Quick Winter League Update

While we wait for the Jimmy Rollins trade to happen, there are still Phillies prospects playing around the world.  Here is a quick look at the best and most interesting lines going on in winter ball.

Odubel Herrera – 2B/OF – VWL

G	AB	HR	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
48	185	5	7	15	26	0.373	0.427	0.556

The Phillies Rule 5 pick continues to mash in Venezuela.  The Phillies have indicated that they view him more as an outfielder, and he has been playing center field for the first time in his career.

Aaron Altherr – OF – VWL

G	AB	HR	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
31	105	4	1	16	35	0.286	0.392	0.486

Altherr’s season has been done for a little bit now, and he did strikeout at an alarming rate.  However, the continued return of his power is encouraging after his early season wrist injury.

Freddy Galvis – SS – VWL

G	AB	HR	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
45	185	1	1	15	42	0.238	0.300	0.314

I wish I could say that the Phillies new starting SS was hitting better, but Freddy continues to struggle at the plate.  There is some power, so maybe he runs into some HRs given enough ABs.

Maikel Franco – 3B – DWL

G	AB	HR	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
35	138	7	0	14	31	0.275	0.342	0.486

With 6 walks in his past 10 games, Franco’s line has become more well rounded.  Overall it is a good winter for Franco who had a long list of things to work on, though according to the batted ball data he is still pulling a lot more ground balls then will be conducive to MLB success.

Willians Astudillo – ? – VWL

G	AB	HR	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
6	24	1	0	0	0	0.375	0.423	0.5

Astudillo hasn’t been on a field enough to even think about the stats.  However the round former catcher has played exclusively LF and CF! in the VWL.  Not sure if it is intentional or just team needs.  Astudillo is not a CFer, but it is fun to imagine him playing it.

Dylan Cozens – OF – ABL

G	AB	HR	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
23	85	5	4	6	24	0.271	0.326	0.541

Cozens has taken to Australia better than any of the other Phillies hitters down under.  He is still striking out a lot, but he has been on a tear lately (10-24 2 HRs 5 K over past 6 games).  The offensive numbers are a bit inflated, and the hit tool questions aren’t going to go away, but Cozens keeps moving in the right direction towards answering the questions about his profile.

Cesar Jimenez – LHP – VWL

G	GS	IP	ERA	BB	K
15	8	42.2	3.38	10	41

The more I look at it, the more I am convinced that Jimenez is the Phillies long man to start 2015.  The lefty can pitch out of the rotation or bullpen, won’t walk many, may strike some guys out.  He won’t be the sexiest name in the bullpen but could be cheap stability for the Phillies.

Nefi Ogando – RHP – AFL/DWL

G	GS	IP	ERA	BB	K
16	0	19.1	2.33	4	17

Ogando has followed up a very solid AFL performance by pitching 4.2 scoreless innings so far in the DWL.  It would be very surprising if Ogando wasn’t the IronPigs closer to start 2015 while he polished up the breaking ball for the big leagues.

Victor Arano – RHP – LMP

G	GS	IP	ERA	BB	K
14	0	17.0	4.76	4	15

Arano’s line is more a victim of inherited runners and bad strand rates than bad pitching.  The righty I believe has been on the mound for 3 of the 9 earned runs against him and has only allowed 15 Hs and 0 HRs in his 17 innings.  Arano should be in the Clearwater rotation to start 2015.

Elvis Araujo – LHP – VWL

G	GS	IP	ERA	BB	K
18	0	16.2	0.54	7	15

You may have forgotten the giant LHP the Phillies gave a major league deal to, but Elvis continues to dominate the VWL.  He missed two weeks for an unknown reason and has walked more batter of late, but still has only allowed 9 hits in his 16.2 innings.  There is a lot to like going forward, but with 3 minor league options remaining, it might be a little bit away.