All of a sudden, lots of talent behind the plate with many difficult decisions on “who goes where” come next season.

Lehigh Valley

Erik Kratz, 35, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .312/.433/.558 in 77AB with Lehigh Valley; 3HR 15RBI; 19%BB/19%K; 11 games caught with 1 error (.988); 1 passed ball; 1/6 CS (17%); Also played one game at 1B. Kratz was picked up late in the season as the Phils wanted a catcher to add to the September roster in Philly.  Kratz did his typical very competent job with Lehigh Valley.  Grade: B+; 2016: Either retired or with another organization

Gabrial Lino, 22, Acquired from Baltimore in 2012; .234/.277/.329 in 304 AB between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 3HR 30RBI; 6%BB/25%K rates; .215/.244/.272 for Lehigh Valley; Hit just .188 over last month of year; 83 games caught with 4 errors (.993); 8 passed balls; 31/76 CS (41%).  Although significant difficulties with the bat during the last two months of the season, Lino’s 2015 has to be considered a success as he established himself defensively behind the plate and showed the capability to hit a bit.  Grade: C+  2016: If the Phils have to make a choice between Lino and Moore, Lino has the advantage of being three years younger.  I see him back in Lehigh Valley.

Logan Moore, 25, Phils 9th round pick in 2011;.253/.312/.349 in 229AB between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 3HR 25RBI; 8%BB/19%K; For Lehigh Valley: .276/.338/.351 in 134AB; 62 games caught with 5 errors (.988); 5 passed balls; 29/55 CS (53%).  Moore had another excellent year with the glove and throwing runners out and was much improved with the bat.  I would have liked to have seen him play a bit more in Lehigh Valley as he is Rule 5 eligible and could easily take a spot on a major league roster as a backup catcher.  Grade: B+ Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Catcher →

Next, we are taking a look at SS throughout the organization.  Two legitimate major league prospects in Crawford and Canelo.

Lehigh Valley

Chase D’Arnaud, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .268/.317/.354 in 497AB; 5HR 35RBI; 28SB; 5%BB/12%K; .258 vs LHP; .272 vs RHP; .228 last month; 87 games at SS with 22 errors (.945); 34 games at 3B with 2 errors (.972); 3 games in the OF.  Once D’Arnaud started playing every day, he played well and was among league leaders in SB and runs.  Grade: B; 2016: With Crawford knocking on the door, I don’t see D’Arnaud back.

Edgar Duran, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2007; .163/.242/.207 in 135AB; 0HR 9RBI; 8%BB/16%K; .163 vs LHP; .163 vs RHP; 44 games at SS with 8 errors (.960); 4.36 R/F; 2 games at 2B without an error; Duran missed considerable time injured this season, including the last six weeks of the season; Slick fielding, he is pretty much awful with the bat.  Grade: D; 2016: He could stick around in Lehigh Valley as a back up middle infielder

Reading

JP Crawford, 20, Phils 1st round pick in 2013; .288/.380/.414 in 430AB between Clearwater and Reading; 6HR 42RBI; 12SB; 13%BB/11%K; For Reading: .265/.354/.407 in 351AB; 5HR 34RBI; 7SB; 12%BB/11%K rate; .227 vs LHP; .282 vs RHP; .300 last 30 days; 106 games at SS with 27 errors (.953); 5.12 R/F.  After missing the first month or so injured Crawford had a very good, borderline excellent year.  He slumped a bit in late July, early August but came back strong in the seasons final weeks.  Exceptional batting eye, makes very regular contact.  In a “perfect” world, his average would be about 10-15 points higher and a few fewer errors.  That said, he is right where he needs t be to debut late in 2016.  Grade: B+; 2016: Lehigh Valley Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Shortstop →

Lehigh Valley

Cord Phelps, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .229/.319/.290 in 397AB; 3HR 34RBI; 5SB; 12%BB/18%K; .292 vs LHP; .202 vs RHP; .143 last 30 days; 55 games at 2B with 4 errors (.984); 4.53 R/F; 55 games at 3B with 6 errors (.950); 2.07 R/F; Phelps had by far the worst year of his minor league career with the bat, struggling almost all season but particularly at the end.  Grade: D; 2016: Another organization

Tyler Pasternicky, 25, Acquired from Texas in 2015; .286/.358/.367 in 98AB with Lehigh Valley; 1HR 4RBI; 1SB; 9%BB 9%K rate; 20 games at 2B with 3 errors (.972); 4 games at 3B with 1 error. Acquired around the time of the Chase Utley deal, Pastornicky was needed as an upper level insurance policy.  He played well in his role and profiles as your stereotypical AAAA middle infielder.  Grade: B-; 2016: Could stick around as a back up in Lehigh Valley

Reading

Brodie Greene, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .251/.338/.299 in 338AB between Clearwater and Reading; 0HR 24RBI; 4SB; 11%BB12%K; .177 last 30 days; .241 for Reading; 88 games at 2B with 7 errors (.982); 4.25 R/F; Also played 4 games in the OF and 1 game at SS. Greene was signed after Carlos Alonso was lost for the season injured and did a competent job filling in.  Grade: C; 2016: Another organization

Angelo Mora, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2010; .312/.356/.447 in 340AB between Clearwater and Reading; 3HR 39RBI; 4/11SB; 7%BB/15%K; For Reading: .327/.411/.531 in 113AB; 3HR 18RBI; 12%BB/21%K; .348 last 30 days; 50 games at 2B with 7 errors (.969); 4.42R/F; 37 games at SS with 9 errors (.934); After hitting .214 for Lakewood in 2013 and .227 for CLearwater last year, Mora put together an outstanding season first at CLearwater, then at Reading.  He hit consistently all year and added even a bit of punch when called up to the Fightins.  Grade: A; 2016: Reading Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Second Base →

We will be looking at every player in the organization, broken down by position in a review of their 2015 performance along with a projection of where they will be in 2016.  It is important to note that when graded, I am considering my expectation of what the player would do against themselves not against others.

Lehigh Valley

Russ Canzler, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2015,.274/.333/.416 in 394AB; 10HR 47RBI; 8%BB/18%K; .295 vs LHP; .264 vs RHP; .266 last 30 days;  40 games at 1B with 3 errors (.991); 24 games at 3B with 3 errors (.936); 13 games in the OF with 1 error (.955); Grade: B-.   Canzler had a good year, albeit a year in which he missed a chunk of time with an oblique injury.  After a slow start, Canzler gave the Phils the offensive output expected from him.  Next year: I don’t expect Canzler to be back based on roster movement below.

Tommy Joseph, 24, Acquired from San Francisco in 2013, .193/.220/.301 in 166AB for Lehigh Valley; 3HR 18RBI; 2%BB/20%K; .200 vs LHP; .189 vs RHP; .247 last 30 days; 30 games at 1B with 3 errors (.989); 8.80 R/F; 19 games caught with 1 error (.992); 7/15 CS.  Grade:D.  Another lost season for Joseph who missed the large majority of the season after suffering another concussion which necessitated his transition to first base.  Still far to early to judge his future at first, but I think he will have difficulty hitting enough for long term success.  2016: Lehigh Valley. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him removed from the 40 man roster.

Reading

Brock Stassi 26, Phils 33rd round pick of 2011, .300/.394/.470 in 466AB; 15HR 90RBI; 14%BB/12%K rate; .255 vs LHP; .317 vs RHP; .250 last 30 days; 112 games at 1B with 5 errors (.995); 8.69 R/F. Grade: A.  Simply couldn’t have done more than what he did this year, albeit as an older AA player.  More athletic that those we fell in love with that came before him (Rizzotti, Ruf), STassi knows how to hit, led the league in RBI’s and plays a good 1B.  That said, I am still unconvinced he is a major leaguer.  Stassi is just one season removed from hitting .232 as a 25 year old in Reading.  2016:  Lehigh Valley.  Note that he is Rule 5 eligible. Continue reading Post Season Report Card–First Base →

A look around the system at the production of third baseman.  The Phils will most certainly need to pick up a minor league free agent or two capable of playing the hot corner to fill in the gaps in the short term.

Lehigh Valley

No player played a majority of their games at 3B

Reading

Harold Martinez, 25, Phils 2nd round pick in 2011 draft; .292/.335/.400 in 260AB for Reading; 4HR 33RBI; 1SB; 6%BB/17%K rates; .333 vs LHP; .270 vs RHP; .274 last 30 days; .289 with RISP; 68 games at 3B with 8 errors (.955); 2.47 R/F; 9 games at 1B without an error.  I admittedly wrote Martinez off early in the year, however he came back to play fairly well at 3B and didn’t hurt the team offensively.  Grade: B-; 2016: Martinez has probably bought himself one final season with the organization because of the lack of upper level third base depth and a season that wasn’t awful.

Clearwater

Mitch Walding, 23, Phils 5th round pick in 2011 draft; .233/.318/.315 in 403AB; 4HR 31RBI; 5/9SB; 11%BB/26%K; .272 vs LHP; .213 vs RHP; .333 last 30 days; .209 with RISP; 120 games at 3B with 19 errors(.944); 2.68 R/F. Another disappointing year for Walding who is a career .232 hitter after 1400 plus minor league at bats in the lower levels.  No real power to speak of, was poor with RISP and struck out a lot.  Grade: C-; 2016: The only thing that may save him is the lack of depth at 3B in the minor league system. Continue reading Post Season Report Card–3B →

A look at Starting pitching in the upper portion of the organization. A reminder that grades are based on expectations against that particular player pre-season, as opposed to each other.  Next up: Third Baseman

Clearwater

David Whitehead, 23, Phils 34th round pick in 2013; 25 starts, 9-11 with a 4.44ERA; 135.2IP 152H 51BB 94K; 10HR allowed; .291 opp avg; 1.50 WHIP; 1.50 GO/AO; 3.4BB/6.2K per 9; .292 vs LHH, .290 vs RHH, .316 last 30 days; Double bumped after a successful 2014 in Williamsport, Whitehead was simply “ok” this season.  He showed he can pitch a full season which is a plus after injury issues years ago, but he was pretty consistently hit.  Grade: C;  2016: Whitehead may get caught in the numbers game.  I see him being kept in the Extended Spring awaiting roster shake ups in the Spring.

Victor Arano, 20, Acquired from Dodgers in 2014; 24 games 22 starts; 4-12 with a 4.72ERA; 124IP 131H 26BB 69K; 7HR allowed; .276 opp avg; 1.27 WHIP; 0.75 GO/AO; 1.8BB/5.2K per 9; .350 vs LHH, .239 vs RHH, .298 last 30 days; At times excellent and more often brutal, Arano was up and down, getting absolutely crushed by left handed hitters and running out of gas at years end.  Only 20, there is still time.  Grade: C; 2016: Back to Clearwater

Brandon Leibrandt, 22, Phils 6th round pick in 2014; 17 games; 7-3 with a 3.11ERA; 101.1IP 83H 21BB 67K; .227 opp avg; 1.03 WHIP; 0.84 GO/AO; 1.9BB/6.0K per 9; .213 vs LHH, .232 vs RHH, When healthy, Leibrandt was outstanding.  That said, he missed three plus weeks in June and the last month of the season with arm issues.  He generally has excellent command, which is his bread and butter.  When off, even a little he will be hit hard.  Grade: B; 2016: Reading Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Starting Pitching, High A, AA, AAA →

A look at starting pitching in the lower part of the organization.  A note that player grades are based on what was expected of that players performance against himself, not against others.  Up next will be a look at Starting pitching at the higher levels on Wednesday.

GCL

Felix Paulino, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 11 games (10 starts); 5-4 with a 2.34ERA; 50IP 41H 5BB 46K; .223 opp avg; 0.92 WHIP; 1.06 GO/AO; 0.9BB/8.3K per 9; .176 vs LHH; .244 vs RHH; .224 last 30 days.  Paulino had an outstanding season with his walk/strikeout ratio in an area that screams long term success.  Grade: A; 2016: Lakewood with a potential drop back to Williamsport

Adonis Medina, 18, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 10 games (8 starts); 3-2 with a 2.98ERA; 45.1IP 42H 12BB 35K; 1HR allowed; .253 opp avg; 1.19 WHIP; 1.76 GO/AO; 2.4BB/6.9K per 9; .222 vs LHH, .272 vs RHH, .284 last 30 days. A good season for Medina in his first action stateside.  Good command.  Grade: B+; 2016: Williamsport

Sam McWilliams, 19, Phils 8th round pick in 2014; 7 starts, 0-2 with a 3.27ERA; 33IP 29H 5BB 21K; 1.4BB/5.7K per 9; .232 opp avg; 1.03 WHIP; 1.92 GO/AO; .245 vs LHH, .222 vs RHH. McWilliams was pitching well but missed his last 4 or 5 starts at the end of the season, costing him what may have been a trip to Lakewood to start 2016.  With 25IP in 2014 for GCL and 33IP this year, he will need some time in WIlliamsport.  Grade: B- Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Starting Pitching, GCL, WP, and Lakewood →

Lehigh Valley split their doubleheader last night in Scranton and have won five of their last seven games.  Sitting at 60-73 and in 4th place of the Northern Division of the International League, the ‘Pigs are 14 games back of divison leading Scranton and have been eliminated from playoff contention.  After a final game in Scranton tonight, the ‘Pigs travel to Syracuse for three games and Pawtucket for three before a final four game home stand over Labor Day weekend to end the season. This will be the last “in season” Lehigh Valley weekly report.  Look for a report reviewing the season between September 8th and 10th.

News and Notes: INF Chase D’Arnaud has hit safely in his last 9 games (.368) and is batting .306 over his last 46 games.  He has been an offensive catalyst for Lehigh Valley in the second half of the season and leads the team with 38 multi hit games.

–Over the last 22 games, OF Brian Bogusevic is hitting .368 with 6HR and 18RBI to go along with 5SB.  Absent one down period, Bogusevic has been consistently outstanding this season.

–1B Tommy Joseph has a modest 4 game hitting streak after early struggles coming off the DL.

–Over his last 3 starts, Severino Gonzalez has a 2.81ERA. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

The ‘Pigs lost last night and are struggling having gone 3-7 over their last 10 games and now sit at 55-70, and in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 15 games behind division leading Scranton.  With two and a half weeks left in their season, Lehigh Valley play in Scranton tonight, visit Pawtucket over the weekend, before returning to Coca Cola Park in Allentown for a three game series against Buffalo early next week.

–Sean O’Sullivan had an excellent outing on Tuesday against Scranton, going 8.1 innings without allowing an earned run, striking out 9.

–INF Taylor Pastornicky has reached base safely in all eight games since joining the IronPigs

–Tyler Henson remains unbelievable with men on base and two out, hitting .423 on the year and knocking in 24.

–Pigs catchers continue to lead the league in caught stealing % at 37%.

–Brian Bogusevic has hit in 14 of his last 15 games, hitting .381 with 5 homers over that span. Bogusevic is the 1st Lehigh Valley player to have four separate 10 game hitting streaks in one season.  His average on the year sits at .297. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Another piece of what may be the Phillies future was added to the roster today with the promotion of 24 year old OF Aaron Altherr from Lehigh Valley. Altherr was a 9th round pick in the 2009 draft.  It is the second trip to Philadelphia for Altherr, who was called up for a weekend last season as a stopgap resulting from injury.  While he is being added because of Maikel Franco being placed on the DL with a broken wrist, this is likely to be a stint that will result in significant playing time through the end of the season for Altherr as the Phils gauge his ability to play consistent major league baseball.

In 111 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley this year, Altherr is hitting .293/.367/.487 spanning 487 plate appearances.  He has an impressive 14HR 67RBI to go with 16SB.  Altherr can play all over the OF and is a plus defender, however played predominately in RF and CF this year in the minors.

Still only 24, with 2500+ minor league AB’s, ALtherr crushed left handed pitching in AAA, hitting at a .353 rate.  On of the primary criticisms of ALtherr in the passed was his free swinging, which is much improved this year with a solid 10%BB/17%K rate.