Phillies Minor League Roundup - May 12, 2016

Weekend Probables:

LHV: Zach Eflin, David Buchanan, Jake Thompson
REA: Anthony Vasquez, John Richy, Ben Lively
CLR: Ranfi Casimiro, Elniery Garcia, Tyler Viza
LWD: Luke Leftwich, TBD, TBD, Will Morris

Lehigh Valley 2, Columbus 1

Alec Asher - 6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, BB, 5 K, HR, 7 GB, 3 FB
Edubray Ramos - 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K, WP
Edward Mujica - 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 K
Taylor Featherston - 3 for 4, R, 2B (fielding error)
Cam Perkins - 1 for 4, 2B, 2 K
Nick Williams - 1 for 4, HR, 2 RBI
Tommy Joseph - 1 for 4, K (missed catch error)
Andrew Knapp - 1 for 4, K
Darnell Sweeney - 0 for 3, K

Alec Asher has been really good across two levels of competition this season (4 AA and 3 AAA starts). After the game he now holds a 1.89 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 47.2 innings. He looked really well this game and had great command of his pitches. The IronPig offense was stymied for the first three innings by a rehabbing Ross Detwiler. His replacement however, gave up a lead-off single to Taylor Featherston in the 4th inning, which was followed two batters later with a Nick Williams 2-run HR (his 3rd). These were all the runs LHV would need as Ramos and Mujica combined for 2.1 shutout innings of relief. Mujica did make it interesting in the 9th when he loaded the bases before making the final out.

Reading 3, Trenton 0

Ricardo Pinto - 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 9 GB, 5 FB
Hoby Milner - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K
Roman Quinn - 0 for 4, BB, 2 K (outfield assist, 2B)
J.P. Crawford - 1 for 5
Jorge Alfaro - 0 for 4, 2 K
Dylan Cozens - 1 for 3, HR, BB, SB
Rhys Hoskins - 1 for 4, R, 2B, K
Angelo Mora - 0 for 2, BB
Aaron Brown - 0 for 3, RBI, HBP
Jesmuel Valentin - 1 for 3, RBI, BB, K

Ricardo Pinto was masterful through 6 innings, not allowing a hit and only issuing two walks. He would allow two singles in the 7th (one erased on a double-play) to complete his start. One-man wrecking crew Dylan Cozens continues to dazzle as he launched his Eastern League-leading 10th homerun. He did this on the road as well, not in the confines of Reading. This should dispel some of the talk that his power is aided by First Energy Stadium. The power is 100% legit. He also stole a base in the game, his 9th.

Clearwater 5, Dunedin 2

Matt Imhof - 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 6 GB, 1 FB (pickoff error)
Matt Hockenberry - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, BB, K
Mario Hollands - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 K
Alexis Rivero - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, K
Scott Kingery - 2 for 3, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB
Cord Sandberg - 1 for 4, 3B, 2 RBI, 3 K, HBP
Carlos Tocci - 1 for 4, K
Andrew Pullin - 2 for 4, R, 2B (outfield assist, home)
Mitch Walding - 1 for 4, RBI, 2 K
Zach Green - 0 for 2, 2 BB
Kyle Martin - 1 for 4, RBI
Gabriel Lino - 2 for 4, 2 R, 2B, K
Malquin Canelo - 0 for 4

Matt Imhof wasn't perfect last night, but thankfully he didn't have to be. Imhof has been a mixed bag despite the 4-1 record and 3.58 ERA. He nearly has as many walks (24) than strikeouts (26) in 32.2 innings. Scott Kingery had a big day, reaching base 4 times in the game to improve his season line to .261/.358/.412 with 2 HR and 9 SB (119 at-bats). Andrew Pullin's surprise return is off to a rousing start.

Lakewood 6, West Virginia 4

Shane Watson - 4.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 3 HBP, 9 GB, 0 FB (fielding error)
Jacob Waguespack - 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K
Luis Morales - 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 K
Emmanuel Marrero - 2 for 4, R, 2B, BB, K
Josh Tobias - 1 for 5, R
Wilson Garcia - 1 for 4, RBI, 2 K
Jose Pujols - 1 for 3, R, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 K, SB
Damek Tomscha - 1 for 3, R, 2B, RBI, BB, SB
Deivi Grullon - 1 for 2, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Jan Hernandez - 1 for 4, HR, 2 K
Jiandido Tromp - 1 for 4, 3 K, SB
Brendon Hayden - 2 for 4, R, K

This makes two less than desirable starts in a row for Watson. He is having a good start to the season nonetheless and is worth keeping an eye on to see if he can finally break out this season (well behind the learning curve due to injuries the past few years). Jan Hernandez launched his 3rd HR of the season. The kid has plenty of tools and hasn't put them together in his first few season, however he is off to the best start of his career in Lakewood.