The Phillies have outrighted 6 players according to a story posted by MLB Trade Rumors Jeff Todd.
In an announcement by club officials, the Phillies have cleared roster spots with the outright assignments of LHP Patrick Schuster, RHPs Frank Herrmann, Dalier Hinojosa, Colton Murray, INF Emmanuel Burriss, and OF Jimmy Paredes.
Here’s the open discussion thread for Phillies’ talk and other topics.
The Phillies’ season is over. They went 1-5 the last week of the season and finished with a 71-91 record. They were swept by the Atlanta Braves who are probably no longer the worst team in the division. Then dropped the first two games of the final series to the New York Mets at CBP. They won the last game of the season, but the Mets had clinched a home playoff game with their win Saturday night. After a 42-48 first half, the Phillies were 29-43 after the All Star break. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of October 3rd
Here’s the open discussion thread for Phillies’ talk and other topics.
The Phillies went 3-3 last week. They won both games of a two-game series against the White Sox, beating White Sox’ ace Chris Sale in the getaway game. They traveled to New York to play the Mets and lost 3 of 4. Their record stands at 70-86 (28-38 since the All Star break). Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of September 26th
Here’s the open discussion thread for Phillies’ talk and other topics.
The Phillies went 4-3 at home last week. They took 2 games each from the Pirates and Marlins, hurting both of their wild card chances. And probably, should have swept the Marlins. Their record stands at 67-83 (25-35 since the All Star break). Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of September 19th
The Lakewood BlueClaws’ season came to an end last night. Their stellar second-half run fell short of an SAL championship when they were bested by the Rome Braves in a best of five series, three games to one. Rome’s array of first round starting pitchers proved to be too strong for the BlueClaws’ hitters. They were held to two runs while losing the final three games of the series. Continue reading Box Score Recap; Post Season – 9/16/2016
The Lakewood BlueClaws wasted some fine pitching last night as they were shut out by the Rome Braves. They trail the Braves in the SAL championship series, two games to one. Lakewood ran into another tough pitcher in Kolby Allard. The BlueClaws’ Alberto Tirado was almost as effective, and the bull pen was efficient, again.
Game four is an elimination game for the BlueClaws. It will be played in Lakewood on Thursday night. Continue reading Box Score Recap; Post Season – 9/15/2016
Final report card of the year looking at relief pitchers at the upper parts of the organization.
Lehigh Valley
Luis Garcia, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2013; 48G; 6-3 with a 2.14ERA; 13SV; 54.2IP 38H 24BB 53K; .203 opp avg; 1.13 WHIP; 2.09 GO/AO; 4.0BB/8.7K per 9; .203 vs LHH, .203 vs RHH; After throwing in 72 games for the Phillies in 2015, I was surprised to see Garcia start the season in Lehigh Valley and I was even more surprised that with the lack of bullpen depth in Philly, he didnt receive more of an opportunity with the big club before September. He pitched well for Lehigh Valley and is out of options next season. Grade: C+; 2017: ELsewhere, based on the lack of big league opportunity this season.
James Russell, 30, Signed as a free agent in 2016; 29G (13 starts) for Lehigh Valley; 3-5 with a 4.29ERA; 79.2IP 88H 19BB 49K; 11HR allowed; .272 opp avg; 1.34 WHIP; 0.74 GO/AO; 2.1BB/5.5K per 9; .176 vs LHH, .301 vs RHH, .346 last 30 days; Russell started the year in Philly and was sent down to Lehigh Valley after several awful outings. He pitched well for Lehigh Valley in multiple roles in the seasons final month where he really ran out of gas. Grade: C; 2017: Elsewhere
Dailier Hinojosa, 30, Acquired off of waivers from Boston in 2015; 22 games; 1-3 with a 2.96ERA; 24.1IP 25H 14BB 23K; .281 opp avg; 1.60 WHIP; 0.64 GO/AO; 5.2BB/8.5K per 9; Hinojosa was expected to be a key member of the Phils bullpen. That didnt happen. First, he was ineffective for the Phils, then was injured and after he came off the DL was very inconistent for Lehigh Valley. Grade: C-; 2017: I would be surprised if he were back
Colton Murray, 26, Phils 13th round pick in 2011; 27G; 2-2 with a 2.95ERA; 36.2IP 31H 15BB 36K; .230 opp avg; 1.25 WHIP; 0.97 GO/AO; 3.7BB/8.9K per 9; .242 vs LHH,. .259 vs RHH; Murray pitched well for Lehigh Valley but has struggled during multiple stints with the Phillies; I would expect him to spend another year as pitcher #14-15 in the organization, bouncing back and forth to Philly when (if) injuries occur. Grade: C+
Elvis Arajuo, 25, SIgned as a free agent in 2014; 18G, 1-0 with a 2.18ERA; 20.2IP 15H 6BB 19K; .195 opp avg; 1.02WHIP; 0.87 GO/AO; 2.6BB/8.3K per 9; .148 opp avg last 30 days; Arajuo pitched very poorly for the Phils in 32 games this season, struggling with his control and simply getting hit around. To his credit, he came down to AAA and threw well, but the Phils saw enough of Arajuo to not call him back up in September, leaving you wondering what his future with the organization may be.
Joely Rodriguez, 24, Acquired from Pittsburgh in 2014; 53G; 7-0 with a 2.35ERA across 3 levels; 5SV; 76.2IP 65H 23BB 69K; .237 opp avg; 1.15 WHIP; 2.06 GO/AO; 2.7BB/8.1K per 9; For LV: 13G, 0-0 with a 2.79ERA; 19.1IP 16H 6BB 18K; .232 opp avg; 1.14 WHIP; 2.8BB/8.4K per 9; Rodriguez left 2015 as a failed starting pitcher and was removed from the 40 man roster. He successfully reinvented himself as a left handed high leverage reliever and did an excellent job. One of his primary issues in ’15 was his control, which was much improved this season. With his call up to Philly in September, much rides on his performance as the role of LOOGY at the highest level is open for the taking. Grade: A- Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Relief Pitchers, Top Half of Organization
The Lakewood BlueClaws dropped game two of the SAL championship series. They ran into a buzz saw named Touki Toussaint. Only Damek Tomscha was able to figure out the Braves prospect. Lakewood’s defense was generous, returning some of the largess that Rome presented in game one . Starter Seranthony Dominguez posted an inferior line. But, the bull pen was able to return the game to some semblance of normalcy.
Travel day Wednesday, game three will be in Lakewood on Thursday night. Continue reading Box Score Recap; Post Season – 9/13/2016
A look at the Outfield throughout the organization. Next up: Relief Pitchers, Wed or Thur
Lehigh Valley
Nick WIlliams, 23, Acquired from Texas in 2015; .258/.287/.427 in 497AB; 13HR 64RBI; 6/10SB; 4%BB/26%K; .231 vs LHP; .273 vs RHP; .152 last 30 days; Since Aug 1, Williams hit .172 with a 1%BB/37%K rate; 122 games in the OF with 3 errors (.989); 6 OF assists; My pre-season expectation for WIlliams was hitting around .285-.290 with 10-12HR and 15SB prior to a July call to Philly. What actually happened is that WIlliams was benched on three separate occasions prior to August for disciplinary reasons and he went on to finish the season with a borderline unprecedented BB/K rate over the seasons final month plus. His ability would come out for a few weeks and he would then retreat into some combination of a baseball purists nightmare. Grade: C-; 2017: Lehigh Valley
Cam Perkins, Soon to be 26, Phils 7th round pick in 2012; .292/.329/.419 in 408AB; 8HR 47RBI; 11/15SB; .316 vs LHP; .274 vs RHP; .314 last 30 days; 5%BB/14%K; 103 games in the OF with 7 errors (.972); 3 OF assists; The numbers are decent for Perkins but not good enough to warrant a look at the big league level. The walk rate needs to go up, and Perkins needs to be more of a run producer to get that major league look. Surprisingly, Perkins went from 2 errors and 15 OF assists in ’15 to 7 errors and just 3 OF assists this year. Grade: B-; 2017: I expect Perkins to be left Rule 5 unprotected and expect him to go undrafted and back to Lehigh Valley
Cedric Hunter, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .294/.324/.433 in 330AB with Lehigh Valley; 10HR 53RBI; 6/9SB; 4%BB/16%K; .313 vs LHP; .284 vs RHP; .286 last 30 days; 75 games in the OF without an error; 1 OF assist; Hunter started the year with Phils and was sent fairly quickly when people got healthy as he wasn’t performing. For Lehigh Valley, he was the most consistent outfielder all year, hitting the ball hard and playing a good OF. Hunter is a AAAA player who many organizations will be glad to have around. Grade: B+; 2017: Likely another organization with all the young talent below, although would love to see him back. He is fun to watch.
Cody Asche, 26, Phils 4th round pick in 2011; .279/.350/.514 in 111AB for Lehigh Valley; 6HR 15RBI; 1SB; 9%BB/21%K; .229 vs LHP; .303 vs RHP; .302 last 30 days; 16 games in the OF with 1 error (.973); 7 games at 3B with 1 error (.923); 3 games at 1B without an error; Asche was optioned to Lehigh Valley after hitting .213/.281/.362 in 174AB with the Phils this year, to go along with a 23% K rate. Pre season, I expected Asche to be a productive member of the Phils OF. Between his injury in SPring Training and then his performance once off the DL, 2016 was a major disappointment for Asche. That said, kudos to Asche for not sulking when sent down and performing well at multiple positions for Lehigh Valley late in the season. I expect to see Asche back with the Phils in 2017 with Altherr, Bourjos and Goeddel all question marks for the ’17 roster.
Reading
Dylan Cozens, 22, Phils 2nd round pick in 2012; .276/.350/.591 in 521AB; 40HR 125RBI; 21SB; 10%BB/32%K; .197 vs LHP; .302 vs RHP; .234 last 30 days; .295/.374/.744 with 29HR 83RBI at home; .259/.325/.441 with 11HR 42RBI on the road; 128 games in the OF with 5 errors (.982); 12 OF assists; The overall stats, before you dig in are mind blowing. Team records for HR and RBI to go along with a 20+ SB season and double digits in OF assists. Then comes the negative. The very average player Cozens becomes on the road and his .197 average with a 42% K rate against left handed pitching. Grade: A-; 2017: Lehigh Valley Continue reading Post Season Report Card–Outfield
The Lakewood BlueClaws won the first game in the SAL championship series last night behind a superior effort by Franklyn Kilome. The lanky, right-hander was perfect for four innings and was barely tested.
Game two is in Rome Tuesday night. Continue reading Box Score Recap; Post Season – 9/12/2016
Phuture Phillies 