Category Archives: 01. Site Features

What to Expect in 2013: Corner Infield

Around the System, Asche, Cody, Franco, Maikel, Walding, Mitch

The next installment in the off season look at prospects are corner infielders.  Traditionally the corner positions are where teams stick pure hitters and is generally the source of power in a line up.  Overall offense has been down across the league, and it has become more important that a player has to be a capable defender as well as have a bat that profiles for the position, especially at third base.

Before jumping into the discussion of how these prospects line up next to one another I encourage everyone to read gregg’s end of season wrap up on the corner infield position.

First Base:

To be a first base prospect you have to rake at every level along the way, all the way up to the majors.  True first base prospects are rare and their bats are special, many impact first baseman are playing the outfield or third base in the minor leagues and will be forced to first when their defense does not cut it for their current position.  Many college first baseman drafted will sit in the middle of A-ball lineups for years and provide stability and coaching to prospects, while never getting their own chance in AA.  In the Phillies system there are possibly 3 actual first base prospects and one of them (Darin Ruf) is currently playing the outfield and will be addressed when that position comes up for discussion, otherwise the real hopes for a slugging first baseman for the Philles are playing corner outfield spots in the low minors. Continue reading What to Expect in 2013: Corner Infield →

General Discussion – Week of November 26. “That Week Between Thanksgiving and Winter Meetings” Edition

Other Stuff

Hey, guess what, Ryan Madson didn’t come back to the Phillies.  If you are surprised he didn’t come back to the team that dangled a nice big contract in front of his face and then pulled it away like so many cartoon footballs and left him stuck with a 1 year deal in Ohio’s Armpit, then you’re a more forgiving human being than I, I suppose.

BTW – Not sure anyone calls Cincinnati “Ohio’s Armpit”, but I just did now, so there.  No offense intended, Cincy…just yackin’.

What to expect in 2013: Catchers

Around the System, Joseph, Tommy, Valle, Sebastian

Traditionally Top 30 season begins with the Reader Top 30 right after New Years, to prime us for discussing the system as a whole, we are going to take a walk through the positional groups in the system.  The goal is to look at where they rank with regards to each other, how they profile going forward, and how they fit into the system as a whole.  I will try to post one of these every couple of days starting with Catchers, and then proceeding through the other positional groups (Corner Infield, Middle Infield, Corner Outfield, Center Field, RH Starting Pitchers, LH Starting Pitchers, and Relievers).  I am not James, nor am I a scout so I will be focusing on initiating the discussion rather than creating the narrative.

Additionally this will focus on “prospects” avoiding players who are organizational filler or minor league free agents.  If I have missed someone you think deserves to be on this list let me know and they will be added.

To start, if you have not read it all already, here is gregg’s positional recap of catchers.
Continue reading What to expect in 2013: Catchers →

40-Man Roster Additions

Other Stuff, Rule 5 Draft, Transactions

According to Phils Media Relations, the team has added OF Zach Collier and RHPs Ethan Martin, Trevor May, and Jon Pettibone to the 40-man roster.  This protects them from the Rule 5 draft in December.  Mild surprise that neither Jiwan James nor Leandro Castro were protected, leaving both exposed to the Rule 5 draft, (among other, seemingly less enticing players).  Phillies leave 2 spots open for free agents or a Rule 5 pickup of their own.

AFL Finale Today

Other Stuff

Heads up to anyone interested – the AFL finale is on MLBN this afternoon at 3EST.  Peoria made the final and Phils guys will participate.  I asked Tommy Joseph if he was catching and he said no, but I will guess Cody Asche will be at 3b and Zach Collier will also play, as he’s been on fire. 

I’ll follow up with results and a season wrap-up after the game, or tomorrow some time.  Enjoy!

General Discussion – Week of November 12. The “Stove Be Gettin’ Hot” Edition

Other Stuff

Here is your weekly general discussion.  I propose the discussion be centered around free agency and trades, with a smatterring of post-season awards.  I am going to go out on a limb and say no one will be advocating any Phillies for MVP.  But “where to vote Cliff Lee for Cy Young” might be a fun argument.  Have at it!

Free Agents Hit the Market

Other Stuff

Several Phillies minor leaguers are now open for the “bidding”, as they have been declared free agents.  The list goes like this: Pitchers: Scott Elarton, Matt Wright, Pat Misch, Drew Naylor, Tom Cochran, David Purcey, INF Jake Fox, C John Suomi, 2B Harold Garcia, INF Tug Hulett, SS Miguel Abreu, OF Kyle Hoppy, Kyle Hudson, D’Arby Myers, Brandon Tripp, Mike SPidale, INF Jake Opitz.

The top three names I would most like to see back: Cochran, Garcia, Myers.

General Discussion – Week of October 29 – End of Season Moves Edition

Other Stuff

Here is your weekly general discussion for all those things not covered by other content here.  With the World Series nearing an end the Hot Stove is starting to heat up, so let the rumors fly.  Plenty of Phillies are in Winter League (I believe the Darin Ruf 2012 HR count is at 48 as of Sunday night); in the Arizona Fall League, Tommy Joseph and Cody Asche were named to the Rising Stars Game which is a cross between the Futures Game and a minor league All-Star game.

For those in the Northeast stay safe from the storm and post away while the lights stay on.

Phillies Moves:

Exercised 2013 Option on Carlos Ruiz ($5 million)

Declined 2013 Option on Ty Wigginton ($500k buyout)

Declined 2013 Option on Jose Contreras ($500k buyout)

Declined 2013 Option on Placido Polanco ($1mil buyout)

Addition by Subtraction

Other Stuff

My two cents….the Phillies have made their 40 man roster stronger by outrighting both P David Herndon, as well as utility infielder Michael Martinez off the 40 man today. Herndon was subsequently picked up by Toronto.  With a number of difficult decisions upcoming over the next several weeks prior to the Rule 5 draft, this clears necessary space for some of the bigger prospect names to be added into the mix in the short term.