Extended Spring Training is winding down.  The Phillies break camp after their last  game on Thursday June 15th.  Some players will make their way to Williamsport for the June 19th start of the NY-Penn League.  Others will prepare for the start of the GCL season on June 26th. Continue reading XST Update: June 11, 2017 →

After an incredible 24-5 May, the ‘Pigs opened June with a 5-0 loss to Indianapolis last night, making them 36-17 on the year, and five games in front of second place Scranton in the Northern Division of the International League.  The ‘Pigs are in Louisville this weekend before returning home for a six game home stand next week against Buffalo and Scranton.

News and Notes: With their 6-0 win on Wednesday, the ‘Pigs recorded their IL leading 8th shutout of the season.

–Pitcher Tom Eshelman was named IL Player of the month after his CG shutout on Wednesday against Indianapolis.  Since April 18th, Eshelman is 6-0 with a 1.87ERA and an outstanding 0.82WHIP.

–Lehigh Valley leads the International League in both runs and homeruns.

–OF Dylan Cozens had his modest 6 game hitting streak snapped last night, however is hitting .379 over the last 7 games to go along with 5RS and 7RBI.

–After reaching base safely multiple times in five straight games, JP Crawford had that streak snapped last night with an 0-4.  His average currently sits at .200 after an awful first 6 weeks of the season.  Over the last 16 games, Crawford is hitting .290. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

With the AAC championships tying up the fields at the Carpenter Complex, all of the Phillies XST games were on the road last week. The following reports and photos were forwarded to me courtesy of Mark Wylie.  Thank you Mark. Continue reading XST Update: May 25th, 26th, 27th →

Lehigh Valley

Mark Appel, 25, Acquired from Houston in 2015; 8 starts, 2-2 with a 6.69ERA; 37.2IP 44H 19BB 26K; 8HR allowed; .291 opp avg; 1.67WHIP; 4.6BB/6.2K per 9; .338 vs LHH, .253 vs RHH, .284 opp avg in May; Among the league leaders in homers allowed and walks tells the story for Appel.  It has been an ugly season coming off his 2016 injury. Gave up 7ER in 3.1IP in his last start.

Tom Eshelman, 22, Acquired from Houston in 2015; 8 starts between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 5-0 with a 2.08ERA; 52IP 42H 8BB 34K; .225 opp avg; 0.96 WHIP; 1.4BB/5.9K per 9; Has had quality starts in all 3 LV starts, going 3-0 with a 0.78ERA; .183 opp avg.  Eshelman has been outstanding all season, actually throwing better after his call up to AAA.

Ben Lively, 25, Acquired from Cinncinnati in 2014; 8 starts, 5-1 with a 2.79ERA; 48.1IP 41H 5BB 38K; 1HR allowed; .225 opp avg; 0.95WHIP; 0.9BB/7.2K per 9; .321 vs LHH, .154 vs RHH; I simply dont know what Lively has to do to get a major league start.  In 27 AAA starts spanning two seasons, he is 16-6 with an ERA of 2.97.  Lively to the Phils rotation, Velasquez to the Phils bullpen and Leiter or Garcia to the ‘Pigs is what should happen.

Ricardo Pinto, 23, SIgned as a free agent in 2011; 8 starts with a 5.85ERA; 40IP 51H 16BB 25K; .311 opp avg; 1.68 WHIP; 3.6BB/5.6K per 9; .306 vs LHH, .315 vs RHH, .393 opp avg in May; After a good first three starts, Pinto has been awful since.  Very hittable, too many walks and too few strikeouts.

Nick Pivetta, 24, Acquired from Washington in 2015; 3 starts, 3-0 with a 0.95ERA; 19IP 12H 2BB 24K; .174 opp avg; 0.74 WHIP; 0.9BB/11.4K per 9; Pivetta was outstanding in APril and got the call to Philly to replace Aaron Nola in the Phils rotation.  For Philadelphia, Pivetta was inconsistent in his 4 starts, going 0-2 with a 5.12ERA. He walked too many hitters and the opposition hit him at a .325 clip in the majors. With Nola’s return, Pivetta rejoins the ‘Pigs for some refinement.

Jake Thompson, 23, Acquired from Texas in 2015; 7 starts, 2-3 with a 4.91ERA; 33IP 32H 14BB 32K; .260 opp avg; 1.39WHIP; 3.8BB/8.7K per 9; .218 vs LHH, .294 vs RHH, .229 in May; Thompson has overcome just an awful start to throw well in  his last several starts.  Since allowing 15ER in his first two starts, spanning 4.2 innings, he has allowed just 3 ER in his next 4 starts, spanning 28.1IP.

Reading

Drew Anderson, 23, Phils 21st round pick in 2012; 8 starts; 3-1 with a 5.26ERA; 37.2IP 36H 9BB 32K; .250 opp avg; 1.19WHIP; .265 vs LHH, .237 vs RHH, .190 opp avg in May; 2.2BB/7.6K per 9; Anderson’s “stuff” is as good as any Phils starting pitcher at times, however he has been extremely inconsistent this season. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching →

I hadn’t been able to make it to the XST games for a while.  But, one of our readers, Mark Wylie, sent me a batch of photos from Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays at the Complex. He provided a bit of a write up and said I could use both/either on the site.  Since I hadn’t been there, I opted to use everything he sent me.   Continue reading XST Update: May 20th and 22nd, 2017 →

The ‘Pigs keep rolling along, completing a very successful 6-1 road trip with a win yesterday over Syracuse, giving Lehigh Valley 15 wins in their last 16 games.  The ‘Pigs , who return home this week for a 7 game home stand, now sit at 29-14 and 4 games ahead of second place Scranton in the Northern Division of the International League.

News and Notes: Lehigh Valley has now won seven consecutive series, tying their franchise record.

–Over the last 16G, the Lehigh Valley bullpen is 8-1 with 11SV to go along with an ERA of 1.15.

–After starting the year strong, P Ricardo Pinto has been really struggling as of late with a 10.78ERA over his last 4 starts.  His ERA is approaching 6 on the season.

–P Cesar Ramos continues to throw well in his role as the long man/spot starter, not having allowed an ER in his last 4 games.

–C Jorge Alfaro is in his first extended his funk of the season, hitting just .125 (4-32) over the last week.

–A nice week for SS JP Crawford, who hit .357 with two game winning hits.  The Mendoza line is quickly approaching (.191).

–After starting the season 5/28, Nick Williams is hitting .277 over the last 33 games with 5HR and 15RBI. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

Lehigh Valley

Pat Vendittee, 31, Signed as a free agent in 2017; 13 games, 3-0 with an 0.00ERA; 21IP 4H 12BB 21K; .065 opp avg; 0.76 WHIP; 5.1BB/9.0K per 9; .103 vs LHH, .030 vs RHH; .100 opp avg in May; The walk rate is high.  Everything else is off the charts positive.

Pedro Beato, 30, Signed as a free agent in 2016; 17 games, 0-1 with a 1.86ERA; 11SV; 19.1IP 13H 6BB 16K; 2.8BB/7.4K per 9; .200 vs LHP; .194 vs RHP; .107 opp avg in May; Beato has pitched extremely well this season and  currently leads the league in saves.

Casey Fein, 33, Acquired from Seattle in 2017; Has made 2 appearances for Lehigh Valley and has not given up a run in 2.1IP.

Michael Mariot, 28, Re-signed as a free agent in 2016; 12 games, 1-2 with a 5.27ERA; 2SV; 13.2IP 14H 6BB 15K; 4.0BB/9.9K per 9; .269 opp avg; 1.46 WHIP; .353 vs LHH, .229 vs RHH, .261 opp avg in May; After a very good 2016 with Lehigh Valley, Mariot has put up very average numbers through the first 7 weeks of 2017.

Hoby Milner, 26, Phils 7th round pick in 2012; 12G, 0-0 with an 0.00ERA; 15.2IP 9H 2BB 13K; .170 opp avg; 0.70 WHIP; 1.1BB/7.5K per 9; .083 vs LHH, .241 vs RHH; .148 opp avg in May; After getting selected and returned to the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft, Milner has pitched as if he has something to prove and has been lights out this year.

Colton Murray, 27, Phils 13th round pick in 2011; 7G, 1-0 with a 4.09ERA; 11IP 11H 4BB 17K; .256 opp avg; 1.36 WHIP; 3.3BB/13.9K per 9; .263 vs LHH, .250 vs RHH; Murray started the season on the DL and has thrown fairly well absent the frequent home run ball.

Cesar Ramos, 32, Signed as a free agent in 2017; 11G(2 starts); 2-1 with a 2.21 ERA; 24.1IP 15H 5BB 19K; .174 opp avg; 0.82WHIP; 1.8BB/7.0K per 9; .161 vs LHH, .182 vs RHH, .261 opp avg in May; Ramos has been outstanding in the various roles he has been asked to fill this season.

Reading

Austin Davis, 24, Phils 12th round pick in 2014; 12G, 2-0 with a 1.78ERA between CW and Reading; 25.1IP 21H 4BB 34K; .221 opp avg; 0.99WHIP; 1.4BB/12.1K per 9; 2G for Reading and has thrown 3 shutout innings.  Davis was blowing away hitters in High A and was called up to Reading last week.

Joe DeNato, 25, Phils 19th round pick in 2014; 8G, 2-1 with a 1.69ERA; 10.2IP 9H 5BB 10K; .220 opp avg; 1.31 WHIP; 4.2BB/8.4K per 9; .222 vs LHH, .217 vs RHH; DeNato was activated three weeks into the season and has thrown well.

Mario Hollands, 28, Phils 10th round pick in 2010; 9G, 1-0 with a 3.27ERA; 11IP 12H 10BB 9K; .279 opp avg; 2.00 WHIP; 8.2BB/7.4K per 9; .235 vs LHH, .308 vs RHH; Hollands hasn’t been the same since his surgery and is going nowhere quickly walking almost a hitter an inning.

Miguel Nunez, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2009; 13G, 0-2 with a 1.88ERA; 3SV; 14.1IP 6H 12BB 12K; .130 opp avg; 1.26 WHIP; 7.5BB/7.5K per 9; .043 vs LHH, .217 vs RHH; .056 opp avg in May; The Phillies have put a lot of time and energy into Nunez and he is at times unhittable.  Also, at times, he has little idea where the ball is going. Continue reading Around the System–Relief Pitchers →

Lehigh Valley

Jorge ALfaro, 23, Acquired from Texas in 2015; .289/.313/.430 in 128AB; 3HR 19RBI; 1SB; 2%BB/32%K; .321 vs LHP; .267 vs RHP; .232 in May; 28 games caught without an error; 5 passed balls; 6/17 CS (35%); Alfaro started very hot and has cooled down a bit of late.  His defense is showing progress.

Logan Moore, 26, Phils 9th round pick in 2011; .300/.326/.500 in 40AB; 2HR 10RBI; 5%BB/33%K; 11 games caught with 1 error; 0 passed balls; 3/9 CS(33%); Very limited playing time for Moore who has played well when in the lineup.

Reading

Chace Numata, 24, Phils 14th round pick in 2010; .263/.342/.374 in 99AB; 2HR 6RBI; .194 vs LHP; .294 vs RHP; .357 in May; 10%BB/15%K; 26 games caught with 3 errors (.987); 2 passed balls; 9/20 CS(45%); Excellent throwing out would be base stealers and has been handling the bat competently.

Joel Fisher, 24, Phils 23rd round pick in 2014; Hitting .174 in 23AB with 1HR and 2RBI; 8 games caught with 1 error and 1 passed ball; 3/6 CS(50%); So far this season FIsher has the prototypical stats of a minor league back up catcher.

Clearwater

Deivi Gruillon, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2012; .291/.294/.410 in 117AB; 3HR 11RBI; 1%BB/25%K; .300 vs LHP; .287 vs RHP; .319 in May; 29 games caught with 4 errors and 4 passed balls; 10/31 CS (32%); A very good season thus far for Gruillon who is progressing well. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →

A first look at corner infield production.  Next up: Catchers.

Lehigh Valley

Rhys Hoskins, 24, Phils 5th round pick in 2014, .345/.432/.655 in 119AB; 9HR 28RBI; 13%BB/17%K; .262 vs LHP; .390 vs RHP; .357 in May; .333 with RISP; 34 games at 1B with 1 error (.996); Hoskins has probably been the Phils minor league MVP through the first six weeks of the season producing excellent numbers across the board.  BB/K rate is much improved from years past and his defense has looked much better as well.

Taylor Featherston, 27, Re-signed as a free agent in 2017; .306/.375/.403 in 72AB; 0HR 7RBI; 3SB; 10%BB/18%K; .300 vs LHP; .310 vs RHP; 19 games at 3B with 1 error (.972); 2 games at 2B without an error; 2 games at 1B without an error.  Featherston has been a steady piece of a prolific ‘Pigs offense.

Hector Gomez, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2017; .158/.180/.263 in 57AB; 1HR 5RBI; 3%BB/17%K; .143 vs LHP; .167 vs RHP; 19 games at 3B with 3 errors (.933); Very little production for Gomez after a productive 2016 overseas.

Reading

Kyle Martin, 24, Phils 4th round pick in 2015; .139/.246/.317 in 101AB; 5HR 19RBI; 11%BB/37%K; .098 vs LHP; .167 vs RHP; .133 in May; 27 games at 1B with 3 errors (.987). Other than showing power in the few times he has made good contact, the beginning of 2017 has been very poor.

Mitch Walding, 24, Phils 5th round pick in 2011, .144/.291/.322 in 90AB; 4HR 11RBI; 17%BB/34%K; .161 vs LHP; .136 vs RHP; .069 in May; 26 games at 3B with 4 errors (.932); See Martin, Kyle.

Harold Martinez, Phils 2nd round pick in 2011, .286/.388/.429 in 42AB; 1HR 3RBI; Decent out of the gate for Martinez, who is entering his 3rd week on the DL. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →

The ‘Pigs have been playing well as of late coming into tonight’s game working on a three game winning streak and are 17-13 on the season, the first time this season they are four games above .500.  Currently in second place in the Northern Division of the International League, Lehigh Valley continues at home all week with two more against Rochester before a four game series against Buffalo.    Aaron Nola will be rehabbing tomorrow night at Coca Cola Park in his first rehab start in hopes of shortly returning to the Phillies rotation.

Notes: Tom Eshelman was called up from AA on Monday and made his first AAA start and dominated Rochester.  He went 8IP allowing just four hits and a walk and did not yield an ER while striking out six.  He was throwing strikes consistently all evening, keeping hitters off balance.

–In his whirlwind trip from the Toronto organization, to Philly, to Lehigh Valley and now back to Philly, Ty Kelly took the time to HR in his only game as an IronPig.

–Interestingly, JP Crawford has reached base in each of his last 15 games, however is hitting only .208 during that time period. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →