All posts by gregg

Around the System–C

Around the System

A look around the system at catcher, a position that is surely worrisome for the Phils after the loss of several prospects (Marson, Jaramillo, D’Arnaud) over the last two years.

Lehigh Valley

Paul Hoover, 34, .269/.338/.403; 1HR 8 RBI; 7% BB rate, 26% k rate; .143 vs. LHP, .302 vs. RHP; .290 with RISP. 43% CS Rate.  Hoover has given all that can be asked of him and then some, however he is what is he is, which is a 34 year old stop gap if necessary.

Dane Sardinha, 31, .333/.368/.556 in 36 AB’s; 2 HR 8 RBI; .091 vs. LHP; .440 vs. RHP; .545 with RISP (7-11). 27% CS rate. See comments on Hoover. Continue reading Around the System–C →

Lehigh Valley Weekly Report

7. Lehigh Valley

A 3-4 week for Lehigh Valley, who are now 11-15, in 4th place of the Northern Division in the International League, 5.0 games behind division leading Buffalo.

League Leaders (thru Wednesday):Hitters: Mayberry is tied for 6th in runs (19), and tied for 4th in doubles (8); Wise is leading the league in triples (4); Ransom is tied for 3rd in homers (6), 8th in RBI’s (19) and 6th in strikeouts (28); Tracy is 7th in walks (16).

Pitching: Bump is tied for 6th in wins (3); Carpenter is tied for 6th in wins (3); Mathieson is tied for 6th in saves (4). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Around the System–Outfield

Around the System

Just too much going on in the OF to summarize in a paragraph, so look for brief comments attached to each player.

Lehigh Valley

John Mayberry, 26–.300/.387/.511;  3HR 16 RBI, 2 SB; 11BB 20K ; 20% K rate; .320 vs. LHP, .292 vs. RHP, .276 with RISP. Mayberry has looked very good, and is performing capably in CF.  The Phils hope is probably to increase his trade value which he appears to be doing thus far.

Chris Duffy, 30– .273/.348/.416; 1HR 15 RBI, 3 SB; 10BB 13K; 15% k rate; .381 vs. LHP, .232 vs. RHP; .471 with RISP (8–17). I have been very impressed with Duffy who came here with a bad reputation, but has played and acted like a complete professional.  He has played good defense, has attempted to kick start the offense and has shown good jump.  He is very capable should an injury occur in Philly to fill in short term.

DeWayne Wise, 32– .268/.318/.524; 3HR 11 RBI, 2 SB; 5BB 17K, 20% k rate; .167 vs. LHP, .297 vs. RHP, .269 with RISP.  Wise has given Lehigh Valley what they expected thus far.  Good defense, and decent power.  He has missed about a week with a groin injury.  Again, capable 25th man in Philly if needed.

Rich Thompson, 31– .327/.387/.382; 0HR 9 RBI; 4 SB, 6BB 8K; 13% K rate; .273 vs. LHP, .341 vs. RHP, .462 with RISP. My infatuation with THompson’s play has been well documented here over the years, having seen him day in and day out.  He hustles, always hustles and is a complete player.  Unfortunately, it is a complete AAAA player. Continue reading Around the System–Outfield →

Hernandez Suspended, Ennis Activated

Other Stuff

A couple of news worthy items this Tuesday evening. First, Clearwater second baseman Fidel Hernandez was suspended for 50 games following a postive test for a performace enhancing substance, according to the AP. He been hitting .278 with 0 HR and 6 RBI as the starting 2B for the Threshers.

Pitcher John Ennis was activated and assigned to Reading after his year long recovery from Tommy John surgery. The 6’5 righty last played in 2008 for Lehigh Valley (he did pitch 0.1 innings last year) going 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 40 games (12 starts).

Oh, and Anthony Gose has 3 stolen bases this evening, giving him 10 on the year.

Two Reading Pitchers Placed on DL

Other Stuff

A tough day for the Reading pitching staff with both Mike Cisco and Jason Stephens placed on the DL, both with right elbow inflammation.  Cisco, a starter is 1-3 with a 3.68 ERA in his 4 starts, to go along with a WHIP of 1.08.  Stephens has thrown 13.1 scoreless innings to start the year all in relief.  Jason Anderson was sent from Lehigh Valley to Reading to take one of the two roster spots in Reading.  Lehigh Valley needed to make a move after Antonio Bastardo was returned to Lehigh Valley from Philadelphia.

Around the System–Middle Infield

Around the System

A first look up the middle where again prospects are limited but the Phils needs are limited to a back up middle infielder next year and the possibility that the SS position opens up for the 2012 season.  Some observations:  The Good:  Freddy Galvis is making contact and his fielding has been just as advertised, excellent.While hitting just .227, a 7% K Rate is reason for hope.  Fidel Hernandez has been playing a solid 2B and hitting relatively well in CLearwater, while Jeremy Barnes has been raking it in Lakewood.  Villar at just 19 deserves an honorable mention. The Bad: Troy Hanzawa, after playing in the Arizona Fall League, has been struggling at the plate to start the year, with glovework that has been average. The Ugly: Brian Bocock. See below the fold. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

‘Pigs Weekend Update

Other Stuff

A quick look at the ‘Pigs weekend, along with a view notes.

Friday–Lehigh Valley closed out their series in Rochester with a 10-3 loss to the RedWings, splitting their series.  The ‘Pigs jumped to an early 1-0 lead, however starter Brian Mazone was hit hard in the 5th inning, giving up 5 runs, allowing Rochester to take a lead they didnt relinquish.  Back to back homers by Ransom (5) and Tracy (2), cut the lead temporarily to 5-3, however the lead grew once again when Rochester added a run in the 6th.  Mazone left after five innings, having allowed 5 runs on 7 hits.  He didnt walk a batter and struck out 3. Both Ehren Wasserman and Mike Zagurski got shelled in relief, resulting in the 10-3 final. Continue reading ‘Pigs Weekend Update →

Around the System–Corner Infielders

Around the System, Other Stuff

The first look at how Phuture Phils are doing around the system at particular positions.  Readers seemed to enjoy this feature last year, and we will go through each set of positions several times throughout the season in order to chart progress.  First up is Corner Infielders.  Although still a small sample size, worth a look nonetheless. Looking through the most obvious need for discussion is Cody Overbeck, who is crushing the ball and has displayed much improved defense through the early going this season. Worthy of mention as well is Darin Ruf, who while old for Lakewood, has been playing very well.

Lehigh Valley

Andy Tracy, 36, .229/.368/.329; 2HR 9 RBI 1SB; .333 vs. LHP; .192 vs. RHP; .240 with RISP; 24% K Rate; 2 errors; .987 fielding %.

Neil Sellers, 28, .273/.344/.345; 0HR 5 RBI; .308 vs. LHP, .262 vs. RHP; .235 with RISP; 16% K Rate; Has played 4 games at first and made 1 error (.964) and 7 games at 3B and made 1 error (.952).

Cody Ransom, 34, .260/.310/481; 5HR 16 RBI; .133 vs. LHP, .290 vs. RHP; .269 with RISP; 30% K rate; Has played 15 games at 3B at made 6 errors (.824) and 3 games at SS without an error. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infielders →

Reading Roster Moves

Other Stuff

Outfielder Quintin Berry, who has played just one game this season and has missed the last two weeks of the season with an infection was activated today from the disabled list.  To make room on the roster, INF Keoni DeRenne was placed on the DL with a right shin contusion.  Additionally, 27 year old RHP Ty Taubenheim was placed on the Reading roster.  Reading had been down a pitcher since Bj Rosenberg went on the DL about 10 days ago.  Taubenheim, 6’5, 255, spent last season at Indianapolis (AAA) going 7-9 with a 3.65 ERA in his 19 starts.

Madson to the DL, Bastardo Back Up

Other Stuff

The injuries continue for the Phils, and the flavor of the day is Ryan Madson, who was placed on the DL with a broken toe, which was apparantly suffered AFTER his appearance on Wednesday.  Antonio Bastardo was called up to Philadelphia without having unpacked his bags in Allentown, having been sent down just yesterday to make room for Brad Lidge.