With the end of the season, comes the final “Around the System” report where we take a look at each player in the organization and how he performed this year, along with a projection as to where the player will begin the 2012 season.  We start with the corner infield. Look for the report on Catchers either Friday or Saturday.

GCL

Chris Duffy, 23, Phils 26th round pick in 2010 draft.  28 games at 1B with 3 errors (.987); 8.91 R/F.  .293/.399/.504 in 123 AB’s; 6 HR 27 RBI; .282 vs LH, .298 vs RH;.220 with RISP; .395 in August;  14%bb rate/22% k rate. Duffy had a good year but is 23 and in Rookie Ball. I would think Lakewood next Spring. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →

There will be more baseball in Allentown as Lehigh Valley has clinched a wildcard position with their rain shortened 4-1 victory over Syracuse, in Syracuse.  With the victory, the ‘Pigs are guaranteed to finish higher than Gwinnett in the wildcard race and will open the Division Series with two home games Wednesday and Thursday against division winner Pawtucket.  Continue reading Lehigh Valley Wins WIldcard →

The final edition this season covering the time period of August 27–September 4, a bit more than a week.  By way of scheduling, look for the final editions of “Around the System”, beginning late this week, with Corner Infielders.  We will take a look at how each player in the system performed this year, and a projection of where to start each player next season.  Observations: Good to see some foreign names on the pitcher hot list (Garner, Colvin, Ramirez)…Nesseth struggling down the stretch…..Mathieson with control issues….Rosenberg and Savery reinventing themselves in the ‘pen….Cody Overbeck over .275 at AAA. Continue reading Hot or Not →

Andrew Carpenter’s days in the Phillies system have come to an end, as he was claimed today by the San Diego Padres.  Carpenter, 26, was the Phillies 2nd round draft choice in 2006 out of Long Beach State.  After rising through the Minors as a starter, and often a successful one, Carpenter was converted to the bullpen this year in Lehigh Valley and had a very good year, going 5-1 with a 1.79 ERA in 34 games, to go along with a WHIP below 1 (0.98).  In 60.1 innings, he walked just 11 and struck out 65.

Carpenter spent time with the Phils during parts of the last four seasons and was very inconsistent on each occasion he was brought up.

Lehigh Valley enters the final weekend of the regular season riding a four game losing streak, but still in the playoff hunt, as they are two games behind division leading Pawtucket and tied with Gwinnett for the wildcard with four games remaining in the regular season.  Lehigh Valley completes their home schedule Friday and Saturday with two games against Buffalo (New York Mets), before traveling to Syracuse for two games against the CHiefs (Washington) on Sunday and Monday. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Update →

The Phillies announced today the players they would be sending to the Arizona Fall League, which begins play in October.  The names include pitchers Tyler Cloyd, Jacob Diekman, BJ Rosenberg, and Colby Shreve as well as 1B Cody Overbeck, 1B Darin Ruf and OF Tyson Gillies.

The big story to watch will be the health or lack thereof of Tyson Gillies who has missed close to two full seasons with a variety of leg problems.

Lehigh Valley enters the last week plus of the season at 75-60 and in 2nd place of the Northern Division, 1.5 games behind first place Pawtucket.  The ‘Pigs remain two games ahead of Gwinnett for the wildcard position with their magic number being nine to clinch a playoff spot.  Lehigh Valley return home for a six game home stand with two each against Syracuse, Scranton and Buffalo before closing out the regular season with two games in Syracuse next Sunday and Labor Day. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

A look back at the time period of Aug 19-26th. Look for the last edition of Hot and Not on Labor Day.  Musings of the week…When will Tyler Cloyd get some real publicity?….JuRod doing it again…Biddle staying strong…Brody Colvin’s woes continue another week….DeFratus/Cisco putting up noticeable numbers, while after a rough start is Diekman the LOOGY to watch in 2012?

A fantastic week for Cesar Hernandez….Cody Overbeck coming around….Tyler Greene ready for the step up next year….and of course, Freddy Galvis doing what he does, hit?…Strong year for Valle and Mitchell but falling off a bit.

Hot Starters: Julio Rodriguez (14IP 8H 0ER 1BB 17K); Tyler Cloyd (14IP 13H 2ER 1BB 17K); Jesse Biddle (5IP 1H 0ER 3BB 2K); Austin Hyatt (11IP 7H 1ER 4BB 6K); Austin Wright (8IP 4H 1ER 1BB 12K); Paul Cusick (5IP 2H 0ER 0BB 4K); Jon Pettibone (7IP 3H 1BB 0BB 6K); Joe Esposito (5.2IP 4H 0ER 2BB 2K); Ervis Manzanillo (5.1IP 2H 0ER 1BB 2K); Adam Morgan (5IP 4H 0ER 0BB 4K) Honorable Mention: Edell, Buchanan, Bonilla, Garner Continue reading Hot or Not →

Another week in the books.  Talking points: Scott Mathieson with several good starts in a row…Perci Garner’s first hot list mention…Jesse Biddle bouncing back from his hip injury…continued troubles for JC Ramirez…Joe Savery earning his first save…Is Brandon Moss the answer for a left-handed bat off the bench for the Phils?…Kyrell Hudson streaking…and some troublesome names on the not hot list (Brown, Franco, Collier).

As I will be on vacation next week, Hot or Not will be condensed into two reports, spanning the last three weeks of the season.  Look for the next report Sunday the 28th or Monday the 29th. Continue reading Hot or Not →

Lehigh Valley has lost 12 of their last 20 games, with very erratic starting pitching combined with a lack of clutch hitting leading to their slide from first place.  Currently, the ‘Pigs stand at 70-55 and in 2nd place of the Northern Division, 1 game behind division leading Pawtucket.  Lehigh Valley remains 2.5 games ahead of Gwinnett for a wild card spot with 17 games remaining in the season. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →