Jesse Biddle takes care of business.  I almost said Biddness.  Which would have been terrible. 

Also of note, Larry Greene 2-3, bb, 2b, HR, Edgar Duran with 2 HR, and back-to-back ninth inning jacks from Pullin and Carmona in GCL, both their first as professionals.  And hey, follow me on twitter if you like.  I sometimes post about the minors, sometimes about the big club, sometimes about other randomness, but not so much you’ll hate me for it…well…probably not. @bxe1234

Continue reading Box Score Recap 7-21-2012 →

Lehigh Valley

Kevin Frandsen, 30, Re-Signed as a free agent in 2012; /299/.337/.390 in 364 AB’s; 0HR 30 RBI; 2/6SB; 4%bb/7% k rates; .343 vs. LH, .282 vs. RH, .316 with RISP, Hitting .335 since June 1. 75 games at 2B with 7 errors (.980); 4.60 R/F; 10 games at 1B with 1 error (.984); 3 games at SS without an error and 5 games at 3B with 3 errors (.814).WIth all the middle infielders that have spent time in Philly this year, Frandsen has become the forgotten man. I am not sure why as he has been the most consistent hitter Lehigh Valley has had this year.

Andreas Blanco, 28, SIgned as a free agent in 2012; .218/.281/.312 in 285 AB’s; 6HR 19 RBI; 6SB; 8%bb/18% k rates; .207 vs. LH, .223 vs. RH, .209 with RISP; Hitting .179 in July. 79 games at SS with 13 errors (.959); 3.81 R/F;  Blanco has done nothing to stand out and has been merely adequate in the field, in what was thought to be his strong suit. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

Reading OF Tyson Gillies has been suspended for what is being called a “violation of team rules”. Gilles has had a myriad of injuries over the last few years and faced a significant “off the field” issue when he was arrested for cocaine possesion. Those charges were later dropped.  Shuld be interesting to see how this one plays out….

A look back at the time period between 7/11–7/17.

A few observations:  Chris Duffy had perhaps the best offensive week of any player in the system this year.  He needs to move up. 

–Very nice to see Roman Quinn as an addition to the hot list.  While struggling with the glove, he is making things happen at the plate and now has 12 SB’s in the early going of the Williamsport season.

–Austin Hyatt had a good start this week after numerous poor outings effectively took him off the map.  Should be interesting to watch how he follows that up.

–Austin Wright and Adam Morgan continue to show they are ready for the transition to AA…Morgan maybe a bit more so than Wright.

–The Julio Rodriguez skeptics are coming out in droves as they suggest he may have been finally figured out.

Finally, I will be on vacation next week, so both the Lehigh Valley Weekly Report and Hot or Not will have to wait until the week after next to get back up and running…With that, see below the jump for stats. Continue reading Hot or Not →

The ‘Pigs have been struggling a bit winning just 4 of their last 10 games, but still in the lead of the Northern Division of the International League at 54-42, one game ahead of second place Scranton.  Lehigh Valley finishes up their eight game road trip on Thursday in Durham before returning home for an eight game home stand beginning Friday against Columbus and Norfolk. The ‘Pigs return home with the best home record in the league (33-12). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Just a quick note that OF Domonic Brown has been activated and is expected in the Lehigh Valley lineup this evening after missing a month with a knee injury.  Brown is looking to turn around another injury filled season with a strong final 7 weeks of the minor league season.  I suspect with three strong weeks and the strong possibility of outfielders being traded from the Phils, we may see Brown in Philly sooner rather than later.

Quite a bit to talk about at the corner infield spots with the addition of the short season teams into the mix. 

Lehigh Valley

Tug Hulett, 29, Acquired in 2012 as a free agent, .267/.337/.358 in 176 AB’s between Reading and LV; 3 HR 25 RBI; 2SB; .319 avg. with LV; .313 vs. LH, .320 vs. RH, .313 with RISP; 10%bb/20%k rates. Hitting .326 since June 1st. 46 games at 3B with 8 errors (.927) 2.22 R/F. ;  Hulett has played well for the ‘Pigs but expect his playing time to become much more limited with Hector Luna back from the big club.

Hector Luna, 32, Acquired in 2012 as a free agent, .259/.296/.379 in 116 AB’s; 1 HR 13 RBI; .211 vs. LH, .282 vs. RH, .250 with RISP, 5%bb/16%k rates.  25 games at 3B with 6 errors (.913); 2.52 R/F; 2 games at 1B without an error. Just sent back down from Philadelphia.  Shoud add some offensive consistency to ‘Pigs lineup. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →

So Dylan Cozens has opened some eyes early on….with Larry Greene looking good as well. Other thoughts:

–Cameron Rupp has been much more consistent as of late and if he can hit .255-.265 with power and defense, the Phils will have something.

–Chris Serritella should be in Lakewood soon.

–Kelly Dugan has been hot ever since returning from his ankle injury and his average is now approaching .280 with some pop.

–The transition to new levels for 3B Harold Martinez and Cody Asche continues to be a slow one, but its still early.

–Adam Morgan is putting up numbers worthy of a move up to Reading, while Brody Colvin has pulled himself together over the last several starts.

–In the department of prospects named “Tyler”, both Cloyd and Knigge continue their dominance.

Stats are from 7/4/12 thru 7/10/12.

Hot Hitters: Cameron Rupp (.474, HR 7RBI); Dylan Cozens, (.474, 5R 2SB) William Carmona (.407, 5R HR 6RBI); Kelly Dugan (.400); Larry Greene (.400); Chris Serritella (.385, 8R 3HR 8RBI);  Yan Olmo (.375); Leandro castro (.375); Darin Ruf (.364, 4R, HR); Albert Cartwright (.364); Jairo Cardozo (.364); Honorable Mention: Susdorf, Mora, Valenzuela, Frandsen, Murphy, M. Martinez, Villalobos, Franco, Eldemire Continue reading Hot or Not →