Skip to main content

The Moves Begin...Kendrick Demoted

Following Kyle Kendrick's poor outing against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Monday evening, the Phillies have optioned the 25-year-old right-hander to Triple A Lehigh Valley. To fill the void in Philadelphia's pitching staff, the Phillies have called up Drew Carpenter to take Kendrick's place.

On Monday, Kendrick served up 3 homeruns to the Cards, leading to 7 earned runs allowed in 5 innings. The rough performance by Kendrick left his season stat line looking like this- 5-4 record, 4.82 ERA, .271 batting avg. against.

Through 17 starts with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the righty Carpenter has posted a 7-6 record with a .341 ERA and a .250 batting average against. Carpenter appeared in 3 games with the Phillies last season, surrendering 7 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings (11.12 ERA).

It is unclear what Carpenter's role will be with the team, but the Phillies' next scheduled day off is August 2nd, so an opportunity to skip a spot in the rotation would not be approaching soon. The promotion of Carpenter may also be telling regarding what the Phillies think of the progress of last season's Sporting News Rookie of the Year "Jay" Happ. The left-hander spent time on the disabled list this season, but was optioned to Lehigh when he failed to display the control and velocity, that helped him make an impact with the Phillies last year, during his rehab work. However, it is likely the Carpenter move is a temporary one, as a refined Happ, who reached 95mph with his fastball in his latest IronPig outing, could be used to take Kendrick's turn Saturday and Carpenter could be used as a relief option until then. If Happ is scratched from his scheduled Tuesday start, the picture will become more clear.

Many analysts have stated in recent weeks that a shake up was needed for the Phillies to change their fortunes. The Phils have been roughly 5 games out of first place in the National League East this entire month and have failed to gain any ground on first place Atlanta in the standings.

Lately, phans have been calling for a promotion from Lehigh, but it hasn't been for Carpenter. It has been for top prospect Domonic Brown, who is batting .360 through 20 games at Triple A and has posted a .328 batting average and a .981 OPS in 85 games at two levels this season.

Expect Carpenter to be a prelude to more moves by general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. Happ, Brown as well as some completely new names and faces could be in Philadelphia rocking red pinstripes before too long.

______________________________________



You can follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular ...

PhoulBallz Interview: First round pick Bryson Stott

Bryson Stott, image- Jay Floyd Shortstop Bryson Stott , the Phillies' first round draft selection this year, has enjoyed a successful initial pro campaign.  En route to being recognized as an All-Star for the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters the 21-year-old UNLV product has tallied a .295 average with six home runs and 25 RBI in 45 minor league contests. Last week I spoke with the lefty hitting Stott to discuss his transition to professional baseball, joining the Phillies organization and plenty more.  Read ahead for that interview.  -Obviously, your performance and the production on the field is going well, but how do you feel you have adapted to the pro life? It feels good.  You hear about the everyday grind, but you don't really believe it till you feel it. I would say that's the difference between college and the pros, is you're not practicing, you're playing games every day.  I would say that's the biggest difference.  But I...

Rappers in Phillies Caps

Weekend greetings to you phine pholks out there. Today's post features pictures of rappers wearing Phillies caps. Why rappers in Phillies caps, you ask? Because... Any other questions? We will start things off properly by going with a highly recognizable hip hop star. 50 Cent stays constantly relavant by consistantly creating radio friendly material to help sell (G) units, while he "keeps it real" by still rapping about the thug life he lived before becoming the 2nd highest earning black entertainer in America. 50 is seen here in a recent interview rocking a throw-back Phillies cap. Next up we'll use a throw-back screen cap from what may be the very first major appearance by a rapper wearing Phillies gear. Chuck D, of legendary rap group Public Enemy, wore a Phillies cap in the music video for rap anthem Fight The Power in 1989. The song was the lead single from the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing . Next up we'll go with some home grown tal...