By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Even if the Philadelphia Phillies are slumping, it's good to see their minor league prospects having some success at the upper levels. The Lehigh Valley Ironpigs are 36-16 and posted a phenomenal 24-5 record during the month of May. There were many contributing factors to their success, one of which was the arm of Tom Eshelman.
Acquired in the trade that sent Ken Giles to Houston, right-hander Tom Eshelman was promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in early May and has been dominant since joining the Ironpigs. His performance during the month of May earned him International League Player of the Month honors. He's the third Ironpig to earn the award in their franchises' history.
Eshelman, 22, started off the month of May with his final start in Double-A, hurling seven innings of one-run ball to earn his third win of the season. His next start was with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and he picked up right where he left off, pitching eight shutout innings, scattering four hits and striking out six. Eshelman followed that start up with seven shutout innings his next time out against Buffalo, striking out two and allowing five hits.
The former second round pick gave up his first Triple-A runs in his third start, allowing two earned runs in eight innings, striking out four. His start on May 26 was his roughest as an Ironpig (6.2 IP, 4ER, 6K), but he rebounded on May 31 to throw his best game of the season, and quite possibly his career. Eshelman tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing five hits while striking out seven and walking one.
Overall in the month of May with Lehigh Valley, he went 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 25 strikeouts and four walks.
