Lehigh Valley completes the first leg of a two city eight game road trip with their finale against CHarlotte today, having won two of their first three games.  Following todays game, it is onward to Gwinnett for a four game series.  After starting the season 15-17, Lehigh Valley is 14-9 since May 12th and 29-26 on the year.  The ‘Pigs are currently in 4th place of the Northern DIvision of the International League, 1.5 games behind division leading Buffalo.

News and Notes: C Logan Moore had two starts this week, one where he had four hits and the second where he had three hits including his first homer of the year.

–Over his last 17 games, OF Cedric Hunter is hitting .329 with 3HR and 13RBI.  He currently has a six game winning streak.

–Over his last 9 games, 1B Darin Ruf is hitting .371 qith 3HR and 10RBI.

–RP Luis Garcia has been pitching very well as of late, and is unscored upon in 9 of his last 11 games, with 3 wins, a 1.38ERA and 14 K’s in 13IP during that time period.

–RP Edubray Ramos is now unscored upon in all 10 games since he joined Lehigh Valley, spanning 14.2IP.  He earned his first AAA save this week. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

Lehigh Valley wrapped on their three game series against Louisville today with a 10-6 loss  and now sit at  25-24 and in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 3.5 games behind division leading Scranton.  After losing five of their last six games, Lehigh Valley will face  Norfolk who come into Coca Cola Park for a three game series Monday thru Wednesday before leaving on an 8 game road trip to Charlotte and Gwinnett.

News and Notes: James Russell made another start on Saturday evening vs. Louisville and was effective once again, giving up 2 earned runs in 5 innings of work, extending himself to 55 pitches during his 3rd start of the year.

–OF Cedric Hunter continues to play well after being sent down from Philly hitting .340 over his last 12 games (12-40) and .304 over his last 27 games (31-102).

—Darin Ruf has 5HR in 51AB with Lehigh Valley this season.

–RP Luis Garcia is unscored upon in 7 of his last 8 games, during which his ERA is 0.96.  Perhaps more importantly, he has regained his control having walked just 2 in 9.1IP during that span.

–Over his last 17G, RP Edward Mujica has a 2.84ERA and has saved 11, walking just 1 in 19IP.

–Ben Lively was effective in his AAA debut on Friday, giving up just 2 earned runs on five hits over 7 innings.  He did not figure in the decision.

‘Pigs Prospects: JP Crawford reached base safely in 7 of his first 8 games with Lehigh Valley (6H, 5BB) including his first 7 games. With his AAA debut, Crawford became the youngest ‘Pig of all time at 21 yrs, 130D.    Prior to his callup, Crawford was hitting .265 with 3HR and 13RBI for Reading. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

Lehigh Valley (stats thru Saturday)

Luis Garcia, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 13 games, 1-1 with a 3.18ERA; 17IP 12H 11BB 14K; .207 opp avg; 1.35 WHIP; 1.75 GO/AO; 5.8BB/7.4K per 9; .250vs LHH, .190 vs RHH, .188 opp avg in May.  When he has gotten the ball over the plate, Garcia has been effective, however getting the ball over the plate has been a battle.

Severino Gonzalez, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 12 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2-0 with a 2.19ERA; 24.2IP 25H 4BB 14K; .250 opp avg; 1.18 WHIP; 0.94 GO/AO; 1.5BB/5.1K per 9; For Lehigh Valley: 2.57 ERA; .271 opp avg; 1.29WHIP.  Gonzalez has pitched pretty well in his transition to the bullpen.

Bobby LaFromboise, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2016; 11 games, 1-3 with a 6.00ERA; 15IP 26H 9BB 8K; .362 opp avg; 2.33WHIP; 1.31 GO/AO; 5.4BB/4.8K per 9; .500 vs LHH, .340 vs RHH; .436 in May; LaFromboise came close to making the Phils opening day roster after pitching very well in Spring Training, however has been absolutely brutal this year for LV.  The LOOGY has allowed left handed hitters a .500 average.  Not much more to say.

Edward Mujica, 32, Signed as a free agent in 2016; 17 games, 0-3 with a 5.79ERA; 10/14SV; 18.2IP 25H 2BB 16K; .321 opp avg; 1.45 WHIP; 0.82 GO/AO; 1.0BB/8.0K per 9; .375 vs LHH, .296 vs RHH; .351 opp avg in May; While leading the league in saves, Mujica’s performance has been mediocre at best.

Edubray Ramos, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 17 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2-1, 1.54ERA; 7/9SV; .188 opp avg; 0.73 WHIP; 0.84 GO/AO; For Lehigh Valley: 6G, 1-0 with a 0.00ERA in 8.1IP; 0.0BB/8.7K per 9; .154 vs LHH, .263 vs RHH, .219 in May.  Ramos is the reliever that has most impressed in the organization and assuming continued production will see time in Philly this year. Continue reading Around the System–Relief Pitching →

Lehigh Valley have won four straight and eight of their last nine games and now sit at 23-18, and are tied for first in the Northern DIvision of the International League. After finishing up their series against Toledo at home on Sunday, Lehigh Valley has on off day on Monday which will be spent driving to Pawtucket where the ‘Pigs open a three game series on Tuesday against the Red Sox.

News and Notes: Taylor Featherston has hit safely in his last 9 games (.15-42, .357).

—David Buchanan has been throwing well as of late, going 2-0 with a 2.70ERA in his last three starts.

–OF Cedric Hunter has been playing well and has hit safely in his last 6 games (10-27,.345)

—–Darnell Sweeney is hitting .323 in his last 17 games.

–RP Edubray Ramos has not allowed an earned run since being called up from Reading, a streak that has spanned 6 games and 8.iIP.  More remarkably, in his 23.1IP between Reading and Lehigh Valley, Ramos has walked just 1 and struck out 24.

–Over the last 9 games, Lehigh Valley pitchers are 8-1 with a 2.05ERA (88IP, 20ER)

–Pitcher James Russell has not been scored upon in his last 4 games, spanning 6.2IP.

–RP Bobby LaFromboise who had an excellent SPring Training and was one of the last cuts by the Phils has pitched very poorly for Lehigh Valley all season and has a 9.00ERA in his last 6 games.

‘Pigs Prospects: Cameron Perkins has hit safely in 6 of his last 7 games bringing his average back up above .300 for the year.  Over his last 27 games, Perkins is hitting .326 with a HR and 10RBI and has been playing all three positions on the OF. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

A whole lot to be excited about.

Lehigh Valley

Mark Appel, 24, Acquired from Houston in 2015; 7 starts; 3-2 with a 3.58ERA; 37.2IP 36H 18BB 34K; .250 opp avg; 1.43 WHIO; 0.97 GO/AO; 4.3BB/8.1K per 9; .220 vs LHH, .271 vs RHH, .258 opp avg in May; Appel has thrown generally well however his control has been the demon that has really gotten him into trouble at times.

Alec Asher, 24, Acquired from Texas in 2015; 8 starts between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 4-2 with a 2.30ERA: 54.2IP 39H 7BB 35K; .193 opp avg; 0.84WHIP; 1.18 GO/AO; 1.2BB/5.8K per 9; For Lehigh Valley: 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA and .144 opp avg in 4 starts; After the disappointment of having been sent to AA to start the year, Asher has been consistently excellent for both Reading and Lehigh Valley.

David Buchanan, 27, Phils 7th round pick in 2010; 7 starts; 2-2 with a 3.92ERA; 43.2IP 46H 7BB 18K; .274 opp avg; 1.21 WHIP; 1.40 GO/AO; 1.4BB/3.7K per 9; .302 vs LHH, .257 vs RHH, .275 opp avg in May; .250 opp avg with RISP.  Buchanan is a serviceable AAA starter but really doesn’t have the “stuff” right now for any more than that.

Zach Eflin, 22, Acquired from Padres in 2014; 7 starts, 5-0 with a 2.36ERA; 45.2IP 30H 7BB 39K; .185 opp avg; 0.81 GO/AO; 1.04 GO/AO; 1.4BB/7.7K per 9; .190 vs LHH, .182 vs RHH, .185 opp avg in May; Eflin has been outstanding through the first six weeks of the season and has played himself in a position as a potential call up should Adam Morgan continue to struggle.

Jake Thompson, 22, Acquired from Texas in 2015; 7 starts; 2-4 with a 3.32ERA; 38IP 33H 13BB 30K; .237 opp avg; 1.21 WHIP; 0.98 GO/AO; 3.1BB/7.1K per 9; .229 vs LHH, .242 vs RHH, .169 opp avg in May; A very slow start for Thompson, which he has overcome in his last 3 starts, yielding 1 ER in 19IP spanning those starts.

Reading

Ben Lively, 24, Acquired from Cincinnati in 2014; 8 starts, 6-0 with a 1.53ERA; 47IP 31H 14BB 46K; .185 opp avg; 0.96 WHIP; 0.84 GO/AO; 2.7BB/8.8K per 9; .174 vs LHH, .195 vs RHH, .177 opp avg in May; Lively has been as good as any pitcher in the organization through 8 starts.  Look for a call to Lehigh Valley over the next month. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching →

Lehigh Valley

Andrew Knapp, 24, Phils 2nd round pick in 2013; .245/.339/.451 in 116PA; 5HR 17RBI; 12%BB/22%K rates; .286 vs LHP; .224 vs RHP; .220 in May; 27 games caught with 5 errors (.974); 6 passed balls; 3/17 (18%); Knapp has been very streaky with the bat and his defense needs drastic improvement.

Logan Moore, 25, Phils 9th round pick in 2011; .239/.329/.338 in 81PA between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 1HR 7RBI; 12%BB/21%K rates; 23 games caught with 1 error (.994); 0 passed balls; 11/24 CS (46%). Moore’s production with the bat remains very little however, he is a plus defensive catcher and is doing a very good job calling games.

Reading

Jorge Alfaro, 22, Acquired from Texas in 2015; .362/.375/.580 in 70PA; 2HR 15RBI; 2%BB/20%K rates; .500 vs LHP;.344 vs RHP; .212 in May; 16 games caught without an error; 1 passed ball; 5/11CS (45%); Alfaro has done a generally outstanding job when healthy.  He missed about three weeks with an oblique injury

Joel Fisher, 23, Phils 24th round pick in 2015; Fisher was hitting .188 in 16AB with Lakewood before his promotion to Reading; 6 games caught without an error or passed ball; 6/13 CS (46%) Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →

Lehigh Valley

Ryan Jackson, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .214/.347/.238 in 101PA; 0HR 17RBI; 1/3SB; 17%BB/26%K; .148 vs LHP; .246 vs RHP; .083 in May; 26 games at SS with 2 errors (.979); 2 games at 2B without an error; 2 games at 3B without an error; With the exception of the good walk rate, it has been ugly with the stick for Jackson. That said, showing a good glove, albeit with somewhat limited range.

Darnell Sweeney, 25, Acquired from Dodgers in 2015; .240/.292/.380 in 129PA; 2HR 11RBI; 1/5SB; 6%BB/21%K rates; .324 vs LHP; .207 with RHP; .333 in May; 27 games at 2B with 3 errors (.977); 6 games in the OF without an error.  Its been a season of streaks for Sweeney, starting off very cold and coming on lately.

 Carlos Alonso, 28, Phils 32nd round pick in 2010; Alonso just came off the DL on Friday after missing four plus weeks with a broken jaw.  A very intelligent player, Alonso should make some things happen in the LV lineup.

Reading

JP Crawford, 21, Phils 1st round pick in 2013; .250/.385/.355 in 151PA; 2HR 8RBI; 4/7SB; 18%BB/14%K; .300 vs LHP; .240 vs RHP; .200 in May; .214 with RISP; 33 games at SS with 7 errors; Some have suggested that Crawford should be in Lehigh Valley immediately, however Crawford has been far from spectacular this year.  Maybe bored, but has looked lackadaisical at times. Continues to have an outstanding “eye” at the plate leading to an excellent OBP. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

Next up is the outfield where there has been some good, some bad and some ugly.  Look for the report on the middle infield coming up early next week.

Lehigh Valley

Cedric Hunter, 28, Acquired as a free agent in 2016; .269.345/.404 in 58PA; 1HR 5RBI; 1/2SB; 10%BB/19%K; .308 vs LHP; .256 vs RHP; Hunter has done a decent job for Lehigh Valley since being sent down from Philly after a few unproductive weeks with the big club.

ALfredo Marte, 27,Acquired from Baltimore in 2016; Hitting .179/.207/.179 in 29PA since being acquired from Baltimore.  Numbers aren’t pretty and neither is his swing. 7 games in the OF without an error.

Cam Perkins, 25, Phils 6th round pick in 2012; .297/.321/.432 in 77PA; 1HR 7RBI; 4%BB/11%K; .280 vs LHP; .306 vs RHP; .115 in May; 19 games in the OF with 2 errors (.956); After a very hot start, Perkins is now in a significant funk.

Will Venable, 33, Acquired as a free agent in 2016; .192/.264/.269 in 85PA; 1HR 13RBI; 1/3SB; 9%BB/18%K; .200 vs LHP; .190 vs RHP; .154 in May; 20 games in the OF without an error; 1 OF assist; When he signed, most expected Venable to be playing a role in the Phils OF by now, but the production simply has not been there.

Nick Williams, 22, Acquired from Texas in 2015; .282/.306/.408 in 108PA: 2HR 15RBI; 2/3SB; 5%BB/21%K; .240 vs LHP; .295 vs RHP; .250 in May; .381 with RISP; 27 games in the OF without an error; 3 OF assists.  Williams has been playing well after a slow start but put me in the camp of those who don’t want to rush him.  I would like 300-400 AAA AB before a call up.

Reading

Aaron Brown, 23, Phils 3rd round pick in 2014; .220/.304/.319 in 100 PA’s; 0HR 4RBI; 2SB; 9%BB/24%K rates; .231 vs LHP; .218 vs RHP; .333 in May; 25 games in the OF with 3 errors (.948); 1OF assist.  Has been hitting better as of late, however it has been a very slow start for Brown. Continue reading Around the System–Outfield →

The ‘Pigs complete their four game series in Columbus this morning and the first three games haven’t been pretty, losing all three falling to 15-17, in 5th place of the Northern Division on the International League, 4 games out of first place.  Coming up this weekend, Lehigh Valley moves along to Toledo to finish up their 9 game road trip where they currently sit with a lone win and four losses.  The ‘Pigs return home on Monday for a seven game home stand against Syracuse and Toledo.

News and Notes: After leading the International League in hitting in April (.271), the ‘Pigs are hitting just .213 in May, including .152 in the current series against Columbus.

–Over their last 8 game, the ‘Pigs have not scored a run after the 6th inning.

–RP Severino GOnzalez had a 9 inning scoreless streak snapped in his last appearance.

–P James Russell was forced to make a spot start on Monday and did a great job throwing four shutout innings. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

We start another year of the “Around the System” feature as we rotate through an in depth look at groups of players as the season moves along.  Next up will be the Outfield sometime later in the week.

Lehigh Valley

Brock Stassi, 26, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011 draft; .254/.378/.403 in 81PA’s; 1HR 8RBI; 17%BB/16%K; .167 vs LHP; .273 vs RHP; .286 in May; .167 with RISP; 18 games at 1B without an error; Stassi has put up mediocre numbers with the bat, and has been good with the glove early on.

Tommy Joseph, 24, Acquired from Giants in 2012; .382/.400/.671 in 79PA’s; 5HR 15RBI; 4%BB/13%; .400 vs LHP; .389 vs RHP; .313 with RISP; 14 games at 1B with 2 errors (.980); Joseph has played himself back into prospect status after his injury plagued last three seasons.  I don’t know how much longer the Phils can keep him at AAA putting up these numbers, although he has very little experience at 1B.  That said neither Ruf, nor Howard will be mistaken for Keith Hernandez with the glove.

Angelys Nina, 27, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .200/.216/.300 in 51PA’s; 1HR 4RBI; 2%BB/18%K rates; .143 vs LHP; .222 vs RHP; 13 games at 3B with 2 errors (.943); 1 game at 2B without an error.  Very little production.

Taylor Featherston, 26, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .308/.360/.462 in 96PA’s; 2HR 6RBI; 5%BB/10%K rates; .409 vs LHP; .278 vs RHP; .167 in May; .261 with RISP; 13 games at 3B with 1 error (.960); 7 games at SS with 2 errors (.944); 6 games at 2B with 1 error (.963); Very nice start to the season for Featherston who has very good versatility and can provide you with some occasional pop.

Reading

Rhys Hoskins, 23, Phils 5th round pick in 2014; .248/.311/.457 in 115PA’s; 6HR 20RBI; 10%BB/29%K rates; .250 vs LHP; .247 vs RHP; .214 in May; .238 with RISP; 27 games at 1B with 5 errors (.981); Mixed bag thus far.  On the positive end, Hoskins has been producing runs with his power and had a long hitting streak.  On the negative end, even with the long streak his average is lower than you would like to see it, he is striking out a lot, and too many errors. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →