There really is no bigger boom or bust day in professional sports than the opening of baseball’s international signing period on July 2.  Starting tomorrow teams will sign 16 year olds to contracts for hundreds of thousands of dollars hoping they have found the kid with superstar potential.  Many won’t get past complex league,  others will change body shape too much, more will fail to go from showcase player to baseball player, but some will emerge as real prospects.  The amount of ways to bring talent into your system are finite and the international signing period remains one of the most exploitable.

The Phillies have been more aggressive in recent years signing three “top” players in 2012 in RF Jose Pujols, C Deivi Grullon, and RHP Lewis Alezones, in addition to 100k+ signees Gregori Rivero and Wilker Isavas.  While they may not sign the top player available they certainly will spend close to their allotted slot money on guys more in the 50k-200k range.  Continue reading July 2 Preview →

A look at the week of June 21-27.  Quick thoughts….Franco is certainly making the #1 prospect in the organization a debate….and with Franco’s promotion, Harold Martinez gets hot for the first time in his career…Hoby Milners negative turn around is concerning. I think he may be injured with the lack of K’s and increased walk rate over the last couple of starts.

Hot Hitters: Maikel Franco (.483, 5R 3HR 7RBI); Harold Martinez (.433); Willie Carmona (.417, 4R HR, 6RBI); Brock Stassi (.412); Larry Greene Jr, (.393); ANgelo Mora (.389, 5R 2HR 7RBI, 2SB); Aaron ALtherr (.379, HR, 5RBI); Brian Pointer (.357, 5RBI); Miguel ABreu (.357); Anthony Hewitt (.348, 3HR 7RBI); Honorable Mention: Ruf, Susdorf, Moore, Gillies, Valle, Oberto, Parr Continue reading Hot or Not →

The ‘Pigs returned home with a 3-1 loss against Durham on Tuesday night after a successful 5-3 road trip. On the year, Lehigh Valley now sits at 41-37 and in 2nd place of the Northern Division of the International League, 7 games behind division leading Pawtucket. The ‘Pigs currently lead the wild card race by one game, and play at home through next Wednesday.

‘Pigs Prospects:Darin Ruf has had a good June, hitting .291 for the month after his 0-4 last night. I certainly did not expect anywhere near 2012 power numbers but Ruf’s 2013 numbers have been lower than I thought. 2 homers for the month of June thus far and 7HR 38RBI thru the half way mark of the IronPigs season.  Ruf is hitting .266/.346/.418 on the year with a 11%bb rate and a 26% K rate. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Stats are thru Saturday June 22, 2013.  Min 130AB and 27IP. The story here is obviously 1) Maikel Franco and 2) the lack of a pitching story.

Hitters: Hits: Maikel Franco (83); James Murphy (79); Cody Asche (75); Aaron Altherr (73); Chris Serritella (72); Cesar Hernandez (68); Cameron Perkins (67); Darin Ruf (67); Carlos ALonso (66); Willie Carmona (64).

Runs: Carlos Alonso (47); Maikel Franco (43); Aaron Altherr (41)’ Art Charles (41); Albert Cartwright (39); Jermaine Mitchell (39); Darin Ruf (37); James Murphy (36); Roman Quinn (36); Cody Asche (34)

Doubles: Maikel Franco (23); Aaron ALtherr (21); Cameron Perkins (18);  Darin Ruf (18); Art Charles (18); Cody Overbeck (17); Cody Asche (15); James Murphy (15); Mitch Walding (15) Continue reading Phils Minor League Leaders →

A second look at relief pitchers throughout the organization. Once depth filled, there is now reason for legitimate concern at the upper levels of the organization.  Williamsport and GCL are not included but will be on the next trip around.

Lehigh Valley

Phillipe Aumont, 24, Acquired from Seattle in 2009; 10 games, 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and 2 saves; 9.1IP 9H 14BB 13K; 1.14 GO/AO; .250 opp. avg. .375 vs. LH, .150 vs. RH. Until Aumont is able gain an idea about where the ball is going, this is where he will stay.  Last couple of outings have been a bit better, but has walked 14 in nine innings since being sent down.

Justin Friend, 27, Selected in the 2010 Minor League Rule 5 draft; 25 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 4-2 with a 4.97 ERA; 38IP 36H 27BB 30K; 2.33 GO/AO; .250 opp. avg., 6.4BB/7.1K per nine; 1.66 WHIP;  .298 vs. LH, .182 vs. RH, .246 with RISP; 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA over his last 10 games. Friend has been very effective as of late but the walks have really inhibited his success this year.  Continue reading Around the System–Relief Pitchers →

A look back at the week of June 13-19.  A few quick hitters…its very hard to think that Larry Greene will turn it around. Between the brutal numbers and showing up out of shape to Spring Training, I have about written him off…Zambrano should go up. Not sure if immediately in the rotation but he has to be able to help in some way…The enigma that is Brody Colvin continues to cause me to scratch my head…Am I wrong to be very excited about Severino Gonzalez?Mike Nesseth is a name to watch…he knows how to pitch.

Hot Hitters, Min 12 AB’s: Willie Carmona (.667, HR 5RBI); Chris Serritella (.462); Carlos Tocci (.417); Josh Fields (.400, 4RBI); Jim Murphy (.381, 2HR 7RBI); Edgar Duran (.368); Tyler Henson (.357, 3SB); Zach Green (.357); Gustavo Martinez (.357); Mitch Walding (.333, 5R 1HR 3RBI); Honorable Mention: Overbeck Continue reading Hot or Not →

A solid 4-2 week for Lehigh Valley after their 3-0 shutout victory behind Carlos Zambrano on Tuesday. Lehigh Valley is now 37-34 and tied for 2nd place in the Northern Division of the International League, 5 games behind division leading Pawtucket at the half way mark of the season.  The ‘Pigs have two more games against Toledo before moving along to Columbus where they will play four games and conclude their 8 game road trip next Monday. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

I was planning on releasing this list closer to the end of June but Brad mentioned it might be beneficial to do one ranking now and one in early August after the deadline when we have seen how the guys in Williamsport and the GCL fair.  I have not included any player with major league service time in 2013 or any 2013 draftees (I will address them after this list).  I have tried to avoid making any rash changes in rankings based purely on stats and have tried to let the tools and profile do the talking.

1. Jesse Biddle (Pre-season #1) – Biddle’s profile hasn’t changed a ton.  The curveball and fastball have been better than the past, but the changeup and command still have a ways to go.  It is encouraging that he has really missed bats at a level where they can punish a hanging breaking ball.

2. Maikel Franco (Pre-season #6) – I really liked Franco pre-season and somehow I kept putting guys over him.  He is a monster at the plate with plenty of glove for third.  It is true impact potential and he was way too low on the first list. Continue reading Midseason Top 20 →

A look at starting pitching around the system. Next trip around will include Williamsport and GCL.

Lehigh Valley

Tyler Cloyd, 26, Phils 18th round pick in 2008; 7 starts; 1-4 with a 6.57 ERA; 38.1IP 51H 12BB 35K; 9 HR allowed; 0.83 GO/AO; .315 opp. avg., 1.64 WHIP; 2.8BB/8.2K per nine.  Cloyd returned just yesterday to Lehigh Valley after spending several weeks in the Phils rotation and doing a good job for the Phils. Ironically, he was doing a less than good job for the ‘Pigs when he was called up, but kudos for good work for the big club.

Carlso Zambrano, 32, SIgned as a free agent in 2013; 4 starts; 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA between Clearwater, Reading and Lehigh Valley; 21.1IP 14H 11BB 17K. Zambrano was less than impressive in his last start for Lehigh Valley (5IP 4H 2ER 4BB 5K) and will have to take it up a notch to displace Pettibone from the Phils rotation. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching →