The long-awaited, mid-season Top 30 was posted by MLB. Speculation on where analysts rank top performing players, top draft picks, and fading prospects can finally end. The discussion on the accuracy of the rankings will commence.
The prospect rankings are available on the Phillies site. I have listed them here with pre-season rankings where applicable. Continue reading Phillies Mid-Season Top 30 Prospects by MLB
MLB has posted their Mid-Season Top 30. Lots of movement and new faces. I was most surprised, I think, by Jake Thompson’s drop from two to five. Dylan Cozens moved up to seven.
Lehigh’s Ben Lively posted a quality start against Syracuse.
In Reading, the bats came alive. Scott Kingery, Jorge Alfaro, Dylan Cozens, and Jake Fox led a 14-hit, 11-run attack behing Ricardo Pinto’s five shutout innings.
Luke Leftwich had a quality start for Clearwater in a losing effort. Josh Tobias made his High A debut.
Daniel Brito reached base four times for the GCL Phillies scoring twice.
Down in the DSL, Sandro Rosario DSL1 and Rafael Carvajal (DSL2) pitched well as starters.
Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/27/2016
The Blue Claws had an 11 AM game yesterday vs Hickory which I attended and am reporting on.
PITCHING:
Seranthony Dominguez started the game (A rain out the previous day caused me to miss Kilome, but anyway…) In the first inning, I though maybe the radar gun wasn’t functioning properly when his pitches that seemed so effortless registered in the mid-to-upper 90’s. After the Hickory pitcher recorded significantly lower speeds, I thought (hoped) the gun was accurate. SD was consistently in the 95-96 range and reached 98 and 97 a few times. On the low end, he was throwing 87-88 (not sure what kind of pitches). Strike one could have been his best friend, but he recorded only 9 first pitch strikes out of 21 batters faced.
Inning 1: After retiring the first two (3-1 groundout and a swinging K), he had a 6 pitch walk, a single, and another 6 pitch walk. He escaped unscathed as a chopper to 3rd base marked the last out.
Inning 2: 2 straight singles were followed by a K in the dirt which allowed the runners to advance. The Hickory manager got ejected for arguing the swing call and would not leave the field for like 10 minutes which couldn’t have helped SD’s rhythm. An RBI groundout on a 2-0 pitch was followed by a hard hit single right on the right field line and a lucky cue shot that Cumana made a great grab on but he couldn’t throw out the runner. The inning ended on a 4-3 routine groundout. ( 2 runs, 4 hits – all singles)
Inning 3: He hit the first batter on a 1-2 count, then retired the next three (Looking K, Deep flyout to right, and Lazy flyout to right)
Inning 4: Lead off HR to right, then got the next 3 out- (Mile high popout to SS), A lineout to right that was pretty deep and a swinging K on a ball in the dirt). (1 run, 1 hit).
At that point, probably due to running such deep counts, he was removed. Zach Morris followed with three solid scoreless innings with 4 hits allowed. Morris was usually around 92, but on one batter when he was ahead 1-2, he dialed a 95 followed by a 94.
Jeff Singer came on to to pitch the 8th and put on a display. He K’d all three batters swinging and every fastball was 96-98 (except one that was 95). His two off-speed pitches were 86. He literally blew them all away.
Ismael Valdez closed it out with a 1-2-3 9th inning including 1 K. His highest velo was 97, with most pitches being 95 and his low was 86-87. (Again, hopefully the gun was accurate).
OFFENSE (sticking to prospects only including fringe ones):
Zack Coppola went 0-3 but did walk twice. He had two groundouts- one where his speed prevented a DP and K’d his last AB looking at a high fastball.
C Randolph went 1-4 with a walk. He continues to work the count with all AB’s being at least 4 pitches and most longer. His one hit was somewhat lucky as he hit a grounder between the 1st and 2nd basemen. The first base man could have played it but peeled off and thought the second baseman would get it. In one AB when he had two strikes, he reached out and slapped a pitch the other way but it grounded right to 3B. His one strikeout came on 3 swings all of which he swung over top of a low fastball (at the knees). I should also mention that all of the Crawdads pitchers were lefty plus one threw sidearm and another 3/4 which made it tough on lefties.
Josh Tobias had a nice game. I was surprised to still see him at Lakewood with the moving up of Kingery, but I hear today he has gotten the call-up. He made some solid plays in the field and went 2-5 at the dish. Both hits were well struck singles (One down the left field line that he foolishly tried to stretch into a double and was out by a mile, and one single right up the middle). He did strikeout swinging once on something off-speed.
Jose Pujols was as advertised. He swung and missed at tons of off-speed pitches, but he got ahold of one pitch and hit it over the RC field fence for HR #19. He is closing in on the Lakewood team record for HR’s. He did K twice of course. He also reached on an error on a routine grounder to short, and then did a nice job breaking up a DP which eventually was instrumental in a big rally. He hit a solid line single to center in his last AB.
Deivi Grullon went 1-4 with a walk and 2 K’s. His hit was a double that one-hopped the wall in right field. Strangely Wilson Garcia (who had doubled before him) stayed by the bag instead of going halfway so he only got to 3rd on the double and was stranded there.
In other news, Grenny Cumana looked very strong at SS.
Reading’s loss prevented an organizational sweep among the affiliates. Williamsport’s and the Rookie League’s pitchers held opponents to two runs and ten hits in five games. They featured a no-hitter, 2 one-hitters, a two-hitter, and 4 shutouts.
In Lehigh, Cedric Hunter hit two home runs and Nick Williams had 3 RBI in game one. Adam Morgan struck out seven in five innings, and Darin Ruf hit his 13th home run in game two.
Reading got back-to-back, solo home runs from Jorge Alfaro and Dylan Cozens
Jinadido Tromp continued his recent assault on FSL pitching with his fourth home run in six games.
Jose Pujols hit his 19th home run for Lakewood.
Williamsport’s Ranger Suarez no-hit the Auburn Doubledays in game one. Felix Paulino had his second consecutive good start in game two.
The GCL Phillies two-hit the Tigers behind Mauricio Llovera, Kyle Young, and Jordan Kurokawa.
Roimy Mendoza and Steiner Carmona combined to one-hit the Marlins for the DSL Phillies.
Denny Martinez and Victor Sobil combined to one-hit the Mets for the DSL Phillies2.
Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/26/2016
There was a lot of activity as several transactions were conducted. Jesse Valentin and Scott Kingery were both promoted, no accompanying move yet for Clearwater.
Roman Quinn made his first rehab start in Clearwater.
With all the rain outs, there were only a few good performances to report. Tyler Viza tossed a two-hitter over seven innings for Reading. Rhys Hoskins hit his 29th home run.
Nick Fanti picked up his third win for the GCL Phillies, this one in relief..
17-year old catcher Rafael Marchan is probably deserving of some notice. He had another productive game for the DSL Phillies2 and has kept his average well over .300 for about two weeks now after roughly 80 at bats. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/25/2016
Here’s the open discussion thread for Phillies’ talk and other topics.
The Phillies continued to lose after the break. They dropped a four-game series against the Marlins and three-game series against and the Pirates, winning only one game in each series. Their 2-5 record record dropped their season record to 45-55. They are 3-7 in the 10 games since the all star game.
The Phillies play 13 of their next 17 games on the road.
The organization’s top five affiliated teams played and won on Sunday. The day’s best performances included David Buchanan’s four-hit, shutout over 6.1 innings for Lehigh Valley. Darin Ruf hit 2 home runs.
Anthony Vasquez pitched a complete game for Reading. Andrew Pullin had 3 hits, Jake Fox hit a home run.
Austin Bossart paced Clearwater early, driving in his first three Threshers’ runs of season. Zach Green contributed a two-run homer run.
In Lakewood, Grenny Cumana’s 4 hits led their 14-hit attack. “C” Randolph had 3 RBI.
Williamsport’s JoJo Romero tossed shutout innings, Luis Encarnacion hit a home run, and Arquimedes Gamboa drove in the game-winning, walk off run. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/24/2016
Today’s best performance was turned in by Sixto Sanchez for the GCL Phillies. He one-hit the GCL Tigers in his six innings. Video included below.
Lehigh Valley’s Nick Williams hit his 10th HR.
Reading’s Andrew Pullin had a two-hit game.
In Clearwater, Mitch Walding had three hits. Derek Campbell hit his 9th HR.
Lakewood’s Tyler Gilbert allowed one run on four hits and no walks in six innings.
Williamsport’s Blake Quinn struck out seven in 3.1, no-hit, relief innings. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/23/2016
As though Dusty Wathan is trying to fuel the Gallo-Cozens debate from yesterday, Dylan Cozens started in center field for Reading and threw out a runner at home.
Cameron Perkins had 3 RBI for Lehigh Valley.
Rhys Hoskins and Andrew Pullin homered for Reading.
Drew Anderson battled through some difficuties and posted a combined 3-hit shutout in a 6-inning game in Clearwater.
Jose Pujols hit his 18th HR for Lakewood.
Williamsport’s Adonis Median shutdown Batavia on three hits through six innings. Arquimedes Gamboa hit his 2nd HR in support.
Brandon Leibrandt started for the GCL Phillies, and a couple guys NOT named Ortiz hit home runs. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/22/2016
Lehigh Valley
Cedric Hunter, 28, SIgned as free agent in 2016; .292/.328/.425 in 233AB; 6HR 35RBI; 6/9SB; 5%BB/15%K; .274 vs LHP; .309 vs RHP; .209 in July; 52 games in the OF without an error; 1 OF assist; Hunter, while struggling a bit as of late has played well for Lehigh Valley consistently hitting the ball hard while seeing most of his time in RF.
David Lough, 30, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .292/.364/.406 in 96AB for Lehigh Valley; 1HR 8RBI; 1SB; 9%BB/10%K; .217 vs LHP; .315 vs RHP; .283 last 30 days; 28 games in the OF with 1 error (.982); 2 OF assists; Lough recently spent some time on the DL but has played well for Lehigh Valley. He is a fundamentally sound AAAA player.
Cam Perkins, 25, Phils 6th round pick in 2012; .294/.327/.446 in 269AB; 7HR 31RBI; 7SB; 5%BB/16%K; .351 vs LHP; .253 vs RHP; .340 in July; 66 games in the OF with 5 errors (.969); 2 OF assists; Perkins has put up solid numbers all year. While not in line to start in the majors, he could fit well as a 4th or 5th OF.
Nick WIlliams, 22, Acquired from Texas in 2015; .289/.323/.466 in 350AB; 9HR 47RBI; 5/9SB; 5%BB/24%K; .261 vs LHP; .303 vs RHP; .291 in July; Williams has been playing well and has been very consistent after a slow first month or so of the year. In the long term, you would like to see the walk rate tick up and strikeout rate tick down with additional work on the basepaths needed.
Reading
Osmel Aguila, 27, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .214/.317/.388 in 103AB between CLearwater and Reading; 3HR 12RBI; 1SB; 10%BB/19%K; .190 vs LHP; .243 vs RHP; .256 in July; 32 games in the OF with 1 error (.983); 1 OF assist. Largely unimpressive since his signing in May.
Dylan Cozens, 22, Phils 2nd round pick in 2012; .286/.373/.586 in 353AB; 25HR 82RBI; 17/18SB; 12%BB/29%K; .200 vs LHP; .309 vs RHP; .307 last 30 days; .315 with 20HR 54RBI at home; .262 with 5HR 28RBI on the road; 88 games in the OF with 3 errors (.983); 8 OF assists; Cozens overall body of work is outstanding however there is absolutely something to be said for the First Energy stadium effect by looking at the numbers. Away from home, Cozens become a very average player. Time will tell where he actually lands.
Christian Marrero, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .219/.353/.398 in 128AB; 6HR 20RBI; 17%BB/19%K; .200 vs LHP; .222 vs RHP; .292 in July; 32 games in the OF without an error; 1 OF assist; 9 games at 1B with 1 error (.984); Marrero has hit into some hard luck this year. Although a very low average, he has gotten on base regularly and provided some pop.
Andrew Pullin, 22, Phils 5th round pick in 2012; .317/.359/.514 in 208AB between CLearwater and Reading; 8HR 36RBI; 5%BB/14%K; Has hit .377 in 61 AB for Reading; 46 games in the OF without an error; 4 OF assists; After missing the first part of the season due to personal issues, Pullin has come on very strong this season. Still only 22, Pullin does not seem to get much recognition but has really produced the last two seasons.
DL: Aaron Brown (24, Phils 3rd rd pick, ’14) and Roman Quinn (23, Phils 2nd rd pick, ’11). Quinn has now missed 5 weeks.
Clearwater
Herlis Rodriguez, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2010; .222/.286/.256 in 90AB; 0HR 9RBI; 3SB; 5%BB/15%K; .174 vs LHP; .239 vs RHP; 30 games in the OF with 1 error (.984); 1 OF assist; After a very good year last year, Rodriguez has had an injury plagues season this season where he cant seem to get going.
Cord Sandberg, 21, Phils 3rd round pick in 2013; .226/.304/.314 in 274AB; 4HR 20RBI; 6/13SB; 8%BB/27%K; .159 vs LHP; .246 vs RHP; .211 in July; .167 with RISP; 82 games in the OF with 1 error (.993); 3 OF assists; A very poor, disappointing season thus far for Sandberg. He has shown very little.
Carlos Tocci, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .277/.332/.347; 2HR 35RBI; 11/17SB; 7%BB/14%K; .222 vs LHP; .298 vs RHP; .304 last 30 days; 88 games in the OF with 2 errors (.991); 8 OF assists; Decent season thus far for Tocci who continues to play an excellent CF. Hard to believe he is still only 20.
Jiandido Tromp, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .256/.312/.485 in 324AB between Lakewood and CLearwater; 14HR 44RBI; 12/15SB; 8%BB/21%K; FOr Clearwater: .205/.244/.422 in 83AB; 4HR 12RBI; 82 games in the OF with 1 error (.995); 7 OF assists; Alot of raw talent for Tromp who has had some of the typical troubles adjusting up a level.
Derek Campbell, 25, Phils 20th round pick in 2014; .295/.390/.566 in 122AB; 8HR 20RBI; 8%BB/20%K; .294 vs LHP; .295 vs RHP; .304 last 30 days; 7 games at 3B with 2 errors (.867)25 games in the OF without an error; 6 games at 2B with 1 error (.950); After missing the first part of the season injured, Campbell has played extremely well, wherever he has been asked to play.
Lakewood
Zach Coppola, 22, Phils 13th round pick in 2015; .324/.400/.358 in 176AB; 0HR 12RBI; 11SB; 11%BB/10%K; .333 vs LHP; .321 vs RHP; .284 last 30 days; 38 games in the OF with 1 error (.983); 4 OF assists; Revere-like numbers for Coppola. That said, Revere ended up being a productive major leaguer. Continue reading Around the System–Outfield
Phuture Phillies 