A look at the ‘Pigs weekend with a few notes at the end.

Friday–An ugly night for Lehigh Valley as Syracuse starter came within four outs of a perfect game in the 7-0 Syracuse victory on Friday night.  The Chiefs scored a first inning run off of Lehigh Valley starter Brian Mazone and added two more in the 4th on their way to the victory.  Mazone (5-8) went 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 9, a season high.  The perfect game was broken up by none other than Domonic Brown, who singled up the middle in the 8th. In a game where the ‘Pigs gave up 7 runs, their pitchers struck out 17 Chiefs, a franchise record. Continue reading ‘Pigs Weekend Update →

The Phillies called up infielder Cody Ransom today and designated infielder Brian Bocock for assignment. Ransom, 34, is among the leaders in the International League in homers (16) and RBI’s (51) and was recently selected to represent Lehigh Valley in the IL All Star Game.  Although hitting for power, Ransom often has trouble putting his bat on the ball, as he is among IL leaders in strikeouts as well with 90 thus far on the year.  Ransom was drafted as a SS but has spent most of his time at 3B.  He is an average fielder at best (16 errors this year), some very costly for Lehigh Valley.  Ransom’s hitting line .238/.309/.456. Ransom was most recently in the bigs with the Yankees last year, starting the year as the everyday 3B while AROD recovered from injury. He hit .190 in 79 AB’s with the Yanks last year.

 Bocock was designated without playing an inning for the big club.  No doubt the right move here, but far from the answer.

Taking the Lehigh Valley roster spot of Cody Ransom for now is 2B/SS Ozzie Chavez, called up from Reading. Chavez, 26, was hitting .218/.316/.287 in 188 AB’s for Reading.  He added a homer and 18 RBI’s, playing predominately 2B for the Rphils.

A look at the Outfield throughout the system, as the Phils monitor both development and who may be expendable for the right player.

Lehigh Valley

Chris Aguila,31,  7 at bats thus far, 2 hits.

Domonic Brown, 22, Reading: 236 AB’s; .318/.391/.602; 15 HR 47 RBI; 12 SB, 6 CS; Lehigh Valley: 28 AB’s; .429/.467/.714; 2HR 6 RBI; 1 SB, 1 CS; TOTALS: 264 AB’s, .330/.399/.614; 17 HR 53 RBI; 13 SB, 7 CS; 11% BB rate, 19% k rate.  69 games in the OF, 3 assists, 4 errors. Not much more to say that hasn’t been said already.

Chris Duffy, 30, 250 AB’s; .248/.313/.372; 4 HR 29 RBI; 10 SB 4 CS; .347 vs. LH, .224 vs. RH; .385 with RISP; .257 in June; 8% bb rate; 23% k rate. 66 games, 2 assists, 1 error. Striking out too much for a guy at the top of the order.

John Mayberry, 26, 272 AB’s; .246/.311/.419; 10 HR 41 RBI; 7 SB 0CS; .241 vs. LH, .248 vs. RH, .230 with RISP; .187 in June; 7% bb rate, 24% K rate. 69 games, 1 assist, 0 errors. Has struggled mightily over the last month, diminishing what trade value he has. Continue reading Around the SYstem–OF →

Some insightful comments on various Lakewood BlueClaws on their blog today…(http://blog.blueclaws.com/) .  Manager Mark Parent was interviewed and he commented on:

Jonathan Singleton: “Word is out on him, thats for sure…He is going to have to expand the zone or be more aggressive early in the count.  They are going to pitch to him like a big leaguer rehabbing. He is a good hitter.  His swing is simple and good.  He will certainly adjust to whatever they are doing”.

Brody Colvin: ” He was already a big prospect but he has opened alot of eyes.  When people get alot better in a short period of time, you never know how much further they can keep going.”

Matt Way: ” Way has come out where to, for me, he has pretty much done all he can do at this level. At his age, his stuff, we need to see if it transfers to a higher level. We have talked about that for a few weeks. There has to be an opening but he has been great.”

The Bullpen: “Wertz has stepped up.  Lugo’s almost been perfect. Zeid, in my opinion, is a starter. Some people have the temperament where they can come in with other guys on base and even if they give it up, they can bounce a bad outing off him.  He is a guy that has to prepare and work through his stuff.  I think Zeid will do a great job as a starter.”

A crazy week in Allentown with a continued roster makeover, some by injury, and some by design.  Domonic Brown’s Lehigh Valley debut definitely added an atmosphere of excitement with simply his presence, and his play this week added to the aura of what appears to be a star in the making. Lehigh Valley went 3-4 on the week, and are now 32-48, in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 16 games behind division leading Scranton. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

With all the Phillies injury issues, this seems as good a time as any to take another look at the Middle Infield throughout the system,  Note: The players listed under a particular affiliate are those players on the CURRENT team roster that have played a majority of their games at a particular position.  For example, although Cody Ransom seems to be the current starting SS for Lehigh Valley, he was already covered in the Corner Infield post as the majority of his games have come at 3B. It is still very early for Williamsport and GCL, so just the names, without stats. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

Lots of news today including Reading pitchers Vance Worley and Michael Schwimer being named to the Eastern League All Star team.  Worley, 22, was named to the team for the second consecutive year and is 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA in his 15 starts.  In 83.2 innings, he has allowed 92 hits, walked 32 and struck out 62.  Schwimer, 24, is 5-3 with a 4.00 ERA in 29 appearances.  He has 8 saves.  In his 36 innings of work, he has allowed 33 hits, walked 14 and struck out an impressive 50 batters. 

Two Reading hitters were named to the team as well. 24 year old Matt Rizzotti, hitting .378 for Reading with 10 HR and 35 RBI in just 148 at bats, will represent Reading along with 1B Tagg Bozied.  Bozied is hitting .295 with 13HR and 55 RBI in his 224 AB’s.

The Phillies released Willy Taveras this afternoon, after signing the 29 year old just a month ago. In his 96 at bats with AAA Lehigh Valley, Taveras was hitting just .208/.255/.271 with 0HR 3 RBI and 9 SB.

Update : As speculated earlier today, Chase Utley was placed on the DL with a sprained thumb and Greg Dobbs was called up to replace Utley on the Phillies roster. What was not speculated upon was that Placido Polanco was also placed on the DL with left elbow inflammation and SS Brian Bocock was called up to fill Polanco’s roster spot. Dobbs was hitting .118 in his short stint in Lehigh Valley (17 AB’s). Bocock , 25, has been the primary shortstop for Lehigh Valley all season. He is a fantastic fielder, both covering ground and has an extremely strong arm.  That being said, he is simply an abysmal hitter.  I have seen few worse in AAA.  His line: 212 AB’s .179/.239/.231 with 1 HR and 12 RBI. Continue reading Utley and Polanco to the DL, Dobbs and Bocock Called Up →

A look at the Lehigh Valley weekend, along with some news and notes.

Friday–The new Lehigh Valley lineup performed like the old Lehigh Valley lineup in their 2-1 loss to Durham on Friday evening. The ‘Pigs had just 4 hits in their failure to support starter Nate Bump (6-4) who pitched well once again, going 7 innings and giving up just two runs.  After a two run Durham first inning, Lehigh Valley scored their lone run in the 5th when Paul Hoover scored on an error. The ‘Pigs were 0-8 with RISP during the debut of Domonic Brown and Greg Dobbs.  Dobbs was 0-4 with 2 K’s, while Brown went 1-4. Continue reading ‘Pigs Weekend Update →