Phillies Nation

Around the Minors

Posted by Ben Seal, Sat, June 27, 2009 09:30 AM

Though the big club is struggling to find itself right now, the Phillies minor league system is progressing with each new day. Prospects from Clearwater to Lehigh Valley are continuing to develop, and their improvement can be seen in the increased productivity at all levels.

Lehigh Valley – Kyle Kendrick, the long-beleaguered righty sent down to the minors to improve his moderate stuff, still looks like a league-average pitcher. He pitched 6 innings Thursday and earned a no decision, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3 against Indianapolis. He allowed two home runs. Kendrick’s ERA sits at 3.97, and until he is able to put together an arsenal of pitches to work off his sinker, he won’t be getting the call back to Philadelphia anytime soon.

Lou Marson is back in action for the Iron Pigs, and is hitting like the prospect many had hoped he would be. With two more hits Thursday night Marson is now hitting .371 with 10 RBI over his last ten games, including five multi-hit efforts, to pull his season average up to .256. The power might never show, as he’s smacked just one home run this year, but he is at the top of his game right now.

Update – It’s beginning to look like Carlos Carrasco may have settled down at triple-A. Last night against Indianapolis he went 6.1 innings, allowing just a run on 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7 to pick up the win. That makes two straight impressive outings from the Venezuelan hurler, and with a possible injury to Antonio Bastardo, Carrasco might be in line to make his first major league start. Two strong starts isn’t quite a hot streak, but it is a sign that he’s not completely lost as he appeared to be earlier in the season.

Reading – The other, more talented Kyle that has been receiving plenty of attention lately continued to fan the hype with his performance on Thursday night. Kyle Drabek pitched 7.1 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk while striking out 9 against New Hampshire. He ran his record at double-A to 4-0 on the same day that he was announced as a participant in the Futures Game in St. Louis. Drabek now boasts a 2.43 ERA through his first 5 starts in Reading. He has walked just one batter over his last two starts, a welcome sign of improvement after giving up 12 bases on balls in his first three outings for the R-Phils.

Michael Taylor went hitless in two at-bats on Thursday, though he walked twice and stole his 12^th base of the season and an RBI. He’s hitting 10-for-22 in his last five games with 3 HR and 9 RBI, inching his on-base-percentage to .399. He is no longer just flashing his blend of power, speed and contact, but showing his tools every night.

Lakewood – Jason Knapp, the 18-year-old righty, dropped his record to 2-6. He gave up just two runs in 5 innings to take the loss, striking out 8 while walking 4 against Delmarva. He now carries a 3.62 ERA at low-A Lakewood.

Williamsport – Last season’s top pick, Anthony Hewitt, is taking his time adjusting to pro ball. He’s only played 7 games with Williamsport and has a paltry .115 average to show for it, along with 8 strikeouts. Hewitt does have two stolen bases and a pair of doubles while playing 3B for the Crosscutters.

Permalink Comments (9) | Trackback (0)