Quick Hits: Dave Bush had about as good a week as you can have while Jesse Biddle has come around to give us exactly what has been expected.  On the other side, Brody Colvin continues to disappoint and some troubling numbers from Trevor May as AA hitters get a second look at him.

–It is time to notice Tyler Knigge who has been excellent all year for CLearwater.  BJ Rosenberg should start receiving some close attention as well, considering the Phils porous bullpen situation.

–Low draft pick Carlos Alonso has been absolutely crushing the ball through close to 100 AB’s for CLearwater.

—Anthony Hewitt, after his special guest appearance on the Hot list, returns to the Not Hot list. Gauntlett Eldemire has started appearing there consistently as well. Continue reading Hot or Not →

A week that included 4 shutouts of the opponent led the ‘Pigs to a 5-2 week and 26-18 overall, landing them in 2nd place just a game behind division leading Pawtucket in the Northern Division of the International League.  Lehigh Valley finishes their home stand with a morning contest against Louisville today before heading to CHarlotte and Gwinnett for an eight game road trip.

Pigs Leaders Hitting: None

Pitching: Scott Elarton is tied for the league lead in wins (5) and is 8th in IP (48.1); Tyler CLoyd is 6th in wins (4); Austin Hyatt is 3rd in the league in losses (5); is 4th in HR allowed (7) and has the 2nd worst ERA (5.52); Pat Misch is 4th in the league in losses (5); is 5th in HR allowed (7); and has the 5th worst ERA (5.35). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Its getting towards a time where the starting pitching is very exciting to watch every day, and a number of high draft picks are working their way through the system. Next on the schedule is the bullpen, with a look at Lehigh Valley and Reading towards the end of the week, followed by Clearwater and Lakewood over next weekend.

Lehigh Valley

Scott Elarton, 36, Signed as a free agent in 2012; 8 starts; 5-1 with 2.06 ERA; 43.2IP 34H 14BB 24K; 0.61 GO/AO; .217 opp. avg., 3 HR allowed, .271 vs. LH, .184 vs. RH, .125 with RISP. 1.10 WHIP; 2.9BB/4.9K per nine.  Has been simply outstanding.  Hoping he gets a Rich Thompson like opportunity. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching →

Not much to talk about at this stage behind the plate.  The two guys to really watch this year, Valle and Rupp have been average at best early on.  Next stop is the starting pitching, early next week.

Lehigh Valley

Tuffy Gosewisch, 28, Phils 11th round pick in 2005; .235/.297/.368 in 68 AB’s; 2 HR 9 RBI; 6%bb/19%k rates; .231 vs. LH, .238 vs. RH, .300 with RISP.  21 games caught with 2 errors (.989); Thrown out 6/24 basestealers (25%). Gosewisch has given Lehigh Valley exactly what was expected.  Very good defense and a mediocre bat. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →

Reports are circulating that Lehigh Valley OF Rich Thompson has been traded to Tampa Bay for 26 year old OF Kyle Hudson. With an injury to Desmond Jennings, it appears that Thompson (perhaps my favorite IronPig of all time because of the way he plays the game), may get his long awaited, and much deserved second chance at the big leagues.  He had one AB for the Royals back in 2004. Thompson, 34, has been very hot recently, and is now hitting .307 on the year for Lehigh Valley (.412 over the last 10 games).  He has stolen 7 bases in 9 attempts and is one of the perennial leaders in the IL in stolen bases.

If reports are true the Phillies receive Kyle Hudson, 26,a speedy OF, who was originally a 4th round pick of the Orioles in 2008. Hudson was playing for AAA Durham this year and was hitting .291/.378/318 in 110 AB’s with 0HR 8 RBI and 7 SB. Hudson has played predominately LF, but can play CF as well.

–Its time to start paying significant attention to Tyler Cloyd. In his 8 starts between Reading and Lehigh Valley, Cloyd is 7-0 with a 1.24 ERA.  Opponents are hitting just .194 against him.  His stats are actually significantly better for Lehigh Valley then for Reading, although still excellent during his time in Reading.  Most impressively, during his time with the ‘Pigs, hitters are just .067 against him with RISP.

–Another week on the hot list for Scott Elarton…could his time be coming with a lousy start by Kendrick today?

–The concern about Brody Colvin should be reaching is apex.  Very troubling start. Hit around and terrible command.

–“Continued success” for Darin Ruf , Cody Asche and Cesar Hernandez this week. 

—Tyson Gillies has fallen below the .250 mark on the year with his struggles this week.

Hot Starters:Colin Klevan (W, 7ip 4H 0ER 4BB 7K); Jesse Biddle (W, 6.2IP 4H 0ER 4BB 8K); Scott Elarton (W, 6IP 1H 0ER 3BB 3K); Julio Rodriguez (W, 6IP 1H 0ER 5BB 3K); Trevor May (6.1IP 0H 1ER 4BB 5K); Tyler Cloyd (2W, 11IP 6H 1ER 2BB 10K); Jon Pettibone (15.2IP 11H 3ER 2BB 10K, W). Continue reading Hot or Not →

After splitting their doubleheader last night, Lehigh Valley is 21-16 and in 3rd place of the Northern Division of the International League, three games behind division leading Pawtucket.  Lehigh Valley returns home tonight and begin an 8 game homestand against Indianapolis.

Probables: Tonight: Cloyd; Wednesday: Elarton; Thursday: Bush. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Alot to talk about in the OF.  Next up, catchers, late in the week.

Lehigh Valley

Domonic Brown, 24, Phils 20th round pick in 2006; .247/.290/.355 in 93 AB’s; 6%bb/21%k rates; 0HR 13 RBI; 3/6 SB; .318 vs. LH, .225 vs. RH, .450 with RISP; 24 games in the OF with 5 errors (.878). Consistent disappointment from Brown for the past year and a half with production far from expected, difficulties in the field, and a myriad of injuries hampering his development.Reverse splits are noteworthy and although on 20 AB’s, his avg. with RISP is a huge positive. Continue reading Around the System–Outfield →

–After a rainout yesterday, Lehigh Valley plays a doubleheader today in Louisville that starts at 5:05. This is followed by a 11 hour bus ride back to Allentown and a 7:05 game on Tuesday at Coca Cola Park.  Domonic Brown has had one AB since May 2nd as he continues to battle his sore hamstring.

—Kelly Dugan was activated by Lakewood after spending time on the DL with a nasty sprained ankle.

—Julio Rodriguez has now thrown 17 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run after 6 more yesterday in the Reading victory. JC Ramirez earned his 2nd save as he continues to see time in critical spots out of the Reading bullpen.  He has pitched well other than a bumpy outing last Tuesday.

–Since Jiwan James pronounced on Twitter Friday evening that he found the problem in his swing, he has had two multi hit games.

—Maikel Franco went 2-4 with a homer and 3 RBI’s in the Lakewood victory Sunday.

–Our old friend Jason Donald was optioned to Columbus by the Indians yesterday.

I have a soft spot in my heart (and my head) for guys who put up really solid offensive numbers in AA. Travis Chapman, Eric Valent, Jeff Stone, Matt Rizzotti, Steve Susdorf, and, this year, at least so far …. Darin Ruf.

Continue reading A few comments on Darin Ruf →