Pharm Phriday: 5/1

In this edition of Pharm Phriday, Jay from the blog Phoul Ballz helped out with a report about the 2009 Lakewood Blue Claws. IRONPIGPEN joins us again.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA): 9-11, 4th in INT North League.

John Mayberry Jr.: .269 AVG/ .956 OPS/ 5 HR/ 14 RBI/ 20 SO/ 18 G/ SB

Kyle Kendrick: 2-1/ 26 IP/ 2.77 ERA/ 15 SO/ 1.42 WHIP

IRONPIGPEN:
As far as pitching is concerned, Kendrick has stopped his downwardslide and is quietly regaining his effectiveness. His performance Thursday evening (6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER) was his best effort of the season so far. If his improvement trend continues, it should only be another month or sobefore the conversation turns to when the Phillies might consider another shot for Kendrick in The Show.

Andrew Carpenter: 1-0/ 23.1 IP/ 3.86 ERA/ 14 SO/ 1.33 WHIP

Carlos Carrasco: 21.2 IP/ 0-2/ 4.57 ERA/ 23 SO/ 1.15 WHIP

Jason Donald: .244 AVG/ 1 HR/ 4 RBI/ .669 OPS/ SB

IRONPIGPEN:
Meanwhile, the IronPigs bullpen has produced outstanding results since theopening series debacle versus the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Mike Koplove (11.2 IP, 0.77 ERA) and Gary Majewski (12 IP, 1.50 ERA) continueto plead their case for a place in the pen at Citizens Bank Park. The mostreliable of all, however, has perhaps been Tyler Walker, the former San Francisco Giant who was signed as a free agent after the season started.

Walker, in five appearances, has been unscored upon and has allowed just one hit in ten innings pitched. The veteran Major Leaguer also sports a standoutratio of zero walks to nine strikeouts.

Reading Phillies (AA): 12-6, 2nd in EAS South

Michael Taylor: . 338 AVG/ .958 OPS/ 3 HR/ 14 RBI/ 5 SB

IRONPIGPEN:
Highly touted outfield prospect Taylor, has apparently put his pedal to the metal in recent weeks. One thing to watch for, should this kind of production continue, would be whether or not Taylor is moved up to AAA at some point in the second half of the season.

Quentin Berry: .245 AVG/ .626 OPS/ 3 RBI/ 9 SB

Antonio Bastardo: 12.1 IP/ 1-0/ 0.73 ERA/ 11 SO/ 0.57 WHIP

IRONPIGPEN:
As far as R-Phils pitching goes, the one man who continues to distinguish himself would be middle reliever Matt German. German, graduated from A+ Clearwater this spring, remains unscored upon after no less than eightappearances and 11.2 innings pitched. With just six hits permitted and sixteen batters struck out, German is fast developing into one of the league's more dependable firemen.

Clearwater Threshers (A+): 11-9, 2nd in FSL North

Dominic Brown: .288 AVG/ .893 OPS/ 3 HR/ 14 RBI/ 5 SB

Kyle Draebek: 3-0/ 24.1 IP/ 0.99 WHIP/ 31 SO

Lakewood Blue Claws (A): 12-8, Tied for 2nd in SAL Northern Division

Jason Knapp: 1-2/ 24.1 IP/ 1.85 ERA/ 37 SO/ 0.74 WHIP

Jay: Jason Knapp is a name plenty of Phillies phans became familiar with early last week, when he pitched 7 shut out innings while striking out 14 for Cleveland's low A ball squad, the Lake County Captains. Lakewood pitching coach Bob Milacki told me, "if he stays healthy and keeps improving like he is, Knapp's gonna be a big leaguer in a few years." His fast ball tops off at 97 MPH, and he's developing his already solid command of his curve and change. His strike outs show that he can over power hitters. His record has suffered due to lack of run support in his starts, but his ERA, WHIP, and strike out to walk ratio (37:6) don't lie. Only 18 years old, the 2008 2nd round pick Knapp is expected to spend the full season at Lakewood, but he could very well be a quick riser through the Phillies' system.

Travis D'Arnaud: .230/ 2 HR/ 17 RBI/ .650 OPS

Jay: Travis D'Arnaud is one of the Phillies' top 10 prospects, according to Baseball America. Lakewood's starting catcher has a low batting avg. in the early going, but he has not failed to come through in key situations, as he leads the team in RBI (no other BlueClaw is in double digits in RBI yet). D'Arnaud needs to become more selective with his pitches. 3 walks in 18 games needs improvement. D'Arnaud is a good game caller. He gets credit from his pitching staff as well as coach Bob Milacki for helping the pitchers excel. The 20 year old, D'Arnaud, batted a combined .305 between Williamsport and Lakewood last season, so expect him to have a good time getting that average back where it belongs.

Jesus Villegas: .429 AVG/ 1 HR/ 9 RBI/ 1.020 OPS

Jay: Jesus Villegas Andino leads the team in average and OPS. In his first 11 games, Jesus had 16 hits. His on base percentage (.522) is jaw dropping. The 22 year old Puerto Rican infielder plays both short stop and second base. The 2007 14th round draft pick has been quite a surprise and keeps earning himself more playing time. Not in the opening day lineup, Jesus has hit safely in 9 of his 11 games, and will be one to watch this year, if he stays hot.

Jon Velasquez: 5-0/ 20 IP/ 2.25 ERA/ 0.95 WHIP/ 13 SO

Jay: Jon Velasquez has already earned a promotion from the bullpen to the starting rotation this month. The 23 year old Bronx, NY native was signed as an undrafted amateur free agent in March, after he was spotted by a Phillies scout at an independent league tryout. His 4-0 record (3 wins in relief) leads the South Atlantic League. Coach Bob feels that Velsquez certainly has the talent to play at higher levels.

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