Category Archives: 01. Site Features

Reading Report: 6/23-6/29 (In Haiku Form!)

Other Stuff

Listen, things haven’t been so great lately for your Reading Fightins. They have lost 12 games in a row (maybe the only thing that stopped them from racking it up to 13 this week was a rain out), Jesse Biddle was shut down after another disastrous performance, and the offense continues to struggle, save for a few names.

I can only offer a haiku at this point, in hopes to change the team’s luck a bit.

Biddle has been shelved
They’ve lost twelve games in a row
At least Fox can hit

That is all for the week.

Box Score Recap – 6/29/2014

Box Score Recap

Leandro Castro had three hits and  a walk in five trips to the plate and Grady Sizemore was 2-5 for Lehigh Valley. Kelly Dugan announced his return from the post-DL doldrums with two home runs, and Jake Fox matched that feat for Reading.

Brian Pointer ended his hot June (CLR is off Monday) with a 3-4 day, that included a double a and a home run. He OPSed .953 for the month. I will temper my enthusiasm, as he’s run off a couple nice stretches the last couple year only to fall off a cliff thereafter. Also for CLR, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez worked scoreless innings on a back-to-back day this weekend. In five rehab appearances during his most recent stint, he’s been in control, striking out eight and walking none, while allowing one run on six hits in six innings. Be sure to check out Jim’s report from yesterday’s outing for more on MAG.

Zach Green went deep twice and Andrew Pullin kept his hitting streak alive at 12 games. Pullin’s got just three multi-hit games and only one extra base hit during the streak, so it hasn’t really spiked his season numbers too much, though he was having a pretty nice June anyway, with five multi-hit games and four doubles in the first 14 days of the month, just before this current streak. I guess he’s been hitting well, one way or the other.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/29/2014 →

Threshers; June 29, 2014

Game Reports

Miguel Gonzalez threw 14 pitches in a relief appearance today, his first back-to-back appearances since restarting his rehab as a reliever.  It was reported that his fastball peaked at 95-96 mph Saturday night.  He followed that up with 92-94 mph on 10 of his 11 fastballs on Sunday.  One fastball dipped to 91.  He threw 3 off-speed pitches, two 77 mph curve balls and an 81 mph slider(?).  The first batter fell behind 0-2 and fouled off a pitch before hitting a soft cue shot that found space between Art Charles and Angelo Mora on the right side.  It barely reached the outfield grass.  Gonzalez struck out the next batter after falling behind 2-0.  The third batter lined a ball back through the box that Gonzalez grabbed between his ankles.  He easily doubled up the runner off first. Continue reading Threshers; June 29, 2014 →

Box Score Recap – 6/28/2014

Box Score Recap

Sorry, but I’m not getting to this today. Here’s a link and a place to discuss if you like. JP went deep again, and other things happened, if I recall correctly. GO JP CRAWFORD!!!

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/28/2014 →

Around the System–Relief Pitchers, CLearwater, Lakewood, WP and GCL

Around the System

Clearwater

Dan Child, 21, Phils 18th round pick in 2013 draft; 19 games; 1-1 with a 5.12ERA; 1 save; 31.2IP 47H 16BB 21K; 2.30 GO/AO; .356 opp. avg; 1.67WHIP; 4.5BB/6.0K per 9; .426 vs. LHH, .281 vs. RHH, .356 with RISP.  With opponents hitting over .350 against him, it has been a miserable season for Child.

Cody Forsythe, 23, Phils 25th  round pick in 2013 draft; 25 games between Lakewood and CLearwater; 3-2 with a 2.59ERA; 9 saves; 31.1IP 29H 6BB 27K; 0.77 GO/AO; .234 opp avg; 1.11 WHIP; 1.7BB/7.8K per 9; Forsythe was promoted just last week to Clearwater and had an excellent year, albeit as a 23 year old in Lakewood.

Jordan Guth, 23, Phils 9th round pick in 2012 draft; 23 games, 1-3 with a 2.76ERA; 4 saves; 29.1IP 33H 18BB 19K; 0.79 GO/AO; .282 opp. avg; 1.72 WHIP; 5.5BB/5.8K per 9; .340 vs. LHH, .240 vs. RHH, .250 with RISP.  When you look at the numbers as a whole, Guth has been very average this year.  Too many walks and not enough dominance to see long term success.

Lino Martinez, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2009; 22 games, 0-3 with a 3.67ERA; 3 saves; 41.2IP 28H 29BB 40K; 0.93 GO/AO; .193 opp avg; 1.36 WHIP; 6.3BB/8.6K per 9; .228 vs. LHH, .170 vs. RHH, .139 with RISP. Martinez’s line is dominant until you consider the walks.  If his control improves, we may really have something here… Continue reading Around the System–Relief Pitchers, CLearwater, Lakewood, WP and GCL →

Box Score Recap – 6/27/2014

Box Score Recap

Grady Sizemore and Jason Marquis with their Iron Pigs debuts. Remember where you were, folks. You’ll be telling your grandkids about this moment. Kelly Dugan was back in the lineup for Reading. Perci Garner did not have it going on – eight walks in 3.1 IP.

J.P. Crawford with his first A+ home run – he and Quinn both had two hits and Quinn drew a walk and stole a base. I’m gettin’ the tingly good feelings over that pair. Andy Knapp went deep for Lakewood. Matt Imhof made his first appearance of the year, tossing three scoreless innings in the GCL. Jesus Posso hosed two men stealing. Edwin Rodriguez with two hits in the DSL.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/27/2014 →

Box Score Recap – 6/26/2014

Box Score Recap

Maikel Franco had a hit and two walks, which nearly doubled his total for the month. Let’s hope July is like May. Greg Smith and the bullpen, led by a three K inning from Hector Neris, shutout Rochester’s lineup on five hits. Aaron Altherr and Pete Lavin took Henry Owens deep – not bad, as the often-dominant Owens had allowed just three bombs in his prior 14 starts on the year.

Roman Quinn and J.P. Crawford had two hits a piece. Crawford added a walk and Quinn a steal. Crawford has hit in five of his last six games, so his stats are beginning to perk up after an 0-8 to start his A+ season. Lee Ridenhour’s put together a nice year thus far, with an FIP that’s much lower than his ERA, 3.30 vs. 4.21. He struck out the side in the ninth to finish off Tampa after MAG couldn’t hold Colin Kleven’s the lead in the eighth.

Cord Sandberg couldn’t extend his hitting streak – I wrote about him with some help from Chris King and Mitch Rupert at Crashburn Alley yesterday. I hope you’ll check it out if you haven’t already.

Also in the short season leagues – Deivi Grullon went 4-4 on the night, and David Whitehead pitched pretty well in his third start of the year. He’ not striking many men out, just 10 in 18.2IP thus far on the year. Joel (I wonder if it’s pronounced Joe-ELL?) Fisher with his first pro home run and Luis Morales pitched well for the GCL. Julsan Kamara still doesn’t have a professional hit, but he walked three times on Thursday in the Dom Rep. And Jesus Alastre was on base twice for the VZL squad – his OBP for the year sits at .444. That’s four out of every nine PAs. Seems pretty solid. You’d have to think he’ll be at instructs in the fall and ticketed for GCL next summer if he handles himself well next spring.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/26/2014 →

Thursday Night Notes

Other Stuff

A busy night with the big news being Jesse Biddle being given what Ruben Amaro is calling a “mental break”, with his placement on Reading’s temporary inactive list. Biddle’s recent troubles have been well documented including his 10ER outing just last Tuesday.  This break can only help, as Biddle has been unable to pitch through the recent issues.

In Allentown, Sean O’Sullivan was told that he will be the Phillies starter in Game Two of their doubleheader Saturday.  The speculation had been Brad Lincoln, however it seems Lincoln may be nursing a minor leg injury. While far from overpowering, O’Sullivan has been slightly better than decent for the ‘Pigs this year, going 3-6 with a 4.31ERA in 15 starts this year for the ‘Pigs.  Opponents hit .278 against him and O’Sullivan is carrying a WHIP of 1.36.  O’Sullivan will not overwhelm and has just as good a chance as any in Lehigh Valley to do a competent job.

In Allentown, Jason Marquis will be on the hill tomorrow evening with Grady Sizemore likely to get his first start in the Phils organization tomorrow as well.

 

Jiwan James Released

Other Stuff

The Phillies have announced the release of Jiwan James, as another outfielder in the organization will part ways.

The Phillies have now released James, Anthony Hewitt, and Tyson Gillies, all in a very short amount of time.

A 22nd round pick of the Phillies in 2007, James posted a career .265/.317/.364 line with the organization. He certainly was one of the fastest players the organization has seen over the last 10 years, but he never put things together. Our (slightly outdated) profile of Jiwan can be found here.

He battled injuries throughout his career, finally returning making his 2014 Reading debut a few weeks ago. He had 21 at-bats, and hit .333 with a .364 on-base percentage.

That said, there was too much to overcome. With so many outfielders on the roster, there wasn’t really anywhere for James to play, and he will now be moving on.

James had this to say:

The Fightins still have six outfielders on the roster, though listed outfielder Jake Fox has played plenty of first base.

 

Hot or Not

Other Stuff

Quite a week looking back at Jun 19-25 with interesting names showing up on both sides of the ledger…Starting pitching was brutal this week with Jesse Biddle leading the way and prominent names like Guellar and Nola not far behind…Start paying alot of attention to Andrew Pullin, who as a 2B should be rising up the prospect rankings…Good to see Brian Pointer getting on track…Brad Lincoln really seems to be the only choice for the start the Phils need on Saturday.  He has been throwing very well as a starter….Larry Greene Jr came off the DL on fire…how long will that last?

Hot Hitters: (Min 12 AB’s): Damek Tomscha (.500, 5R, 3RBI); Brian Pointer (.476);  Andrew Pullin (.444, 4RBI); Andreas Blanco (.450); Matt SHortall (.417); Larry Greene (.400, 5R); Emmanuel Marrero (.368);  Grenny Cumana (.364); Cord Sandberg (.346, 5R HR, 4RBI, 2SB); Honorable Mention: Henson, Susdorf, Lino, Alonso, Fox, Knapp, J. Hernanderz

Not Hot Hitters: Chris Serritella (.000, 0-13); Luis Encarnacion (.063); Derek Campbell (.100);  Rhys Hoskins (.118); Carlos Tocci (.125); Dylan Cozens (.130); Willians Astudillo (.154); Leandro Castro (.167); Art Charles (.167); Maikel Franco (.174) Continue reading Hot or Not →