There are some ongoing discussions that will hopefully allow the site to continue on as the number one forum to discuss the Phillies Minor League System.  Give us a few days to work out some details, but the hope is, come the weekend there will be some positive news to share.

Comments to get it going:

–With how poor the Phils bullpen has been, it is time to take a shot on Jake Diekman. He clearly has the “stuff”. It is simply a matter of whether he is ready. Sometimes ready needs to be pushed along by circumstance.

–Credit where it is due to Anthony Hewitt who had an outstanding week, raising his average on the year to the .270 neighborhood.  Aberration or new pattern? I will take the former.

–Drew Naylor 5 runs in 5 innings of work which would have qualified for Not Hot status, however, coming off Tommy John surgery, he gets a pass as this was his first start in over a year.  Glad to see him back on the mound. Continue reading Hot or Not →

A good week for the ‘Pigs who went 4-2 and now stand at 17-13, 2.0 games behind division leading Pawtucket in the Northern Division of the International League.  Lehigh Valley opened a four game series in Indianapolis and then move on to Louisville.

‘Pigs leaders:Hitting:Domonic Brown 5th in triples(2) Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

The first of the “Around the System” reports for the 2012 season.  I am looking to make this a regular feature once again but it may be a bit slower than in years past because of time constraints.  Look for a report on Middle Infielders sometime next weekend, if not earlier.

Lehigh Valley

Cody Overbeck, 25, 9th round pick in 2008, .282/.324/.408 in 103 AB’s; 2HR 15 RBI; 6%bb/16%K rate; .355 vs. LH, .250 vs. RH, .292 with RISP. 28 games at 1B without an  error. Overbeck  has deservedly started receiving some attention as the most consistent hitter in the Lehigh Valley lineup and a guy that has been a regular run producer throughout his minor league career. Another month or two of this type of production should lead to promotion to Philly talk. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infielders →

A few observations: Sources say that hitters havent seen much of Trevor May’s curveball this year (which is a plus pitch), because the Phillies brass want him to focus on developing his slider.  Whatever he has been throwing, it has been with success as he had 5 wins in April.

—Cody Asche, the Clearwater 3B is a guy worth keeping an eye on.  A 4th round pick out of University of Nebraska, Asche struggled in WIlliampsort last year, but is putting it together in the early going for the Threshers.

–With promotions to Philadelphia and recent struggles in the Lehigh Valley rotation, the time is right to consider the promotion of Tyler CLoyd into the Lehigh Valley rotation.  Since mid season last year, he has been extremely consistent in AA and is a regular on our “Hot” list.

–Jesse Biddle makes the “hot” list but that was based on his effort late last week.  Most notable is the fact that he lasted just 0.1 of an inning last evening, leading to speculation of an injury. Continue reading Hot or Not →

Another rough week for the ‘Pigs who started a huge home stand last Monday at Coca Cola Park, and are 2-4 since the last update, including three consecutive losses to Scranton.  The home stand continues this evening with Charlotte (White Sox affiliate) coming into Allentown for a three game series. Lehigh Valley now stands at 13-11 and are tied for third in the Northern Division, 2.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Its been a great start to the season for May, and he has pitched better than I anticipated right out of the gate. Exciting stuff, to be sure.

May has made incredible strides with his control since early in his career—remember, he walked 61 batters in 70 innings in high Class A Clearwater in 2010—and while he’ll never have pinpoint control, his ability to spot his pitches is the focus for May, since there isn’t much doubt that he has the stuff to pile up strikeouts against big league hitters.

Another week in the books.  A few observations.

It may be time to really take notice of Tyler Cloyd. He has been very consistent over the last two years and knows how to pitch. 

Maikel Franco is starting to turn some heads as a legit 3B prospect. The question remains whether the youngster can hit for power.

Kyrell Hudson needs to start hitting…how does the adage go, “you can’t steal first base”.

Possibly the worst line I have ever seen from Lino Martinez.

Phillipe Aumont’s control issues are noteworthy and should be watched.

Hot Hitters: Erik Kratz (.462, HR, 4 RBI); Maikel Franco (.455, 2HR); Gustavo GOnzalez (.400)Brian Pointer (.364, 3 RBI, sb)Tuffy Gosewisch (.364); James Murphy (.357; 3 RBI); Scott Podsednik (.333, 4R, 3RBI, SB); Steve Susdorf (.333); Cody Overbeck (.318) ; Darin Ruf (.313, HR, 4 RBI). Continue reading Hot or Not →

After a dismal 1-5 week, Lehigh Valley now stands at 11-7 and in 2nd place of the Northern Division of the International League, 2.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket.  The ‘Pigs, who are in the midst of a three game losing streak began a long 14 game home stand last evening against Buffalo.

‘Pigs Leaders: Hitting: Rich Thompson is 9th in SB (3); Scott Podsednik is 10th in SB (3);

Pitching:Scott Elarton is 2nd in ERA (0.56); Phillipe Aumont is tied for the league lead in saves (4); Pat Misch is 2nd in HR allowed (5).

Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Edition Two of “Hot or Not” with plenty to talk about. At the dish, Reading had a huge night last evening, influencing numbers and sending Cesar Hernandez and Darin Ruf climbing up the charts.  Leandro Castro has also been consistently ,making things happen. Anthony Hewitt’s “promotion” is not going well early on and the struggles of Jeremy Barnes continue.

Nice to see Brody COlvin breaking through on the hot pitcher list, which included two nice starts by Trevor May.  Jesse Biddle had a rough outing this week, but too early for real concern.  The Lehigh Valley bullpen plays prominently in the Hot Reliever section with two real nice outings by Kenny Giles getting him some “pub”. Continue reading Hot or Not →