Lakewood left-handed pitcher Lino Martinez was named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week, the Phillies announced on Monday.

Martinez, a 19-year old left-hander from Zulia, Venezuela, threw seven shutout innings in a 1-0 win over Greesnboro on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Park, though he did not factor in the decision. He became the first BlueClaws pitcher to throw seven innings in a game this year. He is the youngest player on the BlueClaws roster.

The minor league hitter of the week is Cody Asche, a 4th round pick last year from Nebraska who went 11-25 with Clearwater. He’s hitting .364 on the season. Asche skipped Lakewood, going straight from Williamsport to Clearwater.

Below the fold, the full minor league review.

Read the rest of this entry »

Lefty Ethan Stewart takes the mound for the BlueClaws this afternoon at FirstEnergy Park as the BlueClaws look to win this four-game series from Greensboro after a 5-3 win yesterday afternoon, giving them wins in two of the first three games.

The catalyst yesterday was the BlueClaws bullpen, which did not allow a run in 6.1 innings of relief yesterday and has given up just five in their last 29 innings pitched.

Ethan Stewart: 0-2, 2.61 ERA
Last time: Monday at Savannah, Stewart threw six scoreless innings before walking three hitters in the seventh, all of whom scored, and he took his second loss of the year.
Run Support: In his six starts, Lakewood has scored a total of nine runs, which is how the BlueClaws are 0-6 when he pitches despite Stewart leading the rotation in ERA.

Looking at Jake Diekman’s numbers with the BlueClaws in 2009, one might see a somewhat pedestrian season, a 2-0 record and a 4.09 ERA with an opponents batting average of .266. But you have to look a little deeper to see what was truly a remarkable turnaruond for the lefty.

After the first half was complete, Diekman, who appeared in just two games from May 22 through June 21, had an ERA of 7.09 and opponents were hitting .333 against him. During the break, he threw a bullpen session, which was typical, but this session had an atypical aspect to it. He threw sidearm. It changed his career.

Diekman came back a new pitcher in the second half, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings on June 28th and went on to allow just 4 ER in 29 innings (1.77) in the second half, holding opponents to a batting average of .186. After that June 28th game, Phillies adviser Dallas Green, after watching Diekman’s first game as a side-armer, said he thought Diekman could be a situational lefty in the big leagues.

He was right. Diekman was called up to the Phillies Friday. When he makes his debut, he’ll be come the 43rd player to go From the Shore to the Show, as we say here in Lakewood, and he might have had the bumpiest journey.

A rocky beginning for Diekman saw him start 2008 with Lakewood but finish with Williamsport. The beginning of his 2009 season didn’t go according to plan, but the change in arm angle catapulted him through the system: to Clearwater in 2010, Reading in 2011 (where lefties hit .090 against him) and Lehigh this year, where he gave up one run in 15.1 innings pitched.

Here is an interview we did with Dusty Wathan (then Lakewood’s manager) in August of 2009, about six weeks into the side-arming career of Diekman.

“He’s got a lot of confidence right now and thinks he can get anyone out, and that’s half the battle. When you’re throwing from the side at 90 mph and you can control a breaking ball and get it over the plate, you don’t see that every day, especially at this level.”

That was the one thing that was unanimous about Diekman when he dropped his arm angle: everyone was super-impressed that when he did that, no velocity was sacrificed. In fact, he’s now up to 93-94, so he’s throwing harder then he ever was before.

The Phillies had to make a decision on Diekman after last season so they sent him to face the game’s best prospects in the Arizona Fall League. He gave up one run in 11.1 innings with 14 strikeouts, enough for the Phillies to put him on their 40-man roster. He almost made the team out of spring training, and his pitching coach, Rich Dubee, loves him.

“I asked him first if he had an agent,” Dubee said. “He told me he did. I said, ‘Fire him. Because I’ll jump on and be your agent and hopefully I’ll be able to retire soon.’ I think he’s got tremendous upside. Seriously. That’s what I told him. I expect to see him this year. If the call comes, I expect him to be ready.”

The call has come. And Diekman is ready.

“It was probably the best feeling I ever felt in my entire life,” Diekman said hours before Friday’s game at Citizens Bank Park against the San Diego Padres. “When I found out I called my dad right away, and making him cry was pretty cool.”

Indeed, and the BlueClaws are ecstatic for Diekman too. Good luck!

Today is Bark in the Park, which means there will be a few hundred dogs at the game today, taking in the BlueClaws and Greensboro Grasshoppers at 4:05.

We’ll have some pictures throughout the day on the video board of players and their dogs, such as Haley, Kenny Giles’ dog. Giles will start today for Lakewood.

Here are today’s game notes.

Giles (0-1, 3.86) was a 7th round pick last year from Yavapai CC in Arizona. The Albuquerque native last pitched on Sunday, throwing four shutout innings in a win over Savannah.

We’re back with another edition of the Gold Coast Cadillac Manger’s Report, sitting down before today’s game with BlueClaws manager Mickey Morandini.

Topics included the win last night, the outing by LHP Lino Martinez, the impact of C Bob Stumpo, and a great defensive play in center by Kyrell Hudson that saved two runs in the first inning. Here’s the big quote:

“I’ve seen him out there for a year and a half now and I said this last year but he could go into Philadelphia right now and play centerfield out there. He’s that good right now.”

You can listen to the podcast below or pop it on you iPod (right click this link, save link as, drop it in your iTunes).

After a 1-0 win last night over Greensboro, the BlueClaws are back in action tonight against the Grasshoppers with a 7:05 first pitch from FirstEnergy Park, thrown by LHP Ervis Manzanillo.

Tonight is the 11th BlueClaws game started by an opposing pitcher who was selected in the first two rounds of the 2011 MLB entry draft. Jose Fernandez, the 14th overall pick last year (from Tampa, FL) takes the hill for the Grasshoppers.

Click here for today’s game notes.

Déjà vu…Lakewood has two walk-off wins this year, and both have been Maikel Franco driving in Brian Pointer with the winning run…He did so in an April 28th win over Greenville and again on Thursday night for the
game’s lone run.

Go Deep…Lino Martinez became the first BlueClaws pitcher to throw seven innings in a game this year, tying his career long outing and giving up just three hits in seven scoreless innings…Martinez, Lakewood’s youngest
starter at 19, has an ERA of 6.19 on the year, an ERA which would be 3.55 not counting his April 20th start at Hagerstown in which he gave up 12 runs in 3.1 innings pitched…Martinez has allowed three ER or less in 19 of his last 21 starts dating to last year.

BlueClaws Transaction…BlueClaws SS Tyler Greene, who was hitting .147 with 1 HR and 7 RBIs, has been transferred to extended spring training…The BlueClaws have received SS Stephen Malcolm from extended spring training…Malcolm was an 8th round pick of the Phillies in 2010 (Delta College) who hit .253 with 0 HRs and 10 RBIs as a member of the GCL Phillies in 2010 and missed last year.

On April 28th, Maikel Franco’s game-winning single in the bottom of the 10th inning scored Brian Pointer and gave the BlueClaws their first walk-off win of the season.

Last night, Maikel Franco’s game-winning double scored Brian Pointer and gave the BlueClaws their second walk-off win of the season, 1-0 over Greenville.

It was a much needed win for Lakewood, who certainly did not want to waste a brilliant outing from Lino Martinez, who tossed seven scoreless innings on three hits to shut down a Greensboro team that had won seven straight games, was 23-8, had three hitters (1-2-3) hitting over .330 and was hitting .297 as a team, 20 points better than anyone else.

“He got a few outs on his changeup,” catcher Bob Stumpo said to Tony Graham of the Asbury Park Press. “If he can command it like he did tonight he can keep guys off balance. He threw a heck of a game.”

The BlueClaws continue their series with Greensboro tonight, sending LHP Ervis Manzanillo to the mound.

–

We want to acknowledge Tyler Cloyd’s performance yesterday for Lehigh Valley. the 2009 BlueClaw gave up one run in seven innings for the Pigs yesterday. Between Reading and Lehigh Valley this year, Cloyd is 6-0 with a 1.40 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 7 walks.

After a week on the road, the BlueClaws return to FirstEnergy Park tonight to start a series with Greensboro, against whom they are 2-4 so far this year.

Click here for today’s game notes.

Here’s an interesting statistic for you. Today is the 10th game (of 31) this year that will be started by a BlueClaws opponent selected in the first two rounds of last year’s draft. They’ll face three more over the next five days (Greensboro’s Adam Conley today and Jose Fernandez tomorrow), including Orioles top prospect Dylan Bundy on Monday at Delmarva. The full note is below.

Top of the Draft…The BlueClaws have played nine games this year started by an opponent who was selected within the top two rounds of the 2011 amateur draft…Greenville (Boston): Matt Barnes, 19th pick, twice, 1-1 & Henry Owens, 36th pick, twice, 0-2; Greensboro (Marlins): Adam Conley, 72nd pick, twice, 0-2 & Jose Fernandez, 14th pick, once, 0-1; Hagerstown (Nationals), Alex Meyer, 22nd pick, once, 1-0; Savannah (Mets): Michael Fulmer, 44th pick, once, 0-1…Total Record: 2-7…The BlueClaws have scored 15 runs in 41.1 innings against this group, including five in .2 innings against Meyer on April 12th and five in three innings against Owens on April 7th.

Tough Schedule…The BlueClaws have played five of the six teams in the South Atlantic League with a winning record (all but Hickory) and they are 7-16 in those games…They have only played seven games against a team with a losing record, going 3-4 against Greenville…The BlueClaws do not play against a team with a non-winning record next until a three-game series at Delmarva that begins on May 14th.

Tonight’s Starter: LHP Lino Martinez 2-2, 7.67…Last time out, he allowed five runs/four earned in five innings at Charleston on May 4th. He beat Greensboro in NC on April 10th, allowing three runs in five innings. Martinez won’t turn 20 until September 17th and is from Zulia, Venezuela.

Colin Kleven takes the ball tonight for Lakewood, as the BlueClaws try to get a split of this four-game series in Savannah after a 5-0 loss last night.

Click here for today’s game notes.

On Kleven…
Stats: 1-2, 3.86, 25.2 IP, 22 H, 14 BB, 23 K
News & Notes: RHP Colin Kleven (1-2, 3.86) makes his sixth start of the year on Tuesday in the series finale…Kleven threw six shutout innings at Charleston on Thursday but got a no-decision as Lakewood’s bullpen let a 2-0 lead slip away…He has allowed just two ER in his last two starts (12 IP, 5 BB, 14 K)…Nine of the 11 ER that he has allowed have come in two innings (4/9 at GBO and 4/19 at HAG)…The 21 year old was taken by the Phillies in the 33^rd round of the 2009 draft from high school in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Which famous music album is this?

It looks like the BlueClaws will have a 42nd Shore to the Show representative, as Adrian Cardenas, who hit .295 and stole 20 bases with the BlueClaws during the 2007 season, was called up to the Cubs yesterday. From the Chicago Tribune.

“The guy can hit,” manager Dale Sveum said. “He can square a ball up. He’s got good bat speed, a nice left-handed hitter. It’ll bring us a nice left-handed bat off the bench, and he’s going to play a little bit, too. Got to get that left-handed bat in the lineup somehow… I don’t know if he had a bad at-bat in spring training, from what I saw.”

Cardenas played mostly at second at Iowa, but can also play third, short and left field. He said he had a chance to go to Chicago after being claimed, but decided he wanted his first look at the city to be during a call-up.

The Phillies took Cardenas in the supplemental 1st round in 2006 and traded him to the Athletics in 2008 as part of the Joe Blanton trade. The A’s waived him in the spring and the Cubs claimed him on waivers. He was hitting over .300 with AAA Iowa before the promotion.

Here is a Q&A we did with Adrian back after the 2008 season, but it’s still worth a read.

Here’s the full Shore to the Show list. Cardenas goes on after his first appearance.

On Sunday, Mike Nesseth threw three scoreless innings to earn the win for Lakewood in a 4-0 victory over Savannah. Today, the former Nebraska Cornhusker sat down for the pre-game interview.

Nesseth, a Windom, Minnesota native, mentioned playing youth baseball in Minnesota, where unlike many of his current teammates, he didn’t have the luxury of playing all year. He also noted that where he grew up, in a smaller town, most everyone played three sports (basketball was Nesseth’s first love). Nesseth ended up focusing on baseball beginning his junior year when he thought he could end up playing in college.

He also talks about his outing yesterday in which he made a few tweaks and adjustments after walking 18 hitters in his first 18 innings pitched.

You can listen to the podcast below or pop it on you iPod (right click this link, save link as, drop it in your iTunes).

Lakewood sends Ethan Stewart to the mound tonight (weather permitting) at Grayson Stadium in Savannah bidding for two straight wins after a 4-0 combined shutout yesterday afternoon.

Click here for today’s game notes.

Get Him Some Runs…The BlueClaws have scored a total of eight runs in Ethan Stewart’s five starts so far this year, including zero or one run in three of those games…Despite Stewart having allowed just six runs in five starts, the BlueClaws are 0-5 when he pitches.

Going Going…Aaron Altherr’s home run on Sunday was his 2^nd of the season and 10^th of his career…His previous home run came in the second game of the season on April 6^th at Greenville…Altherr leads the BlueClaws with nine multi-hit games and had a seven-game hitting streak snapped on Thursday at Charleston.

HR Breakdown…The BlueClaws have hit 14 home runs this year, 10 on the road and four at FirstEnergy Park…Last year they hit 53 HRs on the road and 25 at home.

Tough Schedule…The BlueClaws have played five of the six teams in the South Atlantic League with a winning record (all but Hickory) and they are 7-14 in those games…They have only played seven games against a team with a losing record, going 3-4 against Greenville…The BlueClaws do not play against a team with a non-winning record next until a three-game series at Delmarva that begins on May 14^th.

Pine Hill, NJ native James Birmingham has joined the BlueClaws from extended spring training. He takes the roster spot of Ryan Duke, who was promoted to Clearwater this morning. Pine Hill is 71 miles from Lakewood, if you’re wondering.

Duke gave up five runs in 25.1 innings and had nine saves with Lakewood dating to July 10th last year. He was a 25th round pick in last year’s draft out of the University of Oklahoma.

Birmingham, a lefty who last year went 3-1, 1.72 with 39 Ks in 31.1 innings, split 2011 between the GCL Phillies and Williamsport. He went to Coastal Carolina but was undrafted. He ended up at, of all places, FirstEnergy Park, where he was signed out of a tryout in Lakewood (the same tryout that produced 2011 BlueClaws OF Bill Rice). He’ll be the 3rd player ever to sign out of a FirstEnergy Park tryout to play for the BlueClaws, with Rice and 2006 OF Bill Kirk being the other two.

Here is an article from CSNPhilly.com about Birmingham, who grew up a huge fan of the Phillies and…his new manager, Mickey Morandini.

“I grew up 15 minutes from the Walt Whitman Bridge,” Birmingham said. “I’ve always been a Phillies fan, so this is definitely more exciting. It was exciting to try out for them and even more exciting to sign and play in their organization.”