Lehigh Valley finished the season at 55-89, in last place in the Northern Division of the International League, 33 games behind division leading Scranton. Taking a last look at Iron Pigs among International League leaders, Brandon Watson was 3rd in at bats (514), 2nd in hits (157), and 10th in batting average (.305). Mike Cervenak was 5th in the league in batting average (.310), and 7th in the league in doubles (30). Andy Tracy was 2nd in the league in doubles (34), 8th in the league in homers (22), 5th in the league in RBI’s (85), 4th in the league in walks (64), 5th in the league in OBP (.383), and 7th in the league in slugging % (.525). Jon Knott was 8th in the IL with 30 doubles. Continue reading Iron Pigs Report
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Iron Pigs Report
Just a horrible week for the ‘Pigs as they went 1-7, and now stand at 54-86, in last place of the Northern Division of the International League, 33 games behind division leading Scranton. Look for an in depth review of the Lehigh Valley season, including a look at the performance of each player, including my opinion of where they go from here, during each of the next several editions of the Lehigh Valley report. Continue reading Iron Pigs Report
Iron Pigs Report
A lousy week for Lehigh Valley who went 2-5, and now stand at 53-79. 26.5 games behind division leading Scranton. The 26.5 games back in the most Lehigh Valley have been back this year. Taking a look at league leaders, Brandon Watson is 8th in at bats (462), and 4th in hits (139). Mike Cervenak is 2nd in the league in average (.319). Andy Tracy is 3rd in doubles (32), 2nd in RBI’s (83), 6th in walks (59), 6th in on base % (.380) and 8th in slugging % (.525). On the pitching side, Les Walrond leads the league with 2 shutouts, JA Happ in 5th in ERA (3.30), first in strikeouts (143) and 4th in WHIP (1.15). The slumping Brian Mazone is 3rd in losses (11), first in starts (26), 3rd in IP (156.2) and 4th in homers allowed(20). Continue reading Iron Pigs Report
Iron Pigs Report
After a 2-3 week, Lehigh Valley now stands at 51-75, in last place in the Northern Division of the International League, 25.5 games behind division leading Scranton. WIth a little over two weeks left in the season, the ‘Pigs are focused on trying to move out of last place in the North, and further trying to assure that they dont have the worst record in the IL. Continue reading Iron Pigs Report
Iron Pigs Report
A difficult week for Lehigh Valley as they went 1-6, falling to 49-71 on the year, 24 games behind division leading Scranton in the Northern Division of the International league. The ‘Pigs are struggling with a makeshift lineup and pitching staff as they have recently lost several key players to various consequences including call ups (Cervenak, Walrond, Happ), Olympics (Green, Swindle), Japan (Ennis), and the DL(King). Between all of those variables Lehigh Valley has lost 25% of their team over the passed two weeks or so. League leaders still include several ‘Pigs not on the current roster. Hitting leaders include Mike Cervenak who is leading the league in average (.320), and 6th in the league in hits (124). Brandon Watson is 7th in the league in hits (124). Rich THompson is 10th in the league in stolen bases (24). Andy Tracy is 8th in OBP (.380), 5th in walks (57), 4th in RBI’s (74), and 3rd in doubles (28). Les Walrond leads the league in ERA (2.61, is second in complete games (2), and tied for the league lead in shutouts(2). JA Happ is 7th in ERA (3.30), second in strikeouts (127), and 4th in WHIP (1.18). Brian Mazone is 6th in homers allowed (17), 3rd in innings (141), and 2nd in starts (23). Matt Childers is 3rd in the league with 19 saves. Continue reading Iron Pigs Report
Carrasco Debut
I had the opportunity to attend tonights ‘Pigs game and watch Carlos Carrasco in person. He had an impressive night. He went 6.2 innings and gave up 2 runs (none earned) on 6 hits. He didnt factir in the decision, in a game Lehigh Valley won 5-3. Carrasco walked 2 and struck out 4. He threw 102 pitches, 67 for strikes and certainly looked like he belonged and then some. His fastball was between 91–93 for most of the night, and he hit 94-95 with half a dozen pitches. His change was very impressive, causing numerous groundouts on a very busy night for 3B Joey Hammond. There were a few balls hit hard, but Carrasco kept his composure for the most part and worked out of trouble on a couple of occasions. This was only his first start and some growing pains are expected but from this initial report, he has the stuff to be very successful. As I literally almost ran into both Ruben Amaro, Jr. and Dave Montgomery, at the game, it seems as if Carrasco’s first start had everyone interested.
Carrasco Promoted
After Les Walrond was called up to take the place of Rudy Seanez (DL) on the major league roster, coveted prospect Carlos Carrasco was called up to AAA–Lehigh Valley and is expected to start Sunday. Looking first at Carrasco, the 21 year old is 7-7 with a 4.32 ERA in Reading this year. He has pitched 114.2 innings, given up 109 hits, walked 45 and struck out 109. Opponents are hitting .254 against him and his WHIP is 1.34. He also has given up 13 gopher balls this year in his 19 starts. Carrasco has a fastball that usually hovers between 89–93 , and has a good late kick to it. Carrasco’s “out” pitch is considered to be his change which is extremely effective. His curveball has shown improvement over the last couple of years as well.
Walrond, 31, has been absolutely phenominal as of late with a 29 inning scoreless streak without yielding an earned run for the ‘Pigs. Never really on the major league radar screen prior to now, Walrond who was acquired from the Cubs earlier this year has been quite a surprise for Lehigh Valley. On the year he is 5-7 for Lehigh Valley with a 2.63 ERA in his 17 starts. He has pitched 103.1 innings, given up 88 hits, walked 36, struck out 95 and opponents are hitting only .235 against him. His WHIP is 1.20 and he has given up only 3 homerun balls. This is Walrond’s third stint in the majors (Cubs’06 and Royals ’03).
Iron Pigs Report
A good week for the Iron Pigs as they went 5-2 on the road to move their record to 48-65, 20.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket in the Northern Division of the International League. Our weekly look at league leaders include Mike Cervenak who is 3rd in the league in hits (124) and leading the league in average (.320). Brandon Watson is 9th in the league in average (.296) and 5th in the league in hits (115). 1B Andy Tracy is 3rd in the league in doubles (27), 3rd in the league in RBI’s (72), 4th in the league in walks(54), and 6th in the league in OBP(.379). Les Walrond leads the league in ERA (2.61. JA Happ is 7th in ERA (3.30), leads the league in strikeouts (127), and is 4th in WHIP (1.18). Brian Mazone is 6th in WHIP (1.19), 5th in homers allowed(17), 3rd in IP(134), and 3rd in starts (22). Matt Childers is 3rd in the league with 18 saves. Continue reading Iron Pigs Report
Iron Pigs Report
Lehigh Valley had a rough week going 3-4 , and now stand at 43-63, in last place in the Northern Division of the International League, 21.5 games behind Pawtucket. Updating ‘Pigs among league leaders, Mike Cervenak is 8th in at bats (368), 3rd in hits (116), and 3rd in the league in average (.313). Andy Tracy is 9th in slugging % (.520), 7th in on base % (.384), 4th in walks (52), 4th in RBI’s (68), and 4th in doubles (25). Brandon Watson, who has been playing extremely well lately is 5th in the league in hits (107). JA Happ is 9th in the league in ERA (3.37), 10th in the league in innings (114.2), leads the league in strikeouts (124), and is 6th in the league in WHIP (1.18). Brian Mazone is 9th in WHIP (1.19), 5th in homers allowed (17), and 5th in innings (121.2). Les Walrond is now 3rd in the league in ERA (2.83) and Matt Childers is 2nd in the league in saves (16).
Iron Pigs Report
An abbreviated week because of the All Star break led to a 2-3 record on the week, leaving Lehigh Valley at 40-59 on the year, 22 games back of division leading Pawtucket. ‘Pig league leaders include Mike Cervenak who is 4th in at bats (356), 9th in runs (55), 3rd in hits (110), 9th in doubles (21), and 2nd in average (.310). Andy Tracy is 8th in slugging % (.518), 5th in on base % (.393), 3rd in RBI’s (65), 6th in homers (17), and 4th in doubles (24). Pitching leaders include Brian Mazone who is 5th in innings (116.2), 5th in homers allowed (15), and 4th in WHIP (1.16). Les Walrond is 9th in ERA(3.32). JA Happ is 8th in ERA (3.31), 10th in IP (108.2), leading the league in strikeouts (116), and 7th in WHIP (1.20). Matt Childers is 2nd in the league with 15 saves.
Phuture Phillies 