Florida Instructional League – Game #12; 10/15/2015

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Today’s games signaled the end of Instructs.  It was quite a contrast from the 22-hit slug fest  on Monday.  Six Phillies’ pitchers shutout the Yankees on three hits and two walks. They recorded 16 strike outs.  The Yankees’ pitchers were almost as effective holding the Phillies to one run on three hits and three walks.  They also hit two batters.

The Phillies’ Nick Pivetta pitched a rehab inning.  Bradenton’s Cord Sandberg made an appearance and took five at bats as a DH.

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Top Prospect Discussion: October 15th

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During an Instructional game at Bright House this week, the conversation turned toward the catching situation in the organization.  Of course, as you should expect, there were as many opinions as there were people in the discussion.  This topic has been touched on in several comment threads so far.  So, let’s get the discussion out in the open where we cover all the possibilities.

The above is just a suggestion for this week’s discussion.  This post is reserved for the discussion of the top prospects in the Phillies’ organization. You can tout the merits of your favorite prospects, instruct us on why your ranking is superior, talk about a prospect who intrigues/worries you, ask about prospects you haven’t seen and don’t know much about, or anything at all as long as it is about the top prospects.
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Florida Instructional League – Game #10; 10/12/2015 – “Cozens, Baby!”

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Dylan Cozens went yard.  Off a left-handed pitcher.  Cleared the back fence at Bright House Field.  Landed in Thome Pond.  Scared the ‘gator.

The Phillies played the Blue Jays today, and combined for 22 hits.  Finally some offense to write about.  Each team banged out 11 hits.  The Phillies had five of the seven extra base hits on the day.  In spite of the 11 hits, most of the Phillies’ pitchers pitched fairly well

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Open Discussion: Week of October 12th

Weekly Discussion

Here’s an open discussion thread so the minor league posts don’t get cluttered with Phillies’ talk and other topics.

  • Several names have been mentioned by the media as candidates for the Phillies’ GM position – Matt Klentak of the Angels front office, Kim Ng of the Commissioner’s office, Thad Levine of the Rangers front office,  Ben Cherington formerly Boston’s GM, and Royals assistant GM J.J. Piccolo.  Ng is rumored to be in line for an interview.  Indians executive Ross Atkins is said to have interviewed this week. Former Marlins GM Larry Beinfest is supposed to have interviewed a few weeks ago.
  • The Phillies made another offseason decision this week when seven players cleared waivers and were outrighted off their 40-man roster.  No real surprises here – RHPs Justin De Fratus and Jonathan Pettibone, LHP Adam Loewen and Ken Roberts, C Erik Kratz, INF Chase d’Arnaud, and OF Jordan Danks.  De Fratus, d’Arnaud, and Kratz have already opted for free agency.
  • The moves pare the 40-Man Roster down to 34 active players and six players on the 60-Day DL who will be activated within five days of the conclusion of the World Series.  Those six include Cliff Lee who will become a free agent when his option is declined and the Phillies buy out his contract for $12.5M,  Chad Billingsley whose contract will expire, Matt Harrison who remains under contract through 2017 plus an option for 2018, Cesar Hernandez, Mario Hollands, and Elvis Araujo.
  • The roster moves also avoid arbitration with DeFratus, Kratz, and Loewen.  The Philies have four other arb eligible players – Andres Blanco, Jeanmar Gomez, Domonic Brown, and Freddy Galvis.
  • Aaron Harang and Jerome Williams become free agents.  As does non-roster pitcher Sean O’Sullivan who has declared free agency.

Florida Instructional League – Game #9; 10/10/2015

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The Phillies traveled to the Blue Jays’ Englebert Complex Saturday but only played a couple innings before the game was called due to a steady drizzle.  Felix Paulino started and Dylan Cozens got an at bat before the game was postponed.  Since the game was shortened, I included some photos for your enjoyment.

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Florida Instructional League – Game #8; 10/8/2015

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The Phillies played the Yankees at Bright House Field on Thursday.  With Franklyn Kilome and Tyler Gilbert leading the way and a little offense for a change, today’s game was much easier to watch.  There were still some ineffective at bats, but a few hard hit balls lessened that concern a little.

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Top Prospect Discussion: October 8th

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This post is reserved for the discussion of the top prospects in the Phillies’ organization. You can tout the merits of your favorite prospects, instruct us on why your ranking is superior, talk about a prospect who intrigues/worries you, ask about prospects you haven’t seen and don’t know much about, or anything at all as long as it is about the top prospects. Continue reading Top Prospect Discussion: October 8th →

Florida Instructional League – Game #7; 10/7/2015

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Wednesday the Phillies played the Blue Jays at Bright House Field.  The comfortable surroundings made up a little for yet another game with no offense.  The pattern of ineffectiveness is beginning to be a little concerning.  The Phillies managed five hits, only one of which was hit hard – Greg Pickett’s line drive single in the ninth inning.  The only other hard hit ball was a line drive off the bat of Juan Luis in the first inning that was speared by the second baseman.

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Prospect Discussion: Week of October 5th

Weekly Discussion

Here’s an open discussion thread about minor league prospects.  Phillies’ talk and other non-prospect discussion should remain in the Open Discussion.

This is an open format for any minor league prospect you want to discuss.  The weekly top prospects article will be posted later in the week.  This week, I want to put the spotlight on Jesmuel Valentin.  Jesse had some personal problems that delayed the start of his season. When he was finally activated on July 31st, Coach Legg said Valentin would have to compete for playing time.  He must have impressed quickly because he started 31 of the Threshers 33 final regular season games plus both playoff games.

  • Jesmuel Jose Valentin, second baseman and shortstop
  • Bats both, Throws right
  • 5’9, 180 lb.
  • Born 5/12/1994 (age 21)
  • Drafted by the Dodgers in the 1st round (51st) of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft from The Puerto Rico Baseball Academy (Gurabo, PR).
  • 2012; AZL Dodgers (age 18, -1.4 age dif) .211/.352/.316 in 197 PA (35 BB, about 18%)
  • 2012; Ponce in the PRWL (age 18, -8.3) 18 PA in 16 G, but look at that age dif
  • 2013; Great Lakes (age 19, -1.8) 5 weeks at full season A; .212/.325/.293, then
  • 2013; Ogden (age 19, -1.6) sent to short season A; .284/.379/.396
  • 2013; Ponce (age 19, -7.5) 27 PA in 14 G, .320/.370/.360
  • 2014; Great Lakes (age 20, -1.5) .280/.349/.430 in 462 PA before trade
  • 2014; Clearwater (age 20, -2.7) just 44 PA in 12 G; .205/.255/.250
  • 2014; Mayaguez in the PRWL (age 20, -6.3) 89 PA in 29 G; .278/.341/.367
  • 2015; Clearwater (age 21, -1.6) 118 PA in 31 G after activation; .273/.351/.424

Jesse Valentin remains an enigma for Phillies’ prospect followers.  He arrived too late in 2014 for us to get a good feel for what we could expect.  He was the 26th prospect in the Reader Top 30, 11th by Baseball America, 14th by Keith Law (ESPN), 8th by John Sickels (Minor League Ball), 22nd by Matt Winkelman (Phillies Minor Thoughts), 18th by Kiley McDaniel (FanGraphs, on 12/3/14 before Odubel Herrera, Zach Eflin, Tom Windle, and Ben Lively joined the organization).

When Valentin was activated this season, I thought he looked a little thick around the middle.  But, I honestly can’t remember with any reasonable accuracy his build when he reported in 2014.  I’m probably so used to seeing skinny LA middle infielders in the GCL that Valentin just looked “heavy-ish”.  In any case, he was in good enough shape to quickly win the starting second base position for the remainder of the season.  And it certainly made sense to play him every day for the organization to properly evaluate him.

Valentin started off 1 for 14, but finished with at least one base hit in 15 of his final 17 games.  He only walked 12 times in 118 PA, but it’s understandable if he was a little more aggressive after his return to the roster.  Valentin was utilized in the lead off position, batting ahead of Carlos Tocci in the final weeks of the season.

Valentin is not a speedster.  He tried to steal twice and was thrown out both times.  The Threshers’ speed game dried up with Dylan Cozens’ promotion to Reading.  (Seriously, he was 18 for 23.  Chase Harris was next at 15 for 21.  After them, the team was 52 for 100.) Valentin is competent on the base paths, but not as quick as I would have expected.

Valentin’s biggest asset was his glove.  He went error-free in 119 chances.  It is not unreasonable to suggest that he is the best fielding second baseman in the organization.

It will be interesting to see where the Phillies place Valentin in the organization next season.  Another good season of winter ball will help them decide.  Valentin has hit pretty well while playing with much older competition in Puerto Rico.  It wouldn’t be a stretch for Valentin to start in Reading, especially if Crawford starts in LHV and Mora moves from 2B to SS.

Florida Instructional League – Game #5; 10/5/2015

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Monday the Phillies traveled to the Blue Jays’ Englebert Complex to face a line up that included three position players who are headed to the Arizona Fall League, three pitchers who are also going to the AFL, and Vladimir Guerrero’s talented, 16-year old son.  Both teams combined to produce only nine hits, but the Jays were able to turn their six hits into five runs while their pitchers shutout the Phillies on three hits.

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