The Phillies have called up 2014 1st round pick Aaron Nola and he is expected to make his major league debut next Tuesday against Tampa at Citizens Bank Park.  Nola’s quick rise through the system has been well documented with him going 10-4 with a 2.39 ERAin 18 combined starts between Reading and Lehigh Valley this year.  His outing last night for Lehigh Valley was perhaps his worst outing of the year (3IP 7H 5ER 2BB 3K), however it should be nothing more than a blip on the radar screen.  Over the last year, Nola has proven that he has big league stuff and big league stuff that is ready now.  With the horrendous condition of the Phils pitching staff and the manner in which Nola’s production has come (great stuff and great pitching IQ), it is time.

With the big club historically putrid, lets look at several moves to make to help move the proverbial ball forward, primarily to help gauge what we may have in the future with several “test” projects that we wouldn’t typically allow for in July.

1.  SP Aaron Nola to Philadelphia–Nola is a guy that will gain nothing more from a half dozen minor league starts.  He is a polished pitcher with less than overpowering stuff that will be a very good major league pitcher, hopefully for the next decade.  With the absolute pounding the bullpen is taking, there is no reason not to add stability into a rotation that has been anything but.

2.  RP Nefi Ogando to Philadelphia–Ogando is on the 40 man and performed well this year at Reading and in his first half dozen AAA appearances.  Put simply, what is the downside?  Send Hector Neris down and move Ogando up.

3.  RP Adam Loewen to Philadelphia–If not now, then in September.  Loewen signed a two year minor league contract last season and had a good year last year and has been borderline incredible over the last 6 weeks in Lehigh Valley, as a dominating lefty out of the bullpen.  This prevents another Jason Grilli/RyanVogelsong/Brandon Moss situation by simply giving him a shot in the majors.

4.  OF Aaron Altherr to Philadelphia–He is having an outstanding year, improving in all aspects of his game.  Likely not a long term answer as a starting OF, but also likely better than the AAAA guys thrown out there day after day.

5.  OF Kelly Dugan to Lehigh Valley–Dugan has proven he can hit AA pitching,  He needs to show he can stay on the field and hit with some power.

6.  RP Joe Denato and Matt Hockenberry from Lakewood to Clearwater-Clearwater can use some help in the bullpen and both of these guys are beyond ready.  Both were established  college pitchers who, when healthy, have dominated the competition at this level.  Challenge them.

7.  RP Tyler Gilbert and Anthony Sequeira from Williamsport to Lakewood–Both 2015 draft picks and both have been lights out in the early going.  With too many pitchers and not enough work, allow Gilbert and Sequeira to backfill for Denato and Hockenberry in the Lakewood ‘pen.

Hello, its me. Since we last chatted, a lot has happened. The draft has come and gone, Andy McPhail has arrived, and the Phillies have lost a ton of baseball games. Today is the Futures Game, which means we’ll see JP Crawford (for a while) and Aaron Nola (probably not at all) and we’ll dream about what could be in the future. In the spirit of thinking about the future, I’m going to provide the blueprint for rebuilding the Phillies. I had originally intended to put this into a Powerpoint presentation which would have been part of my application for the Phillies GM job, but I just don’t think I can leave my current job. So, my loss is the Phillies gain, as I’m giving away the blueprint for free. You’re welcome, Andy. Details below the fold

Continue reading The blueprint to rebuild the Phillies →

Lehigh Valley has been playing well at long last having won 9 of their last 11 games and are 17-9 over their last 25 games.  Unfortunately, the recent hot streak is not enough to overcome an abysmal start and Lehigh Valley currently sits at 38-50 and in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 9 games behind division leading Rochester.  Lehigh Valley completes a three game series at home against Pawtucket tonight before heading to Pawtucket for three over the weekend.  The International League All Star Game is next week, creating a three day break for the ‘Pigs next Monday thru Wednesday.

News and Notes: Lehigh Valley has double digit hits in 10 of their last 11 games.

–Over the last month, INF Russ Canzler is hitting .312 with 4HR 20RBI, 16RS and 10 doubles. (34-114)

–INF Chase D’Arnaud has a team leading 24 multi hit games,  including four consecutive multi hit games this past week.  Since becoming a regular in mid May, D’Arnaud leads the league in runs scored.

—Jesse Biddle made his AAA debut last night and it was not pretty.  He last just 2.1 innings and gave up 7 runs on 5 hits, walking six and striking out a lone batter.  He threw 73 pitches, just 33 for strikes.  In 15 starts in Reading, Biddle was 7-2 with a 4.23ERA and 1.54 WHIP.  Biddle’s command and confidence remain the two major issues that must be addressed for long term success. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

A look at starting pitching in the upper parts of the organization.

Lehigh Valley

Aaron Nola, 22, Phils 1st round pick in 2014; 16 starts between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 10-3 with a 1.97ERA; 100.1IP 83H 14BB 83K; 5HR allowed; .230 opp avg; 0.97 WHIP; 1.2BB/7.5K per 9;  For Lehigh Valley, 4 starts, 3-0 with a 2.28ERA; .264 opp avg; 1.23 WHIP; .231 vs LH, .288 vs RH.  You cant ask for much more out of Nola.  He has impressed consistently all season long.

Severino Gonzalez, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 9 starts for Lehigh Valley, 1-4 with a 4.38ERA; 51.1IP 53H 12BB 27K; 5HR allowed; 2.1BB/4.7K per 9; .268 opp avg; 1.27 WHIP; 0.65 GO/AO; .282 vs LH, .257 vs RH, .250 last 30 days.  Gonzalez has bounced back and forth between Philly and Lehigh Valley and has taken a beating in the big leagues.  Just 22, he needed this full season to develop in AAA and hasn’t been given that opportunity.

Anthony Vasquez, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 17 games (11 starts) between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 5-3 with a 3.95ERA; 70.2IP 63H 26BB 46K; 3.3BB/5.9K per 9; .246 opp avg; 1.26 WHIP; 0.97 GO/AO; For LV: 9 starts, 4-3 with a 4.96ERA; 45.1IP 43H 21BB 31K; .254 opp avg; 1.41 WHIP; 4.2BB/6.2K per 9; .306 vs LH, .241 vs RH, .326 last month.  After pitching very well in Reading and equally well in his first few outings in AAA, Vazquez has struggled of late.

Jason Berken, 31, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 17 games (8 starts); 5-5 with a 3.33ERA; 73.1IP 73H 21BB 48K; 2.6BB/5.9K per 9; .262 opp avg; 1.29 WHIP; 0.95 GO/AO; .262 vs LH, .261 vs RH; .222 last 30 days;  Berken is 4-2 with a 2.27ERA as a starter and has been one of the rare pitchers who have performed consistently well for the ‘Pigs this year.  No reason that Berken shouldnt get a shot with the big club this year based on his performance, the fact that he has major league experience and the further fact that the Phils desperately need someone to eat innings.

David Buchanan, 26, Phils 7th round pick in 2010; 4 starts, 2-0 with a 2.53ERA; 21.1IP 28H 4BB 14K; 1.7BB/5.9K per 9; .311 opp avg; 1.50 WHIP; 1.29 GO/AO; Buchanan just returned with a very good start after missing close to two months with a significant ankle sprain.  With three or four good starts, he will quickly be back in Philly.

Reading

Zach Eflin, 21, Acquired from Padres in 2015; 14 starts, 5-4 with a 2.88ERA; 84.1IP 77H 16BB 42K; .244 opp avg; 1.10 WHIP; 1.11 GO/AO; 1.7BB/4.5K per 9; .308 vs LHP; .189 vs RH; .286 last 30 days; 6 HR allowed; .302 with RISP.  The bottom line from Eflin looks very good. Absent one awful outing, the bottom line would be excellent.

Ben Lively, 23, Acquired from Reds in 2015; 16 starts, 7-6 with a 3.76ERA; 95.2IP 100H 31BB 66K; 8HR allowed; .279 opp avg; 1.37 WHIP; 0.91 GO/AO; 2.9BB/6.2K per 9; .291 vs LH, .269 vs RH, .296 last 30 days; .203 with RISP.  Lively’s performance with RISP accounts for his low ERA which he should be lauded for.  His peripherals otherwise are adequate but nothing spectacular. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching, LV, REA, CW →

No, Hamels, Papelbon, Utley, Howard, Revere and everyone else on the 25 man roster are still here, but the Phillies did acquire the #1 International Signing Slot from Arizona for the 2015-16 signing period.  In return, the Phils gave up their #9 slot, and Lakewood pitchers Chris Oliver and Josh Taylor.

Oliver was the Phils 4th round pick in 2014 and has been disappointing since coming aboard last year.  Oliver, who is soon to be 22, was 4-5 with a 4.04ERA in his 13 starts.  The problematic part of Oliver’s development has been bb/k ratio.  He is averaging 4.2BB/3.5K per 9 this year which leads to trouble on both ends of the spectrum.  The opposition was batting .291 against Oliver (.352 over the last 30 days).

Josh Taylor, 22,  was an undrafted free agent out of Georgia State and is 4-5 with a 4.63ERA in his 13 starts this year. His bb/k ratio is good at 3.2BB/9.2K per 9 and the opposition was hitting .265 off of him.  Over the last 30 days, Taylor is holding the opposition to an average of just .213.

The ‘Pigs are in the midst of an eight game home stand that concludes Friday and they are currently 4-2 on the home stand and 33-48 on the year, still in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 11 games behind division leading Rochester. Lehigh Valley visits Rochester for three games Saturday thru Monday before returning home for three against Pawtucket.

News and Notes: Many thought that OF Brian Bogusevic would exercise his July 1 opt out option, however, he has chosen to remain in the Phillies organization.  While details of discussions were not given, my “educated?” guess is that Bogusevic was given a guarantee of sorts that if his production remained consistent he would come up to Philly come September 1, if not sooner.

—Cord Phelps has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games (.383, and is now above .255 for the first time this year. Notably, he has 14 RBI in his last 11 games after an Asche like 9RBI in his first 58 games. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

John Middleton, plurality ownership partner of the Philiadelphia Phillies, announced this afternoon the hiring of Andy MacPhail to succeed Pat Gillick as club President.

MacPhail will serve as Special Assistant to Gillick until the end of the 2015 season.  He will use the time to observe the organization.  Middleton said during the press conference that MacPhail’s primary focus will be on baseball operations.

MacPhail served as the general manager of the Minnesota Twins when they won the 1987 and 1991 World Series. He was president of the Chicago Cubs from 1994-2006, helping them reach the postseason twice. He was president of baseball operations for the Baltimore Orioles from 2007-2011 when he made some of the trades that helped return the team to the postseason.

MacPhail noted that this was the first time the Phillies have gone outside the organization to fill an executive position in … oh, forever?

A look at how catchers around the system are performing.

Lehigh Valley

Gabriel Lino, 22, Acquired from Baltimore in 2012; .266/.319/.387 in 173 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 3HR 22RBI; 7%BB/23%K rates; .266/.294/.313 in 64 AB’s for Lehigh Valley; 50 games caught with 3 errors (.992); 5 passed balls; 23/49 caught stealing (47%).  Lino has done an outstanding job defensively and has more than competent with the bat, raising his stock to the point where a 2016 major league debut in if not likely, than certainly possible.

Logan Moore, 24, Phils 9th round pick in 2011; .219/.282/.314 in 137 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2HR 15RBI; 8%BB/18%K rates; Hitting .214 in 42 AB’s for Lehigh Valley; 39 games caught with 5 errors (.982); 4 passed balls; 18/35 caught stealing (51%).  Moore continues to excel defensively with very little to show with the stick.

Blake Forsythe, 25, Acquired from Oakland in 2015; Hitting .244 with 1HR 4RBI in 41AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 13 games caught with 2 errors (.976); 1 passed ball; Thrown out 5/10(50%) base stealers.  Very limited playing time in his role as 3rd catcher.

Reading

Andy Knapp, 23, Phils 2nd round pick in 2013; .261/.354/.364 in 253 AB’s between CLearwater and Reading; 2HR 29RBI; 11%BB/24%K rates; .216 vs LHP; .288 vs RHP; .243 with RISP; .239 in June; 48 games caught with 6 errors (.984); 3 passed balls; 16/45 (36%) CS.  Decent progression from Knapp who professional career started slowly after Tommy John surgery.  Need to see a bit more from him with the bat. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →

Second look at the system’s middle infielders.  Have at it!

Lehigh Valley

Tyler Henson, 27, Re-signed as a free agent in 2015; .240/.280/.301 in 196 AB’s; 0HR 26RBI; 14SB; 5%BB/23%K rates; .214 vs LHP, .254 vs RHP; .185 in June; .340 with RISP; 30 games at 2B with 10 errors (.942); 5.43 R/F; 18 games in the OF without an error.  After a very good 2014 in Lehigh Valley, Henson has been very average this season, albeit while hitting consistently with RISP.

CHase D’Arnaud, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .272/.308/.324 in 213 AB’s; 1HR 13RBI; 10/15SB; 3%BB/12%K rates; .260 vs LHP; .279 vs RHP; .235 last 30 days; .209 with RISP; 43 games at SS with 12 errors (.944); 4.67 R/F; 8 games at 3B with 1 error; 2 games in the OF without an error.  D’Arnaud has been slightly better than medicore for the ‘Pigs.

Edgar Duran, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2007; .161/.232/.207 in 87AB’s; 0HR 5RBI; 6%BB/12%K rates; .126 vs. LHP; .182 vs RHP; 30 games at SS with 6 errors (.959); 4.73 R/F.  Duran missed a good portion of the early going with hamstring issues.  WHen he has played he continues to be a good fielder with no bat.

Reading

Brodie Greene, 27, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .285/.359/.335 in 200 AB’s between Clearwater and Reading; 0HR 12RBI; 3SB; 10%BB/11%K rate;  For Reading: .273/.354/.335 in 161AB’s; .268 vs LHP; .275 vs RHP; .207 last 30 days; .233 with RISP; 48 games at 2B with 4 errors (.976).  Greene has provided the experienced consistency needed once Carlos Alonso was lost for the season due to injury Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →