A look at the time period from 7/23–7/29. Sebastian Valle and Darin Ruf continue red-hot, while Freddy Galvis notches another week on the hot list.  Austin Hyatt is showing he is worthy or AAA callup while Jared Cosart gets back on track after a rough week.  Also, Trevor May continuing to put up huge strikeout numbers.

Hot Hitters:(Min 10 AB’s):Steve Susdorf (.545); Maikel Franco (.474, 5 RBI); Sebastian Valle (.463, 6R 2HR 8 RBI); Kyrell Hudson (.444); Tim Kennelly (.429); Delwyn Young (.423, 4R 2HR 6 RBI); Darin Ruf (.417, 6R 3HR 7 RBI); Mike Spidale (.400); Carlos Valenzuela (.400); Freddy Galvis (.391, HR 3 RBI, 2SB) Honorable Mention: Cesar Hernandez, Travis Mattair, Troy Hanzawa Continue reading Hot or Not →

Lakewood

David Buchanan, 22, 20 starts, 11-5 with a 3.38 ERA; 125IP 115H 32BB 86K; 1.17 WHIP; 1.13 GO/AO; .246 opp. avg., .240 vs. LH, .250 vs. RH, .262 with RISP; 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA in 5 July starts.  Buchanan has had a very good season and may end the season in Clearwater depending on the movement around the system.

Garrett Claypool, 22, 22 games (18 starts); 3-7 with a 3.70 ERA; 109.1IP 89H 41BB 123K; 0.55 GO/AO; .224 opp. avg; 1.19 WHIP; .214 vs. LH, .231 vs. RH, .232 with RISP; 0-4 with a 5.16 ERA in 5 July starts. Claypool has been very good this year, averaging 10.1K/9 but is slowing down as the innings add up. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitchers, Lower Half →

A solid week for Lehigh Valley, a week that included a four game winning streak that allowed the ‘Pigs to extend their lead over second place Pawtucket to three games.  Lehigh Valley now stands at 61-43 with 38 games remaining in the season. Pawtucket remains in town to close out their four game series against Lehigh Valley on Friday, before Lehigh Valley hosts Buffalo for a short two game series over the weekend. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

A look at the Starting Pitchers in the top half of the organization. I have included the number of innings pitched for each pitcher in 2010, as that becomes an issue as we get into the seasons final weeks.  Teams rarely want to extend a pitcher more than 30-40 innings over the previous season.

Lehigh Valley

Brian Bass, 29, 20 starts, 5-8 with a 4.03 ERA; 116IP 121H 43BB 73K; 2.58 GO/AO; .273 opp. avg, 11 HR allowed; .277 vs. LH, .270 vs. RH, .262 with RISP; 3.05 ERA in his 10 starts since June 1.  IP in 2010 (76.1).  Bass started slowly but has been the most consistent ‘Pigs starter over the last two months.  Has been consistently going deep into games.

Scott Mathieson, 27, 22 games (4 starts); 0-1 with a 3.05 ERA; 5 saves; 41.1IP 35H 21BB 52K; 1.30 WHIP; 0.68 GO/AO; .227 opp. avg.; .172 vs. LH, .260 vs. RH, .184 with RISP; 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA in his 4 starts.  2010 IP= 66.0; 2011 IP= 46.1. Mathieson has been put back into the rotation and looked good in his last start, striking out 8 in 4.1 IP.  He needs to get hitters out earlier in the count, adjusting his mindset against striking out every single hitter. Continue reading Around the System–SP, Top Half →

Lehigh Valley

Erik Kratz, 31, .291/.379/.491 in 234 AB’s; 13 HR 37 RBI; 2SB; 10%bb/19% k rates; .319 vs. LH, .278 vs. RH, .279 with RISP; .321 in July; Thrown Out 15/48 (31%); Caught 68 games 3 errors (.995); 9 passed balls. Has been very consistent both at the plate and behind the plate. Should be the Phils 3rd catcher call up come September.

Dane Sardinha, 32, .097/.200/.129 in 62 AB’S; 0 HR and 0 RBI; 10%bb/32% k rates; .000 vs. LH; .125 vs. RH, Thrown Out 5/19 (26%); Caught 19 games with one error (.994); 4 passed balls.  Has been as close to an automatic out as you can be for Lehigh Valley and amazingly does not have an RBI in 70 plate appearances.  Continue reading Around the System–Catcher →

The good, the bad, and the ugly from the 7/15–7/21 time period.  Ramon Oviedo throwing seven no hit innings, leads the way with Julio Rodriguez two very strong starts not far behind.  Jarred Cosart has been awful since the Futures Game, while Trevor May and Brody Colvin both got banged around this week as well. At the plate, Cameron Rupp continues swinging the hot stick and Harold Martinez has a very nice week. Freddy Galvis makes another appearance on the hot list, while Cody Overbeck and Kelly DUgan struggle. Continue reading Hot or Not →

Lehigh Valley has hit a significant rough patch following the All Star break, as they have been decimated by injury and other roster attrition.  Their lead over second place Pawtucket has dwindled to a single game, with five more games against the Red SOx coming up over the next week.  The ‘Pigs now sit at 56-42 on the season and return home for a 10 game home stand starting Friday.

‘Pigs Leaders: Rich Thompson is 7th in runs (55); 9th in triples (5)and second in stolen bases (29); Brandon Moss is 4th in homers (17); 9th in walks (44); Delwyn Young is 10th in k’s (87). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Lehigh Valley

Rich Thompson, 32, .288/.381/.400 in 250 AB’s; 2 HR 13 RBI; 29/33 SB; 10%bb/17% k rates; .244 vs. LH, .308 vs. RH, .276 with RISP; Hitting .328 since June 1.  72 games in the OF (70 in CF) with 1 error .993; 2 OF assists.COntinues doing what he does…hits, steals bases, creates opportunities, and plays great defense.

Brandon Moss, 27, .258/.357/.505 in 287 AB’s; 17 HR 53 RBI; 2/7 SB; 13%bb/24% k rates; .238 vs. LH, .266 vs. RH, .278 with RISP; .273 with 11 HR since June 1. 72 games in the OF (55 in LF); 2 errors (.986); 11 OF assists.  Has been the ‘Pigs best power hitter as of late and has a very good eye at the plate.

Delwyn Young, 29, .241/.279/.386 in 311 AB’s; 8 HR 36 RBI; 0SB; .228 vs. LH, .247 vs. RH, .200 with RISP; .327 in July; 5% bb/25% k rate. 63 games in the OF (55 in RF) with 2 errors, 2 OF assists.  Young’s bat has begun waking up from a season long slumber recently.

Scott Podsednik, 35, remains on the DL. Continue reading Around the System–OF →

So this is the word. I have two really quick thoughts on this:

* He’s 19. He has plenty of time. Even with his slow start and the ankle injury (which didn’t help the slow start), he’s one of the youngest players in the FSL. He has all kinds of time, and this includes learning the outfield. If playing 1B for 2 months or even the rest of the year helps his ankle heal and gets him on track, fine.
* If his future is in Philadelphia, he’s eventually going to have to learn to play LF, because he’s not displacing Ryan Howard at 1B, and no one is taking Ryan Howard’s contract. Unless salaries inflate beyond belief over the next 3 years. But that’s a decision for 2-3 years down the road.

In the meantime, everyone take a deep breath on Singleton and relax. Time is on his side, yes it is.

I’ve been meaning to write up an article on Carlos Rivero, but more specifically, an article about the risk of signing 16 year old free agents out of Latin America, and how their developmental time frame is different from US born prospects subject to the draft. And with Rivero’s solid May, I thought now would be a good time to finally write this piece, because I think it will cover a number of interesting concepts. Well, you can be the judge of that. Anyway, let’s get after it.

Continue reading Carlos Rivero: A case study in signing international talent →