Daily Discussion, Lopez Named Friday Starter

Daily Discussion

Rodrigo Lopez, a 33 year old righty who has spent this year in lehigh Valley was called up by the Phils today and named the starter for Friday nights game againt the Mets.  The trade yesterday for Brian Mazone by Lehigh Valley was the prologue to this deal, as the Phils needed to protect themselves with another veteran AAA starter if they lose Lopez when/if he is sent back down.  Lopez is out of options.  Lopez was 5-4 with a 3.91 ERA in Allentown and has pitched very well recently. Lopez, who is recently recovered from Tommy John surgery has over five years of major league experience, most recently with Colorado. He is a two time major league 15 game winner.

Kyle Kendrick took the complete game loss last night for Lehigh Valley, on a night where he induced 21 outs that came from ground balls, giving up just 2 earned runs.  He did commit two throwing errors, one of which was very costly that led to a Norfolk run.  Both Phillies President Dave Montgomery and Assistant GM Benny Looper were in the house to watch. 

Scott Eyre is getting the start for Reading today, and will be followed by Kyle Drabek.  Eyre will pitch the first inning in his first rehab appearance.  After the difficult debut by Yohan FLande last night (6IP, 5ER), the Reading bullpen shut down Altoona (Zagurski struck out the side in his inning) and Kevin Mahar hit a game winning, walk off homer in the 12th inning.  Mahar ended the month of June hitting .378 for the month. Ruben Amaro took in the Reading contest.  Reliever Sam Walls was released to make roster space for Flande.

In Lakewood, Jason Knapp had a 12 strikeout performance in just 5 shutout innings of work last night.  He left after having thrown over 100 pitches in those 5 innings.  According to the Blueclaws media relations staff, Knapp was clocked at 98 mph on the LAST pitch he threw.

Rotation Update

Transactions

Some curious goings on in Allentown and Atlanta….JA Happ is now starting Thursday, pushing the Phillies need for a starter back to Friday.  This places Rodrigo Lopez in the mix for the start on Friday for the Phils.  Lopez , while not on the 40 man roster, has a good deal of major league expereience, and had an excellent outing in his last appearance yielding just a run in seven innings.  One of the intriguing aspects of Lopez for the Phils is his control, having given up just 13 walks in 71.1 innings.  He is 3-0 with an 0.64 ERA in his last 3 starts.  The Phillies reacquired veteran minor league starter Brian Mazone, who will be joining the Lehigh Valley rotation when they make a roster move over the next couple of days.  With talent such as Savery/Drabek progressing in Reading, the organizaation has made a decision to bring in a starter from another organization rather than move up someone from Reading.  Phillies GM Ruben Amaro was in Allentown last night, meeting with the Lehigh Valley brass.

Daily Discussion

Daily Discussion

A rough outing last night in CLearwater for the recently promoted Tyler Cloyd who gave up 6 runs (4 earned), on 9 hits, in 5.2 innings in his Clearwater debut.  Justin DeFratus had similar troubles in his first start in Lakewood giving up three runs in three innings.  He was pulled after three as he is on a pitch count, as his arm needs to be stretched out.

In Reading, 4 more hits for Michael Taylor combined with Joe Savery’s 10th win of the year as he threw six more shutout innings, in the 12-2 Rwading drubbing of Trenton.

The decision on who will be called up from Lehigh Valley to take Antonio Bastardo’s rotation spot will be made today.  The Lehigh Valley rotation lines up with Kendrick throwing tonight, followed by Carrasco scheduled for tomorrow and Carpenter in Game One of a doubleheader on Friday.  I will be at Coca Cola Park tonight and will do my best to get some info posted before game time at 7:00 should I learn anything.

Roster Shuffling

Transactions

Pitcher Yohan Flande was called up to Reading, with Tyler Cloyd taking Flande’s spot in the Clearwater rotation after a promotion from Lakewood. 

With Justin DeFratus moving into the Lakewood rotation, reliever Jared Simon was sent from Clearwater to Lakewood to take DeFratus’s bullpen spot.

Around the System–Starting Pitching

Around the System

With the trade deadline approaching and the need for a starter probably the primary concern of the Phils, a second look around the system to ascertain what we have “in house”. 

Lehigh Valley

Carlos Carrasco, Age 22–15 starts, 4-7 with a 4.92 ERA, 86.0 IP, 25BB 84K, 8 homers allowed, 1.21GO/AO; .271 opp avg. (.333 with RISP); 1.37 WHIP

Andrew Carpenter, Age 24–14 games; 7-1 with a 2.75 ERA, 88.1 IP, 26 BB 61 K, 11 homers allowed; 0.78 GO/AO; .251 opp avg (.227 with RISP); 1.22 WHIP

Kyle Kendrick, Age 24–15 starts; 4-4 with a 3.97ERA,; 79.1 IP, 26BB 43K, 1.46 GO/AO; .257 opp avg (.183 with RISP); 1.33 WHIP.

Gustavo Chacin, Age 28–7 combined starts between Reading and LV; 3-2, 3.63 ERA, 34.2 IP, 12BB 18K, 2.23 GO/AO, .299 opp avg. (.310 with RISP), 1.50 WHIP

Rodrigo Lopez, Age 33–13 starts, 5-4 with a 3.91 ERA, 71.1 IP 13BB 52K, 1.28 GO/AO; .292 opp avg. (.273 with RISP); 1.34 WHIP Continue reading Around the System–Starting Pitching →

Williamsport and GCL Weekly Report

2. GCL, 3. Williamsport

It’s that time of year again, so let’s get right to it.

Williamsport : 5-4, 1 GB in the NYPL Pinckney division

Williamsport beats State College 15-2

Leandro Castro got the year off on the right note by going 5-6 with a HR, 2 RBI and 2 R. TJ Warren also had a big night going 3-5 with a 2B, 3B, 3 RBI and 3 R. Catcher Jean Rodriguez was 3-5 with 2 RBI and a R while Francisco Murillo added two doubles and 3 RBI. Hewitt started the season with a 1/4 night that included an RBI, R and 2 Ks. Siulman Lebron got the win in his first start stateside. The 22 year old righty went 5.2 innings, allowing 2 ER on 6 H and 1 BB while striking out 6. Massingham, Long and Grieve went the rest of the way without allowing a hit.

Continue reading Williamsport and GCL Weekly Report →

Carpenter Live Blog

Other Stuff

Andrew Carpenter is trying to bounce back from two of his more difficult starts in what has been an extremely consistent year for him.  His opponent tonight, Norfolk, is the same team he faced last week when he gave up 3 runs on 9 hits over six innings.  It should be interesting to see how Carpenter responds to what could a competition for the July 4 start for the Phils.  Carrasco acquitted himself quite well last night and has now had quality starts in 6 of his last 8 outings.  Check back often for an inning by inning recap of the goings on at Coca Cola Park.

First Inning–strike out, walk (stolen base), strikeout, strikeout.  Fastball at 87-89. 23 pitches, 14 for strikes.  Alot of deep counts, but struck out the side.  Big first inning for the ‘Pigs, 4-0. (RBI single Andy Tracy, Sac Fly Tiffee, 2 run single by Marson)It’s notable that there are about a dozen scouts in Allentown tonight. Continue reading Carpenter Live Blog →

Arbuckle at Coca Cola Park, Carrasco Game Log

Other Stuff

Just a quick note that may be of some interest….Former Phillie Assistant GM Mike Arbuckle is taking in the Iron Pigs games tonight and tomorrow with Carlos Carrasco and Andrew Carpenter on the hill for Lehigh Valley respectively.  Arbuckle is now working as a Senior Advisor to the Royals GM, Dayton Moore.  Consider this name from the Royals rotation….Brian Bannister.

After a rain delay of just over an hour, Carrasco has thrown 14 pitches, 10 for strikes through an inning.  He is throwing his fastball at 94-95.  The inning went flyout, single, strikeout, long flyout to the warning track.  4-0 ‘Pigs through one (HR Rich Thompson, RBI double, Cairo, 2 run homer Tiffee). Continue reading Arbuckle at Coca Cola Park, Carrasco Game Log →

Daily Discussion

Daily Discussion

A big step yesterday for Scott Mathieson, the 25 year old big right handed pitcher recovering from multiple Tommy John surgeries.  Mathieson threw 2 shutout innings for the GCL Phils, picking up the win without yielding a hit.  He didnt walk a batter and struck out three. 

Six shutout innings for Jon Pettibone in his second start for Williamsport yesterday.  He allowed 4 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6.  The early problems of Anthony Hewitt continue with an 0-3 (2 k’s) to go along with his 3rd error of the young season. Continue reading Daily Discussion →

Random thoughts

Other Stuff

Just looking at some box scores, just some random thoughts, in bulleted format.

* Marson had a .679 OPS in May, and wasn’t much better in the beginning of June, but he’s hitting .371 over his last 10 games, with 10 RBI and 4 BB. He only has 2 extra base hits (both doubles), so the power still hasn’t come, but he’s at least starting to put it together.

* Anthony Gose is 44/52 in SB. His plate discipline is obviously lacking at this point, and he hasn’t hit for much power, but that speed sure is something. As a reference point, Michael Bourn stole 58 out of 64 in his age 21 season at Lakewood. Gose has a real chance to end up with 65-70 SB, though his success rate might not be quite as good.

More below….

Continue reading Random thoughts →