A first look at catchers throughout the organization.  Definitely more optimism than the lot of middle infielders, although currently no true stand out.  Next Up: STarting Pitching.

Lehigh Valley

Koyie Hill, 35, Acquired from Washington  in 2014; .298/.366/.464 in 84 AB’s; 2HR 14RBI; 10%bb/24%k rates; .211 vs. LHP, .323 vs. RHP; .423 with RISP. 22 games at C with 1 error (.993); 2 passed balls; 7/17(41%) CS;  Hill has played much more than expected due to Rupp’s injury and has been outstanding in the role he has been asked to fill,  With Rupp now back in the lineup, expect  Hill to be used twice a week.

Sebastian Valle, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2006; .227/.245/.455 in 44AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2HR 12RBI; 4%bb/22%k rates.  12 games at C with 1 error (.988); 1 passed ball; 2/7(29%) CS; Valle has been relegated to a back up role at both Reading and Lehigh Valley, playing once or twice a week.  He shows flashes but has not been playing regularly enough to establish any real consistency.

Cameron Rupp, 25, Phils 3rd round pick in 2010; .259/.459/.778 in 27 AB’s; 4HR 9RBI; 9 games at C with no errors; 0 passed balls; 1/5(20%); CS; Just returned yesterday after missing a little over a month with an oblique injury. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →

A look at the time period covering games played May 8-14…Random thoughts…In a year where he is repeating a level, Carlos Tocci‘s numbers are quickly becoming problematic….JP Crawford continuing to do what he does…I am about to begin my now yearly crusade of promoting giving Cesar Jiminez a shot in the Phils ‘pen…About as poor a line as you can get from Severino Gonzalez this week…Kenny Giles stays on the hot list, even during a week where he transitions to AAA…Two names I expected alot more from are Kyle SImon and Seth Rosin….After a slow start, STeve Susdorf showing again that he can flat out hit.  Unfortunately, no power and little speed.

Hot Hitters:(Min 12 AB’s) Steve Susdorf (.500, 6R); Ronny Cedeno (.400, 6RBI); Maikel Franco (.357, 7RS HR 6RBI); JP Crawford (.353); Carlos Alonso (.333, 2HR 4RBI); Pete Lavin (.333); Tyson Gillies (.333, 6R)

Not Hot Hitters:Carlos Tocci (.042); Logan Moore (.078);  Edgar Duran (.100); Harold Martinez (.111); Aaron Altherr(.125); Matt Tolbert (.133); Andrew Pullin (.143); Brian Pointer (.154); Samuel Hiciano (.167); Wilmer Oberto (.167); Willie Carmona (.167)

Hot Starting Pitchers: Drew ANderson (6IP 4H 1ER 2BB 6K); Sean O’Sullivan (7IP 5H 2ER 3BB 2K); Hoby Milner (7IP 5H 2ER 3BB 2K); Barry Enright (7IP 7H 2ER 1BB 2K) Honorable Mention: Paulino Continue reading Hot or Not →

Lehigh Valley had a very good week, going 5-2, and are now  20-18, 2 games behind division leading Buffalo in the Northern DIvision of the International League.  The ‘Pigs remain home through Friday with three more against Scranton before heading to Buffalo for a four game series.

‘Pigs League Leaders: Maikel Franco is 4th in AB’s (141) and 8th in doubles (10); Tyler Hensen is 9th in runs(23), 9th in SLG (.500) and 4th in SB’s (10)

Pitching: Luis Garcia is 5th in saves (6); Barry Enright is 5th in HR allowed (6).

‘Pigs Prospects:Jon Pettibone has been solid but has been unable to go more than 5.1 innings in any start but one this year.  In 5 starts, Pettibone is 2-0 with a 3.42 ERA and a WHIP that sits at 1.06.  Opponents are hitting just .224 against him and he is walking just 2.1 per nine innings.  Overall excellent results but needs to stretch himself out a bit more after missing some time in SPring Training. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

This was one of the more depressing exercises in my recent existance with JP Crawford saving me from a complete malaise.  Next up will be catchers.

Lehigh Valley

Ronny Cedeno, 31, Acquired as a free agent in 2014; .198/.244/.247 in 81 AB’s; 0HR 8RBI; 6%bb/19%K rates; .148 vs. LH; .222 vs. RHP. 20 games at SS with 3 errors (.963);  2 games at 2B without an error; Cedeno has been a small step above awful thus far

Freddy Galvis, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2006; Went 1-7 before going down with a broken collarbone in Saturdays game.  Expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

Matt Tolbert, 32, Signed as a free agent in 2013; .220/.292/.237 in 59 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 0HR 1RBI; 1SB; 8%bb/11%k rates.  6 games at 2B with 1 error (.933); 6 games at 3B without an error; 4 games in the OF without an error; Has been adequate in limited playing time.

DL: Andreas Blanco

Reading

Carlos Alonso, 25, Phils 32nd round pick in 2010; .283/.369/.372 in 113 AB’s; 1HR 9RBI; 3SB; 11%bb/17%k rates; .229 vs. LHP; .311 vs. RHP; .275 in May. 17 games at 2B with 2 errors (.977);  12 games at 3B with 3 errors (.857); Alonso has been solid and dependable playing nearly every day for the Fightins. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

A first look at corner infielders throughout the system.  Next up will be middle infield, early next week.

Lehigh Valley

Maikel Franco, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2010; .215/.280/.322 in 121 AB’s; 2HR 10RBI; 1SB; 8%bb/18%k rates; .222 vs. LHP; .212 vs. RHP; .176 with RISP. 24 games at 3B with 2 errors (.970); 7 games at 1B without an error;  A very disappointing first 6 weeks for Franco, but some recent signs of life to hang onto.  He ultimately will come around, question is how long it takes.

Jim Murphy, 28, Phils 17th round pick in 2006; .277/.354/.482 in 112 AB’s; 4HR 18RBI; 9%bb/23%K rates; .200 vs. LHP; .312 vs. RHP; .273 with RISP; .321 in May.  26 games at 1B without an error; Murphy has been one of the most consistent performers for Lehigh Valley this year swinging a good bat and playing well at 1B.

Reading

Cesar Hernandez, Soon to be 24, Signed as a free agent in 2006; .353/.423/.518 in 85 AB’s; 3HR 13RBI; 1/3 SB; 11%bb/11%k rates; .367 vs. LHP; .345 vs. RHP; .368 with RISP. 14 games at 3B with 7 errors (.829); 7 games at SS with 1 error (.962); 2 games at 2B without an error;  Hernandez has simply scalded the ball since being sent to the minors in mid April.  The Phils have tried to get him acclimated at 3B and that has proven to be an uphill battle with some significant troubles at the hot corner.

Chris Serritella, 24, Phils 4th round pick in 2012; .216/.260/370 in 46 AB’s; 2HR 7RBI; 6%bb/32%k rates.  3 games at 1B with 1 error; Has shown very little in his limited playing time this year. Has been used almost exclusively at DH. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →

A look at the time period of May 1 thru May 7.  Some quick notes….How is Cesar Hernandez not in Philly.  He is mashing in the minors and has shown he can hit major league pitching. I simply can’t comprehend why they are choosing to not put their best 25 players in Philadelphia…And on that note, on to Luis Garcia, who has yet to allow an earned run pitching in AAA and has converted 9 of 10 save opportunities over two year.  Can he not do what SHawn Camp and Jeff Manship do?…When does JP Crawford get moved up?  My thought is there is zero reason to rush and I would let him get another 100-150 AB’s in Lakewood…Perci Garner’s start this week opened some eyes.  It will be interesting to see how he follows up….I would think the day is coming sooner rather than later where Brody Colvin is no longer with the organization.  He $600K plus bonus is the reason he is currently around…Finally, for the first time in “Hot or Not” history, there were no “not hot” hitters, meaning that no hitter in the Phils organization during the time period discussed hit under .200 in a minimum of 12 AB’s. Kind of remarkable.

Hot Hitters: Min 12 AB’s; Cesar Hernandez (.524, 5R 2HR 6RBI); JP Crawford (.433, 5R 1HR 5RBI, SB); Tommy Joseph (.375); Matt Tolbert (.368); Tyler Henson (.347, 5R 3HR 9RBI); Aaron Altherr (.346, HR, 7RBI, SB); Willians Astudillo (.345, 5R 1HR 8RBI); Dylan Cozens (.333); Andrew Pullin (.320, 2HR); Honorable Mention: Duran, Franco, Lavin

Not Hot Hitters: None

Hot Starters: Perci Garner (6IP 2H 0ER 2BB 9K); David Buchanan (6IP 7H 1ER 1BB 6K); Colin Kleven (6IP 6H 1ER 0BB 2K); Jesse Biddle (7IP 3H 2ER 3BB 6K)

Not Hot Starters: Miguel Nunez (4.2IP 9H 8ER 1BB 1K); Mark Leiter (2 starts, 5IP 9H 9ER 2BB 5K); Mike Nesseth (2IP 4H 5ER 3BB 1K); Brody Colvin (4IP 6H 5ER 2BB 0K); Ranfi Casimiro (5IP 9H 5ER 1BB 4K); Alejandro Arteaga (5.2IP 6H 6ER); Hoby Milner (2 starts, 12.1IP 15H 9ER 6BB 8K) Continue reading Hot or Not →

We are now right abouta month from the MLB First Year Player Draft.  There are many mock drafts floating around the internet so lets see who they have going at #7.  Remember that these are not necessarily who the Phillies have been linked to, it is also an interpretation of how other players are slotting into picks.  As always these mocks are subject to seismic changes over the next month, so don’t panic.

MLB Draft Insider – Chris Crawford (5/7/14)

Bradley Zimmer – CF – University of San Francisco

Baseball Prospectus – Bret Sayre (making the pick) (5/7/14)

Alex Jackson – C/RF – Rancho Bernardo HS (San Diego, CA) Continue reading Looking at Some Mock Drafts →

The ‘Pigs continued their eight game road trip in CHarlotte Monday and Tuesday, losing both games  after sweeping Gwinnett over the weekend and now stand at 15-16 and in last place of the Northern Division of the International League but just four games behind division leading Buffalo.  Lehigh Valley finishes their series with CHarlotte on Thursday and then returns home for an 8 game home stand against Gwinnett and Scranton that begins on Friday evening.

‘Pigs Leaders: Hitting: Maikel Franco is 9th in AB’s (113); Reid Brignac is 5th in runs (20); Jim Murphy is 5th in doubles (9); Clete Thomas is 4th in walks (20) and 4th in steals(8); Tyler Henson is 9th in SLG (.524).

Pitching: David Buchanan is 3rd in wins (4); Luis Garcia is 5th in saves (5); Sean O’Sullivan in 9th in IP (35.0); Barry Enright is 4th in HR allowed (5).

Pigs Prospects: Maikel Franco is showing improvement at .209/.263/.327 on the year and .300 over his last 10 games but in not nearly where we thought he would be at this stage.  His K rate (21%) is not all that problematic, but he has struggled to make solid contact for a good portion of the year before just recently.  Franco has 2HR 10RBI and is hitting just .188 with RISP. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →