Recap: Lakewood went 3-3 last week (with another game suspended due to rain). They are currently 27-23, tied for second in the SAL North, 4.5 games behind Hickory. (Just a note on the weekly stats below: the box score for the suspended game has disappeared from the web. Since the game is being resumed this Tuesday, the stats will be included next week. For all the readers who diligently log the stats I compile to create graphs, pie charts, and run regression analyses, hopefully this bit of housekeeping doesn’t throw you for too much of a loop.) Also, I’m writing this while watching the debacle unfold with the big club in Atlanta, so this could be more negative and / or sarcastic than usual.
Lidge Activated, Figueroa Designated
The Phillies activated Brad Lidge prior to starting their series today against the Braves. To make room on the roster, Nelson Figueroa, 36, was designated for assignment. As opposed to the last time Lidge was activated when Antonio Bastardo got sent down, Bastardo seems to have solidified his roster spot at least for the time being. The next set of decisions, assuming everyone stays healthy (big assumption) will come with the activation of JA Happ and/or Ryan Madson over the next month or two.
‘Pigs Weekend Update
Just an awful weekend for Lehigh Valley who were swept by Columbus. The ‘Pigs continue on the road for a four game series against Toledo.
Friday–Despite 2 homers and 6 RBI’s from Andy Tracy, Lehigh Valley lost again to Columbus, this time 11-7 on Friday evening. ‘Pigs starter Brandon Duckworth (1-1) was hit hard, lasting only three innings having given up 4 runs on five hits. He walked three as well. John Mayberry’s 8th homer of the year in the first inning gave Lehigh Valley the early lead against Carlos Carrasco, but the wheels then fell off, and fell off hard. A two run homer in the 6th by Tracy and a Grand Slam in the 7th made it close, but another implosion by reliever Ehren Wasserman put the game out of reach for the ‘Pigs. In addition to Tracy’s big day, John Mayberry had two hits, Cody Ransom was 3-5, and Brian Bocock added two hits as well. Continue reading ‘Pigs Weekend Update
The draft is a few days away
I’ve gotten a number of emails asking when I was going to write about the draft. I’ve tried to incorporate draft talk into my weekly notes column, and I’ve shared some thoughts here and here. I also wrote a lengthy piece on ways to fix the draft, which you can find here, and I shared some initial thoughts on this year’s draft in a longer piece which you can find here. So that’s everything I’ve written about the draft so far. But as we’re getting closer, I figured I should maybe add a bit more. So check below…
DSL Season Starts Today – New Roster Posted
May 29th is the beginning of the 2010 DSL season for the Phillies. Last year the Phillies featured a relatively young team that struggled to a 31-39 record. With a number of players such as ace pitchers Lisalverto Bonilla and Felix Cespedes having graduated to the U.S., another young team is likely this season.
For the past several seasons the Phillies have played in the 5-team Santo Domingo North division which posed 2 disadvantages of having an odd number of teams in the division for scheduling and always playing the same opposition teams. This year the Phillies have moved to the 8-team Boca Chica South division and should see a greater variety of opponents.
Continue reading DSL Season Starts Today – New Roster Posted
Clearwater All Stars, Gillies Update
Several members of the Clearwater roster were named to the Florida State League All Star Game today. The game will be played Saturday June 12, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. The names are as follows: Pitchers: Austin Hyatt, Justin DeFratus, Trevor May; 3B: Cody Overbeck. One other notable named to the team from a Phillies fan perspective is Catcher Travis D’Arnaud.
Reading CF Tyson Gillies, who has been on the DL for the last two weeks with a strained hamstring had a setback in his recovery which will delay his return to the Reading lineup.
May 28th discussion posting
Just a brief note before we get to the scores. I won’t be writing my weekly notes column this week. But I am going to try and write up a long piece on the draft this weekend, what I expect from the Phillies, etc etc. Look for that on Sunday or Monday, maybe Tuesday.
Now the box scores
Lehigh Valley loses 3-2.
Reading game was suspended.
Clearwater lost 11-2.
Lakewood game was suspended
Lehigh Valley Weekly Report
Another week in the losing column for Lehigh Valley as they went 2-4 and are currently 18-28 on the year, 10 games behind division leading Scranton
League Leaders thru 5/26: Hitting: John Mayberry is 8th in runs (28) and tied for 10th in homers (7), DeWayne Wise is leading the league in triples (5) and is 9th in slugging (.515); Cody Ransom is tied for 3rd in homers (10), 3rd in strikeouts (58) and is 7th in RBI’s (31).
Pitching: Drew Carpenter is tied for 2nd in Wins (5) and tied for 7th in starts (9); Nate Bump is 6th in ERA (2.41), tied for 7th in starts (9); Scott Mathieson is 4th in saves (8); Ryan Vogelsong is 10th in strikeouts (46). Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report
Around the System–Corner Infield
It has been right around a month since our look at the Corners Infielders in the Phillies system, so here it goes again:
Neil Sellers, Age 28, .240/.313/.326 in 129 AB’s. 0HR and 11 RBI. .194 vs. LH, .255 vs. RH; .222 with RISP; 10%BB rate, 16% K rate. .216 in May. Has played 16 games at 1B and committed 1 error (.993) and 13 games at 3B and committed 1 error (.971). After hitting with a good deal of power over the last two years in AA, Sellers seems to have lost his power without a homer yet for a struggling Lehigh Valley offense. Sellers has hit the ball harder then his .244 avg. indicates, but his season thus far has had far less success then what was expected. Defensively, he has performed well.
Cody Ransom, Age 34, .235/.299/.470 in 166 AB’s. 10HR 31RBI, 2SB, .212 vs. LH, .241 vs. RH, .319 with RISP; 8% BB rate, 32% k rate. Has played 34 games at 3B and committed 11 errors (.872); 4 games in RF with two errors (.714) and 3 games at SS without an error. Ransom has provided power and clutch hitting, but his defense has been awful and he strikes out a ton.
Andy Tracy, Age 36, .213/.322/.336 in 122 AB’s. 3HR 11RBI; .280 vs. LH, .196 vs. RH; .200 with RISP. 13% BB rate, 23% K rate. has played 30 games at 1B and committed 2 errors (.992). 8.30 range factor. 2010 has been very disappointing thus far for Tracy, who has missed about two weeks with nagging injuries most specifically his shoulder. When he has played, he has struggled. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield
May 27th Open Discussion
Last night’s scores, and then lots of nonsensical banter about Cliff Lee.
Reading wins 5-3.
Worley with another solid start. Rizzotti 3/5 with 2 more HR
Clearwater wins 13-8.
JC Ramirez is back. 8 K and 0 BB are the key numbers for me, don’t care much about the 4 ER.
Overbeck with #11.
Lakewood wins 11-10.
Sleeper Julio Rodriguez with his debut. Lots of pitches, a few runs, but 6 K in 3.2 IP is at least promising.
