Monday–Mesa suffered a 4-2, ten inning loss to Peo Javelinas , with Matt Rizzotti losing his cool a bit, getting tossed from the game after striking out in the 9th inning. Prior to his ejection, Rizzotti was 1-4 with two strikeouts. He also committed an error at first base. BJ Rosenberg threw two scoreless innings (the 6th and 7th), allowing just one baserunner on a double. While not allowing a walk, his control was an issue as he threw 31 pitches, just 16 for strikes. Continue reading Arizona Fall League Update
Open discussion, but first, a thank you
Time for a new post with a fresh discussion topic. But first, a thank you is in order. I try to say it every once in a while in post form, but I really appreciate all of the support this site has received in the last 3+ years. By the time you’re reading this, the site odometer will have probably ticked to 5 million. 5 million hits. It kind of blows my mind, considering how the site started. So I wanted to thank a bunch of people, starting with gregg. You’ve been the glue that has held this place together over the last few years. As I’ve changed jobs and moved into a position that doesn’t allow me access during the day, and doesn’t afford me the same free time I had to maintain the site and regularly write, you’ve more than picked up the slack. Big thanks also to Todd, Dave, Cody, Andy, Zac, Chuck, and everyone else who has contributed content here. Another round of applause for all of the regular readers and commenters as well. Different view points are certainly a key to any discussion, and I appreciate that the people who do spend a lot of time here help to self-moderate the discussion and keep people in line, as I really don’t have the time to play nanny at this point. I appreciate each and every one of you who continue to come back, who share the site with your friends, family and enemies. Thank you to everyone who has kindly donated, those who have suggested new features for the site, Rob for designing the banner for the site, and anyone else who has helped me improve the look and features of the site. Really, the success of the site, the way its grown, amazes me, and I’m really happy to have created something that a lot of people get enjoyment out of. So, everyone, give yourself a round of applause.
Now, here is your open post to discuss the prospect things you find interesting. I’ll throw a topic out there. What role do you think Phillippe Aumont will play next year, and at what level do you think he will begin the season?
Fall League Update
Mesa took an 8-7, eleven inning slugfest against Surprise on Friday with Mets farmhand Eric Niesen picking up the win in relief. Matt Rizzotti again got the start at 1B for the Solar Sox, hitting cleanup and continued his early season success with another 2-4 outing, including a run scored and an RBI. RIzzotti also drew a walk. Tyson Brummett after a rocky outing opening day was lights out in the 6th and 7th inning, allowing just a hit, while striking out 2.
On Saturday, Mesa romped over Pao Sagueros 10-1, with a six run fourth inning being the difference maker. Matt Rizzotti was 0-4 with a run scored and a walk in the cleanup spot. Tim Kennelly saw an at bat as a pinch hitter and singled. Reading Pitcher Chris Kissock saw his first action of the Fall on the hill and pitched perfect 8th inning.
Notes: No word on why OF John Mayberry left the game early on opening day. He has not played since.
–1B Matt Rizzotti is hitting .375 (6-16) through the seasons first week.
–Mesa is off on Sunday and resumes their schedule on Monday.
–Other Winter Leaguers: Freddy Galvis is hitting .250 during the early going in Venezuela (16 at bats), while Harold Garcia is hitless in his first 9 plate appearances, including 5 k’s.
Friday Discussion: Sleeper prospects for 2011
I wanted to create another open discussion post. In this edition, I’ll give you the chance to talk about your favorite sleeper prospects heading into 2011. Note, Brody Colvin, Jon Singleton and the like are not sleepers. A sleeper prospect is a guy that people don’t talk about a lot, or do not consider in the upper tier of our prospects. Think more obscure, under the radar guys who you think might break out. Here’s your chance to hype up your guys ahead of the Reader Top 30 this winter. Go!
AFL Update
The Mesa Solar Sox season kicked off on Tuesday with an 8-3 victory over Phoenix. John Mayberry started in RF and hit cleanup, going 0-2 before being replaced. Matt Rizotti hit in the five hole and played first base, going 2-4 with a run scored and a walk. On the hill Tyson Brummett got roughed up, going 2 innings and yielding 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out 5. Notably, former Phillie prospect Michael Taylor launched a homer off of Brummett.
Wednesday saw Mesa take one on the chin 6-3 to Phoenix with Michael Taylor crushing his second homer in as many days. He was 3-4 on the day with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI’s. The lone Phillie prospect to see action was Tim Kennelly who was behind the plate and went 1-3 with a run scored and an RBI. He also threw out Dodgers prospect Jerry Sands attempting to steal. Continue reading AFL Update
Arizona Fall League Begins
Minor League baseball is back, at least for the next month or so as the Arizona Fall League begins their schedule today. The Mesa Solar Sox, the team that the Phils are affiliated with start their schedule with a 2:35 first pitch today. John Mayberry Jr, is hitting cleanup, playing right field, while Matt Rizzotti is hitting right behind Mayberry and playing first base. Look for twice a week updates on the Fall League starting this week.
Cocaine possession charges dropped against Gillies
According to David Murphy at “High Cheese”, the possession charges have been dropped stemming from an incident where police allegedly found a bag of white powder after Gillies’ exited a police vehicle:
According to a story in his hometown newspaper, authorities in Florida have dropped the cocaine possession charge against Phillies prospect Tyson Gillies.
Continue reading Cocaine possession charges dropped against Gillies
BA’s Top 20’s: FSL and Eastern League
Sorry, I’ve been kind of tied up with other things (and the Phillies), so I didn’t get a chance to update this in real time. BA posted its FSL Top 20 and EL Top 20’s this week. The Phillies on the list:
FSL
9. Trevor May, RHP
EL
1. Domonic Brown, OF
So far, to date
GCL (2): Biddle and Altherr
NYPL (3): Hernandez, Santana, Altherr
SAL (5): Singleton, Colvin, Cosart, May, Valle
FSL (1): May
EL (1): Brown
I expect Brown will make the International League Top 20 as well. That’s probably it. Not a bad run. Per usual, the bulk of the Phillies best guys are in the lower levels. Discuss.
Michael Schwimer Interview
Lehigh Valley reliever Michael Schwimer gave me an opportunity to ask him several questions which he has graciously answered. We at Phuture Phillies, thank him for the interview. As we have documented, Schwimer had an excellent year, first in Reading and then following his mid-year promotion, in Lehigh Valley. After successfully closing games in Reading, Schwimer was used along with Mike Stutes as the primary set up men for Scott Mathieson in Lehigh Valley. Schwimer, who will be 25 entering Spring Training, was the Phillies 14th round draft pick out of the University of Virginia in the 2008 draft. In 2010 he was a combined 7-5 with a 2.85 ERA and 11 saves in his 48 appearances between Reading and Lehigh Valley. Most impressively, he walked an average of just 3.2/9 innings while striking out 11.4/9. Opponents hit just .221 against him in AAA. Continue reading Michael Schwimer Interview
