Threshers Recap – 7/16/2019

Box Score Recap

I met some of the family members of our newest players during the game.  It’s always nice to meet the appreciative parents of our guys.

A friend and I spoke with Josh Bonifay.  I asked him about Thomas Little.  I had been sent a story from a paper in Montana that reported that Little was playing Legion ball. I hadn’t received the message, but a friend who was copied on it showed it to me.  I asked Mr. Bonifay about it, and he indicated that things with Little didn’t work out.

The same paper had a story about a pre-season conference All-Star team for football. Former prospect Mitch Gueller of Idaho State made it as a wide receiver.

It’s late.  I can’t remember anything else that I can report.  This is the last night for the WSOP.  I expect it to go until at least 5:00 AM.  I don’t think I’m going to make it.

Oh, once the updated top 30 is released. I’ll add the prospects to the team recaps below.

Clearwater (14-14, 50-44)  lost to Bradenton, 8-0.

Julian Garcia gave up 3 runs (2 ER) in six innings on 4 hits and a walk.  He struck out three.  He gave up 2 solo HR.  Andrew Brown gave up 5 runs in two innings, 4 coming on a grand slam.

The Threshers had 5 hits and went 0-2 with RISP.

Lehigh Valley (47-46)  beat Gwinnett, 4-2.

Enyel De Los Santos pitched six, 3-hit innings.  He gave up 2 runs, walked 2, and struck out six.  Tom Windle, Tyler Gilbert, and Fernando Salas each tossed a scoreless inning.

The IronPigs scored 2 runs in the second inning on Logan Morrison’s 2-run HR (16) and De Los Santos’ RBI single.  They added an insurance run in the eighth on Phil Gosselin’s solo HR (4).

Gosselin (.320) and Malquin Canelo (.259) had 2 hits each.

Reading (17-9, 56-37)  suspended leading Binghamton, 4-0.

JoJo Romero threw three, 2-hit innings with 3 strike outs before the game was suspended.  Josh Stephen had 2 hits including a solo HR (5).  Austin Bossart also had a solo HR (4).  Alec Bohm and Mickey Moniak each had a hit.

Lakewood (8-16, 37-57)  beat Delmarva, 7-4.

James McArthur pitched five, one-hit innings.  He gave up a run on a solo HR, walked one, and struck out two.  Kevin Gowdy pitched an inning+ and gave up 3 runs (only one was earned) on 4 hits, 3 walks, and a strike out.  He threw 28 pitches in his first inning and 20 facing 4 batters in his second.  The 2 runs in his second inning scored on an error and a double play.  Michael Gomez gave up one hit and struck out 3 in three innings.

The BlueClaws scored 2 runs in the third on Rafael Marchan’s bases loaded walk and a force out.  They added a run in the fourth on Carlos De La Cruz’ solo HR (4).  They added an insurance run in the sixth on Abrahan Gutierrez’ RBI single.  They retook the lead with 3 runs in the ninth on Ben Pelletier’s RBI single, Marchan’s sac fly, and a wild pitch.

If you haven’t noticed, Pelletier just logged his tenth game in center field.

Williamsport (8-22)  no game scheduled.

GCL Phillies East (8-6)  no game scheduled.

GCL Phillies West (13-3)  beat Yankees West, 9-4.

Brandon Ramey pitched four, no-hit innings … again.  This is the third time this season (4 starts) Ramey has no-hit the opposition.  This time he was perfect.  He walked none and struck out five.  Ramey’s fastball was 90-94 and sat 92-93 mph.  He also throws a slider and change up.

Waylon Richardson made his professional debut.  The RHP was drafted 1n the 40th round in 2018 and underwent TJ surgery.  He worked through his rehab and took the mound for the first time today.  He retired the side in order on 8 pitches.  His 4 fastballs were at 87-88 mph.  He also throws a slider and fork ball.  As he gets stronger, he should return to his mid 90s fastball from before the operation.

Dalvin Rosario lasted just 0.1 innings.  He gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks.  His fastball was 90-93 and sat 91-92 mph.  But, he was unable to keep it in the strike zone. After a lead off double, ground out, and two bases-loading walks, a couple hits knocked him out of the game.

Austin Crowson came in and stranded both inherited runners.  He got a pop up and picked the runner off first base.  Unfortunately, he walked himself into trouble in the following inning.  He left with one two runners on base and a run scored.  He went one inning with a double and 2 walks.  His fastball was 85-88 mph.

Riley Wilson stranded both inherited runners and threw 1.2 innings allowing a hit and striking out a batter.  His fastball was 85-86 mph.

Jaylen Smith pitched the final inning allowing a hit and striking out one.  His fastball was 88-91 mph.

Edgar Made opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI triple.  He came home on Andrick Nava’s RBI single.  Nava came home on a wild pitch, and Keaton Greenwalt brought home the fourth run of the inning with a sacrifice fly.  The Phillies scored a run in the second on Made’s RBI single.  They added a run ion the fifth on Christian Valerio’s RBI single.  They pushed two more runs across in the sixth on Made’s second RBI single and Kevin Escalante’s sacrifice pop up in foul territory down the third base line.  They closed out the scoring with JC Smith’s RBI single in the eighth.

Made (.306) went 3-5 with a triple and 3 RBI.  Valerio (.200) went 3-4 with a double and RBI.  JC Smith went 3-3 with 2 runs scored, an RBI, and a walk.

Starlyn Castillo has recovered from a blister on his index finger and has begun throwing on the side.

DSL Phillies Red (23-11)  lost to Mets1, 4-0.

DSL Phillies White (23-15)  beat the Brewers, 7-4.

Here’s the affiliate scoreboard from MiLB.

The rosters and lists are up to date as of July 10th.

Today’s Transactions (newest transactions in bold text)
7/16/19 – Phillies activated RHP Juan Nicasio from the 10-day IL
7/16/19 – Phillies optioned RHP Yacksel Rios to Lehigh Valley
7/16/19 – RHP Luis Carrasco assigned to Reading from Clearwater
7/16/19 – RHP Alejandro Requena assigned to Reading from Clearwater
7/16/19 – LHP Zach Warren assigned to Clearwater from GCL West
7/16/19 – Clearwater sent RHP Waylon Richardson on a rehab assignment to GCL West
7/16/19 – SS Uziel Viloria assigned to DSL Red
7/15/19 – Jadiel Sanchez assigned to GCL West from GCL East
7/15/19 – DSL Red activated Uziel Viloria
7/15/19 – DSL Red released Noelis Moreno
7/15/19 – Phillies sent C Rob Brantly outright to Lehigh Valley
7/15/19 – Phillies signed free agent 1B Logan Morrison to a minor league contract
7/15/19 – LHP Josh Tols assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
7/15/19 – C Nick Matera assigned to Lakewood from Lehigh Valley
7/15/19 – 1B Logan Morrison assigned to Lehigh Valley
7/15/19 – Reading placed RHP Mauricio Llovera on the 7-day IL
7/15/19 – 2B Brayan Gonzalez assigned to GCL East from Williamsport
7/14/19 – Phillies placed RHP Tommy Hunter on the 10-day IL, forearm strain
7/14/19 – 1B Ryan Howard retired
7/14/19 – Phillies recalled RHP Edubray Ramos from Lehigh Valley
7/14/19 – Lehigh Valley placed RHP Alexis Rivero on the 7-day IL
7/14/19 – LHP Taylor Lehman assigned to Lakewood from Williamsport
7/14/19 – Lakewood placed RHP Tyler McKay on the 7-day IL retro to July 13th
7/14/19 – RHP Adam Leverett assigned to Williamsport from GCL East
7/14/19 – LHP Erik Miller assigned to Williamsport from GCL West
7/14/19 – SS Bryson Stott assigned to Williamsport from GCL East
7/13/19 – Phillies placed Sean Rodriguez on the 10-day IL, (7/10), abdominal strain
7/13/19 – Phillies activated C J.T. Realmuto from the paternity list
7/13/19 – Phillies designated C Rob Brantly for assignment
7/13/19 – Phillies recalled CF Adam Haseley from Lehigh Valley
7/13/19 – Lehigh Valley activated C Deivy Grullon from the 7-day IL
7/13/19 – Reading activated RHP Mauricio Llovera from the 7-day IL
7/13/19 – Lakewood sent RHP Jack Perkins on a rehab assignment to GCL West

66 thoughts on “Threshers Recap – 7/16/2019”

  1. Manuel Urias’ numbers look very good, he plays for the DSL phillies red, anyone knows about his stuff?

  3. Austin Listi has been nothing short of magical in his stint in AAA.

    Here’s his last 10 games stats – wow!

    DATE OPP AB R H HR RBI BB SO SB AVG
    07/05/2019 PAW 5 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 .333
    07/06/2019 PAW 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 .328
    07/07/2019 PAW 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 .328
    07/11/2019 @ROC 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 .333
    07/11/2019 @ROC 2 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 .338
    07/12/2019 @ROC 4 1 1 1 3 0 1 0 .333
    07/13/2019 @ROC 4 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 .329
    07/14/2019 @ROC 3 1 2 1 3 1 1 0 .341
    07/15/2019 @GWN 4 1 2 0 2 1 0 0 .349
    07/16/2019 @GWN 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 .348
    TOTALS 34 8 13 3 11 6 8 0 .382

    1. I’ll say it again – we need to pay attention to this player. He’s not just hitting for a high average and power, he’s controlling the strike zone. And apparently the Phillies are watching because he played last night in left field.

      1. ….and he was pulled early in the game for no apparent reason…???😀 (now who gets bumped from the 40 man roster?)

          1. ….oh. Thanks for the correction. So Williams is the likely call up to replace Bruce, right?

  4. @JimP – thanks on reporting on Waylon Richardson. I like Waylon’s potential. Big pitcher with a big arm — throwing mid 90s with a sharp SL and split fork before the TJ surgery.

    Richardson is bigger than Dyer but both have similar profile – can do spot starts, pitching in multiple inning and eventually become a high leverage pen arm throwing mid-90s FB with sharp breaking ball.

    I just want to see Richardson to pitch healthy this year and work on his stuff next year.

  5. Two pitchers sent to Reading from Clearwater and neither is named Spencer Howard. Am I missing something here?

    1. I’m curious also?? The best pitching prospect in the .org is stuck in high A ball, dominating nonetheless. I’m missing something for sure

    2. He seems ready from the outside, but he could still be working on certain things. Plus he’s only thrown like 30 innings there.

    3. Mr. H, I suggested to Mr. B that Spencer could just as easily continue stretching out in Reading as he could in Clearwater. I didn’t get a straight answer, but got the feeling that he is too important to their future plans to be rushed.

      1. I’m absolutely shocked. If Spencer is healthy (and you would know better than any of us, Mr H), there is no reason he shouldn’t be in AA. In fact, I’ve felt he should have have begun the season in Reading. He has nothing left to prove at A+.

        1. Hinkie I agree whole heartedly he should have started in AA. If Parkinson and Medina then why not Spencer? On another note, I’m starting to pay attention to this Ramey, anyone have any insight ?

        2. He was ready to return in June. He has seen six pitchers from his draft (all drafted after him) get promoted ahead of him. At some point you got to think something’s up.

          1. If anything is up it’s the team trying to suppress Spencer’s value until the trade deadline passes. If he goes up to AA and dominates right away (as I suspect he might), teams might insist on including him in a deal and the Phillies. I am fairly sure, view him as a virtually untouchable prospect who they categorically will not trade. In other words, the Phillies may be delaying him slightly so they can play up other prospects for a trade. But fear not, if he keeps dominating he will soon be precisely where he belongs – it’s inevitable and it shouldn’t take long if he continues his recent successes.

            1. That’s a reasonable take on the non-promotion of Spencer. And I hope it’s the only reason he’s still in Clearwater.

            2. I don’t think that’s a reasonable take at all its more feeble than reasonable. This league is too smart too well scouted you’re not going to put one over on other teams when it comes to prospect value.

              And it should matter what another team insists on he should be off the table from the start of the conversation.

            3. I’m not saying it’s smart of them – but I do think it may be motivating their actions to a certain degree. It’s the only even slightly logical explanation.

            4. There are many possible reasons to delay a promotion. Players are constantly being evaluated, not just physically. Maybe they want to see how he handles the frustration of seeing other being promoted around him, does he sulk? Does he quit working? Does he get angry and work harder?

              Or maybe Jim’s point is correct in reverse and they figure he can get stretched out in Clearwater just as easily as he can in Reading. If they don’t have concerns that he can perform at that level then they have no need to “test” him with a promotion and are concerned he would try to push too hard in AA vs. building back up in A-ball. They might agree with the idea that pitchers only have so many bullets and would rather not push the issue too fast.

              Or maybe the entire developmental team are morons and have no clue. I have no idea why they choose to promote some players and not others but doubt it’s because they think he’s not any good.

            5. Any thought that the Phillies are trying to suppress Hunter’s value are … well I can’t think of a polite word to use here.

              The other teams know about Hunter and every other top prospect in ours and every other system.

              Believe me, any selling team who has a top of rotation starter under team control thru 2021 is asking for Hunter before they even answer the phone.

              I don’t think that should come as a surprise. I do think that the names of a couple other coveted prospects would shock you though.

          2. I’m a firm believer that pitchers only have so much tread on their tires. They need to drive as few MiLB miles as possible, and save most of that tread for MLB. The good thing is Spencer only threw ~120 innings in college. Maybe the Phillies believe they can be more patient/cautious with him because of that. I’m just not sure.
            I still believe he’ll be promoted in a matter of days.

            Could he be traded? I’m sure every GM with a starting pitcher w/some team control to sell (Mike Minor, Marcus Stroman, Matthew Boyd) will ask for your son. Klentak has already dealt Sixto Sanchez. I gotta’ believe he sees the big picture, and holds on to Spencer.
            I think he’s more likely to sell “high” on Damon Jones.

            1. Agree with your entire post. Personally, I think last winter, the Phillies made an executive decision that Spencer was their most valued pitching prospect, which freed up Sixto to go to the Marlins. I think it’s extremely unlikely he is traded by the Phillies.

            2. Jones, Medina, Romero, perhaps Morales. The Phillies could even pair up 2 of their top young arms for such a pitcher without giving up Spencer Howard. Neither Minor nor Boyd hold the distinction of being established major league starting pitchers. They both have valid question marks regarding their true value but either is worth the risk of trading good young talent (but not your top young talent) to boost their chances for a playoff run.

            3. Okay, so they make a playoff run. What next? Does anyone really see them making it to the WS? If that’s a pipe dream (and I think it is) then you shouldn’t risk any higher level talent this year. It’s a waste.

  6. Jim, it’s been years since I’ve heard or seen the term Fork Ball. I threw it once and a while in HS. I remember our little league coach was pitching batting practice to us and he threw me one. I hit it off the LC fence. He said”no one hits my fork ball. I’ll be watching Richardson for his progress. I thought he was a very good flier signing.
    Gm

      1. Grip the same or close to similar…but fork grip had the ball pushed to deeper into the fingers.
        Thrown differently…..fork was more downward snap wrist action…. so not like a fastball but just a slower pitch.
        Split is still a FB but thrown slower than a pitchers normal 4 seamer.
        . …

  7. DLS is such a tease when he has string starts like this. It seems like it should translate to success in the big leagues but it hasn’t yet.
    I agree with you that Listi is hitting a ton but he bats right handed so that will make it harder for him to get a call up before September. Morrison could actually go up quickly and grab a bench role if he keeps hitting at LHV.

  8. Only 39 guys currently on 40 man roster. Plus it wouldn’t be a big loss to remove either Gamboa or Walding

    1. Walding is a placeholder on the 40-man. Gamboa isn’t worth protecting either.

    2. 40-man shouldn’t be a problem. They can move Dominguez and Cozens to the 60-day DL as needed..

      1. Players hurt in the minors can’t be placed on the MLB IL. I don’t know why that is, but it is. We’d have to release Cozens to get him off the 40 man.

        Also, you can’t move anyone to the 60 day until your 40 Man is full. That’s easy enough to fix, but they may want that open spot for a potential trade. So we may be waiting a bit to see those roster maneuverings.

        2. Cozens can be recalled and placed on the 60 day IL. Obviously that would require paying him a prorated share of the major league salary and having him accrue major league service time, but if they’re not afraid of that then there’s nothing to stop them from doing it. They did this exact same scenario with John Ennis late in the 2009 season.

          1. He probably gets his free agency papers in November anyway since they may not protect him….so why not .

    1. Mr. Howard – I can safely say that none of us (or virtually none of us) want to see Spencer traded for pretty much anyone, no less a thirty-some odd year old reclamation project like Mike Minor. Don’t get me wrong, Minor’s a good player and has had a good year, but Spencer, along with Alec Bohm and a few other gems in our farm system, are the future of the team. I hope you were just joking and suspect you were.

      2. Spencer, Stott and Bohm are on my list of current untouchables. Everyone else can be traded…….……not that a team who is 16-23 since the beginning of June should be trading anyone.

    2. If AJ Preller offered MacKenzie Gore for Howard…..then I would listen.
      Minor, Duffy, et al….not today.

  11. It’s official. Nick Williams called up to replace Bruce. Now, if they’ll just let him play awhile.

    1. Now if he’ll just take his career in his hands and pull his you know what together…

      But I get your point Frank.

    2. There’s already talk of Bruce missing 3 weeks.

      At age 25, Nick went down to Lehigh and mashed. There’s nothing left for him to accomplish in the minors. Now he needs to perform at the ML level.

      1. That’s right and I give him a ton of credit for going down and working on his game. He looks like a much more mature version of the player we saw before. Hopefully it translates into some better success in the big leagues.

    3. Yes because the previous 2 seasons and 800 major league plate appearances he had wasn’t enough to see he’s a replacement level player at best…

      1. In all reality….Williams’ oWAR (Baseball Refernce) for those first two years, almost 800PAs, was 2.3.
        If his dWAR and DRS were any thing close to normal he would have been more than a replacement player.
        As it is, his defense is pulling him further down into the mud.

      2. It probably is, but sometimes younger players with a lot of MLB at bats go down to the minors and re-emerge as better players. Alex Gordon is one notable example and Ron Gant is another. It happens.

  12. I’m also surprised about the REA moves not involving Howard, I’ve been waiting for the day when Howard will reach REA so I can get to watch him pitch.

    I think he will eventually end up in REA sooner than later. Requena seems to me as a low risk trade piece and Luis Carrasco is a prototypical minor league journeyman. Both Requena and Carrasco might be done in the next 2 weeks which will clear Howard and Seabold to join REA rotation.

    Spencer Howard will be in REA when the calendar turns to August!!

  13. I’m really pulling for Nicky Dubs to succeed through this period, not only to increase his trade value but you never know. Cutch and Bruce are both down and out. This is truly a crossroads for Williams, and an opportunity to prove he’s an impact player at the highest level. Aside from his glove, the tools are there.

    1. 8mark……if you look at JBJr’s first two years …
      https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bradlja02.shtml …….and Nick Williams first two years or 800 PAs…..Wiliams’ bat compares favorably..
      What separates them is that JBJr is a Gold Glove player, akin to Jason Heyward, and Williams is a Dom Brown defender.
      That has to change….perhaps put him LF exclusively and maybe he can do the job better than in the past.
      And he has to got to start 12/15 games consecutively in LF……not any of Kapler’s bingo games with sitting him every 2/3 games …then pinch hit here and there and all that nonsense..

      1. And lest we forget, Romus – let’s not discard offense only players. The DH is on the horizon. We’ll be needing a specialist or two within the next 2-3 years.

      2. If not for his defense JBJr would also be a replacement level player. His offense is sub-par

        I hope Williams has figured it out on offense but I doubt his defense is better

        1. That is true…..but the Sox stuck with him even though Betts could have easily slid over to CF and they could have got a better bat to replace JBJr.

          I am with you….and I hope Williams’ offense is closer to his rookie season vs the first half this year.
          Kapler still needs to show patience with him and not pull him in and out every other game.

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