Let’s see if big words get me noticed by the Minor League powers that be. On to the baseball:
Photo: Cheryl Pursell
The Way We Were
The smiles are left behind
The IronPigs took the trip up to western NY, along will all of their rehab players, and still went 2-4 against the Triple-A Blue Jays. Painter looked a little better. Crawford is still raking. Bohm did well until he got called up. Ditto Nola, I guess. Rojas was in witness protection until the weekend, then came on strong. But Cal Stevenson was “injured” and then released? Now we have Lantigua in left field? It all feels so very “late season minor leagues.” And the return of Óscar Mercado.
The bullpen is in huge flux as the Phillies strategy of trying to find the next Hoffman (not that Hoffman, the other one–no, there’s a third one…) or Bellatti didn’t work out. Now they need some of those 40-man spots for different reasons and that hasn’t helped the performance. Reading gave up 19 the other day, so don’t go looking too hard down there for relief help–our guys here have to do it for the stretch run. I guess there will be some guys coming back from Philadelphia (ie Lazar)who need to stay sharp, so there’s that. The starting rotation, already weakened by the loss of Abel (trade), Tyler (DFA), Johnson (bullpen), and Crismatt (opt-out), has also had to endure the temporary call up of Rangel. Now the loss of Wheeler on the MLB level could cause further impact. There might be some tough sledding down the stretch here, is what we’re saying.
Here We Are Now, Entertain Us?
The IronPigs now sit at 21-24 in the second half, 11.0 games back of first-place Scranton, and now sporting a minus-26 run differential. Remember when we were checking the standings every day trying to stay in first place and gain separation? Ah, it’s in the corners of my mind. Anyway, we never wanted to go to Jacksonville so it matters little. ‘Pigs are 10-8 at home in the second half, so there’s that. 4-6 in the last 10.
Photo: Cheryl Pursell
Roster Update: The Image and the Style That You’re Used To
- RHP Alan Rangel activated from Philadelphia
- C Josh Breaux to the Development List
- RHP Nicholas Padilla Released
- At one time one of the top relievers on the roster. He had fallen off lately, and as is a theme here, they were asking some of these guys to do multiple things in multiple roles and that could have had a negative impact on their performance. But it’s a performance-based business so that’s something that has to be worked through. “Nick and Nick and Andy” frequent a restaurant that I do–although I never saw them there. Now Nick (Vespi) and Nick (Padilla) are gone and it’s just Andy. Young guy. Kinda tall.
- RHP Daniel Robert added on Rehab Assignment
- RHP Daniel Harper activated from the Injured List
- You’ll remember he had that horrible outing and then turned up injured. He was among the bright spots in Reading early in the season. He’s looked better this past week since he returned.
- 2B Christian Arroyo activated from the Injured List
- Glad to have him back. He’s looked good early. Hope his balky hamstring behaves.
- CF Cal Stevenson added to the injured list.
- Uh, oh. Remember when he left the game suddenly two weeks ago. Hmm.
- OF Óscar Mercado re-signed.
- ¡Qué chévere!
- RHP Gabe Mosser to the Development List
- INF Otto Kemp optioned by Philadelphia
- RHP Daniel Robert optioned by Philadelphia
- RHP Mitch Neunborn activated
- RHP Brett de Geus released
- Another 40-man guy who at times early on, was among our best relief arms. Observed that he always looked much worse body-language-wise and performance-wise when asked to do more than one inning or more than one up-and-down.
- RHP Aaron Nola activated by Phillies
- 3B Alec Bohm activated by Phillies
- RHP Nolan Hoffman recalled by Phillies
- RHP Max Lazar optioned to IronPigs
- OF Cal Stevenson DFA/Released.
- He may be in DFA limbo as he was on the injured list and may need a settlement. The whole scenario where he gets pulled from the game and is then suddenly injured (when he said that he wasn’t, to someone I know who spoke directly with him…) and then is suddenly released but it doesn’t show up on the official transactions list. It’s kinda weird.
Upcoming: Expected moves today will have LHP José Alvarado activated by the Phillies and RHP Nolan Hoffman returning to the IronPigs. As Reading heads to Altoona for their penultimate road trip, perhaps they leave someone behind in Eastern Pennsylvania? Maybe a staring pitcher? It’s something to watch today, is all, but probably not likely. Also, Matt Manning and Waguespack are lurking.
Printable Roster: 081725 LHV Roster
Justin Crawford Watch: Suspending the watch as of today. It’s pretty clear that Philadelphia wants him to play regularly and that they don’t have an outfield spot for that right now. Especially not from the left side. So he’ll get his work in and challenge for a role in the Spring. Oh, and we don’t think it’s contract manipulation around here because if Philadelphia thought he could help them, they wouldn’t be worried about what might happen three, four years from now.
Andrew Painter Watch: The Phillies Beat is starting to catch on. There were excuses that he was “bored” and that’s why he was not pitching well. Now they’re realizing he’s probably not ready for his MLB debut, but they’re starting to turn the blame on Dombrowski and Topper (“July-ish”) and questioning the development staff at Lehigh Valley for not having him ready yet. Why does the Phillies brass keep talking about him? Well, because you all ASK HIM ABOUT IT EVERY DAY.
[Rant mode ON:]. Bottom Line: Painter is still young. He had five games in Double-A prior to his injury. He had major surgery, didn’t pitch for almost two years, and then was promoted to Triple-A. His arm is healthy and he’s throwing hard. He’s working on his pitch mix and his command, and doing it at a new level. It’s not unusual for this to take some time. Oh, and not reported because he doesn’t seek out media or make excuses: For a couple weeks his pitch selection was limited because he had a blister. So everybody just cool it. Maybe he gets a quick shot to help lengthen the rotation down the stretch here if he’s going well, but Paul Skenes is not walking through that door. [Rant mode: OFF]
Anthony Contreras Watch: He’s the winningest manager in IronPigs history, and despite the presence of the vibes-meister Stubbs and the Snorkel Club and all that, perhaps things aren’t all happy in Piggy Land. Johan Rojas in witness protection for almost a week? Cal Stevenson disappears in the middle of a game and suddenly occult injury and released without a DFA? outfielder-non-grata? Padilla and de Geus also released by the guillotine method? Let’s see if any more dots pop up that we can connect. Could be Phillies-related house cleaning? But remember, manager is a performance-based position as well.
Photo: Cheryl Pursell
Rotation Probables
Tuesday: RHP Alan Rangel (5-3, 4.69)
Wednesday: TBD
Thursday: RHP Adonis Medina (0-3, 3.80)
Friday: RHP Andrew Painter (4-5, 5.31)
Saturday: RHP Gabe Mosser (3-4, 6.11)
Sunday: Rangel
Bull Durham
The Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Rays are in town, along with top prospect SS Carson Williams. #5 Prospect 1B/OF Tre’ Morgan is with this team. C Dominic Keegan is the #15 Prospect. #23 Prospect RHP Yoniel Curet is up from Double-A.
Durham is 25-17 in the second half, and in third place in the International League East. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games, and on a two-game winning streak.
At The Park
Tuesday: (See Below)
Wednesday:
- Country/Western Night
- Justin Crawford Cowboy Bobblehead giveaway (adults)
- Tacos and Tallboys
Thursday:
- Pre-game Player Selfies (5PM)
- Twisted Thursday Happy Hour (5-7PM)
- Coquis Night
- Coquis Baseball Giveaway (Kids)
Friday: Faith Night; Fireworks
Saturday: Rally Towel Giveaway; Fireworks
Sunday: Old School Baseball Day; Sensory Sensitive Game; Post-game kids run bases
Game Day!
*Note we’re back to 6:45PM start times.
Game Time: 6:45PM
Gates: 5:30PM Main/Outfield; 5:15PM Club/Suites
Tickets: Widely available
Promotions:
- Recovery Night: Pregame Prayer Circle
- Dollar Hot Dogs: All Night
- Tail Waggin’ Day: Bring Your Pup
- “Mutts Gone Nuts” Dog Trick Show
Weather: 72° mostly sunny and breezy at game time
Up Next
We’re here all week. Looks like good weather, if there’s gonna be a rain day it looks like Wednesday (tomorrow). Anybody up for a post-game tailgate on Sunday?
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Cheryl Pursell. It has been cropped to fit the space.