A look at how catchers around the system are performing.

Lehigh Valley

Gabriel Lino, 22, Acquired from Baltimore in 2012; .266/.319/.387 in 173 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 3HR 22RBI; 7%BB/23%K rates; .266/.294/.313 in 64 AB’s for Lehigh Valley; 50 games caught with 3 errors (.992); 5 passed balls; 23/49 caught stealing (47%).  Lino has done an outstanding job defensively and has more than competent with the bat, raising his stock to the point where a 2016 major league debut in if not likely, than certainly possible.

Logan Moore, 24, Phils 9th round pick in 2011; .219/.282/.314 in 137 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2HR 15RBI; 8%BB/18%K rates; Hitting .214 in 42 AB’s for Lehigh Valley; 39 games caught with 5 errors (.982); 4 passed balls; 18/35 caught stealing (51%).  Moore continues to excel defensively with very little to show with the stick.

Blake Forsythe, 25, Acquired from Oakland in 2015; Hitting .244 with 1HR 4RBI in 41AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 13 games caught with 2 errors (.976); 1 passed ball; Thrown out 5/10(50%) base stealers.  Very limited playing time in his role as 3rd catcher.

Reading

Andy Knapp, 23, Phils 2nd round pick in 2013; .261/.354/.364 in 253 AB’s between CLearwater and Reading; 2HR 29RBI; 11%BB/24%K rates; .216 vs LHP; .288 vs RHP; .243 with RISP; .239 in June; 48 games caught with 6 errors (.984); 3 passed balls; 16/45 (36%) CS.  Decent progression from Knapp who professional career started slowly after Tommy John surgery.  Need to see a bit more from him with the bat. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →

Second look at the system’s middle infielders.  Have at it!

Lehigh Valley

Tyler Henson, 27, Re-signed as a free agent in 2015; .240/.280/.301 in 196 AB’s; 0HR 26RBI; 14SB; 5%BB/23%K rates; .214 vs LHP, .254 vs RHP; .185 in June; .340 with RISP; 30 games at 2B with 10 errors (.942); 5.43 R/F; 18 games in the OF without an error.  After a very good 2014 in Lehigh Valley, Henson has been very average this season, albeit while hitting consistently with RISP.

CHase D’Arnaud, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .272/.308/.324 in 213 AB’s; 1HR 13RBI; 10/15SB; 3%BB/12%K rates; .260 vs LHP; .279 vs RHP; .235 last 30 days; .209 with RISP; 43 games at SS with 12 errors (.944); 4.67 R/F; 8 games at 3B with 1 error; 2 games in the OF without an error.  D’Arnaud has been slightly better than medicore for the ‘Pigs.

Edgar Duran, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2007; .161/.232/.207 in 87AB’s; 0HR 5RBI; 6%BB/12%K rates; .126 vs. LHP; .182 vs RHP; 30 games at SS with 6 errors (.959); 4.73 R/F.  Duran missed a good portion of the early going with hamstring issues.  WHen he has played he continues to be a good fielder with no bat.

Reading

Brodie Greene, 27, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .285/.359/.335 in 200 AB’s between Clearwater and Reading; 0HR 12RBI; 3SB; 10%BB/11%K rate;  For Reading: .273/.354/.335 in 161AB’s; .268 vs LHP; .275 vs RHP; .207 last 30 days; .233 with RISP; 48 games at 2B with 4 errors (.976).  Greene has provided the experienced consistency needed once Carlos Alonso was lost for the season due to injury Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

We officially began the second half of the season on Tuesday evening with a 5-4 win over Buffalo and  Lehigh Valley now sits at 28-45 and in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 14.0 games behind division leading Buffalo. Lehigh Valley is now 7-4 over their last 11 games after losing 15 of their previous 18 contests.   The ‘Pigs begin a 8 game home stand with 3 games against Louisville over the weekend followed by 3 against Scranton early next week.

News and Notes: RP Adam Loewen has a four game scoreless streak spanning 6.2IP.  He has allowed just 3 hits and struck out 14 over that time period.  With the merry-go-round of pitchers getting a shot in Philly, if Loewen strings together another 3-4 good outings, his number may be called.

–Brian Bogusevic, who has a July 1st opt out, has now hit safely in 55 of his 62 starts and has not gone back to back games this season without a hit. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Lehigh Valley

Brian Bogusevic, 31, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 254 AB’s; .311/.367/.437; 6HR 31RBI; 11/14SB; 8%BB/17%K rates; .270 vs LHP; .328 vs RHP; .298 last 30 days; .304 with RISP; 60 games in the OF; 3 assists; 0 errors; 2.23 R/F.  Bogusevic has been far and away the best player in the Lehigh Valley lineup day in and day out.  He has consistently hit for average, shown some power and decent speed along with playing a very good OF.  He has a July 1 opt out, which I would be surprised if he doesn’t take as it seems clear he wont be getting a chance with the big club.  His opt out may coincide with his selection to the IL all star team.

Jordan Danks, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .241/.286/.292 in 212 AB’s; 1HR 22RBI; 2/4SB; 6%BB/28%K rates; .298 vs. LHP; .219 vs RHP; .227 last 30 days; .321 with RISP; 54 games in the OF with 2 assists and 2 errors (.983); 2.19R/F.  Danks was given a spot on the 40 man in the off season and has done little to impress.  With Altherr and Dugan knocking on the AAA door, a Bogusevic opt out is what may save his roster spot.

Note: Danks and Bogusevic are the only two active IronPigs who have played the majority of their games in the OF.

Reading

Aaron Altherr, 24, Phils 9th round pick in 2009; .292/.369/.478 in 226AB’s; 6HR 29RBI; 8/11SB; 11%BB/16%K rates; .308 vs LHP; .287 vs RHP;.321 with last 30 days; .276 with RISP; 57 games in the OF without an error; 3 OF assists; 2.14 R/F.  Altherr has improved in his areas of weakness and is at a place where he can’t do much more in AA.  With 700 AA plate appearances, it is time for him to move up. Continue reading Around the System–OF →

It has been ugly for Lehigh Valley who are in the midst of a seven game home stand and have lost 17 of their last 24 games, even after their walk off come from behind win last night.  Hope comes tonight with the introduction of Aaron Nola into the IronPigs rotation with his scheduled start against Buffalo.  At 25-43, the ‘Pigs are in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 13.5 games behind division leading Scranton.  Scranton visits Coca Cola Park over the weekend before an off day on Monday.

News and Notes: Tyler Henson is hitting .542 (13-24) with RISP and two out.  Not bad.

–SP Adam Morgan threw two innings (35 pitches) on Wednesday night before being removed from the game.  Not injured, speculation quickly grew that he was being removed to keep him fresh to pitch Sunday for the Phils in Jerome Williams spot in the rotation.  That speculation was seemingly stomped after the game when Manager Dave Brundage commented that they were simply trying to limit Morgan’s innings and did not have an available starter to take Morgan’s rotation spot.  Not sure how much I am buying into that.

–I have no real idea why Jayson Nix was re-acquired.  He was awful last year and continues to be awful .  He is 0 for his last 18 and 4-38 in his last 11 games.

–1B Chris McGuiness is hitting .177(11-62) over his last 19 games and has fallen to .234 on the year

–SS Edgar Duran, who has been out around a month with a hamstring strain, is close to returning. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

The State secret that is Ruben Amaro’s timeline for Aaron Nola was finally learned today with his call up to AAA Lehigh Valley to presumably make his first start Thursday in Allentown.  Nola, who just turned 22 has been consistently outstanding this year, with a 7-3 record and a 1.88ERA in his 12 AA starts.  In 76.2IP for Reading, Nola has allowed just 59 hits, walking 9 and striking out 59, while holding the opposition to a .219 avg.  After having one start skipped to “keep him fresh”, Nola threw 5 innings yesterday (69 pitches), and yielded 2 earned runs on a first inning 2R homer.  Just one year removed from college ball, I would expect the Phils to keep Nola at no more than 160-170IP this year and to be closely monitored post All Star break.  Top prospect status aside, Nola will be a very welcome addition to both the team (23-42) and the fans in Allentown who have had very little to watch and even less to cheer about as we approach the minor league seasons half way point.

The moves to me at this stage are obvious.  Stassi to Lehigh Valley, Charles playing regularly in Reading and Hoskins to Clearwater.  See the evidence below.

Lehigh Valley

Chris McGuiness, 27, SIgned as a free agent in 2015; .226/.342/.296 in 159 AB’s; 1HR 16RBI; 16%BB/15%K rates; .263 vs LHP; .215 vs RHP; .200 last 30 days; .205 with RISP; 38 games at 1B with 2 errors (.994); 8.18 R/F.  Has been consistently unproductive all year.

Russ Canzler, 29, Re-Signed as a free agent in 2015; .260/.319/.383 in 196AB’s; 4HR 20RBI; 8%BB/18%K rates; .276 vs LHP; .254 vs. RHP; .211 over last 30 days; .245 with RISP; 28 games at 1B with 2 errors (.992); 5 games at 3B without an error; 6 games in the OF with 1 error.  After a fast start, Canzler has been almost non-existent for over a month now.

Cord Phelps, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .220/.298/.269 in 182 AB’s; 2HR 9RBI; 2SB; 10%BB/15%K rates; .224 vs. LHP; .218 vs. RHP; .267 over last month; .250 with RISP; 27 games at 3B with 3 errors (.952); 22 games at 2B with 2 errors (.981).  Has provided little to no offense while continuing his versatility in the field

Reading

Art Charles, 24, Acquired from Toronto in 2013; .274/.355/.514 in 146 AB’s; 6HR 27RBI; 12%BB/24%K rates; .304 vs LHP; .268 vs RHP; .177 over last 30 days; .283 with RISP; 18 games at 1B with 2 errors (.988); 9.22 R/F. After an unbelievable start, Charles has come back to Earth, hard over the last month.  That said, he is playing sparingly and I would like him to receive more regular time.

Brock Stassi, 25, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011; .333/.395/.498 in 207AB’s; 7HR 48RBI; 3SB; 10%BB/12%K rates; .388 with RISP; .339 over last 30 days; 48 games at 1B with 3 errors (.992); 8.19 R/F; 2 games in the OF without an error.  Stassi has been consistently outstanding all year.  I am far from convinced of any major league credentials, however, he should be in Lehigh Valley.  With an organizational guy above him who is hitting .226 with 1HR, there is no reason Stassi should be in Reading after 600 plus AB’s at this level.  Move Stassi and let Charles play. Continue reading Around the System–Corner INF →

Certainly several who are capable of moving up sometime very soon.  At the top of the list:  Ramos and Forsythe at Clearwater as well as DeNato, Hockenberry and Rivero at Lakewood

Clearwater

Jesen Therrien, 22, Phils 17th round pick in 2011; 15 games between Lakewood and CLearwater; 1-1 with a 1.11ERA; 2 saves; 24.1IP 22H 3BB 18K; 1HR allowed; .242 opp avg; 1.03 WHIP; 0.86 GO/AO; 1.1BB/6.7K per 9; For CW, 6 games, 1-0 with a 2.57ERA; .310 opp avg; 1.43 WHIP.  Therrien threw very well for Lakewood before his promotion and now is getting his feet under him in CLearwater.

Cody Forsythe, 24, Phils 25th round pick in 2013; 16 games, 2-0 with a 2.92ERA; 24.2IP 23H 6BB 26K; 3HR allowed; .232 opp avg; 1.18 WHIP; 0.76 GO/AO; 2.2BB/9.5K per 9; .361 vs. LH, .159 vs. RH, .208 with RISP.  Forsythe continues to pitch well for Clearwater and now has made 41 appearances at High A.  Time for movement upward.

Harold Guerrero, 25, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 9 games, 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA: 13.2IP 11H 12BB 13K; .224 opp avg; 1.68 WHIP; 0.53 GO/AO; 7.9BB/8.6K per 9; .091 with RISP.  Guerrero has been pitching himself into all kinds of trouble because of his high walk rate b but has done a decent job pitching out of the problems he creates. Continue reading Around the System, RP, Clearwater and Lakewood →

Not a whole lot to be excited about when discussing relief pitchers at the upper reaches of the organization.  In fact, almost no reason to be excited.  That will come when discussing Clearwater and Lakewood.

Lehigh Valley

Jake Diekman, 28, Phils 30th round pick in 2007; Sent down Friday, Diekman pitched s scoreless frame in his first outing, yielding both a base hit and a walk.

Seth Rosin, 26, Acquired from San Francisco in 2012; 22 games, 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA; 2 saves; 30.2IP 32H 6BB 21K; .254 opp avg; 1.24 WHIP;1.39 GO/AO; 1.8BB/6.2K per 9; .302vs. LH, .219 vs. RH, .250 over last 30 days; .268 with RISP.  Rosin has thrown very well this year and has likely past Hector Neris as the likely RHP to come up if need be.

Hector Neris, 26, SIgned as a free agent in 2009; 19 games; 1-3 with 4.50ERA; 1/3 saves; 24IP 28H 17BB 26K; .292 opp avg; 1.88 WHIP; 1.14 GO/AO; 6.4BB/9.8K per 9; .395 vs. LH, .224 vs. RH, .234 opp avg last Month; .294 with RISP.  Neris has pitched very poorly with an astronomical walk rate combined with getting crushed by left handed hitters.

Nick Hill, 30, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 13 games, 0-3 with a 3.80ERA between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2 saves; 21.2IP 22H 11BB 14K; .289 opp avg; 1.55 WHIP; 0.95 GO/AO; 4.6BB/5.8K per 9; .389 vs. LH,.285 vs RH, .286 with RISP.  Hill has been nothing more than an innings eater for Lehigh Valley.  Very inconsistent. Continue reading Around the System, RP, Lehigh Valley and Reading →

Plenty to talk about when looking at starting pitching throughout the organization. Several moves I would consider over the next few weeks.  I am one, that would love to see Aaron Nola in Lehigh Valley for a half a dozen starts before a September debut with the Phillies.  I also share the growing mind set that Jesse Biddle needs to be moved, if for no other reason than to give him a change in scenery and a new voice.   In Clearwater, Mark Leiter is ready for a new challenge with Brandon Leibrandt perhaps just a bit behind as it would be nice for him to get several more High A starts under his belt before moving on to the next challenge.

Lehigh Valley

Phillippe Aumont, 26, Acquired from Seattle in 2010; 12 games (8 starts); 2-3 with a 2.35ERA; 53.2IP 38H 33BB 42K; 2HR allowed; .201 opp avg; 1.32 WHIP; 1.04 GO/AO; 5.5BB/7.0K per 9; .240 vs. LH, .175 vs. RH, .107 opp avg with RISP. 6 May starts, 1-2 with a 2.64ERA, 1.37 WHIP.  Aumont has a line that is both real exciting and at the same time, real troubling.  Often, he cant be hit.  More often, the opposition doesn’t need too.

Jason Berken, 31, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 11 games (4 starts); 3-2 with a 3.89 ERA: 41.2IP 45H 13BB 31K; 4HR allowed; .276 opp avg; 1.39 WHIP; 0.80 GO/AO; 2.1BB/6.7K per 9; .297 vs. LH, .263 vs. RH, .167 opp avg with RISP.  Berken has done just what he was brough in for.  Solid in both the bullpen and in his spot starts.

Adam Morgan, 25, Phils 3rd round pick in 2011; 10 starts, 0-5 with a 5.33ERA; 54IP 67H 19BB 27K; 6HR allowed; .306 opp avg; 1.59 WHIP; 0.78 GO/AO; 3.2BB/4.5K per 9; .304 vs. LH, .306 vs. RH,  .298 with RISP.  It has been ugly all around for Morgan as he attempts to return from a significant injury that cost him most of the last two years. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching →