By: Brandon Apter, contributor 
The names you hear most when it comes to Phillies pitching prospects include Mark Appel, Zach Eflin and Jake Thompson. One guy who has been involved in those discussions more this season is Ben Lively. In his second year in the Phillies organization, Lively has refined his command and its paid dividends on the mound. His stellar pitching with Double-A Reading through nine starts has earned him a promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Central Florida alum posted a 7-0 record and a 1.87 ERA in Double-A.
Lively will take the spot of Mark Appel, who will be heading to the disabled list.
Hearing from a reliable source that Ben Lively will be promoted to Triple-A and pitch tonight for the Ironpigs #PhilliesTalk
— Brandon Apter (@bapter23) May 27, 2016
Ben Lively (7-0) promoted to AAA Lehigh Valley. Mark Appel placed on DL(right shoulder strain). OF Cody Asche & LHR Mario Hollands to LV
— Larry Shenk (@ShenkLarry) May 27, 2016
The first year for Lively in the Phillies organization had its bumps. After posting a 1.42 ERA through three April starts, things got rough for him in the following months of 2014. Hitters were figuring him out, averaging .290 against him in May, .304 in June and .333 in July. After coming back from the DL in August for a two-week stint, he finished the season with a 4.13 ERA.
2016 has been a fresh start for the right-hander, who was acquired by the Phillies for Marlon Byrd at the end of 2014. He's already earned two Eastern League Pitcher of the Week awards while also being named to Baseball America's All-Prospect Team for the month of April. Lively's 49 strikeouts led the Double-A Eastern League as of May 26, his seven wins and 0.96 WHIP were tied for second while his 1.87 ERA ranked fourth.
In nine starts, Lively held opposing hitters to a .185 average. The 24-year-old righty was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He is scheduled to start tonight against the Louisville Bats, who are the Triple-A affiliate of the team that drafted him.
Lively takes the spot of Mark Appel, the former first round pick of the Astros. Appel last pitched on May 22 and didn't get out of the first inning, allowing four runs on four hits while walking two. His velocity was down into the high 80s, indicating a possible issue with is arm. It it unknown as to how much time Appel will miss. He is 3-3 with a 4.46 ERA this season and was acquired by the Phillies in the trade that sent Ken Giles to the Astros. It is never good to hear about a shoulder injury in a young pitcher, so let's hope this is just a minor injury for him.
