Lehigh Valley entered the All Star break playing well going 6-4 over their previous ten games prior to the break and at 52-39 on the year, good for second place in the Northern Division of the International League, 4 games behind division leading Scranton.  With 51 games remaining, the ‘Pigs are 0.5 games ahead of Rochester for the wild card playoff position.  Coming off the break, Lehigh Valley plays four at home against Buffalo before hitting the road for seven games against Indianapolis and Louisville.

News and Notes: Edward Mujica has converted 13 consecutive save opportunities and is just 3 saves behind Scott Mathieson (26) for the Lehigh Valley single season franchise record.

–Entering the all star break, JP Crawford has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, raising his average to .270.

–With over 50 games left, the ‘Pigs have already surpassed their HR total for all of 2015.

–RP Frank Herrmann has been throwing very well, having been unscored upon in his last 7 outings.

–INF Emmanuel Burriss has been a solidifying force for Lehigh Valley, hitting in 9 of his last 11 starts (.325 over that time period)

‘Pigs Prospects: Jake Thompson now has 7 consecutive “quality starts”, lowering his ERA to 2.58 for the year.  Over his last 7 starts, Thompson is 4-0 with a microscopic 0.73ERA and has allowed just 4ER in 49+ innings, averaging over 7IP per start.  Over the last 13 starts (8 weeks), Thompson is 6-2 with a 1.79 ERA and is clearly knocking on the door of the major leagues.

Ben Lively put together a very nice start before the all star break, throwing six shutout innings to become the first pitcher in minor league baseball to win 11 games this year. AFter scuffling a bit as of late, Lively improved his record to a combined 11-2 whis year between Reading and Lehigh Valley to go along with an ERA of 2.69.

Andy Knapp is at .264/.334/.398 in 261AB this year with 7HR 32RBI and is hitting .259 over the last month.  Defensively, Knapp has now caught 66 games and made 7 errors to go along with 10 passed balls.  Knapp’s caught stealing rate is improving at 31% (11/35).

(Next week: Crawford and WIlliams) Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report, All Star Break Addition →

Clearwater

Victor Arano, 21, Acquired from Dodgers in 2014; 25 games, 2-1 with a 2.87ERA; 2SV; 47IP 41H 14BB 54K; .237 opp avg; 1.15WHIP; 0.72 GO/AO; 2.5BB/10.3K per 9; .226 vs LHH, .243 vs RHH, .254 opp avg last 30 days; Arano is one of the relievers that has really impressed this year after struggling in the rotation last year.

Jesen Therrien, 23, Phils 17th round pick in 2011; 20G, 1-2 with a 2.20ERA; 3SV; 26.2IP 17H 19BB 39K; .179 opp avg; 1.35 WHIP; 1.41 GO/AO; 6.4BB/13.2K per 9; .240 vs LHH, .157 vs RHH, .261 opp avg last 30 days; You rarely see an opponents average of .179 and a WHIP as high as 1.35 and that is because of Therrien’s significant control issues.  When/if he is able to significantly improve his command, the Phils may have something here.

Ulises Joaquin, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2010; 30 games between Reading and Clearwater with a 3.22ERA; 8SV; 44.2IP 38H 12BB 40K; .233 opp avg; 1.12 WHIP; 1.26 GO/AO; 2.4BB/8.1K per 9; For Clearwater: 2.13ERA; .188 opp avg; 0.92 WHIP; Joaquin was very poor for Reading early in the year and was sent back to Clearwater where his has been very good.

Matt Hockenberry, 24, Phils 9th round pick in 2014; 26G between Reading and Clearwater; 0-1 with a 1.89ERA; 38IP 24H 16BB 35K; .186 opp avg; 1.05WHIP; 0.75GO/AO; 3.8BB/8.3K per 9; For CW: 1.35ERA; .177 opp avg; 0.99 WHIP; Hockenberry has been called up to Reading on three separate occasions only to be sent back after 1 appearance each.  His performance deserves a prolonged look in AA.

Joey DeNato, 24, Phils 19th round pick in 2014; 24G; 2.92ERA; 37IP  31H 13BB 34K; .237 opp avg; 1.19 WHIP; 0.47 GO/AO; 3.2BB/8.3K per 9; .273 vs LHH, .224 vs RHH, .233 last 30 days; Denato has been consistently doing a good job this year, a step below his 2015 dominance at Lakewood. Continue reading Around the System, Relief Pitching–Clearwater and Lakewood →