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 →

A first look at the middle infield.  Next up: Corners Infielders, over the weekend.

Lehigh Valley

JP Crawford, 22, Phils 1st round pick in 2013; .155/.279/.182 in 110AB; 0HR 7RBI; 2SB; .170 vs LHP; .143 vs RHP; 15%BB/19%K; .176 over last 10 games; 30 games at SS with 4 errors (.966); 3.77 R/F.  Crawford continues to have one of the best batting “eyes” in all of baseball.  That said, his year has been abysmal.  He has struggled all season at the plate, never approaching the Mendoza line and rarely hitting the ball out of the infield.  His fielding has been at times spectacular, however he is covering significantly less ground than in years passed (Range Factor down 25%).

Pedro Florimon, 30, SIgned as a free agent in 2017; .160/.300/.200 in 25AB; 0HR 1RBI; 8 games at 2B with 1 error; 1 game at SS without an error.  Very limited playing time

Jesmuel Valentin, 23, Acquired from Dodgers in 2013; .228/.283/.293 in 92AB; 1HR 6RBI; 0SB; 6%BB/14%K; .308 vs LHP; .170 vs RHP; .152 last 10 games; 25 games at 2B with 3 errors (.967); 2 games at SS without an error.  After a great SPring Training during which he almost made the big club, production has been limited to Valentin.  Solid in the field.

Reading

Malquin Canelo, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .294/.402/.397 in 68AB; 0HR 8RBI; 4SB; 16%BB/23%K; .273 vs LHP; .304 vs RHP; 21 games at SS with 3 errors (.967). A solid start to the season for Canelo whose OBP is eye opening.

Scott Kingery, 23, Phils 2nd round pick in 2015; .292/.382/.593 in 113AB; 7HR 19RBI; 8SB: 12%BB/22%K; .244 vs LHP; .319 vs RHP; .317 last 10 games; 26 games at 2B without an error;  Put simply, Kingery is doing everything very well. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

Our first look around the system this year, specifically at outfielders.  Next up will be middle infield.

Lehigh Valley

Dylan Cozens, 22, Phils 2nd round pick in 2012; .172/.257/.354 in 99AB; 5HR 20RBI; 10%BB/39%K; .100 vs LHP; .220 vs RHP; .273 over last 10 games; .219 with RISP; 21 games in the OF without an error and without an assist; The power is clearly still there, but the adjustment to AAA has been just as difficult as many expected for the free swinger.

Cameron Perkins, 26, Phils 6th round pick in 2012; .279/.367/.500 in 86AB; 3HR 9RBI; 11%BB/13%K; .250 vs LHP; .296 vs RHP; .242 last 10 games; .136 with RISP; 19 games in the OF with 2 errors (.941); 2 OF assists; 1 game at 1B without an error.  Perkins has been typically solid, hitting all over the lineup and producing relatively well.

Roman Quinn, 23, Phils 2nd round pick in 2011; .250/.315/.310 in 100AB; 0HR 7RBI; 7/9SB; 9%BB/29%K; .189 vs LHP; .286 vs RHP; .265 last 10 games; .235 with RISP; 26 games in the OF with 2 errors (.964); 1 OF assist; Mediocre start for Quinn who needs to improve his OBP fairly significantly.

Nick WIlliams, 23, Acquired from Texas in 2015; .277/.330/.426 in 94AB; 2HR 8RBI; 3SB; .281 vs LHP; .274 vs RHP; .250 last 10 games; 5%BB/29%K; .200 with RISP; 21 games in the OF with 1 error; 1 OF assist; Marked improvement over the end of last year, however plate discipline continues to need improvement along with the occasional mental error.

Reading

Aaron Brown, 24, Phils 3rd round pick in 2014; .228/.241/.316 in 57AB; 1HR 5RBI; 0%BB/33%K; .091 vs LHP; .261 vs RHP; 15 games in the OF with 1 error; 4 OF assists; Has been playing part time and has had significant struggles at the plate.  Hasnt walked all year.

Andrew Pullin, 23, Phils 5th round pick in 2012; .298/.360/.606 in 104AB; 7HR 20RBI; 8%BB/17%K; .194 vs LHP; .353 vs RHP; .189 last 10 games; .259 with RISP: 19 games in the OF with 1 error; 1 OF assist; Sizzling start has settled down recently.  Still an excellent first month.  Defense needs work Continue reading Around the System–Outfielders →

The ‘Pigs have been playing better baseball after struggling out of the gate and are now 11-9, and in 3rd place of the Northern DIvision of the International League, 2.5 games behind division leading Buffalo.  Lehigh Valley continues with three games on the road against Toledo, before returning to Coca Cola Park in Allentown for a quick three game homestand against Scranton.  Going into this weekends series, the ‘Pigs have won four consecutive series.

Probables: Fri: Lively; Sat: Thompson; Sun: Pinto; Tues: Appel

News and Notes: Catcher Jorge Alfaro has hit safely in 4 of his last 5 games and 14 of his 16 games this year, hitting .354 with 3HR and 10RBI

–Switch pitcher Pat Vendittee has been outstanding for the ‘Pigs, having not allowed a run or a hit thru his first 9 innings of work spanning 6 games.

–1B Rhys Hoskins is hitting .414 over his last 8 games (having hit safely in each) and is leading the league in HR with 6.  He has reached base safely in 19 consecutive games.

–After a brief three day stint in the majors, during which he did not pitch, Ben Lively returned to the ‘Pigs rotation with a victory last Saturday yielding a lone ER in 6 innings of work.  Over his last 7 AAA starts, Lively is 6-1 with a 2.25ERA. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

The perspective juggernaut has been mediocre at best through the first two weeks of the season with the ‘Pigs sitting with a 5-6 record through 11 games, and in 4th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 2.5 games behind division leading Buffalo.  Lehigh Valley returns home tonight to begin what will be a six game home stand against Columbus and Toledo.

News and Notes: Jorge Alfaro has started the season very hot, getting on base in all 9G he has appeared in (.361, 1HR 5RBI)

–Through the first 11 games of the season, the Lehigh Valley bullpen is getting the job done with a 2.38 ERA and an opponents batting average of .190.

–In his second career AAA appearance, RP Mark Leiter set a ‘Pigs record for strikeouts in an appearance by a relief pitcher with 8.  Leiter has been predominately used as the ‘Pigs long man in the early going.

–Pitchers Dailier Hinojosa and Colten Murray have been placed on the DL to start the season.

–P Nick Pivetta has probably been the ‘Pigs best starter the first two times through the rotation.  Pivetta is 2-0 with an 0.69 ERA.  Most impressively, he has not walked a batter while striking out 13 in his 13IP, while holding the opposition to a .167 avg.

–Jake Thompson has had significant troubles in each of his first two starts, lasting just 2.1 innings in each and yielding 9ER in one start and 6ER in the other.  His control has been poor as well with 6BB in 5.2 innings of work.

–RP Pat Vendittee has been extremely effective in his first 3 ‘Pigs appearances, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings and striking out 7.

–Both Pedro Beato and Michael Mariot have earned saves in the early going and look for the “closer by committee” after losing Luis Garcia to Philadelphia.

–A very successful first 11 games in his AAA career for 1B Rhys Hoskins, who is hitting .324/.452/.676 with 3HR and 5RBI in his first 34 AB.  The other half of the “bash brothers”, Dylan Cozens, sits at .158/.238/.316 in 38AB and has 17 strikeouts in his 42 plate appearances (40%).

–The struggles of JP Crawford have been well documented in the early going.  Crawford is at .086/.200/.143 thru 40 plate appearances.  He has a lone extra base hit and a lone RBI to go along with an “uncrawfordlike” 30% K rate.  Only one error in the early going, however, his range factor has been significantly lower than in previous years thus far.  It is still VERY early.

–INF Jesmuel Valentin has been the offensive catalyst in several of the ‘Pigs victories and is hitting at a .355 clip early on to go along with 5RBI in his 31AB.

–A big, three hit game that included a homer has gotten Nick WIlliams going back in the right direction after bumpy beginnings this season.  WIlliams sits at .265/.297/.412 with 1HR and 3RBI in 34AB.  The OBP is reminiscent of last year and must improve.  He has walked just once in 35AB and is striking out at a 35% clip.

Probables: Tuesday: Thompson; Wednesday: Pinto; Thursday: Lively; Friday: Pivetta; Saturday: Appel

Comings: Adam Morgan (optioned from Philadelphia)

Goings:  Zach Eflin (to Phillies), P Luis Garcia to Phillies,