Minor League Games - July 5th, 2023

[Squire]

AAA: Lehigh Valley (TBD) at Scranton WB - 6:35PM
AA: Reading (RHP Cristian Hernandez) at Somerset - 7:05PM
High A: Hudson Valley at Jersey Shore (TBD) - 7:05PM
Low A: Palm Beach at Clearwater (TBD) - 6:30PM
FCL: Off
DSL: Off
DSL: Off

Rolling Scores Here - https://www.milb.com/scores/2023-07-05/all/all/phillies

Rolling Boxes Here - https://www.mlb.com/prospects/stats/affiliates?teamId=143&date=07/05/2023

[fish]

Did I goof something on my settings or is the mlb site for minor league box scores blowing up in size for everyone?

[phillychuck]

Did I goof something on my settings or is the mlb site for minor league box scores blowing up in size for everyone?

No change for me that I see.

[bkox]

Phillies are promoting righty reliever Orion Kerkering to Double A. He started the season in Low A.

He has a 1.17 ERA with 45 K/ 7 BB in 30 2/3 IP. Big-time slider. He's interesting. Here's a story from earlier this season: https://t.co/iGDFl9AS5g

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) July 5, 2023

[zambonir]

We gonna start talking about him as a September option assuming he survives July 31?

[schillingfan]

My philosophy is fungible relief pitchers. Can’t have too many. Never assume they will have two great years in a row. Move up ship ‘‘em out when they are hurt and don’t sign them for a lot of money coming off a good year. Sign after a bad year when they were good before. Like Kimbrell.

[Squire]

Justin Crawford HR

[zambonir]

Yeah but those are two different things. Kimbrel feels like long overdue payback after Robertson (the first time), Hunter, Neshek (the second time), Knebel, Kintzler, Familia etc. (Brad Hand was okay but just okay. Ditto Archie Bradley).

Kerkering, OTOH, could be the next Neris or Seranthony, which is a whole other level of value until they reach their last couple of arb years (and even then they are still good value if they don't crater/break). So I understand why some would keep him especially after losing Brown. But he's still not as valuable as the three starters (even if one of them might still end up a reliever himself).

[fish]

We gonna start talking about him as a September option assuming he survives July 31?

He's looked like a guy who dominate big leaguers all year. The fastball and slider have been elite, and command has rarely been an issue.

[andyb]

It feels a little like Seranthony's big promotion year when the stuff was just there and he only needed a month at each level.

Song could complicate the roster, but he sure looks like he'll be in the mix for that 14th pitcher slot in September.

Another interesting player to watch the rest of the year (not for the majors) is Dominic Pipkin. Not sure what his injury was. In the past it was worrying shoulder injuries and I think the move to the bullpen last year is part of that. Pipkin was bad in a couple of rehab outings but better in the last couple and he has finally been promoted to AA. Scoreless inning last night in his debut. Reportedly hitting 98 again.

[zambonir]

Well, we'll know more about Song come July 29 I guess. Right now the bullpen looks so good (when healthy) they may well be able to sell a few guys at the deadline (maybe not Covey who will still get DFA'd presumably, but Hoffman or Bellatti).

Still seems like, if MLB isn't scrutinizing the whole thing, it will be all too easy to just kick the can down the road with Songs. Another strain or tightness in mid-August, two weeks on the shelf, then finish out the season on a rehab stint.

[julio]