A look back over the last 10 days…..Roman Quinn is putting up some eye opening numbers on the basepaths…An awkening from the dead for Zach Collier….Dylan Cozens has emerged as a “must watch” and is as exciting a prospect as there is in the organization…What has happened to Cameron Rupp? He looks totally lost at the plate…Cord Sandberg stays on the Not Hot list….Aaron Nola continues throwing well for CLearwater, the transition to Reading should be interesting in the short term…Colin Kleven is quitely bouncing back over the last month, pitching very well…As one of the very few high schoolers the Phils decided to spend money on, Sam McWIlliams has gotten out of the gate very slowly.

Hot Hitters:(16 AB min) Roman Quinn (.389; 8RS, 1HR 5RBI, 6sb)Tim Zier (.375, 4RBI); Willians Astudillo (.371); Andy Knapp (.355); Jim Murphy (.350, 5RBI); Zach Collier (.333, 7R 3HR 6RBI 2SB); Clete Thomas (.333); Jake Fox (.325, 4R 1HR 9RBI); William Cuicas (.318, 5R); Dylan Cozens (.316, 1HR 7RBI, 2SB); Maikel Franco (.306, 6R 3HR 8RBI, SB)

Not Hot Hitters: Cameron Rupp (.000, 0-17); Albert Cartwright (.034, 1-29); Angelo Mora (.050); Koyie Hill (.059); Derek Campbell (.087);  Anthony Phillips (.115); Trey Williams(.115); Deivi Gruillon (.143); Aaron Altherr (.146); Cord Sandberg (.148); Wilmer Oberto (.158); Art Charles (.161); Brock Stassi (.162); Aaron Brown (.167) Continue reading Hot or Not →

A look at starting pitching throughout the upper levels of the organization.  You will learn quickly that July was an awful month for starting pitching across the board.  Next up, a look at starting pitching in Lakewood, WIlliamsport and GCL.

Lehigh Valley

Sean O’Sullivan, 26, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 20 starts; 4-9 with a 4.77ERA; 117IP 126H 38BB 69K; 15HR allowed; 0.88 GO/AO; .279 opp avg; 1.40 WHIP; 2.7BB/5.3K per 9; .307 vs. LHH; .255 vs. RHH; 1-3 with a 6.14ERA in 5 July starts; Pedestrian numbers for O’Sullivan, who is an innings eater.

Brad Lincoln, 29, Acquired from Toronto in 2013; 21 games (16 starts); 5-7 with a 4.73ERA; 91.1IP 88H 37BB 80K; 0.80 GO/AO;.251 opp. avg; 1.37 WHIP; 3.6BB/7.9K per 9; .276 vs. LHH, .231 vs. RHH, .284 with RISP; 1-4 with a 6.04ERA in 5 July starts; Has pitched very well at times this year but had a very difficult July.

David Buchanan, 25, Phils 7th round pick in 2010; 12 starts for Lehigh Valley; 6-2 with a 3.95 ERA; 57IP 67H 21BB 46K; 0.97 GO/AO; .300 opp. avg; 1.54WHIP; 3.3BB/7.3K per 9; .320 vs. LHH, .285 vs. RHH; .234 with RISP; The results are good, the splits are not, but Buchanan is poised for a call up, most likely for the remainder of the season to take Cliff Lee’s rotation spot. Continue reading Around the System, Starting Pitching, Top Half →

Gas up the car.  Aaron Nola has been promoted to Reading for what looks to be his final three starts of the 2014 season.  Nola has pitched extremely well for CLearwater after being drafted by the Phillies 7th overall, in the first round of the 2014 draft.  Nola has thrown in 7 games (6 starts), and has gone 2-3 with a 3.16ERA and an outstanding 0.92 WHIP.  In 31.1 innings, Nola has walked just 5, while striking out 30 holding opponents to a .214 batting average.

Expect Nola, 21, to remain on a 80 pitch count throughout the rest of the season.

We are winding down to the finish line of Phuture Phillies 8th year, with each year being more successful than the last due to the loyal readership we get combined with writers who volunteer their time to pursue their passion(s) of baseball and writing.  We have been extremely fortunate to have writers who take their “job” seriously, keeping with a sometimes grueling schedule during the season to provide quality content and expertise,  a commitment that I can’t thank Brad, Jim and Victor enough for. 

My hope is to keep Brad, Jim and Victor for as long as their time and energy permit, but like with most volunteer efforts, others are occasionally lured by “greener pastures” or simple burnout and with that said, I am looking to add two or three writers going into the off season.  Off season responsibilities would vary and I would be happy to give you more detail in an email.  Responsibilities next season would include affiliate reports, player features, statistical analysis and a few new features that would be more properly discussed in a phone call.  Brad, Jim and Victor will remain with us in their respective roles as long as their time and “want” permits, however we are looking for the bench strength that any organization needs in order to build for the future.  Throughout the Phillies organization, Phuture Phillies is recognized as a leading source of minor league information and with that recognition comes the credibility and respect that is given by the respective PR Departments, coaching staffs and players to our efforts through the years.   For me, now completing my 6th year here, this has been an outstanding experience that has allowed me to pursue a true passion, and has presented opportunities that, but for, Phuture Phillies would not have have been possible. 

Please email me at phuturephillies1@yahoo.com if you have interest and we can discuss.

Looking back at the time period of July 15-24th…So, Jake Fox had the same number of homers over the last 10 days as Maikel Franco has had all year (and no, I am not saying Fox is at all a prospect at this stage)…I am getting very excited about Dylan Cozens and Andrew Pullin…As good as Cord Sandberg was starting the season, is as bad as he has been over the last 3 weeks…Mark Leiter was an outstanding start for CLearwater, and Brandon Leibrandt impressing…Hoby Milner has really come back to Earth…

Hot Hitters: Min, 18 AB’s: Nate Spears (.440, 2HR 6RBI); Drew Stankiewicz (.393); Angelo Mora (.389); JP Crawford (.387, 6R); Harold Martinez (.379); Dylan Cozens (.375, 9R 2HR 6RBI, SB); Mitch Walding (.370, 7RBI); Andrew Pullin (.367, 7R);Everett WIlliams (.360); Jiandido Tromp (.357, 5R 2HR 5RBI); Jake Fox (.333, 7R 6HR 15RBI)

Not Hot Hitters:Edgar Duran (.083); Jan Hernandez (.087); Cord Sandberg (.100); Damek Tomscha (.115); CLete Thomas (.115); Jim Murphy (.150); Malquin Canelo (.156); Venn Biter (.174); Roman Quinn (.184); Derek Campbell (.185) Continue reading Hot or Not →

A look at leaders throughout the minor leagues for the Phils.  Hitters need 100AB to qualify; Pitchers need 25IP.  A warning, this isnt real pretty.

AB: Dylan Cozens (377); Maikel Franco (371); Carlos Tocci (367); Andrew Pullin (360); Peter Lavin (359); KC Serna (354); Carlos Alonso (343); Leandro Castr0;  JP Crawford (338);  Aaron Altherr (334); Tyler Henson (327)

Runs:Carlos Alonso (59);  Dylan Cozens (54); Andrew Pullin (53); Leandro Castro(53); Peter Lavin (52); Tyler Henson (48); Carlos Tocci (43); Maikel Franco (42); Albert Cartwirght (41); Aaron Altherr (41)

Hits: Peter Lavin (102); KC Serna (100); ANdrew Pullin (9); Willians Astudillo (98); JP Crawford (97);  Carlos Alonso (96); Leandro Castro (93); Dylan Cozens (93); Carlos Tocci (92); Tyler Henson (92)

2B: Maikel Franco (25); Tyler Henson (25); Willians Astudillo (24); KC Serna (21);  Art Charles (21); Aaron Altherr (21); Peter Lavin (21); Mitch Walding (20); Leandro Castro (19); Dylan COzens (19)

3B: Carlos Tocci (6); Peter Lavin (5); Art CHarles (4); Brian Pointer (4); ANgelo Mora (4); Aaron Altherr (4); Cameron Perkins (4); Maikel Franco (3); Leandro Castro (3); Zach Collier (3)

HR: Dylan Cozens (13);  Jake Fox (13); Peter Lavin (11); Jiandido Tromp (10); Jim Murphy (10); Art Charles (10); Brian Pointer (9); Aaron Altherr (8); Samuel Hiciano (8) Continue reading Organizational Leaders →

Lehigh Valley continues mired in mediocrity but now, with a revamped roster that should provide some late season life. Over the last 11 games, the ‘Pigs went 4-7 and now sit at 49-55, 11.5 games behind division leading Syracuse in the Northern Division of the International League.  Wildcard hopes are dwindling as well, sitting 7 games behind Pawtucket with 40 games left in the season. Lehigh Valley continues with two more at home against Pawtucket before hitting the road for five games (Buffalo and Rochester).

‘Pigs Prospects:Maikel Franco left this evenings game with back tightness and is day to day.  Over the last 10 games, Franco hit .222/.237/.333 with 6 RBI’s. On the year, .233/.283/.366 with 6HR and 46RBI to go along with a 15%k rates.  Franco is hitting .266 against lefties, .219 against righties and .270 with RISP. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →