The always insightful NYPhilsManiac19 has been kind enough to once again give us a guest post after attending a recent Threshers game. 

Next trip around starts with a look at the corner infield…

Lehigh Valley

Cody Asche, 23, Phils 4th round pick in 2011; .281/.342/.444 in 324 AB’s; 8HR 49RBI; 7SB; .256 vs. LH, .291 vs. RH, .243 with RISP; .304 since June 1; 8%bb/23%k rates. 83 games at 3B with 9 errors (.960); 2.59 R/F. Asche is progressing exactly as you would hope and is ready to take over the Phils 3B position in 2014 if not sooner.

Josh Fields, 30, Signed as a free agent in 2013; .314/.370/462 in 223 AB ‘s; 4HR 32 RBI; 6SB; .382 vs. LH, .279 vs. RH, .358 with RISP; .292 since June 1; 8%bb/28% k rates. 21 games at 1B with 3 errors (.982); 5 games at 3B without an error; 8 games in the OF without an error; Fields has done everything Lehigh Valley has asked and done it well.  The numbers against lefties make me think a Howard/Fields platoon would work much better than Howard alone.

Cody Overbeck, 27, Phils 9th round pick in 2008; .251/.308/.498 in 263 AB’s; 15HR 42RBI; 1SB; .329 vs. LH; .223 vs. RH, .176 with RISP; .299 since June 1; 7%bb/28% k rates; 53 games at 1B with 3 errors (.993); 8.34 R/F. Overbeck has picked it up as of late and may be the best pure power hitter on the team, but the high “k” rate, and low avg. with RISP kill him. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →

A look back at the week of June 27-July 3. Huge week for Cesar Hernandez, who is beginning to make the Phils decision making at 2B interesting…Andrew Knapp is hitting well, even while suffering from an arm injury that is keeping him from catching…Tommy Joseph’s 2013 is turning into a lost season…Pitching lines simply dont get better than that of Severino Gonzalez last week…Minor league hitters continue to mash Tyler Cloyd.

Hot Hitters: Michael Martinez (.571, 4RBI); Cesar Hernandez (.464, 4R 4RBI, 4SB); Albert Cartwright (.455, 3HR 5RBI, 2SB); Cody Asche (.420); Logan Pierce (.417, 5R, 5RBI); Tyson Gillies (.417); Andrew Knapp (.375, 3SB); Chris Serritella (.353, 2HR); Maikel Franco (.333, 6R, HR 4RBI); Gustavo Martinez (.333). Honorable Mention: Duran Continue reading Hot or Not →

The ‘Pigs played the eighth game of a nine game homestand last evening and ended the homestand with a 5-2  loss to Toledo,. Over the course of the homestand, Lehigh Valley is 4-4 and now sit at 45-40 and in 2nd place of the Northern Division of the International League, 6.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket.  The ‘Pigs are tied for the wild card lead with Norfolk.

‘Pigs Prospects: Cody Asche has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games and is hitting .400 (16-40) over that timeframe, and is over .280 on the year, continuing to show decent power and some speed to go along with good defense. He went almost the entire month of June without an error (27 games), finally committing an error on the 30th of June. His power numbers are increasing as his last 200 AB’s have yielded 7 HR’s, after just one in his first 100 AB’s. Struggling a bit against LHP (.241) and with RISP (.236). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

A look at the week of June 21-27.  Quick thoughts….Franco is certainly making the #1 prospect in the organization a debate….and with Franco’s promotion, Harold Martinez gets hot for the first time in his career…Hoby Milners negative turn around is concerning. I think he may be injured with the lack of K’s and increased walk rate over the last couple of starts.

Hot Hitters: Maikel Franco (.483, 5R 3HR 7RBI); Harold Martinez (.433); Willie Carmona (.417, 4R HR, 6RBI); Brock Stassi (.412); Larry Greene Jr, (.393); ANgelo Mora (.389, 5R 2HR 7RBI, 2SB); Aaron ALtherr (.379, HR, 5RBI); Brian Pointer (.357, 5RBI); Miguel ABreu (.357); Anthony Hewitt (.348, 3HR 7RBI); Honorable Mention: Ruf, Susdorf, Moore, Gillies, Valle, Oberto, Parr Continue reading Hot or Not →

The ‘Pigs returned home with a 3-1 loss against Durham on Tuesday night after a successful 5-3 road trip. On the year, Lehigh Valley now sits at 41-37 and in 2nd place of the Northern Division of the International League, 7 games behind division leading Pawtucket. The ‘Pigs currently lead the wild card race by one game, and play at home through next Wednesday.

‘Pigs Prospects:Darin Ruf has had a good June, hitting .291 for the month after his 0-4 last night. I certainly did not expect anywhere near 2012 power numbers but Ruf’s 2013 numbers have been lower than I thought. 2 homers for the month of June thus far and 7HR 38RBI thru the half way mark of the IronPigs season.  Ruf is hitting .266/.346/.418 on the year with a 11%bb rate and a 26% K rate. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Stats are thru Saturday June 22, 2013.  Min 130AB and 27IP. The story here is obviously 1) Maikel Franco and 2) the lack of a pitching story.

Hitters: Hits: Maikel Franco (83); James Murphy (79); Cody Asche (75); Aaron Altherr (73); Chris Serritella (72); Cesar Hernandez (68); Cameron Perkins (67); Darin Ruf (67); Carlos ALonso (66); Willie Carmona (64).

Runs: Carlos Alonso (47); Maikel Franco (43); Aaron Altherr (41)’ Art Charles (41); Albert Cartwright (39); Jermaine Mitchell (39); Darin Ruf (37); James Murphy (36); Roman Quinn (36); Cody Asche (34)

Doubles: Maikel Franco (23); Aaron ALtherr (21); Cameron Perkins (18);  Darin Ruf (18); Art Charles (18); Cody Overbeck (17); Cody Asche (15); James Murphy (15); Mitch Walding (15) Continue reading Phils Minor League Leaders →

A second look at relief pitchers throughout the organization. Once depth filled, there is now reason for legitimate concern at the upper levels of the organization.  Williamsport and GCL are not included but will be on the next trip around.

Lehigh Valley

Phillipe Aumont, 24, Acquired from Seattle in 2009; 10 games, 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and 2 saves; 9.1IP 9H 14BB 13K; 1.14 GO/AO; .250 opp. avg. .375 vs. LH, .150 vs. RH. Until Aumont is able gain an idea about where the ball is going, this is where he will stay.  Last couple of outings have been a bit better, but has walked 14 in nine innings since being sent down.

Justin Friend, 27, Selected in the 2010 Minor League Rule 5 draft; 25 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 4-2 with a 4.97 ERA; 38IP 36H 27BB 30K; 2.33 GO/AO; .250 opp. avg., 6.4BB/7.1K per nine; 1.66 WHIP;  .298 vs. LH, .182 vs. RH, .246 with RISP; 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA over his last 10 games. Friend has been very effective as of late but the walks have really inhibited his success this year.  Continue reading Around the System–Relief Pitchers →

A look back at the week of June 13-19.  A few quick hitters…its very hard to think that Larry Greene will turn it around. Between the brutal numbers and showing up out of shape to Spring Training, I have about written him off…Zambrano should go up. Not sure if immediately in the rotation but he has to be able to help in some way…The enigma that is Brody Colvin continues to cause me to scratch my head…Am I wrong to be very excited about Severino Gonzalez?Mike Nesseth is a name to watch…he knows how to pitch.

Hot Hitters, Min 12 AB’s: Willie Carmona (.667, HR 5RBI); Chris Serritella (.462); Carlos Tocci (.417); Josh Fields (.400, 4RBI); Jim Murphy (.381, 2HR 7RBI); Edgar Duran (.368); Tyler Henson (.357, 3SB); Zach Green (.357); Gustavo Martinez (.357); Mitch Walding (.333, 5R 1HR 3RBI); Honorable Mention: Overbeck Continue reading Hot or Not →

A solid 4-2 week for Lehigh Valley after their 3-0 shutout victory behind Carlos Zambrano on Tuesday. Lehigh Valley is now 37-34 and tied for 2nd place in the Northern Division of the International League, 5 games behind division leading Pawtucket at the half way mark of the season.  The ‘Pigs have two more games against Toledo before moving along to Columbus where they will play four games and conclude their 8 game road trip next Monday. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →