Phillies Nation

73 Responses to “Youth That Can Help Phils Down The Stretch”

1. bull Says:
   August 19th, 2008 at 11:17 am

   carrasco could be the RH arm to pair with durbin at the back end of the pen

2. Geoff Says:
   August 19th, 2008 at 11:18 am

   I dont like turning starters into relievers unless theyve had success in the past as relievers (myers). id sit on carrasco unless you need a spot start from him. wait until next year. golson should be the 5th outfielder for now. jaramillo or marson can be the 3rd catcher. donald can come and give you decent at bats as a pinch hitter or a sub.

3. Eb Says:
   August 19th, 2008 at 11:21 am

   I agree with geoff (Sorry Don M. once you post here) Keep him as a starter and go to a 6 man rotation in september (with Happ taking Kendricks spot and carracsco). Definately Bring up Golson and Jaramillo

4. bull Says:
   August 19th, 2008 at 11:27 am

   bringing him up to pitch out of the pen gives him some big league experience and saves some innings on his arm…as long as they tell him this is what we are doing there should be no head case issues…

5. Larry Says:
   August 19th, 2008 at 11:31 am

   I just placed a call to Marty Bystrom. I think his arm still works.

6. NJ Says:
   August 19th, 2008 at 11:32 am

   No way there will be a few opportunities for a spot start but a 6 man rotations just going to upset things. Carrasco’s not going to be relieving and it’s a shame Savery hasn’t progressed as hoped as he would have been an ideal candidate. It’s a shame to say but our prospects currently aren’t in the class of Ellsbury or Pedoria and we don’t have a Papelborn type cannon arm so the closest we have is a Lester type guy in Savery who’s not anywhere near the majors.

   I’d like to think we have something in the system that can come up and contribute but short of dropping someone from the rotation to give Carrasco a shot or a kid coming way out of leftfield it’s not happening. Happ might be able to chip in a couple of servicable starts but he’s not going to be on the play-off roster (if there is one…)

7. christopher Says:
   August 19th, 2008 at 11:35 am

   you absolutely do not mess around with a prospect like carrasco in the bullpen. he either starts for the phils or he doesn’t play for the phils.

8. NJ Says:
   August 19th, 2008 at 11:35 am

   Carrasco’s not pen material. When he’s prepared and on his game he’s a shut down starter but when he’s not on his game he struggles to control his stuff and can get tagged hence his mediocre ERA in the minors. The Phils have to be so careful because this isn’t a case Ryan Madson of years ago with upside to start, Carrasco will either burst onto the scene like Jiminez or he’ll hit a wall early if he’s mishandeled.

9. Geoff Says:
   August 19th, 2008 at 11:44 am

   putting carrasco in the bullpen would be wreckless. these freakin coaches needs to grow some balls and start training their starters to go lots of innings. i used to be worried about pitch counts too and i still am, but come on! i went back and checked, there used to be 4-man rotations, not 6, and they threw compelte games much more than they do now.

   these coaches put them on pitch counts from an early age and theyre trained to do only a limited amount. then when they stretch them out they get injured becauyse theyre throwing 100 pitches in the minors and in high school or college.

   your young starters need to be able to throw 130 pitches per start without breaking down. but guess what? barely anyone at all does that anymore! so when hamels gioes 120 per start and gets injured its because hes only trained to go 100.

   the 5-man rotation is fine, but teach your friggin pitchers some conditioning and stamina for goodness sakes. relievers arent trained to throw as much as theyre required to, thats why they break down a lot more than starters do. half the freaking time, its 5 innings, 6 innings from the starters. thats BULLSHIT! train for stamina, whimps.

10. Phil Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 11:49 am

    Joba Chamberlain was originally a pen pitcher.

11. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 11:50 am

    I agree with Geoff here too… we’ve had this conversation before, the only reason that mess with JA HAPP was going on was because they didn’t expect Myers to return from the Minors the way he has..

    If anyone should be replaced its Kendrick, but when he’s on, he’s been effective.. another terrible start from him might earn HAPP another callup though..

    Carrasco isn’t going to start for the Phillies at any point this year.. Is it worthwhile to see what he can do against big league hitters.. or is it too much for a guy to get called up AND be put in a spot he’s not used to at all?

12. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 11:53 am

    Pitchers also didn’t used to get guaranteed contracts making $15 Million per year… and they didn’t get $4 Million signing bonuses and all that junk either..

    They invest so much in these players that the trend in MLB is to baby the hell out of them..

13. jeff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 11:58 am

    Wheres Lou Marson? He fills a bigger need for them than Donald does (Catcher), and he’s a better player. Maybe since he’s a year younger than Donald they wanna keep him down there for the rest of the year, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on September 1st, and as the everyday catcher soon after that. Its so nice to see, for a change, that catcher will be a position the Phils can fill from within, rather than go out and sign someone washed up to a bad contract.

14. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

    Definitely shouldnt rush carrasco into the pen. this is SUPPOSED to be THE savior of the future for us as a 2nd or 3rd man for a decade yet to come. I mean really. why rush him up here into the bullpen? mess up his throwing schedule, reduce his stamina, place different kinds of mental and physical strain on him as a reliver that hes not used to. you saw what it did to happ in just two weeks. it totally screwed him up and its taken him a while not to get back on track down there. i estimate that putting carrasco in the pen could set his development back 6 months – ONE YEAR. if its some lightning in a bottle guy whos risen up through the ranks in like a year (bastardo), then maybe you take the risk. but this is your organizations biggest prospect. you do NOT f with that.

15. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

    you make sure that when hes ready, hes going to come up here and explode onto the scene and dominate in his intiial surge in the majors.

16. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

    CNNSI.com’s John Donovan:

    The flailing Phils won two games last week, both of them over the punchless Padres, by scores of 1-0 and 2-1. That says everything about the Phils’ months-long ineptitude, but just to underline: Since June 13, right after putting up 20 runs against the Cardinals, the Phils are hitting just .235 with a criminal .313 on-base percentage and an equally miserable .404 slugging percentage.

    They’re averaging just a little more than four runs a game in those 55 games (25-30), when they were averaging 5.4 runs before it.

    I’ll even point out the two worst offenders. Since June 13, Jimmy Rollins (.257, .327 OBP, three homers) and Chase Utley (.242, .321 OBP, eight homers) just aren’t pulling their weight.

    This month, the Phillies are hitting .202. No wonder Rollins is getting a little testy (see mailbag, below) and the fans a little uneasy.

17. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

    You’ve got to be careful with your young arms and look at what the Dodgers are doing with Kershaw. the young guys not long out of the draft just aren’t conditioned to be throwing so much and we got lucky with Cole. Look at Bonderman or worse Prior and Harden who’s arms took too much of a beating too early

    The problem is preparation and pitch counts more than IP, watching Happ as an example in his starts was tough because his best pitches are average so hitters work him and his out pitch is not as effective when it’s being thrown to get ahead of get back into the count. It’s different with Kendrick who lives on getting the ball in play early in a count because his stuff isn’t that good compared to most prospects. If Carrasco isn’t commanding his pitches and has to start pounding the zone like Madson he’s going to get hit and patient hitters will work him.

    You have to look at Cole as our example of a guy who can consistently pitch deep into games because he has the strategy to keep the hitters honest 2nd/3rd and even 4th times up and keep his pitch count low enough to have something in the tank, compare that to Myers as a K guy and you see him get worked with pretty much the same strategy for every hitter so he lives on the occasional quick inning to stop his pitch count spirling. It’s rare you get a guy like Blanton who has good stuff and can sustain his pitches through a game which is why he is a valuable guy to have.

    The thing that separates the aces from the middle of the rotation guys is those who can consistently get into the 7th and 8th innings because they can use their arsenal effectively and sustain the quality of their pitches to keep the advanage once the hitters have seen those pitches which is the exact problem the offense is having in failing to make those adjustments at the plate.

    Eating innings can be misleading especially in the NL.

18. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

    You bring up Marson now and he’ll go all TR Towes on us…

19. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

    Carrasco’s now had 3 starts at AAA, 18.2 innings, only 1 Earned Run against him for an 0.48 ERA.

    The AAA regular season wraps up on September 1st, so would you rather have Carrasco pitching in the AAA playoffs… or up in the bigs for the remainder or the season, pitching wherever they can get him into ballgames?

    I think im leaning towards the callup the more I think about it.. even if you dont really get him into games.. Let him throw on the side to keep his arm fresh, and put him into games whenever you have the chance, up big or down big.. and see what he can do against MLB hitters

20. The Man Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

    it’s working for the Mets

21. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

    Hahaha you think the Iron Pigs will be in the play-offs… Carrasco will up in September to be given a taste but it really doesn’t look like the Phils will give much more in a tight pennant race, were not the trusting Rockies.

    The focus for Carrasco has to be to be ready for ‘09 because he’s going to fan a lot of guys but he’s going to get hit and will need to be prepared for that.

22. Richie Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

    Wait a second guys,

    Happ is a strike throwing, mechanics, I get guys out, but never dominate anyone type 4th starter, just like blanton, kendrick, moyer. These guys do not succeed in the bullpen. Bullpen guys get thrown into tough situations and most times need to strike a guy out. These type starters do not strike guys out. Carrasco, myers, hamels, aforementioned chamberlain, front-line starters strike people out and dominate players. If chamberlain can pitch out of the pen, why can’t carrasco. He is a perfect set-up guy until we need him to start!!

23. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    Because Carrasco’s head hasn’t caught up with his arm, the guys still learning to pitch. The damage that could be caused from a bad experience could really stunt his development, young pitchers always say their learning every time they take the mound and he might not bounce back. Chameberlin really dominated hitters in the minors last year and a game by game basis, Carrasco hasn’t.

24. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    Good point NJ… didn’t think about ow bad the Iron Pigs are.

    Joba was always a “top-prospect” I think Carrasco being our “top prospect” makes us all think he might be another Cole Hamels.. but Carrasco projects at like a #3 starter, maybe a little higher if he develops better control of all of his pitches.

    I think that the guys in the All-Star Futures game will all get called up, Carrasco, Golson, Donald, Marson.. but thats just a guess, god knows what they will actually do

25. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    Outman would have been the perfect guy to try and Samardjza with but the organisation got all jumpy and tried to make him a LOOGY… (I’m not prefessing to be more intellegent about the game than the FO but) the way he was developing I’m quite sure if he’d continued to build on last year as a starter he would have been able to come out and contribute out of the pen.

    The Blanton trade is likely to be looked back on in favour of the A’s in a couple of years time.

26. lilgartrn Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

    This all begs the question: Will Charlie Manuel actually take a chance and let us salvage the rest of this season and go balls out to make it into the playoffs with calling up some of these guys, or will we suck up a terminally long rest of the season and Monday morning quarterback about how we coulda, woulda, shoulda after we miss the division and the wild card?….. Not sure how to answer this…

27. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

    Carrasco projects so much like Jiminez and Morales, he has great stuff and could be a Beckett like frontline guy or he’ll be a journeyman who struggles with control. He’s a Bucholz not a Lester…

28. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    Like Carrasco’s delivery… Reminds me a little of a tidy Liriano

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONQGEv3wbYQ

29. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    Maybe… but Outman isn’t going to dominate, and Cardenas was sent to A+ for Oakland, but is currently playing SS for the Midland RockHounds.. 2 errors in 12 games. hitting .310 with 4 RBIs

    He’s only 20 years old though, and Baseball Prospectus and all those had him projected as an outfielder..

    Outman went to AA-Midland where he started 4 games. had a 4.26 ERA in 12 innings.. now he’s at AAA-Sacramento he’s pitched 2 times in relief:

    #1, 1 innings, 0 hits, 1 K
    #2, 3 innings, 2 hits, 1 BB, 3 K

    … so those two guys for Blanton, who has helped us so far

30. Groty Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

    Add Kevin Stocker to that list of call-ups.

    Flashbacks….

31. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

    I like Blanton to clog up the middle of the rotation a lot but I don’t think we made the right deal. I think Golson was the expendable prospect and am sure Cardenas would have reached the value Golson/Donald have right now, really don’t get why we parted with a middle infielder maturing quickly above an outfielder with tremendous upside but lack of plate discipline to the point it’ll keep him in the minors and diminish his value considering we have very similar prospects to Golson in Aball…

32. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:44 pm

    Wouldn’t it be GREAT if Carrasco turns out to be awesome..

33. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:45 pm

    nicely change-up thrown in there Don

34. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    True.. but I think they wanted to keep Golson around in case they can’t agree to terms with Burrell… If teams like the Yankees are going to overpay for Burrell, you have to let him walk. If he’ll give you the hometown discount, by all means keep him here.

    Parts of Golson’s game are supposed to be ready for the Majors.. he’s another one of those “toolsy” players.. great speed, great defense.. a little power (12 HR).. but he strikesout like once a every 3 at bats.

    His OBP is .330 for the year, so if they can teach him some plate discipline, he should be ok.. BUT.. he is young and still has time to develop.. some of that development just might have to happen in Philadelphia though Last year he had 30 steals with 8 CS.. this year he has 22, with 4 caught stealing.. Im sure Davey Lopes could get him to about 35-40 steals…

    So he has things that you are looking for, but when they main thing hurting this team is disciplend hitters that make contact.. his K’s are going to be too much for some fans to handle

35. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    chamberlain had been ready for quite some time, thats the difference. the guy is a more modern version of roger clemens before roids.

36. Eric SanInocencio Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    In addition to Joba, there have been several pitchers that have turned into phenominal starters that orginally broke in the majors in the bullpen. Remember, Johan Santana spent almost a year in a half in that role before becoming entrenched as a starter.

    I’m not saying I’m an expert on Carrasco’s makeup or repetoire, but in terms of simple numbers you can make a strong argument for starting younger arms in the pen so that they break in slowly to the major league experience. Chad Billingsley did it as well.

    So, I don’t think it would be catastrophic to do so if you needed an extra power arm (which I think Carrasco is) in the later innings. It has worked many times.

37. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

    They don’t want Golson in there, they think they do but they want him in they like they wanted Bourn in there. Unless he massively develops plate discipline or has a power explosion in the minors next year then his values going south. As for Burrell the Phils have the resources to keep him if they wanted, they made a bad offer because their not sure what they want to do.

38. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 1:03 pm

    can you imagine what would happen to golson if they expose him to this hitting mentality? K-city….id give him occasional at bats and mostly focus on him being the defensive replacement for burrell.

39. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

    I think the Phils are scared to admit Golson’s not Adam Jones.

40. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    yeah they kind of dont sound too sure. i agree, though, that they sold cardenas too low kinda. they DEFEINITELY needed to trade golson this season or before next season, because his value is going to be at its peak like you said. you have to sell high on him. nobody bothered to teaech him how to hit, and when it comes to his plate discipline, im horrified to even see what it looks like in the majors. move him as part of a deal for an established left fielder if burrell walks. maybe someone with 2 years left on their contract.

41. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    im almost afraid to bring him up this year because he might lose all his value when you find out he SUCKS at the plate. i guess you have to call him up, but i wish they had other options there.

42. Fred Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 1:35 pm

    Maybe Oakland didn’t want Golson.

    I don’t think we have any ’stud’ prospects in the minors. That’s not to say we don’t have serviceable major league prospects. But someone who jumps out at you – negative.

    Who is our Ellsbury or Youkilis?

43. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    Well the Iron Pigs need to be a better put together team, shouldn’t be surprised the Phils aren’t getting contribution from the AAA team when it’s been aweful for two straight years and if your bringing guys in from AA they will be likely missing elements of their development unless their MLB ready.

44. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 1:40 pm

    On the money Fred the A’s don’t want out machines but they really like Cardenas and Outman. We don’t draft guys with the skillset of those guys, 20/20 is our mould for outfielders and our corner infielders are drafted to hit home runs not play ball.

45. Fred Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 1:45 pm

    IronPigs are an old team.

    http://www.ironpigsbaseball.com/ironpigs/roster/

46. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

    BTW Is it a surprise the A’s have gotten more out of Outman in weeks that we have all year?

    As for the Olden Pigs you expect you AAA team to field more guys like Blackley, Happ and Jaramillo on the cust complimented by guys who’ve seen significant time in the majors signed to minor league deals. The FO has found some talented guys but their older with little upside and if they were MLB calibre guys they’d be there with Coste and Dobbs and Condrey. AA has an incredible amount of talent but how do you expect your prospects to develop plate discipline and pitch strategically against free swingers and hurlers?

47. That Guy Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

    The idea of Golson taking Taguchi’s spot is enough to ruin Don M’s day.

48. KM Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    Golson should already be on the team as the 5th, maybe even the 4th outfielder. Taguchi was a waste, although the signing didn’t look bad given his play the last few years.

    I’d like to see Happ get some use, whether as a long-relief man (as upgrade to condrey), or a possible 5th starter if Kendrick doesn’t pull his head out of his ass.

    Marson should at least get a shot, because we already have 2 backup catchers, why not let next year’s catcher come up and see what he has to offer.

    Donald is kind of blocked, because of Utley, but i would like to see if maybe he could play 3rd base down the road.

    Carrassco should play out the year in Triple A, build up some confidence, and then compete for a starting spot next year. I wouldn’t bring him up this year to waste away at the back of the bullpen.

    Knowing the Phillies, they will sign Pete Laforrest, David Ross, or some other bum, and bring up some 32 year old career minor leaguers, and try to spin that as the answer. They will wait far too long to bring up the young guys as they did with Howard and Utley.

49. Fred Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

    “Marson should at least get a shot, because we already have 2 backup catchers, why not let next year’s catcher…”

    Marson is not the answer. Again, he’s only a .275 avg catcher and exclude this year he’s only .261 . How does that qualify him for anything other than another season of minor league ball?

50. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 3:07 pm

    If hes not the answer, fred, then they need to acquire an everyday catcher who hits well. add that to your list of things to do in the offseason and its more money to spend.

    wouldnt you rather give him a try in september? maybe try jaramillo? if either of those two are at least serviceable, then you can feel better about the catcher position going into next season and not have to go get a guy.

51. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    Anyone that thinks that Taguchi matters… or that Golson should be riding the bench in the Majors, instead of developing at AA-Reading.. doesn’t know a thing about baseball

    Howard and Utley were blocked by Polanco and Thome… two guys that helped us start winning again before the younger guys were ready

52. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 3:10 pm

    the ruiz/coste platoon is SHIT. total shit.

53. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    until they decided that they didnt need polanco. worst trade ever. wade got schooled on that one. you trade placido polanco for a setupman??

54. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    One of those catchers will get called up.. my guess is they try Jaramillo because Marson will be “tired” from all his traveling and Olympic stuff.. but I should would like to see if Marson can hit as well as everyone thinks he can…

55. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

    i wish we had russell martin.

56. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

    Urbina was nasty… with a machete..

    Anyone ever figure out how many guys you can actually add to your team in September.. I know they can expand the roster to 40.. but can 40 actually dress for each game??

57. Fred Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    Ok, I’ll work on the catcher situation at the winter meetings.

    I just don’t see them using one of those two catchers. The starting pitcher has been a surprising plus this year and I don’t think someone just called up will mesh well with the staff. Not to mention their unfamiliarity with the individual pitchers and their preferences. Especially if the Phils are still in the hunt.

    Remember pitching performances are a team effort – pitcher and catcher.

58. Geoff Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

    Yeah in the offseason you have the time to work in a new catcher for sure. someone to replace coste. and if you somehow get the opportunity in other discussions to get a studly hitting everyday catcher thats like 25 years old, and pigs fly and the sky turns neon green, then you jump on it.

59. KM Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

    Howard and Utley were 25+ before they were brought up. It doesn’t matter who was here blocking their path, then should have went younger faster, especially in the case of Utley. We all knew Utley was the real deal when he was a like 23.

    I am aware that Marson has a career average of .275 – Did you ever stop to think that maybe Marson finally figured it out this year? It is worth seeing what he can offer, he can’t be any worse than what we have now. I would rather see Marson come up and hit .220, then see them parade Ruiz out there, knowing that his ceiling is .250.

    Also, the best way to learn something is through experience. We can keep Golson in the minors where he will continue to play against inexperienced AA prospects, or we can give him a job that was VACANT (5th outfielder), where he can gain real experience, and contribute to the big league team that actually matters.

60. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 4:46 pm

    Golson’s your prototyypical needs to spend time in AAA against big league experienced pitching. Same with Marson by nature of him being a catcher.

    The only mistake the organisation made with Utley was that half-season platoon with Polanco before his departure, he came up as an impact player rather than under developed and credit has to go to the organisation for that side of the coin. Agree the Polanco trade was bad, like the Abreu we should have had something to show from the deal.

    I hate to say it but we have to play the cards we’ve been dealt for this current run with what ever minor pieces we can add whilst giving our prospects a taste at the big league experience in preparation for ST. We don’t need additions so much as we need the ‘players’ on this team to get better.

61. Fred Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 4:58 pm

    You would rather have a .220 hitter than a .250 hitter? What defensively is wrong with Ruiz? He doesn’t throw out enough runners? He calls a bad game? Too many passed balls? Ruiz was a .300 hitter in the minors, also. You know nothing about Marson. How many games have you seen Marson play? You would think our next starting catcher could at least crack the Olympic starting lineup.

    How much experience would Golson get being the 5th outfield? One game a week at best. Isn’t Taguchi the 5th outfielder? How much does he play?

    I’m all for seeing what these players can do but to anoint them future stars and saviors of our team (especially since most of us have never seen these guys play on a regular basis) is being a bit unrealistic.

62. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 5:08 pm

    Guys like Ruiz, Bruntlett and Feliz are berrated here because it’s tought to say Jimmy Rollins is not conributing anything at the plate consistently, Ryan Howards hitting strategy is a joke and however much we ignore it Utley and Burrell’s production has been spotty during the slump.

    Silver slugger or batting champion calibre catchers are rare, Feliz has been a very decent addition who has produced in line with his expected numbers. I would rather wait on these rookies in the hope they can impact when called up although a path has to be paved for them like it was for Ruiz.

63. Don M Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    There are two sides to the arguement..

    When Utley was in the minors..

    age 22, Clearwater, .257 avg
    age 23, Scranton WB, .263 avg
    age 24, SWB, .323 avg.. that was in 2003… so in 2004 they realized they wanted him up here full-time,

    SO… guys that are hitting .250 in the minors CAN turn it around and hit over .300 (Utley).. or guys that hit .300 CAN suck it up at the plate in the Majors (Ruiz)

    Ruiz hit .284 at AA, then .300 at AAA, then .307 at AAA in the 3 full seasons at those levels… You would’ve thought he’d hit the cover off the ball here too…

64. Fred Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 5:21 pm

    I agree with you NJ. I hope these younger guys can come through because it’s quite obvious that this team has numerous holes that need filling. I’m just not so sure we have the talent in the minors. Hope I’m wrong.

65. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

    We have talent in the minors but not necessarily the right talent in the right positions. I’m really concerned about the bullpen and we’ve been lucky Romero has had continued success, we’ll continue to have to reach with FA untill we can address the situation internally. We should have been able to replace Burrell easily if the need were to arise with LF being the easiest place to replace but the organisation does a miserable job with corner infielder and outfielders because their so fixated on starting pitching, catching and centrefield.

66. Don M's Dad Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 6:39 pm

    If you don’t like Taguchi anymore then why did I buy that poster for your room you little creep.

67. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

    Remember when Taguchi was signed we were expecting Werth to be the primary rhb bat off the bench so expectations for Tag have been a little unreasonable even if he did have a good year off the bench last year.

68. That Guy Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 6:48 pm

    Ur right NJ except that Taguchi is terrible in the field too

69. NJ Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    I am suprised we have stuck with Taguchi, Gillick/Manuel are as stubborn as they come.

70. KM Says:
    August 20th, 2008 at 11:49 am

    Fred,

    Taguchi doesn’t see the field, because he can’t be trusted. Early in the season he was getting regular time as a defensive replacement, and he was getting regular starting time while the Phillies were dealing with injuries in the outfield.

    I would rather have Marson up here, even if he hit poorly, than watch Ruiz ground into double play after double play. I never said Ruiz wasn’t a good defensive catcher, I am just saying that we know what he can do, and he probably hit his offensive ceiling last year. Why not bring up the young guy in september to get some experience (I am only suggesting 1 game a week or so). Personally, I have never seen Marson play, but if he is so highly-touted, I would like to see what we have.

    You rip me for wanting to see Marson and Golson up here, but you admitted that you haven’t seen those guys play on a regular basis. How do you truly know how these guys would perform. I can only go on what I hear and read about the young players, but it sounds positive, and I would like to see with my own eyes. How your convictions are any stronger on the situation than mine is beyond me.

    Also, you’re a douche.

71. Geoff Says:
    August 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am

    Yeah Coste/Ruiz is a terrible platoon.

    combined, theyre hitting:

    .246 10HR 49RBI .322 OBP .688 OPS 16 GIDP

    if that was from ONE guy i wouldnt be all that upset. but thats from two guys, you need much much more than taht. if ruiz was doing that by himself id be elated. you just need more than that from that position.

72. Don M Says:
    August 20th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    Dad,

    I like the poster because it captures one of Taguchi’s 19 career Home Runs..

    http://www.allposters.com/-sp/So-Taguchi-Posters_i1681068_.htm

    I LOVE YOU DAD

73. George Says:
    March 25th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    Does anyone else have any experience with this?

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