It was a bit of a busy week for the Fightins, even though this recap will only cover six games. (I cheated a bit and posted last Tuesday instead of Memorial Day.) For the team, it was a bit of a rough go, as they went 1-5 from Tuesday-Sunday. There are plenty of storylines to cover in this week’s recap, so let’s get to it. Continue reading Reading Report: 5/27-6/1
Around the System–OF
Lehigh Valley
Leandro Castro, 25, Signed as a free agent in 2007; .249/317/.367 in 169 AB’s; 4/7 SB; 8%bb/17%k rates; .216 vs. RHP; .263 vs. LHP; .277 with RISP; Hit .255 in May; 48 games in the OF with 6 errors (.946); 4 OF assists; Castro has greatly improved his walk and strikeout rate, which were an area of huge concern in years past. That said, he has been mediocre thus far, and his fielding is always an adventure.
Tyson Gillies, 25, Acquired from Seattle in 2009; .224/.280/.315 in 143 AB’s; 2HR 10RBI; 3/5SB; 4%bb/26%k rates; .147 vs. LHP; .248 vs. RHP; .219 with RISP; .242 in May. 36 games in the OF with 1 error (.991); 2 OF assists; Just flat out lousy. A little less lousy in May.
Steve Susdorf, 28, Phils 19th round pick in 2008 draft; .281/.343/.338 in 160 AB’s; 0HR 14RBI; 3/5SB; 9%bb/17% k rates; .257 vs. LHP; .288 vs. RHP; .286 with RISP; .322/.392/.402 in May. 20 games in the OF without an error; 1 OF assist; After a very slow start, Susdorf is now hitting in the manner he is capable which is high average with little power. He gives you a professional AB every time. Continue reading Around the System–OF
Box Score Recap – 6/1/2014
Couple notes here as I post the graphic. Leandro Castro is trying to get back on track, OPSing near .800 for his last 10 games after a 3-4 with two 2B on Sunday. Severino Gonzalez got roughed up after a trio of decent outings previous – he was throwing strikes, though many of them were hit with bats, and three of those traveled quite far.
Andrew Knapp hit his first HR of the year. Ethan Stewart had a nice line, his best since the third week of the season. Willians Astudillo kept his hitting streak alive at 16 games. Delvi Francisco came apart at the seams, and our main man in the VSL Jesus Alastre has been out of action for a couple days now.
Brad and Matt do a Mock Draft: Part 1 (1-27)
Mock drafts for the MLB Draft are fairly useless as they are normally all off after the first few picks. With that we decided to do one mock draft instead of going head to head. It provides a good level of conflict as the other person always takes the players you want in a spot. With that we both included our picks for each spot. We will be going to 50 picks to get the Phillies first two picks. At both #7 and #47 we will both submit our picks and reasoning. Now expect us to get no picks right. I have odds, Brad’s got the evens. -Matt
#1 Houston Astros select Brady Aiken, LHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (California)
I think the Astros think a lot about Rodon or getting cute with another player on an underslot deal, but ultimately Aiken offers the most upside and is polished enough he could move almost as quickly as a college pitcher through the system. (Brad: Aiken)
#2 Miami Marlins select Carlos Rodon, LHP, NC State
It sure will be fun to watch Rodon shut down Ryan Howard and Dom Brown, (among others), a couple times a year in a very short time. Keith Law had the Marlins in on a bat a couple weeks ago, (he’s since changed his mock pick to Rodon), so maybe Alex Jackson, but after a resurgence from his early season doldrums, I think Rodon will prove too good to pass up. With four early picks, this could be an underslot opportunity, but I don’t think so. (Matt: Kolek) Continue reading Brad and Matt do a Mock Draft: Part 1 (1-27)
Threshers; June 1, 2014
We were treated to another pitchers’ duel today. Ethan Stewart and Bradenton’s Jason Creasy battled for 6 innings. Stewart blinked first allowing a 5th inning run. They completed the 6th inning with the Marauders protecting a 1-0 lead. After a short rain delay, the bullpens took over. Both pens combined to allow 6 runs in the 7th inning. They settled down and closed out the final two innings without any further scoring.
Ethan Stewart pitched a tough, gritty 6 innings. Continue reading Threshers; June 1, 2014
Four Moves to Make in June
This should spur some discussion. All this is assuming continued production and health.
1. Jesse Biddle to Lehigh Valley–Its time. His control has been better and he is pushing 40 starts in AA, with an ERA under 3.20 and the opposition hitting under .230 against him.
2. Cameron Perkins to Lehigh Valley–The IronPigs OF at this stage has several AAAA players that will never make a contribution in the majors beyond possibly that of a 5th OF. WHile I don’t see Perkins as a Major League regular, I do think he has the potential to be a 4th OF with 300+ AB’s a year for a big league club. Challenge him.
3. Peter Lavin to Reading–It is not likely that Peter Lavin will ever make the major leagues but having him play three years at High A makes no sense. He is producing, so reward him. He will do a competent job in Reading.
4. Cody Forsythe to Clearwater– Forsythe is a 23 year old college draftee who is has been pitching very well for Lakewood. 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 8 saves; .216 opp avg…Again, challenge him. A new class of draftees will be here shortly which will replenish the rosters at the lower levels…
Move I wouldnt make yet–JP Crawford. Crawford has done everything asked and then some. I am of the opinion that losing is an attitude and I would be a little leery about putting him into the current environment in Clearwater. If I were king, I would let him play in Lakewood until the beginning of August and then consider giving him a taste of Reading, or in the alternative CLearwater for the final three weeks or so of the season.
Box Score Recap – 5/31/2014
Jesse Biddle returns from a bout with hail-head to pitch pretty well – 3R, 2ER, 5H, 2BB and 3K in 6.1IP. Kyle Simon didn’t do Biddle any favors, allowing both of his Biddle-inherited runners to score. Miguel Nunez made a triumphant return to starting after a couple weeks in XST and the CLR bullpen – he went six scoreless innings, striking out five and allowing just three hits and one walk. Roman Quinn with a hit in that game. He’s still yet to draw a walk in nine games.
Willians Astudillo kept his hitting streak alive at 15, going 2-4 for Lakewood, while Dylan Cozens received a pretty terrible 20th birthday present. It came in a large hat box and it shines like Skinny Elvis’ most famous suit. I think Fat Elvis’ karate jumpsuit is probably more famous than the one from the postage stamp. so I figured I’d point out which iteration of Elvis I was talking about. And for all the young folks out there, Elvis was a rock n roll singer. People used to make music with like their mouths and instruments and stuff instead of computers. Wild, I know.
And DSL started today, with Edwin Rodriguez the most interesting guy to watch, IMO. He’s 16 for a couple more days, and received $100k to sign – Ben Badler from BA reported at the time that he was a “corner outfielder with a nice swing, a good approach, gap-to-gap pop and below-average speed”. The DH was Luis Beaufond, who’s listed as a catcher and will play the year as a 17-year old, so it’s worth watching him as well, I’d say. The more interesting names that were on the roster just a few day ago have been removed, and are likely headed to the Gulf Coast League roster when they kick off a few days after the draft concludes.
Threshers; May 31, 2014
Tonight, over 5,000 people were treated to an old fashioned pitchers’ duel. Left-handed Orlando Castro of the Bradenton Marauders held the Threshers to 3 hits and 1 run in his 6 innings. He was bested by Miguel Nunez who allowed 3 hits in 6 scoreless innings. The Bullpens matched goose eggs and the Threshers made a first inning run by Roman Quinn hold up. Continue reading Threshers; May 31, 2014
XST; May 31, 2014
Today’s game against the Blue Jays started at 10:00AM. It was scheduled for 7 innings. By mutual agreement during the game, the teams extended the contest to 8 innings. In three different innings, the Blue Jays coaching staff asked to pitch to extra batters to make sure their pitchers got their work in. This is evidence that a lot of the young Phillies batters swing early and often. The Jays starter needed to face two extra batters in the 4th inning and still fell short of his 50-pitch limit.
Denton Keys Started for the Williamsport squad. He produced a fine effort. Continue reading XST; May 31, 2014
Saturday Chat
I will be spending the day on a plane and in airports, so with the draft 5 days away, what better time then now to chat about the draft, the farm system, the majors, and non-baseball related topics.
I will answer questions here in the comments and put some of the best questions into this post. I will also take questions on Twitter, and on the facebook page. I will answer the questions where ever they appear.
Otherwise, the DSL starts today so everyone have a good weekend.
