First Week Observations

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At the end of an abbreviated Week One of the Minor League season, some general thoughts to get some discussion moving:

–In Lehigh Valley, Scott Mathieson is the name to talk about with 4 shutout innings over two appearances. Chris Duffy, has added spark to the top of the ‘Pigs order and is hitting .368 with 7 RBI’s through 4 games. John Mayberry is looking to get himself going at .167. A special note for those of you who look to argue about the 25th man on the Phils roster.  Wilson Valdez has started the year at .474 and has played well at SS thus far.

—Quintin Berry, still on the Phils 40 man roster. not only was dropped down to AA Reading from AAA at the end of camp, but now is seeing limited time for the RPhils.  Berry has played in just one of their first four games going 0-3. Domonic Brown is hitting .200 out of the gate while Freddy Galvis has turned some heads in the early going with both his bat (.294) and glove.  Some concern with the start of BJ Rosenberg who has been hit very hard in both of his outings thus far.  Continue reading First Week Observations →

Schwimer Earns 1st AA Save, Lidge Rocked

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A couple of quick points this Saturday evening.  Michael Schwimer earned his first save at the AA level pitching a 1-2-3 ninth against Portland in the 4-1 Reading victory.  Mike Cisco got the start and pitched well, giving up 1 run over his 6 innings of work.  After struggling in consecutive appearances, BJ Rosenberg has received consecutive nights off with Escalona getting the save last night and Schwimer following up this evening.

Down in Clearwater, JC Romero made his second rehab appearance and pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit, and struck out two.  Brad Lidge followed Romero and was hit around, giving up 4 runs on 3 hits, and also walked a batter before being removed in the second inning.

‘Pigs Weekend Update

7. Lehigh Valley

Friday-It was their second game of the year, and with it came their second walk off loss for Lehigh Valley. A 10th inning sacrifice fly by Chris Duncan scored Pete Orr, giving SYracuse the 10 inning 5-4 victory. Two critical errors by Cody Ransom led to 4 unearned runs in the loss, and the 3 thru 6 hitters in the Lehigh Valley lineup (Mayberry, Tracy, Ransom, Wise) were a combined 0-18, which was difficult to overcome.  Ryan Vogelsong got his first start in three years on American soil and went 4 innings giving up three runs (none earned) on two hits.  He walked five and struck out two.  Jason Anderson (0-1) took the loss in relief. Chris Duffy was the offensive punch going 3-4 with a double and triple knocking in three. Wilson Valdez and Brian Bocock added two hits apiece. Continue reading ‘Pigs Weekend Update →

Reading struggles in opener

02. Org Reports, 6. Reading

The first batter on the prospect-laden Red Sox farm club, the Portland Sea Dogs, clearly was privy to the theme for opening night. Ryan Kalish hammered a Vance Worley mistake deep into RF, over the wall. That would be the first of four home runs by the Dogs, the second of which was a game-changing 3-run bomb deep into the left field night by Luis Esposito, changing a 3-2 lead into a 5-3 deficit, and coming off Matt German, a reliever who projects to play an important role for Reading this year.

Worley, beginning his second year in AA, settled down nicely to throw three very good innings after his rocky first, but gave way to German after allowing two hits in the fifth, which he entered with a 2-run lead.

The game was never really close afterward. Continue reading Reading struggles in opener →

Threshers Win Big in Season Opener

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Fidel Hernadez got off to a strong start with 4 RBIs in the game, while Brian Gump and Troy Hanzawa each had 2 RBIs. Matt Rizzotti picked up the Threshers’ first HR of the year going 3-4 on the night, and Austin Hyatt held the Jays hitless going into the 7th until giving up a 2-run HR.

If you haven’t already signed up for the Threshers Nation Twitter feed go do it now to get live updates as the games happen all season. CLICK HERE for tonight’s boxscore.

Appologies first thing for my lack of Clearwater coverage the past year. I’ll try to participate as I can….

Opening Night Wrapup

Box Score Recap

Gregg covered the happenings at Lehigh Valley, so I’ll just add the notes from Lakewood, Clearwater and Reading. Feel free to use this post to discuss anything/everything, and also if you have LHV specifics, you can put them in gregg’s post.

Lakewood won 10-7.

The good;

Jonathan Villar; 2/5 with 2 runs and a SB
Jiwan James; 2/5 with a 2B and 2 RBI

The bad;

Nick Hernandez allows 6 runs, 2 earned, and 2 HR in 6 IP.
Domingo Santana goes 0/5 with 3 K

Check below for more…

Continue reading Opening Night Wrapup →

Lehigh Valley Opening Day Report

7. Lehigh Valley

Lehigh Valley opened their season Thursday in Syracuse with a back and forth battle between the ‘Pigs and the Chiefs (Nationals affiliate).  The 7-8-9 hitters jumped all over Lehigh Valley for 6 RBI’s and the ‘Pigs were unable to hold a late 6-4 lead after they had come back from an early 4-2 deficit.  Brian Mazone started for Lehigh Valley and went 5 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits.  He walked 2 and did not have a strike out.   Mazone left with the ‘Pigs trailing 4-2, however that was quickly turned around with a three run triple by Paul Hoover, who scored himself on a wild pitch giving Lehigh Valley a 6-4 lead. Syracuse bounced right back in the 8th, scoring two runs off lefty Mike Zagurski. A two out RBI single by Rich Thompson scored DeWayne Wise giving Lehigh Valley the 7-6 lead, which was immediately answered by Syracuse in the 9th with a solo homer by Roger Bernadina off of Ehren Wasserman to tie the game. After walking the bases loaded following the homer, Wasserman (0-1) gave up a walk off single to Pete Orr which won the game for SYracuse, 8-7. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Opening Day Report →

Phils Sign Nelson Figueroa

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ESPN is reporting that the Phils have signed 35 year old RHP Nelson Figueroa. Figueroa spent last between the Buffalo Bison in AAA and the Mets, going 3-8 with a 4.09 ERA in 16 games (10 starts) for the Mets.  He worked 70.1 innings, walking 24 and striking out 59. (WHIP 1.48).  In Buffalo, Figueroa pitched very well for a horrible teeam, going 7-5 with a 2.25 ERA in 17 starts.  In 112 innings he walked 24 and struck out 94, and his WHIP stood at 1.02.  Figueroa joins a long list of starters circulating around Lehigh Valley and Extended Spring Training who have some major league experience.

Figueroa joins Brandon Duckworth back in the organization from the 2001 Phillies rotation.  Where is David Coggin when you need him.

Quick Notes, Exhibition Info

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There is an exhibition game scheduled tonight at Coca Cola Park in Allentown with Reading taking on Lehigh Valley.  Yohan FLande will be throwing for the RPhils, while Joe Savery gets the ball for the ‘Pigs.  Tickets remain for the 6:30 start at just $6 apiece.  It’s a nice opportunity for a first look at many of those on the Reading/Lehigh Valley rosters. Look for occasional updates here.

Opening Day starters have been announced by Lehigh Valley (Brian Mazone) as they open against Syracuse on Thursday, Reading (Vance Worley) who open at home against Portland as well as by Lakewood (Nicholas Hernandez)  who open Thursday in Asheville. 

Tonights lineups in Allentown:  For Reading: Gillies (CF), Galvis (SS), Brown (RF), Bozied (DH), Mahar (1B), Pinckney (3B), Dorta (2B), Gosewisch (C), Berry (LF).  For Lehigh Valley: Duffy (LF), Valdez (2B), Mayberry (RF), Tracy (1B), Ransom (3B), Wise (CF), Sellers (DH), Hoover (C), Bocock (SS). Continue reading Quick Notes, Exhibition Info →

Lakewood, Clearwater Rosters

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Lakewood  and CLearwater announced their roster earlier today.  Some significant talent for sure.

Catcher: Doss, Lafrenz, Valle

Infield: Batts (1B), Ruf (1B), Buschini (2b), Barnes (SS), Villar (SS), Schoenberger (3B)

Outfield: Castro, Hewitt, James, Santana

Pitchers: Colvin, Cosart, Diekman, Ellis, N. Hernandez, Lebron, Massingham, Pettibone, Poe, Way, Wertz, Zeid

DL: Collier (OF) and DeRenne (SS)

Continue reading Lakewood, Clearwater Rosters →