- Llovera is the epitome of an under the radar pitcher. The Venezuelan native has quietly progressed from the VSL to HiA Clearwater in 3 seasons. Prior to coming to the U.S., my system touched upon the 5’11” 200 lb righty and I named him to my Phillies International Watch List. He came state-side in 2016 and had one heck of a debut. In 11 appearances (10 starts) with the GCL Phillies, Llovera posted a 7-1 record with a 1.87 and a 4.67 K/BB ratio. He just missed being named as a UTR Organizational All-Star at the conclusion of the season. I state quietly because his radar signal was very faint in 2017, as he was used primary in the bullpen (but made 10 starts), and didnt make any mentions here. Llovera fits the mold of a Sixto Sanchez and Ranger Suarez, but on the lower end of that spectrum and should be tracked closely in the upper levels.
- Bivens was having a decent 2017 with HiA Charlotte before going on the DL late in the season with arm fatigue. Unsure whether his late start to this season was collateral, but Bivens returns to Charlotte and made his 4th start on June 13th. It was his longest outing since May 2017 and the 4th round pick in 2014 might be back to form. He has only allowed 3 earned runs in 19 innings (1.40 ERA) along with 14 hits and 19 strikeouts.
DSL RHP Heribert Garcia (DSL Royals – Kansas City) 18 years old 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 0.00 ERA, Win 1-0 Rookie Leagues -(GCL,AZL,Appy,Pioneer,Short-Season) Began on June 15th (Short-Season) Began on June 18th (GCL & AZL) Began on June 19th (Appy League) LoA RHP Joe Cavallaro (LoA Columbia – New York Mets) 22 years old 6 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 2.06 ERA, Win 7-1 HiA RHP Cristian Javier (HiA Buies Creek – Houston) 21 years old 6 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 0.00 ERA
- First HiA start after a promotion. Javier made 2 relief appearances with Buies Creek in 2017
Top Relief Pitcher Performance RHP Dauri Moreta (LoA Dayton – Cincinnati) 22 years old 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 8.18 ERA, Hold (4)
RADAR BLIP RHP Anthony Bender (HiA Wilmington – Kansas City) 23 years old 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 4.72 ERA, Win 4-2
Under The Radar Minors 