It's no surprise to see the Phillies struggling this year. At least it shouldn't be.
They're rebuilding, and doing so successfully will require getting the best out of what they already have, especially at the minor league level. It won't be easy for the Phillies, who currently have the 20th-ranked farm system in baseball, but that doesn't mean there isn't talent there.
- MORE MINOR LEAGUES
- Tuesday: Lehigh Valley (AAA)
- Wednesday: Lakewood (A)
- Thursday: Reading (AA)
Most of that talent is currently at the double-A level, so developing the Phillies' best young players will likely extend into next season and beyond. However, there are future Phils at nearly every minor league level, including their triple-A club, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. And the best part is, some of their top prospects are playing within driving distance of Philadelphia, meaning there's no reason you can't go watch some of them play in-person.
Here's a closer look at the IronPigs, their best players and some of the best days this season to make the drive out to Allentown to watch them play:
PLAYER TO WATCH
Maikel Franco, 3B
STATS
2014 (AAA) - 521 AB, 64 R, 33 2B, 16 HR, 78 RBI, 30 BB, 81 K, .257/.299/.428
2014 (MLB) - 56 AB, 5 R, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 13 K, .179/.190/.214
2015* (AAA) - 75 AB, 8 R, 9 2B, HR, 10 RBI, 5 BB, 17 K, .333/.375/.520
*as of 4/27
BIO
Franco, the Phillies third-ranked prospect according to Baseball America, is the team's most MLB-ready player in their farm system, not counting guys like Chad Billingsley and Domonic Brown, who are down there for read assignments. After a stellar winter season in which he hit .272/.335/.469 with 7 HR, 8 2B, 29 RBI, and 23 R in 38 games, there was talk about Franco, 22, possibly making the Opening Day roster. However, he was in a similar position to Kris Bryant of the Cubs, so the team decided to have him start the season in Lehigh Valley.
Franco isn't just a solid hitter, either. Last season, Baseball America ranked him as the best defensive third baseman in the International League. This is his fifth season in the Phillies system after he signed with the club as a non-drafted free agent in January of 2010.
WHEN WILL HE GET THE CALL?
If you're planning on seeing Franco play in Lehigh Valley, you better do it soon. A September call-up last season, it's a safe bet that he'll be with the Phillies much earlier this time around. He's ready, by all accounts, and it's likely just a matter of making sure he'll have a chance to play at the big league level rather than being relegated to the bench, which wouldn't be beneficial to anyone involved.
Others
SEVERINO GONZALEZ, RHP - The 22-year-old righty spent all of 2014 in double-A Reading, going 9-13 with a 4.59 ERA, yet he will make is MLB debut on Tuesday for the Phillies against the Cardinals. It will only be a spot start, but is a great opportunity for Gonzalez, who has been the best starter for the IronPigs so far this season, going 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA.
And if you like feel-good stories, check out how the young pitcher found out he'd be getting a shot with the Phillies, via lehighvalleylive.com:
[Manager Dave] Brundage and pitching coach Ray Burris began talking with the 22-year-old right-hander about his offspeed pitches, using his changeup more and where and when to throw his slider.
"And when (Phillies catcher) Carlos Ruiz puts down the fingers, those are the pitches you're throwing, right?" Brundage said.
Right.
"So you wouldn't shake off Carlos Ruiz, would you?" Brundage asked.
"No, I'd never shake off Carlos Ruiz," Gonzalez replied.
"OK, well good," Brundage said. "Tuesday night, you'll have an opportunity to see if that holds true."
Gonzalez sat in his chair for a second trying to understand what Brundage meant, and then once he did, he started to well up. [lehighvalleylive.com]
Gonzalez will likely be back with the IronPigs after a start or two. If so, there will be plenty of games left this season to check him out at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.
ADAM MORGAN, LHP - After missing all of 2014 due to shoulder surgery, Morgan is looking to get back on track in 2015. Once upon a time, Morgan was a locked in as a future member of the Phillies rotation. In 2013 spring training, Morgan posted a minuscule 1.93 ERA in three appearances. He then posted an even better 1.42 ERA in his first three starts in Lehigh Valley before he started struggling, presumable due to shoulder discomfort, because four starts later, Morgan found himself on the DL. He would return later in the season, and pitch much better, albeit on a restrictive pitch count.
After the season, Morgan underwent shoulder surgery, and made his first start since earlier this month. So far this season, he's 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA. Had it not been for the injuries, there's a good chance Morgan, not Gonzalez, would be the one getting the spot start against the Cards, assuming he wasn't already a member or the Phillies rotation.
DID YOU KNOW?
Phillies history
Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg managed the IronPigs for one season in 2011 and was named Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year after helping to lead the team to its first-ever playoff appearance and a berth in the International League Championship series, which they lost to the Columbus Clippers, the Cleveland Indians' triple-A affiliate. The following season, Sandberg was named a coach with the Phillies before ultimately taking over as manager when Charlie Manuel was fired.
Fun fact
A few years ago, the IronPigs decided to change their image (and scent). Previously, they had been more iron than pig, but not anymore.
Now, Coca-Cola Park is a bacon-lover's paradise. From their logo to their concession stands, if you love bacon, this is the place for you. They even sell bacon-on-a-stick, which pairs nicely with these scratch-and-sniff bacon shirts.
HOW TO WATCH
At the park
Coca-Cola Park - 1050 IronPigs Way, Allentown, PA 18109
Opened: March 2008 | Capacity: 10,100 (8,200 seats)
BEST PROMOTIONS
As is the case with many minor league teams, you'll want to check the schedule of upcoming promotions before buying tickets. There are some really good ones. Unfortunately, you missed "Save by the Bell Night," which featured an appearance by the one and only Mr. Belding.
Here's some of them, but there are so many more. Literally, there's a new promotion/giveaway almost every night.
• May 8 - Friday Night Fireworks | Star Wars Night | Star Wars Jerseys
• May 10 - Mother's Day, Stemless Wine Glasses (First 2K women, 21+)
• May 11 - Ken Giles Bobblehead (First 3K adults 18 and older)
• June 17 - Soccer Balls (First 2K kids 17 and under) | Soccer Night
• July 25 - Christmas in July | Youth Jerseys (First 2K kids) | Elf Jerseys
• August 1 - Bacon Adult Caps, (First 3K adults)
• August 2 - Wiffle Ball & Bat Set (First 2K kids)
In addition to those promotions, the team has weekly promotions that are as follows (according to MiLB.com):
• Sundays: Post-game "Kids Run the Bases" presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network.
• Tuesdays: "T-Shirt Tuesdays" (exclusions: July 21).
• Wednesdays: Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays "Ladies Night" with opportunities for all women to win great prizes and take part in on-field promotions (exclusions: April 15 and May 13).
• Thursdays: Pre-game Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. with $1 hot dogs and $2 domestic drafts (exclusions: April 30).
• Fridays: Friday Night Fireworks
• Saturdays (beginning May 9): 90-minute post-game concert in the Bud Light Trough.
Broadcast
You can listen to IronPigs games online if you don't live within range of their radio broadcasts. You can also watch online, but that'll cost you a subscription to MiLB.TV.
On the road
Another International League team, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, is well within driving distance if you're looking for an alternative to Allentown. The RailRiders are the triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.