Minor League Games - July 25, 2021

[Squire]

DSL: Off
Rookie Complex: Off
Low A: Clearwater (RHP Fernando Lozano) at Tampa - 12 Noon
High A: Jersey Shore (TBD) at Winston-Salem - 2:00PM
AA: Reading (RHP Francisco Morales) at New Hampshire - 1:35PM
AAA: Worcester at Lehigh Valley (TBD) - 1:35PM

Rolling Scores Here - https://www.milb.com/scores/philadelphia-phillies/2021-07-25

Rolling Boxes Here - https://www.mlb.com/prospects/stats/affiliates?teamId=143&date=07/25/2021

[Squire]

Lots of promotion Pitchers today...interpret how you like....Victor Vargas all the way to AAA Lehigh Valley and DJ Jefferson starting for low A Clearwater.

[andyb]

These promotions seem to be more because there is a need at those levels. Vargas was doing well but guessing it was more his day to throw than merit. And Clearwater seems decimated by COVID lately. Jefferson really should be at FCL if there were actually FCL games.

Sometimes promotions happen with non prospects. These seem something else. 180-man limit plus COVID scarcity. Not ideal.

[Squire]

Yes. I was intimating that they were consistent with a COVID problem.

Anyway...Jadiel Sanchez with a HR

[andyb]

Jadiel Sanchez making a top 30 case. Toolsy overslot draft pick 2 years later and suddenly getting some age appropriate results. He has not done much yet, but has done enough to be seen close to the level of a Yhoswar Garcia.

[Clawsgirl22]

McKay starting for Claws

[bkox]

Jhailyn Ortiz another HR

[phillychuck]

Jhailyn Ortiz is on one of those "can't believe it's actually happening" hitting streaks--2HR and a double today in 3 ABs.

The visiting announcers (who are on all the twitter videos) are pretty sick of him hitting bombs...

Moniak not playing is strange unless they moved him up today and I didn't see it. Or traded him...

[rkeden]

Moniak was deemed sufficiently hot to sit on the bench and watch the game in Philly. I would love to have seen him move into the center field spot against the Braves until Jacko returns. His July earned him that opportunity, if you ask me.

I know the readers of this thread know this but it is worth repeating that Ortiz, even after all the negativity over the years, is still younger than some of the kids we drafted this month. How great would it be if this wasn't a one month fluke? The distance his home runs travel tell you all you need to know about the potential. Can it now be realized?

[BaseballCat]

I almost went to the JS game today, but could not convince myself to make the 2.5 hr trip. Just was not in the mood. Do we think it is time to see what Ortiz can do at Reading?

[bkox]

Jersey Shore sets a club record with 6 Home Runs today

[andyb]

Vargas was impressive in his spot start. He was quietly putting together a really good year in Clearwater. He probably is ready for a real promotion to Jersey Shore when they settle the AAA rotation. Curious where his stuff is these days. Mid-bonus guy out of Colombia ($525K) so he was always seen as on more of a step by step track through the minors. 4-pitch mix with low 90s fastball when they signed him.

[bigegypt0417]

It could be time to challenge him.. 2 HR's and 6 RBI game...Ortiz living up to his potential would be a great change of events.

[bkox]

Gelb confirms a COVID outbreak in the complex:

A collection of Phillies notes — including updates on a COVID situation at the team's Florida complex, the plan for Spencer Howard, Seranthony Domínguez, and some prospects that have caught attention: https://t.co/oFtbJWLXXw

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) July 26, 2021

The COVID-19 issues have extended to the lowest levels of the Phillies organization. The team was forced to shut down its Florida Complex League (FCL) team last week because of numerous positive tests. The rookie-ball team had three games canceled by COVID-19. The team is expected to resume play Monday, according to sources.

The team’s minor-league officials made a strong push in March to convince their farmhands to get the vaccine, and that encountered pushback from a subset of players and player agents.

[phillychuck]

7 HRs in the last 7 games for Jhailyn. Heck of a run!

12/30, 7 HR, 1 BB, 1 2B for a cool .400/.419/1.133 line, giving an OPS of 1.552. Wow.

[bkeich]

Think your math is a little off( you added all 3 numbers). 1.552 is still impressive

[phillychuck]

Fixed! As you wrote, still quite impressive!

[fish]

Vargas was impressive in his spot start. He was quietly putting together a really good year in Clearwater

He commanded his change and breaking ball well which is probably why they felt comfortable giving him that start in AAA. His fastball peaked around 93 mph and unfortunately hasn’t really improved the last 2 years. At the moment his stuff didn’t look better than AAA caliber unfortunately.

You know your system is in bad shape when a guy throws a 93 mph fastball and the announcer raves that they “have t seen that kind of velocity from our starters this year “

[phillychuck]

Hi fish,

velocity from the batter's perspective isn't always just about the radar gun--guys who hide the ball well or who have funky deliveries can make 93 seem like 98. Do you think Vargas might be that kind of pitcher?

[andyb]

The success of Ranger Suarez lately makes one think more of what true 4-pitch pitchers can do, even with modest velocity. Suarez gets ahead in the count, usually with a well-located fastball in the on the edge of the zone. Then he has options to mix speeds ahead in the count. I keep expecting him to get hit harder but it does not seem to be happening.

Vargas is still 20 (turns 21 in September), so there is still time to fill out more velocity. But as a polished guy I wonder if they kick him down to Jersey Shore and hope he is ready for Reading next season.

For guys like Vargas does the missed season last year count towards rule 5 eligibility?