A first look at at how starting pitchers are faring around the organization.  Next up is a look at relief pitchers.

Lehigh Valley

David Buchanan, 25, Phils 7th round pick in 2010 draft; 9 starts; 5-1 with a 3.98 ERA; 40.2IP 47H 13BB 31K; 3 HR allowed; 1.48 WHIP; 1.08 GO/AO; .301 opp. avg.; 2.9BB/6.9K per nine; .297 vs. LHH, .305 vs. RHH, .217 with RISP; 2-1 with a 5.25 ERA in 3 May starts.  Buchanan started the year very strong but has hit somewhat of a wall as of late.  Too early to pan ic, but a raised eyebrow.

Barry Enright, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 8 starts; 1-2 with a 3.97ERA; 1CG; 45.1IP 45H 13BB 28K; 7HR allowed; 0.84 GO/AO; .256 opp. avg; 1.27WHIP; 2.6BB/5.6K per 9; .207 vs. LHH; .298 vs. RHH; .235 with RISP; 1-0 with a 2.78 ERA in 3 May starts; Enright started slowly but has really come around in May, culminating with a masterful CG in his last start.

Sean O’Sullivan, 26, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 8 starts; 1-3 with a 3.75ERA; 48IP 52H 15BB 21K; 3HR allowed; 0.78 GO/AO; .277 opp. avg; 1.40 WHIP; .330 LHH; .227 vs. RHH; .354 with RISP; O’Sullivan is far from overpowering but has done a decent job “pitching to contact” and has put the ‘Pigs in a place where they can be competitive in games he starts. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitchers →

A first look at catchers throughout the organization.  Definitely more optimism than the lot of middle infielders, although currently no true stand out.  Next Up: STarting Pitching.

Lehigh Valley

Koyie Hill, 35, Acquired from Washington  in 2014; .298/.366/.464 in 84 AB’s; 2HR 14RBI; 10%bb/24%k rates; .211 vs. LHP, .323 vs. RHP; .423 with RISP. 22 games at C with 1 error (.993); 2 passed balls; 7/17(41%) CS;  Hill has played much more than expected due to Rupp’s injury and has been outstanding in the role he has been asked to fill,  With Rupp now back in the lineup, expect  Hill to be used twice a week.

Sebastian Valle, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2006; .227/.245/.455 in 44AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2HR 12RBI; 4%bb/22%k rates.  12 games at C with 1 error (.988); 1 passed ball; 2/7(29%) CS; Valle has been relegated to a back up role at both Reading and Lehigh Valley, playing once or twice a week.  He shows flashes but has not been playing regularly enough to establish any real consistency.

Cameron Rupp, 25, Phils 3rd round pick in 2010; .259/.459/.778 in 27 AB’s; 4HR 9RBI; 9 games at C with no errors; 0 passed balls; 1/5(20%); CS; Just returned yesterday after missing a little over a month with an oblique injury. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →

A look at the time period covering games played May 8-14…Random thoughts…In a year where he is repeating a level, Carlos Tocci‘s numbers are quickly becoming problematic….JP Crawford continuing to do what he does…I am about to begin my now yearly crusade of promoting giving Cesar Jiminez a shot in the Phils ‘pen…About as poor a line as you can get from Severino Gonzalez this week…Kenny Giles stays on the hot list, even during a week where he transitions to AAA…Two names I expected alot more from are Kyle SImon and Seth Rosin….After a slow start, STeve Susdorf showing again that he can flat out hit.  Unfortunately, no power and little speed.

Hot Hitters:(Min 12 AB’s) Steve Susdorf (.500, 6R); Ronny Cedeno (.400, 6RBI); Maikel Franco (.357, 7RS HR 6RBI); JP Crawford (.353); Carlos Alonso (.333, 2HR 4RBI); Pete Lavin (.333); Tyson Gillies (.333, 6R)

Not Hot Hitters:Carlos Tocci (.042); Logan Moore (.078);  Edgar Duran (.100); Harold Martinez (.111); Aaron Altherr(.125); Matt Tolbert (.133); Andrew Pullin (.143); Brian Pointer (.154); Samuel Hiciano (.167); Wilmer Oberto (.167); Willie Carmona (.167)

Hot Starting Pitchers: Drew ANderson (6IP 4H 1ER 2BB 6K); Sean O’Sullivan (7IP 5H 2ER 3BB 2K); Hoby Milner (7IP 5H 2ER 3BB 2K); Barry Enright (7IP 7H 2ER 1BB 2K) Honorable Mention: Paulino Continue reading Hot or Not →

Lehigh Valley had a very good week, going 5-2, and are now  20-18, 2 games behind division leading Buffalo in the Northern DIvision of the International League.  The ‘Pigs remain home through Friday with three more against Scranton before heading to Buffalo for a four game series.

‘Pigs League Leaders: Maikel Franco is 4th in AB’s (141) and 8th in doubles (10); Tyler Hensen is 9th in runs(23), 9th in SLG (.500) and 4th in SB’s (10)

Pitching: Luis Garcia is 5th in saves (6); Barry Enright is 5th in HR allowed (6).

‘Pigs Prospects:Jon Pettibone has been solid but has been unable to go more than 5.1 innings in any start but one this year.  In 5 starts, Pettibone is 2-0 with a 3.42 ERA and a WHIP that sits at 1.06.  Opponents are hitting just .224 against him and he is walking just 2.1 per nine innings.  Overall excellent results but needs to stretch himself out a bit more after missing some time in SPring Training. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

This was one of the more depressing exercises in my recent existance with JP Crawford saving me from a complete malaise.  Next up will be catchers.

Lehigh Valley

Ronny Cedeno, 31, Acquired as a free agent in 2014; .198/.244/.247 in 81 AB’s; 0HR 8RBI; 6%bb/19%K rates; .148 vs. LH; .222 vs. RHP. 20 games at SS with 3 errors (.963);  2 games at 2B without an error; Cedeno has been a small step above awful thus far

Freddy Galvis, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2006; Went 1-7 before going down with a broken collarbone in Saturdays game.  Expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

Matt Tolbert, 32, Signed as a free agent in 2013; .220/.292/.237 in 59 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 0HR 1RBI; 1SB; 8%bb/11%k rates.  6 games at 2B with 1 error (.933); 6 games at 3B without an error; 4 games in the OF without an error; Has been adequate in limited playing time.

DL: Andreas Blanco

Reading

Carlos Alonso, 25, Phils 32nd round pick in 2010; .283/.369/.372 in 113 AB’s; 1HR 9RBI; 3SB; 11%bb/17%k rates; .229 vs. LHP; .311 vs. RHP; .275 in May. 17 games at 2B with 2 errors (.977);  12 games at 3B with 3 errors (.857); Alonso has been solid and dependable playing nearly every day for the Fightins. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

A first look at corner infielders throughout the system.  Next up will be middle infield, early next week.

Lehigh Valley

Maikel Franco, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2010; .215/.280/.322 in 121 AB’s; 2HR 10RBI; 1SB; 8%bb/18%k rates; .222 vs. LHP; .212 vs. RHP; .176 with RISP. 24 games at 3B with 2 errors (.970); 7 games at 1B without an error;  A very disappointing first 6 weeks for Franco, but some recent signs of life to hang onto.  He ultimately will come around, question is how long it takes.

Jim Murphy, 28, Phils 17th round pick in 2006; .277/.354/.482 in 112 AB’s; 4HR 18RBI; 9%bb/23%K rates; .200 vs. LHP; .312 vs. RHP; .273 with RISP; .321 in May.  26 games at 1B without an error; Murphy has been one of the most consistent performers for Lehigh Valley this year swinging a good bat and playing well at 1B.

Reading

Cesar Hernandez, Soon to be 24, Signed as a free agent in 2006; .353/.423/.518 in 85 AB’s; 3HR 13RBI; 1/3 SB; 11%bb/11%k rates; .367 vs. LHP; .345 vs. RHP; .368 with RISP. 14 games at 3B with 7 errors (.829); 7 games at SS with 1 error (.962); 2 games at 2B without an error;  Hernandez has simply scalded the ball since being sent to the minors in mid April.  The Phils have tried to get him acclimated at 3B and that has proven to be an uphill battle with some significant troubles at the hot corner.

Chris Serritella, 24, Phils 4th round pick in 2012; .216/.260/370 in 46 AB’s; 2HR 7RBI; 6%bb/32%k rates.  3 games at 1B with 1 error; Has shown very little in his limited playing time this year. Has been used almost exclusively at DH. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →

A look at the time period of May 1 thru May 7.  Some quick notes….How is Cesar Hernandez not in Philly.  He is mashing in the minors and has shown he can hit major league pitching. I simply can’t comprehend why they are choosing to not put their best 25 players in Philadelphia…And on that note, on to Luis Garcia, who has yet to allow an earned run pitching in AAA and has converted 9 of 10 save opportunities over two year.  Can he not do what SHawn Camp and Jeff Manship do?…When does JP Crawford get moved up?  My thought is there is zero reason to rush and I would let him get another 100-150 AB’s in Lakewood…Perci Garner’s start this week opened some eyes.  It will be interesting to see how he follows up….I would think the day is coming sooner rather than later where Brody Colvin is no longer with the organization.  He $600K plus bonus is the reason he is currently around…Finally, for the first time in “Hot or Not” history, there were no “not hot” hitters, meaning that no hitter in the Phils organization during the time period discussed hit under .200 in a minimum of 12 AB’s. Kind of remarkable.

Hot Hitters: Min 12 AB’s; Cesar Hernandez (.524, 5R 2HR 6RBI); JP Crawford (.433, 5R 1HR 5RBI, SB); Tommy Joseph (.375); Matt Tolbert (.368); Tyler Henson (.347, 5R 3HR 9RBI); Aaron Altherr (.346, HR, 7RBI, SB); Willians Astudillo (.345, 5R 1HR 8RBI); Dylan Cozens (.333); Andrew Pullin (.320, 2HR); Honorable Mention: Duran, Franco, Lavin

Not Hot Hitters: None

Hot Starters: Perci Garner (6IP 2H 0ER 2BB 9K); David Buchanan (6IP 7H 1ER 1BB 6K); Colin Kleven (6IP 6H 1ER 0BB 2K); Jesse Biddle (7IP 3H 2ER 3BB 6K)

Not Hot Starters: Miguel Nunez (4.2IP 9H 8ER 1BB 1K); Mark Leiter (2 starts, 5IP 9H 9ER 2BB 5K); Mike Nesseth (2IP 4H 5ER 3BB 1K); Brody Colvin (4IP 6H 5ER 2BB 0K); Ranfi Casimiro (5IP 9H 5ER 1BB 4K); Alejandro Arteaga (5.2IP 6H 6ER); Hoby Milner (2 starts, 12.1IP 15H 9ER 6BB 8K) Continue reading Hot or Not →

The ‘Pigs continued their eight game road trip in CHarlotte Monday and Tuesday, losing both games  after sweeping Gwinnett over the weekend and now stand at 15-16 and in last place of the Northern Division of the International League but just four games behind division leading Buffalo.  Lehigh Valley finishes their series with CHarlotte on Thursday and then returns home for an 8 game home stand against Gwinnett and Scranton that begins on Friday evening.

‘Pigs Leaders: Hitting: Maikel Franco is 9th in AB’s (113); Reid Brignac is 5th in runs (20); Jim Murphy is 5th in doubles (9); Clete Thomas is 4th in walks (20) and 4th in steals(8); Tyler Henson is 9th in SLG (.524).

Pitching: David Buchanan is 3rd in wins (4); Luis Garcia is 5th in saves (5); Sean O’Sullivan in 9th in IP (35.0); Barry Enright is 4th in HR allowed (5).

Pigs Prospects: Maikel Franco is showing improvement at .209/.263/.327 on the year and .300 over his last 10 games but in not nearly where we thought he would be at this stage.  His K rate (21%) is not all that problematic, but he has struggled to make solid contact for a good portion of the year before just recently.  Franco has 2HR 10RBI and is hitting just .188 with RISP. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Our first look at the progression (or lack thereof) of the outfielders around the system.  Next up will be corner infielders, over the weekend.

Lehigh Valley

Clete Thomas, 30, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .262/.389/369 in 103 AB’s; 1HR 10RBI; 8/9 SB; 16%bb/24% k rates; .300 vs. LHP; .247 vs. RHP; .217 with RISP. 29 games in the OF with 3 assists and 3 errors; Thomas has played well, providing much of what was expected when he was signed by the Phils as a 6th or 7th OF.

Leandro Castro, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2006; .188/.287/.275 in 80 AB’s; 1HR 9RBI; 1/3 SB; 11%bb/17%k rates; .074 vs. LHP; .245 vs. RHP; .250 with RISP.  23 games in the OF with 3 assists and 3 errors ; Castro’s low walk rate and high strikeout rate have been his historical problem and that has corrected itself this year, however, he has done little else.

Tyler Henson, 26, Re-signed as free agent in 2014; .299/.349/.494 in 77 AB’s; 2HR 12 RBI; 4/5 SB; 7%bb/30% k rates; .296 vs. LHP; .300 vs. RHP; .292 with RISP.  18 games in the OF without an error; 1 assist; 5 games at 2B without an error; 1 game at 3B without an error; Henson has hit very well, although with a high strikeout rate.  Henson has shown versatility, some power, and some speed and is hitting for average.  Gotta admit, I like him a little bit. 

STeve Susdorf, 28, Phils 19th round pick in 2008 draft; .254/.316/.296 in 71 AB’s; 0HR 4RBI; 2/2 SB; 9%bb/22% k rates.  8 games in the OF without an error; Susdorf has been adequate playing part time thus far.  I expect more from him as the year progresses.

Tyson Gillies, 25, Acquired from Seattle in 2010; .196/.258/.286 in 58 AB’s between Clearwater and Lehigh Valley; 1HR 3RBI; 2/3 SB; 3%bb/29% k rates.  14 games in the OF with 1 error. Just awful on many levels.

Reading

Zach Collier, 23, Phils 1st round pick in 2008; .177/.301/.258 in 61 AB’s; 0HR 2RBI; 2/4 SB; 11%bb/31% k rates. 18 games in the OF with one assist and one error;  Awful and overmatched.

Kelly Dugan, 23, Phils 2nd round pick in 2009; .275/.396/.375 in 40 AB’s; 1HR 5RBI; 1SB; 15%bb/18% k rates.  12 games in the OF with 1 error; Has been unable to stay on the field thus far and hasn’t had enough AB’s to pass judgement. Continue reading Around the System–Outfielders →

This was by far the worst week that the organization has had since I began the Hot or Not feature four years ago.  There was very little positive to speak of over the time period of April 24-30, with Mark Leiter being the lone positive that I will mention. He has been very consistent and has shown excellent command all year…Two steps forward and one step (or more?) back for Jesse Biddle…Three “toolsy” OF’s land on the not hot list this week (Pointer, Cozens and Hewitt), with I am sure more to come…Two pitchers I was excited about out of the gate this year (Shane Martin and Drew Anderson) hit the not hot list…We can only go up from here.

Hot Hitters: (Min 13AB’s) Harold Martinez (.370, HR, 4RBI, SB); Reid Brignac (.333, 3R, 2SB); Tyler Henson (.333, 4R, 3RBI); Brock Stassi (.320). Honorable Mention: Hill, Serna, Alonso

Not Hot Hitters: Brian Pointer (.091); Anthony Hewitt (.105); Angelo Mora (.122); Justin Parr (.125); Nick Ferdinand (.133);  Dylan Cozens (.158); Jan Hernandez (.158); Clete Thomas (.176); Gabrial Lino (.176); Andrew Pullin (.188)

Hot Starters: Mark Leiter (8IP 4H 0ER 2BB 7K);  Greg Smith (7IP 5H 1ER 0BB 6K); Jon Prosinski (7IP 6H 1ER 1BB 4K); Sean O’Sullivan (7IP 6H 2ER 3BB 2K); Tyler Viza (6IP 6H 2ER 1BB 1K) Continue reading Hot or Not →