I knew I wanted to discuss the top tools in the system as a way of recapping the year and initially it was going to be one massive post with just a name next each tool.  I thought this format would be more interesting for breaking down the tool itself and why it is important and the ways we judge it.

Power is probably the sexiest tool in baseball right next to fastball velocity.  There are few things as visceral as someone crushing a baseball into the stands.  Power is a tool that we often wait on in the minors as players develop physically and mentally.  We often refer to raw power and power projection and often times they never come along, but when it does it can be special.

In Game Power – Maikel Franco

Honorable Mentions – Zach Green and Dylan Cozens Continue reading Top Tools: Power →

The Phillies have announced that second round pick Andrew Knapp will have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow (as per @jnorris427).  The recovery time for a position player is closer to 6 months of recovery which would have him able to throw by mid to late April.  I would suspect that Knapp will be spending spring practices working on his receiving and start the year as the Clearwater DH while slowly working back into the catching role.

This certainly is not good news for a top pick as Knapp is far from a finished product behind the plate, but this should only set him back a couple of months on the defensive side and shouldn’t push back his hitting.  The risk is that lost time behind the plate puts more questions in his ability to stick there.

Two casualties today on the waiver wire for the Phils whose pitching “depth” takes a hit.  Early today Pitcher Raul Valdes was claimed off of waivers by the Houston Astros.  Valdes went 1-1 with a 7.46 ERA in several trips up to Philly during the year. Later in the afternoon, Tyler Cloyd, 26 was picked up by the Cleveland Indians after he was removed from the 40 man roster by the Phillies. CLoyd, who was the Phillies 18th round draft pick in 2008 struggled this year going 2-7 with a 6.56 ERA with the Phillies during 13 appearances (11 starts) with the big club. 

I am not surprised that the Phillies removed either player from the 40 man roster as it was clear that neither was the answer to provide reliable depth for the club moving forward.

Baseball America released their top 20 New York Penn League prospects today http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2013-new-york-penn-league-top-20-prospects-with-scouting-reports/.  Williamsport third baseman Zach Green came in at #4 where there is concern about the strikeouts but the power is immense and they give him 70 grade raw power.

Williamsport RF and 2012 second round pick Dylan Cozens was rated #9.  BA also gave him a 70 on the raw power, but that he struggles against offspeed pitches.  Scouts like the bat speed and think that the swing will play at higher levels.  Scouts still think that he is a first baseman down the road but he can handle right field fine for now.

More info to come.

Lakewood

Geoff Broussard, 23; Phils 23rd round pick in 2013 draft; 35 games between CLearwater and Lakewood; 4-3 with a 3.59ERA; 1 SV; 72.2IP 84H 12BB 61K; 5 HR allowed; 0.81 GO/AO; .285 opp. avg; .304 vs. LH, .273 vs. RH, .244 with RISP; 1.32WHIP; 1.5BB/7.6K per nine; Broussard pitched in just three games for CLearwater before being sent to Lakewood where he had a fairly good season. Grade: B-; 2014: Clearwater

Chris Burgess, 23; Phils 26th round pick in 2013 draft; 24 games between Williamsport and Lakewood; 2-5 with a 3.75ERA; 5 saves; 36IP 36H 17BB 28K; 3.06GO/AO; .265 opp. avg; 1.47WHIP; 4.2BB/7.0K per nine; For Lakewood; 20 games, 2-4 with 5 saves, 3.19ERA; 1.48WHIP; .274 opp. avg; Burgess, out of Oklahoma Christian, did a decent job transitioning to professional baseball. Grade: C+; 2014: Start at Lakewood but a quick call up if successful Continue reading Report Card, Relief Pitchers, Lower Half →

The FIL is finally under way, games have been rained out for the most part so far, so reports have been limited to following players on twitter.  Rather than break down the full list or just give you the list, here is somewhere in between.  I am going to highlight a couple names to watch in each group (I am also splitting the VSL/DSL players out separately).

Pitchers:

James Buckley, Ranfi Casimiro, Zach Cooper, Delvy Francisco, Mitch Gueller, Jordan Guth, Nic Hanson, Deton Keys, Manaure Martinez, Mark Meadors, Will Morris, Nefi OGando, Yacksel Rios, Feliberto Sanchez, Matt Southard, Jessen Therrien, Tyler Viza, Kevin Walter

Andrew Anderson – Anderson is coming off a good statistical season, but the reports seem to be more pitchability than stuff.  To me he seems like a Jonathan Pettibone starter kit with a decent fastball, a second above average pitch, a third average pitch, and a good clue how to use them.  It is the secondary pitches that are the ones to watch most in instructs. Continue reading Florida Instructional League →

Lehigh Valley–Note: There were so many call ups to Philadelphia in 2013, it was difficult to decide who should or should not be included on this list, so I included all relievers that either finished the year with Lehigh Valley or were called up to Philadelphia during the year except DeFratus, Diekman and Stutes. I consider the three of them (when healthy) to have solidified their status as major leaguers rather than members of Lehigh Valley at this stage. The final report, on lower level relievers will be out by the end of the week.

Phillippe Aumont, 24, Acquired from Seattle in 2010; 32 games for Lehigh Valley; 0-2 with a 4.04ERA; 2 saves; 35.2IP 29H 38BB 42K; 1.22 GO/AO; .230 opp avg; 1.88WHIP; 9.6BB/10.6K per nine; .231 vs. LH, .230 vs. RH, .190 with RISP; For Phillies: 19 games; 1-3 with a 4.19ERA, 1.91 WHIP, .308 opp. avg;. My expectation going into the season for Aumont is that he could be a critical part of the Phillies bullpen.  That expectation ended fairly quickly as it became obvious, Aumont continues to have little idea where the ball is going to go when it leaves his hand.  He was sent back to Lehigh Valley on multiple occasions, (with perceived attitude problems to boot)and pitched poorly for the ‘Pigs.  Although the opposition has a very hard time hitting him, there is generally no need with a walk rate approaching 10 per 9 innings. Grade: F; 2014: If he is back, which I think is very questionable, next year is clearly make it or break it with the organization. Continue reading Report Card, Relief Pitchers, Upper Half →