Matt Rizzotti Promoted to Lehigh Valley

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Update: Rizzotti is in the Lehigh Valley lineup for this evenings game, playing first base and hitting cleanup.

Matt Rizzotti probably the most talked about player on this site currently, was promoted from AA Reading to AAA Lehigh Valley today, making it his third level of play this year. Rizzotti was originally the Phillies 6th round selection in the 2007 draft out of Manhatten College.  He played primarily first base, while seeing significant time as the RPhils DH as well. Rizzotti is currently the Eastern League leader in batting average (.362) and comes in with the very impressive line of .362/.451/.638 during his time with Reading this year. On the year, Rizzotti is hitting a combined .361 with 17 HR and 71 RBI in 107 games between Clearwater and Reading.

The Floral Park, Ny native, a lefty, should see regular playing time for Lehigh Valley during the seasons last month.

Cosart Shut Down For the Year

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The Phillies announced last evening that Jared Cosart will be shut down for the rest of the season after suffering from continued elbow soreness.  He last pitched on June 26, and visited with Dr. James Andrews, a week or two ago.  The good news from the visit with Dr. Andrews, is that the elbow does not require surgery. Cosart, 20, was 7-3 with a 3.79 ERA in his 14 starts this year.  Opponents hit just .224 against him, and he was striking out well over a hitter per each inning pitched.  The Phils hope to have him ready for the Florida Instructional League in the Fall.

Phils release Kevin Angelle

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This has to be one of the most surprising moves we’ve ever made in the low minors.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_trn&lid=127&sid=t449

He had a 1.89 ERA in 12 starts for GCL last year with a 1.05 WHIP

This year he “slipped” to a 1.36 ERA in 8 starts, and a 0.86 WHIP.  He moved his strikeouts from 6 per 9 IP up to almost 9.

At 22, he was about a year old for WMPT, maybe 2 years.  I suspect he must have stolen money from the bat boy, or set the snack stand on fire (kidding, of course).  I’m looking for more details.

Scouting the Reading Phillies

6. Reading

Hey everyone, I had the opportunity to see Reading last night. I am not a pro scout by any means. I actually just graduated high school and I am going to college this fall. I hope to do this one day professionally and I have been following baseball for a long time.

All of the velocities come from Readings radar gun which is typically 3 MPH slow.

These of course are just my opinion.

Drew Naylor- 84-86 FB, touched 88, 68-70 CB, 79-81 CU. Also showed a cutter/slider in the 83 range. Fastball was straight. Had decent command. Curveball looked very good. Multiple times he was tipping the pitch however. It still induced weak contact and swing and misses. Tired in the 4th, leaving many pitches up and losing sharpness. As of now he has a 45 fastball, 60 curveball, fringe 40 change, and a 35 slider. I can see him being effective out of the bullpen. If he can bump his fastball up, he can be effective. There were a few scouts there, none were watching Naylor for what it’s worth.

Continue reading Scouting the Reading Phillies →

Around the System–Middle Infield

Around the System

A last in season look at the Middle Infield in the Minor League system

Lehigh Valley

Ozzie Chavez, 27, Reading: .218/.316/.287 in 188 AB’s. 1 HR and 18RBI; 3/7 SB. 12% bb rate, 15% k rate. LEHIGH VALLEY: .232/.263/.366 in 112 AB’s; 4 HR and 9 RBI; 1 SB; 4% bb rate, 18% k rate. Total: .223/297/.317 in 300 AB’s. 5 HR 27 RBI; 4/8 SB. Has played 84 games at 2B with 6 errors (.982), 3.99 R/F. and has played 9 games at SS without an error. Chavez is simply adequate.

Melvin Dorta, 28, .293/.330/.374 in 270 AB’s. 3 HR 24 RBI; 5/9 SB. 6% bb rate, 8% k rate..310 vs. LH, .297 vs. RH; .323 with RISP. Has played 48 games at 2B, committing 5 errors (.975), 4.10 R/F. 16 games at SS, with 2 errors (.959), 2.94 R/F; 6 games at 1B and 6 games in the OF. Dorta has been used everywhere and swings a decent bat, making contact. Average in the field, nothing exceptional.

Brian Bocock, 25, .212/.269/.290 in 293 AB’s. 4 HR 27 RBI; 6 SB, 5 CS; 7% bb rate, 22% k rate..281 vs. LH, .192 vs. RH, .203 with RISP; .309 in July.  87 games at SS, committing 7 errors (.981), 4.26 R/F. Has been simply outstanding in the field. His bat is somewhat improved but there was only one way to go. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

August 4th Discussion

Box Score Recap

Back to the box scores

GCL Phillies lost 5-1.
Williamsport lost 9-3.
Lakewood lost 3-2.
Clearwater lost 7-2.
Reading won 6-5 and lost 12-2.
Lehigh Valley won 6-1.

Tell me what interests you.

And Free Tag Bozied!

Howard to DL, Mayberry Called Up

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The ever evolving Phillies injury situation took another turn for the worse today with Ryan Howard being placed on the 15 day DL with his sprained ankle.  To take his place on the Phillies roster, the Phils called up OF John Mayberry, 26,  from AAA Lehigh Valley.  Mayberry, a right-handed bat,  has been up and down this year for Lehigh Valley. In his 383 AB’s, he is hitting .258/.321/.410 with 12 HR 54 RBI and 13 SB.  He has hit lefties at a .319 clip, while hitting only .240 vs. rhp. He has a 7% bb rate, while striking out at a 21% rate. With the lefty heavy Phils lineup, Mayberry may see a start or two in the OF, while first base looks to be a platoon between Ross Gload and Cody Ransom until Howard returns.

‘Pigs Weekend Report

7. Lehigh Valley

Friday–Durham completed their sweep of Lehigh Valley with a 9-2 victory over the ‘Pigs Friday evening at Coca Cola Park. The Bulls built the lead early and were ahead by a score of 5-0 after five innings off of starter Drew Carpenter (7-7). Carpenter lasted six innings, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits. Just about every time Lehigh Valley put a runner on base, the threat was ended with a double play ball, as Durham turned five on the evening. Both Melvin Dorta and John Mayberry had 2 hits apiece for Lehigh Valley. Continue reading ‘Pigs Weekend Report →

August 2nd discussion

Box Score Recap

I provide the links, you tell me who is good and who isn’t.

Williamsport won 5-3.
Clearwater lost 3-1.
Reading won 11-3.
Lehigh Valley lost 2-1.

Annnnnd…begin.

Lakewood Weekly Report (7/26-8/1)

4. Lakewood

Recap:  Lakewood went 5-2 on the week, leaving them at 23-13 for the second half, two games ahead of Hickory in the SAL North.  Overall, the BlueClaws are 65-41, which leaves them with the third best record in all of the minor leagues behind the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers Low-A) at 70-33 and the Durham Bulls (Rays AAA) at 67-40.  Lakewood is off Sunday before starting on a nine-game roadtrip to Greenville and West Virginia. Continue reading Lakewood Weekly Report (7/26-8/1) →