Down On The Farm, 2011 Edition

Minor league spring training games began on Monday.  Here are some March 14th recaps:

AAA (Group 1):  Phils 6  Blue Jays 5.   Starting pitcher Drew Naylor went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs (4 H, 2 BB, 3 SO).  Nate Bump went 2 innings allowing no runs on 1 hit and 1 walk.  Mike Cisco allowed 3 unearned runs in 2 innings of work.  Michael Schwimer went 2 perfect innings to earn a Save.  He struck out 4 of the 6 batters he faced.  Tagg Bozied was 2-4 with a HR and 2 RBI.   Harold Garcia went 1-4 with a triple.  Prospect Sebastian Valle started behind the plate (most of the higher level catchers still haven't been reassigned to the minors) and went 1-2 with a double.  Centerfielder Rich Thompson went 1-3 with 2 RBI and 2 SB.  Outfielders Matt Miller went 2-5 and Chris Frey went 2-2.  

AA (Group 2):  Phils 12  Jays 3.  Starting pitcher Josh Zeid went 2 scoreless innings.  Trevor May and Justin Friend also contributed 2 scoreless frames.  Tyson Gillies, who started in centerfield and hit leadoff went 2-2 with a triple, and 2 RBI.  Converted pitcher Joe Savery went 3-3 with a double and 3 RBI.  Also contributing 2 hits to the offense were Darin Ruf, Stephen Susdorf, Fidel Hernandez and Francisco Diaz.  Sebastien Boucher went 1-3 with 3 walks and scored 3 runs.  

A+ (Group 3):  Phils 6 Jays 2. Nick Hernandez went 2 scoreless innings as did Mario Hollands and Jacob Borup.  Jim Murphy, D'Arby Myers and Jeremy Barnes each had 2 hits with Barnes hitting a HR.  Highly touted prospect Jonathan Singleton was 0-4 as the DH.  

A (Group 4):  Phils 7 Jays 1.   2010 top pick LHP Jesse Biddle threw 2 scoreless innings while striking out 4.  Percy Garner threw 2 innings and allowed an unearned run.  2009 top pick Kelly Dugan went 2-3 with 2 RBI and Domingo Santana went 2-4 hitting cleanup.  Zach Collier, returning from an injury that cost him the 2010 season went 1-3 with 2 walks.  Highly touted prospect Aaron Altherr started in centerfield and hit leadoff.        

Just for the record, here are the current minor league working groups.  There are still at least 20 players in big league camp who will either be added to these lists or shipped out.

GROUP 1Pitchers:  Matt Anderson, Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Brummett, Nate Bump,Chance Chapman, Michael Cisco, Tyler Cloyd, Jacob Diekman, Ryan Edell,Jordan Ellis, Joe Esposito, Justin Friend, Edgar Garcia, Brian Gordon,Jason Grilli, Austin Hyatt, Chris Kissock, Derrick Loop, B.J. Rosenberg,Josh Zeid Catchers:  Francisco Diaz, Torre Langley, John Suomi, Sebastian Valle Infielders:  Albert Cartwright, Troy Hanzawa, Fidel Hernandez, Tim Kennelly,Cody Overbeck, Darin Ruf, Joe Savery Outfielders:  Chris Frey,  Tyson Gillies, Jeremy Slayden (back from retirement), Mike SpidaleCory Sullivan, Steve Susdorf, Rich Thompson

GROUP 2Pitchers:  Justin Beal, Mike Bolsenbroek, Jacob Borup, Garrett Claypool,Brody Colvin, Heitor Correa, Jarrod Cosart, Nick Hernandez, Chase Johnson,Ebelin Lugo, Eric Massingham, Trevor May, Jonathan Pettibone, Eric Pettis,Julio Rodriguez, Julian Sampson, Colby Shreve, Jon Velasquez, Matt Way,Jordan Whatcott  Catchers:  Stephen Batts, Michael Dabbs, Jeffery Lanning, Robert Stumpo Infielders:  Edgar Duran, Travis Mattair, Korby Mintkin, James Murphy, Carlos Perdomo,Alan Schoenberger, Outfielders:  Sebastian Boucher, Leandro Castro, Jiwan James, Derrick Mitchell,D'Arby Myers.

GROUP 3Pitchers:  Jesse Biddle, Bradley Banks, Lisalverto Bonilla, David Buchanan, Lendy Castillo,Craig Fritsch, Percival Garner, Juary Gomez, Mario Hollands, Matt Hutchison, Tyler Knigge,Siulman Lebron, Ervis Manzanillo, Bryan Morgado, Michael Nesseth, Jesus Pirela, Marshall Schuler,  Andrew Snowdon, Juan Sosa, Andy Wells Catchers:  Carlos Alonso, James Klocke, Kyle Lafrenz, Cameron Rupp Infielders:  Jeremy Barnes, Adam Buschini, Chris Duffy, Stephen Malcolm, Matthew McConnell,Geancarlo Mendez, Matt Payton Outfielders:  Aaron Altherr, Miguel Alvarez, Zach Collier, Kelly Dugan, Brian Gump, Anthony Hewitt, Andrew Rundle, Domingo Santana, Jonathan Singleton

Group 4Pitchers:  Gabirel Arias, RHP (DSL), Leonel Bastidas Carlos Best, Daniel Delacruz, Drew ErwinOrlando Garces, Luis Gonzalez, Zael Honora, Steven Inch, Colin Kleven, Pedro Lora,Lino Martinez, Marek Minarik, Luis Morales,  Jonathan Musser, Hector Neris, MIguel Nunez,Luis Paulino, Ryan Sasaki, Jacob Smith, Ethan Stewart, Franklin Vargas, Kevin Walter Catchers:  Angel Chavarin, Marco Davalillo, Marlon Mitchell, Chase Numata Infielders:  Jorge Castillo, Jeffrey Cusick, Maikel Franco, Gustavo Gonzalez, Yeisson Morales,Patrick Murray, Cale Owen, Nerio Rios, Carlos Valenzuela, 3B (DSL) Outfielders:  Luis Amaro, Luis Beltre, Gauntlett Eldemire, Kyrell Hudson, Witer Jimenez, Jorge Miranda, Brian Pointer, Bill Rice, Bernando Solarte, Luis Unda 

lol Jeremy Slayden, theres a name I havent heard in a while

In 2009 Slayden (and Terry Tiffee) started the season by remaining in Florida with injuries.   When Slayden came up to the Ironpigs he never got on track and was eventually sent back down to Reading.   Despite doing better at Reading, he saw the writing on the wall when Domonic Brown was promoted to Reading from Clearwater.   He retired and sat out the entire 2010 season.   He decided to give it another try in 2011.

Results from 3/16/11:

AAA:  Phillies 7 Pirates 5.  Roy Halladay started for the AAA squad today and went 5 innings giving up 4 runs/3 earned on 7 hits and 1 walk.  Eddie Bonine followed by allowing 1 run in 3 innings before Drew Carpenter closed things out and earning a save. Harold Garcia hit leadoff and went 1-5 Matt Rizzotti had 2 hits and 2 RBIs, Tim Kennelly had 2 hits, one of them a HR, Troy Hanzawa was 1-4 with a double.  Sebastian Valle also had a hit and RBI. 

AA:  Phillies 2  Pirates 6.  Cody Overbeck hit 2 homeruns to account for both runs.   JC Ramirez gave up all 6 runs over 3 innings of work.  Joe Savery was 0-3.  Phillippe Aumont threw a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit while striking out 2.  Justin De Fratus and Jacob Diekman each added in 2 scoreless innings.  

A+:  Phillies 1  Pirates 2.  Brody Colvin threw 2 innings and allowed 1 run while Julio Rodriguez added 2 scoreless innings.  

A:  Phillies 6  Pirates 9.  Kyrell Hudson was 2-3 with a HR, while hitting leadoff and playing centerfield.  Aaron Altherr also had 2 hits.       

Not much information on games of March 17.  The AAA team dropped a 9-2 decision to the Tigers.   They only had 6 hits and committed 3 errors.   Brian Bass threw 3 innings and allowed just 1 unearned run on 3 hits.  He also walked 3 and record 3 strikeouts.  Jason Grilli also threw a scoreless inning in relief.  Not much offense to speak of but outfielder Chris Frey hit leadoff and had 2 hits and shortstop Troy Hanzawa was 2-3.  The AAA squad is now 2-1.   

A little more from the games of Thursday, March 17.

In the AAA game posted above, starting pitcher Ryan Feierabend went 3 innings and allowed 3 earned runs.  Catcher John Suomi doubled and Matt Rizzotti was 1-3.  Brian Bass had 3 strikeouts in his 3 innings.  Matt Anderson got roughed up, allowing 4 runs in 1 inning.  His fastball has been reaching the upper 90's but he's having some problems with his control.  Sounds like he's paying the price for being out of baseball for several years.  

The AA team lost 4-3.  Starting pitcher Chris Kissock went 3 innings and gave up 3 runs.  Tyler Cloyd gave up the other run while BJ Rosenberg and Edgar Garcia threw scoreless innings.  Joe Savery had a double so his conversion from pitcher to hitter continues to go well.

The A+ team won 7-4.  Jarred Cosart allowed just 1 hit in 3 innings.  Brian Gump had a single and a double.

The A team lost 9-3.  Anthony Hewitt hit a homerun and 2009 top pick Kelly Dugan added a triple.   

On the transaction front, Michael Stutes, Vance Worley, Freddy Galvis, Brandon Moss, Jeff Larish, Juan Perez, and Dan Meyer were all either optioned or reassigned to minor league camp.

let me as k you something ringo.... out of all these possibilities of Utley's replacements, who do you see making up the Pigs infield and who do you see getting cut?  Obviously we have Rizzoti at 1st, but after that anything could be possible.... DYoung, JBarfield MMartinez POrr,  DSardina, TGooswich, and Kratz all playing catcher?

Well I think Kratz will be the #1 catcher for the Ironpigs with Sardinha as the backup.  Gosewisch will likely start the season at Reading but the Phillies really like the way he handles pitchers, so who knows.  The other day when Roy Halladay pitched in a minor league game he specifically asked for Tuffy to be his catcher. 

I'm still not sold on Matt Rizzotti starting the season in AAA.   There are big shoes to fill at first base in Allentown and if he'd get off to a bad start you might start hearing the boos.   I'd start the season with Bozied or Larish at first and Rizzotti in Reading for at least the first month.  Then, if Rizzotti is hitting well at Reading, move him to LV and switch Larish to third fulltime. 

Anything can happen with those other guys.  I think the Phillies are giving Martinez every opportunity to win a spot on their roster but as a rule 5 pick he'd have to stay there the entire season like Herndon did last year.   If he makes the team then only 1 of the other 3 stays as a replacement for Utley.   The early frontrunners were Delwyn Young and Josh Barfield, but don't look now because Pete Orr is currently hitting .344 with 3 doubles and 3 triples.   I really like Pete Orr's versatility too.  Delwyn Young is probably the weakest defensively at second base but he has the advantage of being a switch-hitter.  Barfield bats right and Orr bats left.  What we don't know is whether or not any of these guys has an opt out clause in their minor league contract.   If I had my choice for the Ironpigs, I want Pete Orr somewhere in my lineup on a regular basis.   He's an old school ballplayer who is willing to do whatever is necessary to win.  And his power may surprise you at Coca-Cola Park. 

What I think right now: (I'm doing this off the top of my head so I may be missing someone)
C:  Kratz, Sardinha
1B: Bozied,
2B: Orr, Barfield
3B: Larish
SS: Bocock, Galvis
OF:  Matt Miller, Rich Thompson, Cory Sullivan, Brandon Moss, Cory Sullivan
P:  (in no particular order): Worley, Bass, Feierabend, Naylor, Bump, Schwimer, Stutes, Bonine, Grilli, Mathieson, Zagurski, Meyer, Perez, Herndon.   I know I have too many so some of these guys may be pushed back to Reading.  

About a month ago I also wrote about Matt Anderson.  He's been struggling with his control but I'm hoping the Phillies don't give up on him, even if they have to keep him in Clearwater for extended spring training.  And speaking of extended spring training, that's likely where Domonic Brown begins the year.  I can't see them bringing him up to AAA to play in cold weather while recovering from a broken hand.  Where he goes from there will depend on how guys like Francisco, Mayberry and Gload are doing.   There are also several youngsters who will push a few of these vets for AAA jobs.  My favorite is Justin De Fratus.  D-Frat is capable of pitching in AAA right now but I'm pretty sure he'll begin at Reading and work his way up like Stutes did last year.   The Phillies have lots of issues to resolve right now but I think it's going to be an exciting year down on the farm as some of these youngsters start moving up.  That 2010 Lakewood team was loaded with talent.

Finally, don't rule out a big trade before Easter if it looks like Utley will miss significant time.   

I reserve the right to change my mind on all of this tomorrow.         

A few Friday highlights (mostly AA) courtesy of the Reading Phillies website:

AA Phillies 4  AA Tigers 0.  Austin Hyatt started and threw 3 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 4.  Justin Friend, Jonathan Velasquez and Eric Pettis each threw 2 scoreless innings.  Joe Savery is now 6-12 .500 after going 2-4 as the DH.  Fidel Hernandez was 2-5 with a stolen base 

The AAA squad lost 5-3 Michael Schwimer threw 2 scoreless innings, Matt Rizzotti was 1-3 and John Suomi was 2-3 with an RBI.  

Cameron Rupp and Leandro Castro each had 2 hits in a class A game.       

Saturday AAA:  Phillies/Ironpigs 5,  Blue Jays 1.  Drew Naylor was the starting pitcher and went 4 2/3 innings while allowing 1 run on 3 hits, 1 walk and striking out 4.  Dan Meyer followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.  Justin De Fratus then threw 2 innings and allowed no runs on 2 hits and 2 K's.  Juan Perez closed things out with a scoreless 9th, striking out 2.  
Chris Frey hit leadoff and homered in 3 at bats.   Brian Schneider, Brandon Moss, Mike Spidale and Joel Naughton each had a double with Schneider driving home 2 runs.  

On Sunday the Jays scored a run in the bottom of the 8th, off Matt Anderson to defeat the AAA Phils 3-2.  Eddie Bonine started and pitched 3 innings.  He allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and 1 walk.  He struck out 4.  Jason Grilli and Mike Stutes each threw 2 scoreless innings.  Centerfielder and leadoff hitter Chris Frey was 2-3 with a double, and Tagg Bozied had 2 doubles in 3 at bats.  Matt Miller and Rich Thompson each had 1 hit and 1 RBI.  

At other levels on Saturday, Jesse Biddle threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings while allowing just 1 hit.  Trevor May pitched 3 innings and allowed 1 unearned run.  Josh Zeid went 3 scoreless innings in a AA game.     

A few Monday highlights from the 4 minor league games vs. the Pirates:

AAA won 6-5.  Ryan Feierabend was the starting pitcher going 4 innings while allowing 3 runs.  Brian Bass threw 3 innings and allowed just 1 unearned run.  Michael Schwimmer threw a perfect inning and struck out 2.  According to his 'tweet' he now has 8 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 11 SO.   Rich Thompson was 2-4 with a double, Troy Hanzawa was 2-3 with a double & triple, Brandon Moss went 2-5 and Carlos Rivero 2-4.  Moss and Hanzawa each had 2 RBIs.    
AA won 7-2.  A+: Ryan Edell started and went 4 2/3 perfect innings.  Jordan Ellis threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings while Chance Chapman allowed 2 runs in his 2 innings of work.   Cody Overbeck went 2-4, Sebastian Boucher was 2-4 and Freddy Galvis chipped in with a hit.     
Other games:  Brody Colvin went 4 innings and gave up 1 unearned run on 5 hits.  Eric Pettis and Justin Friend added 2 scoreless innings.  Jeremy Barnes hit 2 homeruns and Jiwan James was 2-4.  Joe Savery remained hot by going 2-3 with a homerun and a stolen base.    A:  Aaron Altherr, Cameron Rupp and Kelly Dugan each had 2 hits.  Dugan's were a double and a triple.       

Always glad to see these posts by you, Ognir.

AAA (LV) Tuesday Phillies 3-0 over the Pirates.   Vance Worley started and went 4 2/3 innings allowing 0 runs on 5 hits, 0 walks and 5 strikeouts.  It was his first game in minor league camp.   Justin De Fratus followed with 2 1/3 innings and 2 strikeouts, retiring all 7 batters he faced.  Juan Perez and Matt Anderson each threw a scoreless inning.  Harold Garcia led the offense going 2-3.  

AA (Reading) game ended 5-5.  Stephen Susdorf went 3-3, Brian Gump was 3-4 and Freddy Galvis had a triple.  Chris Kissock went 4 innings, allowed 3 runs, 2 of them earned.   Phillippe Aumont gave up 2 runs in 2 innings.  (I think) they were the first runs he has allowed this spring.  Ebelin Lugo, Jacob Diekman and Derrick Loop each had a scoreless inning.   

A+ (Clearwater) Won 5-3:  Brad Lidge threw the first inning and allowed 1 hit while striking out 1.  He was followed by Jarred Cosart who threw 4 innings and allowed 1 run on 1 hit.  He had 4 K's.  Jeremy Barnes and Leandro Castro homered.

A: (Lakewood) Won 7-4.  Starting pitcher Ervis Manzanello went 3 innings and allowed 1 run.  Hector Neris followed with 2 scoreless innings.  Aaron Altherr played centerfield and went 3-4 with 2 doubles.  Zach Collier had a triple and 3 RBI while catcher Francisco Diaz homered. 

Tyson Gillies is still having issues with a recurring hamstring injury, the same injury that cost him most of the 2010 season.  Brian Schlitter (elbow) and Brian Bocock (wrist) are both scheduled for MRIs since they aren't recovering as expected.    

The AAA squad improved to 6-3 today as they defeated the Yankees 1-0 while giving up just 2 hits.  Nate Bump started and allowed just 1 hit over 4 innings.  Drew Carpenter threw a 1-hit scoreless inning, Jason Grilli threw 2 innings and struck out 4 while Mike Stutes went 2 innings and struck out 5.  Sebastian Valle homered for the only run of the game.

The offense seemed to be in the AA game today as they beat the Yankees 13-2 to improve their record to 5-4.  Austin Hyatt started and allowed both Yankee runs on 4 hits over his 4 innings of work.  Edgar Garcia threw 2 scoreless innings, Joe Esposito threw 2 hitless innings while B.J. Rosenberg threw 1 scoreless inning.  Freddy Galvis continued to disprove the "good glove, no hit" label by going 3-6 with a double and triple.  He drove in 2 runs and scored 3.  He is 8-21 .381 this spring in minor league games and has added in 3 stolen bases.  Aaron Altherr went 2-5 and scored 2 runs.  His name has been showing up quite a bit in the highlights.  Others with multiple hits were Cody Overbeck, Travis Mattair, Darin Ruf and Korby Mintken with 2 each while Michael Dabbs went 3-5.  Sebastian Boucher chipped in with 3 RBI.   

    

On Thursday the AAA (Ironpigs) squad dropped a 7-2 decision to the Yankees.  Dan Meyer gave up 4 runs in the 1st inning but Michael Schwimer continued his torrid spring by going 2 scoreless innings despite walking 3.   He also had 3 strikeouts.  Tyson Brummett also threw 2 innings and allowed 1 run.  Chris Frey went 1-3 with a walk and stolen base while also scoring both runs.  Troy Hanzawa had a double and RBI in 2 at bats  

The AA squad defeated the Yankees 2-1.  Josh Zeid threw 4 2/3 innings, allowing no hits or walks.  He struck out 4.  Chance Chapman, Jordan Ellis and Justin Friend all chipped in with a scoreless inning.  The only run allowed came off Tyler Cloyd who worked 1 1/3 innings in relief of Zeid.  Joe Savery started at first base and went 1-4.  Sebastian Boucher and Travis Mattair each had an RBI basehit.

The high A team matched the Yankees in a 3-3 tie.  Trevor May started and allowed just 1 unearned run over 5 innings.  Eric Pettis and Jake Borrup each threw a scoreless inning.  Jonathan Singleton went 2-4 with a triple and RBI.  Kyle Lafrenz, Brian Gump and Adam Buschini also had 2 hits each.

The low A team defeated the Yankees 4-3 as Jesse Biddle allowed 6 hits in 4 innings but allowed just 1 run.  In 10 2/3 innings this spring Biddle has allowed just 2 earned runs.  Jesus Pirela added 2 scoreless innings in relief.  Aaron Altherr and Anthony Hewitt each had 2 hits.  Didn't I say yesterday that Altherr always seems to have his name in the highlights?  Cameron Rupp started behind the plate and homered.    

AAA vs AA game on Tuesday.  Phillippe Aumont came into the game in the last inning for the AAA team to face Travis Mattair, Darin Ruf and Jeremy Slayden.  Strikeout, strikeout, strikeout,  game over. 

Strictly for depth issues, the Phillies signed Ronnie Belliard yesterday after he was cut by the Yankees. He'll probably play the entire season for the Iron Pigs unless a rash of injuries on the big league club forces his promotion. He reported to the Yankees camp overweight and hit below the Mendoza line before his release.

Yeah, for awhile it looked like the Ironpigs were fairly well set with middle infielders but then Brian Bocock got hurt and had to be placed on the DL and Pete Orr made the Phillies so there went all the AAA experience at shortstop.   I began to sense Orr was the guy the Phillies would take on their roster when the Phillies went out and signed Kevin Frandsen and acquired Robby Hudson from the Chisox.   They should provide a little middle infield insurance until Bocock returns. 

They still need to make a few roster cuts (to 24) but this is what the Ironpigs team looks like right now.

Phillies DL:  Brian Bocock, Brian Schlitter.  Brian Gordon appears to be headed for extended spring training in Florida due to injury.  Not a good start for the 3 Brians.

Starting Pitchers:  Nate Bump, Vance Worley, Drew Naylor, Brian Bass, Eddie Bonine, Ryan Feierabend.   
Bullpen:  Scott Mathieson, Mike Zagursky, Mike Stutes, Michael Schwimer, Drew Carpenter, Jason Grilli, Matt Anderson, Dan Meyer, Juan Perez.

Catchers:  Erik Kratz, Dane Sardinha,

Infielders:  Jeff Larish, Tagg Bozied, Josh Barfield, Ronnie Belliard, Kevin Frandsen, Robby Hudson.  

Outfielders:  Delwyn Young, Rich Thompson, Brandon Moss, Matt Miller, Cory Sullivan.

Notable names at Reading as of now:  Matt Rizzotti, Austin Hyatt, J.C. Ramirez, Phillippe Aumont, Justin De Fratus.

It appears that the Clearwater Threshers may have the best starting rotation outside of Philadelphia with top prospects Brody Colvin, Jarred Cosart, Trevor May, Julio Rodriguez and Jon Pettibone making up their rotation.  Looks like Joe Savery will be beginning his comeback as a non-pitcher playing firstbase for the Threshers with Jonathan Singleton in the outfield.  Sebastian Valle will be doing most of the catching.  

Jesse Biddle will be starting his first full season with the Lakewood BlueClaws.      

Per Todd Zolecki, Matt Anderson was released from minor league camp today. Seemed like the velocity was back but not the control.   I hope he showed enough that another team takes a chance on him. 

Looks like Drew Naylor, Tagg Bozied and Juan Perez will be starting the year on the DL. By my math that leaves a 24 man roster of:

Pitchers (12): Bump, Worley, Bass, Bonine, Feierabend, Mathieson, Zagursky, Stutes, Schwimer, Carpenter, Grilli, Meyer.
Catchers (2):  Kratz, Sardinha,
Infielders (5):  Larish, Barfield, Belliard, Frandsen, Hudson
Outfielders (5) D. Young, Thompson, Moss, Miller, Sullivan