A look back at the past week from July 27–August 2. Minimum of 11 AB’s.

Quick hits before we get started: Cody Ascheseems to have adjusted to AA and is starting to put up numbers ,while 16 year old Carlos Tocci makes the hot list for the first time.

–Rough week for Larry Greene, who took an 0-6 last night.

–Hoby Milner and Kevin Brady make their initial appearances on the hot starter list, while Cloyd and Morgan continue making their near weekly appearances.

–Outstanding week from the CLearwater bullpen (Neris, Murray, Nesseth, GIles), while Kyle Simon, who was promoted to Reading this week continues to throw very well out of the ‘pen.

–Aumont seems to be back on track and it is very nice to see Justin DeFratus on the hot reliever list.  He could be very useful for the Phils next year.

Hot Hitters: Cesar Hernandez (.500, 5R 1HR 6RBI); Tug Hulett (.474, 6R 1HR 4RBI); Willans Astudillo (.444, 9RBI)Carlos Tocci (.412, 5R 3SB);Sebastian Valle (.389, 6RBI);  Leandro Castro (.381, 4R 1HR 10RBI); Andreas Blanco (.375, HR 4RBI)Zack Green (.375, 2HR 6RBI); Cody Asche (.345, 7R): Honorable mention: James, Myers, Hanzawa, Carver, Franco, Pointer, Spidale, Hudson, Suomi,Quinn, Serritella Continue reading Hot or Not →

A look at the Lakewood, WIlliamsport, and GCL outfield.  Plenty to talk…See the details below.

Lakewood (stats thru 7/31)

Miguel Alvarez, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2007; .205/.242/.240 in 146 AB’s between Lakewood and Clearwater; 0HR 8 RBI; 6SB; 4%bb/27% k rates. 37 games in the OF with 4 errors (.957); 4 OF assists. Alvarez really struggled in his 100 plus AB’s in CLearwater, striking out in nearly one-third of his plate appearances, so back to Lakewood he went. Continue reading Around the System–Lower Half, OF →

The ‘Pigs are struggling having gone 4-6 over their last 10 games and have now dropped into third place in the Northern Division of the International League(59-52), 3 games behind division leading Scranton.  It is the time of year to begin watching the wild card standings and Lehigh Valley is 2.5 games behind Pawtucket for the wild card. The ‘Pigs have one more game in Syracuse before they come home for a short two game home stand against Pawtucket. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

The Hunter Pence tenure in Philadelphia has come to an end much quicker than thought by most when he was acquired at this time last year.  Reports suggest the haul back from San Francisco is top prospect Tommy Joseph, a 21 year old catcher along with OF Nate Schierholtz and Single A Pitcher Seth Rosin.

Joseph was the Giants 2nd round pick in 2009 out of Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Playing for AA Richmond this season, Joseph has hit .260/.313/.391 in 304 AB’s. Joseph walks in 7% of his plate appearances while striking out in 19%. He has hit 8HR and knocked in 38.  A top catching prospect who has thrown out 48% of would be base stealers this season, Joseph has also played 14 games at 1B over the course of the year.

Schierholtz, 28, is a member of the Giants 25 man roster making $1.3M this year as a first time ARB eligible player.  In a platoon role, Schierholtz, who hits left is hitting .257/.327/.429 in 175 AB’s with 5HR and 17 RBI. 

Rosin, 23, a huge RHP born in  North Dakota was the Giants 4th round pick in 2010 out of the University of Minnesota and has spent the season at High A San Jose.  Used mostly as a reliever, Rosin is 2-1 with a 4.31 ERA and 10 saves.  He has thrown 56.1 innings, struck out a very impressive 68, walked just 18, with a WHIP of 1.18.

Pence who was likely to make $15M in his last ARB eligible year next year will join the Giants tomorrow.

The dominoes have begun to fall with the Phils shipping OF Shane Victorino to the Dodgers for Relief Pitcher Josh Lindblom and Staring Pitcher Ethan Martin.

The Phils shed a nice chunk of salary with Victorino’s departure, saving approximately $3M over the balance of the season (Victorino’s salary was $9.5M)

Martin, 23, is a fairly highly touted RHP who was the Dodgers first round pick in 2008, signing for $1.3M.  This year playing in AA for the Dodgers organization, Martin started 20 games going 8-6 with a 3.58 ERA in 118 IP.  Opponents are hitting just .214 against Martin and he sports a 4.6/8,9 BB/K ratio and a 1.27 WHIP.  I would expect Martin would land somewhere in the top ten prospects in the Phils organization.

Lindblom, 25, was the Dodgers 2nd round pick in 2008 and has spent the last two seasons in the LA bullpen. He is 2-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 48 appearances this season. Lindblom’s WHIP stands at 1.25, to go along with a 3.4/8.1 BB/K ratio.  Lindblom is expected to take an immediate spot in the Phillies bullpen, more than likely leading to Joe Savery being sent back down to Lehigh Valley.

Matt Gelb is reporting that Domonic Brown has been scratched from the Lehigh Valley lineup today and will be called up to the Phillies.  This, of course, adds to increased speculation that Shane Victorino will be a Dodger by 4pm today, if not sooner.

Stay tuned for updates…

A look at the outfield for Lehigh Valley, Reading and Clearwater with Lakewood,Williamsport and the GCL Phils to come next week. 

Lehigh Valley
Domonic Brown, 24, Phils 20th round pick in 2006; .286/.335/.437 in 206 AB’s; 5HR 26 RBI; 4/10 SB; 7%bb/19% k rates; .327 vs. LH; .273 vs. RH; .377 with RISP.  53 games in the OF with 7 errors (.933); 1.84 R/F. 4 OF assists. I would like to see Brown in Philly and Victorino elsewhere come next week. Continue reading Around the System–OF, Top Half →

Video from tonight’s game against Norfolk.

It’s like the Jiwan James catch, except Domonic actually caught it.

Brody Colvin has gotten the callup from High A Clearwater to AA Reading and is in line to take the rotation spot of recently promoted Jonathan Pettibone.  It has been a bumpy road for Colvin who was removed from the Clearwater rotation for a time, presumably to get his head straight after struggling consistently for two months.  Colvin, a 7th round pick in 2009, has made 18 starts this year and is 4-6 with a 4.48 ERA in 18 starts.  His WHIP as a starter is 1.57 and the opposition is hitting .284 against him. On the brighter side of the equation, Colvin over his last 8 starts is 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA but even during that time period his WHIP is a high 1.51 and the opposition is hitting .301.

Somewhere Adam Morgan, Austin Wright and Jesse Biddle are shaking their heads.