The Phillies traded 27 year old relief pitcher Michael Schwimer to the Toronto Blue Jays today for 22 year old Low A 1B prospect Art Charles. Schwimer, who spent a good portion of last year with the big club ran into problems with the organization towards the end of the year last year after a disputed injury to his arm left the tall righty out of action for the final six weeks of the season. Schwimer was 2-1 with a 4.46 ERA in 35 games and helped stabilize a very rocky Phillies bullpen in the middle of last season. His relationship, which had been described as rocky at times with the Phils organization became a bit more rocky when Schwimer refused to report to AAA Lehigh Valley last August after being sent down by the Phils. Schwimer cited arm problems and publicly stated he should have been placed on the DL, rather than sent down (which would have ensured his major league salary). He didnt pitch in another game for the organization after that.

Charles was drafted in 2010 by the Blue Jays in the 20th round of the draft out of Bakersfield College. The 6’6, 245 pound left handed hitter, batted .236 in just over 200 AB’s split between rookie ball and Low A. He does have some power, as he hit 13 HR’s last year, but was crippled by a strikeout rate that hovered around 30%.

The analysis of this trade is that it stinks. While I have never hid my admiration for Schwim ( I know him and like him quite a bit as a person), the Phillies traded something for what looks to be nothing. Schwimer did have options remaining this year, meaning he could have been sent down to the minors for another year. He was undoubtedly progressing as a pitcher, and while never likely be be a closer, he does continue to have the potential to perform in a middle relief role with competency and success.

Schwimer was a victim of “telling it the way it is” as opposed to telling it the way the organization would like it to be on several issues over the last couple of the years. Its tough to fault a guy for voicing his honest opinion. That being said, when the honest opinion is coming from a 27 year old middle reliever and that opinion differs from the organizations opinion, you are likely to find yourself in Buffalo for the next baseball season (Toronto’s AAA affiliate).

Good luck to a good guy.

The battle for the five spots in the Lehigh Valley rotation will prove to be interesting once SPring Training gets under way in less than two weeks. With the addition of several veterans with major league experience, what first looked like a youthful rotation of up and coming prospects now looks like a mixed bag of the up and comers combined with those with major league experience that could provide several spot starts for the Phils without total implosion and ruining confidence.

First the givens. It is extremely likely that Jon Pettibone will be the #1 starter for Lehigh Valley absent a very unlikely chance that the Phils take a shot on him right out of the gate with the big club. Pettibone was extremely impressive on each occasion I saw him throw, and it would surprise me if he didnt spend big league time this year. The #2 starter should be Ethan Martin, who was an impressive 5-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his 7 starts with Reading after being acquired from the Dodgers. Just 23, Martin has good upside so long as he can maintain his command which he has struggled with in the past. Tyler CLoyd should be penciled in as the #3 starter. Coming off an incredible year in which he went a combined 15-1 between Reading and Lehigh Valley, it would be a struggle for anyone to replicate the success of CLoyd’s outstanding 2012. Ultimately, I see CLoyd as a guy who will give you a quality start almost every time out that could fit in a middle relief, innings eating role for the Phils just fine if needed.

The battle for the #4 and #5 spots is where things will get interesting in the Spring. As of now, I am unsure of the Phils plans with BJ Rosenberg. I like the way Rosenberg throws, but he has bounced back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen which has not helped him. He was never adequately stretched out to see what he could really do and his short time with the Phils was very rough at the outset, before he settled down. Several minor league veterans are in the mix for the #4 and 5 positions as the Phils have re-acquired both Rodrigo Lopez and Brian Bass as well as Aaron Cook who who has over 200 major league starts under his belt. Cook floundered with the Red Sox last year, but threw well in AAA Pawtucket and gives the Phils another viable option if (when) the Lannan/Kendrick duo struggle. Finally, there are reports that the Phils have re-signed Tom Cochran, a 30 year old lefty, who after struggling a bit at the beginning of the 2012 season with injuries, ended up being one of the IronPigs most consistent pitchers last year.
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My final prediction for the Opening Day rotation: 1. Pettibone; 2. Martin; 3. CLoyd; 4. Cook; 5. Cochran. I suspect Bass comes down with a early turf toe ailment that will place him on the DL until another body is needed in the rotation.

After a bit of a break over the last few months, I feel reinvigorated and hope to be back writing substanitally more as we enter SPring Training. Matt and Brad have done a tremendous job keeping things moving with excellent, insightful pieces since we last spoke. I hope and pray they continue to contribute as the site continues to grow during the upcoming baseball season.

A problem that James ran into periodically when he was running the site was the actions of a few commenters ruining the conversation for the majority. Put simply, abuse will not be tolerated. Those who chose to be disrespectful will be banned from the site. Those who choose to attempt to bring down the site and try to manipulate their IP addresses will be investigated. Put simply, the site should be the forum that Phillies fans go to discuss and debate what is going on in the Phils minor league system. WHen it gets personal, you will be escorted out of the site.

Ok, enough of the lecture. Just re-introducing myself the the group as we soon hit our 10,000,000th page view. Not kidding. 10,000,000. Thank you all for supporting the site and looking forward to a very exciting 2013.

2013’s version of Scott Elarton is….Zach Miner.  The Phillies signed Miner today to a minor league contract where he is expected to land in the Lehigh Valley after two likely IronPigs candidates Trevor May and Lisalverto Bonilla were traded away over the last week.

Miner, 30, was originally a 4th round draft pick of the Braves and last pitched in the majors during the 2009 season when he went 7-5 with a 4.29 ERA in 51 games for the Tigers.  Miner threw in 23 games for Toledo, the Tigers AAA affiliate last season going 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA in 36 innings of work.

Miner, a big righty, underwent Tommy John surgery during the 2010 season and has struggled to regain his pre-injury form.

Several Phillies minor leaguers are now open for the “bidding”, as they have been declared free agents.  The list goes like this: Pitchers: Scott Elarton, Matt Wright, Pat Misch, Drew Naylor, Tom Cochran, David Purcey, INF Jake Fox, C John Suomi, 2B Harold Garcia, INF Tug Hulett, SS Miguel Abreu, OF Kyle Hoppy, Kyle Hudson, D’Arby Myers, Brandon Tripp, Mike SPidale, INF Jake Opitz.

The top three names I would most like to see back: Cochran, Garcia, Myers.

My two cents….the Phillies have made their 40 man roster stronger by outrighting both P David Herndon, as well as utility infielder Michael Martinez off the 40 man today. Herndon was subsequently picked up by Toronto.  With a number of difficult decisions upcoming over the next several weeks prior to the Rule 5 draft, this clears necessary space for some of the bigger prospect names to be added into the mix in the short term.

The dog days of the off- season have begun where the news may consist of Jason Pridie electing free agency. So, with that said, Jason Pridie, OF, has elected free agency.

We finally hit the last report card of the 2012 season.  It’s difficult as we reach the lower levels as I have seen very few of these guys play, and generally base the reports on their stat lines and trends over the last few years.  I would think that there are some limited circumstances where the Phillies see something outside the stats, but would also think it to be the rare occasion where there is a belief that a guy with a 7 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP is throwing well.  At any rate, enjoy…and we will kick off the Arizona Fall League season next week with Brad reporting.

Williamsport

Geoff Broussard, 22, Phils 23rd round pick in 2012;  20 games; 2-1 with a 2.41 ERA; 7 saves; 33.2IP 34H 8BB 36K; 2HR allowed; 0.88 GO/AO; .264 opp. avg., 1.24 WHIP; 2.1BB/9.6K per nine; Very good professional debut for Broussard. Grade: B+; 2013: Clearwater bullpen

Luis Gonzalez, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2009; 16 games (6 starts); 1 save; 50.2IP 51H 2HR 25BB 46K; 0.81 GO/AO; .258 opp. avg., 1.50 WHIP; 4.5BB/8.1K per nine; .380 vs. LH, .216 vs. RH, .246 with RISP.  Gonzalez did enough in 2012 to move him to Lakewood next year.  His numbers vs. LH are striking.  Grade: C+ Continue reading Post Season Report Card, Bullpen, Williamsport and GCL →