Logan Moore was a 9th round JUCO pick in 2011 out of Northeastern Junior College in Colorado. He worked his way through the organization and split time between Clearwater and Reading during the 2014 regular season. I watched him make the FSL All Star team in 2013 with a sub .200 batting average on the strength of his over 40% rate of throwing out would be base stealers. He finished that season with a .185 BA and a 41.2% CS rate. Moore’s offense increased in 2014 and he was sent up to Reading when a spat of catcher injuries hit the organization. After a 4 game stint at the end of April at AA, he returned to Clearwater until he was promoted for good at the end of May. Moore’s passed balls and errors declined but so did his CS rate. His 2014 numbers – Continue reading AFL – Logan Moore
All posts by jimpeyton19
Phillies Announce Affiliates’ Coaching Staffs
Earlier, the Phillies announced that they would be keeping their major league coaching staff intact. Today they announced the coaching staffs for their minor league affiliates. Bold represents a change, Italics indicates the change is from outside the organization.
Lehigh Valley remains intact
- Dave Brundage, Manager
- Mickey Morandini, Coach
- Sal Rende, Coach
- Ray Burris, Pitching Coach
Reading
- Dusty Wathan, Manager
- Frank Cacciatore, Coach – steps up from Clearwater, replacing Rob Ducey
- David Lundquist, Pitching Coach
Clearwater
- Greg Legg, Manager – steps up from Lakewood replacing Nelson Prada
- Rob Ducey, Coach – dropping down from Reading replacing Frank Cacciatore
- Steve Shrenk, Pitching Coach – jumping up from GCL
Lakewood
- Shawn Williams, Manager – moving up from Williamsport replacing Greg Legg
- Nelson Prada, Coach – former Clearwater manager replacing Lino Connell
- Aaron Fultz, Pitching Coach – moving up from Williamsport replacing Les Lancaster
Williamsport
- Pat Borders, Manager – from outside org replacing Shawn Williams
- Eddie Dennis, Coach
- Les Lancaster, Pitching Coach – moving down from Lakewood replacing Aaron Fultz
GCL
- Rolano de Armas, Manager
- Brian Sweeney, Pitching Coach – from outside the org replacing Steve Schrenk
- Rafael Delima, Coach
The odd men out so far seem to be Bob Milacki, the Threshers pitching coach; Lino Connell, the Blue Claws batting coach; and Matt Tolbert who had been added to the Crosscutters as a coach after retiring mid-deason.
AFL – Ethan Stewart
Ethan Stewart was a 47th round JUCO pick in 2010 out of New Mexico Junior College. This past season was his second full year in Clearwater. He improved on the numbers he had posted during the 2013 season. However, though improved, his walk rate probably led to the organization’s decision to convert him to a reliever after 16 starts. His 2014 numbers –
- G IP H R ER HR HB BB K Avg. WHIP G/A ERA K/9 BB/9 K/BB
- Start 16 81.2 89 5 44 9 1 53 46 .284 1.74 0.98 4.85 5.10 5.84 0.87
- Relief 12 21.0 28 11 11 0 0 5 24 .311 1.57 1.11 4.71 10.29 2.14 4.80
- Total 28 102.2 117 66 55 9 1 58 70 .290 1.70 1.00 4.82 6.14 5.08 1.21
The stats that jump out are the big increase in his K/9 and the big decrease in his BB/9. Even though opponents batting average jumped 27 points to .311, his WHIP saw a 17 point decrease. I watched 10 of Stewart’s starts. It was frustrating to watch him struggle with the strike zone. He pitched better out of the bullpen, but like a lot of the Threshers’ relievers he struggled coming into games with runners on base. He allowed 6 of 11 inherited runners to score for a mere 45.5% Strand Rate. Continue reading AFL – Ethan Stewart
AFL – Ryan O’Sullivan
Ryan O’Sullivan was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 16, 2012 as the PTBNL to complete the August 3rd trade of Joe Blanton to the Dodgers. He pitched effectively in a relief role for the Clearwater Threshers in 2013. I have to admit he was one of my favorite pitchers that year, I bid on and won his “game-worn” autographed jersey on Testicular Cancer Awareness Night. He pitched well enough to start the 2014 season with the Reading Fightin’ Phils. He was used in a variety of roles in Reading. He made 37 appearances – 12 as a starter and twice in failed save opportunities. He compiled a 7-8 record on a team that finished in last place with a 66-76 record and 22 games back. His regular season numbers at Reading were – Continue reading AFL – Ryan O’Sullivan
AFL – Nefi Ogando
Nefi Ogando was acquired from the Boston Red Sox for John McDonald in a trade on August 31, 2013. I remember watching him in the Instructional League that fall. He appeared to have a superior fastball. And although he kept it down in the strike zone, it looked to be straight as an arrow. During 2014, he pitched in relief for Reading all season. And in spite of a somewhat poor season, he was selected to participate in the Arizona Fall League. His regular season numbers were –
- G IP H R ER HR HB BB K Avg. WHIP GO/AO W L SV SVO
- AA 48 56.0 64 41 39 6 6 28 57 .291 1.64 1.68 5 1 7 11
His 48 appearances and 57 strike outs were career highs. He posted a 9.16 K/9. However, he also posted career worsts with .291 opponents’ batting average and 1.64 WHIP. He also allowed 4.50 BB/9 and 2.04 K/BB.
Ogando responded with a strong showing in Arizona. He made 12 appearances and allowed runs in only 4 of them. He recorded 1 win and converted 3 of 4 save opportunities. His AFL numbers – Continue reading AFL – Nefi Ogando
Spring Training Tickets … Hmmm
I have been a Clearwater Threshers’ season ticket holder since moving to Clearwater in November 2011. As a season ticket holder one of my perks is the option of purchasing individual game tickets to Phillies’ spring training games a few days before they go on sale to the general public in January.
When I asked if they had season ticket packages for spring training, I was told they did not because they had to make sure that the fans who came down from Philadelphia were able to buy tickets.
I guess it’s no surprise that the regular season play of the Phillies the past couple years has had an effect on spring training ticket sales. Spring training attendance has dropped each of the last two seasons.
So, this week I received an e-mail from Phillies.com. I incorrectly assumed that it was to trumpet a merchandise sale for the holidays at their online store, and didn’t read it until today. Lo and behold, I as a Threshers’ season ticket holder am being offered the opportunity to purchase spring training tickets 3 days BEFORE the 3-game packages go on sale next week. And with very few restrictions. I can buy 4 tickets to each of their four most popular games – Tampa, Boston, Tampa again, and the Yankees. Plus I can buy up to 12 tickets to each of the remaining 12 games. Lucky me!
What better barometer is there of the state of Phillies’ ticket sales when they don’t expect to generate enough spring training sales to Phillies’ fans traveling to Florida in March than this change in policy.
AFL – Colton Murray
Colton Murray was selected to participate in the Arizona Fall League based on his good 2014 season. Murray began the season in Clearwater and pitched well enough in relief to warrant a promotion to Reading after 11 appearances. His 2014 numbers were –
- G IP H R ER HR HB BB K Avg. WHIP GO/AO W L SV SVO
- A+ 11 17.2 16 4 4 0 0 8 17 .242 1.36 0.62 2 2 2 3
- AA 36 59.0 39 22 15 5 2 22 60 .188 1.03 1.00 1 5 6 10
- Tot. 47 76.2 55 26 19 5 2 30 77 .201 1.11 0.90 3 7 8 13
His 47 appearances tied his professional high. His 76.2 innings pitched represented a career high. His 77 strike outs, .201 opponents batting average, and 1.11 WHIP were career bests. He had a 9.04 K/9 but a 3.52 BB/9 that contributed to a 2.57 K/BB.
Murray produced unevenly in the fall league. He allowed runs in 4 of his 11 appearances, taking a loss in two of those four games. He pitched 6 hitless outings in his 7 other appearances, and recorded 3 Holds. His AFL stats – Continue reading AFL – Colton Murray
AFL – Adam Morgan
The Arizona Fall League came to an end yesterday. A one-game playoff will be held on Saturday without the participation of the Scottsdale Scorpions (and the 7 Phillies on the roster). The Scorpions finished in third place in the East Division with a 12-20 record.
Prospect Adam Morgan returned to action in the AFL. A shoulder injury had sidelined him for the entire 2014 regular season. He threw some during the FIL and subsequently made 6 appearances in Arizona, 5 starts. He recorded a 1-2 record and put together the following resume – Continue reading AFL – Adam Morgan
Minor Moves
MLB Trade Rumors reports eight minor league signings by the Phillies. This isn’t too big a deal. Last week, Baseball America reported that 16 Phillies’ AAA and AA players entered free agency. The Phillies will be signing a lot of minor league free agents to fill out rosters.
The signings of John Hester, Brian Bogusevic, and Darin Mastroianni had been reported earlier.
Andres Blanco and Russ Canzler represent the resigning of players who were on IronPigs roster last season.
Outfielders Jeff Francoeur, Xavier Paul, and infielder Chase D’Arnaud will be new to the organization.
Burnett Elects Free Agency – Official
And the Phillies finally announce that A.J. Burnett has declined his option and has elected free agency.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/a-j-burnett-declines-player-option.html
