The affiliates only lost two games last night. However, they only played two since Lehigh Valley and Jersey Shore were rained out.
I was at the Complex again this morning. Not very much going on. I tweeted out the following.
Before we left, we watched Tyler Carr and Alex McKenney throw live BP to Scott Kingery and Aldrem Corredor.
My friend, Steve Potter, initiated a conversation with Gary Cathcart, the Phillies Baserunning Coordinator and Clearwater Bench Coach about Yhoswar Garcia’s getting caught stealing twice. His explanation was that opponents know what we know. That Garcia likes to go on the first pitch and they are combating that by throwing fastballs on the first pitch to mitigate his thefts. I brought up the surprising Ethan Wilson. He credited his success to technique. He also commented that proper technique is important for Wilson because he has “short legs”. (I felt this was vindication for an observation I have held for months. Though tall, his legs seem out of proportion to his torso.) Doesn’t matter. Proper technique, new rules on throws to first and step-offs, and larger bases are contributing to more steals throughout the minors. He also mentioned that he is trying to get base runners to get out to an X-foot lead. Some are hesitant or uncomfortable. Others, like Johan Rojas are comfortable at X+2.
Last night Clearwater went 3 for 3 – Baylor (4), Azuaje (3), Lee (2). And, Reading went 1 for 1 – O’Hoppe (1). The organization is 43 for 51. Individually, Lehigh Valley is 2 for 3, Reading is 3 for 4, Reading is 24 for 26, and Clearwater is 14 for 18. Wilson and Rojas are both 7 for 7, Jamari Baylor is 4 for 4, and Alexeis Azuaje is 3 for 3. And, Jared Carr, Casey Martin, DJ Stewart, and Lee Hao Yu are all 2 for 2. The only other guy with more than one is Yhoswar Garcia who is 2 for 4.
Clearwater (0-6) lost to St. Lucie, 9-3. link
Gabriel Cotto made his first start of the season and was charged with two runs (one earned) on one hit and a walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out 9 batters. Fernando Lozano allowed an inherited runner to score and gave up the tying run on 5 hits and a walk in 1.1 innings. Cam Wynne gave up the winning run (unearned) on just one hit in 1.1 innings. Rodolfo Sanchez walked three in one inning. Each reliever struck out 2 batters for a team total of 15 Ks.
The Threshers built a 3-run lead with a run in the first on Garcia’s leadoff triple and Azuaje’s RBI groundout, a fielding error in the third, and Arturo De Freitas’ solo HR in the fourth. They managed to get 5 base runners on 2 hits and 3 walks after the fourth inning. But, while the Mets were rallying, the Threshers were very “un-clutch” striking out 12 times in the final five innings, 14 times in the game.
There is a scrimmage tomorrow. We don’t know what time. We’ll get there before eleven and hope. XST games start next week. There are only 2 or 3 per week, and only about 10 home games thru June 4th. Fortunately, 3 are on Mondays, an off day in minor league scheduling.
Lehigh Valley (3-5) postponed due to rain, to be made up on April 15th.
Reading (2-4) lost to Akron, 5-3. link
The Phils staked McArthur to a first-inning run but he gave up 3 runs in 2.2 innings on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out three. Bubby Rossman struck out 3 in 1.1 one-hit innings. Erik Miller pitched two innings and gave up one run on 2 hits and a walk. He also struck out three. Billy Sullivan allowed 2 base runners in one scoreless inning. McKinley Moore allowed a walk and a hit and got tagged for an unearned run.
Jhailyn Ortiz had 2 doubles in 4 at bats and scored twice. He scored on Wendell Rijo’s RBI single in the first. He scored on a wild pitch in the sixth. Kevin Vicuna brought home the other run with an RBI single in the sixth.
Jersey Shore (1-4) postponed due to rain, to be made up on April 16th.
Rosters and Stuff
Not up to date, yet.
Transactions
4/14/2022 – Phillies activated RHP James Norwood from the bereavement list
4/14/2022 – Phillies transferred RHP Sam Coonrod from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL
4/14/2022 – Lehigh Valley activated LHP Scott Moss
4/14/2022 – Phillies selected the contract of RHP Andrew Bellatti from Lehigh Valley
4/14/2022 – Reading transferred RHP Noah Skirrow to the Development List
4/14/2022 – Jersey Shore transferred RHP Cristian Hernandez to the Development List
4/13/2022 – FCL Phillies released RHP Mark Potter
3/21/2022 – FCL Phillies activated C Edward Barboza from the restricted list
Phuture Phillies 
Jim – how did Kingery look in his batting practice? Any reason for optimism?
I went looking for the positive and found the negative. Rixon Wingrove, so far this season (albeit short), is a strike out machine. Unfortunately he is not a pitcher. 7 Ks in 15 ABs so far. Last year, he had 104 Ks in 306 ABs.
But on the positive front, Lee, DeFreitas and Lee Sang are above .300 early. At AA, O’Hoppe was the only guy in the lineup over .250. Rijo was at .250. Miller gave up a run but has 8 Ks in 4 IP. He’s settling into the reliever role pretty well. Cotto has 9 Ks in 4.1 IP. I’ve been waiting for the former 7th round pick to show this kind of ability. As I always say, 1 game does not a trend make but it’s something.