After a one week delay due to Hurricane Irma, the Phillies’ Instructional program is underway.  Players started arriving in Clearwater on Sunday.  They went through their indoctrination meetings on Monday.  Tuesday morning, they took to the fields at the Carpenter Complex for drills and BP.  Afterwards, they went inside around 12:30 for lunch. The coaches milled about on Ashburn Field, and this tweaked my curiosity.   Continue reading 2017 Instructs Schedule and Roster, et al →

I learned today that the start of the Florida Instructional League will be delayed about a week.  This should come as no surprise in the wake of Irma and the effects it has had on south Florida and the eastern Caribbean. Continue reading Florida Instructs; September 2017 →

Wednesday Instructs include an intrasquad game in Bright House Field.  Today’s game offered the added incentive that Kevin Gowdy would return to the mound after taking a ground ball off the forearm of his throwing arm.   Continue reading Florida Instructs; October 12, 2016 →

The Phillies played uninspired ball against the Blue Jays as Instructs entered its final week. The pitchers and defense surrendered nine runs on seven hits, three walks, a hit batter, a wild pitch, and a balk.  Six of the runs were unearned as the Phillies committed five or six errors.  The offense was equally ineffective, scoring only one run, and that came in the bottom of the ninth inning.

However, there is good news.  I spoke with Kevin Gowdy.  His arm feels better.  He has a little swelling, but the discoloration from the bruise was hardly noticeable.  And, he will pitch Wednesday during the intrasquad game.

And there were some good performances. Continue reading Florida Instructs; October 10, 2016 →

The Phillies traveled to Dunedin to scrimmage against the Blue Jays.  The game was played at the Blue Jays Mattick Complex under beautiful conditions at 10:00 AM.  The Phillies pitched and played well.  One guy has continued to “up” his stock and will likely be protected from the Rule 5 draft.  But first, let me relay some of the information I picked up around the cage. Continue reading Florida Instructs; October 8, 2016 →

Since my last report, the Phillies have played 2 games against the Yankees, 2 against the Blue Jays, and 3 intrasquad games.  I attended 4 of the seven, I’ll give you what I’ve got here. Continue reading Florida Instructs Update; October 5, 2016 →

The Phillies continued their Instructional League schedule on Tuesday by hosting the Yankees at Bright House Field.  The game quickly got out of hand with the Yankees posting crooked numbers in the second, third, and fourth innings.  The Phillies trailed 11-0 before getting their first hit in the bottom of the fourth inning.

So, rather than go through this gore fest inning by inning, I’ll just cover the highlights and low lights.   This is an instructional league.  The coaches are introducing players to new/correct ways of doing things.  So, if a player runs into a bad stretch, it is probably because he is trying to master some new skill.

I apologize for the lack of pictures and video today.  I wrenched my back and couldn’t get up and down the stairs as easily as on Monday.  So, I concentrated on velocity for a while. Then I took advantage of my seat close to “a person of interest” to see if I could pick up some interesting tidbits.

Kevin Gowdy got the start.

The starting line up and substitutions –

• 4 Daniel Brito went 1-3 with a BB and RBI.
• DH/7 David Martinelli went 1-3 with an HBP.
• 5 Josh Tobias went 1-4 with a 2B.
• DH/7 Gregg Pickett went 1-4 with a 2-run HR.
• 2 Rodolfo Duran went 0-1 with an HBP.
•    Lartigue went 0-1 with a BB.
• 9 Jhailyn Ortiz went 1-4.
• 3 Luis Encarnacion went 0-4 with 3 K.
• 8 Juan Luis went 1-3.
• 6 Jonathan Guzman went 1-3.
• 7/DH Josh Stephen went 0-2.
•    Brett Barbier went 0-1.
• 1 Kevin Gowdy –         2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
•    Alberto Tirado –      0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
•    Adonis Medina –     1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
•    Sixto Sanchez –       2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
•    Bailey Falter –           2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
•    Andrew Brown –     1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• Bench – Keudy Bocia and Jesus Henriguez

Two players joined the Instructs and pushed the roster total to 64 players.  The new additions are LHP Oscar Marcelino  and the PTBNL in the Carlos Ruiz trade, OF Joey Curletta.  The updated roster also includes assigned numbers for Instructs.

And now the highs, lows, observations, and other stuff.

1.  Kevin Gowdy looked sharp in a 1-2-3 first inning that featured 2 strike outs on off speed pitches (85 and 88 mph).  His FB was 92-94 mph.  He mixed his velocity well. The middle of the Yankees order squared up several balls in the second inning.  He was getting ahead with fastballs, but seemed to be leaving pitches up in the zone.
2. Daniel Brito made a web gem on a ground ball to his right, slid, back handed, spun, and threw out the runner.
3. Alberto Tirado struck out his first two batters.  An infield pop two-base error prolonged the inning and the Yankees scored 5 unearned runs.  On the pop up, Guzman drifted into shallow and called for the ball.  Josh Stephen who had collided with Guzman on an earlier catch, peeled off.  The ball landed on the infield dirt behind second base as the runner jogged into second.  Scored an error.  I don’t know on whom.
4. Adonis Medina was cruising with a couple of strike outs after an infield single when he gave up back to back home runs.
5. Sixto Sanchez struck out three in two innings.  He would have had a fourth if the umpire didn’t miss a strike on a 2-2 pitch.  The batter walked on the next pitch. Sanchez got two of his Ks looking at his off speed pitch, a slider I think.
6. Falter was hit hard in his first inning, but retired the Yankees in ordeder in his second inning on a weak ground ball to second and two infield pop ups.
7. Andrew Brown got 2 Ks on 81 mph pitches in a solid ninth.
8. Greg Picket played the field in a game for the first time since XST.  He was on the 60-day DL all summer.  He took a step back on a fly ball in the ninth and couldn’t recover in time to make the catch.  It’s also the first time I’ve seen him in left.  I remember him playing right last year.
9. Pickett looked good at the plate and finally had something to shoe for all his hard work with a blast to right.  The two-run HR accounted for 2 of the Phillies 3 RBI.
10. Daniel Brito had the other RBI on an infield single with the bases loaded in the eighth inning.  The Phillies other two runs scored on a PB and WP.  The final was 13-5.
11. Caleb Eldridge, who disappeared during the GCL season, was sitting in the stands with his right arm in a half cast.
12. An hour before the game, most of the pitchers were doing PFPs on Robin Roberts Field at the Carpenter Complex.
13. Org meetings this weekend will determine which MiLB free agents they re-sign.
14. Just like many of us, the Phillies anticipate losing some players during the Rule 5 draft again this year.
15. Pitcher velocities –
16. Gowdy FB 92-94, off speed 86-88, and 83-84.
17. Tirado FB 94-96, off speed 88 and 84.
18. Falter FB 87-89, off speed 80-81 and CB 73-75.
19. Brown FB 90-91, off speed 80-81 and CB 75.
20. No readings on Sanchez and Medina.

And some video of Gowdy.

Extra Innings

• No transactions.
• Organizational Rosters are up to date.

The Phillies played their first game of the Florida Instructional League season on Monday. Players began reporting last Sunday, September 18th.  They spent the week in early morning meetings and indoor workouts before taking the field for routine drills similar to those held in spring training.

Instructs brings the newest and youngest players in the organization together.  There are 62 players on the roster.  Thirteen of 32 position players suited up for the game.  Six of 30 pitchers saw action.  

Four teenagers from Venezuela saw action today.  Simon Muzziotti started in center field. Catcher Rafael Marchan entered as a substitute, as did SS Brayan Gonzalez and 2B Jesus Henriquez.

Franklyn Kilome got the start.  Here are a couple photos of him pitching in the first inning.  I think he’s pitching to Blue Jays’ prospect Vlad Guerrero.

Kilome was coming off a great start in the playoffs for Lakewood.  He demonstrated an easy, fluid motion as he threw his fastball 92-94 mph.  His off speed pitch came in around 84 mph.  He struck out the first batter.  Kilome walked a batter and gave up a single in the first inning.  The inning ended with “C” Randolph throwing out a runner at the plate, Randolph to Edgar Cabral.

Kilome walked a batter to start the first inning with lightning in the area.  the game was stopped with a one-ball count to the next batter.  Here’s video of one of his pitches.

The Phillies jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first.  Simon Muzziotti and Malvin Matos opened the home half with singles.  Randolph followed with a no-doubt-about-it home run to the right field berm.  I didn’t get any video of these at bats, but C’s blast cleared the fence above the green Quality Inn sign between the two white ones.

Edgar Garcia entered after the weather delay and easily retired the Blue Jays to end the second inning.  He threw his fastball 92-94 mph and disposed of the Jays in a 1-2-3 third inning.

The Phillies mounted another rally in the bottom of the third with the help of the Blue Jays.  Muzziotti reached on an error by the third baseman.  Matos chopped a single thru the hole into left field.  Randolph reached on a fielder’s choice that loaded the bases when the second baseman “cheated” and was ruled off the bag at second.  Randolph easily beat the relay.  Darick Hall reached on an error by the shortstop that scored a run to put the Phillies up 4-0.  And the Blue Jays “rolled” the inning to avoid any further damage.

Nick Fanti entered to pitch the next two innings.  The young lefty dominated the Jays with his pin point control.  His fastball was 88-90 mph.  He walked one and struck out two.  Two routine fly balls to left and two ground outs to second rounded out his outing.  Here’s a photo of one of his pitches and video of another.

Jordan Kurokawa came on to pitch the sixth inning.  He started with a walk and a double (Guerrero) off the left field wall.  The Phillies had made some changes, and the new left fielder threw to the relay man to nail a second runner at the plate, this time Josh Stephen to Brayan Gonzalez to Rafael Marchan.  The next batter homered to left to get the Blue Jays on the board.

The Phillies’ defense looked a little out of sorts for the next two batters.  An infield single was chopped into the no man’s land among the pitcher, first baseman, and second baseman.  Indecision led to no one covering first.  The next batter bounced a come backer to the mound, and Kurokawa’s soft toss to the second base bag sailed over the fielder. Fortunately the play was backed up.  A fly out and ground out ended the inning.

Jose Nin entered for the seventh inning.  His 92-94 mph fast ball kept the Jays at bay with two ground outs and a backward K.  Nin’s mastery came to an end in the eighth.  A two-run home run and RBI double gave the Jays a 5-4 lead.  Jonathan Hennigan came in to quell the rally with two strike outs.  His fastball registered 89-91 mph.

The Phillies bounced back to tie the game in the bottom of the inning.  Brett Barbier lined a lead off single followed by singles by Josh Stephen and Simon Muzziotti to score the game tying run.  The inning ended with three infield pop ups.

Hennigan was tagged with a couple of unearned runs in the ninth.  An error by the Gonzalez put the lead off runner on base.  He stole second and moved to third on a ground ball to the pitcher.  The go ahead run scored on a wild pitch.  Hennigan got the second out with a strike out.  A double drove in an insurance run and the inning ended with another strike out.

The Phillies went quietly in the ninth on 2 K, one reaching on a WP, and a double play.

The starting line up and subs –

• 8 Simon Muzziotti went 2-4.
• 9 Malvin Matos went 3-4 with a CS.
• 7/DH “C” Randolph went 1-4 with a 3-run HR.
• 3/DH Darick Hall went 1-4.
• 5 Luke Williamswent 0-4.
• 2 Edgar Cabral went 0-2.
•    Rafael Marchan went 0-2.
• 6 Cole Stobbe went 0-1 with a BB and CS.
•    Brayan Gonzalez went 0-2.
• 4 Daniel Brito went 0-1 with a HBP.
•    Jesus Henrique went 0-1
• DH/3 Brett Barbier went 1-2 with a BB.
• DH/7 Josh Stephen went 1-3.
• 1 Franklyn Kilome –          1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
•    Edgar Garcia –                  2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
•    Nick Fanti –                         2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
•    Jordan Kurokawa –       1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
•    Jose Nin –                            1.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
•    Jonathan Hennigan –   2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Most of the Phillies’ hits were bloops and bleeders over and through the infield.  The hardest hit balls were Randolph’s home run (of course) and Barbier’s line drive single in the eighth.

There were a lot of people in attendance.  I think the Phillies’ staff out-numbered the scouts in attendance.  I approached Joe Jordan to follow up on a question Romus asked last week.  For those who missed the Q & A in the comments thread, Romus asked if Simon Muzziotti’s Rule 5 clock started over when the contract he signed with Boston in 2015 was voided by MLB and he resigned with the Phillies this year.  I opined that I didn’t think it fair that the player be penalized for the organization’s misdeed.  But that MLB exists to protect owners not minor league players.  So, I asked Mr. Jordan.  He said that it was his understanding that Muzziotti’s Rule 5 clock started when he signed with the Phillies.  That means the Phillies still have 5 seasons of control over Muzziotti and he won’t be Rule 5 eligible until the 2020 Rule 5 Draft.

Mickey Moniak was present but left early to catch a flight to Philadelphia.  Word circulated among us informed fans that he is scheduled to see a doctor in the Philadelphia area. Remember that he sustained an injury during the GCL playoffs.  He was removed from game one of the finals against the Cardinals as the DH after his second at bat and didn’t play in the final two games.

Extra Innings

• 9/26 – Reading activated LF Andrew Pullin from the 7-day disabled list.
• 9/26 – Reading  activated LHP Mario Hollands from the 7-day disabled list.
• 9/26 – Reading activated RHP Tom Eshelman from the 7-day disabled list.
• 9/26 – Reading activated C Joel Fisher from the 7-day disabled list.
• Organizational Rosters are up to date.

I picked up the Phillies’ 2016 Instructional League Schedule at the Carpenter Complex today.  I also picked up the official roster.  And, yes, Cole Stobbe will be here as reported in an interview in the Omaha World Herald, shared with us by Bobby Pedagogy, and surmised by the rest of us.

I have attached the schedule and roster below. Continue reading 2016 Instructional League Schedule and Roster Update →