Category Archives: Around the System

Around the System–Middle Infield

Around the System, Other Stuff

A look at middle infielders around the system.  The only move to make as of now is JP Crawford to Reading which I expect to happen by mid June.

Lehigh Valley

Cord Phelps, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015: .200/.285/.275 in 120 AB’s; 2HR 9RBI; 1SB; 11%BB/16%K rates; .156 vs. LHP; .216 vs. RHP; 259 in May; 21 games at 2B with 2 errors (.980); 4.52 R/F; 10 games at 3B with 2 errors (.935). Phelps had an awful start but has started to heat up as of late.

Edgar Duran, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2007; .135/.220/.162 in 72AB’s; 0HR 5RBI; 8%BB/13%K rates; 26 games at SS with 5 errors (.958); 4.38 R/F; Simply overmatched offensively at this level.  Solid on defense.  Placed on the DL last week.

Chase D’Arnaud, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .308/.355/.341 in 85AB’s; 0HR 5RBI; 5/8SB; 6%BB/13%K rates; .276 vs. LHP; .317 vs. RHP; .293 in May; 21 games at SS with 5 errors (.949);4.48 R/F; Has also played 1 game at 2B and 2 games in the OF. D’Arnaud is one of those kinds that you have to find room for in the lineup.  He does the little things that help a team win.

Jayson Nix, 32, Acquired from Baltimore in 2015; Hitting .053 in 19AB’s for Lehigh Valley

Reading

Tony Thomas, 28, SIgned as free agent in 2015; .209/.264/.328 in 67AB’s; 0HR 4RBI; 1SB; 4%BB/33%K rates; .188 vs. LHP; .213 vs. RHP; .226 in May; 15 games at 2B with 2 errors (.967); 3.87 R/F. Has also played 3 games at SS with 1 error and 2 games in the OF.  Thomas has one of the highest strikeout rates in the organization.  Defensively, he has been fine. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

Around the System–Relief Pitchers, LV, Reading and Clearwater

Around the System

Lehigh Valley

Phillippe Aumont, 25, Acquired from Seattle in 2009; 31 games, 2-1 with a 3.47 ERA; 49.1IP 42H 33BB 58K; 1.52 WHIP; 1.41 GO/AO; .236 opp avg; 6.0BB/10.6K per 9; .210 vs. LHH, .258 vs. RHH. Aumont has pitched fairly well for Lehigh Valley, albeit with the continued high walk rate.  He has failed miserably in his multiple opportunities with the Phillies this year and last, leaving his future in the organization a real question mark.

Luis Garcia, 27, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 33 games, 2-0 with an 0.71ERA; 19 saves; 38IP 27H 12BB 37K; 1.03 WHIP; 1.70 GO/AO; .199 opp avg; 2.8BB/8.9K per 9; .203 vs. LHH, .194 vs. RHH, .125 opp avg over last 30 days.  The  minor league line simply cant get better.  Garcia has been consistently dominant at the minor league level and has not been able to translate to major league success in multiple chances. Continue reading Around the System–Relief Pitchers, LV, Reading and Clearwater →

Around the System–Catchers

Around the System, Other Stuff

Lehigh Valley

Cameron Rupp; 25, Phils 3rd round pick in 2010; .151/.271/.336 in 119 AB’s for Lehigh Valley; 6HR 19RBI; 13%bb/36%k rate; 34 games caught with 2 errors (.992); 2 passed balls; 36%cs rate (12/33); Although with a good deal of major league service due to injuries, it has been a rough year for Rupp who missed considerable time with an oblique injury and has been awful with the bat.  A 36% strikeout rate suggests to me that he is not fully healthy, after K rates nowhere close in previous years.  Still, very good defensively.

Koyie Hill, 35, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .237/.343/.372 in 156 AB’s; 3HR 17RBI; 14%bb/22%k rates; .119 vs. LHP; .281 vs. RHP; .297 with RISP; 40 games caught with 1 error (.996); 3 passed balls; 45% CS rate (13/29); Hill has done an excellent job in his role this year.  A very good defensive catcher, who will not embarrass you at the major league level.  His walk rate attests to his knowledge of the strike zone. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →

Around the System–Relief Pitchers, CLearwater, Lakewood, WP and GCL

Around the System

Clearwater

Dan Child, 21, Phils 18th round pick in 2013 draft; 19 games; 1-1 with a 5.12ERA; 1 save; 31.2IP 47H 16BB 21K; 2.30 GO/AO; .356 opp. avg; 1.67WHIP; 4.5BB/6.0K per 9; .426 vs. LHH, .281 vs. RHH, .356 with RISP.  With opponents hitting over .350 against him, it has been a miserable season for Child.

Cody Forsythe, 23, Phils 25th  round pick in 2013 draft; 25 games between Lakewood and CLearwater; 3-2 with a 2.59ERA; 9 saves; 31.1IP 29H 6BB 27K; 0.77 GO/AO; .234 opp avg; 1.11 WHIP; 1.7BB/7.8K per 9; Forsythe was promoted just last week to Clearwater and had an excellent year, albeit as a 23 year old in Lakewood.

Jordan Guth, 23, Phils 9th round pick in 2012 draft; 23 games, 1-3 with a 2.76ERA; 4 saves; 29.1IP 33H 18BB 19K; 0.79 GO/AO; .282 opp. avg; 1.72 WHIP; 5.5BB/5.8K per 9; .340 vs. LHH, .240 vs. RHH, .250 with RISP.  When you look at the numbers as a whole, Guth has been very average this year.  Too many walks and not enough dominance to see long term success.

Lino Martinez, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2009; 22 games, 0-3 with a 3.67ERA; 3 saves; 41.2IP 28H 29BB 40K; 0.93 GO/AO; .193 opp avg; 1.36 WHIP; 6.3BB/8.6K per 9; .228 vs. LHH, .170 vs. RHH, .139 with RISP. Martinez’s line is dominant until you consider the walks.  If his control improves, we may really have something here… Continue reading Around the System–Relief Pitchers, CLearwater, Lakewood, WP and GCL →

Hot or Not

Around the System

A look back at the 6/12-6/18 time frame…David Whitehead is the story of the week with 6 no hit innings in his first start off TJ surgery, great to see…Jiandido Tromp is doing everything he can to show the Phils they made a mistake sending him backwards to Williamsport…Carlos Tocci with several hot weeks in a row…After a hot start for Lehigh Valley, the last two weeks have landed Cameron Perkins on the not hot list …Hoby Milner is quietly putting up a very solid half season of work in Reading…Luis Garcia adds 4 saves this week to his resume which includes having allowed nary an ER this year in AAA…As he knows, big difference in the bigs…Exciting week of baseball for Cord Sandberg who showed each of his five tools.

Hot Hitters:Peter Lavin (.471, 4R HR 3RBI, 2SB); Jiandido Tromp (.450, 4R 2HR 6RBI, 2SB); Jake Fox(.429, 4R 3HR 8RBI);  Andrew Pullin (.400, 4R); Carlos Tocci (.400); Cord Sandberg (.370, 6R HR 6RBI, SB); Steve Susdorf (.364); Andrew Knapp (.357); Albert Cartwright (.333)

Not Hot Hitters: Drew Stankiewicz (000, 0-12); Cameron Perkins (.083); KC Serna (.133); Cameron Rupp (.143); Tyler Henson (.143); Chris Serritella (.154); Malquin Canelo (.154); JP Crawford (.167); Rhys Hoskins (.167); Delvi Gruillon (.176) Continue reading Hot or Not →

Around the System–Catcher

Around the System, Other Stuff

A look at the production of catchers around the system.  Next up, starting pitchers…

Lehigh Valley

Koyie Hill, 35, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .244/.344/.389 in 131 AB’s; 3HR 16RBI; 13%bb/21% k rates; .111 vs. LHP; .295 vs. RHP; .314 with RISP; Hitting .186 since May 1.  32 games caught with 1 error (.995); 3 passed balls; Has thrown out 48% (11/23) of base stealers.After a fast start during which he was forced to play alot of games due to Rupp’s injury, Hill has slowed considerably with the bat.  Still calls a good game and is excellent defensively.

Cameron Rupp, 25, Phils 3rd round pick in 2010; .158/.295/.356 in 101 AB’s; 6HR 16RBI; 15%bb/35%k rate; .176 vs. LHP; .149 vs. RHP; .200 with RISP; Hitting .133 since coming off the DL.  28 games at C without an error; 1 passed ball; Has thrown out 37% (10/27) of base stealers; Rupp’s year has turned into quite a battle first with the oblique injury and now with significant struggles after coming back off the DL.  Still playing very well defensively.

Reading

Logan Moore, 23, Phils 9th round pick in 2011 draft; .248/.307/.329 in 148AB’s between CLearwater and Reading; 0HR 15RBI; 7%bb/23%k rates; 45 games caught with 2 errors (.993); 3 passed balls; Has thrown out 33% (24/73); Moore has not embarrassed himself with the bat in Reading, forced to prematurely move up because of injuries.  Moore legitimately profiles as a major league back up if he can produce even in a very limited fashion with the bat. Continue reading Around the System–Catcher →

Baseball Prospectus Phillies Top 10

Around the System, Asche, Cody, Aumont, Phillippe, Diekman, Jacob, Franco, Maikel, Galvis, Freddy, Joseph, Tommy, Martin, Ethan, Morgan, Adam, Pettibone, Jon, Pullin, Andrew, Quinn, Roman, Tocci, Carlos, Watson, Shane

I have to run to work so I will fill in some details later, but BP released their Phillies Top 10 today, you can read it here, http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=19360#131023.  For now I will leave the names and projection (OFP and what it means) and tools (if there is a * it is a potential not an actualized tool)

1. Jesse Biddle (6, #3 starter, moderate risk)

Tools: 5+ FB, 6* CB, 5+ CH

2. Maikel Franco (6, first division player, high risk)

Tools: 5+* hit, 6 raw power, 6+ arm

3. Adam Morgan (6, #3 starter, moderate risk)

Tools: 5+ FB, 6 SL, 5+* CH, 5* CB

4. Roman Quinn (6, first division player, high risk)

Tools: 8 speed, 5+* hit, 5+ arm

5. Tommy Joseph (hi 5, solid-average regular, moderate risk)

Tools: 6 power, 6+ arm Continue reading Baseball Prospectus Phillies Top 10 →

What to Expect in 2013: Relievers

Around the System, Aumont, Phillippe, De Fratus, Justin, Savery, Joe

We end the preview of the system with a look at relievers including those still in the minors and the large group of young guys right on the door to the major leagues.

The common saying is that relievers are merely failed starters, in many cases this is true,  the Phillies however have been very good at finding college guys who will transition well to the bullpen.  The consequence is that the system is stocked with high upside arms who are not that far away from major league contributions.

As always please re-read gregg’s end of season bullpen recaps GCL/WPT, CLW/LKW, and LHV/RDG.  Just a note: I have left off players in the bottom level, if you would like see someone added to this list just ask and I can put them on.

Right Handers:

Phillipe Aumont (23) – Aumont may have the best raw stuff of any pitcher in the organization, a 70 fastball, 70 curveball, and a 60-70 splitter.  The problem is that it comes along with below average command, due to mechanics that often fall apart.  All of Aumont’s pitches have incredible movement, which cause both swings and misses in addition to weak contact.  If Aumont can consistently throw strikes he is a back of the bullpen reliever, with elite closer upside. Continue reading What to Expect in 2013: Relievers →

What to Expect in 2013: Left Handed Starting Pitchers

Around the System, Biddle, Jesse, Morgan, Adam

The Phillies have always liked their live armed lefty pitchers.  The system has a large quantity of left handed pitchers with plus stuff.  Tops of these arms are two pitchers with mid-rotation ceilings and the proximity to make them relatively safe bets to meet those expectations.  The Phillies hope that one of the young pitchers behind them can establish themselves as more than just an arm but a serious pitching candidate.  The good thing about left handed starters is that their floors can be relatively high as long as they can master some fastball control and a good breaking pitch.  This is because there is always a need for good LOOGYs, and even more important left handed relievers who can get both left handed and right handed batters out.  The Phillies have a history of giving these guys the chance to start until they fail before moving them to the bullpen, some of these pitchers may make it to the majors as starters before reaching their ultimate home in a bullpen.

As always please read gregg’s end of season report cards for the upper and lower minors.

Jesse Biddle (21) – Biddle is the best prospect in the system, a big strong workhorse Biddle has a plus fastball and curveball, and he also has a change up that profiles as at least average as well as a slider and two-seamer that were late additions in 2012.  Biddle will face a tough challenge in AA but he has a fairly safe #3 starter profile, but there is plenty of room for him to improve to a #2 starter ceiling if he can continue to make the same size strides he has in previous years. Continue reading What to Expect in 2013: Left Handed Starting Pitchers →

What to Expect in 2013: Right Handed Starting Pitchers (Kids Edition)

Around the System, Gueller, Mitch, Watson, Shane

The Phillies have always liked drafting projectable right handed pitchers with prototypical power pitcher builds.  The strategy has had mixed success but it leaves the low minors full of arms with plenty of potential but years and years of development in front of them.  In 2012 the Phillies added two more arms with plenty of pedigree with their two supplemental first round picks.  If a pitcher has more than a fastball he is ahead of the curve for the most part, and for many pitchers they are far away from their final arm strength and velocity.

I have kept these players separate from the more polished arms because they are at a very different part of their developmental process where they are transitioning from raw arms to pitchers.  Many of them will not make it past Lakewood, others are destined for the bullpen, and just maybe there are some solid starters in this group which will emerge.

As always please read gregg’s end of season report cards for the upper and lower minors.

The Kids

Shane Watson (19) – Watson was the Phillies first pick in the 2012 draft.  Watson made a brief debut in the GCL, but his season was cut off by by a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.  Watson’s fastball sits in the low-90s but he has run it up as high as 96 in high school.  Watson’s best pitch is a plus curveball that has tight sharp movement.  Watson has shown a changeup but it is still developing at this point and he has tinkered with a cutter.  As with most high school pitchers Watson’s command could use some fine-tuning.  Watson is advanced enough that he could handle a promotion to a full year at Lakewood. Continue reading What to Expect in 2013: Right Handed Starting Pitchers (Kids Edition) →