Drew Carpenter seemed to be a pitcher on the rise in the Phillies’ organization after winning 17 games at Single A-Clearwater last season. But he started this season in AA ball and he failed miserably. He started 11 games in AA-ball this season and he was 2-7 with a 6.94 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. The Phillies then demoted the 23-year old righty starting pitcher to A-ball and he appears to have found his comfort zone. He has now started 15 games in A+AA ball this season and he is 3-9 with a 5.65 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. It will be interesting to see how Carpenter handles his next chance in AA-ball as his stuff is good enough to succeed there.

21-year old righty starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco is the most popular name in trade talks with the Phillies but they should resist the temptation unless they get a player that will give them a real shot at winning the World Series. Carrasco has not been dominating in AA ball this season but no one questions his stuff. He has pitched in 16 games (15 starts) in AA ball this season and he is 5-7 with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He has whiffed 89 batters in 97 innings this season which shows that even though he’s not pitching his best ball he still maintains good stuff. The Phillies should keep him or they might be really sorry.

31-year old lefty starting pitcher Brian Mazone is off to a terrific start in AAA for the Phillies. He has started 14 games in AAA ball this season and he is 7-4 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. This could be the season that Mazone finally makes it to the big leagues if he keeps pitching well. Mazone will likely get a chance with the Phillies roster can expand to 40 on September 1st if not before if he keeps pitching well.

The Phillies have released veteran lefty reliever Steve Kline as they weren’t happy with his progress in AAA ball. He pitched in 20 games in AAA for the Phillies and he was 0-2 with 1 save, a 5.16 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. Kline might get to hook on with another team that wants to give him an audition because lefty relievers that can get someone out are in short supply. Still, Phillies’ management won’t likely lose any sleep over this.

21-year old righty starter Carlos Carrasco is the #1 rated prospect in the Phillies’ system according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook and he could be in Philly soon. Carrasco has started 6 games in AA-ball so far this season and he is 3-2 with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He also has whiffed 39 batters in only 36 innings. If he keeps pitching like he is now he will likely make it to Philly before September.