Category Archives: 01. Site Features

Box Score Recap – 6/18/2014

Box Score Recap

Cameron Rupp went 2-4 with two doubles and Cody Asche was 2-3 with a home run for Lehigh Valley. Rupp could have really stood to string together a couple multi-hit games in a row for the betterment of his offensive game, but he may be derailed from that for a bit. I imagine he won’t argue with a call-up – his brother sent him Twitter congrats last night for going back to the bigs. I guess that’s a pretty good source, even though it sounded late last night like Wil Nieves was planning to reevaluate today. I suppose Rupp could be on his way to St. Louis and get turned around if Nieves is actually ok. We should know in a few hours.

All nine R-Phils were on base, eight by hit and Logan Moore drew a walk. Zach Collier hit his first home run of the year, and Jesse Biddle worked through early trouble to put up a decent start – he threw 63% for strikes, which is almost halfway between really not good (<60%) and good (>2/3), so I’ll call it “meh”. Marginally ok. He allowed two home runs among the four hits and three walks he served up, while striking out five in seven innings.

J.P. Crawford’s A+ debut was rained out, and Lakewood was on the last day of their All-Star Break, while Williamsport needed 11 innings to beat Jamestown. Aaron Brown debuted with a 1-4, Cord Sandberg continued his season-long hitting streak and Jia Tromp went 4-5 with a double. He’s outclassing the league. Maybe someone can move up to A+ from Lakewood to get him time on the field there, but who that would be remains a question. I’d say pushing either Cozens or Tocci seems unwise right now, but Hiciano has probably proven himself enough at the plate, so maybe that would work. I’d guess they won’t do that for a couple weeks now that they’ve sent Tromp to WIL, but they could push it whenever if they really want to.

And in all the Jesus Alastre talk, I’ve kind of ignored Luis Mendoza, but the 17-year-old outfielder is OPSing .844 in nine June games and close to .700 on the year now. You’ll see below that I included a stat view of Manny Chavez, Phillies guy on loan to the Mexican League. Keeping in mind he’s never pitched stateside, and he’s facing lineups that include guys like Jake Fox, Chris Roberson and many former high-level minor leaguers and mostly-cup-of-coffee major leaguers, (plus Willy Taveras), this assignment is a huge test for him. Seeing how he handles himself after a couple bad outings like he’s had recently could tell us a lot about where he stands right now. I’ll try to remember to check back in a few weeks.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/18/2014 →

Hot or Not

Around the System

A look back at the 6/12-6/18 time frame…David Whitehead is the story of the week with 6 no hit innings in his first start off TJ surgery, great to see…Jiandido Tromp is doing everything he can to show the Phils they made a mistake sending him backwards to Williamsport…Carlos Tocci with several hot weeks in a row…After a hot start for Lehigh Valley, the last two weeks have landed Cameron Perkins on the not hot list …Hoby Milner is quietly putting up a very solid half season of work in Reading…Luis Garcia adds 4 saves this week to his resume which includes having allowed nary an ER this year in AAA…As he knows, big difference in the bigs…Exciting week of baseball for Cord Sandberg who showed each of his five tools.

Hot Hitters:Peter Lavin (.471, 4R HR 3RBI, 2SB); Jiandido Tromp (.450, 4R 2HR 6RBI, 2SB); Jake Fox(.429, 4R 3HR 8RBI);  Andrew Pullin (.400, 4R); Carlos Tocci (.400); Cord Sandberg (.370, 6R HR 6RBI, SB); Steve Susdorf (.364); Andrew Knapp (.357); Albert Cartwright (.333)

Not Hot Hitters: Drew Stankiewicz (000, 0-12); Cameron Perkins (.083); KC Serna (.133); Cameron Rupp (.143); Tyler Henson (.143); Chris Serritella (.154); Malquin Canelo (.154); JP Crawford (.167); Rhys Hoskins (.167); Delvi Gruillon (.176) Continue reading Hot or Not →

Lehigh Valley Weekly Report

Other Stuff

Even with their 5-4 win last night, Lehigh Valley has been really struggling and now sit at 35-37 in the Northern Division of the International League, 6.5 games behind division leading  Syracuse at the virtual half way point of the season.  The ‘Pigs continue their 8 game homestand with 6 more against Charlotte (2) followed by four against Columbus.

‘Pigs League Leaders, Hitting: Maikel Franco is 4th in AB’s(263); Tyler Henson is 5th in strikeouts (75) and 8th in SB’s(13)

Pitching: Barry Enright has the 8th worst ERA (4.77), is tied for 2nd in starts(14 and leads the league in HR allowed (15)); Luis Garcia is 4th in saves (10); Sean O’Sullivan is 5th in IP (83)

‘Pigs Prospects: Maikel Franco continues to struggle, hitting just .154 over the last 10 games with no homers and just a lone RBI.  His 20% K rate of that time period is not problematic but certainly the lack of production is.  In June, Franco is at .152/.176/.258 in 66 AB’s with 1HR and 6 RBI.  For the year, the line is .213/.274/.335 with 5HR 26RBI and a 16% strikeout rate.  Concerning.

Tyler Knigge has thrown well after two lousy outings to start his time in AAA.  Over his last three games, Knigge has thrown 4 scoreless, hitless innings, struck out 4 and didnt yield a walk. Between Reading and Lehigh Valley this year, Knigge is 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA and 3 saves.  Opponents are hitting .217 against him (.208 in AAA) and his WHIP sits right at 1.00.

Cameron Perkins has gone 0-7 over his last two games after a hot start in AAA, hitting in 8 of his first 9 contests.  Concerning are the two lonely extra base hits in 52 AB’s for Lehigh Valley. In his 14 games for the ‘Pigs Perkins is at .231/.298/.288 with 0HR and 3RBI.  The consummate doubles hitter at AA, it will be interesting to see how Perkins progresses after 150-200 AAA AB’s.

Nest Week: Rupp, Lincoln, Gillies

News and Notes: Lehigh Valley continues to have the second worst home record in the league at 15-22.

–Over their last 16 games, Lehigh Valley is a miserable 5-12 with a .211 batting average.

–RP Luis Garcia still has not allowed an earned run in 2014, a time period now spanning 17 games and 19.2IP.

–The ‘Pigs are just 6-12 when playing against a Left handed starter.

–RP Shawn Camp completed his transition into a side arming reliever on 6/3 and has yet to yield an ER in his 5 appearances since.

–RP Cesar Jiminez has not given up an ER in his last 17 games, spanning 20IP.

–SP Brad Lincoln won his third consecutive start on Sunday and his scoreless streak has reached 18IP.

–SS Freddy Galvis (clavicle) and OF CLete Thomas (ribs) remain out indefinitely, while Darin Ruf (wrist) appears to be on a 2-3 timetable for a return.

Probables: Wed: Lincoln; Thur: Bootcheck; Fri: Smith

Transactions: A rare quiet week.  Tyler Henson was activated from the “paternity list” after returning from the birth of his son.  With Henson’s return, SS Edgar Duran was sent down to AA Reading

Box Score Recap – 6/17/2014

Box Score Recap

Cody Asche was 3-3 with a double on his rehab assignment, and Leandro Castro hit his fourth home run of the year as Lehigh Valley came from behind to beat Charlotte. Cesar Jimenez, B.J. Rosenberg and Luis Garcia each tossed scoreless innings of relief. Logan Moore hit his first AA home run, and Jake Fox hit two to give him three in four games for Reading thus far. Kelly Dugan and Zach Collier returned from the DL; Collier had two hits and stole a base. Nefi Ogando got hit around for four runs on four hits and two walks.

Art Charles had two triples as Clearwater blanked Lakeland. Jeb Stefan allowed nine baserunners in six scoreless innings, striking out five. Jia Tromp had three XBH including two home runs, and Cord Sandberg and Rhys Hoskins each had two XBH, Sandberg including his first bomb of the year. He’s got nine hits in five games. Mitch Gueller allowed two hits and three walks and struck out three in four scoreless innings. And Bryan Martelo had his first professional hit in the Dom Rep. Only took him 20 PAs. Let’s hope the next one comes a little sooner.

I included the SAL All-Star Game box – all three Lakewood hitters were on base, though J.P. Crawford struck out three times and both he and Samuel Hiciano were charged with errors. Cody Forsythe worked a perfect inning for the North Division. The game ended in a tie after the South scored twice in the top of the 10th, then Crawford walked, Hiciano hit a double to move J.P. to third, and both would later score. WIllians Astudillo had a chance to win the game with a man in scoring position but he grounded out to end the game.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/17/2014 →

Threshers; June 17, 2014

Game Reports

Jeb Stefan pushed Roman Quinn out of the first paragraph Tuesday with six scoreless innings.  The righty needed 98 pitches and threw 62 strikes.  He scattered 7 hits and walked 2 batters.  He also matched his season high with 5 strike outs.  It was a gritty performance by Stefan.  He was greeted by a leadoff single by the Tigers’ Chad Wright.  He was quickly erased on Stefan’s first ground ball double play of the season.  Stefan pitched out of a bases loaded, 2-out situation in the 2nd inning.  In the 3rd inning, Wright led off with another single, but was caught stealing by Gabriel Lino.  Stefan got 2 quick outs in the 4th inning before escaping another bases loaded situation.  His 5th and 6 innings were more routine with one hit and 3 strike outs.  He was strong in a 1-2-3 6th inning.  He started all 3 batters off with first pitch strikes and recorded 2 of his 5 strike outs in his last inning.  Continue reading Threshers; June 17, 2014 →

General Discussion – Week of 6-16-2014 – I Dislike The Braves Edition

Weekly Discussion

Yeah, not a huge fan of The Braves. And I’m posting this on a Tuesday instead of a Thursday this week. Not too bad.

Also, my piece about the Lakewood position players went up this morning at Crashburn Alley. Give it a read, if you like.

Discuss.

Box Score Recap – 6/16/2014

Box Score Recap

Aaron Altherr made his big league debut, popping out as a pinch hitter in the twelfth inning. Maikel Franco was 2-4 with a double. Roman Quinn played his first pro game in centerfield. For Williamsport, fifth round pick Rhys Hoskins got his first professional hit, Cord Sandberg hit in his fourth straight game, and Ricky Bielski struck out two in a clean inning of work.

The SAL all-star game is Tuesday, and J.P. Crawford will be joining Clearwater on Wednesday.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 6/16/2014 →

Threshers; June 16, 2014

Game Reports

Roman Quinn’s long-awaited debut in center field was delayed an additional 53 minutes tonight due to rain.  However, once the game started, he did not have to wait long for his chance.  The Lakeland Flying Tigers’ Chad Wright drove Ryan Demmin’s second pitch hard into the left-center field gap.  Quinn closed ground with a nice, easy gait and caught the ball in front of the warning track. Continue reading Threshers; June 16, 2014 →

Reading Report: 6/10-6/15

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It was a mediocre 2-3 week for the Fightins over these past five contests, with a rainout thrown in against New Britain on Thursday. Let’s get to the big stories of the week, including one man on the comeback trail, and another getting his first taste of the Bigs.

Continue reading Reading Report: 6/10-6/15 →

Aaron Altherr to the Show

Other Stuff

You never know when the call will come.  Just ask Aaron Altherr who was told today that we would be joining the Phillies as Tony Gwynn Jr. was placed on the bereavement list after the death of his father.  As the only healthy OF on the 40 man roster, this was the easy way out for the Phils, however no other OF in the upper reaches of the organization stood out enough to warrant serious consideration right now.

Altherr, 23, was the Phils 9th round pick in the 2009 draft.  After the starting the season on the DL (wrist) , and then slowly when he came off the DL, Altherr has been red hot as of late, hitting .392 with 1HR 9RBI and 2SB’s thus far in June for Reading.  Altherr is a plus fielder and will fill in just fine in center field.  At bat, Altherr struggles with a long swing at times, increasing his strikeout rate.  He fits into the “toolsy” OF mold and can legitimately hit for power, show speed and hit for average when his swing is compact. On the year, Altherr is at .246/.302/.377 with 4HR 25RBI and 6SB.  I wouldn’t expect Altherr to hang around with the Phils for long because he needs to continue playing every day, but I dont think he will embarrass himself any more than the next guy over the next few days.