We have about a month of games on the system plus spring training so it is time to take a quick look at the system and some starts to the season.  I am going to start with the cold starters and on Wednesday look at some guys doing what we thought they should do and on Friday look at the guys getting off to great starts.

Slow starts don’t necessarily derail a year or even mean much.  However, there is information to be had especially when looking at what has changed or not changed about a prospect coming into the year.

Don’t Panic:

Tommy Joseph – It hasn’t look great for Joseph to this point, at the plate he is batting .204/.259/.389.  In a small sample size the strikeout rate is a little up and the walk rate is down, the BABIP is also only .211 but he is hitting for power closer to his year in the Cal League.  The receiving is a problem and always will be, but it should improve over time and the passed balls have dropped considerably since the first week.  He may not be ready as quickly as some people may like but it is just a slow start for the 21 year old in AAA. Continue reading Taking Stock A Month In – Slow Starts →

Most of the Phillies’ April was a Waste Land, don’t you agree? Hopefully summer will surprise us. With wins.

Before really ramping into 2013 draft coverage I am going to look back on some prototypical Phillies draft types.  The goal is to find a pattern of success or failure and see if there is a trend in the developmental process.  I am going to look at the tools that caused them to be drafted and how amateur scouts saw them, how they looked a year later when professional scouts had a chance to look them over, and then how it all ended up.

One of the most common complaints of Phillies drafts have been their drafting of “toolsy” outfielders, that just don’t know how to play baseball.  There have been some disastrous picks such as Greg Golson, which is where this series will begin, with the 2004 draft.  Not all of these players were “toolsy” but it should get a larger picture of the type of players drafted and how it turned out.

Greg Golson  – 1st round 2004

What Got him Drafted: 70+ speed, 60 hit / 60 power projection, 60 arm, 60 defense

A Year Later: While the other tools remained the hit tool projection took a big step back when his pitch recognition was not where scouts thought it was.  He struck out 106 times in 401 PAs.

How’d it end up: The Phillies traded him in 2008 for John Mayberry Jr.  He has bounced around organizations since as a AAAA player who can play CF and steal bases.  The hit tool never materialized. Continue reading Draft Retrospective: “Toolsy” Outfielders →

A look at the time period from April 18-24.  Quick Thoughts…I had the opportunity to watch Jesse Biddle live for the first time on Monday evening, and having seen thousands of baseball games, his performance ranks right near the top.  Keep in mind it is one outing, but a pitcher that has the ability to do what he did, is worth being very excited about….Aaron Altherr has been showing all the tools, and its worth starting to follow him every day…After quick starts, Hewitt and Quinn land on the “Not Hot” list this week….There was a good deal of excitement last year about Tyler Knigge who has struggled out of the gate this year, with another difficult week.

Hot Hitters:Cody Asche (.478); Aaron ALtherr (.444, 6R, 4RBI, 2SB);  Carlos Alonso (.417, 5R 5RBI)Jermaine Mitchell (.417, 4R 3RBI, 2SB); Jim Murphy (.400, 4R, HR, 4RBI); Derrick Mitchell (.400); Art Charles (.391, 5RBI) Cesar Hernandez (.391, 3R, SB);Jon Roof (.375); ALbert Cartwright (.360, 6R);  Honorable Mention:Mojica,  Gillies, Perkins, Numata, Mora Continue reading Hot or Not →

Lehigh Valley began an eight game road trip against Indianapolis with a rain out last evening  and  stand at 7-10, 5.5 games behind division leading Buffalo in the Northern Division of the International League.  The road trip continues with four in Indianapolis, followed by four in Louisville.

‘Pigs League Leaders:Cesar Hernandez is 4th in hits (22); Darin Ruf is tied for 3rd in doubles (6); Cody Overbeck is tied for 5th in HR (4); Tyler Cloyd is tied for 2nd in losses (3), has the 2nd worst WHIP (1.95); 3rd worst in ERA (7.65), tied for 2nd in HR allowed (3) and is 7th in strikeouts (19); Adam Morgan is 4th in ERA (1.42) and is 8th in WHIP (0.84); Jake Diekman is tied for 2nd in games (8).

‘Pigs Prospects: Cody Asche has hit in 6 consecutive games, hitting .417 (10-24) over that time period.  After a slow start, Asche seems to be making the adjustment to AAA pitching. Asche is now at .279/.353/.393 with 1HR and 7 RBI on the year. Additionally, he works very hard, as one of the first one the field each and every day. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

There has been a lot of talk lately about bringing up Adam Morgan, however he requires a spot on the 40 man roster.  This isn’t a deal breaker but it does provide an excuse to reevaluate the 40 man roster as there has been some definite shifts early in the system.  Currently the roster stands at 41 players due to Carlos Ruiz’s suspension.

The Locks (22):

Erik Kratz, Carlos Ruiz, Kevin Frandsen, Freddy Galvis, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Michael Young, Domonic Brown, Ben Revere, Darin Ruf, Mike Adams, Phillipe Aumont, Antonio Bastardo, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, John Lannan, Cliff Lee, Ethan Martin, Jonathan Pettibone, Jonathan Papelbon

Likely Locks (9):

Sebastian Valle, Zach Collier, Cesar Hernandez, and Tyson Gillies – Four prospects who have either have value or have the tools/ceiling to have a major league future.  None will be difference makers but have too much value to throw to the side. Continue reading The 40 Man Roster Numbers Game →

Bucs starting tonight. Truly the finest cross-state rivalry in town except hockey and maybe football if they played more. But def. better than basketball.

Instant Reaction: For the start on Monday this was the best decision.  Morgan was out of the picture for this start and while Martin has the stuff the command is still needing a lot.  Pettibone brings more to the table than Cloyd and will likely have the opportunity to stick around if he can pitch well.  If he cannot stick they will have the opportunity to mess with the rotation enough to bring up Adam Morgan.

This probably signals the end of Cloyd with the Phillies, because he has now been passed by the next wave of pitchers.  With the hot starts by Savery and Robles, Cloyd likely is now towards the top of the list on players most likely to be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Adam Morgan and eventually Cody Asche and Tommy Joseph. Continue reading Jonathan Pettibone Called Up To Make Big-League Debut on Monday →

A look back at the time period of 4/11/13 through 4/17/13). A few quick points: First, Who the heck is Jose Mojica.  Second, Anthony Hewitt appears on the hot list again to keep his hot start going. Third, Adam Morgan was simply dominant in his start this week.  Morgan is pitching again today. Does he get the call if Lannan is out for an extended period? Fourth, great to see Nick Hernandez back on the Hot List after a long rehab from a significant injury. Finally, Maikel Franco is really worth watching.

Hot Hitters: Albert Cartwright (.500, 4R, HR, 2RBI, SB); Jose Mojica (.500, 6r); Josh Fields (.444, 7R 2HR 8RBI, SB);  Maikel Franco (.414, 4R 1HR 6RBI); Carlos Alonso (.364, 5R 1HR 5RBI); Art Charles (.346, 6R 2HR 7RBI); Aaron Altherr (.346, 5R 1HR 4RBI); Cameron Perkins (.346, 4R 1HR 7RBI); Jon Roof (.348); Anthony Hewitt (.333, 4SB); Honorable Mention: Duran Continue reading Hot or Not →

Larry Greene Promoted to Lakewood:

As per his twitter account Larry Greene is heading north to join the Blueclaws.  Greene showed up out of shape to play the OF and was held back to work on his conditioning before being sent to full season ball.  Greene’s 2012 was slightly disappointing because his raw power did not show up in games but he did more than hold his own in Williamsport showing good patience at the plate albeit with a high strikeout rate as well.  If he is going to succeed he is going to have to prove that he does not have a slow bat, and that he can identify his pitches to drive.  Even if his long term destination is first base the Phillies are determined to keep him in the OF as long as possible. Continue reading News, Notes, and Reactions →