Lehigh Valley completed their three game series in Indianapolis with a shutout victory  yesterday, sweeping the series and continue on to Louisville for a four game series over the weekend.  The ‘Pigs are currently 58-40 and in 2nd place of the Northern DIvision of the International League, 3 games behind division leading Scranton.  6-1 since the all star break, Lehigh Valley currently sits with a 1.5 game lead in the wild card standings.

News and Notes: With their win on Tuesday night, Lehigh Valley at 58-40 accrued their best start in team history.

–With their shutout win on Wednesday, Lehigh Valley tied their single season record with 12 shutouts recorded.

—Jake Thompson had his 9th consecutive quality start on Wednesday, has thrown 22 consecutive scoreless innings and has a 0.57 ERA over the last 9 starts.

—David Buchanan has thrown very well in his last 2 starts, giving up just 2ER in 15.2IP and winning both games.  Over the last 11 starts, ‘Pigs starters are 8-1 with a 1.74ERA (67.1IP/13ER)

–After a 3-34 slump, Cam Perkins has hit in 8 of his last 11 games, hitting .381 (16-42) over that time period.

–1B Brock Stassi has reached base safely in his last 11 games, hitting .385 during that time period.  Since May 28th, Stassi is hitting .305 and playing a very good 1B.

Since June 8th, Lehigh Valley relievers are 10-3 with a 1.99ERA to go along with 15SV (126.1IP, 28ER)

–Lehigh Valley completed the season series against the South at 21-7, their best record all time against a division.

–RP Frank Herrmann has not been scored upon in his last 9 games (10IP, 7H, 9K)

–In his last 21 starts, OF Cedric Hunter is hitting .318 (27-85).

–Pitcher Phil Klein earned his first win in the Phillies organization with five scoreless innings on Monday night.  He has been unscored upon in 5 of his 6 appearances since being claimed off waivers from Texas.

–Lehigh Valley pitchers are hitting just .049 (2-41) this year.

–RP Dailier Hinojosa has allowed runs in each of his last 3 outings

–RP Michael Mariot has allowed just 1 run over his last 8 games (9.1IP)

–Since being sent down from Philly, RP Colt Murray is 1-0 with a 2.00ERA in 8G.

‘Pigs Prospects:JP Crawford has played very well over the last 6 weeks after hitting his lower water mark with a .153 batting average on June 11th.  Since that time, Crawford has hit .328 with 3HR and 19RBI to pull his average up to .268.  Almost every AB continues to be a good one and Crawford has been solid in the field, albeit with some “charitable” scoring at times by the official scorer in Lehigh Valley. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

Lehigh Valley

Darin Ruf, 29, Phils 20th round pick in 2009; .279/.330/.490 in 208AB; 9HR 40RBI; 7%BB/22%K; .355 vs LHP; .235 vs RHP; .265 last 30 days; 27 games at 1B without an error; 13 games in the OF without an error; Ruf continues hitting lefties extremely well and playing a competent first base.  Pretty clear he is not in the Phillies future but putting up numbers for others to see.

Brock Stassi, 26, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011; .271/.381/.442 in 240AB; 6HR 36RBI; 15%BB/18%K; .315 vs LHP; .251 vs RHP; .298 in July; 56 games at 1B with 1 error (.998) Stassi has a great eye at the plate and is an above average fielder but hasnt hit for the power you need from a first base prospect.

Taylor Featherston, 26, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .273/.327/.463 in 337AB; 12HR 31RBI; 3/6SB; 5%BB/21%K; .243 vs LHP; .288 vs RHP; .248 over last 30 days; .230 with RISP; 40 games at 3B with 7 errors (.929); 23 games at 2B with 4 errors (.958); 16 games at SS with 5 errors (.943); Featherston has been a valuable piece of the Lehigh Valley infield this year, putting up good offensive numbers and showing defensive versatility.

Reading

Rhys Hoskins, 23, Phils 5th round pick in 2014; .277/.344/.553 in 347AB; 25HR 83RBI; 9%BB/24%K; .250 vs LHP; .284 vs RHP; .276 last 30 days; .297 at home; .256 on the road; 85 games at 1B with 10 errors (.987); .611 Slg % at home, .494 Slg % on the road; A deeper dive into Hoskins stats to look at the home vs road splits that are often discussed.  While markedly better at home, Hoskins road numbers are solid as well and the overall body of work is very impressive.  His fielding needs work.

Harold Martinez, 26, Phils 2nd round pick in 2011; .267/.317/.461 in 180AB; 8HR 37RBI; 7%BB/21%K; .279 vs LHP; .263 vs RHP; .273 in July; 51 games at 3B with 9 errors (.933); 2 games at 1B without an error; Martinez has played competently this year, providing a bit of pop when in the lineup.

Jake Fox, 33, Signed as a free agent in 2016.260/.330/.493 in 292AB; 16HR 55RBI; 8%BB/20%K; .269 vs LHP; .258 vs RHP; .211 in July; 5 games at 1B with 1 error (.980); 9 games at 3B with 2 errors (.846); 2 games in the OF without an error; 2 games caught without an error; Fox has been predominately used as a DH this year and has provided ample protention for Cozens and Hoskins in assisiting them put up monster years.  Fox remains a HR threat and a run producer but has been struggling.

Clearwater

Zach Green, 22, Phils 3rd round pick in 2012; .264/.319/.431 in 288AB; 10HR 52RBI;.301 vs LHP; .246 vs RHP; .237 last 30 days; 4%BB/28%K; 21 games at 1B with 2 errors (.989); 4 games at 3B without an error; After missing almost all of 2015, Green has put up solid offensive numbers.  I would like to see him play a bit more in the field.

Kyle Martin, 23, Phils 4th round pick in 2015; .254/.324/.422 in 315AB; 12HR 55RBI; 3/6SB ; .174 vs LHP; .287 vs RHP; .314 in July; 9%BB/20%K; 71 games at 1B without an error. Martin really struggled for a time period in June, but has come back with a strong July, and is hitting for power albeit with Howardlike splits.  Solid in the field. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →