A look at middle infielders around the organization.  Next, comes catchers.

Lehigh Valley

Nate Spears, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .338/.389/.500 in 80 AB’s; 2HR 12RBI; 3SB; 9%bb/24%k rates; 19 games at 2B without an error; 9 games at SS with 1 error (.957); Hitting .350 in July. Since being signed a month or so ago, Spears has done a very good job solidifying the 2B position both with his glove and bat.

Freddy Galvis, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2006; .214/.313/357 in 14 AB’s; 0HR 1RBI; 4 games at SS without an error.  Galvis spent the beginning of the year in Philly and then almost immediately was significantly injured upon being sent to Lehigh Valley.  Returned to the lineup just last week.

Reading

KC Serna, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .282/.315/.384 in 354 AB’s between Clearwater and Reading; 3HR 32RBI; 10SB; 6%bb/9%k rates; 25 games at SS with 3 errors (.975); 33 games at 2B with 4 errors (.978); 30 games at 3B with 5 errors (.938). Serna has had a very solid year before going down last week with an oblique injury and being placed on the DL.  SHowed himself to be both a capable hitter and solid fielder. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

A huge thank you to Mitch Rupert, who authored the piece.  For those of you who do not know Mitch, he is the WIlliamsport beat writer for the Sun Gazette and simply does an outstanding job of research, analysis, and writing.  Its very clear through his authorship and analysis, this is a guy thats works very hard at his craft.  I encourage all of you to follow Mitch on Twitter (@Mitch_Rupert)and read his work online, and hopefully Mitch will be willing to write an occasional piece or do an occasional Q and A for us.

Another look at Corners Infielders…next up, Middle Infield.

Lehigh Valley

Jim Murphy, 28, Phils 17th round pick in 2008; .235/.328/.406 in 293 AB’s; 10HR 37RBI; 11%bb/23%k rates; 75 games at 1B with 3 errors (.995); Hitting .213 since June 1; .200 with RISP; Mediocre offensive production makes it unlikely the 28 year old sticks around beyond this year absent a very hot final 6 weeks.

Maikel Franco, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2009; .230/.285/.364 in 343 AB’s; 6HR 42 RBI; 1SB; 7%bb/15%k rates; 71 games at 3B with 4 errors (.978); 15 games at 1B without an error; Hitting .390 in July; .257 vs. RHP; .218 vs. LHP; .278 with RISP; Franco has been much better over the last month, reviving calls for his promotion.  Not yet.  Let him get another solid month under his belt and call him up in September.  Has been outstanding defensively.

Russ Canzler, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .306/.362/.565 in 61 AB’s; 3HR 11RBI; 4 games at 1B with 1 error; 3 games at 3B without an error; 4 games in the OF without an error; Has been a very good mid season pickup for the ‘Pigs. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →

Below is the Inquirer’s mid season Top 25 list.  I am certain  this will create a very healthy debate.  Have at it.

1. JP Crawford
2. Maikel Franco
3. Aaron Nola
4. Ken Giles
5. Jesse Biddle
6. Roman Quinn
7. Miguel ALfredo Gonzalez
8. Cesar Hernandez
9. Cameron Perkins
10. Kelly Dugan
11. Tommy Joseph
12. Severino Gonzalez
13. Cord Sandberg
14. Matt Imhof
15. Carlos Tocci
16. Zach Green
17. Adam Morgan
18. Ethan Martin
19. Aaron ALtherr
20. Aaron Brown
21. Deivi Gruillon
22. Yoel Mecias
23. Shane Watson
24. Dylan Cozens
25. David Buchanan

Definite reasons for optimism at the lower levels, which to a degree makes up for next to nothing at the higher levels in the OF.  Next up will be corner infield.

Lakewood

Carlos Tocci, 18, SIgned as a free agent in 2011; .238/.291/.307 in 323 AB’s; 0HR 20RBI; 4/13SB; 4%bb/18%k rates; .325 vs. LHP; .208 vs. RHP; .214 with RISP; .252 since June 1. 83 games in the OF with 3 errors (.986); 5 OF assists; Certainly improved over last year, now with well over 800 plate appearances for Lakewood over 2 years.  Still very young, the offense will have to continue to improve if Tocci is going to become a viable major leaguer.Plenty of time.

Dylan Cozens, 20, Phils 2nd round pick in 2012; .238/.296/.405 in 341 AB’s; 11HR 37RBI; 16SB; 8%bb/26%k rates; .271 vs. LHP; .221 vs. RHP; .176 with RISP; Hitting .350 in July thus far; Just over a year older than Tocci, Cozens avg and obp are almost identical, however Cozens is showing a huge power and speed tool.  There is plenty of reason for excitement in my opinion.  Needs to shorten his swing and strike out less, but to an extent, that is the price you pay for power. 79 games in the OF with 6 errors (.979); 7 OF assists. Continue reading Around the System, OF–Lakewood, Williamsport, GCL →

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, its time to clear some space for what most of us hope will be incoming talent when (if) the Phils rid themselves of pieces that can be used by other teams.  A couple of these are no brainers, others not so much…

1. Grady SIzemore to Phils–Absolutely no reason that Sizemore should spend any more time at AAA. He is a major league player and can certainly help the abysmal production from the Phillies OF.  The release of Tony Gwynn, Jr is the likely corresponding move.

2.  Lee Ridenhour to Reading–Ridenhour has pitched very well as the Threshers closer over the last two months.  As a soon to be 25 year old, its time to move him up.

3.  Willians Astudillo to CLearwater–What more do we really need to see of Astudillo at Lakewood?  He mashes Low A pitching. With Knapp catching every day now, the only position at which Astudillo has a legitimate major league shot is filled.  Let him move on and share AB’s with Lino and DH in CLearwater.

4.  Jiandido Tromp to Lakewood–There is talent that needs consistent challenge.  Plenty of Cutters outfielders need AB’s and Tromp has the immediate ability to play above the level of short season ball.

5.  Jason Marquis to the Phils–Coming off Tommy John surgery, Marquis has allowed 1ER in 3 starts spanning 18 innings for Lehigh Valley.  He has struck out 18 in those 18 innings.  Believe it or not, I hear that teams think that Kyle Kendrick could be a useful part down the stretch for a contending team.  Jason Marquis and Kyle Kendrick will provide major league results that are very similar.  Take what you can get for Kendrick (who will be a free agent at seasons end), plug Marquis into the rotation for a team going nowhere and smile that you got a warm body for Kendrick.

Commence the debate and criticism.

Lehigh Valley is 2-4 on their season long 10 day road trip and they currently sit at 43-48 and in 5th place of the International League, 11 games behind division leading Syracuse. They are 8 games behind Rochester in the wild card race.  The road trip continues with one more in Indianapolis before four games against Louisville leading the IronPigs into the All Star break next week.

Note: Due to the All Star Break, look for the next ‘Pigs report 7/21 or 7/22.

News and Notes:Lehigh Valley was shut out both Sunday and Monday, giving them seven shutouts against this season.

–After two games off, Maikel Franco went 13-28 over the next six games. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

A look at how outfielders at the upper levels of the organization are performing, Since our last report, two highly talked about under-performers have left the organization through their release, Tyson Gillies and Anthony Hewitt.  Look for the report on Lakewood, Williamsport and GCL outfielders before the end of the week.

Lehigh Valley

Leandro Castro, 25, SIgned as a free agent in 2007; .264/.319/.394 in 292 AB’s; 5 HR 34RBI; 5/11SB; 7%bb/15% k rates; .299 since June 1; .213 vs. LHP; .288 vs. RHP; .270 with RISP.  77 games in the OF with 5 errors (.974); 7 OF assists; Castro has been very good since late May and with all the issues in the Phils outfield should be getting a shot to see what he can do in the majors.

Cameron Perkins, 23, Phils 6th round pick in 2012; .292/.353/.416 in 298 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 5HR 40RBI; 5/10 SB; 8%bb/14% k rates; Hitting .196 in 102 AB’s for Lehigh Valley.  71 games in the OF without an error; 6 assists; Outstanding in Reading and having trouble adjusting thus far in Lehigh Valley.  Still has time and the year that Perkins has had should still be considered a success at this stage.

Grady Sizemore, 31, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .270/.341/.51 in 37 AB’s for Lehigh Valley; 7 games in the OF with 1 error; I expect to see Sizemore in Phillies pinstripes by the weekend. Continue reading Around the System–Outfield, LV, Reading, Clearwater →

Doing things a bit different and extending the hot or not time frame to 10-11 days rather than a week to get a better sample size.This is a look back at June 26–July 5. …Min AB’s to qualify as a hitter is 17…Is there any legitimate reason to not give Leandro Castro a big league cup of coffee at tis stage to see what he may have??Maikel Franco heating up…Very nice to see Kelly Dugan healthy and on the hot list…Cameron Perkins is really struggling over the last several weeks…Mitch Guellar has seemed to have figured things out over the last two weeks…Perci Garner hits the starter and reliever “not hot” list….EThan Martin has been just awful since being sent down to Lehigh Valley.

Hot Hitters: Willians Astudillo (.423); Leandro Castro (.405, 9R 1HR 6RBI); Derek Campbell (.378, 5rbi); Angelo Mora (.360); Maikel Franco (.355, 1HR 7RBI); Matt SHortall (.348, 3R 4HR 6RBI; Russ Canzler (.344, 9R 3HR 8RBI) Kelly Dugan (.333, 6R 2HR 8RBI); Emmanuel Marrero (.333); Damek Tomscha (.320, 5R); Brock Stassi (.320); Tyler Henson (.320); Roman Quinn (.310, 7R 1HR 5RBI, 2SB); Honorable Mention: Z. Green, Sizemore, Lavin

Not Hot Hitters:Trey Williams (.053); Albert Cartwright (.087); Larry Greene Jr. (.100); Carlos Alonso (.111); Logan Moore (.125); Cameron Perkins (.136);  Sebastian Valle (.148); Mitch Walding (.152); Samuel Hiciano (.160); Gabrial Lino (.176);  Aaron Altherr (.179)

Hot Starting Pitchers: Jason Marquis (13IP 7H 1ER 3BB 12K); Mitch Guellar (12IP 7H 1ER 3BB 9K); David Whitehead (13IP 10H 2ER 2BB 3K); Sean O’Sullivan (6IP 5H 1ER 2BB 7K); Greg Smith (11.1IP 7H 2ER 1BB 11K); Matt Imhof (6IP 3H 1ER 3BB 5K); Aaron Nola (4IP 1H 0ER 0BB 3K); Mark Leiter (6IP 8H 2ER 0BB 6K); Adam Loewen (13.2IP 6H 4ER 4BB 8K)

Not Hot Starters: Ryan Demmin (3IP 7H 10ER 3BB 1K); Jon Prosinksi (8.1IP 16H 11ER 3BB 5K, 2 starts); Julio Reyes(2 starts, 5.1IP 12H 8ER 4BB 2K); Perci Garner (3.1IP 4H 6ER 8BB 2K); Jeb Stefan (2 starts, 8.2IP 18H 12ER 5BB 3K); Ryan O’Sullivan (3.2IP 7H 4ER 2BB 1K); Miguel Nunez (4.2IP 9H 4ER 1BB 4K); Chris Bootcheck (2 starts, 9.2IP 13H 9ER 5bb 8k); Francibal Alejo (3.2IP 3H 5ER 5BB 4K); Ranfi Casimiro (2 starts, 11.2IP 14H 8ER 12BB 5K)

Hot Relievers:Matt Hoffman (5.2IP 3H 0ER 2BB 6K, SV); Will Morris (5.1IP 3H 0ER 0BB 3K); Ulisses Joaquin (5IP 3H 0ER 0BB 5K, SV); Edubray Ramos (3.2IP 2H 0ER 2BB 5K, SV); Brian Sova (3.2IP 4H 0ER 0BB 1K, SV); Keivi Rojas (3.1Ip2H 0ER 0BB 2K); Matt Hockenberry (3.1IP 2H 0ER 1BB 1K, SV); Lee Ridenhour (3IP 2H 0er 2BB 3K); Austin Davis (3ip 3H 0ER 0BB 1K, SV); Scott Harris (6.2IP 2H 1ER 1BB 7K); Honorable Mention: Keys, M. Martinez, Walter, M. Gonzalez

Not Hot Relievers:Hector Neris (6IP 10H 10ER 2BB 10K); Ethan Martin (5.1ip 7h 6er 7bb 5k); Nefi Ogando (2.1IP 8H 5ER 3BB 3K); Perci Garner (1.2IP 2H 3ER 4BB 1K); Seranthony Dominguez (4IP 6H 5ER 4BB 3K); Chris Oliver (1.2IP 3H 3ER 2BB 3K); Lino Martinez (4IP 6H 5ER 3BB 4K); Dan Child (3.2IP 6H 5ER 1BB 3K); Aaron Baker (4IP 10H 4ER 0BB 5K); Lewis Alezones (4IP 6H 4ER 1BB 2K)