Well since the Phillies suck, why not watch the minors? Oh wait, the IronPigs, Fightin' Phils, and Blue Claws are in last, and the Threshers are second to last, with the worst record in the league (they play halves). At least Williamsport is in second.
This week saw some decent performers of note in AAA though. Maikel Franco has been hot, starting to show the power and overall bat that the Phillies hoped for. He's only at .240 on the year, but his average is up 20 points over the last month, and he's hit three homers in his last ten games. His July OPS was .967, and if he does that again in August, he needs a promotion.
The other AAA player definitely worth watching is David Buchanan, and he had a great last start. He went 7.1 innings and gave up one run, striking out five along the way. He'll probably be up this week though.
Other guys worth a look aren't lighting up the world. Cameron Rupp appears lost, as does Cam Perkins. Cesar Hernandez is playing well, but not great, and Freddy Galvis is pretty far down in the numbers department from his earlier stint with the club.
Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez is doing very well though, pick up his first AAA save on Saturday after being promoted. If he has a good month in Lehigh Valley, he could get a September call-up and a look for 2015.
Down in Reading, I'm watching Kelly Dugan, Aaron Altherr, and the suddenly hot Zach Collier. Dugan is hitting .280 and scored three times on Saturday. His bat has done pretty decently in limited Reading AB's this year. Altherr is a little cold again, but I'm looking to see him follow up a strong June and July with a big August, and put himself in the running to make the team. Collier looked like a bust, but three homers in two days is good.
I'm watching Severino Gonzalez. He threw seven innings of three run ball the other night. He should top 150 innings, and I'd like to see him drop that ERA below five a bit. He's been up and down all year, but he's pitching well right now.
The other guy to watch is the newly promoted Aaron Nola, this year's top pick. After five innings of two hit, one run, eight strikeout ball the other day, he's heading to Reading. I doubt the Phillies will start him in AAA next year, but this is a good promotion for the LSU standout. He could definitely reach Philadelphia at some point in 2015.
Most of the news isn't great in AA though. Jesse Biddle still hasn't returned, and now Tommy Joseph is having season-ending wrist surgery. I've stayed high on Joseph as well as possible, but this one hurts his stock.
Down in Clearwater, we've been watching J.P Crawford and Roman Quinn intently, and there's good reason to be excited about both. Crawford is putting up a solid .275/.722 line, with four homers and four stolen bases. He's playing at an advanced level for his age, and increasingly looks like the shortstop of the future. The only real question is whether he'll be ready for Reading to start 2015. Quinn is my story of the year though, returning from an achilles tear, struggling early, and now coming alive. His .257/.703 might not impress you much, but his three triples and 22 stolen bases the season after a torn achilles is impressive stuff. He's hot right now, and hopefully can put up a big August and set himself up for a promotion to Reading in 2015.
I'm keeping an eye on Mark Leiter too. He had a rough start this week, giving up six runs and walking four in three innings. He's had four good starts and two bad ones. Consistency is the key to him going anywhere.
Down in Lakewood, Matt Imhof made his third start, striking out seven over five innings. In his first 13 innings up, he has 14 strikeouts to a walk. His ERA sits a little high at 4.15, but he's done alright so far. Based on his current work, i'm not sure if he starts 2015 here or in Clearwater, but he'll get a few more starts to show something in.
Lakewood has some real improvement stories this season. Carlos Tocci's .248/.640 isn't impressive, but he's a kid yet, and he's improving each month, hitting .293 in July with a .787 OPS. The big story there is the raw ability though of Dylan Cozens, who has smashed 14 homers and stole 19 bases this year. He hit .336 in July with five homers, six steals, and an .892 OPS. He could be a very big deal soon. Andrew Knapp (C), Zach Green (1B), and Andrew Pullin (2B) all could be worth watching moving forward.
Remember the name Jiandido Tromp. He has 11 homers in Williamsport, OPS'ing at .880 so far this season there. Aaron Brown has put up a .263 so far on that squad, since being the team's third pick this Summer. Both should see Lakewood by next year.
Watch David Whitehead and Mitch Guellar's finishes. Whitehead is 3-3 with a 2.72 ERA, and 53 innings this year. Guellar, a top pick in 2012, the 20 year old is 5-2 with a 2.93 ERA this season. Keep an eye on Brandon Leibrandt too who has given up one run in his first 18 innings as a starter there. He's struck out 18 too.
The only other news beyond that is Tony Gwynn Jr.'s return to the organization to play for the IronPigs. Unfortunately, that won't push the 'Pigs to relevance in the IL.
