Tag Archives: IronPigs

February 17, 2013 · 3:20 pm

Pitchers: Starting Rotation

Part 4 of my “Predicting the IronPigs Roster” series of futility. Today we look at the candidates for the Starting Rotation:

The Candidates:

“Young Bucks”

Tyler Cloyd

Jonathan Pettibone

Ethan Martin

Adam Morgan

“Old Friends”

Austin Hyatt

Tom Cochran

Brian Bass

Rodrigo Lopez

BJ Rosenberg

“New Friends”

Aaron Cook

Zach Miner

Discussion:

So I’ve got 10 guys for 5 spots. I don’t want to try to do a “scouting report” on each, but as I make my “bold prediction” below, I’m going to make some assumptions based on what I know of these guys through having seen them or from reading about them. In Philly, we’ve got Halladay, Hamels, Lee, Lannan, and Kendrick. There are only a couple of spots available in the pen, so we may not see a long-man/6th starter on staff as we did with Kendrick the past couple years. If the Phils need a starter, he’ll likely come from the ‘Pigs. Who it is might depend on the time of year (earlier=vet, later=young guy), who’s pitching well at the moment, and whose “turn” it is in the rotation. For this reason, I’ll expect one or two of the above to start in the ‘Pigs’ pen and slide into the rotation when/if a starter needs to go up. If the Phils want a “long-guy/#6” then one of the above could earn that spot. Speculation across the interwebs is that Cook or Pettibone could be that guy. Cloyd has been mentioned as a possible trade piece. Early season, before the pitchers are completely stretched out, and entering the cold northern April, starters may “pair” to cover 9 innings rather than a traditional starter/reliever relationship.

Bold Prediction:

Young guys get the priority: 1. Cloyd (if not traded) 2. Pettibone 3. Martin. Martin has nothing left to prove at AA, and as long as his control doesn’t leave him, he’ll be with us. Morgan will start in Reading; we’ll see him pretty quickly I’d think. Lopez and Cook get my #4 and #5 spots as the veteran guys who need to stay stretched out in order to step in early should the Phillies need them. That gives me a rotation of all RHPs. No matter; I’ll keep Cochran in the pen and Morgan’s on the way at some point during the season. Then, Miner’s a reclamation project and may need to find work in the pen first or may wash out. I always liked Bass, but if everyone’s healthy he may find himself in a numbers game a la Bump and Feirabend last spring.

Kram’s Keys (what to watch for in spring training):

1. Health: It’s always first. Monitor the health of the Phillies’ five starters, as well as the players above

2. Starting/Relieving: Watch for some of the above guys who might get work out of the pen versus starting. In particular here, Cochran and Rosenberg. Don’t read too much, early, though; guys need to get work and innings need to be pitched. Plus, nobody’s stretched out yet.

3. Camp: Watch for guys to get sent from MLB camp to minor league camp. That could be a sign that the player is on the way to LHV rather than having a shot at an MLB job.

Side note: The Phillies signed LHP Corey Young who was released by the Texas organization. He pitched at AA last year. He’s a reliever with a delivery similar to Diekman, except without the speed. If he’s not ready for AAA, and Texas didn’t have room for him at A+ or AA, then that would be why he was released. He’ll likely be in Clearwater or Reading and shouldn’t impact the IronPigs’ roster at all.

@Kram209

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Filed under Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Tagged as aaron cook, ethan martin, IronPigs, Phillies, Pitchers, rodrigo lopez, tom cochran

February 15, 2013 · 4:41 pm

Corner Infield and Catcher

As I continue my wild speculation about the IronPigs roster candidates, changes continue in Spring Training in Clearwater. No matter. I’ll speculate anyway and update in the comments. You do the same, won’t you?

Corner Infield

Candidates:

Cody Overbeck, Josh Fields, Cody Asche

Backups:

Pete Orr, Michael Martinez, Darrin Ruf, John Suomi

Prediction/Discussion: It really looks like Overbeck back at 1B and Fields at 3B with backups to come from the other positions. Pete Orr and Michael Martinez can both play 3B. If Darrin Ruf and/or John Suomi are on the ‘Pigs they can back up 1B. All signs point to Asche starting in Reading, with a “before the break” call to Allentown. He’s in MLB camp, though, so you never know. With the big club, Mayberry backs up 1B, while Frandsen backs up 3B (for Ryan Howard and Michael Young, respectively).

I was a bit disappointed with Overbeck’s production at the plate last year; I was really hoping for more power. I like him, though, and here’s hoping for a return of the power stroke for him in 2013. True, his 14 HR were one more than our new 3B, but consider that Cody hit 24 in each of his previous two seasons.

Josh Fields hit .322 with 13 HR for the Isotopes in the PCL over 133 games last year. In 2010 he hit .365 with 11 HR in 50 games with the SkySox, again PCL. He played in Japan somewhere through there, too. I’m always nervous about these PCL guys. He has played in the IL before: 2006 .305, 2007 .283, 2008 .246, 2009 .265. All with Charlotte. All with decent power numbers (all things considered). He seems like a good guy, and hopefully a break from the adventures that we’ve had with 3B over the years. It seems like that position is our “Spinal Tap Drummer.” With Asche sure to follow, we should expect good production from 3B all season.

Kram’s Keys:

As far as health, make sure M. Young stays healthy playing 3B every day (he hit DH a ton last season). Watch for the number of at-bats Cody Asche gets with the big club, and when/if he’s shipped of to MiLB camp, to see if he has a chance to push for AAA.

Catcher

Candidates:

“The Prospects”

Sebastian Valle, Tommy Joseph, Cameron Rupp

“The Old Guys”

John Suomi, Erik “Holy” Kratz, Humberto Quintero

“Oh, Yeah, Him”

Steve Lerud

Discussion: It’s been said by the Phillies’ brass that Valle, Joseph, Rupp and Lerud are the four guys for AA and AAA, and it’s up to them to play their way into position. I don’t think Rupp is a candidate to skip Reading, and despite his MiLB contract, all expect Quintero to open as Kratz’ backup in Philly whilst Chooch serves his 25-game penance. What happens after that is up in the air. Depends how they play and who’s healthy I guess. It does appear that Erik Kratz has an option left, but I would expect they’d want either Valle or ToJo (or both) to get the majority of at-bats in Allentown. A trade could happen, which I’d guess would send Valle on his way. An injury to EK or HQ would likely send Lerud back to the Phillies (he was up there for a bit last year).

Bold Prediction:

Kratz and Quintero to Philly; Valle and Lerud to Allentown; ToJo and Rupp to Reading. Suomi finds a spot in Allentown as a backup 1B/3rd catcher, or pulls his Velandia, or stays in Clearwater for a time to help with extended Spring Training. Tommy Joseph to the IronPigs on the Asche schedule.

Kram’s Keys:

As with all, injuries are first. Second, watch Valle and Joseph to see who gets more time with the big club–and who gets sent down to MiLB camp first–as a clue for who has the inside track for LHV. Suomi’s not in MLB camp, but watch for his arrival in MiLB camp and monitor his work-group assignment.

Have at it,

@Kram209

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Filed under Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Tagged as Asche, Fields, IronPigs, Kratz, overbeck, Phillies, Quintero, Tommy Joseph, Valle

February 12, 2013 · 3:04 pm

Outfield

Predicting the IronPigs roster is difficult enough, but the Phillies keep inviting guys to Clearwater. It’s an exercise in futility, I know. But, I like it anyway. Let’s narrow our focus a bit and make some bold predictions. Today: Outfield

The pool:

“The Jeffersons (We’re A-Movin’ On Up)”

Tyson Gillies

Leandro Castro

Jiwan James

“Old Friends”

Domonic Brown

Derrick Mitchell

Steve Susdorf

“Eastward Bound”

Joe Mather

Jermaine Mitchell

“We Hardly (read: Never) Knew Ye”

Darrin Ruf

Discussion:

From the nine candidates above, I’ll put five with the IronPigs. The Phillies probably need five as well, and they’ll start with Revere, D.Young, Mayberry, and Nix. That leaves one spot. It’s sink or swim time for Domonic Brown. I listed him above because he does have an option year left. I think the scenario where he starts the year with the IronPigs is extremely unlikely. It’s probably even more likely that he’d be traded than that. So let’s put him with Philly.

Delmon Young may need to start the year on the DL. If he does, it opens another spot in the Phillies outfield or on the bench. I’d think Ruf has the inside track on that unless one of the “Eastward Bound” has a great spring. Joe Mather spent last year with the Cubs where he hit a blistering .209. In 2011 he spent time with Gwinnett (note Brundage connection) and Colorado Springs where he predictably did better in the PCL vs. the IL. He bats right-handed. Jermaine Mitchell comes from the A’s, where I believe he had some injury trouble last year. In 2011 is PCL numbers were very good, though. He’s a Lefty and primarily a center fielder.

I don’t think Jiwan James is ready for AAA. The converted pitcher is a good enough outfielder, but I’m not sure he did enough at the plate in Reading to be considered for AAA to start the season. Similarly, with Castro, while he may have earned the promotion, I’ll start him with Reading based on the roster squeeze. Derrick Mitchell and Susdorf could also get squeezed to Reading in certain scenarios.

Bold Predictions:

Out of nine, two to Philly: Brown and Ruf (with D.Young to the D.L.). Two to Reading: James, Castro

Five to LHV: Gillies, Mather, J. Mitchell, Susdorf, D.Mitchell

Kram’s Keys: (What to watch for during Spring Training to see if I’m on track with my predictions):

1. Health. It’s always first, but here we need to know if Delmon is recovered from offseason surgery and if he’s managed to avoid the food truck. We also need to know if Tyson Gillies can make it through S/T unscathed.

2. Fielding. We pretty much know their spots in the outfield, but it will be interesting to see if guys get time in unexpected positions. Also, if Delmon’s on the field, watch to see how he does fielding the ball (he was a DH for much of last season). This goes for Darrin Ruf as well, to see if the Phillies think he can contribute as an adequate Left Fielder defensively.

@Kram209

3 Comments

Filed under Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Tagged as baseball, Delmon Young, Domonic Brown, IronPigs, Phillies

February 10, 2013 · 12:25 pm

Middle Infield

Predicting the IronPigs roster is difficult enough, but the Phillies keep inviting guys to Clearwater. It’s an excercise in futility, I know. But, I like it anyway. Let’s narrow our focus a bit and make some bold predictions. Today: Middle Infield

Yesterday, Decal posted some interesting info about contracts and opt-outs which he got from Todd Zolecki from Philadelphia. I urge those interested to go back and read that information in the comments section of the “odds and ends” post. Usually, I don’t get worried about opt-outs and the like until after the season starts. Guys are playing well and I want them to stick around, so I get worried they’ll opt-out. Sometimes I refer to it as a “Dewayne Wise.” Recently, though, it seems a few NRI (non-roster invite) guys have come into Spring Training with immediate opt-outs if they don’t make the team out of camp. The interesting one this year, from Decal’s comment/re-post, is Yuni Betancourt. As the Phillies make a decision about what to do with Yuni, the ripples will be felt all the way down the system for the initial rosters.

Here’s our pool:

“Old Friends”

Pete Orr

Andres Blanco

Michael Martinez

“Prospects”

Cesar Hernandez

Freddy Galvis

“Vets”

Yuni Betancourt

Matt Tolbert

Not included, are the big boys: Rollins and Utley. If they’re healthy, they’ll have their traditional spots in Philadelphia, of course. Kevin Frandsen isn’t included in my pool, either. He’s on the 40-man and if something happens where he or the Phillies are unhappy, I see him going elsewhere. Otherwise, he can back up every infield position and hit doubles. He won’t be on the ‘Pigs.

So if I’ve got to make a prediction on February 10, here it is:

Of the above seven players, I see one in Philadelphia and four with the IronPigs.

Jimmy and Chase are healthy. Charlie likes vets, so Yuni gets a job to start the season in Philadelphia.

Joe Jordan’s comments lead me to believe that I’m not the only one who wants to see Freddy start at AAA and play every day to begin the season (it’ll change fast, and he’ll be up sooner rather than later). Pete Orr can play third, so they keep him around. Blanco will be the AAA shortstop once Galvis receives the inevitable call-up, and Tolbert is a vet with experience who can help fill 2B should Utley go down for an extended period. That leaves Hernandez and Martinez. Cesar gets pushed back to Reading to start the season. It’s temporary and I know he has nothing to prove at that level, but he gets caught in the opening-day numbers game. Martinez does too–doesn’t handle it as well and gets cut just before opening day.

So that’s my take on it at this moment. What say you, Pig Nation? I know I had to make a lot of assumptions in my prediction, and we all know how that works out. So leave your own in the comments below. Thanks for dropping by,

@Kram209

7 Comments

Filed under Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Tagged as baseball, IronPigs, Phillies, yuni

January 27, 2013 · 3:19 pm

2013 Phillies Winter Banquet

Thursday evening, the NoiseNation represented at the 2013 Phillies Winter Banquet to support IronPigs Charities at the Sands Event Center in Bethlehem. There were bells (OK, A bell) and an auction and some time to hob knob with the VIPs. Here are some highlights:

(It’s worth stating, right here at the top, that all photos and video were provided by Cheryl Pursell { @CherylPursell }. They are excellent and I hope I can display them here properly. The pictures and video below will tell you much more about the evening than I ever could by typing. I showed up with an iPhone and a FlipHD camera which was woefully inadequate given our seating. Perhaps next year we all need to pitch in to pay for Cheryl’s ticket…)

The Stage at the Front of the Sands Center
Photo by @CherylPursell

DiPro got there early and cleaned out the casino. Dan provided the Kenny Rogers’ (Know when to walk away…) advice to get DiPro to the banquet on time. As per usual, the NoiseNation was well represented and there early. You’d have thought they were giving away bobbleheads or something (they weren’t).

We entered at the side of the Visions Bar to see a giant Championship Jersey:

Photo by @CherylPursell

DiPro, with his new-found wealth, inquired about bidding on the large jersey. I then wondered if we could sneak a bunch of fans into the IronPigs games Trojan Horse-style…

We walked up the stairs to the VIP area. The first person I saw was Charlie Manuel just standing at a pub table by himself. Of course, I couldn’t think of anything cool or witty to say quickly enough, and he was gone by the time we visited the open bar at the far side of the room.

The young ones (and DiPro) got pictures with some of the VIPs (Kevin Frandsen, Dave Brundage, Charlie Manuel, and Erik Kratz. Reuben Amaro Jr. joined in later.) They whisked us in and out of the photo room pretty quickly; it had been made clear ahead of time that we were not supposed to ask for autographs during the picture sessions. The photo holder they gave us did have a spot for autographs. I suppose had we stayed later in the evening there was opportunity at the end.

It got crowded in the VIP are quickly. The hors d’oeuvres were good and plentiful, and sodas and drinks were complimentary. Matt Provence and Jon Schaffer were around, as well as some media members and some of the front office guys from the Phillies who were in attendance. The local ESPN radio guys were doing a broadcast:

Charlie with the radio guys.
Photo courtesy @CherylPursell

We made our way to our table downstairs, and soon Matt Provence was urging the same for the 1,100 in attendance. This took some time, but we made the best of it while the kiddos planned on how to attack the cupcakes, which were already on the table:

Phanatic Cupcake
Photo: @CherylPursell

There was a video about IronPigs Charities, and some salad, then Chicken for 1,100. The food was probably the low-light of the evening. I was not disappointed because I really had no expectations: I knew they wouldn’t have super dinner for 1,100 people. With that in mind, though, they should have been able to serve it more quickly.

Then, the introductions, and the program. It was great to hear Tim Chorones’ voice again, you know? The remainder of the pictures, and the videos of the program, follow: