A look back at the last 7 days from 6/13–6.19.  Hitters require 11AB’s to be eligible.

Some thoughts: Cody Asche just keeps doing his thing…I cant imagine he will be with CLearwater much longer.

–Anthony Hewitt was perhaps the most productive offensive player in the system during the last time period. 

–Cody Overbeck has really leveled off and some thought should certainly be given to getting Darin Ruf some AAA playing time before the end of the year.

–Brody Colvin is back on the not hot list while Jon Pettibone continues with his very solid season.

–When will Justin Friend get a real chance….?

Hot Hitters: Cody Asche (.588, 5R); Chris Duffy (.480); Anthony Hewitt (.438, 3HR 9 RBI); Andreas Blanco (.400, 6R);  Zach Collier (.400); Darin Ruf (.357, 4R 2HR 5 RBI); Kevin Frandsen (.360, 8 RBI); Leandro Castro (.350)Sebastian Valle (.333); Brendan Tripp (.333); Tug Hulett (.333) Continue reading Hot or Not →

Lehigh Valley is now 40-29 and in second place in the Northern Division of the International League, 4 games behind division leading Pawtucket.  The ‘Pigs began an eight game road trip in Toledo last evening with a victory and have won 9 of their last 12 games.

‘Pigs Leaders:Kevin Frandsen is 8th in AB’s (248), 7th in hits (70), 5th in doubles (19). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Looking behind the plate, Sebastian Valle has taken it up a notch since the last report and if he can continue on this pace, could be major league ready in 2014.  AT 21, no reason to rush him, although with Chooch sometimes injury prone……

Lehigh Valley

Tuffy Gosewisch, 28, Phils 11th round pick in 2005, .223/.277/.355 in 121 AB’s; 3HR 12 RBI; 5%bb/14% k rates; .216 vs. LH, .226 vs. RH, .250 with RISP; .214 since May 1. 35 games caught; 7/31 CS (23%); 2 errors (.993); 3 passed balls. Calling a good game but very mediocre production.

John Suomi, 31, Re-Signed as a free agent on 2012; .361/.381/.607 in 61 AB’s; 3HR 9 RBI; 1SB; 3%bb/21% k rates. 7 games caught; 0/5 CS ; 1 error (.978); 0 passed balls; Has also played 5 games at 1B with 2 errors.  Suomi was scalding the ball before missing the last two weeks with a hip injury. Not good defensively. Continue reading Around the System–Catcher →

Here we go…

Catchers: Logan Moore, Chace Numata, Kevin Quaranto

Infield: Tyler Greene, Roman Quinn, Trey Ford, Chris Serritella, Mitch Walding

Outfield: Brock Stassi, Larry Greene, Diego Gonzalez, Yan Olmo

Pitchers: Jon Musser, James Birmingham, Kevin Brady, Geoff Broussard, Zach Cooper, Luis GOnzalez, Jordan Guth, Nicholas Hanson, Steven Inch, Ulises Joaquin, Hoby Milner, Delvin Perez, Matthew Sisto, Jeb Stefan, Josh Warner

Manager: Andy Tracy

The season begins Monday evening.

So Tim Kennelly seems to have taken to the leadoff spot in Reading this week in Tyson Gillies absence….

—The typical Lakewood candidates on the not hot hitting list.

–The list of ajectives used to describe the year that Tyler CLoyd is having is getting overused, however he has been consistently excellent.

–After a half dozen relief appearances, Brody Colvin got the start on Tuesday and re-appears on the Hot list giving up just one earned on two hits in six innings. Continue reading Hot or Not →

The ‘Pigs wrapped up their series in Syracuse having taken three out of four from the Chiefs (they were rained out this morning), and now stand at 37-27,2.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket in the Northern Division of the International League. Lehigh Valley has won six of their last seven games, with a patchwork lineup. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Reading looking good up the middle,the rest, not so much. Stats are thru Saturday’s games.

Lehigh Valley

Andreas Blanco, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2012, .212/.282/.318 in 198 AB’s; 5 HR 16RBI; 5SB; 9%bb/18%k rates; .200 vs. LH, .217 vs. RH, .191 with RISP; .218 since May 1st.  56 games at SS with 10 errors (.957); 3.98 R/F. Blanco has been extremely average all around and has recently been injured, missing time with a knee injury. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

Life has slowed down to a pace where I have ten minutes to out some thoughts together this morning.  Here it goes….

–Although I didn’t expect much when JC Ramirez was called up to help out in the Lehigh Valley bullpen, his first two outings have been very strong.

–Lehigh Valley OF Derrick Mitchell, coming off an 8 RBI night (in a double header), broke his wrist and will miss at least the next 6 weeks recovering.

—Tyson Gillies has begun only very minimal physical activity recovering from his wrist injury/concussion and he still is at least a week away from a return.  This is just another in a long series of physical set backs for Gillies, who was playing well up until the time of his injury.

–It is time to start paying some real attention to 21 year old Dominican Lisalberto Bonilla.  During his 22 games  between Clearwater and Reading he has held opponents to a .191 average and is striking out 12.3 per nine.

—Jesse Biddle was scheduled to start last night for CLearwater and did not.  Clearwater is on the road, so it is more difficult to get information.  Stay tuned.

–It is time to take a look at why Lakewood is performing so badly.  They are now equally miserable swinging the bat, as well as throwing the ball.   Coming into the year, Lakewood looked to be a team with talent. 61 games in they are without a major bright spot.  Having a dozen 20 year olds performing below expectations is very problematic for the system.

–Williamsport and the GCL Phils begin play a week from tomorrow, the 18th.  Look for rosters to be filled out after a 5 day mini camp in Clearwater this week.

Second trip around for the corner infielders….Next up will be Middle Infielders, early next week.

Lehigh Valley

Cody Overbeck, 26, Phils 9th round pick in 2008; .279/.318/.452 in 208 AB’s; 6HR 30 RBI; 6%bb/20% k rates; .269 vs. LH, .284 vs. RH, .296 with RISP; .256 with 4 HR and 16 RBI since May 1. 58 games at 1B without an error; 7.83 R/F. Overbeck continues to hit, showing good power the other way and is doing a nice job at first base but with limited range. Has also played 2 games at 3B without an error. Continue reading Around the System, Corner Infield →

Another week, another edition of Hot or Not.

–Excellent week for hitters throughout the organization with Dom Brown having perhaps one of the best offensive weeks in the system this year.  Another three weeks of solid production and the Phils will have a decision to make, as he continues to improve his OF route running.

–The whispers are beginning about when/if to move Jesse Biddle up to Reading based on his recent dominance. I would give it at least another 6 or 7 starts at High A with similar results to what we have seen lately.

–There has been some debate about whether concern about Trevor May’s recent performance is “too early”.  Its not based upon him having to be sent back to Low A less than a year and a half ago to get himself straight.

–Interesting week for Ethan Stewart who may have set a Phuture Phillies record by appearing on the Not Hot list for both starters and relievers. Stewart got back on track last night with a nice outing for Lakewood.

—Brody Colvin appears to be gaining some confidence in the bullpen.  How log do the Phils keep him there?

–Watching Steve Susdorf, he is a player that simply knows how to hit.  He came out of a major college program and has translated his success there to the upper minor league level nicely.

Hot Starters:Jesse Biddle (7IP 4IP 0ER 1BB 12K); Mario Hollands (W, 5IP 0H 0ER 1BB 5K); Tom Cochran (8ip 5H 2ER 3BB 8K) Continue reading Hot or Not →