Farm report

[jalbright]

Anybody want to post anything about prospects or what's happening with the Phils' farm clubs? This is a good place for it. If we get enough participation, I'll sticky this thread.

Jim Albright

[Judway]

Anybody want to post anything about prospects or what's happening with the Phils' farm clubs? This is a good place for it. If we get enough participation, I'll sticky this thread.

Jim Albright

Mike Arbuckle said on Full-Season Fan Appreciation Night that the best pitcher in the minors is Carlos Carrasco and he has been moved since then to Reading. Maybe next year. I asked about C. J. Henry. He has been moved to the OF and looks more comfortable there. That's all I know. Kep an eye on the kid from this years draft. The lefthander from Rice.

[Steve Jeltz]

Does anyone know the status of Doug Drabek? I know he had Tommy John surgery last year. What is the timetable for him?

[AutographCollector]

Does anyone know the status of Doug Drabek? I know he had Tommy John surgery last year. What is the timetable for him?

Don't you mean KYLE Drabek? Doug's son.

[Steve Jeltz]

Don't you mean KYLE Drabek? Doug's son.

Yes, my mistake. Kyle Drabek, Phils first round pick in 2006. I'm sure Doug is resting comfortably in retirement. What's Kyle's timetable? Will he be the next Brad Brink?

[Androctus]

Its a very real possibility. Drabek's rehab continues and the organization is supposed to be able to start working him into games around late May to June. It's unfortunate to have Tommy John so young, Drabek was only in low A ball, and while he showed flashes of ability he was still struggling mightily. It definately set the timetable back a good way, and I think its still not outside the realm of possibility that Drabek could end up a position player yet.

[AutographCollector]

Though it's a month old, it still has some info on his rehab from Tommy John surgery: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20080321_Phillies_keep_the_faith_with_surgically_r epaired_Drabek.html

[Steve Jeltz]

Its a very real possibility. Drabek's rehab continues and the organization is supposed to be able to start working him into games around late May to June. It's unfortunate to have Tommy John so young, Drabek was only in low A ball, and while he showed flashes of ability he was still struggling mightily. It definately set the timetable back a good way, and I think its still not outside the realm of possibility that Drabek could end up a position player yet.

Reading that article, it sounds like Doug's kid is growing up a little bit. I suppose if there is a time to have such a major surgery, it's at 19. But that begs the question: If the kid makes the majors, how prone to injury will he be? Maybe it would be best to transition him to another position if he knows how to swing the stick.

[Steve Jeltz]

The Phillies have served the fine folks of the Lehigh Valley an absolute abomination of a baseball club. The Iron Pigs are an embarrasing 3-23 heading into play today.Their leading hitter is 32 year old Mike Cervanek at a .278 clip. 31 year old Brian Mazone has 2 of the Pigs 3 wins and leads the team in ERA, so I guess that qualifies him as the ace. This team is made up of a bunch of career minor leaguers and major league never weres, like Gookie Dawkins, Chris Woodard & Vic Darensbourg.

[Androctus]

The Phillies have served the fine folks of the Lehigh Valley an absolute abomination of a baseball club. The Iron Pigs are an embarrasing 3-23 heading into play today.Their leading hitter is 32 year old Mike Cervanek at a .278 clip. 31 year old Brian Mazone has 2 of the Pigs 3 wins and leads the team in ERA, so I guess that qualifies him as the ace. This team is made up of a bunch of career minor leaguers and major league never weres, like Gookie Dawkins, Chris Woodard & Vic Darensbourg.

That trend started some time ago. Another credit to the regime of MontgomerGiles, to begin using Reading as the final stop on the way to the bigs, and create in Scranton now Ottowa now Allentown a dumping ground for career journeyman minor leaguers with little future. In retrospect, its a wonder some of those players weren't used to save a dime. Hindisght is always 20/20, but looking back, was Wes Helms really an upgrade over Brennan King or Bobby Scales? Why trade for Rod Barrajas, or Sal Fasano's mustache trimmings when you had both Ruiz and Coste down in AAA?

[Steve Jeltz]

That trend started some time ago. Another credit to the regime of MontgomerGiles, to begin using Reading as the final stop on the way to the bigs, and create in Scranton now Ottowa now Allentown a dumping ground for career journeyman minor leaguers with little future. In retrospect, its a wonder some of those players weren't used to save a dime. Hindisght is always 20/20, but looking back, was Wes Helms really an upgrade over Brennan King or Bobby Scales? Why trade for Rod Barrajas, or Sal Fasano's mustache trimmings when you had both Ruiz and Coste down in AAA?

Then why continue running a Triple A club? Why pay salaries for career minor leaguers? You'd figure the penny pinching Giles would want to cut corners as much as possible. I'm shocked Dollar Bill just hasn't eliminated having a Triple A club. It would save him dollars.

[Androctus]

I'm shocked Dollar Bill just hasn't eliminated having a Triple A club. It would save him dollars.

LOL - "Dollar Bill"

Haven't heard that one before. I like it.

[jalbright]

LOL - "Dollar Bill"

Haven't heard that one before. I like it.

Given the cost of things these days, it pretty well captures his value, if you exclude whatever value there is in his hucksterism.

[Steve Jeltz]

Clearwater P Antonio Bastardo and Lakewood OF Michael Taylor have been named the Phillies minor league players of the month for April. The southpaw Bastardo was 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in 5 starts. He led all minor leaguers with 47 K's in 30.2 innings, while walking 10 and allowing 20 hits. Bastardo's undefeated streak was stretched to 12 games, with his last loss occurring on July 8, 2006.

Taylor, the Phils 5th round pick in the 2007 draft, batted .354 with 10 RBI and 15 runs scored. Taylor batted safely in 23 of 26 games during April.

[Androctus]

That represents low A and high A ball. Whats the rest doing?

Lehigh Valley should be bulldozed. Well, they did win two of their last eight to improve to 4-28, so maybe it aint so bad. J.A. Happ is looking much better this year, keeping hits down, only allowed 3 HR so far this year and scattered 1 earned over his last 20 innings of work, but still walking way too many. Thanks to Lehigh Valley's potent offense, he's 0-4 in 7 starts despite posting a solid 2.97 ERA.

Carrasco has been doing well in Reading and so was Outman till he fell on hard times his last two starts and looks like was sent to the bullpen, from which he made a not so impressive long relief outing on May 2nd, again, too many free passes, whereas Carrasco seems to have the total package - decent stuff, and control. If the Phils loose a starter, I'd bet on him making the leap over Happ and into the rotation. Golson, our nearest thing to a big league ready position prospect, is trying to outduel Howard for striking out, with 40 so far. Still, he's hitting .295 with 10 swipes and leads Reading in total bases.

Rosterdamus honorable mention goes to AA catcher Lou Marson, 2004 4th round pick in tha amatuer draft from Coronado HS. Marson's progressed steadily at every level, but not so much so that he keeps flying under the radar. Lou's defensive skills are definately above average but still need some work, and he's also improved over the last two season with the stick, hitting .288 last year and .325 so far this one with an OBP of .424 (selective... how refreshing). Marsons exploded hitting .395 over his last ten games, and been hammering lefties to the tune of .462.

[Steve Jeltz]

Rosterdamus, what is your report on Drew Naylor. He is another pitcher that leads his league in strikeouts.

[Androctus]

Some teams scout Latin players agressively, we go to Austrailia. Why? probably because it saves Dollar Bill money on hiring translators. Still, the Land Down Under has produced some baseball heroes, albeit with slightly misspelled monikers (Dave Nilsson, Graeme Lloyd)

Havn't seem him myself, I'd like to, maybe should take a ride to Lakewood, eh? From what I understand he's got good pitcher's size (6'4, 210) but doesn't light up the guns. He's finesse, and thanks to that last year and this is averaging just over one baserunner an inning. Personally, I feel the minors is so choked up with five and dive starters desperately trying to show how hard they can throw, when someone shows up who can consistantly give you seven strong innings, he's worth looking at. Naylor hasn't really had bad start so far this year and has a string going of five quality starts in a row, and the type of control he exhibits is worth more to me than a 96 mph heater. Sometimes you can use a players draft postion as a guage of his talent, since he was more or less recruited, we really only have the Phillies opinion on that.

Still, its like the guy who jumped off that building in Chicago. As he fell people on each floor heard him say "so far so good, so far so good..." He won't be in low A much longer throwing like that. We'll wait and see how he fairs at Clearwater or Reading, against better hitters, and we'll know more.

[Steve Jeltz]

Some teams scout Latin players agressively, we go to Austrailia. Why? probably because it saves Dollar Bill money on hiring translators. Still, the Land Down Under has produced some baseball heroes, albeit with slightly misspelled monikers (Dave Nilsson, Graeme Lloyd)

Funny, how the players you mentioned above were initially signed by Bud Selig's Brewers. Only Dollar Bill would like to model a franchise after Bud Selig.

Ironically, at one time, the Phillies were at the forefront of signing Latin American players in the 1970's. Julio Franco, George Bell, Juan Samuel were but only a few of the players that the Phils signed. Once Giles got control of the Phils, he all but abandoned S. America to save $$$.

[Steve Jeltz]

The Iron Pigs dropped their 30th game this year with last night's 7-3 loss at Toledo. The Pigs are now 5-30, 20 games back of Scranton/WB.

In the pitching department, I guess Steve Kline is not the answer to the Phils LH relief woes. Kline is 0-1 with a 6.55 ERA in 10 appearances thus far for the Pigs. Neither is Vic Darensbourg with a 6.52 ERA. For the starters, Brian Manzone has picked up 4 of the Pigs 5 wins this season. Manzone is the only pitcher with a winning record at 4-3. J.A. Happ's 0-4 record is deceiving as he receives no run support from a feeble offense. Happ has a 2.97 ERA with 42 K's in 39.1 innings.

The offense, to be kind, is pathetic. Former 1999 Expos draft pick Brandon Watson leads the team with a .299 avg, but has only 4 RBI. Mike Cervanek is second with a .272 avg. with 3 HR and 14 RBI. 34 year old Andy Tracy leads the club in homers with 6 and RBI with 19. Former catching prospect Jason Jaramillo continues to disappoint hitting below the Mendoza line at .189. Recent pickup Jon Knott is hitting .391 in 6 games.

Among the International League leaders, not much to report for a 5-30 team. In the pitching category, Manzone is second in the IL with 45.2 innings pitched. Happ is second in strikeouts with 42. In the hitting department, Tracy's 6 HR is tied for 5th.

[Steve Jeltz]

RHP Pat Overholt of Reading has been named the Phils minor league pitcher of the week. The 22nd round draft pick in 2005 was 0-0 in 2 apperances with 1 save. Overholt extended his consectutive scoreless appearances streak to 9, covering 11.2 innings. He is 1-0 in 14 games with a 0.96 ERA and has 8 saves, allowing only 6 hits in 18.2 innings pitched.

OF Javon Moran of Reading was named the Phils minor league position player of the week. In 7 games last week, Moran hit .400 with 12 hits and 5 SB. Moran had 8 straight hits spanning two games over this past weekend. Moran, a 2003 4th round pick out of Auburn, is hitting .282 with 0 homers and 9 RBI and 9 SB for the season.

[Androctus]

Moran's streaky like that. He's Juan Pierre lite, has almost no power whatsoever, but does have great speed which prevents him going into prolonged slumps. If he drew more walks clubs would have an interest and he'd in the bigs by now. As it is, he's starting to get a little old to be bouncing up and down from AA.

How about Naylor's complete game 12k performance Staurday? enough already...ship him to Clearwater..

[Steve Jeltz]

Break up the Iron Pigs! They have won 4 of their last 5 games to improve to 9-31, only 18.5 games out of first place!

[Steve Jeltz]

It looks like William Savage is having a rough time adjusting to double A ball. 8.30 ERA in 6 games at Reading this year. So is Andy Carpenter, who won 17 last year at Clearwater.

With the way that Eaton and Myers are pitching, would Carlos Carrasco be any worse? At least Carrasco has some upside, unlike the two sloths Eaton and Myers. Bring the kid up for a few starts. Maybe he can be like Kendrick was last year.

The Phils have a dearth of catchers in their system. The one catcher that is a prospect, Lou Marson, is, at best, two years away. Didn't the Phils get a catching prospect in the Abreu trade? Ruiz is not the answer and Jaramillo is stinking it up in the Lehigh Valley last I checked.

I noticed that Jake "Forever Prospect" Blalock is back in the Phils system. Did he bring Robinson Tejada with him?

[Androctus]

They don't wan't to rush Carrasco up like they did Floyd. Gavin Floyd was kinda pushed through in a hurry a nd never really allowed to settle in one place in the minors and establish alot of success before moving on. The Brought Kendrick up for the same reason they brought up Mathieson out of AA a few years ago - They were hot at the time, and neither was really a top tier prospect, at least not enough to were they were concerned about ruining their development like they did Floyd. Eaton may suck, but there's no urgency like last year, based to injuries, to bring up someone like Carrasco.

I find myself defending Ruiz alot. Is he a long term answer or franchise catcher? No. But, the phils could be doing much worse right now. Carlos is not hitting. But who does in the eight hole, its a tough job. But Carlos is not here for his offense. Did you know Carlos fielding percentage last year was higher than gold glove winner Russell Martin? He made some real boners when he first came up, but since he's kinda blossomed into a very decent backstop, and has gotten better at throwing out baserunners this year, even though 26 caught stealing out of 83 last year isn't too shabby. But your're right, they do have a surplus of catching - Jaramillo, Marson, and last years supplememht first rounder with the funny name Travis D'Arnoud might shape up to be the best of the three in the long run. Jaramillo may be a flop, and Marson and D'Arnoud may be a flop, but with Ruiz and Coste the position is well tended for the next year or two.

The catcher in the Abreu deal was Carlos Sanchez, who was instantly supplanted by D'Arnoud last year and is now hitting .179 in Lakewood.

[Steve Jeltz]

Lakewood OF Michael Taylor was named one of the Phils minor league players of the week for the second time this season. Taylor batted .375 during the week with 2 homers and 5 RBI. Taylor is third in the SAL with a .347 avg., third in OBP at .418 and second in slugging with a .567 pct.

Pitcher of the week honors go to Clearwater reliever Sam Walls. The right hander out of North Carolina St. went 1-0 in 2 games with 2 strikeouts. Walls is unscored upon in 7 May appearances, spanning 8.1 innings. After missing all of 2007 with a shoulder injury, Walls is 1-0 with a 1.14 ERA in 15 games this season.

[Steve Jeltz]

Lehigh Valley
13-34, 6th place,17 GB

After losing 30 of their first 35 games, the Iron Pigs have won 8 of their last 12. Hard luck lefthander J.A.Happ got his first victory of the year last week. His 66 strikeouts continue to lead the IL.

Reading
19-23, 4th place, 7.5 GB

Greg Golson and C Lou Marson are tied for the team lead with a .325 avg. Golson was 5 for 6 in Sunday's 14-1 win over Akron, while Marson drove in 6. Marson's .439 OBP is second in the Eastern League.

LHP Antonio Bastardo is 1-0 in 2 starts since his promotion from Clearwater, with a 4-1 mark, 1.82 ERA overall for the season. Bastardo is second in strikeouts in all the minor leagues with 67, behind Lakewood's Drew Naylor. LHP Josh Outman continues to make the transition to the bullpen with a 1.59 ERA in 5 games out of the pen.

Clearwater
18-27 6th place, 11 GB

2007 1st rounder Joe Savery has been roughed up, surrendering 62 hits in 50.1 innings pitched, while compiling a 1-4 record and a 5.19 ERA. RHP Edgar Garcia lost for the first time since last August, but still is 5-1. Righthanded reliever Brett Harker has given up only 3 ER in 20.2 IP for a 1.31 ERA, while fellow reliever Brian Schlitter has a 2.81 ERA in 25.2 innings of work.

OF Gus Milner recently had a 19 game hitting streak halted. during the hitting streak, he drove in 16 to take the team lead in RBI with 24. 2B Adrian Cardenas is 6 for 10 since his return from the DL.

Lakewood
22-24 6th place, 7.5 GB

The Blue Claws have lost 5 of their last 7, including a 6 game losing streak last week. OF Michael Taylor, last week's Phils minor league player of the week, is hitting at a .342 clip, third in the SAL. INF Derrick Mitchell hit .304 last week and drove in 4, raising his season avg. to .228.

RHP Drew Naylor lead the minors with 71 strikeouts, while compiling a 4-2 W/L and 2.55 ERA. Relief pitcher Jared Simon is 4-1 with 2.14 ERA in 17 contests, giving up 12 hits and 5 ER in 21 innings.

[Steve Jeltz]

1B-3B-OF Mike Cervanak and reliever R.J. Swindle of Lehigh Valley were named the Phils minor league players of the week. The 30 year old Cervanak batted .433 for the week, with 13 hits and 9 RBI. The former Mets farmhand is hitting .327 with 6 HR and 36 RBI for the season.

The southpaw Swindle went 1-0 with 3 strikeouts in 2 appearances. The 24 year old journeyman has retired 28 of the 32 hitters he has faced since being promoted from Reading.

Minor League Affliate Records

Lehigh Valley
19-39, 6th, 17 GB, IL North

Reading
21-33, 6th, 11.5 GB, EAS Sothern

Clearwater
23-33, 6th, 15 GB FL West

Lakewood
31-25, 3rd, 3 GB, SAL Northern

[donzblock]

And how are Mrs. and Mr. Benson faring down on the farm?

[Steve Jeltz]

And how are Mrs. and Mr. Benson faring down on the farm?

Mr. Anna Benson is still in extended spring training. He pitched last Tuesday and was supposed to make a rehab start on Sunday in Clearwater. He never did make that rehab start.

Anna, I am proud to announce, will have a bust on the Mets Wall of Fame at their new park for her contributions to Mets baseball. Being tabloid fodder for the New York papers, being a pain to the Mets front office and her famous quote of "I will sleep with every guy on this team", is just a few of her many positive contributions to the Mets organization.

[Steve Jeltz]

C Jason Jaramillo is the Phils minor league position player of the week. The Oklahoma State product batted .444 with 12 hits and 4 RBI for Triple A Lehigh Valley. Jaramillo has hit .457 over his last 10 games to up his average to .257.

The pitcher of the week is Lakewood RHP Chance Chapman. Chapman struck out a career best 9 in his only start of the week last Saturday. In his last 10 starts, Chapman has complied a 3-4 W/L mark with a 2.83 ERA. The 2007 8th round pick out of Oral Roberts twice won pitcher of the week honors last season in Williamsport.

[Steve Jeltz]

1st round: Anthony Hewitt, SS, Salisbury (CT) School

With the 24th overall selection in the 1st round, the Phils select Bronx native, Anthony Hewitt. According to scouts, Hewitt is a five-tool talent that could be converted to third base or the outfield. Hewitt's draft stock dropped due to his commitment to Vanderbilt University, but the Phils brass believe that he can be signed quickly.

1st round (compensation) 34th: Zach Collier, OF, Chino Hills (CA) HS

A contact hitter that has some scouts comparing him to Angels OF Garrett Anderson. Collier is expected to develop more power.

2nd round, 51st: Anthony Gose, OF, Bellflower (CA) HS

Gose is a center fielder with a good arm and is a good base runner. At the plate, some scouts project a Corey Patterson clone, as Gose exhibits some power, but little plate dicipline. Other scouts predict a Juan Pierre type, a spray hitter with little or no power.

3rd round, 71st: Jason Knapp, RHP, North Hunderton (NJ) HS

The 6 foot 5, 215 pound Knapp throws three pitches, according to scout Gene Schall: A 89-93 mph fastball,change and curve. Commented Schall, "Fastball explodes out of hand and has heavy sink."

3rd round, 102nd: Vance Worley, RHP, Long Beach State University

Worley was previously a Phils 20th round selection out of high school in 2005, but elected to go to college. Area scout, Tim Kessner on Worley: "92 mph fastball. Throws a good two-seamer with sink. Good feel on how to pitch with solid secondary stuff. Always battles and competes. Potential to be starting pitcher."

[Steve Jeltz]

3B Brandon King of Lehigh Valley batted .400 with 2 HR and 5 RBI,to go along with 10 hits to be named the Phils minor league position player of the week. During the 6 game stretch, King extended his games without an error to 42.

The pitcher of the week honors goes to Lakewood's Drew Naylor. He extended his winning streak to 5 in a row with last week's 6-1 win over Delmarma. Naylor also fanned a career high 13 in the complete game effort. The 22 year old is second in all of minor league baseball with 91 strikeouts.

[Androctus]

Phillies A, AA, and AAA franchises are now all mired in last place. Can we consider that a testament to the quality of our farm system versus that of everyone else?