Minor League Notebook: Mini Mart, Altherr Heat Up as Gillies, Greene Go Icey
We’re back with our (usually) weekly developmental rundown. As you expect, here’s a rundown of who is hot and who is not throughout the Phillies’ four full season minor league teams.
Triple-A Lehigh Valley…
Who’s hot-
Utility man Michael Martinez has been scorching hot this past week, when over a seven-game stretch, the 30-year-old Dominican went 13-for-23 (.565 avg) with two homers and five RBI. The success follows a month in which he batted .204 in 15 games with the IronPigs and a hitless stint with the big league team in the month of May.
First baseman Cody Overbeck also had a very good seven-game stretch, as he went 11-for-26 (.423 avg) with five doubles, two home runs and nine RBI. The 27-year-old, who was a 9th round draft pick in 2008, is batting .247 overall with 11 homers and 31 RBI in 52 games this season with the ‘Pigs.
Closer Jake Diekman threw four scoreless outings and notched two saves while striking out eight batters and walking two in four innings last week. Overall this season, the 26-year-old lefty is 1-0 with a 5.90 ERA and 10 saves in 29 appearances.
Who’s cold-
B.J. Rosenberg has surrendered 12 earned runs over 10 1/3 innings (10.45 ERA) while striking out nine and walking seven over his last two starts for Lehigh Valley. Rosenberg, a 27-year-old righty, was the Phils’ 13th round draft pick in 2008.
Double-A Reading…
Who’s hot-
Despite going 0-2 in his last two starts, lefty pitcher Jesse Biddle sports a 2.57 ERA with 13 strike outs and six walks in 14 innings in those outings. Overall this season, the 21-year-old Biddle is 3-6 with a 3.03 ERA and two complete games in 13 starts.
Who’s cold-
After posting a 2.37 ERA over his previous five starts, righty pitcher David Buchanan suffered a loss, giving up seven runs, five of which were earned, in Sunday’s loss to Harrisburg. The 24-year-old was the Phils’ 7th round pick in 2010 out of Georgia State University.
Outfielder Tyson Gillies is 0-for-11 in his past four games, after going 8-for-17 (.471 avg) in the four games just prior to that stretch. Gillies, 24, is batting .248 with four homers, 13 RBI and two steals in 32 games for Reading this year.
Class A Advanced Clearwater…
Who’s hot-
Outfielder Aaron Altherr has hit safely in 10 of his past 11 games and was named as a Florida State League All-Star this past week. The righty batting 22-year-old has been one of the Threshers’ top offensive performers all season long, as he sports a .315 average along with six home runs, 39 RBI and 14 steals in 55 games.
Right-handed hurler Severino Gonzalez allowed his first earned run of the season in his first start of the season for Clearwater on Sunday. Through eight total appearances, the 20-year-old Panama native sports a 1-0 record along with a 0.46 ERA while striking out 22 batters and walking only two in 19 1/3 innings pitched.
Who’s cold-
Catcher Tommy Joseph is 0-for-9 in three rehab games with Clearwater, as he recovers from a concussion suffered about five weeks ago. The 21-year-old Joseph was batting .209 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 21 games with Lehigh Valley at the time of the injury.
Class A Lakewood…
Who’s hot-
Catcher Justin Dalles is 11-for-28 (.393 avg) with three homers and 10 RBI over his last eight games played. The 24-year-old righty hitter has played in the Class A Advanced Carolina League in each of the past two seasons.
Lefty pitcher Yoel Mecias posted a 3-1 record with a 1.50 ERA in six May starts and was named Phillies minor league pitcher of the month. He followed up that tremendous month, however, by allowing four earned runs in four innings against West Virginia in his lone outing last week. The 19-year-old is a native of Venezuela.
Who’s cold-
20-year-old outfielder Larry Greene Jr. is 3-for-34 (.089 avg) with two RBI over his last nine games. The Phillies’ top draft pick from 2011 is still without a home run for the BlueClaws this season.
Outfielder Carlos Tocci is 2-for-16 (.125 avg) in his past five games. The 17-year-old Venezuelan is batting .228 with 10 doubles and 11 RBI in 55 games for the BlueClaws this year.
