Box Score Recap (8/14/24)

Box Score Recap

Lehigh Valley lost.  Mick Abel pitched five innings allowing an unearned run.  He maintained his velocity of 95-97 mph through all five innings but had a little difficulty throwing strikes.  Carlos De La Cruz homered.  Reading won.  Braeden Fausnaught pitched well but the bullpen blew the save. Jersey Shore lost but pitched well while getting shut out.  Clearwater lost when they couldn’t hold a big early lead.  Devin Saltiban hit his 15th HR.  The Threshers lineup has been more competitive with the arrival of the new draft picks.  The DSL teams didn’t play.

Lehigh Valley (21-18, 55-57) lost to Worcester, 2-1.  Mick Abel pitched five innings.  He allowed an unearned run on 3 hits and 4 walks.  He struck out seven.  He threw 93 pitches (a lot for 5 innings) and threw 54 strikes (a somewhat low 58%).  Dylan Covey tossed a scoreless rehab inning striking out one.  Blaine Knight pitched a scoreless inning.  Michael Rucker pitched one inning and gave up one run on a hit and 2 walk striking out one.  

The IronPigs scored their lone run in the third inning on a solo HR (2) by Carlos De La Cruz.

  • #6 RHP, Mick Abel (3-8, 5.83): 5.0 IP, 3 H, R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
  • #15 RHP, Seth Johnson: DNP
  • #19 RHP, Michael Mercado (1-1, 2.10): DNP
  • #21 RHP, Griff McGarry (2-1. 4.18): DNP
  • #25 1B, Carlos De La Cruz (.173/.485): went 1-4 with a R, RBI, HR (2)

Reading (15-24, 46-61) beat New Hampshire, 5-4.  Braeden Fausnaught pitched five innings and gave up one run on 5 hits.  He walked none and struck out five.  Andrew Baker blew the save and pitched one inning giving up 3 runs (2 ER) on 3 hits including a HR.  Konnor Ash pitched two scoreless innings allowing a hit and striking out one.  Andrew Schultz pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his 5th save on 2 hits and a strikeout.

Reading took the lead with 4 runs in the third inning on a game-tying RBI single by Carson Taylor, a bases-loaded walk by Caleb Ricketts, and a 2-run double by Trevor Schweke.  After the game was tied in the sixth, Reading broke the tie in the seventh on an RBI fielder’s choice by Taylor.

  • #2 RHP, Andrew Painter: 60-day IL
  • #3 CF, Justin Crawford (.347/.857): went 2-4 with a R, BB, SB
  • #11 RF, Gabriel Rincones (.295/.962): went 1-4
  • #13 RHP, Jean Cabrera (0-0, 4.05): DNP
  • #15 RHP, Seth Johnson (0-7, 2.72): DNP
  • #22 RHP, Christian McGowan (0-1, 7.58): DNP
  • #24 C, Caleb Ricketts (.228/.693): went 0-2 WITH AN rbi, bb

Jersey Shore (20-24, 58-52) lost to Winston-Salem, 2-0.  Freddy Tarnok made a rehab start as an opener and pitched a scoreless inning striking out one.  Estibenzon Jimenez pitched four scoreless innings allowing one hit and striking out two.  Charles King pitched one inning allowing a run on 3 hits and a walk.  Pan Wen-hui pitched two innings and gave up a run on 3 hits striking out two.  Jaydenn Estanista pitched a scoreless inning walking two and striking out three.

  • #1 SS, Aidan Miller (.211/.642): went 1-4
  • #10 SS, Bryan Rincon (.204/.699): 60-day IL
  • #20 RHP, Pan Wen-hui (0-1, 1.93): 2.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 2 K
  • #23 CF, Emaarion Boyd (.238/.635): went 0-4
  • #26 RHP, Moises Chace (2-3, 3.56): DNP

Clearwater (12-30, 55-53) lost to Tampa, 8-7.  They led 7-2 after four innings but couldn’t hold the lead or add to it.  Enrique Segura pitched 4.1 innings and gave up 5 runs on 9 hits and 4 walks.  He struck out five.  Jake Eddington allowed one of 2 inherited runners to score and pitched two innings giving up 3 runs (2 ER) on 4 hits and a walk.  He struck out three.  Drew Garrett allowed one of 2 inherited runners to score and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings allowing a hit and walking three.  He struck out two.  Jonh Henriquez stranded 2 inherited runners in 1.1 scoreless innings striking out one.

The Threshers scored 3 runs in the first inning on a 3-run HR (15) by Devin Saltiban.  They scored 4 runs in the fourth on an RBI single by Joel Dragoo, an RBI single by Guillermo Rosario, and a 2-run single by Starling Caba.

Joel Dragoo went 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI.  Kodey Shojinaga went 0-4.  Brady Day went 0-3 with a run scored and a walk.

  • #4 SS, Starlyn Caba (.170/.492): went 1-3 with a R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB
  • #5 C, Eduardo Tait (.229/.707): went 1-3 with a R, BB
  • #7 OF, Dante Nori:  went 1-4 with a R, BB, 3B
  • #8 OF, Griffin Burkholder: DNP
  • #9 2B, Devin Saltiban (.233/.768): went 2-5 with a R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR (15)
  • #12, OF John Spikerman: went 0-2 with a R, BB, HBP
  • #16 RHP, Alex McFarlane: on the 60-day injury list
  • #17 3B, Carson DeMartini: DNP
  • #18 LF, TJayy Walton (.212/.680): DNP
  • #27 LHP, Mavis Graves (7-5, 3.16): DNP
  • #29 RHP, Micah Ottenbreit: DNP
  • #30 OF, Raylin Heredia (.245/.737): placed on 60-day IL

FCL Phillies (33-25) finished third in their division.

  • #14 3B, Aroon Escobar (.338/.976)

DSL Phillies Red (17-33) no game scheduled.

DSL Phillies White (23-28) no game scheduled.

Transactions –

8/14/2024 – Lehigh Valley transferred RHP Tyler McKay to the Development List
8/14/2024 – Lehigh Valley sent RHP Freddy Tarnok on a rehab assignment to Jersey Shore

If anyone is interested, the first 3 files under Rosters and Stuff on the pull-down menu above are up to date as of August 14th.

The Transactions menu option is up-to-date for the 2024 season thru July 31st.

25 thoughts on “Box Score Recap (8/14/24)”

  1. Not quite sure to make of the Saltiban of Swat. For a guy of his size with so much power…does have some swing and miss with a 25% K rate, but can take a walk with a 13% BB rate. Has the speed and acumen to run the bases…21 steals and only caught twice. Slash is a plus across the board except for BA. BABIP of .275, so he must be hitting into some bad luck, GB% @ 41% is n where near Crawford’s who is in the 60%ish…….he does have a high FB rate of almost 40%, so looks like he wants to upper cut with in his swing. I want to see how the analyst evaluate him and what his projection will look like.

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    1. I think Saltiban could be one of those late bloomers. It might take him some time to sharpen the tools of his trade so to speak to be considered an MLB player.

      The BB rate is a good sign. If he keeps that up he might just make it.

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      1. if he’s a late bloomer, he has plenty of time … he’s only 19! he’s younger than our HS graduate first round pick this year!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. He’s about the same size as Victorino but Saltiban’s hitting is way more advanced with more power. Saltiban is still only 19 at Clearwater. He should start JS next season as age 20 but he’s definitely one to watch.

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    3. Remember that he is playing 2B for the 1st time, he was a CF in high school. He has serious upside and his high ranking is deserved. He’ll need to make more contact next year at the Shore.

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  3. Abel maintaining velocity is a great thing.
    jim – any chance Abel is a Sept call up if he continues to show improvement?

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    1. No, I don’t see any chance he is called up this year. He has had enough trouble regaining his footing in AAA and still has not dominated in AAA. He should stay right where he is until he has mastered AAA. His confidence has taken enough shots this year.

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      1. And, by the way, just to be clear, he isn’t ready to pitch in the big leagues. Thank God his velocity has returned, but the issues with control and command remain. So he’ll be a minor leaguer until he can figure that out. At some point, if he continues to struggle with control/command they may just throw caution to the wind and see if his future is in the bullpen. It’s a last resort for a guy like Abel, but it’s better than being a career minor leaguer.

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    2. There’s absolutely no chance Abel gets a call up. And you know that September callups are now limited to 1 extra pitcher and 1 extra hitter right?

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      1. I’m aware, thanks. He’s on the 40, so it was worth the question.

        asked Jim a question, but didn’t need snarky remarks from the peanut gallery. Unless you’re a scout or have insider info, I was asking Jim because he would know and I trust his opinion. If you are somehow connected to the org and this is your input, I appreciate it. If you’re just a dude commenting you’re opinion cause you didn’t like my question, save your opinion.

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        1. Mick Abel is not on the 40.

          So your question is based on the fact that Abel had 2 good outings so he’s going to get a callup, but he’s still sporting a 5.83 ERA, 6.4 walk rate, and a whip of 1.3974. I think you know the answer to your question, or at least you should know the answer.

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          1. I was thinking he was.

            and my question was IF he continues to improve. I didn’t say if it was today would he be called up. You can throw stats at me all day but if the sample size is there these next 3 or so starts, why not have the discussion?

            again the question was IF he continues to improve. Ine person says he’s probably not going to be a starter and another answers based off today’s stats. I want Jim’s opinion. If he agrees with you, I’ll eat crow lol

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  4. Does anyone still doubt that Crawford will be an everyday MLB player? I’ve seen some dreck in the big leagues for a lot of teams.

    Maybe he is not a star but he is easy to see as a guy that quietly goes out about his job and gets it done.

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    1. It seems highly likely that he will be a big league player and at least a solid one. As for how good he’s going to be, let’s first see how he does in AAA. Lots of guys look like world beaters in AA and struggle in AAA – J.P. Crawford being just one example. But you are always encouraged when a guy gets promoted and then does better at the higher level. This team desperately needs young talent, so it will be fun to see him in the big leagues. My view is that if they were going to trade him, it would have been this year, so I expect that they have very clear plans for him on the big league team.

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    2. DMAR…agree…..should be patrolling CF flawlessly, and at the plate if can make contact, with his speed, should generate enough of a BA to be dangerous. More of a gap-to-gap hitter….which is what the Phillies could use. Can see him being a left handed version of Bohm at the plate.

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      1. If he became a lefthanded version of Bohm, he’s an all-star because he’s probably going to a plus 1-2 WAR fielder. Sounding a lot like his Dad, which is a good thing.

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        1. I think JCraw can hit in the bigs, the issue now is his power. His dad was slugging .450 at age 22. His power will determine if he’s a 2 WAR player or a 4 WAR player.

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          1. I think he can still be a 4 WAR player with only moderate power (7-12 homers) because his defense will be excellent and he’s probably going to hit for a high average. If he hits with any real power (15-25 homers), then he has a chance to an impact player. He’s not walking a ton, so it’s going to hinge a lot of defense, speed and hit tool.

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            1. Crawford, just playing 70 plus games at the Bank, should get to a total of 15 HRs…which would be fine with me….and with his speed should get plenty of doubles and triples, which will further enhance his SLG%

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            2. Not if he just hits the ball on a line and on the ground. It’s not that easy to hit 15 homers anymore. Brandon Marsh is a big strong guy and can hit the ball a ton at times, and he might not hit 15 this year. Bohm will barely hit 15 and he has power too.

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  5. As for Abel, there was a good Gelb article the other day. Abel said he has been healthy all year. His problems have been mechanical plus he seems to get in his own way mentally a lot. Until he can improve his control, and location, he won’t have a major career. However, he’s still young and has time. I would think there’s little chance he gets called up this year and they can’t count on him for next year either. He and McGarry have not progressed unfortunately.
    Side note – I’m curious to see how Pina does in AAA. He’s had a solid year at Reading.

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  6. Trollu,

    I don’t like to use words like “always” or “never” or words with similar connotations when asked for an opinion. Use of such words is meant to end a discussion not to keep it going.

    That said, I would say there is a non-zero chance that the Phillies will promote Abel. But that the chance is very low.

    Now, if he were to continue to maintain his velocity deeper into games and tighten up his control over his next 2 starts, he might garner some promotion consideration from the Phillies. But that would also require a series of injuries and sustained poor pitching from those ahead of him on the SP depth chart.

    Should the Phillies use a 6-man rotation down the stretch, Ranger Suarez is set to rejoin the rotation with Nola, Wheeler, Sanchez, Walker, and Phillips. Spencer Turnbull may also be ready to rejoin the team, but I would think starting is unlikely.

    The available starting depth at Lehigh Valley consists of Kolby Allard, Kyle Tyler, Seth Johnson, Dylan Covey, Luis Ortiz, Freddy Tarnok (all on the 40-man), Mick Abel, David Buchanan, Nick Nelson, Alan Rangel, and Robinson Pina.

    Allard, Tyler, and Johnson are all on the 40-man, actually pitching, and might all be ahead of Abel. Covey and Tarnok have finally begun rehab appearances and might not be under real consideration. I think Ortiz has been shut down for the season.

    The thirty-five-year-old Buchanan is probably a longshot. Nelson has recently been designated and outrighted. I don’t know much about Rangel. Pina was only recently promoted.

    Realistically, Abel is probably at best the fourth or fifth option after the six expected to be in the rotation when Suarez returns. So, it would take several injuries and performance implosions as well as continued improvement by Abel to move him up the depth chart.

    If it were to come to that, there are no roster implications to consider since the Phillies will likely provide Abel with protection from the Rule 5 draft this offseason.

    The Phillies are in win-now mode. If it happens that Abel is the best option, the Phillies will select him. However, as I said at the start, I think that is very unlikely.

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