Time to begin finishing and posting some of the many draft articles I have started.  I decided to begin with a look at our preseason predictions for breakout and sleeper prospects during the 2015 season. Continue reading 2015 Sleepers and Breakouts Revisited; Part One →

A mixture of names talked about often and more obscure names have become minor league free agents this week.  The list goes as follows:  3B Cord Phelps, SS Tyler Pasternicky, SS Edgar Duran, SS KC Serna, 2B Brodie Greene, 1B WIllians Astudillo, C Rene Garcia, OF Kelly Dugan, P Jason Berken, P Ethan Martin, P Colin Kleven, P Stephen Shackleford, P Reinier Roibal, and P Steven Inch.

The Phillies spring training schedule has been posted.  They start with a rematch against the University of Tampa who defeated the Phillies on their way to a 47-13 record and the NCAA Division II Championship.

The Phillies schedule includes –  Continue reading Phillies 2016 Spring Training Schedule →

Todd Zolecki reported in a news release that the Phillies outrighted Domonic Brown, Tommy Joseph, Brian Bogusevic, and Kelly Dugan from their 40-Man Roster.

I don’t think any of these moves is surprising.  Brown’s inability to live up to expectations, Joseph’s concussion issues and recent position change, Bogusevic’s journeyman status, and Dugan’s inability to stay healthy led most of us to expect these moves.

The 40-Man is now down to 30 players plus up to 6 players still on the 60-Day DL – Elvis Araujo, Matt Harrison, Mario Hollands, Cesar Hernandez, and future former Phillies Cliff Lee and Chad Billingsley.

The Phillies have announced that Jesse Biddle will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL ligament and is likely to miss the 2016 season.  If rehab if successful, Biddle will be entering his final option year as 25 year old in the 2017 season.

We conclude our player report cards with a look at relief pitchers at the lower levels.  A caveat here, below Lakewood there is very minimal (if any) analysis and grades as I haven’t seen most of these pitchers and their sample size is extremely small.  It becomes guesswork at that point, which I feel obligated to stay away from.

Lakewood

Jason Zgardowski, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 34G, 4-1 with a 3.12ERA; 57.2IP 36H 26BB 54K; .184 opp avg; 1.08 WHIP; 1.08 GO/AO; 4.1BB/8.4K per 9; .176 vs LHH, .186 vs RHH, .180 last 30 days.  An excellent year for Zgardowski was went undrafted last year and was a very good find.  He throws very hard and was overpowering at times for Lakewood.  Walk rate needs some work.  Grade: A-; 2016: CLearwater

Calvin Rayburn, 23, Phils 16th round pick in 2014; 32G , 5-3 with a 4.44ERA; 1/3SV; 48.2IP 37H 24BB 26K; 2HR allowed; .214 opp avg; 1.25 WHIP; 1.50 GO/AO; 4.4BB/4.8K per 9; .215 vs LHP; .213 vs RHP; .313 last 30 days.  Rayburn was generally pretty effective but seemed to run out of gas during the later part of the year.  He will not overpower you, but knows how to pitch.  Grade: B; 2016: CLearwater

Jairo Munoz, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2015: 13G(3 starts) for Lakewood; 3-0 with a 2.67ERA; 33.2IP 26H 9BB 28K; 1HR allowed; .217 opp avg; 1.04 WHIP; 2.00 GO/AO; 2.4BB/7.5K per 9; .180 vs LHH, .243 vs RHH, .198 last 30 days.  I admittedly dont know too much about Munoz and have never seen him pitch but his line looked good.  Grade: B; 2016: Clearwater

Matt Hockenberry, 24, Phils 9th round pick in 2014; 42G, 4-4 with a 2.24ERA; 19/22SV; 52.1IP 34H 19BB 51K; 1HR allowed; .186 opp avg; 1.01 WHIP; 1.68 GO/AO; 3.3BB/8.8Kper 9; .207 vs LHH, .168 vs RHH, .167 last 30 days; .209 with RISP.  Quite honestly, I don’t know what more the Phils were looking for out of Hockenberry and was very surprised he was not promoted during the season.  He was consistent all year other than a very short stretch when he was injured, bounced back very strongly after a DL stint and was the primary closer throughout most of the season for Lakewood.  One homer allowed in over 50 innings to go along with a strikeout rate approaching one per inning, while holding the opposition below the Mendoza line.  Grade: A; 2016: Hockenberry’s age is what is working against him, however the calendar is out of his control and he can only worry about his performance.  No reason he shouldn’t be double bumped to Reading to see what he can do.  Closers mentality. Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Relief Pitchers–LK, WP, GCL →

A friend sent me this article from a newsletter he receives.  In short, the Atlanta Braves are looking into moving their spring training operations from Orlando, FL; and have come up with a proposal that would place them in St. Petersburg, FL by 2018.  Atlanta’s lease with Disney is up at the end of the 2017 season and neither is interested in renewing the lease.

The move would benefit Atlanta (and me) since it would Continue reading Braves Pitch St. Petersburg Sports Complex →

A look at relief pitchers at the upper levels of the organization.  The report on relief pitchers from Lakewood, WIlliamsport and GCL comes Thursday

Lehigh Valley

Jason Berken, 31, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 28G (13 starts); 5-8 with a 4.61ERA; 113.1IP 133H 33BB 78K; 11HR allowed; .291 opp avg; 1.46 WHIP; 0.95 GO/AO; 2.6BB/6.2K per 9; .287 vs LHH; .294 vs RHH, .369 last 30 days; For a good portion of the year, Berken was one of Lehigh Valley’s most dependable starters, but then bouncing between roles and presumably tiring towards years end, he really struggled.  Grade: C; 2016: ANother organization

Chris Leroux, 31, Acquired from Milwaukee in 2015; 22G (3 starts); 3-3 with a 2.82ERA; 60.2IP 47H 19BB 40K; 3HR allowed; .210 opp avg; 1.09 WHIP; 1.67 GO/AO; 2.8BB/5.9K per 9; .150 vs LHH, .314 vs RHH, .159 last 30 days; Acquired mid season because of injuries and call ups, Leroux was asked to do a little of everything and did it well.  Spot starting, long man, late innings, Leroux was effective throughout coming on strong towards the end of the year.  Not overpowering but knows how to pitch.  Grade: B+; 2016: Could get an invite to Spring Training and hold down a Lehigh Valley roster spot depending on needs in March.

Dustin McGowan, 33, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 31G, 2-2 with a 4.08ERA; 15/17SV; 39.2IP 41H 24BB 28K; 1HR allowed; .261 opp avg; 1.64 WHIP; 0.82 GO/AO; For Phils: 14G, 6.94ERA; .296 opp avg; 2.10 WHIP.  I actually expected McGowan to make a big league contribution this season and that dream was put to rest early with extreme ineffectiveness leading to his demotion to Lehigh Valley.  Occasionally effective as a closer for the ‘Pigs, McGowan continued with his inability to throw strikes.  Grade: D; 2016: Elsewhere

Seth Rosin, 26, Re-acquired via Rule 5 return in 2014; 47G; 4-3 with a 3.29ERA; 3/5SV; 68.1IP 76H 21BB 49K; 4HR allowed; .278 opp avg; 1.42 WHIP; 1.05 GO/AO; .300 vs LHH, .261 vs RHH, .250 last 30 days;2.8BB/6.5K per 9; Rosin had a very mediocre year and looks now to profile as the stereotypical AAAA mid to late inning reliever.  Grade: C; 2016:  Rosin will be a minor league free agent and will go wherever he has the best opportunity.  Not likely to be added to the 40. Continue reading Post Season Report Card-Relief Pitching, LV, REA, and CW →

Lots of talent to talk about here…Remember grades are based on expectations against the player themselves (pre-season) not against each other.  Next up: Relievers (LV, REA and CW), likely Tuesday.

Clearwater

Aaron Brown, 23, Phils 3rd round pick in 2014; .257/.324/.406 in 389AB; 11HR 47RBI; 10/18SB; 6%BB/21%K; .285 vs LHP; .242 vs RHP; .300 last 30 days; 104 games in the OF with 2 errors (.992); 6 OF assists; After starting the season slowly and a stint on the DL, Brown came on strong as a very important cog in the Threshers offense towards the end of the year.  He is one of my “under the radar” guys that if given the opportunity could break out next year.  Grade: B-; 2016: Reading

ANdrew Pullin, 22, Phils 5th round pick in 2012; .258/.300/.396 in 493AB; 14HR 73RBI; 1/6SB; 5%BB/15%K; .274 vs LHP; .250 vs RHP; .282 last 30 days; 98 games in the OF with 3 errors (.983); 10 OF assists; Pullin transitioned back to the OF this year and was the Threshers primary LF.  The transition was smooth and Pullin was a consistent key run producer in the Clearwater lineup.  Grade: B-; 2016: Reading

Carlos Tocci, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .287/.339/.363 in 509 AB between Lakewood and Clearwater; 4HR 43RBI; 17/28SB; For CW: .258/.296/.313 in 275AB; 2HR 18RBI; 3/12 SB; 4%BB/18%K rates; 127 games in the OF with 2 errors (.991); 5 OF assists; After almost 1200 plate appearances with Lakewood, Tocci was promoted after putting up outstanding numbers for the BlueClaws early this season.  Still just 20, Tocci’s transition to Clearwater was acceptable but he will need more time in High A before moving up.  His defense remains excellent.  Grade: B+; 2016: Clearwater Continue reading Post Season Report Card–OF, CW, REA and LV →

A look at outfielders in the lower levels.  A reminder that grades are based on performance against was expected pre-season of this player, NOT against others.  Next up will be outfielders at the upper levels.

Lakewood

Jiandido Tromp, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .216/.268/.354 in 412AB; 9HR 44RBI; 10/15SB; 6%BB/27%K; .217 vs LHP; .219 vs RHP; .290 last 30 days; 108 games in the OF with 2 errors (.992); 10 OF assists; After a very good 2014, much was expected of Tromp and took alot longer adjusting to the SAL than many expected.  He did play solid defense and came on at the end of the season. Already with over 1000 minor league at bats, I think he begins back in Lakewood.  Grade: D+

Chase Harris, 24, Phils 14th round pick in 2014; .255/.310/.294 in 310AB between Clearwater and Lakewood; 0HR 23RBI; 21/29SB; 6%BB/16%K; 80 games in the OF with 1 error (.994); 6 OF assists.  Harris was the odd man out in CLearwater, being demoted back to Lakewood when they needed roster space and then getting injured to end the season.  Harris is like many other OF’s in the organization…decent hitting tools, little power, good speed.  He may become victim to the numbers game once again as there are several younger players with similar skill sets.  Grade: C-

Cord Sandberg, 20, Phils 3rd round pick in 2013; .255/.303/.345 in 499AB; 5HR 59RBI; 5/12SB; 5%BB/17%K; .222 with RISP; .218 vs LHP; .269 vs RHP; .243 last 30 days; 120 games in the OF with 4 errors (.983); 13 OF assists.  Mediocirty for Sandberg this year, who showed his true potential in spurts and then really struggled in others. Grade: C; 2016: Clearwater

Herlis Rodriguez, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .294/.339/.425 in 445AB; 10HR 61RBI; 16SB; 6%BB/15%K; .326 vs LHP; .282 vs RHP; .297 since Aug 1; 98 games in the OF with 6 assists (.967); 21 OF assists; Rodriguez had an outstanding year in all aspects of his game, hitting for average, showing his speed and even hitting for some power.  He led all Phils minor league OF in assists as well.  After missing most of 2014, he is back on track.  Grade: A; 2016: Likely Clearwater, outside shot at a double bump to Reading. Continue reading Post Season Report Card–OF, GCL, WPORT and LAKEWOOD →