Minor League hot and cold list: Franco, Nola, Crawford, Leibrandt, Tocci

It’s your weekly rundown of top performers from the Phillies’ developmental ranks with some not-so-good performers mixed in as well.

Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (9-23 record, last in International League North Division- worst record in the league)…

Hot:

Maikel Franco, image- Jay Floyd

3B Maikel Franco has continued to shine on offense, as the 22-year-old has gone 12-for-25 (.480 avg) with three homers and eight RBI in his last six games. Overall, the Dominican native has notched a .341 average with four home runs and 18 RBI in 30 games this season.

RHP Phillippe Aumont sports a 1-1 record and a 1.93 ERA in three starts since joining the Pigs’ rotation. In seven appearances this year, the 26-year-old has a 1.73 ERA and a .188 batting average against.

Cold:

Catcher Tommy Joseph is 2-for-32 (.063 avg) in his last 10 games. Overall, in 20 games this season, the 23-year-old sports a .123 average with four doubles and six RBI.

Double-A Reading Fightins (16-13, 3rd place in Eastern League Eastern Division)…

Hot:

1B Art Charles was named Eastern League Player of the Week on Monday and has gone 14-for-23 (.609 avg) over a six game stretch. In 20 games this season, the 24-year-old is batting .378 with five home runs and 18 RBI.  Read my recent feature on Charles by clicking here.

RHP Aaron Nola is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his last three starts. Overall, in six games this season, the 21-year-old is 4-2 with a 2.04 ERA and a .210 batting average against.

Cold:

LHP Tom Windle allowed five earned runs in 5 1/3 innings during his latest start last Friday. In five starts this season, the 23-year-old has a 0-1 record with a 5.33 ERA while striking out 19 and walking 14 in 25 1/3 innings.

Class A Advanced Clearwater (15-15, 3rd place in Florida State League North Division)…

Hot:

JP Crawford, image- Jay Floyd

Shortstop J.P. Crawford has been dominating on offense since he was activated from the disabled list with an oblique strain. In four games, the 20-year-old is 8-for-15 (.533 avg) with a home runs, five RBI and five walks.

In two starts this month, lefty pitcher Brandon Leibrandt is 2-0 with a 1.92 ERA. The 22-year-old, last year’s 6th round draft selection, has a 3-1 record with a 1.85 ERA and an 8.08 K/9 mark in six starts.

Cold:

OF Dylan Cozens is 4-for-30 (.133 avg) in his last seven games. The 20-year-old is batting .236 with two homers and 19 RBI in 30 games this season. The six-foot-six 235-pounder was the Phils’ second round draft pick in 2012.

Class A Lakewood (14-16 record, 6th place in the South Atlantic League Northern Division)…

Hot:

LHP Elniery Garcia is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA while striking out 10 and walking five over 13 innings in two starts this month. The 20-year-old Dominican native has a 2-3 record with a 3.62 ERA in five starts this season.

Cold:

OF Carlos Tocci is 5-for-27 (.185 avg) in his last six games. The righty hitting 19-year-old is batting .350 with a home run, 14 RBI and nine steals without being caught in 29 games this season.

After starting the season 9-for-36 (.250 avg) in his first nine games, OF Jiandido Tromp has gone 5-for-61 (.082 avg) in his following 16 contests. Overall, the 21-year-old is batting .144 with a double, a triple and four RBI.

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Jay Floyd

Jay has been covering baseball as a professional reporter since 2009. Radio, television, podcasting, print & web features, you name it- he has done it. You can check out more from Jay on his site, PhoulBallz.com.

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