Phillies Minor League Roundup - April 10-12, 2015

Today's Probables:
LHV - Paul Clemens
REA - Tom Windle
CLR - Colin Kleven
LWD - Chris Oliver


Pawtucket 10, Lehigh Valley 8 (April 10, 2015)

Chad Billingsley - 3.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 4 K, 2 HR, 4 GB, 1 FB
Tyler Knigge - 1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, K
Hector Neris - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K
Cord Phelps - 2 for 4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K
Maikel Franco - 1 for 4, 2 R, 2B, BB
Jordan Danks - 2 for 5, 3 RBI, K

Billingsley made his Lehigh debut and was unsurprisingly a bit rusty. Journeyman Jason Berken came on in relief and fared no better, giving up another 5 earned runs. Maikel Franco gets his first hit of the season and works a walk. Phelps blasted a two-run homer in the 2nd inning and Danks added 3 RBI's in the loss.

Pawtucket 5, Lehigh Valley 4 (13 innings, April 11, 2015)

Severino Gonzalez - 6.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, BB, 4 K, 5 GB, 8 FB
Seth Rosin - 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, K
Adam Loewen - 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB
Colton Murray - 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K
Hector Neris - 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, WP
Tyler Henson - 3 for 6, 2 RBI
Maikel Franco - 1 for 5, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 K
Tommy Joseph - 1 for 4, K

Severino Gonzalez got to duel future Phillie Henry Owens, with neither factoring into the decision. Sloppy fielding on both teams led to a combined 5 unearned runs in the game. Future Phillie Blake Swihart had a costly error and was also caught stealing in the game. Franco ripped his 2nd double of the year off Owens. Colton Murray picks up basically where he left off last year with two scoreless innings. I have no doubt we will see Murray in the majors before the season is through. Neris gave up the go-ahead run and took the loss.

Lehigh Valley 7, Pawtucket 6 (16 innings, April 12, 2015)

Adam Morgan - 4 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 3 GB, 1 FB
Phillippe Aumont - 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Tyler Knigge - 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, BB, 2 K
Seth Rosin - 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, K
Adam Loewen - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, K
Chris Nelson - 3 for 4, R, 2B, 2 RBI
Maikel Franco - 3 for 7, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K
Tommy Joseph - 1 for 6, 2B, RBI, K

This will definitely take the early title of strangest game of the year. 3 position players entered the game to pitch in this nearly 5 hour game. Usual 3rd baseman Russ Canzler gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the 16th, but picks up with win. Former Phillie prospect Quentin Berry pitched the bottom of the 16th inning for the Sox and walks 5 and forces in two runs (one run was scored via a sac fly). Franco blasts two doubles and walks again. He is slashing .263/.391/.474 (19 AB) on the short season.

Reading, Portland (April 10, 2015, ppd rain)

Portland 4, Reading 2 (April, 11, 2015 - Game 1 of doubleheader, 7 innings)

Aaron Nola - 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 2 K, HR, 3 HBP, 5 GB, 2 FB
Elvis Araujo - 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K (throwing error)
Roman Quinn - 0 for 2, R, BB, K, SB
Carlos Alonso - 0 for 4
Brock Stassi - 1 for 4, RBI
Cam Perkins - 0 for 3
Brian Pointer - 1 for 3
Art Charles - 1 for 3, K
Gabriel Lino - 1 for 3, 2B, K

Well, after being delayed two days from making his 2015 debut, Nola is notably not on top of his game. He hits 3 batters in the game and allows 3 runners to steal 2nd off him and Lino. The big knock was a 3-run homer allowed in the 1st inning. Quinn steals his first of I'm sure like 400 steals this season. 23 year old Araujo strikes out 3 in his Reading debut and is a name to keep an eye on.

Reading 9, Portland 0 (April 11, 2015 - Game 2 of doubleheader, 7 innings, makeup for 4/10)

Jesse Biddle - 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K, WP, 5 GB, 5 FB
Neifi Ogando - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Roman Quinn - 2 for 4, 2 R, HR, K
Carlos Alonso - 2 for 3, 2 R, RBI, BB
Brock Stassi - 2 for 4, HR, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, K
Cam Perkins - 0 for 3, R, RBI, BB, K
Brian Pointer - 0 for 4, 3 K
Art Charles - 0 for 3, R, BB, K
Harold Martinez - 1 for 3, R, RBI, BB, K

So Biddle was quite good in his first regular season game. Jesse showed some really good stuff in Spring Training and it is exciting to see that carrying over. Quinn and Stassi hit their 1st homers of the season, while the Reading offense unloads for 8 hits and work 5 walks. Brian Pointer the lone goat in this one, picking up the ole hat trick.

Reading 10, Portland 2 (April 12, 2015)

Zach Eflin - 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K, 10 GB, 3 FB
Ethan Stewart - 1 IP, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Roman Quinn - 1 for 5, R, K
Carlos Alonso - 2 for 4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB
Brock Stassi - 1 for 5, HR, 3 RBI, K
Cam Perkins - 1 for 4, 2 RBI, BB
Brian Pointer - 0 for 3, R, 2 BB, K
Art Charles - 3 for 5, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI, K
Gabriel Lino - 0 for 3, 2 R, RBI, K, HBP
KC Serna - 2 for 4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB

This Reading offense sure hasn't wasted much time in getting warmed up. Stassi hit a 2-run shot in the 6th, his 2nd on the season.  2014 holdovers, Alonso and Serna, seem to be off to a hot start. It was curious to me why Alonso didn't make the jump to AAA to begin the season. Last, but not least, Zach Eflin makes his official Phillies debut in spectacular fashion throwing 58 of his 83 pitches for strikes and baffling the Sea Dogs.

Clearwater 2, Dunedin 0 (April 10, 2015)

David Whitehead - 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K, 6 GB, 3 FB (pickoff error)
Lee Ridenhour - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
Ulises Joaquin - 1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, K
Drew Stankiewicz - 1 for 4, R, RBI
Andrew Pullin - 1 for 4, 2B, RBI
Domonic Brown - 0 for 2, K
Andrew Knapp - 0 for 3, BB, K
Dylan Cozens - 0 for 4
Zach Green - 0 for 4, 2 K
Aaron Brown - 1 for 4, 2 K

Whitehead dominates in his 2015 debut. He is now roughly over a year since coming back from TJS. The Threshers were outhit 7-3, but held on to win with the stifling performance from Whitehead and the bullpen. A two-run 6th inning was all Clearwater would need. Cozens is hitless the first two games of the season.

Clearwater 2, Dunedin 1 (April 11, 2015, 11 innings)

Brandon Leibrandt - 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, BB, 4 K, 7 GB, 4 FB
Kevin Walter - 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, K, WP
Cody Forsythe - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K
Lino Martinez - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Andrew Pullin - 2 for 5 (outfield assist)
Andrew Knapp - 2 for 5, RBI, 2 K (passed ball)
Dylan Cozens - 2 for 4, R, 2B, BB, SB
Zach Green - 0 for 5, 3 K
Aaron Brown - 0 for 5, K
Willians Astudillo - 1 for 5, K

According to Kirsten Karbach, Threshers play-by-play announcer, Leibrandt hasn't issued more than 2 walks in any of his 12 professional appearances. He throws a high 80's, occasionally low 90's fastball, but has fairly good command and mix of pitches. He profiles as a back of the rotation arm, but that could be pretty valuable down the line. Cozens breaks out with his first two hits and stolen base of the season. Cozens would score the walk-off run via an Astudillo single.

Dunedin 6, Clearwater 5 (April 12, 2015)

Miguel Nunez - 3.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, HR, 2 HBP, 7 GB, 2 FB
Mark Leiter - 3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K, 3 GB, 3 FB
Edubray Ramos - 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, K
Drew Stankiewicz - 3 for 5, 3 R, 2B
Domonic Brown - 1 for 3, HR, BB, K (throwing error)
Andrew Knapp - 2 for 5, 2B, RBI, 2 K
Dylan Cozens - 2 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
Zach Green - 0 for 4, BB, 2 K
Aaron Brown - 1 for 4, R, 2B, K, HBP
Mitch Walding - 2 for 4, 2B, K

Miguel Nunez struggles with control and doesn't make it out of the 4th inning. Mark Leiter was impressive in relief after a not-so-great season debut on 4/9. Ramos gives up the tying and go-ahead run in the bottom of the 8th. Dom Brown commits an error and hits a HR in his rehabbing trail. Cozens and Knapp with another two hits. Both Knapp and Stankiewicz are batting over .400 on the very short season. Zach Green is a woeful 1 for 17 with 9 strikeouts to begin the season.

Kannapolis 4, Lakewood 3 (April 10, 2015, 12 innings)

Josh Taylor - 5 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 K, 3 GB, 0 FB
Matt Hockenberry - 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K
Joey Denato - 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 K
Malquin Canelo - 3 for 6, 2 2B, BB, K (fielding error)
Cord Sandberg - 1 for 5, BB
Carlos Tocci - 2 for 5, 2 BB, 2 SB
Rhys Hoskins - 2 for 5, R, BB, 2 K
Jiandido Tromp - 0 for 6, 4 K
Deivi Grullon - 2 for 5, R, K
Damek Tomscha - 1 for 4, HR
Derek Campbell - 2 for 6, 2B, RBI, K
Grenny Cumana - 2 for 6, 2B, 2 K (throwing error)

Josh Taylor strikes out 7 and only gives up a run. The unsigned free agent could pay some serious dividends this season. Temple alum Hockenberry dishes out 3 shutout innings. The clutch hitting wasn't there for the Blueclaws, who go 4 for 23 with RISP and leave 19 on base. Canelo commits a costly error in the 12th allowing the go-ahead runner to score. Tocci remains red hot with two hits and two steals a piece. Tomscha hits his 1st homer of the season. A wasted effort given the 15 hits and 5 walks manufactured by the offense.

Lakewood 6, Kannapolis 3 (April 11, 2015)

Tyler Viza - 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 2 K, 2 HR, 10 GB, 4 FB
Malquin Canelo - 0 for 4, 2 K
Cord Sandberg - 1 for 4, R (outfield assist. 3rd)
Carlos Tocci - 0 for 2, 2 R, 2 BB
Rhys Hoskins - 3 for 4, R, 2B, RBI
Herlis Rodriguez - 1 for 4, HR, 3 RBI
Grenny Cumana - 2 for 3, BB, 2 SB

Tyler Viza didn't belong in Lakewood last season, despite having to be pressed into that situation. He gets to repeat Lakewood in 2015 and a more age appropriate opportunity. Despite giving up 2 homers, he limited chances and induced a lot of groundballs. Herlis Rodriguez hits his 1st homer and Tocci gets on base twice via walks. Hoskins with another 3 hits to bring up his average to .455, matching Tocci.

Kannapolis 8, Lakewood 0 (April 12, 2015)

Ranfi Casimiro - 5 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, BB, K, 5 GB, 6 FB
Jason Zgardowski - 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 K, 4 GB, 2 FB
Cord Sandberg - 2 for 4, K, SB
Jiandido Tromp - 0 for 4, K
Carlos Tocci - 0 for 4
Rhys Hoskins - 0 for 4, K
Damek Tomscha - 1 for 2, BB, HBP
Deivi Grullon - 0 for 2, K
Herlis Rodriguez - 0 for 3
Tim Zier - 2 for 3
Grenny Cumana - 0 for 3

Casimiro is blasted in his debut and the offense only musters up 5 hits and 1 walk in his defense. Jiandido Tromp is 0 for 13 to begin the season. Sandberg steals his first base.