A look back at the time period between 7/11–7/17.

A few observations:  Chris Duffy had perhaps the best offensive week of any player in the system this year.  He needs to move up. 

–Very nice to see Roman Quinn as an addition to the hot list.  While struggling with the glove, he is making things happen at the plate and now has 12 SB’s in the early going of the Williamsport season.

–Austin Hyatt had a good start this week after numerous poor outings effectively took him off the map.  Should be interesting to watch how he follows that up.

–Austin Wright and Adam Morgan continue to show they are ready for the transition to AA…Morgan maybe a bit more so than Wright.

–The Julio Rodriguez skeptics are coming out in droves as they suggest he may have been finally figured out.

Finally, I will be on vacation next week, so both the Lehigh Valley Weekly Report and Hot or Not will have to wait until the week after next to get back up and running…With that, see below the jump for stats. Continue reading Hot or Not →

The ‘Pigs have been struggling a bit winning just 4 of their last 10 games, but still in the lead of the Northern Division of the International League at 54-42, one game ahead of second place Scranton.  Lehigh Valley finishes up their eight game road trip on Thursday in Durham before returning home for an eight game home stand beginning Friday against Columbus and Norfolk. The ‘Pigs return home with the best home record in the league (33-12). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Just a quick note that OF Domonic Brown has been activated and is expected in the Lehigh Valley lineup this evening after missing a month with a knee injury.  Brown is looking to turn around another injury filled season with a strong final 7 weeks of the minor league season.  I suspect with three strong weeks and the strong possibility of outfielders being traded from the Phils, we may see Brown in Philly sooner rather than later.

Quite a bit to talk about at the corner infield spots with the addition of the short season teams into the mix. 

Lehigh Valley

Tug Hulett, 29, Acquired in 2012 as a free agent, .267/.337/.358 in 176 AB’s between Reading and LV; 3 HR 25 RBI; 2SB; .319 avg. with LV; .313 vs. LH, .320 vs. RH, .313 with RISP; 10%bb/20%k rates. Hitting .326 since June 1st. 46 games at 3B with 8 errors (.927) 2.22 R/F. ;  Hulett has played well for the ‘Pigs but expect his playing time to become much more limited with Hector Luna back from the big club.

Hector Luna, 32, Acquired in 2012 as a free agent, .259/.296/.379 in 116 AB’s; 1 HR 13 RBI; .211 vs. LH, .282 vs. RH, .250 with RISP, 5%bb/16%k rates.  25 games at 3B with 6 errors (.913); 2.52 R/F; 2 games at 1B without an error. Just sent back down from Philadelphia.  Shoud add some offensive consistency to ‘Pigs lineup. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →

So Dylan Cozens has opened some eyes early on….with Larry Greene looking good as well. Other thoughts:

–Cameron Rupp has been much more consistent as of late and if he can hit .255-.265 with power and defense, the Phils will have something.

–Chris Serritella should be in Lakewood soon.

–Kelly Dugan has been hot ever since returning from his ankle injury and his average is now approaching .280 with some pop.

–The transition to new levels for 3B Harold Martinez and Cody Asche continues to be a slow one, but its still early.

–Adam Morgan is putting up numbers worthy of a move up to Reading, while Brody Colvin has pulled himself together over the last several starts.

–In the department of prospects named “Tyler”, both Cloyd and Knigge continue their dominance.

Stats are from 7/4/12 thru 7/10/12.

Hot Hitters: Cameron Rupp (.474, HR 7RBI); Dylan Cozens, (.474, 5R 2SB) William Carmona (.407, 5R HR 6RBI); Kelly Dugan (.400); Larry Greene (.400); Chris Serritella (.385, 8R 3HR 8RBI);  Yan Olmo (.375); Leandro castro (.375); Darin Ruf (.364, 4R, HR); Albert Cartwright (.364); Jairo Cardozo (.364); Honorable Mention: Susdorf, Mora, Valenzuela, Frandsen, Murphy, M. Martinez, Villalobos, Franco, Eldemire Continue reading Hot or Not →

Wanted to get some conversation going so….just sitting here considering whether the Phils should make these moves:

1 Trade Shane Victorino, which will lead to….bringing up Domonic Brown, opening a spot for Leandro Castro in Lehigh Valley. This, of course, assumes Brown is healthy. (He was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and a SB with GCL Phils rehabbing today.)

2.  Bring up Tyler Cloyd to the Phillies.  Put him in the rotation and see what they have.  What is the down side to replacing Kendrick with Cloyd at this stage, moving Kendrick to long relief and sending Sanches back down?

3.  Promote Cesar Hernandez to Lehigh Valley.  Release Andreas Blanco to make room and play Michael Martinez/Frandsen at SS. Frandsen should stay in the lineup as much as possible as he is the most consistent hitter on the team, but I would like to see Hernandez in Allentown before the end of the year.

4.  Tyler Knigge needs to move to Reading.  Nothing more to prove in Clearwater and Reading’s bullpen has been decimated by injuries and call ups.  I can think of at least 3 moves to make room….

5.  I am on the verge of saying Adam Morgan is ready for Reading but not quite there yet.  I need another solid start or two.  Colvin maybe two starts behind Morgan.  The most obvious move to make room would be Mario Hollands back to Clearwater where he belongs.

6.  Luis Paulino should be a promotion candidate for the Clearwater bullpen….

7.  Chris Serritella moved up to Lakewood with another solid 2 weeks to finish the year with the BlueClaws with a corresponding move sending Chris Duffy to Clearwater.

Ok, feel free to agree or rip me now….

An abbreviated Lehigh Valley report as they head into the all star break…

Lehigh Valley heads into the all star break at 52-39, and in first place of the Northern Division of the International League, 1.5 games in front of second place Pawtucket.  Over the last 10 games, Lehigh Valley is 6-4 and pick things up after the break on Thursday where they begin an 8 game road trip in Norfolk, followed by a stop in Durham.  Having been completely decimated by a combination of injuries and call ups, the ‘Pigs position atop the division is a true testament to their Manager Ryne Sandberg, and his coaching staffs insistence on playing the game the right way.  Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

A look at the bullpen in the lower half of the system. Little analysis because it remains too early for opinions on the Williamsport and GCL groups.

Lakewood

Kenny Giles, 21, Phils 7th round pick in 2011; 23 games (6 starts); 2-3 with a 3.99 ERA; 3 saves; 56.1IP 48H 40BB 64K; 5 HR allowed; 1.57 WHIP; 6.4BB/10.1K per nine; 0.79 GO/AO; .229 opp. avg., .233 vs. LH, .225 vs. RH, .217 with RISP; Giles command is clearly his issue.  He has very good stuff, just needs to get it under control.

Gabrial Arias, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2007; 25 games; 3-4 with a 4.61 ERA; 52.2IP 63H 17BB 52K; 5 HR allowed; 0.94 GO/AO; .297 opp. avg., .290 vs. LH, .303 vs. RH, .320 with RISP; 1.50 WHIP; 2.8BB/9.0K per nine.  Arias has been a workhorse for Lakewood but very hittable.

Austin Brough, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2011; 21 games between Lakewood and CLearwater; 1-1 with a 7.34ERA; 30.2IP 46H 14BB 12K; 9 HR allowed; 1.41 GO/AO; .341 opp. avg., 1.98 WHIP; 4.0BB/3.5K per nine.  As bad a line through 21 games as you can imagine. Continue reading Around the System, Bullpen, Lower Half →

NYPhilsManiac has been kind enough to send in another game report from his recently attended Reading Phils game vs. New Hampshire.  Always insightful, so give it a read:

Certainly some conversation starters between Aumont/Bonilla/Duke/Knigge.  Have at it.

Lehigh Valley

Phillipe Aumont, 23, Acquired from Seattle in 2009; 24 games; 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA; 10 saves; 26IP 18H 23BB 37K; 2 HR allowed; 1.56 GO/AO; .189 opp. avg., 1.57 WHIP; 8.0BB/12.8K per nine; .222 vs. LH, .169 vs. RH, .211 with RISP. Since June 1: 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA in 12 games; 6 saves.  Aumont struggled mightily in May with injuries and his command.  He has been better as of late but stills needs more work. When he is on, he is filthy. Continue reading Around the System, Bullpen, Top Half →