Bunts and Balks (8/1)

All-Star CF Shane Victorino is still out of the Phillies' lineup, with knee pain. Hopefully, Victorino will back in the starting lineup for the Colorado series, starting Tuesday at CBP. Fortunately, the presence of Disco Ben Francisco should prevent the Phillies from using Eric Bruntlett in the outfield, in Victorino's absence.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) made good use of their eleven hits on Saturday, demolishing the Rochester Red Wings, 7-1. Brian Mazone allowed one run, over six innings, for the win. Jake Woods finished with three scoreless innings, picking up a save. Of the eleven players used by the FeHogs, there was one top prospect (Michael Taylor) and one middling prospect (John Mayberry). The rest of the squad was comprised of minor league filler. Fortunately, the parent club is in good shape for the next two seasons, and there are some lower-level prospects on the move.

OF Dominic Brown was promoted from Clearwater (A) to Reading (AA).
Brown is one of the top position prospects in the system, and Phillies' GM Ruben Amaro refused to surrender him in a trade for Toronto ace Roy Halladay. Brown played 66 games with Clearwater, posting a .408 wOBA, and a .917 OPS.

RHP Michael Galen Cisco was promoted from Clearwater (A) to Reading (AA). It appears that Cisco will take the rotation spot vacated by Joe Savery, who was promoted to Lehigh Valley. Cisco's 7-3 record, 3.31 ERA, and 3.4 K/BB for Clearwater look good, but he was aided a bit by a BABIP of .278. Cisco's FIP of 4.06 is not all that impressive, but the twenty-two year old was the best choice from the Clearwater rotation for promotion. Cisco is younger than former Clearwater rotation-mates Jon Velazquez and Darren Byrd, and has much better command.

The Reading Phillies overcome a 4-1 deficit, defeating the Erie SeaWolves, 7-6.
Top prospect RHP Kyle Drabek only lasted six innings, permitting six hits, five runs, and three walks (five strikeouts). Four of the runs Drabek allowed were on the three home runs he surrendered, two to left-handed hitting Brennan Bosch. (The other was to right-handed hitting Casper Wells, a top Detroit prospect.) Drabek has extreme splits in AA: RHB are hitting .149, LHB are hitting .329. The game was only the second road start Drabek has made in AA, the first against a team with a record over .500. (Drabek has faced Altoona, with a .398 winning percentage, and Erie, with a .538 winning percentage, in away games.)
Dominic Brown was 0 for 3, in his R-Phils debut. Quintin Berry, Neil Sellers, and Brian Stavisky each had multiple-hit games for Reading.
Michael Cisco will make his first Reading start, on Sunday.

RHP Joe Bisenius and OF Gus Milner were sent from Reading to Clearwater.
Bisenius, who is a member of the Phillies' 40-Man roster, and made two relief appearances for the parent club in 2007, has been on the DL since June. He has pitched only twelve innings this season, posting an 11.25 ERA/2.00 WHIP for the R-Phils.
The twenty-five year old Milner posted a .269 wOBA, in 286 plate appearances with Reading.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) lost to the Fort Myers Miracle on Saturday, 5-4.
The Threshers lineup suffered from the absence of Dominic Brown. Steve Susdorf was 1 for 4, dropping his average to .390.
Starter Tyler Cloyd was charged with three runs in six and two-thirds innings, on seven hits, one walk (three strikeouts), and a home run. Cloyd left with the bases loaded in the seventh, but reliever Carlos Monasterios stranded the three inherited runners.

Bunts and Balks (7/28)

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) beat the Columbus Clippers on Tuesday, 4-2. Gustavo Chacin (the Machine?) had a strong start, improving to 6-3, with a 3.45 ERA. Chacin went six innings, allowing one run, on four hits (three walks/two strikeouts). Jason Donald returned to the lineup, at SS, and was 2 for 4, with a double. (Hopefully, that helped Donald's trade value.)

The Reading Phillies (AA) imploded in the late innings, losing 12-1, to the Portland Sea Dogs. The R-Phils surrendered seven runs, in Portland's last two innings, only one of which was an earned run. We will never speak of this again.
Starter Joe Savery continued to decrease his trade value, allowing three runs (six hits, three walks/three strikeouts) in only five innings. Savery dropped to 12-4 on the season, with a 4.41 ERA. Neil Sellers was 3 for 4, raising his average to .329. Tim Kennelly, playing in RF, continued to be overmatched at AA, with his 1 for 4 night dropping his average to .143. Expect recently-demoted OF Michael Spidale's return to relegate Kennelly to the backup catcher role, behind Kevin Nelson.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) held on in the ninth inning to defeat the St. Lucie Mets, 4-3. The Threshers lead 4-0, as play entered the ninth. Reliever Carlos Monasterios allowed four hits, and three runs, before escaping. Michael Galen Cisco pitched seven scoreless innings, permitting only a pair of singles (zero walks/eight whiffs!). Cisco improved to 7-3, with a 3.31 ERA. Dominic Brown was 2 for 3, with a pair of singles, raising his average to .310. Steve Susdorf's average fell back under .400, at .398, with a 1 for 4 night.

The Threshers activated C Joel Naughton from the DL, and placed C Luis Ramon Arzeno on the DL. Naughton is batting .225, with a .658 OPS. Nonetheless, he is a stark improvement over Arzeno, who sported a .215 average, with an OPS of only .498.

Halladay to Phils: Just a Matter of Time...

For the better part of the twenty-first century, I've fantasized of a Phillies rotation fronted by Roy Halladay. Now, with only days remaining before the trade deadline, Halladay in a Phillies uniform is about to become a reality. No questions asked. It's only a matter of determining which Phillies' prospects will comprise the bounty headed to Toronto. Well, that, and picking a uniform number for the new Phillies' ace. (I'm thinking #23. I'm sure Gabor won't mind giving it up.)

The next few days are a time to sit back, and observe the proceedings with detached amusement, with the final result all but assured. The Blue Jays need to cut payroll, immediately. The Blue Jays need to replace Halladay with cost-controlled prospects, which the Phillies have in abundance. Halladay will only approve a trade to a few teams, at most. Perhaps, he will only approve a trade to the Phillies, a strong playoff contender with a Spring Training home conveniently located in Clearwater, Florida. The Blue Jays do not want to trade Halladay within their division, where they'll have to face him five times a season (at least), and where he can help keep them out of the playoffs. These truths are evident. These truths are the reason Roy Halladay will be a Phillie, when the dust generated by the trading deadline clears. All of the negotiations through the media, the arbitrary pre-trade deadline deadlines, the ineffectual efforts to gain leverage, the repeated posturing, the collecting of prospect packages from teams not actually in the running, the low probabilities periodically assigned to the possibility of a Halladay trade, are all almost irrelevant. Halladay will be a Phillie.

As for the prospects the Phillies will eventually surrender to Toronto, in exchange for two postseason runs headed by baseball's best pitcher, who knows what will become of them? J.A. Happ, the Phillies' best starter this season, could easily regress into a back-of-the-rotation arm. Top prospect Kyle Drabek is coming off Tommy John surgery. His usage this season seems to be with confidence (and trade value) maximation in mind. He started out in A ball, where he was well ahead of the competition. A promotion to AA followed, where he has only started on the road once, against the victory-challenged Altoona Curve, and their sub-.400 winning percentage. Drabek may not even be a Happ. Outfield prospects Michael Taylor and Dominic Brown could be All-Stars, or they could be Marlon Byrds or Greg Golsons. Either way, the Phillies could have two more WFCs, before either reaches the Major Leagues. Jason Donald? A Bruntlett, without the Economics degree. Lou Marson? A singles-hitting, backup catcher.

So, don't get overly concerned about the Halladay Deal. The Phillies are going to surrender as few prospects as possible, in exchange for one of MLB's few "givens." Relax, enjoy the ride, and make some room on your bobblehead shelf for a Phillies bobble with the name "Halladay" on the back, and for two more World Championship trophy paperweights.

Bunts and Balks (7/27)

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) fell to the Gwinnett Braves on Monday, 7-2.
The FeHogs were held scoreless (four hits/no walks) for the first four innings, by Tim Hudson. Not surprising. Meanwhile, Tyson Brummett surrendered six runs (five earned) on seven hits, in his four innings. Also, not surprising. The IronPigs went 0 for 7 w/RISP, stranding nine runners. Brummett's seventy-pitch outing helped get the weary and depleted Lehigh Valley staff through another game, with Gustavo Chacin and, presumably, Andrew Carpenter, ready to start the next two games.

The IronPigs activated IF Jason Donald from the Disabled List. OF Michael Spidale was assigned to Reading (AA), in order to open a roster spot. With an infield full of AAAA non-prospects, Donald should get some regular playing time for the FeHogs. Spidale batted .289 in AAA, but his OPS was only .674. He should help the R-Phils' offense, which has a Michael Taylor-sized void in it's lineup.

With Toronto Blue Jays scouts in attendance, top prospect Kyle Drabek had a strong outing, in a 4-3 victory over the Portland Sea Dogs. Drabek improved to 7-1, with a 3.06 ERA. The highly-touted southpaw pitched seven innings, allowing only two runs, on seven hits (zero walks/five strikeouts, one home run allowed). Chance Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth, picking up his first save.

The Clearwater Threshers (AA) won Sunday's suspended game over the St. Lucie Mets, 4-2. Dominic Brown went 2 for 4, including his tenth homer. Steve Susdorf was 2 for 3, improving his average to .397. Travis Cloyd pitched five and two-thirds innings, limiting the Mets to a pair of runs (seven hits, one walk/five strikeouts). Michael Schwimer followed with two scoreless frames, for his 12th save.

The Threshers completed their Monday sweep of the St. Lucie Mets, winning the seven-inning nightcap, 4-3. Dominic Brown was 2 for 2, with his second home run of the day, improving his average to .305. Steve Susdorf was 2 for 3, getting his average back over the .400 mark, at .403. Starter Edgar Garcia made his first appearance for the Threshers, pitching three innings, and allowing three hits (one walk/one strikeout). He was responsible for two runs, both of which scored after he left the game. (Garcia had been unavailable due to visa issues, which were resolved in the past week.) Scott Mathieson pitched two more scoreless innings, giving him seven flawless frames for the Threshers this season, and picked up his first save.

Bunts and Balks (7/24)

According to Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer, "baseball sources" are indicating that the Blue Jays want J.A. Happ, Kyle Drabek, and Dominic Brown, in exchange for Roy Halladay.
This contradicts with the "hockey sources", who indicated that the Blue Jays wanted Claude Giroux, Mike Richards, and Marc-Andre Bourdon.
Happ is expendable, but Drabek AND Brown? That's a pretty hefty price. But the Phils would be getting a year, and a few months, of one of the best pitchers in MLB. If the Phils would control Halladay for a few seasons, giving up Drabek and Brown would be a lot easier.
Hopefully, the Jays' price will come down a bit.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) lost to the Gwinnett Braves on Friday, 7-5. The FeHogs fell behind 3-0, but pulled to within 3-2, before start Carlos Carrasco surrendered a three-run homer with two outs in the sixth. Carrasco probably didn't help his dwindling trade value, by allowing six runs, in six innings (four hits, four walks/five strikeouts, one home run allowed). Michael Taylor went 1 for 3, with a walk and a stolen base, in the losing effort.

The Reading Phillies (AA) crushed the Bowie Baysox, 7-1. Starter Mike Stutes had another strong performance, allowing only one run, over seven and one-third innings (six hits, two walks/eight strikeouts, one home runs allowed). In July, Stutes has a 1.80 ERA, in five starts (thirty innings). In his last ten starts, Stutes has a 2.81 ERA, in fifty-seven and two-thirds innings. (Stutes hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of those ten starts.) Perhaps Stutes should be as highly regarded as rotation-mates Joe Savery and Vance Worley?
Neil Sellers was a single short of a cycle, as his 3 for 5 night raised his average to .325. Kevin Mahar increased his average to .323, with a 3 for 5 effort of his own.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) shut out the Charlotte Stone Crabs, 2-0.
Darren Byrd (five innings, four hits, one walk/five whiffs), Carlos Monasterios (two innings, one hit), Scott Mathieson (one inning, one hit, one walk/three strikeouts), and Michael Schwimer (one inning, one strikeout) combined for the shutout. Steve Susdorf was 0 for 3, dropping his average to .394. Dominic Brown was 1 for 3, and his average fell to .300. Brown reached base twice, and was picked off once, and caught stealing second the other time.

Bunts and Balks (7/20)

Brett Myers may be able to return to the Phillies in mid/late August, as his rehab from hip surgery is progressing well. Myers would be able to help in a relief role only. (He would not have enough time left in the season, to build up his arm sufficiently to rejoin the rotation.) A low-90s MPH northpaw to add into the setup mix? Sounds good, but might not bode well for Chad Durbin...

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) fell to the Charlotte Knights on Monday, 1-0. The FeHogs fell back under the .500 mark, at 47-48, failing in their attempt to go over the .500 mark for the first time ever. The game was scoreless, into the bottom of the ninth, when Gary Majewski (0-5) surrendered the game's only run. A superb start by Brian Mazone (six scoreless frames, three hits, two walks/three whiffs) was wasted. Michael Taylor was 1 for 4 (double), and is batting .176.

The Reading Phillies (AA) lost to the Altoona Curve, 8-2.
Vance Worley struggled for the third consecutive start, permitting eight runs (four and one-third innings, ten hits, one walk/five whiffs, one HR allowed), and increasing his ERA to 4.81. Worley has surrendered 21 runs, and 32 hits, in his last 3 starts (15 IP, 12.60 ERA). His BABIP of .291 may be regressing to the mean. Worley pitched only 69 innings in 2008, and 110 so far this season. The jump in innings may also be having an effect on Worley. He might benefit from skipping a turn in the rotation.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) lost to the Sarasota Reds, 3-1.
The Sarasota Reds, owners of a .424 winning percentage, have won two of three from the Threshers, with one game remaining in the series. Jon Velazquez took the loss, permitting three runs in six innings (six hits, three walks/two whiffs, one home run allowed). Dominic Brown went 3 for 4 (three singles), improving his average to .315. Steve Susdorf was 1 for 4, and is now batting a feeble .389.

Bunts and Balks (7/19)

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) beat the Rochester Red Wings on Sunday, 3-2. Incredible game! Awesome start by Drew (a.k.a. Andrew) Carpenter: one run allowed in seven innings (three hits, two walks/eight whiffs, one solo HR). Walkoff ninth-inning double by David Newhan. Technical difficulties on the internet broadcast made hearing FeHogs reliever Stephen Register's blowing of the save impossible.
The FeHogs completed a four-game series sweep of the Red Wings, moved to the .500 mark (47-47!), and remained in a franchise-high Third Place!

The Reading Phillies (AA) FINALLY beat the New Britain Rock Cats, 9-1.
The R-Phils had lost all six of the previous encounters with the Stone Felines this season. Starter Mike Stutes pitched five and one-third innings, and permitted five hits and five walks, striking out three. Stutes' ERA was saved by reliever Alex Concepcion, who stranded the two baserunners he inherited in the sixth inning. Concepcion threw three and two-thirds innings, surrendering only a solo home run. Concepcion received his second save, despite the fact that the R-Phils won by eight runs. (However, the tying run was on deck when Concepcion entered the game, and he did finish the game. Therefore, I am going to go ahead and approve the awarding of a save here.)
The R-Phils offense was paced by Neil Sellers (4 for 4, .317 avg.), Tim Kennelly (2 for 5, HR, 3 RBI), and Jeremy Slayden (HR, 2 RBI, .369 avg.).

The Clearwater Threshers (A) shut out the Sarasota Reds, 4-0.
Darren Byrd, an 18th round draft choice in 2005, threw six scoreless innings (four hits, one walk/three whiffs) for the win. Scott Mathieson retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning, two on strikeouts. Dominic Brown went 2 for 2, with a pair of RBI. Steve Susdorf was 0 for 4, reducing his average to a measly .396.

Despite the impending additions of Roy Halladay and Pedro Martinez to the parent club's pitching staff, the Phillies still need to be on the lookout for additionals upgrade options.
The Colorado Rockies have a northpaw in AAA, whom the Phillies should consider acquiring. He has posted a 2.30 ERA (3.36 FIP), with a 3.25 K/BB in 43 innings (7 starts). He would cost the Phillies only the major-league minimum, in additional salary costs. Ruben Amaro is, likely, already in the process of acquiring SkySox hurler Adam Eaton.

Bunts and Balks (7/17)

Clay Condrey was activated from the DL, taking the roster spot of Tyler Walker (DFA'd). Walker was right choice to be jettisoned, as his strength was permitting inherited runners to score. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Walker pass through waivers unclaimed, and join Jack Taschner in Lehigh Valley (AAA).
Condrey's activation returns the seven-man bullpen to the state in which it should have opened the season. Hopefully, The Pen will remain healthy for awhile.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) were rained out on Friday, and will host the Rochester Red Wings in a doubleheader on Saturday. Gustavo Chacin and Carlos Carrasco will make the starts for the FeHogs. The IronPigs do not plan to wear their tuxedo uniform jerseys, despite the fact that they are undefeated while wearing them. The tuxedos were auctioned off for charity. I'm hoping Brian Mazone's tuxedo jersey winds up on eBay, where it will be within my grasp.

The IronPigs' roster (on their website, and in the 7/17 Game Notes) lists Michael Taylor and Jack Taschner as both wearing #33. Who is really wearing #33? Stay tuned for future developments...

The Reading Phillies (AA) lost to the New Britain Rock Cats, 6-4. Kyle Drabek lost for the first time (in six decisions), since joining the the R-Phils. Drabek surrendered six runs (five earned) in six innings, on eight hits (one walk/one whiff). Perhaps throwing to newly-recalled Tim Kennelly, rather than injured backstop Tuffy Gosewisch, had Drabek off his game? (It was, probably, just a bad BABIP night.) Kennelly, Jeremy Slayden, and Brian Stavisky each hit solo home runs.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) were destroyed by the Brevard County Manatees, 12-5. The Sea Cows are just too good. On the plus side, the Threshers outscored the Manatees, 4-1, after falling behind, 11-1 (after four innings). Dominic Brown went 2 for 4, and Steve Susdorf (.415 avg.) hit a grand slam. Starter Michael Galen Cisco was charged with eight runs (seven earned) in two and one-third innings (seven hits, one walk/one whiff).
Scott Mathieson pitched two scoreless innings of relief, in his first appearance of the season for the Threshers.