe would be assigned to Lakewood with many other younger prospects..
If Marchan and Gutierrez keep hitting, one or both might have to make their way to CLW. O’Hoppe might get his chance at LKW. I don’t think either will move up until at least July so O’Hoppe can start in Wmsprt and possibly get the call around then. Of course, Aparicio might get the call instead but I can see a scenario where one of them is in LKW by the end of the season.
Yes agree.
One should be there (LKW) at some point.
Especially if Gutierrez and Marchan continue to hit at Lakewood now…at least one of the two in turn should get a promo to CLW
I havent seen any of these kids but from what i have read, Gutierrez really gets me excited. Dont remember if jim has seen him or talked about him yet.
Happy Anniversary Jim! Year 20 is a big accomplishment!
Chain reaction with Bohm going up. The new guy takes his spot in Lakewood and Gomez frees up a place by going to Reading.
On the pitching side too; looks like Silva replaces Eastman, but who does Eastman displace?
‘but who does Eastman displace?’…..could be Tom Eshelman
To continue that thought…..perhaps Spencer H.gets bumped up to replace Tom E.
This organization is train wreck!!!! Shew, that feels better.
With May coming up, happy for Bohm, Howard, and Gowdy. Growing concerned about Ortiz, Haseley, Moniak, and GArcia. It’s early but looking to see what adjustments they need to make. Cornelius has till the midway point before I write him off, he seems stagnant for years now, though he is still technically young.
Dohy was a nice surprise, looks like he has a new challenge on his hands.
Kudos to all the catchers in the organization, still seems like the one positionnthis team can farm well.
Ok that is as much positivity that you can squeeze out of a Philadelphian, I’m out
In the last few weeks it looks like Matt Vierling has been working hard on his plate discipline and he’s now drawing many more walks. He’s a very interesting prospect and if he keeps going like this, he’ll be a top 20 prospect.
I’ve liked Vierling since he was drafted. Some players don’t bring all the apparent skills but in baseball, a young player like him (and Kingery, for that matter) display an ability to learn and adjust. Head smarts go a long way, even if they don’t become stars, to become impact major leaguers. Vierling has that profile IMO.
Happy anniversary… I was in Lakewood last night and glogoski was charting
The most encouraging thing about Bohm is the hit tool. We know he has good plate discipline and the underlying power is there and will come out sooner or later if he just makes good contact. But you really can’t teach that kind of hit tool and that’s what makes him so exciting as a prospect for me.
Yes, it is very encouraging to be saying good things instead of people making excuses about how young he is or whatever. He’s hitting well and hope he continues to do so.
Sooner or later one of these kids will be a star. The Phillies need to restock their minor league teams.
I have said before, I am giving Moniak a mulligan on the first half. Just going to focus on his second half stats. But as he is nearing 100 PAs, there are some troubling stats. And I don’t mean his below Mendoza BA. I don’t think batting average is an important stat for a minor leaguer.
I have said before, the only thing that makes Mickey a real prospect is the hit tool. I believe that players with a great hit tool have a great approach at the plate. They take balls and make contact at Strikes. They work deep counts. They control the strike zone. Punish strikes and spit on balls. There is no such thing as a productive major league hitter who strikes out a lot, walks little and has little power. If you don’t have the power tool, you better walk a lot, keep the Ks down and make a lot of contact.
While he started out great with walks (one in each of his first 3 games), Moniak’s walk rate is down to his career levels (which are low) of below 5%. He hasn’t taken a walk in his last 10 games. He is currently seeing only 3.39 pitches per plate appearance while striking out 30% of the time. Think about that for a second. It takes 3 strikes to strike a guy out and Mickey is striking out a lot. Yet he is only seeing on average below 3.4 pitches per PA. That means he is up there hacking at everything. I say this not seeing one of his plate appearances this season. But I can’t see how this conclusion is wrong based on simple math. This means one of three possible scenarios:
1. Pitchers are attacking the zone against him and he is missing pitches.
2. Pitchers are throwing Balls but he is swinging anyway.
3. Or both.
Again, he gets a pass on the first half of the year. He is young for AA. But he needs to make adjustments. He needs to work counts. Spit on Balls. Watch these peripheral stats. See if they change as the year goes on.
Romus, Mickey Mo, in my opinion, has shown very little positive aspects of being a decent major league player. Your mathematical equations, which admittedly overwhelm me, add up to one simple stat. He’s hitting .192. No matter how you twist and turn it his batting average says it all. He was the first player taken in the draft and young or not has shown no signs of improvement. I would love to be wrong about this kid but not seeing much to get excited about. You have it all over me when it comes to the mathematical aspects of pitches taken, pitches hit hard but caught etc etc etc. Since a lot of posters, myself included, aren’t math experts they don’t bother getting into a numbers issue with you. It’s pointless. Just my 2 cents from anow infrequent poster.
Prospects do not improve linearly. I am not writing Mickey off. But you are right, at some point, great prospects put up great stats in the minors. He has to show it at some point.
Sorry, my comments were meant for V1again, not Romus. Apologies.
The comments I made, which I directed at Romus, we’re intended for V1. Apologies. I post infrequently and hope my comments are placed somewhere so there is no confusion. My comments concerned Mickey Moniak.
Not offended…so long as you didn’t refer to me as Rocco that is fine.
Yes pls never confused me with V1again. that would hurt me
good one rocco moffo…good one buddy
Some notes on last night’s Thresher’s game:
Vierling looks like the Thresher’s version of Jean Segura. He’s going to make contact and he’s going to get on base. Box score shows one hit in two ABs, but Vierling was a positive influence in all five plate appearances. He walked twice, was hit by a pitch and stole a base. His one out was a hard hit ball that ended up being a fielder’s choice but brought in a run.
Vierling appears to be a sound, fundamental ballplayer.
There’s a lot of talk about 4th outfielders — Quinn, Altherr, Williams. It might be Vierling.
Bohm looked comfortable, no nerves upon promotion. Made a good defensive play going far to his right to get a ball that could have been extra bases, but he just wasn’t able to set himself to throw to first, so a single for the batter.
Ortiz looked bad on breaking balls.
Muzziotti got two walks but otherwise did not impress at the plate. Caught stealing by a mile.
Scheiner also looks like a ballplayer.
Shortstop Guthrie made the defensive play of the game — twice. He leaped up high and perfectly timed a line drive, catching the ball. The ball then popped out of his glove but he caught it again on the way down. Everybody, including Guthrie, did a second take. Ft Myers Miracle fans briefly cheered, then shook their heads.
Damon Jones looked good. He threw almost all heat in the first inning 96 mph. Touched 97 once. The 93-94 in second and third innings and 92-93 by the fifth. Threw increasing number of breaking balls as his time went on. Still looked effective when taken out.
Brogdon ditto: Sat 94. Good breaking stuff
The gem of this post is the fact that Damon Jones has a big arm. Very encouraging to hear. And the stuff about Vierling and Bohm is gold.
I am not going to comment extensive on Reading except to say this. How many guys who become quality major leaguer hitters stall or take a step backwards when they are promoted to Reading? I would venture to say virtually none of them. If you’re a good hitting prospect, you rake a Reading, not whiff or go backwards at Reading. Moniak is young and has time, but things are not trending well for him. Honestly, of the group of 3 1st round pick outfielders, I still have the highest hopes for Haseley because I think he has the plate discipline and hit tool to make it at higher levels and I think his power will come, but he needs to start performing.
Congrats Jim, I agree with Catch on Vierling. I like him a lot. Bohm starts great with 2 hits and a BB. I would love to be talking about him moving to reading by the end of the season. Dohy has the stuff. Maybe it just clicks in one day and he finds some command?
You know, Vierling may be our top OF prospect at the moment. And it’s not even close.
I believe Vierling is the most likely prospect to be traded this summer for an arm (or even a veteran bat off the bench). Based on their prospect statusl, and the Phillies willingness to give them up, I’d rank the most likely prospects to be traded this way:
1. Mark Vierling
2. Francisco Morales
3. JoJo Romero
4. Adonis Medina
5. Kyle Young
for what it’s worth…a scout from 2080
Vierling’s pedigree, even from his Missouri HS Gatorade Player in 2015 until his final season at ND, had continual favorable scouting reports.
If he solely concentrated on batting as a positional player and not also pitching from his junior year in HA thru last season at ND , he may have been further along in his batting development.
Physically he has been profiled with Jeff Francoeur, but I want to wait to see how he does at the AA level before making any assumptions about his projections.
Jeff Francoeur would be nice. I just wish there was some bullpen arms ready to help. I think Williams is being wasted on the bench. He is imo a 20 hr 250 hitter with 320 obp not great, but not bad either he could help a team. We just dont have room for him.
Will have to see how it works out with him….hitting AA level pitching is different than A level pitching…and he is a college guy also who is a little older
I think he is a good prospect.
As for Williams…..he probably is ready to move onto another team that will give him more of an opportunity.
Lets face it….a 25-year old wants to start.
Athletically …he has the tools.
Jeff Francoeur was physically talented but ultimately not a good player because he never walked. The bar is higher than that for our outfielders – at least starting outfielders.
I always wondered what happened to Joan Baez. Following Reading’s game today on Gameday phone app. Here, she’s in Harrisburg’s bullpen, pitching the 8th inning. How about that! I swear…look it up.
Hall crushed the ball today…but not off Joannie.
Wow! Moniak and Haseley are both hitting under .200.
Baseball America’s updated Top 100:
Bohm 68, down from 59. Pro start characterized as sluggish
Spencer Howard 79, projection mid-rotation starter
Luis Garcia, 82, plus scores on all tools except power
So Adonis Medina is not in the top 100? That’s not good.
Guru,
My oversight. Medina is #99, down one notch.
Our highest ranked prospect is #68? Three total in the top 100? That’s not a good endorsement of any farm system. I regard Fangraphs more highly in their projections but BA is very credible. And I am no longer hearing much talk about how deep the organization is, which it isn’t. Time for the brass to step up, not just in its drafting but in its development of talent, which can’t be this sparse if only by dumb luck. There must be something “in the water.”
No, the “it’s a deep organization” reputation is a mirage. I didn’t see it before the season started (except as to second tier depth in the AAA rotation – that rotation is fairly deep) and I sure as heck don’t see it now. I view this as pretty poor system right now. I guessed 18-25 and I’m sticking with that.
I’m mildly surprised Garcia or Medina made their top 100, for that matter.
These projections are probably based on pre-season events. I’d bet Bohm and Howard move up, perhaps quite a bit, but Garcia would be off the top 100.
Bailey Falter is making some progress too, but yeah, this system is neither deep nor full of high ceiling players. It’s not a disaster and the few high ceiling guys we have could turn out well, but if I had to grade the system now I’d give it a C- or C at best. Not a good grade.
But lots of good fodder for some active prospect talk on this site today, huh?
Big Sal A the brightest star of the draft gurus is not shining as bright as you think. I ” blasted” him getting an award last year and I was ” dissed”. Now …..
Denny…Sal was primarily international talent scouting and acquisitions for most of his years with the Phillies..Not sure how much he was involved in the Rule 4 draft. But even along those lines…..not many grand prizes.
I mean Chooch, Freddy, Cesar, Carlos Carrasco, Jon Villar, Dom Santana et al were good signings…just not the spectacular
almost the entire Reading team is below .225. So much for hitter friendly venue.
Entire team .215 2nd last in league;
Listi-.094
Gamboa-.109
Rivas-.148
bossart-.171
Haseley-.188
Micky Mo-.195
C-.231
I know that it isnt good that the reading team is not playing well. I dont care as much right now about the hitting, cause imo we have enough at the big league level for the next three yrs, I want at least two bullpen arms that we can depend on ;and a starter who can give us 6 good innings. no more V.V.
rocco….bullpens guys Edgar Garcia, Y. Rios, Austin Davis and maybe K. Dohy at LHV……JD Hammer could also surprise at Reading. They would appear the most likely right now.
As for starter……Cole Irvin could be put on the 40 in a few weeks…IMO before EOM June. His manager thinks his time now is right around the corner.
It’s not the venue, it’s the players. They are playing like garbage as a group.
We all know the system has been terrible this year, for the most part. The organization changed hitting philosophy and brought in lots of new faces. I watched Bohm in spring training and I thought his timing was off as was his pitch recognition. Clearly something has clicked for him as he started slowly this year but has been on a tear for a few weeks now. Gomez, who at one time was thought to be a prospect when we acquired him, started slowly but has gotten smoking hot and rode it right up to Reading. We’ll see if he can continue hitting there (they could sure use him). Is there a chance the new philosophy takes time and works differently with different guys? We have to hope so. Vierling is a separate case. He’s been hitting since we drafted him. I’m not sure what his ceiling is but he looks like a solid player, if not a major league starter.
Biggest disappointment for me is Ortiz and Haseley. I’m not giving up on Moniak yet, he’s very young and showed last year he could come on as the season goes on. It’s a long year and it’s only May 1. I look forward to good things from Glogoski….
Ortiz is a real disappointment.
Rated in the top ten of his class…..with Christian Pache, Juan Soto and F. Tatis Jr after him further down the list
Only Vlad Guerrero Jr. was rated above Ortiz.
And Ortiz recd the largest bonus of all of them at $4M plus.
I mentioned that Ortiz looked bad on breaking pitches. Some really weak swings at pitches low in, or out of, the zone. But just one game. We’ll see how he looks tomorrow.
Frank…..as high as he was rated 4 years ago with those expectations ….the last 2/3 years he has fallen short of those lofty expectations.
Vlad Jr was signed for $3.9M….Jhailyn for $4.4M….he may still come around.
Just not sure how long the wait will have to be.
Hard to know how to criticize the organization if a prospect universally rated high turns out to not be successful. It happens a lot in baseball. Though Ortiz still has time
Yes it does happen.
just wish it happens less with the Phillies organization.
Signing LA kids is really a crap shoot. Teams enter into agreements with them when they are 15 YO (sometimes even 14 YO). They’re the age of HS freshman and sophmores.
Romus, not sure how long a wait, either. He’s young and has potential. If there’s one thing that’s encouraging it’s his physique. He appears much trimmer that last year.
Maybe he just needs to figure it out, as they say.