The ‘Pigs are in the midst of a three game series against division leading Scranton and it is not going well, after loses in their first two games including a 10-0 drubbing last night.  The series continues tonight with one more before Lehigh Valley returns home for a 6 game home stand against Indianapolis and Pawtucket.  Currently, the ‘Pigs are four games behind division leading Scranton, however they have solidified their wild card lead of 5.5 games over Rochester by winning 22 of 32 since the all star break.

‘Pigs Prospects: JP Crawford has been struggling with the stick as of late, hitting just .197 over that time period, and has been held without an extra base hit during that same time period.  Still with his excellent batting eye, Crawford has been on base during each of the last 9 games. For Lehigh Valley, Crawford is at .258/.348/.333 in 264AB with 3HR and 25RBI.  In my opinion, no reason at all to rush Crawford.

Nick Williams currently sits with his lowest batting average over the last 2 months and is in the midst of a 6-38 slump over the last 10 games.  On the year, WIlliams is at .277/.308/.455 in 411AB with 12HR 57RBI and 5SB.  He hit the 100 strike out last week.

Jesmuel Valentin has been struggling over the last month, both prior to, and since his callup from Reading. In his last 24 games, Valentin is hitting just .182, and is at .269/.340/.391 between Reading and Lehigh Valley this year.

Next Week: Lively, Knapp

News and Notes–Lehigh Valley has been shutout the fewest times in the IL(6)

–Over his last 6 IL starts, Anthony Vasquez is 2-0 with a 2.58 ERA and 5 quality starts.

–OF Cedric Hunter continues to play very well for Lehigh Valley and is hitting .326 over his last 13 games with 3HR and 12RBI

–Over his last 14 outings, RP Frank Herrmann has allowed just 1ER in 15.2IP, and has picked up 3 wins.

–The Lehigh Valley pitching staff ranks 2nd in the IL in ERA at 3.25, and over the last 2 months, the bullpen is a combined 13-5, with 20SV and a 1.93ERA.

–Cam Perkins has had multi hit games in three of his last 4 games,. including reaching base all 4 times on Tuesday. Over his last 26 games, Perkins is hitting .316.

–P Phil Klein recorded a career high 10 strikeouts in his start on Tuesday and struck out the last 7 hitters he faced.

–With his win over Rochester last Sunday, in which he gave up just a lone run in 6.1IP, Ben Lively became the first minor league pitcher to hit 14 wins this year.

–Overall, Phillies minor league clubs are 384-279 this year, good for 2nd best winning % in minor league baseball.

–Darin Ruf has been extremely solid for Lehigh Valley, hitting .298 with 13HR and 45RBI over his last 65 games.

–Over his last 9 games, RP Colt Murray has just a 1.54ERA and has struck out 12 in 11.2IP.

–INF Carlos ALonso announced his retirement and has taken a position on the WIlliamsport coaching staff Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

Lehigh Valley

David Buchanan, 27, Phils 7th round pick in 2010; 21 games; 8-6 with a 3.83ERA; 131.2IP 125H 30BB 70K; 13HR allowed; .252 opp avg; 1.18WHIP; 1.19 GO/AO; .231 vs LHH, .264 vs RHH, .194 opp avg last 30 days; 2.1BB/4.8K per 9; After really struggling up until the seasons mid point, Buchanan has been excellent of late, going 4-1 with a 1.42ERA since the All Star break.

Phil Klein, 27, Signed off of waivers in 2016; 8 games, 4 starts, 1-1 with a 2.13ERA for Lehigh Valley; 25.1IP 20H 6BB 25K; .215 opp avg; 1.03WHIP; 1.00 GO/AO; 2.1BB/8.9K per 9; Klein has thrown well for Lehigh Valley in varied roles but I dont expect him to make a long term Phillies impact

Ben Lively, 24, Acquired from Reds in 2014; 23 starts between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 14-4 with a 2.80ERA; 141.2IP 105H 39BB 111K; 9HR allowed; .203 opp avg; 1.02WHIP; 0.83 GO/AO; 2.5BB/7.1K per 9; 7-4 with a 3.35ERA in 14 starts for Lehigh Valley; .213 opp avg; 1.06WHIP; Lively has had an excellent year, throwing as many innings as anyone in the organization and throwing consistently well.

Adam Morgan, 26, Phils 3rd round pick in 2011; 8 games, 6-1 with a 3.04ERA; 50.1IP 43H 10BB 52K; 4HR allowed; 1.8BB/9.3K per 9; .157 vs LHH, .261 vs RHH, .209 opp avg last 30 days; Morgan won the IL Player of the week last week for his two outstanding performances and his work since being sent down from Philly has been stellar (2.76ERA in 5 starts).   Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching; LV, Reading and CW →

Lehigh Valley

Andy Knapp, 24, Phils 2nd round pick in 2013; .269/.333/.395 in 324AB; 7HR 38RBI; 9%BB/24%K; .266 vs LHP; .270 vs RHP; .279 last 30 days; 83 games caught with 7 errors (.988); 13 passed balls; 14/42 CS(33%); Knapp’s offense has been consistent and his defense has been improving.

Logan Moore, Soon to be 26, Phils 9th round pick in 2011; .238/.303/.372 in 148AB between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 4HR 17RBI; 9%BB/28%K; .231 vs LHP; .255 vs RHP; .167 last 30 days; 45 games caught with 4 errors (.988); 0 passed balls; 16/38 CS (42%); Limited playing time but continued defensive excellence.

Reading

Jorge Alfaro, 23, Acquired from Texas in 2015; .290/.331/.460 in 328AB; 12HR 55RBI; 2SB; 5%BB/23%K; .229 vs LHP; .306 vs RHP; .294 last 30 days; 77 games caught with 3 errors (.955); 5 passed balls; 27/64CS (42%); Continued progress for Alfaro both behind the plate and with the bat.

Gabriel Lino, 23, Acquired from Baltimore in 2012; .220/.289/.299 in 164 AB between Clearwater and Reading; 2HR 8RBI; 7%BB/20%K; 48 games behind the plate with 9 errors (.978); 6 passed balls; 22/59 CS (37%).  Other than his good arm, Lino has shown regression in some areas and very limited progress in others. Continue reading Around the System–Catcher →