By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies lost on Wednesday, posting their worst May record (6-22) since 1928 when they went 3-22. Their Triple-A affiliate in Allentown is quite a different story. After their 6-0 shutout win on Wednesday, they improved to 36-16 on the season and posted a ridiculous 24-5 record during the month of May. Their hitters started getting comfortable at the plate and they got some great pitching performances as well. Let's take a look at some of the Ironpigs' standout performers during the month of May.
Tom Eshelman (RHP) - After posting a 3.10 ERA through five starts in Reading, Eshelman got the call to Triple-A and hasn't disappointed. In three of his five starts with the Ironpigs, he hasn't allowed a run and in four of five, he's allowed two runs or less. Wednesday's game was no different, as Eshelman put together his best start of the season, tossing a complete game shutout, scattering five hits and striking out seven. He's now 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA in five starts with the Ironpigs.
Dylan Cozens (OF) - The Ironpigs slugging outfielder bounced back in a big way during the month of May after hitting .136 with 40 strikeouts in 81 at-bats in April. In 26 games this past month, Cozens slashed .330/.386/.689 with four doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 26 RBIs, 20 runs scored, 30 strikeouts and nine walks. While his strikeout numbers are still a bit of a concern, when he's hitting home runs and extra-base hits like he did in May, those K's don't hold as much water. Over his last 10 games, he's hitting .349 with three homers and 10 RBIs.
Pedro Florimon (SS) - Although he's 30 years old, Florimon has settled in nicely with the Ironpigs this season and had a phenomenal month of May. In 19 games, Florimon slashed .377/.472/.557 with five doubles, two home runs, six RBIs, 12 runs scored, 17 strikeouts and nine walks. While he doesn't hit for power, Florimon has hit consistently for Lehigh Valley all year, posting a .321 average in 2017.
Rhys Hoskins (1B) - The 24-year-old out of Sacramento followed up a .338 month of April with a strong .300 average in May, hitting seven doubles, three triples and seven homers to go along with 29 RBIs, 24 runs scored, 17 walks and 19 strikeouts. Unlike Cozens, Hoskins walks a good amount in addition to his home runs, making him a threat to get on base in more ways. Unfortunately, he's blocked at the big league level by Tommy Joseph, who also hit .300 with seven homers in May for the Phillies. Hoskins deserves a chance at the Major League level, but there's no room for him now.
Ben Lively (RHP) - Acquired by the Phillies for Marlon Byrd prior to the 2015 season, Lively has been a consistent arm in the Ironpigs rotation since being promoted there in 2016. So far through nine starts this season, he's 6-1 with a 2.40 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. While he doesn't have top of the rotation stuff, his numbers don't lie either. In 101 minor league starts, he has a 2.99 ERA. During the month of May, he went 3-0 with a 2.51 ERA and because of the injury to Vince Velasquez, we'll likely get to see Ben make his Major League debut this weekend against the Giants.
Hoby Milner (LHP) - Milner was returned to the Phillies organization after being picked in the Rule-5 draft by the Indians and not making the 25-man roster. Since coming back east, Milner has been a great addition to the Pigs bullpen, throwing 19.1 scoreless innings, striking out 16 and walking two. During the month of May, he held hitters to a .154 average and allowed just six hits in 12 innings.
Cameron Perkins (OF) - Now at 26 years of age, Perkins is well past being a top prospect in the Phillies organization. That hasn't kept him from producing this season, hitting . 289 with 12 doubles and five home runs. During the month of May, he hit .292, but over his last 10 games, he is hitting .429 with four doubles and two home runs. He'd be an interesting call-up decision for the Phillies. He's been in their organization since 2012 and has hit close to .300 during the last two seasons at Triple-A.
Nick Pivetta (RHP) - His first string of starts in the majors were forgettable (0-2, 5.12 ERA), but Pivetta has been solid for Lehigh Valley all season, going 5-0 with a 1.41 ERA and 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA since returning from the big leagues. With Zach Eflin being sent down though, Pivetta will likely get another shot at a Major League rotation spot and he'll be coming off of two good starts, allowing just three runs in 13 innings, striking out 13 and walking none.
Pat Venditte (RHP) - The 31-year-old switch-pitcher has been the Ironpigs best relief arm all season, going 5-0 with a 0.87 ERA in 27 innings. He didn't give up his first run until May 21 and posted a 1.13 ERA in 11 appearances during the month of May. Many fans have wondered as to why Venditte hasn't gotten the call, and it's likely because he isn't on the 40-man and his stuff hasn't translated well over to the big leagues. In 41 MLB appearances, he has a 4.97 ERA.
Nick Williams (OF) - In 28 games during the month of May, Williams hit a respectable .282, but it was his last stretch of games that put him on this season. He earned IL Player of the Week honors for the week of May 22-28 and over his last 10 games, he's hitting .361 with six home runs, 16 RBIs and 10 runs scored. He was hitting just .246 on May 16, but erupted in the second half of May to raise his average to .279. Like Cozens, his plate discipline leaves something to be desired, as he's struck out 57 times and has just seven walks. His offensive outburst though makes those numbers a little less worrisome.
Honorable Mention:
- JP Crawford has followed up an absymal month of April where he hit .145 with a .253 average in May. Over the last 10 games, he's hitting .270 and has multi-hit games in four of the last five. It's not where he needs to be yet, but he's getting more comfortable as the season progresses.
