After a very effective outing yesterday by Chan Ho Park (4 IP, 1 ER), JA Happ followed that up today with 3 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 7. Kendrick and Carrasco are going to have some catching up to do, although I believe absent a phenominal spring by Carrasco, the Phils have always intended him to start this season in AAA.
John Mayberry, Jr. hit another homer today, bouncing back well from a game yesterday where he left 4 men on base.
After a good first 2 innings, Kyle Kendrick was blasted in the 3rd inning, giving up 4 runs, on 5 hits. Antonio Bastardo fared no better against the tough U.S. lineup, giving up 5 runs (on 3 homers) in his 2.1 innings. He walked 2 and struck out 2.
As far as hitting prospects go, John Mayberry, Jr. was 1-5, Lou Marson 2-4, and Jason Donald 1-3 with his first homer of the spring, a solo shot.
Justin Lehr pitched a scoreless inning for the Phils, striking out 2, while Joe Bisenius gave up a run on 3 hits, in his inning of work for the U.S.
Andrew Carpenter had another awful outing today against the Canadien national team, going 2 innings and giving up 2 runs on 3 hits. Most concerning were his four walks allowed. While there had been a great deal of hope from sources within the Phils organization that he would become the season in AAA, he is pitching himself out of the picture quickly.
Note: John Mayberry continued to swing a hot bat, connecting on his first homer of the spring in the game today.
For some reason, I feel I must comment on the first Phillies boxscore of the year as it relates to the potential Iron Pig roster. Both Joe Bisenius and Scott Nestor were lit up, Bisenius giving up 4 runs on 2 hits in his inning of work and Nestor allowing 3 runs on 3 hits in his inning, in which he struggled with his control giving up 2 walks as well. Dave Borkowski, Jake Woods, and Mike Koplove all pitched scoreless innings today with Koplove looking the best, stiking out 2 hitters.
Quickly going through the hitters who may end up on the Pig roster…Jeremy Slayden was 2-2 with a run and a double, John Mayberry was 1-2 with an RBI, Andy Tracy was 0-2, Jason Donald 0-1, Marcus Giles 0-2, Lou Marson 0-1, Ronny Paulino 0-1, and JJ Furmaniak 0-2.
Just giving everyone something to talk about on this opening day of boxscores….
Look for the ‘Pigs bullpen to be almost completely revamped from the Pen of last year, with a number of free agent signings that have Major League experience. Although probably almost totally devoid of any big time prospects, the Lehigh Valley bullpen should provide the Phillies with some reliable depth if any of the relievers on the big club are down for a significant period of time. Continue reading Iron Pigs Bullpen Report
Taking a look at the potential starting rotation in 2009 for the Iron Pigs, the first two spots will be filled by two of three candidates, JA Happ, Kyle Kendrick, and Carlos Carrasco with the other, more than likely being named the Phillies #5 starter absent a terrific spring from Chan Ho Park.
As I flip my calendar to February, I begin chomping at the bit for the arrival of pitchers and catchers, so, with that comes an early look at what to expect in the Lehigh Valley next year. A huge turnover on the roster will lead to what many believe will be a very exciting team, filled with a combination of prospects and proven AAA players. Continue reading Iron Pigs Preview
The Arizona Fall League came to its conclusion with the play of Jason Donald taking on a new importance in light of the hip injury to Chase Utley. The 24 year old Donald ended the Fall campaign hitting .407, with 5 HR and 17 RBI’s in his 91 at bats. His OBP was .476 and his SLG .747, both outstanding. Additionally, he won the Stenson Award for his hard work, unselfishness and leadership, traits that sound awfully similar to Utley (no I am not comparing them). He played primarily at SS and 3B, but is capable of playing second as well. His fielding, although not spectacular, was steady during the Fall. Jeremy Slayden, 26, did not play well enough in the Fall (in the Phillies minds at least) to earn a spot on the 40 man roster, now subjecting him to the Rule 5 draft. Slayden, as usual, hit .286, with 3 HR and 27 RBI in his 105 at bats. His OBP was low at .322 (he only walked 5 times), however his SLG was .476. His fielding was adequate, however, his projections as a #5 outfielder at best did not change. The soon to be 24 year old Quintin Berry had a good Fall hitting .311 in his 90 at bats, with 1 HR and 9 RBI, hitting high up in the Mesa order. His 6 walks continue to be problematic, along with his baserunning, which took a step backwards this Fall, having been thrown out as much as he stole. Tuffy Goosewich, 25, saw limited action this Fall in place of Lou Marson, while Marson was up with the Phillies. Goosewich hit .280 in his 25 at bats and generally called a good game behind the plate. He projects to open the season in Reading. Marson scalded the ball in his limited time in Mesa, hitting .324 in his .324 in his 34 at bats, collecting 10 RBI’s. Six of his 11 hits were for extra bases. Continue reading Fall League Review
Mesa won 2 of their 3 games played since the last update with the relief pitchers, starting to take things up a notch, and Andrew Carpenter continuing to struggle. Sergio Escalona, Tyson Brummett and Pat Overholt all pitched a scoreless inning apiece in relief over the last several days. Carpenter started Mondays’ game and took the loss, going 4 innings and giving up 6 runs on 7 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 3. His ERA stands at 6.86 and his WHIP, almost as bad at 1.67.
Jason Donald played third again on Monday and went 2-4 with 2 runs and a double, keeping his average above .400. Quintin Berry played Tuesday in Center and Wednesday in Leftfield, going 2-10 with a run scored. A concerning statistic is that he was caught stealing again (5th time in the Fall), and picked off in Tuesdays’ game. His average is at .325. Jeremy SLayden played in all three games, starting in RF. 5-12, with 2 runs, a double and 3 RBI’s, continuing his very productive Fall. Lou Marson caught his first game of the Fall on Tuesday, was the designated hitter Monday and pich hit Wednesday, going a combined 3-6, with a run, double and 3 RBI’s. He is hitting .313 since joing Mesa.
Mesa split their 4 games since Wednesday, with Lou Marson making his Fall League debut fresh off celebrating the Phils championship . Marson saw action in 3 games, as designated hitter in each. He was 2-10, with a run scored, 3 RBI’s, a double and a triple. He should see some action behind the plate this week. Tuffy Goosewich was behind the plate on Wednesday and went 1-5 with an RBI, and it hitting .263 in the Fall League thus far. Quintin Berry was in RF on Wednesday and Thursday and Center on Saturday, going 3-8, with 3 runs scored, 4 walks and 2 caught stealing. Berry is hitting .342 with a .392 OBP in his 67 at bats. He has been caught stealing in 3 of his 8 attempts, a percentage that must improve. Jeremy Slayden played Friday and Saturday, both in RF, and went 2-6, with a run and an RBI. He continues to be consistent at the plate and is hitting .276 with a HUGE 20 RBI’s in his 76 at bats thus far. He must improve his plate discipline as he has walked a miniscule 2 times in those 76 at bats. FInally, Jason Donald played third on Wednesday and SS on Thursday, with his bat cooling off, going 1-9 with 4 strikeouts over those 2 games. Even so, his average stands at .400, with an OBP of .458 in 75 AB’s. His OPS is an awesome 1.151.
Pitchers seeing action included Pat Overholt, who threw 2 innins on Friday, giving up a run on 3 hits, He also walked 2. In his 9 appearances thus far he is 0-0 with a 6.39 ERA. Perhaps most concerning is his 8 walsk surrendered. If he is going to have any modicum of success, his control is key. Sergio Escalona also saw action on Friday, going 1.2 innings, giving up a run on a hit. he struck out 2. The 24 year old is 0-0 with a 5.25 ERA in the Fall, with a 1.25 WHIP, a good number. Tyson Brummett, who has struggled out of the bullpen all Fall, got the start on Saturday and went 2 scoreless innings, allowing only one baserunner on a hit in the 2nd inning. He struck out 3. Brummett is 0-2 with a 6.30 ERA in his 9 appearances (8 in relief).
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