A look back at the week of June 13-19.  A few quick hitters…its very hard to think that Larry Greene will turn it around. Between the brutal numbers and showing up out of shape to Spring Training, I have about written him off…Zambrano should go up. Not sure if immediately in the rotation but he has to be able to help in some way…The enigma that is Brody Colvin continues to cause me to scratch my head…Am I wrong to be very excited about Severino Gonzalez?Mike Nesseth is a name to watch…he knows how to pitch.

Hot Hitters, Min 12 AB’s: Willie Carmona (.667, HR 5RBI); Chris Serritella (.462); Carlos Tocci (.417); Josh Fields (.400, 4RBI); Jim Murphy (.381, 2HR 7RBI); Edgar Duran (.368); Tyler Henson (.357, 3SB); Zach Green (.357); Gustavo Martinez (.357); Mitch Walding (.333, 5R 1HR 3RBI); Honorable Mention: Overbeck Continue reading Hot or Not →

A solid 4-2 week for Lehigh Valley after their 3-0 shutout victory behind Carlos Zambrano on Tuesday. Lehigh Valley is now 37-34 and tied for 2nd place in the Northern Division of the International League, 5 games behind division leading Pawtucket at the half way mark of the season.  The ‘Pigs have two more games against Toledo before moving along to Columbus where they will play four games and conclude their 8 game road trip next Monday. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

I was planning on releasing this list closer to the end of June but Brad mentioned it might be beneficial to do one ranking now and one in early August after the deadline when we have seen how the guys in Williamsport and the GCL fair.  I have not included any player with major league service time in 2013 or any 2013 draftees (I will address them after this list).  I have tried to avoid making any rash changes in rankings based purely on stats and have tried to let the tools and profile do the talking.

1. Jesse Biddle (Pre-season #1) – Biddle’s profile hasn’t changed a ton.  The curveball and fastball have been better than the past, but the changeup and command still have a ways to go.  It is encouraging that he has really missed bats at a level where they can punish a hanging breaking ball.

2. Maikel Franco (Pre-season #6) – I really liked Franco pre-season and somehow I kept putting guys over him.  He is a monster at the plate with plenty of glove for third.  It is true impact potential and he was way too low on the first list. Continue reading Midseason Top 20 →

A look at starting pitching around the system. Next trip around will include Williamsport and GCL.

Lehigh Valley

Tyler Cloyd, 26, Phils 18th round pick in 2008; 7 starts; 1-4 with a 6.57 ERA; 38.1IP 51H 12BB 35K; 9 HR allowed; 0.83 GO/AO; .315 opp. avg., 1.64 WHIP; 2.8BB/8.2K per nine.  Cloyd returned just yesterday to Lehigh Valley after spending several weeks in the Phils rotation and doing a good job for the Phils. Ironically, he was doing a less than good job for the ‘Pigs when he was called up, but kudos for good work for the big club.

Carlso Zambrano, 32, SIgned as a free agent in 2013; 4 starts; 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA between Clearwater, Reading and Lehigh Valley; 21.1IP 14H 11BB 17K. Zambrano was less than impressive in his last start for Lehigh Valley (5IP 4H 2ER 4BB 5K) and will have to take it up a notch to displace Pettibone from the Phils rotation. Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching →

Here it goes…

Pitchers

Drew Anderson, Tyler Buckley, Chris Burgess, Mitch Guellar, Robert Marcello, Shane Martin, Lino Martinez, Manny Martinez, Roman Oviedo, Jon Prosinski, Julio Reyes, Lee Ridenhour, Yacksel Rios, Keivi Rojas, Felix Santos, Josh Warner

Catchers–Corey Bass, Andrew Knapp, Gabriel Lino

Infield–Jairo Cardozo, Zach Green, Angelo Mora, Logan Pierce, Andrew Pullin

OF–Dylan Cozens, Sam Hiciano, Gustavo Martinez, Justin Parr, Jia Tromp

DL–Ervis Manzanillo, Ulysses Joaquin, James Birmingham

As everyone is aware the major league draft occurred occurred a week ago.  The first big wave of signings have come in and the big question is what type of player are these no additions to the minor league system.  Rather than go through them and try to make a snap decision based on limited knowledge and reports as to what type of players they are this is going to explore more the type of players that comprise a minor league system.

Prospects:

A prospect is a player that has the raw ability to have reasonable projection to be a contributor on the major league level.  This does not by definition  mean that prospect equals major league regular and it also does not include player who project only to get a quick cup of coffee in the majors. Continue reading What is a Prospect? →

A look at the time period of June 6th thru June 12th. As always, a minimum of 12AB’s for hitters to be considered.  Some random thoughts…When Utley gets activated should some thought be given to calling Asche up for a month while sending Howard to the DL and Young over to first?  I would hope Kelly Dugan is in Baseballtown come July…Tyson Gillies has fallen back into the same old thing….With his small frame, Hoby Milner is putting up some big numbers…I am beginning to get concerned about Shane Watson. Not panicked yet, but concerned….Very nice to see Diekman on the Hot list. The Phils desperately need a dependable LOOGY. Diekman isnt there yet, but another 5-10 good outings and maybe he gets the call…Finally, Steven Inch has the distinction of making the Not Hot List as a starter and reliever this week…On the bright side, he is an SAL All Star. Continue reading Hot or Not →

A good week for Lehigh Valley, who went 5-2 on the week and now stand at 33-32, and in 3rd place of the Northern Division of the International League, 4.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket.  The ‘Pigs have an off day Wednesday and then continue their home stand with four games over the weekend against Scranton before they leave for an eight game road trip.

‘Pigs Prospects: Darin Ruf’s homerless streak has now reached 100 plus AB’s, to go along with 25 strikeouts in his last 88 AB’s. He has had a nagging hand injury but that said, Ruf simply isnt producing in the manner necessary to get serious consideration for a call up.  After a three hit night in Game Two last night, Ruf is at .262/.339/.407 on the year with 5 HR and 30 RBI. Since May 1, Ruf is hitting .259 with just 1 HR. Ruf works very hard and has played LF quite capably, but this funk has led to a larger question mark next to his name in regards to big league potential. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Given that this is one of the first time in the past two weeks that I have worked less than 12 hours I thought I would write about the draft, and it kind of spiraled from there.

I want to start by thanking dcwildcat53 for posting the picks throughout Day 3 of the draft.

Your two biggest sources of information going forward are going to be Brad’s Draft Tracker which will remained pinned to the top until the signing deadline and the 2013 Draft Page.  We will work to add more content to both going forward to keep you up to date on signings and all other information you might desire about the 2013 draft.  Look for individual threads with major signings and news to pop up as we gain information. Continue reading 2013 Draft Thoughts (And other Random Phillies Thoughts) →

The ranks are thinning due to the myriad of injuries suffered throughout the organization…Here is what we currently are looking at in each level of the system.

Lehigh Valley

John Suomi, 32, Phils re-signed as free agent in 2013; Hitting .268 with 2 HR and 7RBI in 41 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley. 7 games caught without an error; 4 passed balls; 3/9 caught stealing (33%);  Suomi continues to serve in his designated role as a back up catcher wherever he is needed in the upper levels of the minors.

Cameron Rupp, 24, Phils 3rd round pick in 2010; (Reading) .245/.329/.455 in 143 AB’s; 8HR 21RBI; 9%bb/23% k rates, .106 vs. LHP, .266 vs. RHP, .324 with RISP, .271 since May 1.  32 games caught with 4 errors (.985); 2 passed balls; 8/33 caught stealing (24%); Rupp has developed well, and was rewarded with his promotion to Lehigh Valley with the glut of injuries at the catcher position.   Good defensively (receiving and calling the game) and his bat continues to show glimpses of real promise. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →