Pharm Phriday: 4/17

Every other week, Swing and a Long Drive will take a look at the progress of the Phillies minor league teams. We'll also look at the progress of top rated prospects in baseball. There will be stats, win-loss records, and expert opinions from other bloggers.

IRONPIGPEN has been kind enough to provide analysis on the IronPigs and Reading Phillies.

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (AAA): 2-5

Jason Donald: .290 AVG/ .333 OBP/ .484 SLG/ .817 OPS/ 4 2B/ 1 RBI

IRONPIGPEN: Jason Donald has been swinging the bat productively since Opening Night and has given the IronPigs offensive production from the shortstop position unparalleled in team history. On defense, the former University of Arizona star has shown good range as well as an outstanding arm. Heading into Thursday night's game, the IronPigs led the International League in double plays, with Donald, naturally, playing a pivotal role.

Carlos Carrasco: 0-0/ 12 IP/ 1.50 ERA/ 0.92 WHIP/ 10 SO

IRONPIGPEN: Carlos Carrasco has been very strong in both of his starts. The Venezuelan has twice given the IronPigs six solid innings and has been very unfortunate to remain winless. Perhaps most importantly, Carrasco has shown good control, as evidenced by zero walks in his twelve innings pitched.

Rich Thompson: .343 AVG/ .361 OBP/ .457 SLG/ .818 OPS/ 5 RBI/ 1 HR

IRONPIGPEN: Perhaps the Lehigh Valley IronPig to be in the best of form right out of spring training would be leadoff batter and centerfielder Rich Thompson, who would not be considered a prospect. An eastern Pennsylvania boy via James Madison University, Thompson went 0 for 5 on Opening Night but has since put things in gear. Thompson has also continued the steady play on defense he demonstrated last season and nailed a runner at home late in the game to help preserve the IronPigs first victory of the season earlier this week. The veteran has also swiped his first two bases of the season and now boasts an impressive 27 for 29 (93.1%) career record for the IronPigs.

John Mayberry Jr.: .222 AVG/ .841 OPS/ 2 HR/ 4 RBI

Mike Cervenak: .286 AVG/ 1 HR/ 2 RBI/ .500 SLG

Kyle Kendrick: 1-0/ 11 IP/ 1.64 ERA/ 1.36 WHIP/ 5 SO

Reading Phillies (AA): 3-3

Gus Milner: .333 AVG/ .400 OBP/ .500 SLG/ .900 OPS/ 1 HR/ 2 RBI/ 1 SB

IRONPIGPEN: Six games into the AA Reading Phillies' new Eastern League season, a pleasant surprise would have to be the play of outfielder Gus Milner. Milner, 25 later this April, beat out more experienced players such as Javon Moran and Wilkin Ruan this spring for an R-Phils roster spot. Last year with the A+ Clearwater Threshers, Milner batted .261 (6 HR 53 RBI) in 132 games. Thus far as a rookie at the AA level, the Phillies' 2006 14th round pick from the University of Kansas is off to a fine start. At least for the time being, he has established himself as a regular in the R-Phils outfield.

Michael Taylor: .278 AVG/ 3 RBI/ .714 OPS/ 2 SB

IRONPIGPEN: As for the one player Philadelphia Phillies fans would probably be most concerned with 23 year old outfielder Michael Taylor, the former Philadelphia 2007 5th round pick from Stanford University can be said to be doing just fine.

Joe Savery: 0-1/ 10 IP/ 3.60 ERA/ 1.30 WHIP/ 11 SO

Clearwater Threshers (A+): 5-2

Dominic Brown: .231 AVG/ .641 OPS/ 2 RBI

Kyle Drabek: 2-0/ 12 IP/ 0.75 WHIP/ 16 SO

Lakewood Blue Claws (A) : 4-4

Zachary Collier: .222 AVG/ .767 OPS/ 2 RBI

Jason Knapp: 0-2/ 11.1 IP/ 3.18 ERA/ 1.06 WHIP/ 16 SO