An outstanding week for the IronPigs as they have won six consecutive games and now stand at 10-2, in first place of the Northern Division of the International League, 3 games ahead of second place Pawtucket.

‘Pigs Leaders: Remarkably, Lehigh Valley does not have anyone in the top 10 in any hitting category. Pitching: Tom Cochran is 3rd in wins (2); Austin Hyatt is 4th in wins (2), 10th in walks (8); and 7th in IP (16.1); Scott Elarton is 4th in ERA (0.82); Dave Bush is 5th in ERA (0.90); Phillipe Aumont is 6th in games (5) and is tied for the league lead in saves (4); Jake Diekman is 6th in saves (2)and Pat Misch is 6th in HR allowed (3). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

The first edition of Hot or Not which includes todays afternoon games. Most notable talking points are the hot starts by Jiwan James and Sebastian Valle in Reading, Cameron Rupp in CLearwater and Gauntlett Eldemire in Lakewood. Tyler Cloyd was an excellent opening day story in Allentown, while David Buchanan had a dominant first start in Reading.  None of the baby aces on either list.

Hot Hitters: Darin Ruf, (.450, 3RBI); Jiwan James (.400, 2HR 5RBI, SB), Sebastain Valle (.389); Brian Pointer (.364, 3HR 8 RBI, 2SB); Cameron Rupp (.357, HR 6RBI); Gauntlett Eldemire (.351, 3RBI, 5SB)Pete Lavin (.333, HR).

Not Hot Hitters:Kevin Frandsen (.000); Carlos Alonso (.000); Lou Montanez (.100);  Logan Moore (.111);Tim Kennelly (.143) Jeremy Barnes (.176); Domonic Brown (.178)  

Hot Pitchers: Tyler CLoyd (6IP 0H 0ER 0BB 8K); Scott Elarton (5IP 2H 0ER 3BB 4K); Dave Bush (5IP 2H 0ER 2BB 2K); David Buchanan (7IP 2H 0ER 1BB 9K); Lisalberto Bonilla (4IP 3H 0ER 2BB 5K); Tyler Knigge (3.1IP 2H 0ER 1BB 3K); Ryan Duke (3IP 2H 0ER 1BB 4K 2SV); Mike Cisco (3IP 0ER); Jacob Diekman 2IP 2H oER 3K, SV); Hector Neris (6.1IP 4H 0ER 4BB 4K);

Not Hot Pitchers: Raul Valdes (2.2IP 7H 5ER);  Colton Murray (2.1H 3H 5ER 6BB 0K); Mike Nesseth ((3.2IP 7H 6ER 2BB 3K); Bryan Morgado (3IP 5H 4ER 3BB 2K);Juan Sosa (3IP 4H 4ER 0BB 1K); Frank Gailey (2.1IP 4H 3ER 2BB 5K) 

While more limited with time this season, I hope to continue with very regular reports from the AAA level focusing mostly on individual prospect performance rather than a lot of talk on how the team is doing.  Look for reports sometime mid week (Tues thru Thur) each week.  Additionally, as time allows the “Hot or Not” segments and Organizational positional updates should continue throughout the year. Now, onward. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

As of 930 last evening, Tyler Cloyd believed he would be the opening day starter for the Reading Phillies.  That changed quickly with a phone call and off he went to Lehigh Valley to make his AAA debut and what a debut it was.  Cloyd pitched six perfect innings, dominating the Scranton Wilkes Barre Yankees, striking out 8.  He threw just 73 pitches in his six innings, however because of early season pitch counts was removed still perfect.

Cloyd impressed last year without overpowering stuff,  with his knowledge of “how to pitch”.  That translated very well to the AAA level tonight and while I expect he is likely headed back to Reading in the short term, it would be surprising if substantial time were not spent in the Lehigh Valley by Cloyd by mid season.

In one of the stranger baseball events in recent memory, Lehigh Valley starter Dave Bush, the planned opening day starter has been suspended for five games for an incident that occurred in Spring Training against the Pirates.  Following a homer, the next pitch Bush threw was high and inside, warranting ejection according to the umpire. ‘Pigs manager Ryne Sandberg mentioned there was some “unfortunate verbiage” between Bush and the  umpire, and Bush was suspended.

Benefitting from the suspension is Tyler Cloyd, who was set to start on Opening Day for the Reading Phils. CLoyd, 24, had an outstanding year last year, first with CLearwater, followed by a lengthy stint in Reading.  Cloyd was a combined 9-4 with a 2.77 ERA in 146 IP last season.  I was a bit surprised about his placement at Reading to start the season, thinking based on his success in Reading and in the Arizona Fall League that a spot in the Lehigh Valley rotation was likely.  Given this opportunity, it should be interesting to see how Cloyd responds.

So here’s my totally unofficial guess at who’s still in Clearwater. Some of these guys are leftovers from the Spring Training Workgroups and may have been released and a couple are guys who were in the system at the end of last season but did not appear during Spring Training, so who knows if they’re still in the system. Obviously some of these guys will end up in Williamsport, some in Gulf Coast and some back in the DSL or VSL.

Catchers
Willians Astudillo
Liam Bedford
Angel Chavarin
Chace Numatta
Kevin Quaranto Continue reading Extended Spring Training Rosters →

The final three names have been added to the Lehigh Valley roster after final cuts were made from Phillies camp.  OF Scott Podsednik, INF Hector Luna and P Raul Valdes will all be joining the IronPigs in time for opening night tomorrow.  Congrats to much maligned Joe Savery for earning an opening day roster spot with the Phils.

The Lehigh Valley roster came out today, albeit in an incomplete fashion as the final roster will be dependant on the last couple roster moves the Phils need to make.  This is where we are at currently…

Catcher: Erik Kratz, 31, Kratz, a 2010 IL All Star was a key member of the team last year, hitting .288 with 15 HR and 53 RBI.

Tuffy Gosewisch, 28, had a very good season for Reading last year. His strength continues to be his defense, however, he provided some punch at the plate last year hitting .247 with 13 HR and 66 RBI.

John Suomi, 31, typically moves up and down the minor leagues filling in where the Phils need a spare catcher.  I would expect the same role in 2012. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Roster →

The Lakewood Roster is as follows:

Catcher: John Hill (19th round, 2011); Logan Moore (9th round, 2011)

Infield: Chris Duffy (26th Round, 2010); Kelly Dugan (2nd round, 2009); Maikel Franco (FA, 2010); Gustavo Gonzalez (FA, 2011); Tyler Greene (11th round, 2011); Drew Hillman (18th round, 2011); Carlos Perdomo (FA, 2007)

Outfield: Aaron Altherr (9th round, 2009); Gauntlett Eldemire (6th round, 2010); Kyrell Hudson (3rd round, 2009); Brian Pointer (28th round, 2010)

Pitchers: Gabrial Arias (FA, 2007); Ryan Duke (25th round, 2011); Kenny Giles (7th round 2011); Colin Klevan (33rd round, 2009); Ervis Manzanillo (FA, 2009); Lino Martinez (FA, 2009); Bryan Morgado (4th round, 2010); Colton Murray (13th round, 2011); Mike Nesseth (17th round, 2010); Ryan Sasaki (13th round, 2009); Colby Shreve (6th round, 2008); Ethan STewart (47th round, 2010)

Pitcher Nicholas Hernandez will start the season on the DL and OF Zach Collier is suspended for the first 50 games of the season.

We won’t have Matt Rizzotti to kick around anymore as the 26 year old Designated Hitter was traded this morning to the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations.  Rizzotti, the Phils 6th round pick in the 2007 draft was certainly one of the most discussed players over the last several years here at Phuture Phillies because of his ability to hit and do little else.  The trade will give him the opportunity to do just that in the American League.

The Phils made the surprising decision to have RIzzotti repeat AA after an outstanding year in 2010 at the plate for the RPhils.  Rizzotti again had a very good year in Reading in 2011 hitting .295/.392/511 with 24HR and 84 RBI. However as a liability in the field, it became apparant that the Phils felt there was no room in the organization for him.

Always gracious with his time and a very good guy….Good Luck Matt.