Posts Tagged ‘Lehigh Valley IronPigs’

Following The 40: Starting Rotation

November 8th, 2015 by Mike H. | Comments Off on Following The 40: Starting Rotation | Filed in Baseball, General, MLB, Phillies

phillies40In recent years, Hollywood has been all about the reboot. In 2015 alone, we saw both ends of the spectrum of how rebooting can go. Jurassic World acknowledged the original Jurassic Park, but basically disavowed all information that happened in the increasing lesser sequels. Then there was Fantastic Four, a desperate attempt to retain a franchise that needed to move on that just came off as … well, desperate. As you’re reading this, I can see a good majority of people saying, “How in the hell does this relate to the Phillies?” It has everything to do with them, and as the Phillies start to reboot the franchise, I’m gonna go step-by-step through the roster and give my thoughts on how they can end up the summer blockbuster we’re all lining up to see.

Speaking of the Fantastic Four, that was the previous regime in a nut shell. After 2008, it was just one grasp at a straw after another. Failed attempts to keep a window open instead of finding a way to open a new one. That first step in finding a new window came with a slamming of a door, the one that closed when Ruben “Mr. Fantastic” Amaro was finally given his pink slip. New GM Matt Klentak still believes in building around pitching and while the Phillies have acquired some potential, they don’t have much in the way of certainty. As of right now, the only thing close to certainties in the Phillies rotation are 2014 1st round draft pick Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff, who was acquired from Texas in the Cole Hamels trade (sorry for the sore spot, Amy).

So what are the Phillies options? Well, Adam Morgan is working his way back and probably has one of the better shots to make the rotation. Alec Asher, David Buchanan, Severino Gonzalez, and Matt Harrison all will have shots at a spot as well. Asher, Buchanan, and Gonzalez appear to more likely start the season in AAA Lehigh Valley, but are definitely options. Harrison on the other hand, seems more likely to spend more time on the disabled list than on the active roster. Harrison is still trying to make the seemingly impossible comeback from spinal fusion surgery. A surgery that was given the prognosis of a 20% chance that he would ever pitch competitively again.

Recently, an article stated that the Phillies would definitely consider calling up top pitching prospect Jake Thompson, who was also acquired in the Texas deal. The article stated that the team would bring him up if they felt he deserved. Now while a lot of fans may see a great second half in AA Reading, there is no reason to rush him. Let him start the year in AAA and if he is just as successful, he’ll probably be up before the All-Star Break. Why any team would risk losing a year of team control on a potentially gifted player is ridiculous.

The Phillies also have the top pick in the Rule V draft at the end of the annual Winter Meetings, which is just over a month a way. The Phillies really lucked out last year with CF Odubel Herrera. Can the team repeat that success? Only time will tell and we here at TSP will be keeping track of all the possibilities as we get closer and other rumors and transactions that occur during the busiest week of the baseball offseason. While some of the key free agents that set the market come off the board that week, don’t expect to see the Phillies dive into the free agent deep end. I suspect more Jerome Williams and Aaron Harang-esque types of signings with the hopes of being able to flip them mid-season with guys like Thompson, Asher, Buchanan, and Gonzalez ready to step in.

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Across The Board

May 9th, 2012 by Mike H. | Comments Off on Across The Board | Filed in Flyers, Phillies, Sixers

But against Philly, Ugh

May 8th, 2012 will forever be both infamous and historic. On the playoff front, not only did the Flyers have their season ended after last night’s loss to the Devils, but the Andre Iguodala led 76ers gave away the series clincher to the Bulls by scoring under 30 points in the second half. On the baseball front, not only did the Phillies’ bullpen blow yet another lead in last night’s loss to the Mets, but all four active minor league affiliations of the Phillies lost as well. Can anyone remember the last time Philadelphia affiliated teams have gone 0-7 in one night?

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Minor Collision on 222

April 6th, 2011 by Mike H. | Comments Off on Minor Collision on 222 | Filed in General

Iron Pigs Opening Day is Thursday, April 7th.

Yesterday, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Reading Phillies took part in what has become something of a tadition. The annual matchup between levels before the season starts. The ‘Pigs won the game 6-1 to move 3-1 all-time against Reading. Ryne Sandberg’s ‘Pigs were off to a good start as they plated four earned runs off of JC Ramriez, who was a part of the infamous Cliff Lee trade of 2009.

Probably the most exciting part of the game actually happened of the field. The Iron Pigs debuted their Bypass service to fans. Bypass is software that can be downloaded either via app or through www.bypasslane.com. (more…)

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