SB Nation - Drew Carpenter

Philadelphia Phillies Top 20 Prospects for 2010

John Sickels — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:15:46 -0000

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher J.A. Happ, drafted in the third round in 2004 (AP Photo/H. Rumph, Jr.)

Philadelphia Phillies Top 20 Prospects for 2010

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get beyond the Top 10. Grade C+/C guys are pretty interchangeable depending on what you want to emphasize. Complete reports on these and over 1,000 other players will be in the 2010 Baseball Prospect Book, now available for pre-order, shipping on February 2^nd!

1) Domonic Brown, OF, Grade B+: Borderline A-. I love this guy, but the tools aren't quite refined yet and they need to give him a solid consolidation season in 2010, start him off in Reading and leave him there until July no matter what he does.

2) Trevor May, RHP, Grade B-: Borderline B. I love the upside with this arm as demonstrated in his K/IP and H/IP ratios, but he needs to cut back on the walks.

3) Phillipe Aumont, RHP, Grade B-: High upside arm acquired from the Mariners but I worry about his durability and mechanics.

4) J.C. Ramirez, RHP, Grade B-: Another high upside arm acquired from the Mariners. High Desert hurt his numbers. I've always liked him better than the numbers indicate I should, and I think a breakout is possible in 2010.

5) Anthony Gose, OF, Grade C+: Love the speed, youth, and the athleticism. Don't like the high strikeout rate for a guy without much power. Most advanced of the uber-tools players collected in this system in recent drafts.

6) Sebastian Valle, C, Grade C+: Excellent power potential and very young, but plate discipline and defense need work.

7) Domingo Santana, OF, Grade C+: Another tools guy, excellent power production in the Gulf Coast League but plate discipline/contact could be issues. Could rank much higher next year.

8) Tyson Gillies, OF, Grade C+: Draws walks, steals bases with outstanding speed, good glove, fun to watch. Most of his power came at High Desert; Double-A production could raise him to a B- or even a B. Could rank as high as fifth if you want to value his polish over pure upside of Gose, Valle, and Santana.

9) Jarred Cosart, RHP, Grade C+: Live arm, good stats in limited GCL sample, negative reports about makeup are a concern but he's young enough to outgrow that. Like Santana, could rank much higher next year.

10) Antonio Bastardo, LHP, Grade C+: I've liked the guy for awhile and expect him to be a good pitcher, but durability problems make it more likely as a reliever.

11) Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Grade C+: Bat was a lot more polished than expected in the GCL. Strong power potential, could rank over Cosart and Bastardo if you prefer hitting to pitching.

12) Scott Mathieson, RHP, Grade C+: Difficult to rank and grade. He's always been effective when healthy and has a great arm, but at some point he's going to run out of graftable ligaments. Could make an impact in the pen as soon as this year.

13) Leandro Castro, OF, Grade C+: Another member of the Toolsy Outfielder Who Might Not Hit Good Pitching Brigade. Could rank as high as eighth.

14) Brody Colvin, RHP, Grade C+: :Live arm from the '09 draft stands out as a sleeper to me.

15) B.J. Rosenberg, RHP, Grade C+: Looks like he could be a good relief option sometime soon.

16) Jiwan James, OF, Grade C: Hard to pick from all the raw tools guys who can fit at the bottom of the list, but for some reason this guy sticks out at me as one who could really take off this year.

17) Justin De Fratus, RHP, Grade C: Terrific K/BB ratio in the Sally League with a live arm.

18) Zach Collier, OF, Grade C: He didn't hit at all last year, but I prefer him to the even rawer Anthony Hewitt at this point.

19) Drew Carpenter, RHP, Grade C: Control artist with mediocre stuff has nothing left to prove in the minors, but fly ball tendency might not fit well in Philly.

20) Johan Flande, LHP, Grade C: Deceptive lefty has less upside than other arms but could help sooner.

OTHERS (Grade C): Aaron Altherr, OF; Mike Cisco, RHP; Heitor Correa, RHP; Kelly Dugan, OF; Sergio Escalona, LHP; Freddy Galvis, SS; Edgar Garcia, RHP; David Herndon, RHP; Anthony Hewitt, 3B; Kyrell Hudson, OF; Austin Hyatt, RHP; Jon Pettibone, RHP; Joe Savery, LHP; Mike Schwimer, RHP; Colby Shreve, RHP; Mike Stutes, RHP; Steve Susdorf, OF; Jonathan Villar, SS; Matt Way, LHP; Vance Worley, RHP.

The Phillies are interesting to write about but hard to make a list for. They love collecting raw tools players and have a great football team at the lower levels of the farm system, but most of these guys have very limited baseball skills right now. Gose, Santana, Castro, and Singleton look the most polished, but that's only in comparison to Collier, Hewitt, Altherr, and Hudson, who don't have a clue what they are doing yet. The Phillies are betting that they can get these guys to develop along Domonic Brown lines, but the thing is that what Brown did over the last two years is special; most super raw tools guys don't develop that well. My intuition is telling me that Jiwan James could develop like Brown, but I have nothing objective to back that up.

On the pitching side, they have a more balanced mixture of upside (May, Cosart, Aumont, Ramirez and others) with polish (Carpenter and the batch of potential relievers). If May can refine his command he could be a legitimate B+/A- guy next year, but that's a big if. Mathieson is a special case; under the right circumstances he could pull an Andrew Bailey in 2010; but he could also languish in Triple-A and/or get hurt again.

The Halladay/Lee trade is a strong blow; losing Drabek, Taylor, and D'Arnaud rips the guts out of the system. Getting Aumont, Gillies, and Ramirez in return helps some but none of them are as good as the three they lost.

Overall, this system is in flux due to recent trades but still has a lot of very interesting, if difficult to predict, talent.

Pinierowned: Cardinals 8, Phillies 1

WholeCamels — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:46:05 -0000

More photos » by Tom Mihalek - AP

Joel Piniero, and his rotten G.G. Allin mustache, held the Phillies scoreless for six innings. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

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And so it was, that the mighty Phillies offense was held to a single run... resulting from a wild pitch.

Both starting pitchers -- J.A. Happ and Joel Piniero -- were terrific in the early going, until the 6th inning, when Happ gave up four runs on a series of bloops, dunks, and a couple line drives, suffering his first loss of the season. The bullpen didn't help matters, with Tyler Walker surrendering two runs in his inning of work, and Andrew Carpenter surrendering a solo home run to the second newest Cardinal, Julio Lugo.

Joel Piniero was his usual (2009) self, inducing 12 grounders and striking out three in his six innings of work. And brand new Cardinal Matt Holliday had four hits. Strangely, Albert Pujols was held to one hit in five at bats, one of the weird bloopers in the 6th inning.

A very ugly night for the Phillies, and a disappointing potential farewell from Happ, who may be headed north in a deal for Roy Halladay in the next few days.

Get 'em tomorrow.

via www.fangraphs.com

Bringing Up Baby: Replacing Brett Myers

WholeCamels — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:48:16 -0000

More photos » by Kathy Willens - AP

Phillies farmhand Carlos Carrasco: With the injury to Brett Myers, has his time arrived? (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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With yesterday's news that Phillies starter Brett Myers has officially opted for potentially season-ending hip surgery, the team is left scrambling for a replacement, be it a long-term or short-term option.

General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. has already stated that the initial replacement will be internal, and specifically mentioned four names: Andrew Carpenter, Carlos Carrasco, Kyle Kendrick, and Antonio Bastardo.

But who is the best option?

Andrew Carpenter: Arguably the "safe" choice, the least likely to completely blow-up but with the least upside. Mediocre K/BB and K/IP numbers. Had a decent spot start for the Phillies earlier this month, they may want to play it "safe" and go with a guy like Carpenter, which may not be the worst idea, since this offense is capable of winning nearly any game.

Carlos Carrasco: On the surface his stats this year look absolutely grim, but a closer look shows excellent peripheral stats -- his K/BB numbers are terrific, and he's doing a solid job at keeping the ball in the park (5 HR in 55.0 IP). His 0-6 record is primarily a function of a terrible IronPigs bullpen (which just yesterday blew another lead for him). He has also strung together three good starts in a row (including yesterday's 7 IP, 2 R, 6 K outing). At 22, he's the youngest candidate. Carrasco was considered a candidate for the fifth starter slot on the big club in Spring Training, and there's a decent chance the team will move him up now. Anecdotally known for melting down with runners on and in the face of the slightest adversity, pitching on a club with better defense may boost his confidence. However, his meltdown tendencies may be exacerbated by pitching in the majors. An elite talent, but probably needs gentle treatment.

Kyle Kendrick: Yes, two years ago this guy started Game Two of a playoff series for a Major League Baseball team. Since then, he's struggled, and has yet to develop that "out pitch" that he was sent to the minors to work on. His pro and con lists both start with "familiarity" - the Phillies, for knowing him and how he works, and the rest of the league, for having a fairly extensive book on him.

Antonio Bastardo: Kind of a surprising choice, being that he has not really been mentioned among the Phillies best prospects over the past couple of seasons. All Bastardo has done is quietly dominate in every level he's pitched. Over his career he's averaging well over a strikeout per inning pitched (109 Ks, 97.2 IP); his Achilles' heel, especially in Philadelphia, may be his flyball tendencies. The lack of "respect" from scouts may stem from his smallish stature (5'11", 195 lbs. listed, but likely smaller than that), and his stuff which isn't exactly filthy, he nonetheless has shown that he knows how to pitch. Also, Myers' turn in the rotation corresponds with Bastardo's next scheduled turn, which may be a factor. Minuses: He'd be the fourth lefty in the Phillies rotation, which may or may not matter much. He only has two starts at AAA, but both have been good (13 IP, 12 K, 3 ER).

And let's face it, how great is his name?

WRITER'S CHOICE: Bastardo.

Federal Baseball.com Goes Behind The Scenes With MASN At The Nationals/Phillies Doubleheader.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 17 May 2009 10:38:10 -0000

More photos » by Evan Vucci - AP

7 months ago: Washington Nationals' Cristian Guzman, right, is congratulated by teammate Adam Dunn after scoring a run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of the second game of their baseball doubleheader on Jackie Robinson Night on Saturday, May 16, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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(ed. note - "Dibble's Eye View.")

I spent the first half of today's day/night doubleheader, between the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and your Washington Nationals, amongst pretty much the entirety of the Natosphere, as guests of MASN, who invited the DC bloggers behind the scenes to meet all the TV personalities and get a look at how each MASN broadcast ends up on the airwaves, along the way introducing us all to the MASN broadcast team of Rob Dibble, Bob Carpenter, Ray Knight, Johnny Holliday and Debbie Taylor. I spent the second half of the Nationals/Phillies day/night double header amongst pretty much the entirety of the baseball, cheesesteak and beer-loving population of Philadelphia.

In the first of the two games, DC lefty Scott Olsen and Philly righty Brett Myers faced off on the mound, with Olsen allowing 9 hits, 3 HR's and 6 runs total, 5 earned, with 2 walks in 5.0 IP, while Myers held the Nationals to 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks, with 8 K's in 7.0 innings of the 8-5 Phillies' win. Raul Ibanez continued to blister DC pitchers, going 3 for 5 with 2 HR's and 5 RBI's. Ryan Zimmerman hit in his second straight game, finishing 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI's.

(ed. note - "Rob Dibble and Bob Carpenter.")

The good folks at MASN first brought the DC bloggers to meet MASN's play by play team of Rob Dibble and "Jinxing" Bob Carpenter, who graciously greeted and spoke to the bloggers about the process of calling the game correctly, and what role each played in the production. After meeting Mr.'s Dibble and Carpenter, MASN brought us to their suite on the third base side of home to watch the Nationals and Phillies play, at which point the (somewhat) opinionated writers and fans held court on all things DC baseball, effectively, I think, identifying and supplying answers for all the Nationals' problems whilst eating, drinking and taking in the day game.

Topics discussed:

• Scott Olsen's decreased velocity and the impending revelation of some sort of an injury. (ed. note - "After the game it was announced that Scott Olsen would be heading to the DL with what MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in an article entitled, "Nats expected to place Olsen on DL", described as "left shoulder tendinitis". Mr. Ladson also announced that '06 1st Round Pick Ross Detwiler would come up on Monday to make his first MLB start. 'Waaaht?'")

Ross Detwiler

#48 / Pitcher / Washington Nationals

Height: 6-5

Weight: 185

Bats: R

Throws: L

Born: Mar 06, 1986

• The Former DC GM's role in putting together the current roster, and which, if any players would be dealt before the season ended. (ed. note - "Do the Nationals have the nerve to trade Dunn this summer if a good deal comes along from someone desperate to add a big bat.")

• Whether Nick Johnson will remain in DC or get traded, especially considering the fact that the best prospect at first, Chris Marrero is still young and a few seasons away from making an impact in the Majors. (ed. note - "I'll say it one, or two more times, Do Not Trade Nick Johnson.")

• Stephen Strasburg, Aaron Crow and the #10 pick of the '09 Draft. (ed. note - "Conclusions: The Nationals must sign Strasburg, should have signed Crow, had better sign the #10 pick, or else revolt!!!) (ed. note - "Alright, no one agreed to revolt, but I'll complain vociferously on this blog!")

(ed. note - "MASN production truck.")

During the game, the bloggers were allowed, in a few small groups, to take a tour inside the MASN production truck, where we were able to watch the direction of the day game as it went live with the wall of monitors and army of desk- and laptops it takes to create every moment of the broadcast. (ed. note - "Highlights: I pretty much just watched the stream of X-Mo footage(slow-mo of the batters, pitchers) and watched the gentleman operating the pitch tracker, while wondering how much caffeine need be ingested to do this all 162 times a year.")

(ed. note - "Above is the first published photo of the Brain of Federal Baseball.com. Please don't touch the wires, they are carefully organized...")

The night half of the day/night doubleheader lasted just 6.0 long innings and saw DC righty Daniel Cabrera throw 107 pitches, 61 for strikes in 5.0 innings of work, during which he allowed 8 hits, 7 runs, 4 walks and 3 HR's while collecting 2 K's in a rain-shortened 7-5 Phillies' win. Philly threw emergency starter Andrew Carpenter, who went 4.1 innings and gave up 8 hits, 5 ER, 3 walks, while striking out 4 and receiving offensive support from Raul Ibanez, who topped off the 3 for 5 day with a 2 for 3 night, adding another HR and 3 more RBI's. Ryan Zimmerman's hit streak ended at two games when he went 0 for 1 with 2 walks, which keeps his on-base streak alive. Ronnie Belliard tripled and drove in a run, and TAWH, (Thee Amazing Willie Harris) did all he could, going 1 for 2 with 3 RBI's.

Nationals lose, 8-5 and 7-5 finals.

(ed. note - Thanks to Todd Webster, Kristen Hudak and everyone behind the scenes at MASN for recognizing the Natosphere, and having us all to the game.")

(ed. note - "Today's GameThread is scheduled to go up at 1:00 pm EST, before the 1:35 pm EST start of the Nationals/Phillies finale, Who's Watching The Nationals?")

Nationals now 11-24-1.