Jim, a relocated Philadelphian to the CLearwater area was kind enough to provide some insight as to what is happening at the complex:

“I watched the XST game against the Yankees today (April 15th).  Giles entered the game in the top of the fourth.  He promptly walked the first two batters on 9 pitches.  He seemed to have good velocity, but was delivering high to the hitters.  After the first two hitters, he settled in and retired the next two batters on 6 pitches, both took called third strikes.  He reached a 1-2 count on the fifth hitter, and after a foul ball, surrendered a line drive over the first baseman (Austin Gallagher) down the RF line for a triple and two runs scored. The inning was called after that pitch as Giles had reached 20 pitches.  Giles took the mound again for the fifth inning and retired the first batter on three pitches and a called third strike.  The next batter struck out swinging on a full count.  The the final batter grounded out second to first on a 2-1 pitch. He faced 8 batters in 1.2 innings – 33 pitches/18 strikes, but a very good 24/17 after the first two walks.  He looked good once he got the ball down in the zone. Continue reading Giles, Dugan and other XST Happenings →

Lehigh Valley finishes up their four game series in Pawtucket this evening after going 4-1 this week, which puts the ‘Pigs at 6-5 and in fourth place of the Northern Division of the International League, 2.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket. Lehigh Valley returns home on Thursday evening to open a four game series against Buffalo before they go on a 8 game road trip to Indianapolis and Buffalo.

‘Pigs Leaders: Cesar Hernandez is 3rd in hits (17); Darin Ruf leads the league in doubles (5); Tommy Joseph is 6th in RBI’s (11); Jon Pettibone has the 3rd worst ERA (9.64) and  2nd worst WHIP (2.14);Tyler CLoyd has the 7th worst ERA (7.07), allowed the third most walks (8), has the 7th most strikeouts (15), 7th worst WHIP (1.93) and has allowed the 2nd most HR (3); Jake Diekman has allowed the 4th most walks (8); Adam Morgan has the 3rd best WHIP (0.79). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

A big topic recently with the big league club has been the bullpen.  I am firm believer that the bullpen is a place to get the most value out of players that either have a short shelf life or lack the skills the reach the majors in an expanded role.  One of the most interesting guys is BJ Rosenberg.

How we got here:

Rosenberg was drafted in the 13th round of the 2008 draft as a 5th year senior.  He was a starter to begin his career but ultimately ended up in the bullpen his junior year due to injuries.  In 2009 he made it all the way to Reading and earned him a non-roster invite to Spring Training.  However, 2010 and 2011 were a disaster of injuries and inefficiencies that  saw him move to the rotation for some time.  In 2012 a good year in Lehigh Valley saw him promoted to the big league club for 25 terrible innings (there were some much worst than others).  An injury in big league camp in 2013 derailed his attempt at a bullpen spot to start the season and the Phillies sent him to AAA as a starter. Continue reading Prospect Spotlight: BJ Rosenberg →

I hear Cincinnati is nice this time of year. No wait, that statement is never true. Any time of year. TAKE THAT CINCINNATI!

So let’s talk about baseball.

p.s. I have only been to Cincinnati once, and I had no problems with it.

First edition of hot or not this season as we take a look at the period of 4/4 through 4/10.  Hitters must have a minimum of 12 AB’s to be considered.

Cesar Hernandez impressed at the plate and in the field this week while the Phils athletic outfielders struggled to start the season (Collier, Gillies, Mitchell, Hudson). Exciting starts for Percy Garner and SHane Watson, while the much talked about Lehigh Valley rotation makes up most of the “not hot” starters list.

Hot Hitters:Tyler Henson (.526, HR, 5RBI); Cesar Hernandez (.480, 5R); James Murphy, (.379, HR, 6RBI), Leandro Castro (.348, 4R, 2SB); Anthony Hewitt (.348, 4RBI, 2SB), Roman Quinn (.333, HR, 4RBI, 3SB), Mitch Walding (.333, 6RBI); Aaron Altherr (.333, 4r, 3sb)  Honorable Mention: Rupp, Numata, Ruf Continue reading Hot or Not, Week One →

A new manager, a new starting rotation and a new urinal game are the 2013 features in Allentown as the IronPigs opened the 2013 season, with a fairly miserable week during which they went 2-4 and played very sloppy baseball.  Lehigh Valley stands at 2-4 after Week One, three games behind division leading Pawtucket.  They conclude their first home stand of the season tonight against Pawtucket and then hit the road for 8 games against Syracuse and Pawtucket.

‘Pigs Leaders-Hitting–Cesar Hernandez is 5th in AB’s (25),7th in OBP (.500); 4th in avg (.462);  leads the league in hits (12) , is tied for 4th in doubles (3) Darin Ruf is 6th in AB’s (25), is tied for 4th in doubles (4); Cody Asche 7th in strikeouts (7); Leandro Castro is tied for 4th in SB’s (2). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Here’s a fresh general discussion for you all – just a reminder that this is the best place for general big-club stuff, not in the daily boxscore recap. I know sometimes it’s a fine line and I’m usually not one to quibble, so just do your best, k?

Adam Morgan made his AAA debut this evening at Coca Cola Park in Allentown and I came away again impressed.  After seeing Morgan twice last season in Reading, I was looking forward to see how he put it together against a Chiefs lineup that had put up 22 runs in their first 2 games against Lehigh Valley this series.

Morgan was the Phillies 3rd round draft pick out of the University of Alabama in 2011 and quickly rose through the organization after throwing almost 160 innings between Clearwater and Reading last season, consistently looking very good. 

Morgan went 6 innings, and gave up 2 runs on 6 hits.  He walked one and struck out five. He threw 85 pitches, 60 for strikes showing very good command. His lone mistake was on a 2-2 fastball to Jeff Kubernius who put it into the left field bullpen.  Morgan consistently was pitching ahead of hitters throwing his fastball generally between 89-93, but hitting 96 and 97 on one occasion each.  I was impressed with Morgan’s confidence in his off speed pitches, consistently using them behind in the count effectively.  Morgan also showed athleticism, making two nice plays coming off the mound. Morgan’s poise was also notable, as he appeared unphased by the gopher ball by Kubernius and pitched well with runners on base.