Although not necessarily prospect relevant, the goings on today in Allentown probably deserve a post of its own. It goes as follows:

3B Ronnie Belliard announced his retirement pre-game. He had been the primary starting third baseman through the first part of the season but had seen his playing time decrease with the addition of Pete Orr.

Speaking of Pete Orr, he had been penciled in as the starting 3B this evening, but was pulled from the lineup when his wife went into labor.  Replacing him was Jeff Larish, who was supposed to be used in emergencies only after coming down with the flu circulating around the clubhouse. Continue reading Crazy Day In Allentown →

Lehigh Valley continues playing well, with a 4-2 record since the last report and remain atop the Northern Division of the International League at 36-22, five games ahead of 2nd place Scranton.  The ‘Pigs began a seven game home stand against Durham and Louisville on Tuesday, a home stand that runs through next Tuesday, before hitting the road for Pawtucket. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report 08 Jun 2011 →

Yet another successful Week for Lehigh Valley who went 5-2 since our last report and at 32-20, remain atop the Northern Division of the International League, three games ahead of second place Scranton.  The Magic Number is 91 (hadda say it).  Lehigh Valley concludes their series in Gwinnett tonight, before traveling to Charlotte for a four game series.

Leaders: Hitting: Jeff Larish is 5th in homers (10); Erik Kratz is tied for 7th in homers (9); Rich Thompson leads the league in stolen bases (18) Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report 02 June 2011 →

Another good week for the ‘Pigs, even with it ending having been swept by Gwinnett in a doubleheader yesterday. Lehigh Valley went 4-2 since the last report and are now 27-18 on the season, and are atop the Northern Division of the International League, three games ahead of both Pawtucket and Scranton.  Their eight game home stand continues tomorrow with a four game series against Rochester.

‘Pigs Leaders, Hitting: Jeff Larish is tied for 7th in homers (8); Rich Thompson leads the league in stolen bases (18) and is 7th in OBP (.393).

Pitching: Mike Zagurski is tied for 4th in saves (7); Ryan Feireabend is tied for 2nd in homers allowed (10); Michael Schwimer is tied for the league lead in holds (5). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Lehigh Valley continues to play sound fundamental baseball going 5-2 over the week past, now standing at 23-16, in first place (yes, first place) in the Northern DIvision of the International League, one game ahead of Scranton.  The ‘Pigs remain in Scranton through Friday, to wrap up their four game series against the Yankees, before returning home for a lengthy homestand that begins with Gwinnett, the Braves AAA club.

Leaders (thru Tuesdays games) Hitting: Jeff Larish is tied for 6th in homers (7); Brandon Moss is tied for 8th in RBI’s(25); Rich Thompson is tied for the league lead in steals (15) and is 8th in OBP (.404). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Lehigh Valley continues playing a much better brand of baseball, having gone 4-2 over the past week and are now 18-14 and tied for 2nd place of the Northern Division of the International League, 0.5 games behind division leading Scranton. The ‘Pigs finish up their four game series in Toledo this evening and then return home for a four game series against Norfolk, before heading up the Northeast Extension for four in Scranton. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report 11 May 2011 →

Lehigh Valley has gone 4-2 since the last report and are currently 3rd in the Northern Division of the International League, 2.5 games behind division leading Scranton. The ‘Pigs embark on an eight game road trip to Columbus and Toledo after their first off day of the year on Wednesday.

Leaders (thru 5/3/11) Hitting: Jeff Larish is 5th in Homers(6); Rich Thompson leads the league in stolen bases (11). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report 04 May 2011 →

Up and down this week for Lehigh Valley who finished the week at 3-4, although on an up note after their 8-2 victory over visiting Pawtucket last evening. The ‘Pigs are at .500 (10-10) and in 3rd place of the Northern Division of the International League, four games behind division leading Scranton. Lehigh Valley continues playing at home over the next week with 2 more games against Pawtucket (Red Sox), followed by a four game series against Buffalo (Mets). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report 28 April 2011 →

In light of the daily box score update, I think it may make some sense to do away with daily game summaries and attempt to focus the weekly updates on how particular players have been performing along with general team updates.  So, along those lines each week I will update half of the team.  Infielders, catchers and starters one week and then outfielders and relievers the next. That should allow a constant continuing picture of what we have at the AAA level.  Look for that on Thursday or Friday each week.  I hope to combine that with occasional additional features and player interviews throughout the season. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report 21 April 2011 →

Friday–Lehigh Valley went back over .500 with a 9-4 victory over Rochester, taking two out of three from the RedWings. The ‘Pigs fell behind early on a series of miscues, but bounced back with two runs in the fourth when two runs scored on back to back sac flies by Josh Barfield and Matt Miller. The ‘Pigs put up a four spot in the 7th, when Rochester got very sloppy. The big blow in an inning that featured errors, wild pitches and run scoring bunt singles was a two run single by Ronnie Belliard. Lehigh Valley tacked on three more in the 8th, two of them coming on an RBI double by Delwyn Young. Nate Bump started and went 4 innings giving up 4 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits.  Drew Carpenter picked up the win in relief, pitching three hitless innings.  A big night at the plate for Kevin Frandsen, who had 3 hits. Continue reading AAA Weekend Update 17 April 2011 →