Reading OF has caught Bill Conlin's attention
Stud Michael Taylor
In the Philadelphia Daily News, Bill Conlin (that bastard beat me to it) peered into the outstanding year OF Michael Taylor is having. With Reading, the April player of the month, played out of his mind, will probably play in the All-Star Game, and is an Eastern League MVP candidate.
Conlin’s column dwells (almost unnecessarily) on comparisons to John Mayberry, Jr. He thinks Phils’ fans are overly-excited for the underachieiving minor leaguer and need to savor Taylor, the real thing. Judging the numbers, Conlin’s right:
Mayberry was batting .257 for the IronPigs with eight homers, 31 RBI and a .470 slugging percentage. He had struck out 56 times in 183 at-bats. Taylor is batting .333 with 10 homers, 42 RBI and a .562 SP. He has struck out just 33 times in 219 ABs.
Mayberry, a plus runner, had four steals. Taylor, also a plus runner, has 10 steals. Last year, playing at two Class A levels, Michael had 15. He also is second in the Eastern League with four triples. That’s a lot of running for a corner outfielder with small-forward height, 6-6, and power-forward bulk, 250. (Down from 260.)
Conlin writes all about the five-tool player and begs (demands) Ruben Amaro list him as an untouchable. Although I disagree with Mr. Conlin on the untouchable status (another starting pitcher might make us WFC’s Part Two), Taylor definitely could command the Citizen’s Bank Park outfield in the not-too-distant future.
Who the fuck is Tyler Walker?
The third-best K-squared (behind Kyle Korver and our own Kieran Kelly), Kyle Kendrick, didn’t last long in the majors this time. After one JA hapless appearance, Kendrick got bounced back to Lehigh Valley. The same happened to Sergio Escalona, as he was sent down in favor of reliever Tyler Walker. That move provokes my bolded, aforementioned, profanity-laced question: Walker who?
The righty pitched well with Leigh Valley this year (2-1, 1.42 ERA, three saves in 15 games) and apparently adds a veteran presence I was unaware of.
Walker existed outside my radar as he was signed in April following his release from the Mariners. The Phillies are Walker’s fourth major league team since coming into the bigs in 2002 with the Muts. The man got some work in, pitching in over 50 games three times. In 2005, he saved 23 games for the Giants.
He’s looking to help the pen out: “Based on the way the bullpen has been used the past few days, I figured something might shake out,” Walker said to Todd Zolecki. Let’s hope his first three games of scoreless relief keep him around and make the bullpen ERA go down.
Ozuna’s a dirty cheat
Who knew lackluster major-leaguer Pablo Ozuna was even on the Phillies? The former Marlin, Rockie and White Sox has been stinking it up for the IronPigs this season. It always makes me laugh when below-average players get caught with steroids. The second baseman was suspended 50 games for “elevated testosterone/epitesterone ratio,” according to a statement from Major League Baseball.
It sure did work, as Ozuna hit .294 with no home runs and 15 RBIs in 187 at-bats with the IronPigs.
Go BlueClaws
The Lakewood BlueClaws of the Class-A South Atlantic League clinched a division title for the first half of the season. With a 8-3 win last night against the Hagerstown Suns, the BlueClaws won the Northern Division for the second time. It’ll automatically make the league’s playoffs at the season’s end.
Draft picks sign
The Phillies signed 12 of their draft picks June 12 and 13, however none were the big-named high schoolers I talked about last week. Most of the signees were drafted out of college. The Williamsport Crosscutters – of short-season, Class-A, New York-Penn League fame – will be their first professional stop. Picher Matthew Way from Washington State was the lowest pick (#167, their fourth pick) to sign thus far.
The Veeck Award
Minor league promotion of the week (in honor of Chicago White Sox/St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck): Toga-night at Coca-Cola Park. To recognize cover band Toga Party’s pregame concert, the Iron Pigs welcome all fans to wear their own makeshift togas. How’s the band? “Classic rock party anthems a la ‘Animal House.’” Oh, boy.
By the numbers
Every week, I want to give brief stats of players to watch in the Phillies system.
Joe Savory
Starting Pitcher, Reading Phillies (AA)
8-1, 3.47 ERA, 1 CG, 51 K in 13 starts
Drafted: First Round (19th overall) 2007
Drew Carpenter
Starting Pitcher, Leigh Valley IronPigs
6-0, 2.91 ERA in 12 games, 11 starts
Drafted: Second Round (65th) 2006
Dominic Brown
Right fielder, Clearwater Threshers
2.99 AVG, 9 HR, 38 RBI, 14 SB in 51 games
Drafted: 20th Round in 2006
—Sam Fran Scavuzzo
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