Happy 4th and another week in the books.  Observations:

–The Lakewood lineup has taken it up a notch over the last couple weeks, most notably Aaron ALtherr who has put together several consecutive very good weeks.

–Leandro Castro is working towards a call up to Lehigh Valley to finish the season.  He is well above .300 on the season now, and after a miserable April, has reallu started swinging the bat well.

–The transition of Harold Martinez to High A has been less than smooth and he has seen limited playing time as of late.

–Very nice to see conseuctive very goos starts by Brody Colvin who may be coming out of his season long funk. Nice numbers by Josh Warner and Tyler CLoyd just keeps rolling along.

–Phillippe Aumont was simply nasty in his outings this week, while Joe Savery was just the opposite.

Hot Hitters: Tug Hulett (.474, 6R, HR 5RBI); W. Austudillo (.438); Kyrell Hudson (.435); Aaron Altherr (.429, 11R 1HR 7 RBI, 2SB); Maikel Franco (.400, 4R HR, 10RBI); Dylan Couzens (.389, 5R HR, 5RBI); Albert Cartwright (.375, 5RBI); Leandro Castro (.360, 7RBI); Tyler Greene (.350); Kelly Dugan (.348, 8R 4RBI); Honorable Mention: Walding, ALonso, C. Hernandez, Serritella, Frandsen, Suomi, Stassi Continue reading Hot or Not →

‘The Pigs are hot, having won three in a row and now stand at 49-35 and in first place of the Northern Division of the International League, 2 games ahead of second place Pawtucket. The ‘Pigs continue their 5 game series against Scranton this evening with Tyler Cloyd on the mound, before leaving for a three game, pre All Star Break road trip in Rochester. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

A look at the starting rotation in the lower half of the organization.  Limited stats for WIlliamsport and GCL, so limited analysis as it isnt fair to draw any conclusion based on the small sample size. Next up, the bullpen, sometime next week.

Lakewood

Ethan Stewart, 21, Phils 47th round pick in 2010;  16 games; 4-6 with a 3.21 ERA; 81.1IP 57H 43BB 54K; 0.95 GO/AO; .197 opp. avg., 3 HR allowed; 1.22 WHIP; 4.7BB/5.9K per nine; .220 vs LH, .188 vs. RH, .192 with RISP. 4-0 with a 1.76 ERA in June.  Stewart has been excellent as of late, although needs to get done the walk rate for continued success.

Ramon Oviedo, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 1-6 with a 8.72 ERA; 7 starts; 32IP 39H 16BB 25K; 1.00 GO/AO; .312 opp. avg., 1.72 WHIP; 4.5BB/7.0K; .340 vs. LH, .292 vs. RH, .378 with RISP.  Ugly thus far. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitchers, Bottom Half →

The Phils have traded Jim Thome to the Baltimore Orioles for two prospects, RHP Kyle Simon and Catcher Gabrial Lino.  Simon, 21, was the Orioles 4th round draft pick last year out of the University of Arizona.  A 6’5 RHP, Simon was 2-8 with a 3.96 ERA in 14 starts with CLass A Frederick.  In 72.2 innings of work, Simon’s WHIP is an unimpressive 1.47, to go along with an opponents batting average of .293. Simon will likely join Clearwater. Continue reading Phils get prospects from Orioles for Jim Thome →

Some quick hits to get things going this weekend:

–Our old friend Matt Rizzotti was released yesterday by the Twins organization. Things change quickly in the world of minor league baseball.

—Darin Ruf hit his 13th HR last night, leading the Phils Minor League System.

–Reading OF Leandro Castro has been hot for 6 weeks now and is making a push for a callup to Lehigh Valley before years end.  While a free swinger, teams will make room for a free swinger with the tools that he has.

—Austin Hyatt finally had a decent start last night after about a dozen lackluster efforts.

—Anthony Hewitt made his 14th error of the season in the OF last night, a near unbelievable amount heading in July. He is on pace for 25 OF errors.

–CHris Duffy has reached base by either hit or walk in all 31 games he has played for Lakewood and currently has a 14 game hitting streak.

—Ervis Manzanillo has landed on the DL again for Lakewood with an elbow strain.

A look st Starting Pitchers in the top half of the organization.  The lower half (Lakewood, Williamsport, and GCL) will come next week.

Lehigh Valley

Tyler Cloyd, 25, Phils 18th round pick in 2008; 15 starts; 10-1 with a 2.07 ERA between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 95.2IP 72H 18BB 67K; 6 HR allowed; 1.17GO/AO; .207 opp. avg., .248 vs. LH, .165 vs. RH, .205 with RISP;0.94 WHIP;  1.7BB/6.3K per nine; 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in 4 June starts.  Cloyd has been the most impressive pitcher in the organization this year, going 6 or more innings in 14 of his 15 starts.  He has been consistently excellent some real consideration should be given to a callup before the end of the year. Continue reading Around the System, Starting Pitching, Top Half →

A look back at the time period of June 20-27.  The GCL is not included.  We will start including the GCL next week. Lets get right to it with the stats. My only point this week is….Tyler Knigge to AA and Justin Friend to AAA needs to happen.

Hot Starting Pitchers: Ethan Stewart (W, 6IP 1H 0ER 1BB 2K); Tyler Cloyd (6IP 4H 0ER 2BB 1K); Pat Misch (13IP 12H 3ER 2BB 10K, W); Austin Wright (W, 13IP 3ER); Perci Garner (5IP 2H 1ER 2BB 2K); Josh Warner (7IP 6H 2ER 1BB 6K); Brody Colvin (6IP 8H 2ER 1BB 7K) Continue reading Hot or Not →

Lehigh Valley finished their 8 game road trip with a 7-3 loss in Columbus last evening, losing their final three games of the road trip, finishing 4-4. The ‘Pigs are now 43-33 on the year and in 2nd place of the Northern Division of the International League, 2 games behind division leading Pawtucket. The ‘Pigs open a 12 game homestand tonight with a four game series against Rochester.

Probables: Tuesday: Wright; Wednesday: Cochran; Thursday: Cloyd; Friday: Elarton Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

A quick note that Reading starter Jonathan Pettibone was named EL Pitcher of the week for his efforts between June 18-24 during which he was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 15 K’s in 14 innings of work.  Pettibone is now 7-5 with a 3.27 ERA in his 14 starts for the RPhils this year.

A look at the OF through the system.  Just names at the lower two levels.  Not enough AB’s for any real analysis.

Lehigh Valley

Domonic Brown, 24, Phils 20th round pick in 2006; .266/.314/.416 in 173 AB’s; 4HR 22 RBI; 4/10 SB; .333 vs. LH, .244 vs RH, .356 with RISP; 7%bb/21% k rates; 45 games in the OF with 6 errors; 3 assists. Hasn’t played since June 14th because of a knee injury. Brown started poorly and was picking it up before his most recent injury.  His stock is really dropping with his inability to stay on the field.  Continue reading Around the System–Outfield →