Excited?

Other Stuff

10 days in and there is plenty to be excited about in the Phils minor league system to go along with areas of moderate early areas of concern.  The numbers below are not enough to form an opinion but are enough to have a reaction.

So, with that said, here is a look at how the Phils top prospects have started. The rankings below are based on the Phuture Phillies reader pre season rankings.

  1.  JP Crawford, SS, Reading–.342/.419/.500 in 43 plate appearances.  1HR 3RBI, 1SB, 10%BB/10%K rates.  Crawford has been very solid thus far.
  2. Nick Williams, OF, Lehigh Valley–.174/.222/.261 in 27 plate appearances; 0HR 4RBI; 1SB; 7%BB/21%K rates.  Multiple games lost to rain out have led to a very small sample size.
  3. Jake Thompson, P, Lehigh Valley; 2 starts, 0-2 with a 6.75ERA, 1.63WHIP, 5.6BB/11.2K per 9; One good start and one very poor start thus far for Thompson.
  4. Mark Appel, P, Lehigh Valley; Just one start by Appel so far and it was excellent.  He threw 5.2 scoreless striking out five last week vs. Rochester.  Next scheduled to go on Monday.
  5. Cornelius Randolph, OF, Lakewood, .121/.237/.182 in 37 plate appearances; 0HR 2RBI; 3SB; 11%BB/27%K rates.  Started extremely slow but has had a good last few games.
  6. Roman Quinn, OF, Reading, .229/.308/.314 in 37 plate appearances, 0HR 1RBI; 4SB; 5%BB/22%K rates; Leading the organization in SB right out of the gate
  7. Jorge Alfaro, C, Reading; .464/482/.571 in 29 PA; 0HR 5RBI; 3%BB/17%K rates; Alfaro has multiple hit games in his last five consecutive starts and has played very well behind the plate.
  8. Franklyn Kilome, P, Lakewood, 2 starts, 0-2 with a 14.85ERA; 3.15WHIP; .433 opp avg; walking over a hitter an inning.  One bad start followed by a horrific start.
  9. Andy Knapp, C, Lehigh Valley, Hitting .417 with a HR and 2RBI in 12AB.  Has hit in 3 of his 4 starts for the ‘Pigs thus far.
  10. Zach Eflin, SP, Lehigh Valley, Allowed one ER in 6 innings pitched in his first start of the year, picking up the win.  Scheduled to throw on Sunday.

 

Box Score Recap – 4/15/2016

Box Score Recap

Lehigh Valley (2-5) Lost to Pawtucket 6-5.  Adam Morga struck out 5 in 5.2 IP but was victimized by a couple errors in the sixth inning.

  • Perkins went 3-4 with 3 R and a 3B.
  • Featherston went 2-3 with a 2B, HR (1), and 2 RBI.
  • Red Sox stole a base, Arencibia threw out two.
  • Joseph (missed catch) and Jackson committed errors that allowed 2 unearned runs to score.  It was the first error for both.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 4/15/2016 →

Box Score Recap – 4/14/2016

Box Score Recap

Lehigh Valley (2-4) Lost to Pawtucket 13-1.  The Red Sox collected 19 hits.  Sean O’Sullivan got the win for Pawtucket.

  • Williams picked up an outfield assist.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 4/14/2016 →

Box Score Recap – 4/13/2016

Box Score Recap

Lehigh Valley (2-3) Blew a 6-4 lead in the ninth and fell to Rochester 7-6.  Edward Mujica gave up 5 singles in the 3-run ninth.

  • IronPigs had 13 hits.
  • Lough went 4-6 with an RBI.
  • Williams went 1-3 with 2 BB and 2 RBI.
  • Knapp went 1-3 with 3 BB.
  • Stassi went 1-5 with a 2B and RBI.
  • Joseph went 2-3 with a 2B, 2 BB, and RBI.
  • Featherston went 3-3.
  • Starter, David Buchanan went 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.

Reading (4-3) Beat Richmond, 6-4.  Ben Lively went 5.0, 2-run innings and struck out nine. J.P. Crawford hit his first home run, as did Christian Marrero.  Jorge Alfaro returned to the line up and had 2 hits.

  • The Fightin’ Phils mashed 13 hits.
  • Crawford went 1-4 with a HR (1), RBI, and a BB.
  • Alfaro went 2-5.
  • Cozens went 1-4 with a 2B.
  • Hoskins went 1-3 with a BB.
  • Aaron Brown went 2-3 with a BB.
  • Lively went 2-2.
  • Marrero hit a pinch-hit, 3-run HR.
  • Alfaro was picked off first by the opposing catcher.
  • Joaquin blew the save, got the win.
  • Ramos notched his first save.

Clearwater (3-4) Dropped another heart-breaker 1-0 in ten innings.  Tom Eshelman pitched well over seven, two-hit innings.  Read about the game here.

Lakewood (1-6)  Franklyn Kilome got roughed up again and the BlueClaws were held to two hits in an 8-0 defeat.  Cornelius Randolph was not in the line up.

  • Kilome – 4.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
  • Tobias went 0-2 with 2 BB.
  • Hiciano went 1-4 with a 2B.
  • Hernandez went 0-3 with 2 K.
  • Hayden went 1-3.
  • Hayden stole his first base.
  • Tobias was caught stealing.
  • Coppola threw out a runner at home.

Here’s the affiliate scoreboard from MiLB.

Extra Innings – 

  • The Phillies have assigned an analytics guy to each affiliate to gather information.  I met the Threshers’ guy today, Joe.  I hope to report on the types of data he is gathering later in the season.

 

Threshers Get Good Pitching, but Drop a 1-0 Decision in 10 Innings; April 13, 2016

Game Reports, , , , ,

Tom Eshelman made his first start at Bright House Field since a Cal State Fullerton v. USF game in February 2015.  Eshelman and the Titans lost that season opener for both teams, 2-1.  He fared better today, tossing 7.0 shutout innings against the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Eshelman uncharacteistically walked 2 batters in the early innings, but allowed the Stone Crabs just 2 singles, an opposite field flare to shallow right in the first and a shift-defeating ground ball thru the vacated shortstop position in the sixth.

Eshelman threw 77 pitches in his 7 innings, 56 for strikes.  Thirty-four of his FB were 89-90 mph and he touched 91 mph 3 other times.  His movement and location of these and his off speed offerings kept Charlotte from squaring up many pitches.  Charlotte batters took a lot of pitches in the first two innings.  They changed tactics in the middle innings, swinging and fouling off more pitches, with little success.

Eshelman induced 5 swing and misses (2 for Ks on an 89 FB and 75 CB), 19 called strikes (2 for K on a 78 CH and 88 FB), and 14 foul balls.  He also got 9 ground outs, 3 pop ups, 3 fly balls, and a line drive to third.

Eshelman’s line was – 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 77 pitches, 56 strikes, 89-90, T91 mph.

Victor Arano  (2 innings) and Jairo Munoz (1 inning) took over and had to contend with lead off singles in each of their innings.  Arano was 91-94 and recorded 3 K.  He benefited from a diving catch by Carlos Tocci in center field to save a run in the ninth.  Munoz was 91-95 in the tenth and almost escaped unscathed.  Cord Sandberg made a layout, diving catch into the left center field gap to save a run.  But Carlos Tocci couldn’t catch up to a later drive in to the gap that brought home the game’s only run.

Arano’s line – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 27 pitches, 18 strikes, 91-94, T95 mph.

Munoz’ line – 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 23 pitches, 15 strikes, 91-95, T 98 mph.

The Threshers’ offense was stymied by the Snow Crabs’ pitching.  They ran a successful hit-and-run in the first inning when Tocci hit behind Kingery.  They managed to load the bases with a walk, but couldn’t push across a run.

The Threshers only managed 3 singles and a walk the rest of the way.

The  box score and recap for the games are here.

Extra Innings –

  • Manager Greg Legg was ejected in the second inning for arguing a balk call.  He was tossed after the discussion was over and he was almost back to the top step of the dugout.  The Threshers have history with this umpire.  He called a strike on Dylan Cozens on a 3-1 count for stepping out of the batter’s box.  This occurred late in the game, in a key situation, with no warning then or at anytime during the game when players from both sides had been guilty of the same infringement of the box.

 

 

Box Score Recap – 4/12/2016

Box Score Recap

Lehigh Valley (2-2) Swept a double header at Rochester, 6-1 and 4-0.  Andrew Knapp stroked his first HR to lead the ‘Pigs to the Game One win.  Zach Eflin threw 6.0, 5-hit, 1-run innings.

  • Pigs had 10 hits in the 7-inning game.
  • Sweeney:   2-3, 2 3B, BB
  • Knapp:        3-3, HR (1), 2 RBI
  • Joseph:       1-4, HR (1), 2 RBI
  • Knapp throws out a base runner.
  • Ryan Jackson picked off and caught stealing.

Mark Appel and Elvis Araujo combine for a 7-inning shutout.  Nick Williams records his first hit of the season.

  • Appel:      5.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
  • Araujo:    1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
  • Pigs had another 10-hit game.
  • Sweeney:    3-4, 2B
  • Williams:     2-4, 3B, RBI
  • Darnell Sweeney caught stealing.
  • Double steal – Jackson/home,Lough/second.

Reading (3-3) Lost to Richmond, 7-5.  Alec Asher gave up 5 runs in 6.0 innings on 7 hits and a walk.  Ulises Joaquin and Joely Rodriguez each gave up runs.  Asher and Joaquin surrendered home runs.

  • Logan Moore went 1-4 (.167) in at catcher for Alfaro (9-18, .500).
  • Crawford went 3-5 with a 2B.
  • Cozens went 2-5 with a 2B, HR, 3 RBI.
  • Fox went 2-2 with a 2B, RBI, and 2 BB.
  • Hoskins entered as a PR and went 1-1.
  • Quinn picked up an outfield assist.
  • Aaron Brown went 0-5 (0-15, .000), meanwhile Andrew Pullin sits in Centralia, WA.

Clearwater (3-3) Dropped a heart-breaking 2-1 decision to Charlotte.  Will Morris made his Threshers’ debut.  Mitch Walding bombed another home run.  Read about the game here.

Lakewood (1-5)  The bullpen blew a 7-3 lead in the last two innings and lost in a walk off to hagerstown, 8-7.  Mitch Gueller pitched a so-so 4.0 innings.  But a poor effort by the bullpen sealed the loss.  Coppola, Tromp, and Pujols each had three hits

  • Coppola went 3-4 with a BB and RBI
  • Tromp went 3-5 with a 2B and 2 RBI
  • Tobias went 1-4 with a 2B and RBI
  • Grullon went 1-4 with a 2B and a BB
  • Hayden went 2-5
  • Pujols went 3-5 with an RBI
  • Jan Hernandez went 0-4 with an RBI, BB, and 4K
  • Coppola stole his first base.
  • Randolph went 0-5 and is hitting 2-28, .071
  • Gueller’s line – 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
  • Waguespack – 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
  • Koplove – 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
  • Tasin – 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB. 0 K

Here’s the affiliate scoreboard from MiLB.

Extra Innings –

  • Darin Ruf injured his left shoulder, wasn’t in the line up against a LHP, but was available to pinch hit.  Awaiting further decision from medical staff.
  • Cody Asche may soon be ready to begin “baseball activities”.  Meanwhile he remains on the 15-Day DL.
  • Apparently, Asche is  viewed as some sort of savior for the corner outfielder production that has been lacking in the opening six games.  Tyler Goeddel, Cedric Hunter, and Peter Bourjos have combined to go 7-for-52 (.135) so far.  Way to bail on 3 small sample sizes (1-7, 2-21, 4-24).
  • Cody Asche, offensive savior.  SMH.

Threshers Drop Tough One to the Stone Crabs, 2-1; April 12, 2016

Game Reports, , , , , , ,

Will Morris made his Clearwater Threshers’ debut against the Charlotte Stone Crabs and Tampa Bay’s #2 prospect and MLB’s #42 prospect, RHP Brent Honeywell.  Morris accounted for himself well with 5.0 shutout innings.  Neither starter figured into the decision as both teams featured sharp pitching and improved defense.  The game swung on a passed ball in the eighth inning.  Nevertheless, Morris and bullpen mates Matt Hockenberry and Jesen Therrien pitched very well this evening. Continue reading Threshers Drop Tough One to the Stone Crabs, 2-1; April 12, 2016 →

Box Score Recap – 4/11/2016

Box Score Recap, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lehigh Valley (0-2) at Rochester, postponed.

Reading (3-2) Raced out to an early lead and held on to beat Richmond, 8-5. Anthony Vasquez went 7.0 innings and gave up 2 ER on 6 hits, 0 BB, and 6 K.  Jeremy Bleich made it close over the last two innings. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 4/11/2016 →

Threshers Defeat Stone Crabs, 4-3; April 11, 2016

Game Reports, , , , ,

Tyler Viza made his Clearwater Threshers’ debut a memorable one with a 4-3 victory over the 2015 Florida State League Champion Charlotte Stone Crabs.  Viza (pronounced Veye-zah) threw 74 pitches in his 5.2 inning outing.  He was lifted in the sixth inning after a lead off single advanced to third on back-to-back ground outs.  Viza threw 54 strikes and allowed 4 hits, 3 runs, and 2 unearned runs.  He struck out 3 and walked none. Continue reading Threshers Defeat Stone Crabs, 4-3; April 11, 2016 →

Open Discussion: Week of April 11th

Weekly Discussion

Here’s the open discussion thread for Phillies’ talk and other topics.  Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of April 11th →