Brian Rosenberg, 23, was promoted from (A) Lakewood to (AA) Reading on Friday, jumping over Clearwater. Rosenberg was dominant for the BlueClaws this season, earning 19 saves with a microscopic 0.89 ERA in 50 plus innings of work. The 6’2 RHP from Kentucky was a 13th round pick out of Louisville in the 2008 draft.
Category Archives: 01. Site Features
Daily Discussion
Before a couple quick daily notes on the goings on outside of the Lee trade I wanted to chime in as well with my opinion. The Lee deal was a no-brainer based on what the Phils gave up. Not to minimize the talent that Carrasco, Marson, Donald, and Knapp have, but the Phillies acquired a top of the line pitcher and a much needed bat without giving up the four names that they, as well as many pundits covet most (Drabek, Happ, Taylor, Brown). While significantly upgrading their rotation and their bench, they have also given themselves more financial flexibility next year in taking on Lee’s contract rather than Halladay’s, money that potentially could be spent before the August 17 deadline to sign draftees to bolster problem areas within the system, as well as re-signing some key components from the team this year.
While Carrasco’s talent at times wins the wrestling match with what is going on in his head, the head games he plays while pitching may or may not continue, changing the perspective on his value. Marson has big league talent, but at a position where there are legit future prospects in the Phils system, and value must be given to get value. Donald is an extremely hard worker and has a very good head on his shoulders but his future value is more than likely limited to super sub status, based on what we have seen in the last couple of years. Knapp is the big question mark. Guys that throw 98 mph do not come along every day. Again, however, being at least two years away from being major league ready giving up Knapp makes sense in an attempt to capitalize on the massive amount of talent collected in Philly vying for back to back titles.
Around the System (Catchers)
One more pre-trade deadline look at the performance of the catchers throughout the Phillies minor league system.
Lehigh Valley
Lou Marson, Age 23, .295/384/.372; 1 HR 24 RBI, 3 SB, .267 with RISP, 21% CS rate, 6 errors, .985 fielding %, 2 PB
Paul Hoover, Age 33, .274/.340/.375. 1 HR 21 RBI, .349 with RISP, 3 errors, 5 passed balls, .991 fielding %., 19% CS rate
Donald Activated, Martinez Bullpen Session
Jason Donald was activated and is starting at SS for Lehigh Valley tonight. OF Mike Spidale, who has played well in his time with the ‘Pigs was sent down to Reading to make room. Donald, who hit 2nd all year for Lehigh Valley will be hitting ninth tonight. More to come from Coca Cola Park including news on Pedro Martinez bullpen session (if there is such a thing as news on a bullpen session).
Martinez threw about 50 pitches in the bullpen under the supervision of Lehigh Valley pitching coach Rod Nichols. He worked on a couple mechanical issues and seemed to throw the ball well in the session which lasted about 25 minutes.
A Blue Jays scout is at Coca Cola Park tonight.
Around the System (Outfield)
A second look at the outfielders in the Phils system, prior to the trading deadline.
Lehigh Valley
Jason Ellison, Age 31, 81 games in the OF–.241/.324/.328; 4 HR 23 RBI , 7 SB, .219 with RISP, 9 outfield assists, 1 error
Rich Thompson, Age 30, 74 games in the OF, .249/.313/.349; 2 HR 27 RBI, 18 SB, .295 with RISP, .162 vs. LHP, 7 OF assists, 1 error
Mike Spidale, Age 27, 49 games in the OF, .296/.336/.422; 3 HR 23 RBI, 8 SB, 3 assists, 1 error (combined Reading/Lehigh Valley)
David Newhan, Age 35, 22 games in the OF, 12 at DH, 2 at SS, 5 at 3B, 15 at SS. .274/.339/.429. 6 HR 32 RBI, 1 SB. .291 with RISP. .405 vs. LHP.
Michael Taylor, AGe 23, 79 games in the OF, 20 at DH. .329/.405/.567. 16 HR 67 RBI, 19 SB, 6 OF assists, 1 error. (combined stats) Continue reading Around the System (Outfield)
Around the System (Corner Infielders)
Another look at the Corner Infielders in the Phillies system from top to bottom. Not very deep at all, with AAAA organizational guys at the top, and several who have underperformed or are too old for their league on the bottom. The numbers being put up in Reading are interesting, although I think the Phils would hesitate to call any of the three a true prospect. Continue reading Around the System (Corner Infielders)
Futures Game is today
2PM (in like 2 minutes) on ESPN2.
Kyle Drabek and Yohan Flande represent the Phillies. Tune in.
Update, 7PM: Drabek with a nice inning. The tv gun was way off. Velo readings
96, 96
82, 94, 84, 95
95, 82, 95
Friday discussion items
Just a few odds and ends
* Anthony Hewitt is 8 for his last 15, with two triples and a HR. The BB/K numbers are still ugly, but I’ll take it for now.
* Domingo Santana has 7 XBH (4 2B, 3 HR) in 28 AB. That’s quite a way to kick off your US debut
* With all of the talk about Roy Halladay, I’ve started to kind of figure out what I think it will take to get a deal done. And I think about how its going to take a big chunk out of the Phillies farm system. But then I look at the first 20 or so guys on the prospect list, and realize that even if the team trades 4 or 5 guys, there are still going to be a bunch of guys that will merit watching. And that doesn’t count two power arms who still haven’t thrown a ball in Cosart and Shreve. I’ll continue this below…
3 Phillies on the Baseball America Top 25
BA always does an updated midseason Top 25, and this year 3 Phillies made the list; Dominic Brown (17th), Michael Taylor (23rd), and Kyle Drabek (24th). This also got me thinking about how the Phillies Top 10 would look now, and how our best prospects would be lined up if you were dividing them into tiers. For me, our Top 20 or so would look like this…
Tier 1: Drabek, Taylor, Brown
Tier 2: Knapp, Carrasco, Marson
Tier 3: Donald, D’Arnaud, Worley, Savery, May, Gose, Collier, Dugan, Santana
Tier 4: Pettibone, Sampson, Shreve, Stutes, De Fratus, Correa, Cisco, Mattair, Flande
Does that seem accurate? Am I missing anyone?
Mattair Q and A (Part One)
You asked and Travis Mattair answered…a big thank you goes to Lakewood Media Relations Manager Greg Giombarrese for putting this together on the Lakewood end. This is a Part One of the interview conducted. Please go to http://blog.blueclaws.com/ for the full audio version.
Ron in Allentown, PA: “Does the organization stress working the count when you are the the plate or do they want you to be aggressive.”?
Mattair: They want you to be aggressive and seek the fastball early, but working the count comes with good pitching. When you are seeing the fastballs early though, you have to go after it. Continue reading Mattair Q and A (Part One)
Phuture Phillies 