Phillies Minor League Roundup - May 11, 2015

Today's Probables:

LHV: David Buchanan
REA: Zach Eflin
CLR: David Whitehead
LWD: Josh Taylor

Columbus 6, Lehigh Valley 2

Joely Rodriguez - 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 K, 10 GB, 8 FB, HBP
Jason Berken - 1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, HR
Colton Murray - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K
Tyler Henson - 0 for 4 (throwing error)
Brian Bogusevic - 1 for 4, R, K
Maikel Franco - 2 for 4, HR, 2 RBI
Domonic Brown - 1 for 4, 2B, K, picked off
Russ Canzler - 0 for 3, 2 K
Tommy Joseph - 0 for 1, K

Joely Rodriguez with his best start and longest start of the season. He was left with a no-decision after Berken blew up in 8th, giving up 4 runs. A name you will probably be hearing a lot about in these next few weeks, Maikel Franco, hits his 4th HR of the season and is slashing .341/.363/.543 in 129 at bats. Incumbent Phillies third baseman Cody Asche was demoted last night to start taking reps in LF for the Iron Pigs. I wouldn't be surprised to see Franco called up for the weekend series against the Diamondbacks. Speaking of callups, Domonic Brown is hitting .289/.319/.333 in his last 10 games (45 at bats). Oh, Tommy Joseph is injured again. I don't have the details on what it is this time, but its yet another sad turn for Joseph's season.

Harrisburg 6, Reading 3

Jesse Biddle - 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 9 GB, 3 FB
Anthony Vasquez - 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, BB
Roman Quinn - 2 for 4, R, BB, 2 SB
KC Serna - 0 for 4
Aaron Altherr - 1 for 3, HR, BB
Cam Perkins - 0 for 4
Brock Stassi - 1 for 1, R, 2B (pinch hitter)

Jesse Biddle was once again not very sharp in this outing, throwing only 53 of his 93 pitches for strikes. The 3-run fifth inning was his undoing, but a costly Gustavo Pierre throwing error didn't help matters much in that inning either. Technically, this one falls in the "quality start" column, but still disappointing. One encouraging stat is the high amount of groundball outs induced. Roman Quinn steals 3rd base twice and picks up another walk. He is slashing .316/.370/.496 with 14 steals in 29 games (117 at bats). Aaron Altherr with his 4th dinger of the season. He should most definitely be in AAA.

Clearwater, Charlotte (postponed due to illness)

Rumor is a large number of Thresher players got food poisoning.

Lakewood 8, Asheville 2

Ricardo Pinto - 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, HR, 7 GB, 4 FB
Malquin Canelo - 2 for 4, 2 R, SB
Cord Sandberg - 0 for 2, R, 2 RBI (two sacrifice flys)
Carlos Tocci - 0 for 4, RBI
Rhys Hoskins - 3 for 3, R, 2 RBI, BB
Deivi Grullon - 1 for 4, 2B, RBI
Chace Numata - 1 for 3, R, 2B, BB
Damek Tomscha - 1 for 4, HR, 2 RBI, K
Derek Campbell - 0 for 4, K
Herlis Rodriguez - 3 for 4, 2 R, 2 2B, K

It's probably time to start being excited by Ricardo Pinto. By the end of the season he could probably wind up in the Eflin/Biddle/Lively/Mecias contingent of potential #3 pitchers, or perhaps more. The slick fielding Malquin Canelo is batting .310/.375/.422 with 5 stolen bases. Another hot start, that if its not a mirage, signals another wave of excitement to the organization. Tocci with his first back-to-back no-hit performance of the season. Hoskins continues to mash the ball. He might be slightly above the level, but what he is doing is impressive nonetheless. He's blocked at 1B in Clearwater by Zach Green (who is currently on the 7-day DL). At some point, Hoskins could wind up the better prospect by the end of the season.