Running late today so I’ll skip the write-up today and just get you the graphic, with only a mention that J.P. Crawford‘s 13-game hitting streak ended with an 0-3 day on Tuesday. Enjoy the discussion.
Looks Can Be Decieving
Many opinions on the internet about prospects stem from their stats, and especially small sample size stats. We are all guilty of making snap judgements, but often in that moment we miss out on the bigger picture. Stats help create an objective look at what is happening in the game, but without context or proper use, they can be deceiving and lead us into opinions that may not be aligning with the truth. So with all of that being said we are going to play a game of mystery players and look at some trends that may not be showing up in the traditional triple slash lines or the box scores. Given the small sample size nature of these stat lines they are not meant to be predictive of the future, they are meant to show comparisons and past performance.
So lets start off with Player A and Player B who are showing some interesting trendings from 2013 to 2014. Continue reading Looks Can Be Decieving
Lehigh Valley Weekly Report
Lehigh Valley had a very good week, going 5-2, and are now 20-18, 2 games behind division leading Buffalo in the Northern DIvision of the International League. The ‘Pigs remain home through Friday with three more against Scranton before heading to Buffalo for a four game series.
‘Pigs League Leaders: Maikel Franco is 4th in AB’s (141) and 8th in doubles (10); Tyler Hensen is 9th in runs(23), 9th in SLG (.500) and 4th in SB’s (10)
Pitching: Luis Garcia is 5th in saves (6); Barry Enright is 5th in HR allowed (6).
‘Pigs Prospects:Jon Pettibone has been solid but has been unable to go more than 5.1 innings in any start but one this year. In 5 starts, Pettibone is 2-0 with a 3.42 ERA and a WHIP that sits at 1.06. Opponents are hitting just .224 against him and he is walking just 2.1 per nine innings. Overall excellent results but needs to stretch himself out a bit more after missing some time in SPring Training. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report
Threshers; May 13, 2014
Brody Colvin started his third game since joining the Threshers. He struggled with his control all night. Most of his pitches looked like they were high. Even his strikes looked like they were up in the zone as he threw 39 strikes and 36 balls. He pitched from behind on most batters, only throwing 4 first-pitch strikes.
Colvin lasted 3.2 innings giving up 3 earned runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. His 1 strike out came on the third out of the first inning with 2 runners on base as he ended a Hammerhead threat. Continue reading Threshers; May 13, 2014
American Athletic Conference Prospects
As part of my Threshers’ season ticket package, I received tickets to the American Athletic Cconference Tournament from May 21 thru May 25 at Clearwater’s Bright House Field. The AAC includes #10 Louisville, #16 Houston, RPI #48 UCF, Rutgers, USF, Temple, UCONN, Memphis, and Cincinnati. Baseball America #28 prospect, Nick Burdi is a closer for Louisville.
I would like to ask the Phillies Phutures community it here are any other prospects or suspects who bear watching? Thank you in advance for any guidance you provide.
Box Score Recap – 5/12/2014
Very strong day from the Lehigh Valley bullpen. They worked four scoreless innings, with Ken Giles allowing the group’s only hit, Phillippe Aumont surrendering their only walk, and Ethan Martin and Justin De Fratus working clean innings. Maikel Franco drew two walks in that contest, as Cam Perkins did for Reading, as that squad got past New Hampshire. Hoby Milner didn’t throw a ton of strikes, (around 60%), and he surrendered his eighth home run in his last four, but he got the W. Value that “W” as you will.
Colin Kleven induced 12 ground ball outs, but struck out just one, and let up eight hits and three runs in seven innings in Clearwater’s loss. Andrew Knapp had two hits for the Threshers. Meanwhile, the Lakewood lineup was school by Hunter Harvey, Orioles 2013 1st Round Pick and son of former Angels and Marlins closer Bryan Harvey. he struck out 10 in seven scoreless. Only Sam Hiciano managed a hit off Harvey, while J.P. Crawford extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a double off of Jimmy Yacabonis, who is not necessarily significant except his last name is pretty rad and he went to St. Joe’s. Drew Anderson was the hard-luck loser there, allowing 1R on 4H, 2BB, 6K over 6IP.
The VSL season kicked off with the Phils club taking out Chicago. There’s a couple familiar names, mostly because we saw them there last year. That’s generally not a good sign for their prospect status. You all should read Matt’s VSL Roster Intro from yesterday for a better idea who to be watching in the VSL boxes. Hint: It’s mostly teenagers you have likely never heard of.
Around the System–Middle Infield
This was one of the more depressing exercises in my recent existance with JP Crawford saving me from a complete malaise. Next up will be catchers.
Lehigh Valley
Ronny Cedeno, 31, Acquired as a free agent in 2014; .198/.244/.247 in 81 AB’s; 0HR 8RBI; 6%bb/19%K rates; .148 vs. LH; .222 vs. RHP. 20 games at SS with 3 errors (.963); 2 games at 2B without an error; Cedeno has been a small step above awful thus far
Freddy Galvis, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2006; Went 1-7 before going down with a broken collarbone in Saturdays game. Expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
Matt Tolbert, 32, Signed as a free agent in 2013; .220/.292/.237 in 59 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 0HR 1RBI; 1SB; 8%bb/11%k rates. 6 games at 2B with 1 error (.933); 6 games at 3B without an error; 4 games in the OF without an error; Has been adequate in limited playing time.
DL: Andreas Blanco
Reading
Carlos Alonso, 25, Phils 32nd round pick in 2010; .283/.369/.372 in 113 AB’s; 1HR 9RBI; 3SB; 11%bb/17%k rates; .229 vs. LHP; .311 vs. RHP; .275 in May. 17 games at 2B with 2 errors (.977); 12 games at 3B with 3 errors (.857); Alonso has been solid and dependable playing nearly every day for the Fightins. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield
Threshers; May 12, 2014
The Threshers hosted the Jupiter Hammerheads tonight. Colin Kleven got the start and pitched well. Even though he was roughed up for 3 runs in the 1st inning, he was in command of his pitches. He threw 27 pitches in the first, but 20 were strikes, and 6 of the 7 batters were faced with first pitch strikes. Kleven settled down and pitched 6 more solid, scoreless innings. Continue reading Threshers; May 12, 2014
XST; May 12, 2014
Mitch Gueller pitched 5 tough innings this afternoon. He started off with a solid 1st inning, striking out the first batter and throwing 9 consecutive strikes in 12 pitches. Starting in the 2nd inning, he had difficulty maintaining consistent control of his pitches. He threw 51 strikes among his 90 pitches. He allowed 11 base runners over the next four innings. Some of the pitches that he left up were hit hard by the Yankees. He gave up 4 doubles among the 6 hits he allowed. He did have some nice movement on his slider or chang up. Most of the swing-and-miss he induced seemed to be on that pitch. His line was 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K. Continue reading XST; May 12, 2014
VSL Season Kicks Off Today
The VSL season kicks off today against the VSL Cubs. This year the league has 5 teams as opposed to the 4 it had last year with the Phillies, Cubs, Mariners, Rays, and Tigers fielding teams. Because of the low number of teams the competition level puts this league firmly behind the DSL in terms of talent.
Here is the roster posted, it could be subject to change: Continue reading VSL Season Kicks Off Today
