We start another year of the “Around the System” feature as we rotate through an in depth look at groups of players as the season moves along.  Next up will be the Outfield sometime later in the week.

Lehigh Valley

Brock Stassi, 26, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011 draft; .254/.378/.403 in 81PA’s; 1HR 8RBI; 17%BB/16%K; .167 vs LHP; .273 vs RHP; .286 in May; .167 with RISP; 18 games at 1B without an error; Stassi has put up mediocre numbers with the bat, and has been good with the glove early on.

Tommy Joseph, 24, Acquired from Giants in 2012; .382/.400/.671 in 79PA’s; 5HR 15RBI; 4%BB/13%; .400 vs LHP; .389 vs RHP; .313 with RISP; 14 games at 1B with 2 errors (.980); Joseph has played himself back into prospect status after his injury plagued last three seasons.  I don’t know how much longer the Phils can keep him at AAA putting up these numbers, although he has very little experience at 1B.  That said neither Ruf, nor Howard will be mistaken for Keith Hernandez with the glove.

Angelys Nina, 27, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .200/.216/.300 in 51PA’s; 1HR 4RBI; 2%BB/18%K rates; .143 vs LHP; .222 vs RHP; 13 games at 3B with 2 errors (.943); 1 game at 2B without an error.  Very little production.

Taylor Featherston, 26, Signed as a free agent in 2016; .308/.360/.462 in 96PA’s; 2HR 6RBI; 5%BB/10%K rates; .409 vs LHP; .278 vs RHP; .167 in May; .261 with RISP; 13 games at 3B with 1 error (.960); 7 games at SS with 2 errors (.944); 6 games at 2B with 1 error (.963); Very nice start to the season for Featherston who has very good versatility and can provide you with some occasional pop.

Reading

Rhys Hoskins, 23, Phils 5th round pick in 2014; .248/.311/.457 in 115PA’s; 6HR 20RBI; 10%BB/29%K rates; .250 vs LHP; .247 vs RHP; .214 in May; .238 with RISP; 27 games at 1B with 5 errors (.981); Mixed bag thus far.  On the positive end, Hoskins has been producing runs with his power and had a long hitting streak.  On the negative end, even with the long streak his average is lower than you would like to see it, he is striking out a lot, and too many errors. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →

The ‘Pigs wrapped up their three game series against Pawtucket this afternoon with a 7-2 loss, and are now 2-3 on their seven game home stand which concludes on Friday after two games against Scranton before traveling to Scranton for the weekend.  For the season, the ‘Pigs are 13-12 and in second place, two games behind division leading Syracuse in the Northern Division of the International League.

News and Notes: Pitcher Zach Eflin was scratched today after the rains came just after his warmup.  The game started 1:20 late and the Phils did not want to risk Eflin throwing after that kind of a delay.

–INF Darnell Sweeney had back to back multi hit games to snap a 1-23 slump, however still sits at just .217 on the year.

—Nick Williams is the only ‘Pigs OF with an assist.  He has 2.

—JP Arencibia has thrown out 5 of 9 would be base stealers.

–SS Ryan Jackson leads IL SS in fielding %.

–1B Tommy Joseph is hitting .372 over the last 11 games.

–OF Nick WIlliams is hitting .395 over the last week and a half, including a 2R walk off HR in the 10th inning on Tuesday night.

–Over his last 9 appearances, RP Edward Mujica has a ERA of 1.80 with 7 saves and has not allowed a walk since opening day.

–On Saturday, SP Alec Asher was just one out away from becoming the third pitcher in Lehigh Valley history to throw a one hit shutout.  Asher gave up a 2R HR with 2 outs in the 9th, however his first start since being called up from Reading was outstanding, (8.2IP 2H 2R 0ER0BB 5K).  Before being called up, Asher had a 3.20ERA in 4 starts for Reading.

‘Pigs Prospects: Mark Appel’s last start was last Friday and he looked good once again, taking a shutout into the 6th inning before leaving a one run game.  Appel has allowed runs in just 3 of the 24 innings he has pitched this year and is among league leaders in both wins and ERA (1.64).  Going back to last season, Appel has won his last seven decisions.

Andy Knapp is in a funk after starting very strong.  Over his last 10 games, Knapp is hitting just .158 and is just 1 for his last 16.  On the year Knapp is at .238/.329/44 with 3HR and 12RBI and has thrown out 2 of 12 would be base stealers.

Cam Perkins has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games, hitting .379 over that time period.  Perkins has played all three OF positions this season, although CF has been a bit bumpy at times with Perkins having little experience there.

Next report: Thompson, Eflin, Joseph, Williams

‘Pigs Leaders: Hitting:Tommy Joseph is 8th in doubles (6) and third in HR(5); Cameron Perkins is 5th in triples (2); Tyler Featherston is 9th in SLG (.476) and 6th in AVG (.317)

Pitching:Mark Appel is 2nd in wins(3) and 7th in ERA (1.64); Zach Eflin is 3rd in wins (3) and leads the league in WHIP (0.76); Edward Mujica leads the league in games (11), saves(9)

Probables: Thur: Appel; Fri: Asher; Sat: Buchanan; Sun: Thompson

Transactions: Comings: Alec Asher (Promoted from Reading), Reinier Roibal (Promoted from Reading); Luis Garcia (demoted from Philadelphia), Severino Gonzalez (promoted from Reading)

Goings: Adam Morgan (Promoted to Philadelphia); COlton Murray (Promoted to Philadelphia); Hoby Milner (Re-assigned to Reading)