It is a bit sad to write about the Reading Phillies these days.  Many of the prospects who started the year at Reading have moved on, either through promotions, trades, or the Olympics.  However, we are left with a few nice prospects at Reading, mostly arms, who might be able to help the big league club in the near future.  Which is nice, because they aren’t helping the Reading Phillies at the moment, as the club lost 5 of 7 games on the week, mostly because of a putrid offense which scored only 24 runs in the 7 games.  Let’s highlight some of the prospects and take a look at what they have done…

Continue reading Reading Phillies Weekly Report (8/6-8/12) →

I’ve searched the interwebs high and low, no official word on Michael Taylor, but the unofficial word I’ve heard is a minor elbow tweak. I expect he’ll be back in a few days. I’ve gotten at least 10 emails asking about him, sorry I haven’t replied, I figured I’d just address it here. Kyle Drabek has now pitched 3 times since returning from TJ surgery, 9 IP – 0.00 ERA – 4 H – 3 BB – 4 K. 2.14 Groundouts to Air Outs. And he’s healthy. This news can only be considered great. And finally, it appears JA Happ isn’t sulking about no longer being in the bigs. He tossed a 6 inning gem two nights ago, striking out 10 and walking only 1 while not allowing a run. He has a 3.05 ERA in his last 59 minor league innings and looks poised to step into the rotation should a need arise. Carlos Carrasco is also loving life in AAA, not allowing an ER in his first two starts, striking out 14 and walking only 2 in 12.2 IP. Today is a good news Tuesday for sure.

Check it. Its pretty standard, but he does give some thoughtful replies. I liked this answer though;

BA: What kind of approach do you like to take to the plate for every at-bat?

MT: I try to have a plan for every single at-bat for every single pitch. I’m not saying it always works out, but I feel like the less at-bats I give away over the course of a 500 AB season, if I give away 50, I may not scrape out 15, 20 more hits, and that’s the difference between hitting .275 and .300. For me, I try to go up there, take every pitch, have my plan—and I know we’re not supposed to be stepping out—but just to clear my head, take what happened and just get my new plan for that next pitch. If I do that, I feel that I have a chance to be successful with my approach.

for Scott Eyre, per Todd Zolecki. Schlitter was drafted last year, he’s a fringe guy, but having a nice run at Clearwater. Eyre is, of course, a “proven veteran” and will give Manuel someone else to choose from instead of having to use Romero, Durbin and Lidge in 5 run games.

Baseball America ran an article today talking about some of the better performers on Team USA thus far, and Marson made the short (well, 10) list.

5. Lou Marson, c, Phillies

Marson defended well behind the plate, though he lacked the sub-2.0 pop times and well above-average arm of teammate Taylor Teagarden. But Marson, 22, was impressive at the plate in BP and in games, showing an easy, balanced swing. Though he only had 10 plate appearances while splitting catching duties with Teagarden, Marson showed an easy, balanced swing in BP and in games. He squared up balls with authority, and his outs were generally well-hit balls in play. Marson also has likely the best batting eye on the team, as he drew nearly as many walks (65) as strikeouts (69) this year with Double-A Reading and leads the Eastern League with a .434 on-base percentage.

Even though Mike Arbuckle thinks he stinks, its nice to see BA hyping him up.

Just a quick note. I changed a few layout type things on the site. I reduced the number of posts you see on the main page, but I added a link on the right side where you can see the last 15 posts on the site. I’ve also started adding RSS stuff on the right side so you can get the latest news, and I also added an RSS feed for this site on the left side, as well as a login type thing for the site contributors. More to come.

I had the opportunity to attend tonights ‘Pigs game and watch Carlos Carrasco in person.  He had an impressive night.  He went 6.2 innings and gave up 2 runs (none earned) on 6 hits.  He didnt factir in the decision, in a game Lehigh Valley won 5-3. Carrasco walked 2 and struck out 4.  He threw 102 pitches, 67 for strikes and certainly looked like he belonged and then some.  His fastball was between 91–93 for most of the night, and he hit 94-95 with half a dozen pitches.  His change was very impressive, causing numerous groundouts on a very busy night for 3B Joey Hammond. There were a few balls hit hard, but Carrasco kept his composure for the most part and worked out of trouble on a couple of occasions.  This was only his first start and some growing pains are expected but from this initial report, he has the stuff to be very successful.  As I literally almost ran into both Ruben Amaro, Jr. and Dave Montgomery, at the game, it seems as if Carrasco’s  first start had everyone interested.

After Les Walrond was called up to take the place of Rudy Seanez (DL) on the major league roster, coveted prospect Carlos Carrasco was called up to AAA–Lehigh Valley and is expected to start Sunday.  Looking first at Carrasco, the 21 year old is 7-7 with a 4.32 ERA in Reading this year.  He has pitched 114.2 innings, given up 109 hits, walked 45 and struck out 109.  Opponents are hitting .254 against him and his WHIP is 1.34.  He also has given up 13 gopher balls this year in his 19 starts. Carrasco has a fastball that usually hovers between 89–93 , and has a good late kick to it. Carrasco’s “out” pitch is considered to be his change which is extremely effective. His curveball has shown improvement over the last couple of years as well. 

Walrond, 31, has been absolutely phenominal as of late with a 29 inning scoreless streak without yielding an earned run for the ‘Pigs.  Never really on the major league radar screen prior to now, Walrond who was acquired from the Cubs earlier this year has been quite a surprise for Lehigh Valley.  On the year he is 5-7 for Lehigh Valley with a 2.63 ERA in his 17 starts.  He has pitched 103.1 innings, given up 88 hits, walked 36, struck out 95 and opponents are hitting only .235 against him.  His WHIP is 1.20 and he has given up only 3 homerun balls. This is Walrond’s third stint in the majors (Cubs’06 and Royals ’03).

It’s August, the final full month of the minor league season. There are a number of interesting story lines to follow over the final month. What I do NOT want to focus on is the big league club, unless a prospect is traded now in a post waivers deal, or if a player is called up. The last week or so, it seems like the entire discussion has been focused on potential trades, which is only natural because of the time of the year. But now its time to get back on track. With that, a few general thoughts….

Continue reading Friday Thoughts →

Gillick/Amaro/Arbuckle contained themselves, no blood was shed for a fungible middle reliever, and my sanity has been restored. So everything is safe. Tomorrow we can focus on the last month of the minor league season and the draft deadline and everything not related to Ron Mahay, Will Ohman, and Roy Halladay. Thanks again everyone for your continued support.