Phillies Reinforce with...Jack Taschner? (But more to follow soon...)

It was September 1st. The day when the Phillies could expand their active roster, by as many as fifteen players, and reinforce the tiring bullpen and the ineffective bench. The Phillies had a wide variety of replacement-level options for recall, and they summoned...Jack Taschner. And...that's it. Yikes.
On the plus side, the Phils have indicated that more recalls are coming. Some pitchers (Rodrigo Lopez? Kyle Kendrick? Drew Carpenter? Steven Register? Sergio Escalona?) should be up shortly. A catcher (Tuffy Gosewisch? Paul Hoover?), an outfielder (John Mayberry, Jr.?), and a player with some speed (Rich Thompson? Quintin Berry?) should also get the call. Players have to be on the 40-Man roster to be recalled (Gosewisch, Hoover, Thompson, and Berry are not.), but Joe Bisenius and Jack Taschner are easily DFAable. Rehabbing relievers Brett Myers, Clay Condrey, and Antonio Bastardo are also probable additions.
A look at some of the recent Phillies' transactions should give us an idea of their likely thought process:

Jack Taschner is recalled from Lehigh Valley (AAA). Given that he was a dismal failure with the Phillies this season, didn't think we'd see him on the parent club again. But, he put up some good numbers in AAA, and the Phillies are paying him an MLB salary, so they might as well let him eat some low leverage innings. Besides, maybe having him around the 'Pen will help Chad Durbin.
For the IronPigs, Taschner posted an ERA of 2.18, in 20.2 IP. But we know ERA can be deceptive, especially for relievers. We saw Taschner spend weeks in MLB WHIPping the ERAs of his teammates, by allowing inherited runners to score. Looking deeper at Taschner's AAA numbers, we see a .249 BABIP/81.3 LOB%/4.02 FIP combo. Taschner has been rather fortunate in AAA.
However, the southpaw has been experimenting with a sidearm delivery, when facing left-handed batters. If he could get LHBs out, he might be a satisfactory LOOGY. He did look good in this role, during Wednesday night's loss to the Giants. But don't expect Taschner to make any meaningful appearances, and don't be surprised if he is DFA'd, when a 40-Man spot is needed for a more capable relief option.

Brett Myers pitched in consecutive games for Lehigh Valley, throwing scoreless innings on Tuesday and Wednesday. He needs to start facing MLB hitters, in order to evaluate him for a possible postseason role, as a reliever. An effective Myers could be a force in the seventh/eighth innings. Expect him to be activated this weekend, for the Houston series.

John Ennis was added to the 40-Man roster, and the 25-Man roster, and placed on the 15-Day DL. Brad Harman was designated for assignment, in order to open a spot for Ennis.
Harman had no future with the Phillies, due to his inability to hit.
Ennis probably doesn't have much a Phillies' future either, and is recovering from Tommy John surgery. He should be ready to pitch again around this time, in 2010. Why did the Phillies do this? Flexibility. As long as Ennis is on the DL, he can be replaced on the postseason roster by anyone in the organization on August 31st. So, one of the September callups would be eligible, as a result of this move.

Catcher Tim Gradoville was promoted to Lehigh Valley (AAA), from Reading (AA). Gradoville retired to begin his coaching career, but was activated as a player-coach for Reading. He served as backup catcher, appearing in two games, but not batting. It looks like he may reprise this role with Lehigh Valley, enabling Paul Hoover or Tuffy Gosewisch to be recalled to the parent club, as the third catcher. The veteran Hoover would seem the more likely candidate for an MLB bench role, with Gosewisch starting the majority of Lehigh Valley's remaining games.

Michael Schwimer was promoted to Reading (AA), from Clearwater (A). Schwimer was lights-out (12.3 K/9, 4.32 K/BB, 1.95 FIP) in Clearwater, and picked up two wins (in a doubleheader) on his first day as an R-Phil. He could really help Reading's bullpen, as they try to hold on to a playoff spot.

B.J. Rosenberg was placed on the temporary inactive list, so that he could participate in the World Cup. Any "World Cup" that includes Terry Tiffee and Cedrick Bowers probably isn't worth worrying about. Don't understand why the Phils didn't keep Rosenberg in Reading, to help with their playoff run.

Carlos Monasterios was promoted to Reading (AA), from Clearwater (A). Monasterios, one of the players acquired from the Yankees, in the Bobby Abreu/Cory Lidle trade, has been effective in A ball (7.79 K/9, 2.63 K/BB, 3.27 FIP). But, he is no Rosenberg.

After losing two consecutive games to the New Britain Rock Cats, the Reading Phillies fell into a tie with Erie, for the final playoff spot.
With games against the EL North's top two teams this week, New Britain and first place Connecticut, the R-Phils' playoff hopes are in trouble.
Reliever Chance Chapman will make a spot start for the R-Phils on Thursday. Chapman was an effective starter in 2008, with Lakewood (7.64 K/9, 3.19 K/BB, 2.95 FIP). He has been an effective reliever for Reading (8.24 K/9, 2.35 K/BB, 3.13 FIP), but his arm isn't stretched out. He'll, probably, be good for four innings. Don't understand why the R-Phils didn't recall a starter from Clearwater to make this start. They might make that recall, before the spot in the rotation comes around again.

Bunts and Balks (8/25)

Brett Myers is expected to make a rehab appearance on Wednesday, in Reading (AA). Barring any unforeseen, unfortunate events, Myers will pitch at least an inning. He will probably be tested in at least one multiple-inning outing, and used on consecutive days, before being recalled to the parent club in September.

The minor league players that the Phillies will be sending to the Arizona Fall League have been announced. Joining the Scottsdale Scorpions, are: RHP Mike Cisco, RHP Scott Mathieson, RHP Michael Schwimer, LHP Mike Zagurski, C Tuffy Gosewisch, SS Troy Hanzawa, OF DomOnic Brown, and OF Steve Susdorf. A little surprised to see Gosewisch, maybe the Phils are trying to make up for the time he missed when he was DL'd? Zagurski almost missed time this season, and may be pitching for his 40-Man roster spot. Was a little surprised not to see Joe Bisenius on this list.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox on Tuesday, 8-5, in twelve innings. Starter Rodrigo Lopez managed to allow ten hits, including four homers, to the weak-hitting Red Sox, in only six innings. Lopez permitted five runs, but the FeHogs' bullpen followed with six scoreless frames.

The Reading Phillies (AA) scored five runs in the eighth inning, to key a 8-5 victory over the Erie Seawolves on Tuesday. The come-from-behind victory increased the R-Phils lead over the Seawolves, for the final playoff spot, to one and a half games. Kevin Nelson had (another!) home run, DomOnic Brown had a pair of hits, and Neil Sellers had three hits. Freddy Galvis was 1 for 4, with a throwing error.
Starter Kyle Drabek was not effective, in his six-inning outing. Drabek surrendered ten hits, and five runs (two walks/seven whiffs). The relievers were effective, as Scott Mathieson (two innings), Sergio Escalona (two-thirds of an inning), and B.J. Rosenberg (last out), held Erie scoreless.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) split a doubleheader with the Brevard County Manatees, on Tuesday night. The Sea Cows won the opener, 2-1, as the Threshers made four errors. Starter Edgar Garcia took the loss, allowing both runs (one earned), in five and one-third innings (four hits, two walks/four whiffs). Garcia threw two wild pitched, and hit one batter.
The Threshers prevailed in the second game, 6-4. Cody Overbeck hit a three-run homer in the first inning. Julian Sampson had a rough start, lasting only three and one-third innings (three runs on seven hits, one walk/three whiffs/two HR allowed). Michael Schwimer pitched two scoreless innings (zero hits, one walk/four whiffs), to notch his twentieth save.

Bunts and Balks (8/23)

Brett Myers' rehab appearance, scheduled for Sunday in Lakewood (A-), was postponed due to rain. The Blue Claws had their game rescheduled as a Monday doubleheader, starting at 5:05pm. Myers is expected to pitch the first inning, of the first game, as he has dinner reservations that night.
If Lakewood draws 6,047 fans, they will be the fastest South Atlantic League team to reach 4 million in attendance. In the unlikely event that a Brett Myers appearance, and TWO baseball games isn't enough, the PHILLIE PHANATIC will also be there! Drawing 6,047 fans should not be a problem.
There doesn't appear to be any internet broadcast available, but Myers' appearance, and the rest of the doubleheader against the Lake County Captains, will be live-blogged here.

Clay Condrey and J.C. Romero are expected to throw bullpen sessions in Clearwater on Monday. Reinforcements are on the way, though not exactly quickly...

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) continued to feast upon the entrails of the woeful Pawtucket Red Sox, winning 4-2, on Sunday afternoon. Starter Joe Savery got his third victory, in four decisions at AAA. But, just as we shouldn't get overly excited about Gustavo Chacin's eight scoreless innings on Saturday, we need to temper our excitement about Savery's performance, as well. Pawtucket has ridden a .229 team batting average, to a 53-73 record. The highest batting average in their starting lineup was .252. Four players in the starting lineup were batting under .211.
Savery survived five and two-thirds innings, permitting two runs, on five hits and three walks (three whiffs). He left the game in the sixth inning, after loading the bases, but reliever Gary Majewski stranded all three runners.
Carlos Leon, promoted to AAA, when Miguel Cairo was promoted to the parent club, made his first start for Lehigh Valley. The second-sacker went 3 for 3, including a home run. Leon was referred to as "minor league filler" on this blog, prior to the game, and appears to have been spurred on by the comment.

The Reading Phillies (AA) fell to the New Britain Rock Cats on Sunday afternoon, as per usual, 5-4. The Stone Felines have won 10 of 11 from the R-Phils, and seem devoted to keeping Reading out of the playoffs. The R-Phils play New Britain again on Monday night, and have another three-game series against them in September.
R-Phils' starter Vance Worley pitched six innings, surrendering three runs, on six hits and a walk (two whiffs).
R-Phils' reliever B.J. Rosenberg GAVE UP ACTUAL RUNS, for the first time since May 31st. Rosenberg actually gave up two runs in one inning, on three hits (zero walks/zero whiffs).
Steve Susdorf went 3 for 4 for Reading, raising his average to .245.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) had Sunday off, and will continue their series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Monday. Tyler Cloyd will take the ball for Clearwater, on the last scheduled Feeding Frenzy of the Year. Clay Condrey and J.C. Romero picked the right place to make their respective rehab appearances, as the "best restaurants around the Clearwater area", including Boston Market, Westshore Pizza, and Costco, will be at Bright House Field. If you mock the inclusion of Costco, in such esteemed culinary company, you've obviously never enjoyed a Costco hot dog, while watching the Phillies (or one of their affiliates). Access to the Costco snack bar alone (and their glorious churros!), is more than enough to justify paying their annual membership fee.

Bunts and Balks (8/15)

Brett Myers missed his scheduled, one-inning, rehab start on Saturday, as a result of a left eye injury. Myers will return to pitching, as soon as his vision improves. Myers told GM Ruben Amaro that he was hit with a baseball thrown by his four-year-old son. Later, Myers amended the story, indicating that he had injured himself getting out of the back of his wife's Escalade. (On Friday night, he had gone out to dinner with his wife, two friends, and the nanny. Myers was in the back seat, when the nanny drove everyone home.)
The cloudy circumstances surrounding the unfortunate injury raise an obvious question: Does the nanny get paid extra for chauffeuring everyone around like that, or is it considered part of her regular duties?

Drew Carpenter was bombed on Saturday night, as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) lost to the Buffalo Bisons, 7-5. The FeHogs pulled within two runs in the ninth, and had the tying run on base, but old pal Jim Ed Warden ended the LV threat. Carpenter surrendered all seven Bisons runs, in six innings (eleven hits (!), one walk/five whiffs). Carpenter's ninety-eight pitch outing increased his ERA to 3.20, and his record fell to 9-4.

The IronPigs and Reading Phillies (AA) swapped catchers, with Tuffy Gosewisch moving to AAA, and Kevin Nelson returning to AA. Not sure why this move happened. Do the Phillies want to see Gosewisch at AAA, to evaluate whether to place him on the 40-Man Roster? Is LV's starting catcher, Paul Hoover, injured in some manner? If not, won't he continue to get the bulk of the work? Do the Phils want Gosewisch to catch prospect Joe Savery, who has had considerably more success with him behind the plate? Is the move all about Nelson's total inability to hit AAA pitching? With Gosewisch returning from injury, is he better-suited for a backup role (to Hoover), than a time-splitting/starting role (with Tim Kennelly in AA)?
No answers here, yet.

On Friday night, the Reading Phillies removed top prospect Kyle Drabek from the game, with two outs in the fifth inning. I was initially excited to see this, as it appeared that the Phillies had put Drabek on a lower pitch limit. Unfortunately, Drabek was removed after throwing 100 pitches. Drabek has struggled mightily, as of late, and it appears that arm fatigue may be a factor. Drabek was charged with two runs, on five hits and two walks (seven whiffs).

The Reading Phillies won the first game of their Saturday night doubleheader, in walkoff style, beating the Binghampton Mets, 4-3. In the seven-inning game, the R-Phils scored their last three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Catcher Kevin Nelson hit a solo home run in the third inning, and pinch-hitting catcher Tim Kennelly hit a game-winning two-run single. Mike Cisco got the start for the R-Phils, and was touched for a two-run homer in the first inning. But Cisco settled down, allowing only one additional run, in his six innings (eight hits, two walks/three whiffs). Scott Mathieson pitched a scoreless top of the seventh, and picked up the win.

The R-Phils fell in the second game of the doubleheader, 4-0. Not surprising, as the R-Phils employed a "bullpen start", with recently-demoted Alex Concepcion pitching the first three innings (three hits, two runs, one walk/two whiffs). B.J. Rosenberg pitched a scoreless frame. The R-Phils were held to only three hits (one double, two singles) and one walk.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) used strong pitching to defeat the Tampa Yankees on Friday, 5-3. Edgar Garcia had his best start of the season, allowing three runs (two earned), in six innings (four hits, two walks/three whiffs). Tristan Crawford pitched out of a self-created jam, in a scoreless seventh (two hits, one walk). Michael Schwimer had little trouble in his two scoreless frames, giving up only one hit (four whiffs!), in collecting his sixteenth save.

The Threshers got more strong pitching on Saturday, but lost a pitcher's duel to the Tampa Yankees, 2-1, in eleven innings. Drew Naylor had a strong start, permitting only one run, in six innings (six hits, two walks/four whiffs). Walter Tejeda followed with two and one-third scoreless innings. Carlos Monasterios stranded a runner he inherited from Tejeda in the ninth, threw a scoreless tenth, but allowed the winning run in the eleventh. (Brett Myers was expected to make his one-inning rehab start in this game.)

Minor(s) Updates

Recently-promoted Joe Savery won his second start for Lehigh Valley (AAA), improving to 2-0, with a 2.45 ERA, at that level. Don't get overly excited by those gaudy stats. A Small Sample Size Alert is necessary when looking at any numbers, here, as the rest of the stats indicate that Savery hasn't been very effective. Savery has allowed ten hits and nine walks (five whiffs), in his eleven AAA innings. He has had more than his fair share of BABIP, and LOB%, luck.
Savery could be competing for a spot in the rotation next year- with Lehigh Valley. He needs to significantly improve his command, if he wants to escape AAA.

Gustavo Chacin improved to 6-2, with a 3.26 ERA, in his last three starts for Lehigh Valley. Chacin also has a 4.22 FIP. He has no future with the Phillies' organization. I wonder if any organization would trade something (a low-A prospect?) for Chacin? Either way, Chacin likely won't be back in 2010.

Michael Taylor has 83 ABs at AAA, posting a .727 OPS, including 3 HRs. Not a bad start. He could be brought up to the parent Phillies in September, with a postseason spot possible, if things go well.

At Reading (AA), OF Jeremy Slayden announced his retirement, with OF Steve Susdorf promoted from Clearwater (A), to take Slayden's roster spot. The 27-year-old Slayden played at AAA this season, struggling to post a .229/.295/.398 line. Not enough for the left-handed hitting outfielder to be a viable prospect.
The 23-year-old Susdorf excelled with Clearwater, slugging his way to a .373/.423/.513 line. The left-handed hitting Susdorf needs to work on his defensive game, but could find himself in AAA for 2010.

Tyson Brummett has been placed on the Reading DL, with right elbow inflammation. B.J. Rosenberg was promoted from Lakewood (low-A). Brummett has not been very effective this season, pitching in both AA and AAA. The results could have been caused by injury, or this could just be a convenient way to get Brummett off the roster for awhile. Either way, Brummett is more minor league filler, than prospect.
Rosenberg was outstanding at Lakewood: .89 ERA, 11.68 K/9, 6.5 K/BB, 1.33 FIP. Rosenberg will be 24 in September, so AA is a bit more of an age-appropriate level. A strong finish to 2009 with Reading, and Rosenberg could be in AAA for 2010.
(Was surprised to see Rosenberg promoted to AA, before Clearwater's Michael Schwimer, but Schwimer could be up with R-Phils, before long.)

Reading ace Kyle Drabek had a poor start at Binghamton on Saturday night, allowing four runs in five innings (six hits, four walks/four whiffs).
Drabek was making only his third road start, despite making twelve appearances for the R-Phils. He continues to struggle against left-handed batters, who are hitting .333 against the 21-year-old southpaw. Drabek threw thirty-two innings in 2008, after coming off TJ surgery, and has thrown one-hundred forty (at two levels), this season. That is a rather large jump, especially for a young pitcher coming off surgery. It might be time to start limiting Drabek's innings/pitches.

Reading northpaw Vance Worley has posted a 7.89 ERA, in his last ten starts. Worley has surrendered seventy-six hits, and eighteen walks (thirty whiffs), in his last fifty-one innings. The twenty-one year old threw sixty-nine innings in 2008, and is up to one-hundred and twenty-six innings, this season. Another large innings jump, and Worley's innings might also need to be limited, as the season progresses.
Yohan Flande, Reading's 23-year-old southpaw, has pitched well recently. But his innings (53 in 2008, 124 in 2009) are also getting a bit high...

Clearwater (A) has seen their roster depleted by callups. Not sure if the Threshers have any worthwhile position prospects at this point, with DomOnic Brown, Steve Susdorf, and Tim Kennelly all having been promoted to AA.
But there are still a number of pitching prospects to watch, including Michael Schwimer, Joe Bisenius, Darren Byrd, Tyler Cloyd, Drew Naylor, and Jon Velazquez.