Stats are from the time period of 8/3 thru 8/9. Minimum of 11 AB’s.

Quick Points before we look at the bottom line:  Is there any legitimate reason that Darin Ruf is not in Lehigh Valley at this point?  I can’t think of one.

–D’Arby Myers performance of late in Reading is notable.  He is sitting at around .290 after close to 100 AB’s. Doesnt make up for several poor years, but just sayin.

–Troubling names on the “Not Hot” hitters list include Sebastian Valle, who has struggled early in his AAA transtion…Mitch Walding who has not hit at all as of late…..and Dylan Couzens who has been struggling as well.

–Ethan Martin has shown in his first two starts why the Phils wanted him, while Hoby Milner has looked very good in Lakewood over his last several starts.

–A rough outing for Jesse Biddle as his IP start to reach last years proportions.

–Julio Rodriguez seems to finally have plummetted to the land of medicority that many expected of him long ago.

–Perci Garner and Brody Colvin did what has been expected plus after battling most of the year. Continue reading Hot or Not →

With a patchwork lineup, the ‘Pigs have been the picture of mediocrity over the last several weeks, going 5-5 in their last 10 ten games, and now stand at 63-55, 2.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket in the Northern Division of the International League.  Scranton is leading the wild card race, with Lehigh Valley one game back. After a day off on Tuesday, the ‘Pigs open a six game home stand against Buffalo against whom they play two, followed by two each versus Syracuse and Rochester. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Suddenly, a new mindset as we look at the catchers throughout the system.  We now have three legit prospects (AAA, AA, High A) and two with legit potential to be outstanding in the majors.  I am also intrigued by the Austudillo fellow in the GCL.  Check out his numbers.

Lehigh Valley

Sebastian Valle, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2006; .258/.277/.428 in 318 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 13 HR 47 RBI; 3%bb/26%k rates. 81 games caught with 1 error (.998); 9 passed balls; 26/91(29%)CS.  Has played well this year and should spend most of 2013 in AAA with maybe a September call up if the progression continues. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →

A look back at the past week from July 27–August 2. Minimum of 11 AB’s.

Quick hits before we get started: Cody Ascheseems to have adjusted to AA and is starting to put up numbers ,while 16 year old Carlos Tocci makes the hot list for the first time.

–Rough week for Larry Greene, who took an 0-6 last night.

–Hoby Milner and Kevin Brady make their initial appearances on the hot starter list, while Cloyd and Morgan continue making their near weekly appearances.

–Outstanding week from the CLearwater bullpen (Neris, Murray, Nesseth, GIles), while Kyle Simon, who was promoted to Reading this week continues to throw very well out of the ‘pen.

–Aumont seems to be back on track and it is very nice to see Justin DeFratus on the hot reliever list.  He could be very useful for the Phils next year.

Hot Hitters: Cesar Hernandez (.500, 5R 1HR 6RBI); Tug Hulett (.474, 6R 1HR 4RBI); Willans Astudillo (.444, 9RBI)Carlos Tocci (.412, 5R 3SB);Sebastian Valle (.389, 6RBI);  Leandro Castro (.381, 4R 1HR 10RBI); Andreas Blanco (.375, HR 4RBI)Zack Green (.375, 2HR 6RBI); Cody Asche (.345, 7R): Honorable mention: James, Myers, Hanzawa, Carver, Franco, Pointer, Spidale, Hudson, Suomi,Quinn, Serritella Continue reading Hot or Not →

A look at the Lakewood, WIlliamsport, and GCL outfield.  Plenty to talk…See the details below.

Lakewood (stats thru 7/31)

Miguel Alvarez, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2007; .205/.242/.240 in 146 AB’s between Lakewood and Clearwater; 0HR 8 RBI; 6SB; 4%bb/27% k rates. 37 games in the OF with 4 errors (.957); 4 OF assists. Alvarez really struggled in his 100 plus AB’s in CLearwater, striking out in nearly one-third of his plate appearances, so back to Lakewood he went. Continue reading Around the System–Lower Half, OF →

The ‘Pigs are struggling having gone 4-6 over their last 10 games and have now dropped into third place in the Northern Division of the International League(59-52), 3 games behind division leading Scranton.  It is the time of year to begin watching the wild card standings and Lehigh Valley is 2.5 games behind Pawtucket for the wild card. The ‘Pigs have one more game in Syracuse before they come home for a short two game home stand against Pawtucket. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

The Hunter Pence tenure in Philadelphia has come to an end much quicker than thought by most when he was acquired at this time last year.  Reports suggest the haul back from San Francisco is top prospect Tommy Joseph, a 21 year old catcher along with OF Nate Schierholtz and Single A Pitcher Seth Rosin.

Joseph was the Giants 2nd round pick in 2009 out of Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Playing for AA Richmond this season, Joseph has hit .260/.313/.391 in 304 AB’s. Joseph walks in 7% of his plate appearances while striking out in 19%. He has hit 8HR and knocked in 38.  A top catching prospect who has thrown out 48% of would be base stealers this season, Joseph has also played 14 games at 1B over the course of the year.

Schierholtz, 28, is a member of the Giants 25 man roster making $1.3M this year as a first time ARB eligible player.  In a platoon role, Schierholtz, who hits left is hitting .257/.327/.429 in 175 AB’s with 5HR and 17 RBI. 

Rosin, 23, a huge RHP born in  North Dakota was the Giants 4th round pick in 2010 out of the University of Minnesota and has spent the season at High A San Jose.  Used mostly as a reliever, Rosin is 2-1 with a 4.31 ERA and 10 saves.  He has thrown 56.1 innings, struck out a very impressive 68, walked just 18, with a WHIP of 1.18.

Pence who was likely to make $15M in his last ARB eligible year next year will join the Giants tomorrow.

The dominoes have begun to fall with the Phils shipping OF Shane Victorino to the Dodgers for Relief Pitcher Josh Lindblom and Staring Pitcher Ethan Martin.

The Phils shed a nice chunk of salary with Victorino’s departure, saving approximately $3M over the balance of the season (Victorino’s salary was $9.5M)

Martin, 23, is a fairly highly touted RHP who was the Dodgers first round pick in 2008, signing for $1.3M.  This year playing in AA for the Dodgers organization, Martin started 20 games going 8-6 with a 3.58 ERA in 118 IP.  Opponents are hitting just .214 against Martin and he sports a 4.6/8,9 BB/K ratio and a 1.27 WHIP.  I would expect Martin would land somewhere in the top ten prospects in the Phils organization.

Lindblom, 25, was the Dodgers 2nd round pick in 2008 and has spent the last two seasons in the LA bullpen. He is 2-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 48 appearances this season. Lindblom’s WHIP stands at 1.25, to go along with a 3.4/8.1 BB/K ratio.  Lindblom is expected to take an immediate spot in the Phillies bullpen, more than likely leading to Joe Savery being sent back down to Lehigh Valley.

Matt Gelb is reporting that Domonic Brown has been scratched from the Lehigh Valley lineup today and will be called up to the Phillies.  This, of course, adds to increased speculation that Shane Victorino will be a Dodger by 4pm today, if not sooner.

Stay tuned for updates…