0. Lehigh Valley Ironpigs

In Person Prospect Watch – Lehigh Valley 4/11/15

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As I will do 20+ times this season, I had the opportunity to see my hometown IronPigs first hand last night. While the roster is filled with mostly veteran talent, there were a few prospects to keep an eye on. So, in between Walking Tacos and a box of Rivets, here’s are my impressions: Severino … Read more

2015 IronPigs Preview/Guide

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The goal of this series to give a quick one stop look at each affiliate with a guide to the overall feel of each team as well as a quick look at all players, not just the prospects on the team.  These rosters will be changing throughout the year so keep up to date on … Read more

Maikel Franco named #4 Prospect in the International League

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Today Baseball America named Maikel Franco the #4 prospect in the International League.  He comes in behind Gregory Polanco, Mookie Betts, and Francisco Lindor.  For those that thought Franco would build on a breakout 2013 and rocket to the majors 2014 will be viewed as a disappointment.  Instead AAA proved to be a steep learning … Read more

2014 Lehigh Valley IronPigs Recap: Interview with KRAM

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Before we jump into talking about players why don’t you introduce yourself and where people can find your writing?

I write a column called “Kram’s Korner” for the Horn and Bell Blog of the Lehigh Valley Noise Nation.  “Kram” is an old joke–backwards for my real name–which just kind of stuck.  And, it helps keep my baseball life separate from my real life.  The 209 in my twitter handle refers to my section at Coca Cola Park in Allentown.  I’ve been a full-season ticket holder there since the 2009 season.   Web: www.noisenation.wordpress.com  Twitter: @Kram209

It was not a great year for the Ironpigs statistically or in the standings, but we all know that doesn’t tell the whole story in the minor leagues.   Can you quickly sum up the season for everyone out there?

2014 was the “season of change” for the IronPigs.  The AAA roster was subject to 166 roster transactions over our 144 game schedule.  The turnover was most pronounced at home, with our proximity to Philadelphia and Reading.  I believe this was responsible for our league-worst home record.  The away record, however, was among the league-best, as the roster galvanized a bit on the road trips. While there were plenty of home losses, we saw many players play, and the team continued to play hard throughout the season.  I did feel we had a chance to win every night.  There were seasons in the past where that wasn’t the case.  

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2014 Lehigh Valley IronPigs Recap

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Team: Lehigh Valley Ironpigs
Record: 66-78
Standings: 6th in the North Division

Top Hitter Stat Lines:

Maikel Franco – 133 G – 16 HR – 3 SB – .257/.299/.428
Tyler Henson – 123 G – 9 HR – 19 SB – .272/.331/.415
Russ Canzler – 112 G – 13 HR – 3 SB – .276/.347/.474

Top Pitcher Stat Lines:

Greg Smith – 157.1 IP – 4.40 ERA – 37 BB – 92 K
Luis Garcia – 46.2 IP – 0.96 ERA – 16 BB – 52 K
David Buchanan – 57.0 IP – 3.95 ERA – 21 BB – 46 K
Cesar Jimenez – 49.2 IP – 1.45 ERA – 15 BB – 46 K

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What to Expect From Maikel Franco

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Maikel Franco has been on Phillies fans radar’s for almost 2 years now, ever since he mashed pitching in the Florida State League.  There was some clamoring for him to win the third base job out of spring training in 2014, but the Phillies sent him to Lehigh Valley for the season.  But now it appears they will be calling up the right-handed third baseman, so who is Maikel Franco, and what should Phillies fans expect from Franco going forward.

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Freddy Galvis, Cesar Hernandez and Building the 2015 Bench

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There are few things to say positively about the 2014 Philadelphia Phillies season. We’re nearing the final stretch to the season and September promotions should bring about an ounce of excitement for the faithful fans that still decide to watch this team. One area of the ball club that has been abysmal this season along with the previous years has been the bench.

The collective group of John Mayberry, Tony Gwynn, Cesar Hernandez, Wil Nieves and Reid Brignac is a group of mostly below replacement level players that don’t provide value offensively or even defensively. Nieves is the lone exception and works well with the pitching staff.

Offensively, the Phillies rank 24th in major league baseball, with a .245 on base percentage this season when pinch-hitting. They have a collective .542 OPS, 19th in the league. Their bench options lack positional flexibility and they struggle to get on base. Regardless of how the manager plays the matchups beyond John Mayberry against left handed pitchers, there are no strong options that will yield a positive outcome.

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When Should the Phillies Promote Maikel Franco?

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Philadelphia Phillies infield prospect Maikel Franco clubbed another home run Wednesday afternoon, adding to a red hot month of July, where the Dominican Republic native is hitting .344/.366/.604 for a .971 OPS. He’s hit three homers over his past ten games and four in July, almost half of his season total of nine homers on … Read more