A look at the Outfield throughout the system, as the Phils monitor both development and who may be expendable for the right player.

Lehigh Valley

Chris Aguila,31,  7 at bats thus far, 2 hits.

Domonic Brown, 22, Reading: 236 AB’s; .318/.391/.602; 15 HR 47 RBI; 12 SB, 6 CS; Lehigh Valley: 28 AB’s; .429/.467/.714; 2HR 6 RBI; 1 SB, 1 CS; TOTALS: 264 AB’s, .330/.399/.614; 17 HR 53 RBI; 13 SB, 7 CS; 11% BB rate, 19% k rate.  69 games in the OF, 3 assists, 4 errors. Not much more to say that hasn’t been said already.

Chris Duffy, 30, 250 AB’s; .248/.313/.372; 4 HR 29 RBI; 10 SB 4 CS; .347 vs. LH, .224 vs. RH; .385 with RISP; .257 in June; 8% bb rate; 23% k rate. 66 games, 2 assists, 1 error. Striking out too much for a guy at the top of the order.

John Mayberry, 26, 272 AB’s; .246/.311/.419; 10 HR 41 RBI; 7 SB 0CS; .241 vs. LH, .248 vs. RH, .230 with RISP; .187 in June; 7% bb rate, 24% K rate. 69 games, 1 assist, 0 errors. Has struggled mightily over the last month, diminishing what trade value he has. Continue reading Around the SYstem–OF →

I was at the Lehigh Valley game Thursday.

Savery’s outing was interesting. First, he came into the game in the third inning after a reliever (Concepcion) had started, and finished things out.  I don’t know why they brought him in out of the pen, but it seemed to hep him. He mixed in a lot of pitches, threw a lot of 84-86 mph sinkers. Threw one FB at 89, which was his maximum velocity. He got a lot more swings and misses than he usually does, and really only gave up a couple hard-hit balls (one was a 450-foot HR, his only run). IF he could recover three or 4 mph on his FB, he could be a help in the majors. If not, I just can’t see him being more than a AAA/AAAA guy. He’d have to be the next Jaime Moyer, and he doesn’t seem to have the consistent control in the strike zone to do that.
Continue reading Brief write-up of LV game Thursday night →

Some insightful comments on various Lakewood BlueClaws on their blog today…(http://blog.blueclaws.com/) .  Manager Mark Parent was interviewed and he commented on:

Jonathan Singleton: “Word is out on him, thats for sure…He is going to have to expand the zone or be more aggressive early in the count.  They are going to pitch to him like a big leaguer rehabbing. He is a good hitter.  His swing is simple and good.  He will certainly adjust to whatever they are doing”.

Brody Colvin: ” He was already a big prospect but he has opened alot of eyes.  When people get alot better in a short period of time, you never know how much further they can keep going.”

Matt Way: ” Way has come out where to, for me, he has pretty much done all he can do at this level. At his age, his stuff, we need to see if it transfers to a higher level. We have talked about that for a few weeks. There has to be an opening but he has been great.”

The Bullpen: “Wertz has stepped up.  Lugo’s almost been perfect. Zeid, in my opinion, is a starter. Some people have the temperament where they can come in with other guys on base and even if they give it up, they can bounce a bad outing off him.  He is a guy that has to prepare and work through his stuff.  I think Zeid will do a great job as a starter.”

A crazy week in Allentown with a continued roster makeover, some by injury, and some by design.  Domonic Brown’s Lehigh Valley debut definitely added an atmosphere of excitement with simply his presence, and his play this week added to the aura of what appears to be a star in the making. Lehigh Valley went 3-4 on the week, and are now 32-48, in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 16 games behind division leading Scranton. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

With all the Phillies injury issues, this seems as good a time as any to take another look at the Middle Infield throughout the system,  Note: The players listed under a particular affiliate are those players on the CURRENT team roster that have played a majority of their games at a particular position.  For example, although Cody Ransom seems to be the current starting SS for Lehigh Valley, he was already covered in the Corner Infield post as the majority of his games have come at 3B. It is still very early for Williamsport and GCL, so just the names, without stats. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

Lots of news today including Reading pitchers Vance Worley and Michael Schwimer being named to the Eastern League All Star team.  Worley, 22, was named to the team for the second consecutive year and is 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA in his 15 starts.  In 83.2 innings, he has allowed 92 hits, walked 32 and struck out 62.  Schwimer, 24, is 5-3 with a 4.00 ERA in 29 appearances.  He has 8 saves.  In his 36 innings of work, he has allowed 33 hits, walked 14 and struck out an impressive 50 batters. 

Two Reading hitters were named to the team as well. 24 year old Matt Rizzotti, hitting .378 for Reading with 10 HR and 35 RBI in just 148 at bats, will represent Reading along with 1B Tagg Bozied.  Bozied is hitting .295 with 13HR and 55 RBI in his 224 AB’s.

The Phillies released Willy Taveras this afternoon, after signing the 29 year old just a month ago. In his 96 at bats with AAA Lehigh Valley, Taveras was hitting just .208/.255/.271 with 0HR 3 RBI and 9 SB.

Update : As speculated earlier today, Chase Utley was placed on the DL with a sprained thumb and Greg Dobbs was called up to replace Utley on the Phillies roster. What was not speculated upon was that Placido Polanco was also placed on the DL with left elbow inflammation and SS Brian Bocock was called up to fill Polanco’s roster spot. Dobbs was hitting .118 in his short stint in Lehigh Valley (17 AB’s). Bocock , 25, has been the primary shortstop for Lehigh Valley all season. He is a fantastic fielder, both covering ground and has an extremely strong arm.  That being said, he is simply an abysmal hitter.  I have seen few worse in AAA.  His line: 212 AB’s .179/.239/.231 with 1 HR and 12 RBI. Continue reading Utley and Polanco to the DL, Dobbs and Bocock Called Up →