The ‘Pigs won Game One of their four game battle for first place with Scranton in a decisive manner last night 7-1 and continue their series at Coca Cola Park tonight. The ‘Pigs have been scalding hot, going 15-3 over their last 18 games and have won 19 of their last 24 games to move one game ahead of Scranton for the lead in the Northern Division of the International League.  The ‘Pigs continue their home stand with 3 more against Scranton and 3 against Rochester over next weekend.

News and Notes: Lehigh Valley is at an all time franchise high of 25 games over .500 currently.

–After a 20-10 June, Lehigh Valley went 20-9 in July to record their “winningest” month of all time.

–RP Luis Garcia set the all time Lehigh Valley record for saves (33) with his save last Saturday night, passing Scott Mathison. Garcia has been pitching well, unscored upon in his last 8 games while also improving his command at the same time.

–Over his last 12 games, Michael Mariot has allowed just 1ER in 13.1 innings.

—Darnell Sweeney left the game on Sunday with an ankle injury.  Unknown how serious it is.  He has not been placed on the DL but did miss Mondays game.

–Since being sent down from Philly, Adam Morgan is 4-0 with a 3.00ERA.

—David Buchanan was named IL Pitcher of the Week last week and has won four consecutive starts, during which he has allowed just 2ER in 29IP, lowering his ERA from the high 4’s to 3.82 Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

Lehigh Valley

Emmanuel Burriss, 31, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .294/.325/.361 in 119AB; 0HR 11RBI; 3SB; 5%BB/15%K; .273 vs LHP; .313 vs RHP; .304 in July; 24 games at 2B with 2 errors (.983); 5 games at SS without an error; 4 games at 3B without an error; 3 games in the OF without an error; I never would have thought but Burriss has really been a steadying force for Lehigh Valley, playing extremely well up the middle and has been more than competent with the bat.

JP Crawford, 21, Phils 1st round pick in 2013; .262/.360/.362 in 370AB between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 6HR 37RBI; 11/17SB; 13%BB/14%K;  For Lehigh Valley: .261/.336/.346 in 234AB; 10%BB/15%K; .289 vs LHP; .243 vs RHP; 96 games at SS with 15 errors (.968); Continued progress for Crawford whose production is just a very small tick less in AAA than it was in AA this year.  Expect him in Philly for good come September.

Darnell Sweeney, 25, Acquired from Dodgers in 2015; .238/.297/.370 in 311AB; 6HR 28RBI; 10/19SB; 8%BB/22%K; .246 vs LHP; .234 vs RHP; .269 in July; 52 games at 2B with 4 errors (.983); 22 games at 3B with 2 errors (.962); 12 games in the OF without an error; More was expected by Sweeney with that bat, although he has been improving as of late.  Has been solid but not outstanding with the glove.

Jesmuel Valentin, 22, Acquired from Dodgers in 2014; .270/.344/.391 in 348AB(almost all with Reading); 5HR 38RBI; 4/7SB; 10%BB/15%K; 80 games at 2B with 10 errors (.974); 9 games at SS with 3 errors (.900); Valentin has put himself on the map as a prospect this year after missing the 2015 season suspended.  He has produced with both the bat and glove and scouts have said that he now projects as a major leaguer, albeit likely a reserve.

Reading

Angelo Mora, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2010; .256/.316/.375 in 301AB; 4HR 33RBI; 3SB; 8%BB/19%K; .289 vs LHP; .244 vs RHP; .226 in July; 14 games at 2B with 3 errors (.961); 32 games at SS with 7 errors (.953); 24 games at 3B with 4 errors (.907); 14 games in the OF without an error; Mora has done a good job and shown his versatility throughout the year.  Problem is, I believe he maxes offensively where he is at.

KC Serna, 26, Re-signed as a free agent in 2016; .287/.380/.384 in 237AB; 3HR 28RBI; 6/11SB; 13%BB/14%K; .250 vs LHP; .302 vs RHP; .273 in July; 29 games at SS with 5 errors(.962); 16 games at 3B with 2 errors (.935); 6 games at 2B with 1 error (.955); 23 games in the OF with 1 error.  Serna has been consistent all year, been asked to do many things and has done them well.

Scott Kingery, 22, Phils 2nd round pick in 2016; .295/.360/.416 in 387AB (almost all with CW); 4HR 29RBI; 26/31SB; 8%BB/13%K; .383 vs LHP; .257 vs RHP; .193 with RISP; 91 games at 2B with 10 errors (.975); The numbers are exactly where you want them with the exception that his work with RISP sticks out like a sore thumb.  That said, this year has been very successful. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

This was game 3 of my annual 2-day minor league blitz.  The Pigs won (or flew as the announcer likes to say).

PITCHING:

Ben Lively started and went almost 7 full innings.  His velocity was not impressive as he was regularly in the high 80’s with a few 90’s, a 91 and a 92.  A few times throughout the game the gun came up with readings in the 40’s so it may not have been accurate at all.  Here is Ben’s breakdown by inning:

1) Easy Flyout to RF/1-3 easy comebacker/4-3 groundout (the recently promoted Jes. Valentin made an excellent backhand pick and Ruf scooped the throw out of the dirt).

2) Infield single (Valentin again made a nice grab but couldn’t make a strong enough throw)/Sac Bunt/RBI line drive single to CF/Lineout to RF/Looking K on a full count (89 mph)

3) Looking K (88 mph)/Blooper just over Jes V’s head/Opposite field line single to LF/Lineout to Left-center/RBI double to CF (Cam Perkins got turned around and the ball went over his head to the wall- a better CF would have made the play)/Swinging K on 3 pitches (89)

4) 3-1 groundout/Routine flyout to RF/Hard ground single up the middle/Swinging K (86)- *opposing pitcher*

5) 6-3 groundout/4-3 hard hit groundout/bunt single/Flyout to medium CF

6) Swinging K (76)/4-3 easy groundout/6-3 groundout (JP made an awesome pick on a sharp hitter on one hop- definite web gem which showed off his great hands and reflexes)

7) Routine Flyout to RF/Lineout to LF (Nick Williams covered a good amount of ground and made a real nice diving catch in left center/soft single up the middle which Jes V gloved couldn’t get enough the throw.  Lively was then removed at 92 pitches (65 strikes).  Elvis Araujo came on to retire the last batter.

In the 8th, Elvis was greeted with a HR and then after plunking the next batter, he got ejected (so yes, Elvis left the building- couldn’t resist).  Brundage (LV manager) also got the boot.  It was strange since there had been no warnings that I know of and it was the first HBP of the game.

A combo of Frank Hermann and Luis Garcia finished out the game though Luis had to pitch out of a bases loaded 1 out jam to close it out.

OFFENSE:

JP Crawford went 1-4:  K’d swinging on a 3-2 pitch where he seemed to pull his head out/6-3 groundout/Foul popout to 1B/Hard RBI single up the middle (he was caught stealing soon after).

Nick Williams also went 1-4 (with 2 runs scored- he reached on an error by the 2B).  His one hit was a solid double that one-hopped off the wall in left-center.  His other 2 AB’s were a 5-3 groundout (where he HUSTLED up the line and made it a close play) and a swinging K

Aaron Altherr was rehabbing and went 1-4 with an RBI single that he fisted into RF over the 1B’s head.  He also K’d twice (one swinging and one looking on 3 pitches), and was retired 2-3 on a swinging bunt in front of home.

Andrew Knapp went 0-2 but did walk twice (one on a 3-2 pitch where he really worked the count well, and one on 5 pitches) and scored a run.  He grounded out twice to 2nd base- one was hard hit and one not at all.  In addition, he stole a base.  He literally just took off while the pitcher was still in the stretch and the pitcher never even noticed (must have really caught him by surprise).

Cam Perkins went 1-4 with an RBI single (which scored Knapp after his stealth stolen base) and a K (looking).  His other 2 AB’s were easy outs.

Jesmuel Valentin was unable to secure his first AAA hit as he went 0-2 with a swinging K on a ball in the dirt, a walk,  and a routine 4-3 groundout.

Also- Darnell Sweeney hit leadoff (with Featherston called up) and went 2-4 with a double and an RBI.  I didn’t realize he played third base.

–That concludes the nyphilsmaniac19 trilogy.  Makes me appreciate Jim P all the more- it’s hard work, but it’s fun.  I could never do all the work he does!

Reading took on Binghamton on Tuesday night and lost 5-2 so let’s get right to the good stuff:

PITCHING:

Thomas Eshelman started and did not impress.  He only lasted 4 innings and threw first pitch strikes to 9 of the 18 batters he faced.  His fastball was recorded at 91-92 with one 94 and a few 93’s.  On the low side, He was usually around 83 and one pitch registered 76 (change-up I’m sure).  Here are his innings:

1) Nice easy 1-2-3 with two 6-3 groundouts and a foul popout to Alfaro

2) Leadoff 5-pitch walk/flyout to deep right/hard line single to left-center/Flyout ro RF/hard RBI single up the middle.  Alfaro deked the runner at home and acted as if there was no play at the plate and then tried to scoop the ball and make a sweep tag in one motion.  It didn’t work, but it was an interesting move.  The inning ended 0n a lazy pop up to 1st.

3) Another leadoff 5-pitch walk was followed by a long HR to RF.  After that, Esh settled in and finished with two line outs to left and a line out to right.  Sandwiched in there was a routine liner (not hit very hard) right to Cozens who dropped it for a 2-base error.  Cozens is anything but fluid in the outfield, and the way he catches the ball is kind of awkward (reminds me actually quite a bit of Domonic Brown the way he holds the glove).  He can’t afford to use one hand to catch anything.  I like Cozens a lot but his play in the OF is a concern for me.

4) Nice inning for Esh with 2 swinging K’s sandwiched around a lineout to RF.

Esh was lifted at 63 pitches (only 34 strikes).  Mark Leiter came in and looked very good.  He pitched the final 5 and had 4 scoreless innings until he gave up a 2-run homer in the top of the 9th.  Leiter was recorded at 91-92 reaching 94 once.  On the bottom end, he threw some 85-86 and some 70-71.  I would assume those were curve or slider and changeup. All totaled, Leiter struck out 8 in his 5 innings (3 looking) and only gave up 4 base-runners.

OFFENSE:

Scott Kingery played his second game at Reading and went 1-5.         Line single into RC with 2 strikes/Flyout to CF- didn’t seem like he got much on it but it was pretty deep/hard lineout right at the CF/6-3 chopper/5-3 routine groundout

The reborn Andrew Pullin batted second and went 1-5 also.  His only hit was a bloop single to CF that should have been caught but the CF seemed to get a slow jump on it.  His other 4 AB’s: Hard lineout right to CF/very high Flyout to RF and 2 swinging K’s on off-speed pitches

Jorge Alfaro was 0-3 until his last AB in the 8th when he clocked an opposite field solo HR that landed right in the pool in RF.  He also K’d on a curve away, had a broken bat 6-3 groundout and a 4-3 groundout during which he showed outstanding hustle and made it a pretty close play.  Only one runner tried to steal on him and he was caught though it was because he overslid 2nd base.  In Alfaro’s defense, he had a great jump and the play was still very close.

Dylan Cozens batted clean-up and was also 0-3 until homering in the 8th.  It was a moon shot to right-center that cleared everything including the back wall.  His first 3 AB’s- swinging K on a 78 mph curve/hard liner to RF that was dropped for an error/very hard one hopper that the 1st baseman made an impressive pick-up on.  All in all, he hit the ball very hard 3 of 4 AB’s.

Rhys Hoskins had a perfect day at the plate walking 3 times (first two on full counts) and hitting a hard ground single right between the SS and 3B.  He showed excellent patience and was willing to take the walk- which is becoming a trend for him as he does not have the protection in the lineup that Alfaro and Cozens do.  Rhys looked smooth at first and even stole a base.

I figured I’d track Osmel Aguila since he is new to the organization.  He went 0-4 with 1 K and only one hard hit ball.

The highlight of the game was definitely the back-to-back jacks in the 8th from Alfaro and Cozens which pulled the Fightins to within one run.  After another walk to Hoskins, Jake Fox pinch hit for Harold Martinez which brought the crowd to its feet (he didn’t start since there was no DH) but he lined out to LF.