Reading has clinched at least a tie with New Britain for the WC. If Reading wins today or NB loses, they are the Eastern Division WC, if NB wins and Reading loses, there’s a one-game playoff Tuesday in New Britain (R-Phils are 2-4 vs NB this year, with both wins coming on the road). Pitchers for today’s Reading game at Binghampton: Brummett (3-8, 4.62) vs. Familia (4-3, 3.38). Rain threatens to cause a few delays (at least) in Binghampton. Lehigh Valley is in a similar situation today, having a 1-game lead in the WC race in the IL heading into a rain-threatened game.

The final edition this season covering the time period of August 27–September 4, a bit more than a week.  By way of scheduling, look for the final editions of “Around the System”, beginning late this week, with Corner Infielders.  We will take a look at how each player in the system performed this year, and a projection of where to start each player next season.  Observations: Good to see some foreign names on the pitcher hot list (Garner, Colvin, Ramirez)…Nesseth struggling down the stretch…..Mathieson with control issues….Rosenberg and Savery reinventing themselves in the ‘pen….Cody Overbeck over .275 at AAA. Continue reading Hot or Not →

Andrew Carpenter’s days in the Phillies system have come to an end, as he was claimed today by the San Diego Padres.  Carpenter, 26, was the Phillies 2nd round draft choice in 2006 out of Long Beach State.  After rising through the Minors as a starter, and often a successful one, Carpenter was converted to the bullpen this year in Lehigh Valley and had a very good year, going 5-1 with a 1.79 ERA in 34 games, to go along with a WHIP below 1 (0.98).  In 60.1 innings, he walked just 11 and struck out 65.

Carpenter spent time with the Phils during parts of the last four seasons and was very inconsistent on each occasion he was brought up.

Lehigh Valley enters the final weekend of the regular season riding a four game losing streak, but still in the playoff hunt, as they are two games behind division leading Pawtucket and tied with Gwinnett for the wildcard with four games remaining in the regular season.  Lehigh Valley completes their home schedule Friday and Saturday with two games against Buffalo (New York Mets), before traveling to Syracuse for two games against the CHiefs (Washington) on Sunday and Monday. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Update →

The Phillies announced today the players they would be sending to the Arizona Fall League, which begins play in October.  The names include pitchers Tyler Cloyd, Jacob Diekman, BJ Rosenberg, and Colby Shreve as well as 1B Cody Overbeck, 1B Darin Ruf and OF Tyson Gillies.

The big story to watch will be the health or lack thereof of Tyson Gillies who has missed close to two full seasons with a variety of leg problems.