Threshers Recap – 5/29/2019

Game Reports

I went to the Complex again.  The players took part in an intrasquad game.  Just a few observations.  The Phillies have altered their practice of on base situations to start some of the innings.  Instead of starting the inning with guys on base and playing the inning to its conclusion, they restart the inning after the situational experience is completed.  For instance, if they start with runners on first and second, after the batter bunts (or fails to bunt) the runners over, the runners leave the field, the pitcher and batter start the inning  over clean, and any hits/runs/outs recorded during the play don’t count.

Corbin Williams is one fast base runner.  I witnessed it again today, and I was told that during a drill to determine the fastest players in the organization during spring training, Williams won.  A healthy Roman Quinn was part of that competition.

Jan Hernandez took at bats in the game again.  He looks healthy, but when he ran out a ball he looked to be running carefully.

I saw Jose Pujols leaving the Complex.  He looked to have a slight limp, he had Achilles surgery this spring.  He was never a big guy like a Dylan Cozens, but he wasn’t Tocci skinny either.  Today he looked thinner than I remember from last season or even from early in the spring before the injury.  His legs look especially thin.

And, I learned from a second source that Ben Brown’s surgery was indeed Tommy John.

At this time last year, J.D. Hammer was rehabbing from an injury he sustained during spring training.  He came to the organization the previous season when we traded Pat Neshek to the Rockies for Hammer and Alejandro Requena.  He was assigned to Clearwater and breezed through FSL batters with a 0.57 ERA and 20 strike outs and 2 walks in 15.2 innings.

Hammer reported to spring training early in 2018, and looked sharp.  But, after his injury, he returned to the Threshers for 3 appearances before a trip to the DL.  After some more rehab and 3 GCL appearances, Hammer returned to Clearwater in August and pitched lights out in six appearances – 0.00 ERA, 10 K and 3 BB in 6.0 IP.

Hammer started this season in Reading and was promoted to Lehigh on May 21st.  After one appearance, he was promoted to the Phillies on May 25th.  And, the past many months culminated with this –

And, I wouldn’t rule out Adam Haseley’s promotion to AAA as a showcase of sorts.  Of the teams who might make their top of the rotation pitchers available at or before the trade deadline, major league ready young prospects will undoubtedly be part of the “ask”.  Haseley may be our best and most coveted trade piece.

None of our other spare parts are likely to bring back a TOR pitcher.  The irony here would be if Haseley continues to rake at Lehigh Valley, plays his way onto the 25-man as a starter,  and becomes too important to trade.  Then, I see little possibility of acquiring a TOR pitcher.

Clearwater (27-25) beat Charlotte, 3-2.

The Threshers got some efficient pitching in this seesaw battle.  Colby Fitch figured in the scoring of all three runs.  The catcher went 3-3 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

Fitch gave the Threshers a 1-0 lead in the second inning when lifted a sac fly to left field to score Matt Kroon who had tripled with one out.  He lined a single to right to plate Kroon again in the fifth inning and give the Threshers a 2-1 lead.  And, he reached base with a two-out single in the ninth and scored on Danny Mayer’s RBI double to right.

In addition to Fitch’s 3-hit game. Danny Mayer had a 2-hit game.  The Threshers had 8 total hits.

Andrew Brown (6.21) tossed five solid innings.  He gave up one run on 3 hits and 2 walks.  He struck out four.  Kyle Arjona (1.80) went two innings and gave up a run on 3 hits.  He walked none and struck out two.  Keylan Killgore (1-0, 2.93) picked up his first win with two, one-hit innings.  He also walked a batter and struck out two.

  • #1 Alec Bohm (.308) went 1-3 with a BB
  • #5 Spencer Howard (1-1, 2.25) placed on the 7-day IL, shoulder soreness
  • #11 Jhailyn Ortiz (.199)
  • #12 Simon Muzziotti (.306) placed on the 7-day IL
  • #17 Kyle Young (1-3, 4.29) placed on the 7-day IL, TJ surgery
  • #18 Nick Maton (.288) 
  • #19 Rodolfo Duran (.208)
  • #20 Daniel Brito (.250) went 1-3

Lehigh Valley (27-22) split a pair with Pawtucket (losing 7-3 and winning 3-1).

Game One:  Cole Irvin threw 34 pitches (25 strikes, 73.5%) in three innings allowing one hit before he was lifted.  This was a planned move.  He got his work in and is still available if needed by the Phillies this weekend.  Luke Leftwich (0-1, 13.97) struggled thru 2.1 innings, giving up 5 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks.  Kyle Dohy (9.69) didn’t fare much better in 0.2 innings, allowing an inherited runner to score and giving up 2 runs on 3 walks.  Neither was helped by a defense that committed 2 errors in the 3-run sixth.  But, you can’t walk batters either.

The IronPigs had closed to within 4-3 with 2 runs in the fifth inning on Darick Hall’s 2-run HR (5) and a run in the sixth on Deivi Grullon’s sac fly.

Rob Brantly (.305) had 2 hits.  The team went 1-4 with RISP.

    • #16 Cole Irvin (2-0, 2.08) – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
    • #22 Kyle Dohy (0-1, 9.69) – 0.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 0 K

Game Two:  Adam Haseley made his AAA debut a memorable occasion.  He had base hits in his first 3 at bats and was involved in all three IronPigs’ runs.

Batting second in the IronPigs’ line up, Haseley lined an RBI double to left field in his first at bat and scored later in the inning on Andrew Romine’s RBI single.  Haseley performed an encore in the second inning, stroking an RBI double to left.  Both doubles came off former Phillies’ farm hand, Jeremy Bleich.  Lead off batter, Lane Adams, scored on both base hits.  Haseley singled in his third plate appearance before being retired for the first time in his fourth at bat.

Haseley had a 3-hit game, Andrew Romine (.291) had 2 hits and a stolen base (9).  They combined for 5 of the IronPigs’ 8 hits.

Tyler Viza (5.75) gave upone run in four innings.  He gave up 2 hits, walked three, and struck out two.  Tom Windle (3-0, 3.13) pitched one scoreless inning.  Josh Martin (4.68)  walked two and struck out two in 0.2 innings before giving way to Austin Davis (0.77) who stranded two inherited runners.  Then, made the seventh inning interesting with a one-out double and walk before striking out the final 2 batters for his 2nd save.

    • #3 Adam Haseley went 3-4 with a run scored, 2 doubles, 2 RBI
    • #6 Enyel De Los Santos (2-0, 2.37)
    • #7 JoJo Romero (2-2, 9.64) assigned to Reading on May 18th
    • #10 Ranger Suarez (2-1, 6.58)
    • #16 Cole Irvin (2-0, 2.08)
    • #22 Kyle Dohy (0-1, 9.69)
    • #28 Edgar Garcia (1-1, 1.80) promoted to the Phillies on June 6th

Reading (28-20) lost to Erie, 3-0. 

With recently promoted Adam Haseley out of the line up, the Phils were two-hit.  Josh Stephen (.259) broke up the no-hit bid with a two-out, fifth inning double.  Jose Gomez had the other hit.  Stephen went 1-2 with a walk. Gomez went 1-3 with a stolen base.

Bailey Falter (4-3, 3.05) was the unfortunate recipient of impotent offense.  He pitched six innings and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits.  He walked none and struck out four.  He threw 62 strikes among his 88 pitches (70.5%).  A two-run HR in the first inning sealed his fate.

Jeff Singer (1.50) chipped in with two, one-hit innings.  He walked one and struck out three.  Addison Russ (1.74) struck out one in a perfect ninth.

  • #2 Adonis Medina (2-2, 4.26)
  • #3 Adam Haseley (.268) promoted to Lehigh Valley on May 29th
  • #7 JoJo Romero (0-2, 8.18)
  • #9 Mickey Moniak (.251) went 0-4
  • #13 Arquimedes Gamboa (.177) went 0-4  
  • #15 Mauricio Llovera (2-1, 4.58)
  • #21 David Parkinson (5-2, 3.02)
  • #22 Kyle Dohy (2-0, 0.82) – promoted to Lehigh Valley
  • #25 Cornelius Randolph (.224) went 0-3 with a BB
  • #29 Connor Seabold – on the 7-day IL

Lakewood (17-34)  no game scheduled.  The young BlueClaws have already been eliminated in the first half division race with about three weeks left in the half.

  • #1 Alec Bohm (.367) – promoted to Clearwater, 4/29/2019
  • #4 Luis Garcia (.202)
  • #8 Francisco Morales (0-3, 5.23)
  • #14 Rafael Marchan (.284)
  • #23 Dominic Pipkin (2-1, 3.86)
  • #24 Kevin Gowdy (0-2, 4.64)
  • #26 Jhordany Mezquita (2-3, 4.54)
  • #30 Manuel Silva (4.50)

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 May 28th.

Today’s Transactions (newest transactions in bold text)
5/29/2019 – Phillies placed LHP Adam Morgan on the 10-day IL retro to 5/26, left forearm strain
5/29/2019 – Phillies recalled RHP Yacksel Rios from Lehigh Valley
5/29/2019 – CF Adam Haseley assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
5/29/2019 – RHP Seth McGarry assigned to Lehigh Valley from XST
5/29/2019 – 2B Grenny Cumana assigned to Reading from Lehigh Valley
5/29/2019 – OF Trent Bowles retired
5/28/2019 – Phillies placed CF Odubel Herrera on the restricted list
5/28/2019 – Phillies recalled RHP Nick Pivetta from Lehigh Valley
5/28/2019 – Phillies recalled RF Nick Williams from Lehigh Valley
5/28/2019 – 2B Grenny Cumana assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
5/28/2019 – RHP Alexis Rivero assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
5/28/2019 – Reading released 1B Kyle Martin
5/28/2019 – Clearwater released CF Jesus Alastre
5/27/2019 – Phillies optioned RHP Enyel De Los Santos to Lehigh Valley
5/27/2019 – 3B Jose Antequera assigned to Reading from Lehigh Valley
5/27/2019 – Lehigh Valley activated RF Nick Williams from the temporarily inactive list
5/26/2019 – 2B Grenny Cumana assigned to Reading from Lehigh Valley
5/26/2019 – RHP Alexis Rivero assigned to Reading from Lehigh Valley
5/26/2019 – Reading activated RHP Jose Taveras from the 7-day IL
5/26/2019 – Reading placed IF Raul Rivas on the 7-day IL
5/25/2019 – Phillies transferred RHP David Robertson from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL
5/25/2019 – Phillies placed RHP Pat Neshek on the 10-day IL, right shoulder strain
5/25/2019 – Phillies selected the contract of RHP JD Hammer from Lehigh Valley
5/25/2019 – Lehigh Valley activated LHP Ranger Suarez from the 7-day IL
5/25/2019 – LHP Josh Tols assigned to Lehigh Valley
5/25/2019 – RHP Rafi Gonell assigned to Lakewood from GCL West
5/25/2019 – Lakewood activated C Rafael Marchan from the 7-day IL

52 thoughts on “Threshers Recap – 5/29/2019”

  1. Every time I look at Hammer…I see a blend of Tyler Clippard with the glasses, Brad Lidge with the stuff and Ricky Vaughn with the ‘tude..

    2. love the idea they took a chance on a kid who played third but had velocity. I cant take the soft tossers

    3. It’s funny you mentioned Lidge, I literally just commented on twitter that some of his sliders look identical to Lidge’s.

      1. Our old friend Ken Giles if the Lidge-look alike (stuff and demeanor in the mound). But Hammer’s SL can be as good as Lidge

      1. A lot of you guys must be too young to remember the Hanson brothers in Slap Shot back in the ’70s.

  2. I see Adam Morgan went on the IL and Rios was recalled; why not Austin Davis?

    1. Denny…my guess, Rios for yesterday and today’s Cardinals team, if needed, with so many RHBs…..then I assume Irvin replaces him later this afternoon, on the 25, flies with team to LA to face the Dodger power lefties.
      Rios heads back to LHV as they face the Yankees affiliate in Scranton this weekend.

      2. Irvin can’t be called up until Sunday. Expect Davis to swap spots with Rios for Friday’s game for the Dodgers lefty heavy lineup.

  3. Well….I’m curious to read how some of us think of Jim’s suggestion that Adam Haseley may be getting showcased for a TOR trade.

    As for me, I guess it simply depends on WHO we get AND IF we can keep him around long enough to justify the deal. I haven’t held Haseley as an untouchable and well, you can’t get something for nothing.

    1. Rather keep Haseley and move Williams plus other prospects.
      But then again, a TOR rental will be a different price (lower) than a TOR with control.

      1. I still have problems with making a deal for a pitcher right now. We’re 11 games over .500 with a .600 winning percentage. Having said all of that, my opinion could change after the next 4 games.

        1. Yes but do you feel comfortable going into a playoff series with the guys we have in the rotation? I certainly don’t. Outside of Nola (who’s been iffy as well, not as much recently) whose dependable? Pivetta? Nope. Eickhoff? Nope. Eflin? Eh. Arrieta? I guess. If they can make a trade for a top of the rotation starter i’m in. Esp if they don’t think Haseley can play CF full time (he’s not playing RF or LF any time soon).
          What could Haseley/Medina plus 1-2 lower level guys bring back?

          1. With so many off days in the playoffs, you only need 3 starters. Nola, Arrieta, and Eflin. I’m comfortable with because our line up can be devastating. I’m open to a trade that would bring us a pitcher in his prime, but I hate the idea of giving up top prospects for a rental, or someone who’s on the downside of his career.

            1. Wawa, with the real possibility of injury or performance regression, I would rather be preemptive and secure another legit starter. There’s too much season left to presume upon the success of Nola, Arrieta and Eflin (who’s yet to be battle tested himself).

            2. Also, let’s keep in mind that once the Phillies reach the playoffs, the prospect of facing the Dodgers and their lefty heavy lineup in the NLCS almost screams for at least one LHP, if not 2.

    2. There is a lot to like about Haseley. He’s been an above average hitter at every level and his metrics are always positive (11.9/16.9 BB/K in AA this year is shows a positive trend in both directions). If he continues to make solid contact at the MLB level and adds a little more power, you’ve got a cheap, controllable OF who can play center adequately and would be a great long-term replacement for McCutchen once his contract expires. Someone compared him to Conforto the other day, and I see no reason why he can’t be that type of player. And who knows? He could add more than a little power and suddenly give you an All Star.

      I’m not saying don’t trade him for the right pitcher … but if they do, it better be the right pitcher.

      1. I do not think he will ever have Conforto’s power into that 25/30 HR range…I see him more along the lines of a Benintendi type hitter…Haseley could get 12-15 HR power, but plenty of doubles and more than the average share of triples.

      2. But agree in one respect……they better get a decent arm with some control and youth behind it if he is the piece in a trade for a TOR pitcher..

    3. I don’t know that I agree it’s to showcase him for a trade but rather to assess if he can handle the job of replacing Odubel on the 25-man roster if needed. Otherwise, they will need to start shopping for CF help in the trade market since neither Kingery or McCutchen are long-term solutions at the position.

      If anything, if he goes to AAA and struggles, that would negatively impact his trade value for a TOR arm vs. having him continue to perform well in AA…

  4. Suggestion here on De Los Santos. Maybe this has been stated before, and maybe it’s in the Phillies plans already, but why don’t they just let the kid stick in a starter’s role? If Eickoff continues to serve up gopher balls and labor through outings it would be nice to have a somewhat viable man in De Los Santos ready to hop right in. My gut tells me that Jerad Eickoff, whether it on performance or injury, will not be an firm mainstay in the rotation.

    1. DLS needs to develop a reliable and consistent breaking ball to set foot as a rotation mainstay. DLS is mostly a FB-CU and the CB is still not consistent. Eickhoff is throwing a slower FB but he has an out pitch with his CB and the SL has been getting better. I view Eickhoff more as a #5 starter so I’m not that worried about the performance. If Pivetta and Vinny will be moved to the pen, DLS is definitely the best option to replace any SP.

      IMO, a pitcher needs to have at least 3 reliable pitches to be a mainstay in the rotation. How successful they can be of course is a different story.

  5. I really hope this team doesn’t get into the habit of trading its best prospects all the time. It’s the quick road to hell in the MLB. I’d rather not re-live the Ruben Amaro disaster. Why are the Dodgers and Yankees good all the time? It’s not just the money, it’s the fact that they hold onto their best prospects for dear life. So, now that Haseley is looking like he may be cheap, legit, big league centerfielder, we want to discard him? Unless it is such a good offer that we can’t say no, I say hold the line and keep him. He has a beautiful swing and has enough power to be extremely useful and he’s cheap!!!

    1. Catch, I totally agree with you, but I wonder which prospects are really in the category of “do not trade”. I think Howard and Bohm are the only ones right now. Haseley has come on, but he does not strike me as a future all-star.

      I think the problem with trying to trade him right now is that the Phils might see the upside you suggest, but optically he has not produced like a difference-maker. Other teams might not give up a good MLB pitcher in a deal headlined by Haseley.

    2. Catch, How many stars did Ruben trade? Maybe Carlos Carassco but he took 5-6 years to develop and we were perennial WS contenders. Everybody else washed out like Travis D’Naurd and others. Can’t you leave RAJ alone as his hand prints are all over this team.

      1. The other two that come to mind with some sun burst are Jon Villar and Domingo Santana.

  6. Will Vierling get moved up to Reading I wonder. Really happy for Adam I’d hate to see get traded. I don’t agree that they are trying to showcase him. With Doobie’s days as a Phillie likely done they are going to need him.

    Irvin should get more of a look as should DLS before they go making desperation moves for another starter.

    They replayed the 08 season last night. Few might remember that Joe Blanton was the acquisition and that Brett Myers accepted a demotion to AAA and that Kyle Kendrick was part of the rotation along with Hamels and Moyer.

    1. Vierling has tailed off after a hot start. His numbers for the season don’t scream “promote me!” So I think he’s fine in Clearwater for awhile.

  7. FYI – I’m not saying I wouldn’t make a trade with prospects, but I’m pretty much saying no to any trade with Haseley, Bohm and Howard. I’d start listening with Medina and on down, including Garcia.

    1. Word is that the Phillies have not been among the half dozen teams to attend any of Keuchel’s workouts.

      1. 0% agree on Kuechel.

        Irvin will do just as well as Kuechel and you would save millions.

        1. If Keuchel is OK for 1 year, Keuchel will be a better option than Irvin or Suarez in 2019.

        2. First of all, it’s very unlikely that Irvin will be as good as Keuchel. Very unlikely. Second, it’s not my money, why would I care?

      2. The thing with Keuchel is that he’s at best an option only for this season. I believe Klentak wants a higher quality arm with at least the viability of becoming a longer term fixture in the rotation. Mike Minor is under contract thru next season but presents a more attractive profile as a lefty who has bloomed later in his career and may be entering a productive phase whereas Keuchel is trending the other way, not much unlike Jake Arrieta. We don’t need a pair of those.

  9. I am hoping that Haseley proves to be a keeper. With Doobie’s uncertain future here, Cutch getting up there, and Quinn seemingly never being healthy a couple of years from now will require a young OF to be a productive Major Leaguer. I still think we can get a SP without giving up Haseley. Also, I would like to see Bohm at Reading.

    1. Depends on the pitcher they acquire, but IMO the most likely prospects to be dealt this summer:

      Francisco Morales
      Mark Vierling
      Adonis Medina (would disappoint me)
      Dominic Pipkin
      Rafael Marchan

  10. The Phillies will re-evaluate Pivetta and Eickhoff after every start. They won’t have to make any decisions until after 3 or 4 more starts. I’m a bottom line guy, and wins count. If both pitchers are so-so, but the team keeps winning, I’m okay. Both Pivetta and Eickhoff will probably be in the pen if/when we make the playoffs.

    1. agreed
      I think they’re in monitoring mode for the moment looking at performance and health.
      do they need a CF or can the combo of kingery, mccutch and maybe haseley do that job?
      do they need bullpen help? depends on health esp Robertson and morgan who are the more high leverage relievers
      do they need a starter? probably but I’m sure they want to see how Eckoff , pivetta do for now

      hard to make trades this early because the teams that are willing to start trading off talent this early really don’t have much
      who’s really in trade mode at this point marlins, giants, Baltimore, detriot and seattle
      the teams near .500 are going to wait especially with 2 wildcards and the need to sell tickets
      I have faith in MK at this point to recognize holes and act when the time arrives

  11. We’ve gone into General Discussion territory and not the Boxscore Recap. Talking about Haseley as a possible trade chip is right on the edge but talking about signing this guy or what the rotation will look like come October…Nyet.

    1. You’re right but in this case we can blame Jim for posting his initial thought in this thread. Fine with me either way. It’s all good stuff….

  12. Haseley is just as good as Hererra defensively right now and his bat would probably be just as good the way Doobie has been hitting this year. Haseley is going to be a solid MLB player so don’t trade him.

    To 8mark: Got to see the Paul Newman film (easily his best performance), “The Verdict”, on TCM last night. In it was Lindsay Crouse who also played opposite him in “Slap Shot” another underated Newman role.

    1. ciada, my favorite Newman role was The Color of Money (Oscar winner). My favorite Newman movie was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. He and Redford were perfect together. Same for The Sting.

    2. Hah.. “Slap Shot; great flick…PN even did his own skating and got hurt in one on-ice scene.

  14. Funny trade Medina but keep Howard. On Medina many scouts had as good as any pitcher in last yrs draft. He maybe just trying out a new pitch or using his 3rd pitch more. We really dont know.

    Howard didnt start until his jr yr in college . His ing total from lasr yr was 115 ings was the highest hes ever thrown. This yr already cut short do to a tired arm.He has to get to a least 150 ings before getting called up .

    Imo Medina is going to help the phillies before Howard can.

    1. De Los Santos is pitching tonight for Lehigh. For the Phillies sake, and his, I hope he throws a gem.

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