With apologies to Barry Manilow, we have survived Hurricane Irma.  I live in a Clearwater non-evacuation zone, so we decided to shelter in place with family and friends when the storm was projected to turn north above Cuba and travel up the east coast of Florida.   Continue reading “Looks Like We Made It, …” →

Lakewood

Gustavo Armas, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 15 games (7 starts) between Williamsport and Lakewood; 1-4 with a 5.19ERA; 1SV; 52IP 57H 10BB 48K; .277 opp avg; 1.29WHIP; 0.83GO/AO; 1.7BB/8.3K per 9; .318 opp avg last 30 days; Armas struggled after his promotion but threw well for the Crosscutters.  Grade: C; 2018: Lakewood

Casey Brown, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2016; 22 games, 2-2 with a 2.95ERA; 42.2IP 41H 11BB 25K; .247 opp avg; 1.22WHIP; 1.32 GO/AO; 2.3BB/5.3K per 9; .224 vs LHH, .263 vs RHH; .212 last 30 days; Brown did a good job in his role primarily as an innings eater.  At 24 and in Low A, without overpowering stuff, he will likely become a free agent once again.  Grade: B

Ismael Cabrera, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 33 games, 8-5 with a 3.63ERA; 57IP 50H 19BB 57K; 3.0BB/9.0K per 9; .242 opp avg; 1.21WHIP; .231 vs LHH, .250 vs RHH, .255 last 30 days; Cabrera has now thrown 48 games over two seasons in Lakewood, continuing to do a competent job.  Grade: B-; 2017: CLearwater

Tyler Hallead, 22, Phils 24th round pick in 2016; 27 games, 1-1 with a 5.05ERA; 41IP 32H 22BB 49K; .216 opp avg; 1.32WHIP; 1.26 GO/AO; 4.8BB/10.8K per 9; .258 vs LHH, .183 vs RHH, .143 last 30 days; Hallead had an excellent August but is a guy that has generally been mediocre through his two years in the organization.  Grade: C; 2018: Important that he proves himself prior to the next draft class coming in…

Jon Hennigan, 23, Phils 21st round pick in 2016; 30 games, 1-3 with a 5.84ERA; 3SV; 49.1IP 47H 27BB 67K; .245 opp avg; 1.50WHIP; 0.67 GO/AO; 4.9BB/12.2K per 9; .293 vs LHH, .209 vs RHH, Hennigan missed the last month of the season injured and it was pretty clear through looking at his three outings prior to being placed on the DL that he was likely pitching injured.  Like many at he lower levels, needs to throw strikes.  Grade: C-; 2018: See Hallead, Tyler

Will Hibbs, 23, Phils 19th round pick in 2016; 45 games between Lakewood and Clearwater; 6-4 with a 2.48ERA; 20SV; 69IP 40H 24BB 80K; .163 opp avg; 0.93WHIP; 1.29 GO/AO; 3.1BB/10.4K per 9; Hibbs absolutely dominated the SAL League this year and was the best closer in the league.  His short call up to Clearwater, was not pleasant or successful.  Here is hoping 2018 is different…Grade: A-; 2018: CLearwater

Jake Kelzer, 24, Phils 18th round pick in 2016; 18 games between WIlliamsport and Lakewood, 1-1 with a 4.40ERA; 28.2IP 26H 11BB 24K; .248 opp avg; 1.29WHIP; 3.5BB/7.5K per 9; 3.74ERA and .235 opp avg while pitching for Lakewood; Far from overwhelming but competent results for Kelzer.  Grade: C+; 2018: Another one of the “tweeners” who may or may not be given a shot to advance/come back.

Mauricio Llovera, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 30 games (10 starts); 2-4 with a 3.35ERA; 86IP 81H 33BB 94K; 3.5BB/9.8K per 9; .250 opp avg; 1.33WHIP; 0.75GO/AO; .276 vs LHH, .226 vs RHH, .370 opp avg last 30 days; Llovera was predominately a starter during the second half of the season but the bullpen is probably the long term landing spot.  After an outstanding 2016 in the GCL, he threw well this season skipping Williamsport; Grade: B-; 2018: Clearwater

Addison Russ, 22, Phils 19th round pick in 2017; 17 games between WIlliamsport and Lakewood, 1-2 with a 3.98ERA; 31.2IP 31H 9BB 40K; 2.6BB/11.4K per 9; For Lakewood: 3.49ERA; .241 opp avg; 1.20WHIP; The first two professional games for Russ with WIlliamsport were ugly, however he bounced back with Lakewood to throw very well.  2017: B; 2018: Clearwater

Williamsport

Luis Ramirez, 19, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 23 games, 1-3 with a 2.27ERA; 11SV; 31.2IP 26H 16BB 23K; .226 opp avg; 1.33WHIP; .211 vs LHH, .241 vs RHH, .191 last 30 days; 4.6BB/6.5K per 9; First time pitching in the States and did a very nice job as a 19 year old in WIlliamsport.  Control needs work.  Should move along to Lakewood; Grade: B+ Continue reading Report Card–Relief Pitching, Lakewood, WIL and GCL →

Lakewood

Luis Carrasco, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 10 starts, 3-3 with a 3.33ERA between Williamsport and Lakewood; 51.1IP 44H 24BB 31K; .230 opp avg; 1.32WHIP; 1.54 GO/AO; 4.2BB/5.4K per 9; 4 starts for Lakewood; 1-3 with a 4.43ERA; .280 opp avg; 1.52WHIP; 4.4BB/4/7K per 9; Adequate season for Carrasco who threw well enough in Williamsport to join Lakewood.  After dominating in the GCL in 2016, he looked much more average against more advanced competition.  Grade: C+; 2018: Lakewood

Bailey Falter, 20, Phils 5th round pick in 2015; 21 starts, 8-7 with a 2.99ERA; 114.1IP 117H 23BB 105K; .270 opp avg; 1.22WHIP; 1.10GO AO; .331 vs LHH, .231 vs RHH, .220 last 30 days; 1.8BB/8.3K per 9; A very strong year for Falter who is a good example of what outstanding command can do.  His extremely low walk rate allowed for an increased occasional margin for error when challenging hitters.  Grade: B+; 2018: Clearwater

Adonis Medina, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2014; 22 starts, 4-9 with a 3.01ERA; 119.2IP 103H 39BB 133K; .227 opp avg; 1.19WHIP; 1.22 GO/AO; 3.0BB/10.0K per 9; .258 vs LHH .200 vs RHH, .204 last 30 days; .214 with RISP; Outstanding year for Medina who albeit with a poor won/loss record, continued show progress and potential as a top of the rotation starter in the upcoming years.  Grade: A-; 2018: Clearwater

Nick Fanti, 20, Phils 31st round pick in 2015; 21 starts, 9-2 with a 2.54ERA; 120.1IP 87H 28BB 121K; .200 opp avg; 0.96 WHIP; 0.70GO/AO; 2.1BB/9.1K per 9; 10 starts Post All Star game, 2.88ERA and .221 opp avg; After spending two seasons in the GCL, Fanti moved to Lakewood and was tremendous, allowing 2 runs or less in 12 of his 21 starts.  There was concern that he would slow down in the second half but proved the doubters wrong, including throwing a no hitter July 17th.  Grade: A; Certainly Clearwater…I see one of the Medina/Falter/Fanti trio double bumping to Reading. Continue reading Report Card–Starting Pitching–Lakewood, WIL and GCL →

The winner of the first annual Phuture Phillies Hitting Award is Rhys Hoskins.

The co-winners of the first annual Phuture Phillies Pitching Award are Tom Eshelman and Sixto Sanchez.   Continue reading First Annual Phuture Phillies Hitting and Pitching Awards, 2017 →

Lehigh Valley

Pat Venditte, 32, Signed as a free agent in 2017; 52 games, 9-5 with a 3.36ERA: 2SV; 69.2IP 54H 36BB 69K; .217 opp avg; 1.29WHIP; 0.94 GO/AO; .218 vs LHH, .216 vs RHH, .286 last 30 days; 4.7BB/8.9K per 9; Venditte did a real nice job this year for Lehigh Valley other than a walk rate that was too high; He succeeded in the may roles he was asked to fill.  Grade: B; 2018: ANother organization….with all of the Phils bullpen issues this year, if he didn’t get a chance with the big club, he never will.  He will look to go where he may have a shot.

Pedro Beato, 31, Signed as a free agent in 2017; 52 games, 1-3 with a 2.75ERA; 33SV; 55.2IP 41H 20BB 42K; .202 opp avg; 1.10WHIP; 3.2BB/6.8K per 9; .222 vs LHH, .186 vs RHH, .200 opp avg last 30 days; Beato set the Lehigh Valley all time saves record and was one of the primary reason the ‘Pigs hung on to a playoff spot.  Beato had a 1 appearance cup of coffee with the Phils, during which he was injured and ended up on the DL.  He worked hard, rehabbed and helped the ‘Pigs down the stretch; Grade: A; 2018: Another organization…I don’t believe the Phils feel he has a future in their bullpen

Michael Mariot, 28, Re-signed as free agent in 2017; 45 games, 7-2 with a 4.42ERA; 2SV; 57IP 56H 21BB 63K; .257 opp avg; 1.35WHIP; 0.68 GO/AO; 3.3BB/9.9K per 9; .241 vs LHH, .267 vs RHH, .225 last 30 days; After a brutal April, Mariot came around to have a solid season for Lehigh Valley, getting plenty of work and pitching multiple innings in the mid late innings many times. Grade: C; 2018: Another organization

Cesar Ramos, 33, Signed as free agent in 2017; 40 games (11 starts); 5-4 with a 4.00ERA; 1SV; 92.1IP 91H 31BB 74K; .259 opp avg; 1.32 WHIP; 0.92 GO/AO; 3.0BB/7.2K per 9; .272 vs LHH, .252 vs RHH, .313 opp avg last 30 days; Ramos had one of the most difficult jobs in the ‘Pigs pen as a spot starter and long reliever, often not knowing what role he would land in.  He did a nice job most specifically early in the year eating necessary innings.  Grade: B-; 2018: Another organization

Colton Murray, 27, Phils 13th round pick in 2011; 41 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2-2 with a 4.58ERA; 3SV; 53IP 58H 16BB 63K; .282 opp avg; 1.40 WHIP; For Lehigh Valley: 33 games, 2-2 with a 5.53ERA; 40.2IP 49H 15BB 45K; .301 opp avg; 1.57WHIP; 3.3BB/10.0K per 9; .294 vs LHH, .305 vs RHH; Murray started the year on the 40 man and had just a miserable year.  He was removed from the 40 man and relegated to mostly mop up innings for the ‘Pigs.  Grade: D-; 2018: I would be surprised to see him back. Continue reading Report Card–Relief Pitching–LV, REA, CW →

One of our readers suggested I run a poll so that you can select the best minor league pitcher and hitter in the organization.  The Phillies will be announcing their 2017 Paul Owens award winners soon. So, I figured it would be best to run the Phuture Phillies poll before they make their announcements. Continue reading Phuture Phillies Hitting and Pitching Awards Polls, 2017 →