So in honor of the first minor league game of the year (even if it was an exhibition) all of the AA and AAA prospects are in the spotlight.

How we got here:

You will have to read Brad’s game recap to find out.

What happened:

All velocities quoted are off of TV which is off of the LHV gun, which according to Eric Logenhagen of Crashburn Alley was slow compared to the gun Jesse Biddle had for the guys tracking pitches.

Brody Colvin:  Looked good, snapped off some good looking curveballs.  The fastest fastball I saw was 92 but he was throwing harder as the innings progressed.  He had a good changeup that was kind of straight but looked good out of the hand.  More importantly he looked in shape and the delivery looked good. Continue reading Prospect Profile: Reading and Lehigh Valley →

If you were watching or listening to yesterday’s game you may have been surprised by the pitcher on the mound in the 8th and 9th inning for the Phillies.  Brandon Erbe is another is a line of former Orioles that Joe Jordan has brought over to the Phillies.  Erbe on the surface appears to be roster filler, but he is a former top starting pitching prospect who is still young enough (25) to be impactful out of a bullpen.

How We Got Here:

Erbe was a 3rd round pick in 2005 out of high school by the Orioles.  He had an ok debut in 2005 but broke out in 2006.  At age 18 in low-A Erbe put up a 3.22 ERA, 47BB, 133 K line in only 114.2 IP (10.44 K/9 at age 18 in lo-A).  He was then rated the #2 propsect in the Orioles system and the #78 player in baseball.  Erbe had a mid-90s fastball, a plus slider, and an improving change up.  Starting in 2007 it went downhill as Erbe battled control and injury problems (still put up a 2.99 BB/9, 9.02 K/9 line in 2008 at age 20 in hi-A over 150.2 IP).  Injuries have really derailed his career and he hasn’t pitched much the last two years.  Erbe’s starting career at this point is over, but the Phillies still signed him to a minor league contract when he hit minor league free agency this year. Continue reading Prospect Spotlight: Brandon Erbe →

These were originally posted by Jay Floyd of PhoulBallz

Groups 1-3 and Groups 4 & 5

Thoughts:

– These are almost the final rosters (so the following comments may end up wrong) Continue reading Final Workout Groups – March 25 →

It is always fun to look at top tools because they are often the most exciting and awe inspiring part of a game.  Sometimes we lose perspective as to what top major league tools look like in comparison to minor leaguers.  The call on best tools in the minor leagues are often close so I have included honorable mentions.

Hitters

Speed:

Minor League: Quinn (80) – Much has been written on Quinn’s speed which is a legitimate 80 grade tool.  Honorable Mentions: Tocci, Gillies, Hudson

Major League: Revere (70) – A couple of years ago this might have been Jimmy Rollins, but Revere has near elite speed that he uses well in both the field and on the base paths. Continue reading Organizational Best Tools →

The Phillies sent Rodriguez to Baltimore it what is essentially org depth for org depth.

Julio Rodriguez broke out in 2010 when he jumped to Lakewood at age 19 and posted a 14.38 K/9 over 50+ IP, and joined May, Colvin, Pettibone, and Cosart as the “Baby Aces”.  JRod’s fastball tops out around 90 but mostly sits in the hi-80’s, he compliments it with mid-80s cutter, a fringe average changeup, and a big loopy mid-60s curveball.  Going into AA in 2012, JRod had to prove the stuff was for real and that he could possibly get some more velocity out of his big frame.  He continued to miss bats but he was hit hard and walked batters at 5BB/9IP.  He might have some success out of a bullpen but he is somewhere between org depth and 6th starter and is only 22. Continue reading Phillies trade RHP Julio Rodriguez to the Orioles for OF Ronnie Welty →

Again from Baseball Betsy’s blog

Some Thoughts:

– Joseph is clearly ahead of Rupp and Valle

– Franco drops back a group with the return of Asche as does Altherr with the return of James, Mitchell, and Gillies Continue reading New Minor League Workout Groups →

In the prospect cycle, being eligible for the Rule V draft and necessitating a 40 man roster spot is a big point.  A good season earning you a spot on the 40 man can really jump your value (Zach Collier) and a bad season can leave you behind those who do have a roster spot.  Here are the guys who will need a 40 man spot at the end of the year and where they project to play (just a reminder anyone signed/drafted under age 19 has a 2009 cut off otherwise it is 2010).  This is less about predicting who is a lock for a spot but highlighting the guys who need to have big years in 2013, this is only those that will be newly eligible, see the December discussions on last years eligible prospects.  (predicted opening day team in the parenthesis)

C – Tommy Joseph (Lehigh Valley)

C – Cameron Rupp (Reading)

1B/RF – Kelly Dugan (Clearwater)

CF – Aaron Altherr (Clearwater)

RHP – Brody Colvin (Reading) Continue reading 2013 40-Man Roster Decisions →