All posts by gregg

Around the System–Starting Pitching

Around the System

With the trade deadline approaching and the need for a starter probably the primary concern of the Phils, a second look around the system to ascertain what we have “in house”. 

Lehigh Valley

Carlos Carrasco, Age 22–15 starts, 4-7 with a 4.92 ERA, 86.0 IP, 25BB 84K, 8 homers allowed, 1.21GO/AO; .271 opp avg. (.333 with RISP); 1.37 WHIP

Andrew Carpenter, Age 24–14 games; 7-1 with a 2.75 ERA, 88.1 IP, 26 BB 61 K, 11 homers allowed; 0.78 GO/AO; .251 opp avg (.227 with RISP); 1.22 WHIP

Kyle Kendrick, Age 24–15 starts; 4-4 with a 3.97ERA,; 79.1 IP, 26BB 43K, 1.46 GO/AO; .257 opp avg (.183 with RISP); 1.33 WHIP.

Gustavo Chacin, Age 28–7 combined starts between Reading and LV; 3-2, 3.63 ERA, 34.2 IP, 12BB 18K, 2.23 GO/AO, .299 opp avg. (.310 with RISP), 1.50 WHIP

Rodrigo Lopez, Age 33–13 starts, 5-4 with a 3.91 ERA, 71.1 IP 13BB 52K, 1.28 GO/AO; .292 opp avg. (.273 with RISP); 1.34 WHIP Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching →

Carpenter Live Blog

Other Stuff

Andrew Carpenter is trying to bounce back from two of his more difficult starts in what has been an extremely consistent year for him.  His opponent tonight, Norfolk, is the same team he faced last week when he gave up 3 runs on 9 hits over six innings.  It should be interesting to see how Carpenter responds to what could a competition for the July 4 start for the Phils.  Carrasco acquitted himself quite well last night and has now had quality starts in 6 of his last 8 outings.  Check back often for an inning by inning recap of the goings on at Coca Cola Park.

First Inning–strike out, walk (stolen base), strikeout, strikeout.  Fastball at 87-89. 23 pitches, 14 for strikes.  Alot of deep counts, but struck out the side.  Big first inning for the ‘Pigs, 4-0. (RBI single Andy Tracy, Sac Fly Tiffee, 2 run single by Marson)It’s notable that there are about a dozen scouts in Allentown tonight. Continue reading Carpenter Live Blog →

Arbuckle at Coca Cola Park, Carrasco Game Log

Other Stuff

Just a quick note that may be of some interest….Former Phillie Assistant GM Mike Arbuckle is taking in the Iron Pigs games tonight and tomorrow with Carlos Carrasco and Andrew Carpenter on the hill for Lehigh Valley respectively.  Arbuckle is now working as a Senior Advisor to the Royals GM, Dayton Moore.  Consider this name from the Royals rotation….Brian Bannister.

After a rain delay of just over an hour, Carrasco has thrown 14 pitches, 10 for strikes through an inning.  He is throwing his fastball at 94-95.  The inning went flyout, single, strikeout, long flyout to the warning track.  4-0 ‘Pigs through one (HR Rich Thompson, RBI double, Cairo, 2 run homer Tiffee). Continue reading Arbuckle at Coca Cola Park, Carrasco Game Log →

Daily Discussion

Daily Discussion

A big step yesterday for Scott Mathieson, the 25 year old big right handed pitcher recovering from multiple Tommy John surgeries.  Mathieson threw 2 shutout innings for the GCL Phils, picking up the win without yielding a hit.  He didnt walk a batter and struck out three. 

Six shutout innings for Jon Pettibone in his second start for Williamsport yesterday.  He allowed 4 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6.  The early problems of Anthony Hewitt continue with an 0-3 (2 k’s) to go along with his 3rd error of the young season. Continue reading Daily Discussion →

Lehigh Valley Weekly Report

7. Lehigh Valley

A second consecutive winning week for Lehigh Valley as they went 5-2, and are now in fourth place of the Northern Division of the International League, chipping away at the lead of the division leading Yankees which now stands at 8 games.  In hitting categories, Andy Tracy is 8th in runs (42), leads the league in walks (37), 2nd in homers (13) and 2nd in RBI’s(51), Rich Thompson is 8th in triples (3) and 8th in stolen bases (14). Mike Cervenak is 7th in average (.313).  On the pitching side, Andrew Carpenter is 6th in wins (6) , 5th in homers allowed (11)and 7th in IP (80.1), Carlos Carrasco is 8th in IP (79.2) and 5th in strikeouts (77).

  Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Daily Discussion

Daily Discussion

As reported yesterday on Scott Lauber’s blog, Philled In, Jason Donald has been in Clearwater for about a week rehabbing from knee surgery.  Donald should be back in the Lehigh Valley lineup right around the International League all star break.

Andy Martino, the beat writer from the Inquirer mentioned yesterday that he believed the best candidate for the Phillies bullpen may come from within.  He specifically mentioned the possibility of  Kyle Drabek in a bullpen role in Philly this year.  Thoughts?

Several additions to the Lakewood roster today: Of Vladimir DeLos Santos, C Ryan Gugel, RHP Jordan Ellis and RHP Freddie Ballestas.

In Williamsport, 7 shutout innings  from 22 year old Siulman Lebron, in the 1-0 Crosscutter victory last night. Lebron (2-0) gave up just two hits over his 7 innings, while walking one and striking out 10.

A transaction of note has catcher Sebastian Valle  being sent from Lakewood to Williamsport.  In Williamsport he will presumably play every day, rather than sit behind Travis D’Arnaud in Lakewood.

A rough first couple of games for top Phils pick Kelly Dugan.  0-8 with 3 strikeouts in the GCL.  On the bright side, 18 year old pitcher Julio Rodriguez threw five shutout innings in the GCL Phils 2-1 win last night. He gave up just 3 hits and struck out 7.

Oh, and Michael Taylor had another three hit game for Reading raising his average to .340.  He is making it extremely tough to keep him at AA, and dare I say “untouchable”?

Daily Discussion

Daily Discussion

In Reading, Michael Taylor hit his 13th homer of the year, and his third homer in as many nights in the RPHILS loss last night. Taylor was 3-5 on the night, raising his average to .336.

Down in Clearwater, recently promoted Steve Susdorf got off to a good start for the Threshers with a three hit game.

The early struggles of Anthony Hewitt continue in Williamsport.  Through five games, Hewitt is hitting .105 with 6 strikeouts in his first 21 plate appearances for the Crosscutters.

Look for Kyle Kendrick to get the start for Lehigh Valley on Thursday, after his rain shortened, o.1 of an inning outing on Monday night.

Around the System–Back of the Bullpen (Part Two)

Around the System

With some minor league roster juggling sure to occur within the next several days, a second look at who may or may not be promotion worthy. From my vantage point, speaking strictly of the back end of the ‘pen, Zagurski to Lehigh Valley, Schwimer to Reading, Rosenberg and DeFratus to Clearwater.

Lehigh Valley-

Cedric Bowers, Age 31–   2-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 25 appearances. 34.1 IP, 22BB 41K, .162 opponent average.  1 save.  .135 opponent average with RISP.

Sergio Escalona, Age 24– 0-1 with a 3.07 ERA in 22 combined Reading/Lehigh Valley appearances.  29.1 IP, 11BB 26K, .227 opponent average.  1.19 WHIP.  12 saves,

Gary Majewski, age 29–  0-3 with a 4.36 ERA in 25 appearances.  33IP, 10BB 22K, .285 opponent average, .279 opponent average with RISP.  1.42 WHIP. 3 saves.

Jason Anderson–Age 30,  1-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 26 appearances.  40.1 IP, 9BB 23K, .230 opponent average, .105 opponent average with RISP.  1.07 WHIP.  5 saves. Continue reading Around the System–Back of the Bullpen (Part Two) →

Lehigh Valley Weekend Update

7. Lehigh Valley

6/19/09– From Durham up to Norfolk for Lehigh Valley, who won their sixth straight game, 8-6 over Norfolk.  The ‘Pigs didnt need much more than Andy Tracy, who was 3-4 with 2 homers (12), 4 runs scored, a stolen base and 5 RBI’s. The first bomb came in the first, and Tracy followed that up with another in the 3rd to give the ‘Pigs a 4-0 lead at the time.  Gustavo Chacin (2-0) started and went six fairly effective innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits.  He walked one and struck out two, leaving the game with a 5-3 lead after six.  Lehigh Valley tacked on two insurance runs in the 8th, and held on for the victory with Sergio Escalona picking up his 2nd save while with Lehigh Valley.  In addition to Tracy, JJ Furmaniak (3-4, 2b, rbi) and Jason Ellison (3-5, r) had big games for Lehigh Valley, while Lou Marson went 2-5 with an RBI in his return to the ‘Pig lineup. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekend Update →

Drabek Throws 8 Shutout Innings

Other Stuff

Kyle Drabek (3-0)threw eight shutout innings, giving up just four hits in the 4-0 Reading victory Friday night.  He didn’t walk a batter and struck out five, lowering his AA ERA to 2.08.

On another topic, see below the fold for some comments by Steve Shrenk, Reading Pitching Coach on the recent performance  of a few Reading pitchers:  (Source: Reading Phillies.com Interview with Anthony Opperman)

Continue reading Drabek Throws 8 Shutout Innings →