Phillies Discussion, 4/22/24

Other Stuff, Weekly Discussion

Gotta love sweeping two series.  Good to see a lot of bats get healthy.  Good to see the starting pitching continue to throw well.

Now let’s hope for three more series wins.

This will be your Phillies discussion.

Important Dates

  • January 15, 2024, 9 a.m. EST: Opening of the 2023-2024 international signing period
  • May 4, 2024: Start of the Florida Complex League
  • June 3, 2024: Start of the Dominican Summer League
  • July 14-16, 2024: Amateur draft, Arlington, TX
  • July 25, 2024: End of the FCL regular season
  • September 8, 2024: End of Jersey Shore’s regular season
  • September 8, 2024: End of Clearwater’s regular season
  • September 15, 2024: End of Reading’s regular season
  • September 22, 2024: End of Lehigh Valley’s regular season
  • September 29, 2024: End of the Phillies’ regular season

Transactions

April 2024
4/21/2024 – Reading transferred RHP Noah Skirrow to the Development List
4/20/2024 – Lehigh Valley sent SS Rodolfo Castro on a rehab assignment to Jersey Shore
4/20/2024 – RHP Eury Ramos assigned to Reading from FCL Phillies
4/20/2024 – Clearwater transferred C Lou Albrecht to the Development List
4/20/2024 – SS Diego Gonzalez assigned to Clearwater from FCL Phillies
4/19/2024 – Reading transferred LHP Matt Osterberg to the Development List
4/19/2024 – Reading placed LHP Jordi Martinez on the 7-day IL
4/19/2024 – Jersey Shore activated RHP Eiberson Castellano from the Development List
4/19/2024 – Clearwater activated RHP Jake Eddington from the Development List
4/19/2024 – Clearwater transferred RHP George Klassen to the Development List
4/18/2024 – Jersey Shore transferred C Ryan Leitch to the Development List
4/18/2024 – Clearwater placed OF TJayy Walton on the 7-day IL
4/18/2024 – OF A.J. Shaver assigned to Clearwater from FCL Phillies
4/17/2024 – Reading activated RHP Christian McGowan from the Development List
4/17/2024 – Reading transferred C Arturo De Freitas to the Development List
4/17/2024 – Jersey Shore activated C Ryan Leitch from the Development List
4/17/2024 – Jersey Shore placed LHP Samuel Aldegheri on the 7-day IL, retro to 4/16
4/17/2024 – RHP Geremi Delpino assigned to DSL Phillies Red
4/16/2024 – Reading transferred C Arturo De Freitas to the Development List
4/16/2024 – Clearwater activated C Lou Albrecht from the Development List
4/15/2024 – Jersey Shore transferred RHP Jonh Henriquez from the 7-day to the 60-day IL
4/16/2024 – Phillies sent RHP Taijuan Walker on a rehab assignment to Lehigh Valley
4/16/2024 – Lehigh Valley transferred C Cody Roberts to the Development List
4/16/2024 – Reading activated RHP Mitch Neunborn from the Development List
4/16/2024 – Reading activated C Arturo De Freitas from the Development List
4/16/2024 – Reading sent 3B Otto Kemp on a rehab assignment to Jersey Shore
4/16/2024 – Jersey Shore sent OF Ricardo Rosario on a rehab assignment to Clearwater
4/16/2024 – Reading sent RHP Cristian Hernandez on a rehab assignment to Jersey Shore
4/16/2024 – Clearwater activated C Lou Albrecht from the Development List

221 thoughts on “Phillies Discussion, 4/22/24”

  1. The Marlins approach with Max Meyer this year may be a good blue print for how the Phillies handle Painter in 2025.

    Max started year in Marlins rotation. Pitched 3 games and 17 innings. He was dominant. But they just sent him down to AAA. He will pitch 1 game a week capped at 3 IP per outing. Then return him to the majors after all-star break to finish the year with the Marlins.

    Interesting approach.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m not 100% certain but Max Meyer could have been in the rotation due to injuries. Eury Perez was lost for the year and Edward Cabrera started the year on the IL.

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  2. Walker will get his rotation spot back but he hasn’t pitched very well in his minor rehab games. There’s probably little adrenaline for him in these games but still, he wasn’t close to dominating in these starts. Meanwhile Turnbull has been electric and it seems harsh to move him to the pen right now. Should they maybe move Sanchez to the pen initially? He also looked very good in his last start. Tough call.

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    1. They should keep him on the IL for a little more time so he can get his velo a few ticks higher @ LHV……1/3rd of all his pitches use to be split finger FBs, not sure he can do that anymore or maybe he is tenative about the shoulder. IMO, extend Walker’s IL and let Turnbull continue in the rotation.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Why are we all dancing around the elephant in the room? Right now, Spencer Turnbull is a MUCH better pitcher than Taijuan Walker and, in fact, he’s pitched better over an extended stretch than Walker has ever pitched for the Phillies over an extended stretch, although Walker had decent stretches for the Phillies last year when he could also throw a decent FB. 

      This isn’t about being fair or unfair to Turnbull. On his contract and situation alone, Turnbull knew or certainly should have known that this year he was going to be a back-up option for the team and any regular work he would get would be gravy. But he has far exceeded expectations and he’s the best #5 pitcher they have. In fact, if he were on a mediocre team, he might be the #2 or #3 starter. 

      All things being equal, you put the best pitcher in your rotation, but there are other considerations. Walker’s contract (which does change his performance or Turnbull’s) and Turnbull’s lack of innings last year. 

      If I’m the Phillies, I want to lighten the load on all starters, keep Turnbull’s innings down for a bit and find a way to rehabilitate and then trade Walker. Walker’s contract is an anchor, but if he’s solid, he would be very useful to a team like the Orioles who hit like crazy and need a reliable arm (or the Cardinals, who seem allergic to starting pitchers who throw over 95 MPH). I might use both guys on a six-man rotation for a while, or I might piggy-back starts with Walker going 4 or 5 and Turnbull throw 3 innings – enough work where, quickly, you could work him back to a starter’s workload. And, in fact, if they can trade Walker (yes, they’ll eat some of his salary – maybe $3-5 million a year, but so what?), I’d entertain an extension for Turnbull if he can keep this up for another month. Turnbull is a revelation and he really knows how to pitch. 

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      1. There’s no way that Turnbull is going to agree to an extension if he’s not guaranteed a starter spot. He can hit FA and probably get similar to what Zach Eflin got (3/40).

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      2. He has pitched 4 games and we are talking about an extension? I don’t remember who said it, maybe lots of people, but don’t ever make decisions on players based on April and September stats. He’s pitched against ChiSox, Pitt, Cin, and StL. He hasn’t faced a single team that will likely make the playoffs or even finish with a 500 record. I’m excited about his start like everyone else but I’d wait another month or three before throwing other guys out of the rotation, signing him to an extension, or putting him in the October rotation. 

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        1. I didn’t say we should give him an extension based on this month. I said we should wait at least another month to even consider whether it is a good idea. I also don’t think they should even consider giving him an extension unless and until they trade Walker. In case you can’t tell, I’m eager to move on from the Walker contract – it wasn’t a good one and it’s standing in the way of other potential deals.

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    3. There’s absolutely no way that you send 27 year old Cristopher Sánchez to the bullpen. None.

      Turnbull has been great but he’s 31 and has been injury prone pretty much his entire career.

      Sanchez is part of the Phullies’ future, Turnbull is not. Turnbull was a depth sign that worked out tremendously.

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      1. Turnbull is 31….if they found something there, theres no reason he cant be here for a few years. If you find a diamond in the rough like this you don’t just let him go.

        I think the thing we all agree on here is that Walker should not just get his spot back. Hes just not that good.

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        1. If we’re just talking numbers, then obviously Walker shouldn’t get his starter spot back. But the reality is, DD promised Walker and his agent to sign with Philadelphia because he promised him a starter spot and Philadelphia is paying him starter money. So unless Walker is hurt or really not effective, he’s getting his job back. And we won’t know if he’s not effective until he starts.

          As I previously noted, Turnbull is not signing an extension if he’s not guaranteed a starter spot. And he’s going to be 32 as a FA and he’s been injury prone his entire career. And the Phillies have options like Andrew Painter who should be 100% healthy by ST.

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  3. I like what I have seen from Turnbull so far, ….BUT it has been 22 innings pitched and 85 batters. After his TJ and brief appearances last year this year is a ‘finding out’ how it wil turn out for him. And right now, according to Fangraphs,  it is but a SSS.  

    Sample Size

    And like it was mentioned….turns 32 later this year, and is probably not a part of the future on any LTC >3 years.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Risk profile is a two-sided coin. He is more risk due his age and injury history. But he likes it here and that risk and his desire to stay here is why I think they can get him for a decent bargain (one year extension at $ 7-8 million? 2 years at $16-18 million?). And if they can’t – so be it – move on from him next year. Again, this is just on the radar now. A bunch of things will need to to fall into place to make this a good idea for the Phillies.

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      1. Obviously, the innings restrictions also depress his value. 

        Look, Turnbull will have games where he gets lit up – it happens to all pitchers. But he has shown himself to be quite a pitcher, with good command and a varied arsenal (and some occasional impressive velocity), since he’s been here. 

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        1. From a practical business standpoint….if Turnbull does well thru the season, Phillies do have a few options……and if they are hesitant in resigning him to a LTC, .one option is he still can be QO. Not sure he would appreciate that, but business is business.

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          1. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Turnbull would get a QO, even if he pitches very well this year.

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    1. What really has changed, IMO, is that the average relief pitcher now throws a higher velo FB than the average starter. Of course that number could be skewed since relievers probably now make up approx. 60% or maybe more, of a team’s total pitching staff……in the ancient days that was reversed, were starters thru higher velo FBs than relievers…eg. starters-low to mid 90s was considered exceptional vs relievers in the hi-80s. Arms like Nolan Ryan, Bob Gibson, JR Richard and then later Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were rarities.

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      1. Romus – sorry, but I don’t agree with that. As a general rule, the average reliever always threw harder than the average starter (but, of course, not always, there were always some guys, like Larry Anderson, who had an “out” pitch). You’re pointing to all-time greats as examples, but their ability to throw so hard over long outings is what made them all-time greats.

        What’s different to me is not that relievers generally throw harder than starters it’s just how much harder relievers throw now than they used to throw. I remember when Todd Worrell sat like 97-99 and he was like a unicorn in the National League and a typical “flame throwing” closer threw around 95 or 96 – like Ricky Bottalico. Now, virtually every reliever throws 95-97 and many reach much higher.

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  5. The Phillies roughed up the White Sox and it’s no secret that the White Sox went into full tank mode after trading Dylan Cease. Like what’s the point of bottom feeding for Martin Maldonado, Paul DeJong, and Robbie Grossman? And why are they keeping Andrew Benintendi? If you’re going to go into tank mode, then just go all out. Let the young guys, like Nastrini, take their lumps. And they’ll be worse once they trade Michael Kopech (hopefully for a top 100 prospect). I think the White Sox can come close to losing 120 games. It’s brutal what’s going on in the south side.

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    1. Guru. I was wondering the same on the 120 games when I saw Saturday night, they only have 3 wins so far. But just behind Rockies. Good Phillies took all 6 from them. These wins may be important in September.

      Romus. I was told that the Bullpen has developed more facilities in Kansas City, and I think bullpen guy said Cortland New York. He was not sure how many diamonds they had at each. They set these up really nice. Kokomo has 8. 4 for the little kids and 4 for the older. Westfield has 32.

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    2. ……..because you need to keep some “bona fides” around to make it “look like” you are trying to contend even though you know, you are tanking! 

      Don’t want empty seats.

      Suffice it to say, I don’t remember a team as bad as the White Sox look…. save maybe Casey’s Mets.

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  6. Turnbull will be limited by innings pitched; he has not thrown more than 56 innings since 2019. So they want to put him in the bullpen when TW is activated to limit his innings like they did with Strahm. Also they realize that ST is pitching for a multi-year deal and he has a history with DD in Detroit; the Phils are not going to have him throw 160 innings and risk an injury.

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  7. More broadly no one in the league appears to be head and shoulders above us at the moment. I like the position that we are in standings wise and have to give credit where it is due.

    Let’s keep the train rolling….

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  8. Romus – I don’t disagree with your thoughts/comments much at all. However, I think if the Phillies offered Turnbull the QO, he would jump on it immediately. After this season, the $ for it could be close to 20 mill. It would probably be something Turnbull couldn’t turn down.

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    1. I agree that he would most likely accept. Seems best to just let season play out and see how things stand at the end. He needs to prove he can make it through a full season for starters. I also agree with those on the innings limit. I have no idea what number that may be but the Phillies have guys who can figure that out. Let’s hope everyone can stay healthy. That is so important.

      Little grandkid so excited. Leaving soon for Cincy. He will be decked out in his Harper jersey and Phillies hat. It is a multi-color deal so must have something to do with Harper as well like the Phanatic.

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      1. Don……..they will show your grandson on TV at the game….they always pick out Phillies fans at away games.

        One year Dan K was shown at PNC Park in Pittsburgh as he did his all city cross the country baseball park tour.

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        1. Romus. Oh NO. Just seeing Harper is on paternity leave for birth of 3rd child. Little guy will be so disappointed. Harper is his hero. I do not know if he will ever be on tv or not. I will only get the Reds broadcast. Still have not figured out Extra Innings completely after all these years. Sometimes get both. Sometimes only Phillies. But mostly only the opponent’s broadcast. Probably 60% are that. Teams in my area it will only be their broadcast.

          Little guy was hoping to get a couple autographs. I am sure Harper was first choice, but any will be fine. They were on first row in left field and NC tossed a ball up during BP and then the bullpen guy at the end of game tossed him another ball. 

          He hit two home runs yesterday and his team won beating a team from Chicago in final. He is so fast and if ball gets in gap on those turf fields it goes to the fence every time if hit hard. Bullpen gives winning team kids a ring, so he was thrilled.

          I am not going to let them know Harper is not there.

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        2. Funnily enough, I was also on TV in Cincinnati.

          Sorry that the little one couldn’t see Harper live, Don. But hopefully that masterclass of a game was enough consolation prize. And maybe Ranger turned him into more of an appreciator of pitching.

          Also, you can tell the little ones if they bring a sign as well as wearing Phillies gear, it’s basically 100% they’ll get on TV. The sign also got me a few souvenirs on my trip, but that’ll probably depend more on the message, haha.

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  9. The one thing that struck me was imagine if Phillies could get Kopech and teach him a sweeper. With his power fb adding a slight off speed pitch he would be a dominant closer. And Phil’s have the instructor in Cotham to do it!

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    1. Kopech will likely be one of the top relievers available at the deadline so it’s going to cost anybody who wants him. He’s not a FA until 2026. So if I’m the White Sox, I want a highly regarded guy who’s not close, like say Starlyn Caba.

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  10. For those who don’t think that the gap between AAA and the bigs is that large, Jackson Holliday is 1-30 with 16 SOs. The Orioles shouldn’t be worried at all since he’s only 20. They could send him back down for the rest of the season and he would still be the #1 prospect in baseball. They can’t all be Mike Trout or Ken Griffey Jr.

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  11. Romus. They are sitting 2nd row behind Phillies dugout right behind the cameraman. Those are awesome seats. Small crowd.

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    1. Don…LOL…just saw them….your grandson was eating popcorn….is that your daughter with him? The park looks empty..where are all the Reds fans…they are doing well this season!

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    2. I was so stunned with all the empty seats in Cincinnati that I had to check if the Reds are over .500 (which they are). The Reds have Elly De La Cruz and Hunter Greene on the mound and they could only draw 11K fans? That’s embarrassing. Do they miss Joey Votto that much?

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      1. Forecast in Cinci for the 23rd was for rain all evening, which might have been a small part of the meager attendance…. not a big part, but a small part! I was going to go, and it dissuaded me.

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  12. Funny. No. This is my son. It is my daughter in law. My son said they are behind net but right behind stairs. I will be lucky if I see them with Red’s broadcast. I told them to be ready for foul. My son said most Phillies fans are right there by them. Kid has his hat and Harper Phanatic headband on. I saw his glove on front row seat in one pic. He has Harper jersey on. They are right on the field. No idea where Reds fans are. 

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    1. Ok….I will watch for them.

      I did see the Reds fans were out for Angels and Trout this past weekend….75K total all three games……then when the Brew Crew was in for 3 games earlier only 32K for three games…..maybe the Kentucky/Ohio fans are weekend warrior fans!

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  13. No Harper probably does not help, I just saw Phillies fans miss fly ball down right field line. Red’s announcers said till Thursday so not sure if he misses all r games or the first 3. They were confusing. Guessing my son has his Phillies hat on. It is one like they wear on Sundays.

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    1. FYI – the Turnbull deal is just a thought, is still very premature, would be contingent on their being able to move Walker and would only make sense if they get a good deal. A lot of ifs – it’s just something to keep in mind.

      Signing Ranger should be a priority having nothing to do with the potential Turnbull and Walker circus.

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      1. No, it’s April and guy has made 4 starts against average to sub-par competition. Maybe wait until after the all-star break before even worrying about who they should be looking to sign/re-sign.

        No need to keep it in mind or waste time speculating about giving him a QO, what the terms of a contract might be, etc.

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        1. With Turnbull, sure, whatever.

          No, not with Ranger. Do what Howie Roseman would do. Get it done. Now. The price will only go up.

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  17. Ranger sure was good. Bohm is doing nice job at 3B.

    Romus. Little guy got an autograph from Brandon Marsh. That was nice of him. Made his day.

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    1. Eagleeye. That was really nice of him.

      Dan. He had all of his Philly’s gear on. HIs hat, Phanatic headband, and Harper jersey. I am sure he had a great time. He was only 2 rows behind dugout. The pics were awesome they sent to me. They were like field level. Right behind the camera guy in dugout. I never got that close to the field. They are going to Detroit in June I think when Phillies are there. They have pretty good seats there also. You are right about seeing Ranger. Little guy had 9 Ks yesterday in his tourney games.

      Romus thought he saw them once. I only get Red’s broadcast and they never showed over there.

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    1. Can someone explain to me what’s the issue with a 6-man rotation? Keeps mileage off the top of rotation’s arms. Allows everyone to stay fresh. Even if just for a month or so.

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      1. Agree……even for a temporary period what is the harm! The only risk is if the starters do not go 5 or 6 innings, then the BP gets over-taxed, but that is just for a short period of time. Now would be the time to do it since the starters are all on a roll.

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        1. …….. just a thought …….. are there any contractual incentives that might be negated by going with a 6 man rotation? Like innings pitched, etc.?

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        2. ….. or minimums that are required for season ending awards which are incentive based on contracts.

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      2. Taking money out of the equation, the starters themselves are not big fans, though I do understand it’s the job of management to potentially save them from themselves!

        “You’re just not as synced just because it’s more time than what you’re used to,” Wheeler said, via Matt Gelb. “You’ve been doing it for so long that — even if you change it with your mindset — your body is just used to it. So I think you’d rather pitch on four days’ rest at 80 percent and have that feel, rather than 90 percent with an extra day or two. That’s just me, personally. So, I don’t know.”

        Wheeler’s career ERA is almost a full run lower when pitching on regular (four days’) rest. So, that is what he prefers.

        I think it’s reasonable to go with a 6 man rotation early and then transition to a 5 man rotation to get ready for the playoffs, maybe starting early/mid August.

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      3. My biggest issue is that I want my best pitchers pitching as much as possible so taking starts away from Wheeler, Nola, Ranger, and even Sanchez to give to Turnbull and Walker is giving innings to lesser starters at the expense of the better ones.

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      4. I like the idea for moderate periods of time (not the entire year). Usually, it’s done just to save arms, but the drop in quality is significant. Here, the drop may be non-existent (or minimal) and it would serve a lot of purposes (keeping arms fresh, keeping Turnbull stretched out, getting Walker work, etc.. . ). Also, you could skip the 6th man anytime there was a scheduled off day in between. Matty Winks also made a good point that having an awesome 6th man would come in handy if anyone gets injured, which is, unfortunately, likely.

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      5. They never want six man rotations when there is a steady diet of days off because it then adds another day before they pitch. However, in a stretch where there are few days off, an extra day can work wonders.

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          1. see no evidence Dodgers are using a 6-man rotation. They have 4 regular starters and have been using different guys in the 5th spot because they have a starter on the IL

            Glasnow is taking regular turns. They might be playing with Yamamoto’s starts because he’s used to extra days pitching in Japan but that’s not a 6-man rotation.

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      6. I need you to admit Bohm is a stud. You hate him and fawn over Stott (became a good defender once he moved to 2nd which I could play)….bohm is a middle of lineup run producer for a perennial pennant team….indont need OPS+÷=_> equation either….the guy walks every game too

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  20. Ranger would appear at the end of April to be the front runner for the NL Cy Young.  He should also get NL pitcher of the month based on run-less consecutive innings alone. Hope he can sustain the current success.

    brWAR for Pitchers

    1. Crawford…Bod…1.7

    2. Suarez…….Phi…..1.6

    3.Berrios…    Tor…….1.6

    4. Blanco……Hou……1.6

    5. Blackburn..Oak…..1.3

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    1. There is SOOOO much to like about Ranger Suarez. I’ve been angling for them to sign him to an extension since last year, but nobody could quite predict this performance.

      As for his history, this is the second time in 4 years that his season ERA has sat at 1.36 (of course, this season is very young, but still . . . ). Somehow, Ranger pitched 107 innings in 2021 and, in that limited time, accumulated a 5.9 WAR and a 1.36 ERA. It went as under the radar as one could possibly imagine – almost as if it didn’t happen. But it DID happen. And not only that, Ranger got better and better as that season went along, suggesting it wasn’t all smoke and mirrors. Was his 1.36 ERA a little fluky? Yeah, sure, some of that is luck. But it wasn’t a mirage. He was outstanding.

      What I love about Ranger is that he is a pure pitcher. He throws hard enough, but his game is about mixing pitches, mixing speeds and absolutely pinpoint command of all his pitches. And he’s a much lower injury risk because he doesn’t throw with max effort and he doesn’t try to impart max spin. Probably the closest comp to Ranger right now, is Cliff Lee at the height of his powers. Throwing any pitch, anywhere he wants, in any count. If you love to watch good pitching, you love watching Ranger. In fact, all of our starting pitchers are or have become consummate pitchers and not just throwers – Sanchez and Turnbull included.

      I didn’t expect to see something truly special this year with the Phillies. I thought they were a solid 90-ish win team and would have a fighting chance in the playoffs. But this rotation has a chance to be truly special. 2011 Phillies rotation special. 1986 Mets rotation special. Mid-to late 90s Atlanta Braves special. 1971 Baltimore Orioles special. Wow – what a surprise! 

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      2. Saturday could be his next big test…..should be Cease vs Suarez in San Diego. If he can keep the Padres at bay it will further solidfy his good standing around the league…….interestingly only three LHPs have won the Cy Young award over the last 25 years in the NL…..Randy johnson (4X), Clayton (3x) and Blake Snell once.

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      3. Ranger has shades of Tom Glavine too. I wonder if this is what Whitey Ford looked like at his peak.

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          1. Good comparison…what I remember about Whitey Ford and Warren Spahn would compare favorable to Ranger’s style and pitching approach. Of late also would be Dallas Keuchel or Mark Buehrle. Pitchers with exceptional control and also zone command that walk few,if any batters, and are able to get many of the barrel contact.

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            2. And the nice thing about Ranger is that he’s not a soft tosser like Keuchel and Buehrle. He can bring it in the mid-90s when he needs to do that. Ranger throws about as hard as Cliff Lee once did – plenty hard enough for the way he pitches.

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          2. I was a big Spahn fan when I was a kid. Spahn and Sain and pray for rain! I don’t think Spahn is a good comparison for Ranger, but no one can deny Ranger is having a very good year so far!

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            2. He had that high leg kick and Spahn’s best pitch was his fastball up to 1954/55 when he hurt his knee and after which he crafted a screwball. 

              363 career wins and holds the record for most HRs hit by a pitcher (35). Pitched a no-hitter at age 39 & 40. He had 13, 20 game win seasons was a Cy Young award winner and in the running 4 or 5 other times. 

              He had a great pick-off move and Wills said if you were running on him you just had to guess!

              Lost playing time to WW2 and won a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart at the Bulge and Remagen.

              A really special guy, so much more then what I have shared here.

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  21. And we need to now acknowledge that Caleb Cotham is an elite pitching coach. Virtually every pitcher under his watch has improved and many have improved substantially. The most obvious example (aside from all the raw, hard throwing relievers that he’s turned into pitchers) is Zack Wheeler. Today’s Zack Wheeler is a much more advanced version of the hard thrower with a limited arsenal who the Phillies signed in 2020. That Zack Wheeler was a very good pitcher, but today’s Zack Wheeler is an ace who fills the zone with multiple plus pitches and doesn’t need to overpower every hitter. He’s a completely different pitcher than the one they signed in 2020, which is good because he doesn’t throw quite as hard anymore and needs the added deception.

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      1. I keep wondering if some team would swoop in and poach him, dude has had remarkable success with all sorts of pitchers.

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        1. Why would the Phillies let Cotham go and not pay him the market rate (whatever that might be)? I don’t see them letting him walk or not paying him what he’s worth.

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          1. Yeah agreed, its like the Eagles with Stoutland….they are arguably more important that a large amount of the players. Cothams a stud, he needs to be here for a long long time.

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  22. I wish the Phillies had a spot for Clemens. The guy is a good hitter who has a lot of pop and uses all fields. His biggest drawback is that he doesn’t play the outfield. I believe had the Phillies not signed Merrifield, Clemens would be on the 26 man roster.

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    1. Had they not signed Merrifield, Cave would be the 26th man and not a member of the Rockies. 

      Clemens problem, like you noted, it his inability to play multiple positions.

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      2. standing there and being able to play there are 2 separate things. Hoskins and Schwarber both played LF too.

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  23. If Rojas plays like this for the full season, he’ll be a 3 WAR player, which is totally fine. He’s been solid this year, and very good considering he’s 23 years old and (I hope) still improving..

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      1. Romus. I am just seeing an article up now about Mason Miller saying he is the best closer now I am not sure on that but was impressive the day I saw him. Sounded like you felt the same. Think it was SB Nation. I just looked at title.

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        1. Mason Miller’s average fastball velocity is 101.2 MPH. The only person I’ve ever seen with a similar average velocity is Aroldis Chapman, who, at his peak, also averaged 101.2 MPH in 2016 and, at 36, still averages close to 98 MPH.

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          1. I have not seen him. I was at Kokomo watching games. But wasn’t game 8-2? Did they just use him or did Phillies score some on him.

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            2. Romus. I will have to watch on Extra Innings some night when the Sox are ahead late and see if I can catch him. If he is as good as Miller, he is a stud. Funny they are on two of the worst teams. I can flip to a channel that has 8 games on at the same time. Phillies vs Reds just came on. 

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    2. Watching him run out the triple last night was a thing of beauty. There’s nothing like watching a very fast runner legging out a triple. He was a blur.

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    3. Rojas started the season 1 for 22. Since then, he is 14 for 35 (.400 ba).

      Even including that horrid start, his K rate on the season is only 14.3% (lowest on the Phillies) and his walk rate is up to 6.3%. That while playing elite defense in center and stealing bases.

      That is a heck of a player. If he keeps that up, then he is a fixture in CF.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I was starting to get a little frustrated by the (in my opinion) knee-jerk reactions to his slow start. He had good numbers and a solid approach at the plate last year for a rookie. Yes, he struggled in the playoffs, yes he struggled in spring training and the first couple weeks of the season. This is totally expected for a rookie. If you watched him play last year and followed his growth through the minors, there was never any reason to doubt that he wouldn’t overcome it. 

        AAA is not a requirement for the advancement of prospects. In fact, AAA is essentially just a place for MLB clubs to stash AAAA caliber players. I suspect Johan would actually fare worse at AAA given the amount of junk ballers whereas at the MLB levels pitchers are going to challenge him with fastballs sitting in the 9 spot.

        It is great to see him get going and I’ve truly enjoyed watching his growth as a player.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Last nights 8 pitch walk by Rojas was a tremendous at bat and really showed his growth and development. And his catch in CF where he slammed into the wall was phenomenal. Rojas is playing really good baseball right now. He is a very productive MLB centerfielder. He is young and on a very cheap contract. Great player to have on our team that has a lot of big contracts.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. I was just as impressed with the Infield hit he had in the 9th inning of an 8-1 loss where he busted in out of the box in a blowout loss to beat the throw to 1b.

            Would have been easy to assume the game was over and jog down the line. 

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            1. Yep. that was great too. Bottom line is that he is a very productive player. Most teams would love to have him as a 9th hitter giving elite defense at CF.

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  24. Catch. I saw him one Saturday vs Tigers, I think. He was lights out that day. Romus saw him later against Rangers I believe. Same results. I have only seen him that one time. Think he had several at 102 that day.

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  25. I say whoever gets Kopech, if Sox trade him for prospects, and if the acquiring team has a good pitching coach like Cotham, you have the makings of a shutdown closer – ala Guardian’s Clase or the Giant’s Duval.

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    2. Guys that was the first thought I had when I saw the lineups. What is the saying. ”If it is not broke don’t fix it.” Made no sense to me either. Now they have the lefty tonight who is really good. Romus said he was hurt during first series. Phillies need these two now to hold series edge for season.

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  29. What happened to catching prospect Rickardo Perez? He was suspended last year. He’s still not back. Does anyone know?

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  32. Romus…….IYO, in your life long following major league baseball…. who was the player who seemed to you to not really receive the accolades, attention and respect that he probably deserved.

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    1. Skeet…toughie question….if it were a Philly, then it would be Richie Ashburn……in the 50s CF was loaded with superstars …two of which were Mays, and Snyder in NY, so they would get the acclaim in the Big Apple and the nation. That is a hard question,,,,,,since star players not playing in NY, Boston, Chicago or LA probably got the shaft when it came to the lime light. And great players playing in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Milwaukee eta l…small markets, usually got lesser of the notoriety though talent wise they were just as good as the big city players…… Who do you say?

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      1. Yeah, I get your take on that, the Big City guys got the notoriety. The guy I always thought that was under appreciated was Al Kaline.

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          1. That’s a very good list – I’m glad they got Kenny Lofton (he was amazing and should be in the HOF) and also Olerud, Brian Giles and Graig Nettles. Here are a few more:

            1. Lou Whitaker – over 75 WAR – an outstanding player who should be in the HOF with his double play partner.
            2. Dick Allen
            3. Albert Belle – a holy terror as a hitter and as a guy. Hip injury prevented him from going assembling numbers for the HOF. At his peak he was right up there with just about anyone.
            4. Keith Hernandez – WAR aside, the best first baseman I ever saw and a tremendous clutch hitter and on base machine.
            5. Dwight Evans – great hitter, great fielder, great player. Should be in the HOF IMO.
            6. Kevin Brown – you may not remember him as a great pitcher, but he was.
            7. Reggie Smith – a fantastic all-around player and his teams were always in the hunt for a title.
            8. Jerry Koosman – a very long and productive career. Was in the shadow of Tom Seaver, but was pretty darned excellent in his own right.
            9. Ken Boyer – excellent third baseman and hitter and part of a Cardinal title team. Had a peak 5 year WAR that looks a lot like Utley’s.
            10. Cole Hamels – won’t make the HOF, but he was awfully good for a long time and frequently great. Two more really solid seasons and he might have had a HOF chance.
            11. Jim Edmonds – fantastic power hitter and centerfielder. Nobody talks about him anymore, but he was superb.
            12. Robin Ventura – everyone remembers his terrible Nolan Ryan fight, but Robin had a great career.
            13. Dave Stieb – the Blue Jays’ first star and really excellent pitcher.

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      2. I think Dick Allen is my answer. He’s still not given the respect he deserves among a lot of the older writers. The poor guy had to fight to get the media to use his preferred name. Reading about his history in baseball is legitimately depressing. I just hope he realized how much he’s come to be appreciated before his death.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Yes…Dick Allen would qualify in those regards…..falling short of Hall of Fame election is a travesty. While Harold Baines gets selected with less thean 40WAR over his career.

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          1. Harold Baines was an absolute joke of a selection. He got in because Tony LaRussa loved him and worked back channels on the veterans’ committee to get him elected. This is why there is generally a big vote for the HOF – so guys like Harold Baines don’t get in. 

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  33. Are we gonna see the same JV line up tonight because Lodolo may be tougher on lefties than Abbott? Just feels like we’re raising the white flag in this series.

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    1. The Reds actually have a lot of talent. I saw Lodolo last year and was pretty much blown away. I think Lodolo may have Cy Young potential. I was similarly impressed by MacKenzie Gore this year. Hunter Greene has great potential and so do a bunch of their young hitters. Somehow with the Reds, the whole always seems to be less than the sum of the parts and I’m not entirely sure why that’s the case.

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    2. Not sure what JV line-up you are talking about. Harper is on paternity leave which is why he was out of the line-up and will be again tonight.

      Only other regulars who didn’t play were Marsh and Stott. I agree that Marsh should be playing regularly vs. LHP but also understand they want to get Pache at-bats. 

      As for Stott, he’s not exactly killing it right now so a night off to play Merrifield at 2b wasn’t a shocker.

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      2. Marsh isn’t the OF who should be sitting to get Pache at bats.

        Obviously there’s nothing Thomson can do about Harper. And to his credit, Sosa has actually hit fairly well in his limited appearances. But Stott in a slump is still light years better than Merrifield right now. And Castellanos has still never sat a game. Castellanos has a 32 wRC+, by the way (+ stats are balanced so that 100 is league average, for those who don’t know. So Casty is SIXTY EIGHT percent below league average). And both Merrifield and Castellanos have been bad defensively. So we’re giving the most bench play time to our worst bench player, and the most OF starts to our worst OF. Which culminated in our 5,6,7 hitters last night all hitting SUB-200. 3 hitters, not even at the very end of the order. THREE.

        Even Marsh at his worst against lefties hasn’t been worse than those three. And Stott’s actually been BETTER against lefties so far this year. But even his overall stats on the year, as bad as his slump has been, is TWICE as good as what any of those three have produced. And Marsh and Stott actually contribute on defense, as well.

        I’m not saying having Marsh and Stott play last night turns it into a win. But I am saying our team is worse when they aren’t playing, and Thomson is being willfully ignorant of what his players are doing if he keeps running out Castellanos and Merrifield over his other options.

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      3. Longer post got swallowed by the spam filter I think. Cliff notes:

        If Pache needs play time, it should be over Castellanos; he of the negative value in all aspects of the game.

        And Stott, even in his slump, is better than any of Castellanos, Merrifield, or Pache. Also, Stott is actually hitting better against lefties so far this year.

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        1. So bench players should only play if they are taking Castellanos’s spot in the line-up? Going to be pretty hard to get them all in rotating in RF every game, especially the guys who don’t play RF. 

          Also, good sample size on that 5-17 Stott has vs. lefties but your right, he should probably be sitting vs. RHP since he hitting .192 vs. them and Sosa should be playing 2b everyday.

          Everyone on the 26-man roster needs to have some playing which is going to involve some regulars sitting on occasion.

          I don’t understand or agree with the logic behind Castellanos playing everyday vs. every other player but a dislike of him doesn’t change the need for other players to get playing time.

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          1. Listen I wasn’t trying to be argumentative. I just don’t understand why there has to be wholesale changes to the line up weekly. If you are going to face back to back lefties why not play Marsh one day and Stott the next. It’s April and the only way we can find out if they can improve against lefties is to put them in the line up. Freddie Freeman is a great example of this. I’m aware that Bryce isn’t available and that throws a kink in the line up construction. I do also wonder why Schwarber and Castellanos never seem to be given a day off even though they are below average hitters and may need a day to recharge the batteries so to speak.

            Liked by 1 person

          2. If it was about a need of every player getting playing time, then Merrifield wouldn’t have more than twice as many PAs as the next highest bench bat (38 vs. 16 for Sosa).

            Meanwhile, the three youngest players have the least amount of PAs of the 9 starters and are the only ones under 80 PAs (and every other starter would be above 90 if not for JT, who actually needs as much time off as he’s getting.

            I don’t mind giving starters a breather. Especially high effort positions. I do mind that bad players are getting preferential treatment.

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            1. Sorry, meant 16 PAs for Pache. 14 for Sosa.

              Both of those guys are good defenders unlike Merrifield, by the way.

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            2. Merrifield was signed as a FA to be the primary bench bat at multiple positions. He’s going to get more at-bats than the other bench players and more time to get going.

              That should not be a shock.

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  34. Gabriel Rincones and Crawford are among the most impressive early performers as hitters (along with Miller, which I think we expected). I was predicting a breakout for Rincones and it may be happening. He’s hitting over .300 with lots of walks and an OPS over 1.000 – pretty good given that he’s just starting his second season in the minors and is already in AA.

    Rincones is 2/3 today with a homer.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Rincones better be good……he came out of the  same high school as these guys: Pete Alonso…Wade Boggs….Kyle Tucker…Preston Tucker….Mychal Givens…John Hudek… .John Ramos.…he has the HB Plant HS  tradtion to keep up.

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  35. oldruff – I agree with you about Al Kaline. Something interesting I read about something he once said. He was signing autographs in NY when a kid came up to him and said, “You’re not as good as Mickey Mantle”. Kaline answered, “Nobody is”. He was one of the best right fielders ever and he had a lot of class.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. Don’t wanna seem like I’m only focusing on the bad things with a team that’s currently doing quite well, so here’s a shout out to Bohm.

    It’s unlikely he’ll sustain his torrid offensive pace, but it’s also worth mentioning that his (very small sample size) defense has also been improved over previous years. Glad to see it, especially in a (still) young guy. Hopefully he can keep playing himself into a lucrative free agent contract (even if it happens to be elsewhere).

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      1. I am a huge Topper fan – huge. I think he might very well be the best Phillies’ manager of the last 50 years. But he managed that game without any sense of urgency and it really bothered me. They really should have won that game. I cannot stand Gregory Soto (he throws hard but never seems to progress as a pitcher) and something has to happen with Seranthony, including, perhaps, a demotion. I don’t totally blame Topper for their not being nearly as good as they should be, but I can blame him for taking a winnable game and refusing to insert better players into the game at key times when the bullpen is already well rested. Just a super bad game for the skipper.

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        1. I agree in that my take on any manager is that his primary job is to deal with players in the clubhouse and manage personalities which I think Thomson is very good at doing.

          I don’t give managers credit/blame for the results during a game more that 5-10 times per season. Last night was one of those games where the manager had a negative impact.

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          1. A really good strategic manager, might make the difference in like 4 games over the course of a season over an average manager and maybe 6 or 7 over a really bad manager. But that’s a big deal- going from 87 to 91 wins is significant. 

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  40. Interesting Athletic article rating front offices based on survey of 40 unidentified MLB executives.

    Top 5:

    Dodgers

    Rays

    Braves

    Guardians

    Orioles

    Phillies rank 11th. One exec said that Dombrowski doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he doesn’t have the right pedigree. Citing DD’s great record of championship teams, he then quoted Winston Churchill: “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.”

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      1. Necessity is the mother of invention, to coin a phrase.

        Like with so many other cases, those with sparse resources learn how to make the best of them while those awash in resources don’t need to. In baseball that means teams like the Mets and Yankees throwing money around. Or, as John Middleton famously said, stupid money.

        Still, in MLB, being a big market is so much an advantage that it ought to implement more ways to level the competitive environment.

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  42. I would hate to see the Phillies rush Crawford up the ladder, especially with what we’re seeing with Jackson Holliday, but man does he seem like a special talent. Mattingly must be chomping at the bit to see what he looks like in AA.

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    1. Holliday is struggling right now, but he wasn’t rushed. He earned that promotion and, once he adjusts, he could end up being one of the best players in baseball. His ceiling is about as high as it gets.

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  44. Winkleman is still expressing concern about the quality of Crawford’s contact. If he’s not meaningfully better at hitting than Rojas, then I keep Rojas.

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    1. Crawford is still a work in progress, but his long-term upside, particularly as an offensive player, seems to be much higher than Rojas’s.

      Crawford is filling out, hitting the ball harder and Winkelman has noted his swing improvements. On top of that, one of the big stories is his improving plate discipline. He has a 191 WRC+ in high A ball as a 20 year old with a 15.5% walk rate and a .466 on base percentage. Sure, we want him to continue to work on his swing adjustments and become a guy who routinely drives the ball, but it appears he’s made a lot of progress since last year and he’s incredibly fast. If he keeps the plate discipline and learns to drive the ball routinely, you’re looking at a potential star player, a latter day Carl Crawford with better plate discipline (and maybe a little less power) if you will (I’ll take that!!!).

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Crawford hit 41 balls with an EV over 100 as a 19yo. His hardest hit ball last year was 107.4 mph.

        Unfortunately they only keep these metrics for AAA and FSL. Not for JS so we have no idea his exit velos this year are. That said, I find this swing to be a very impressive show of his added strength. This is a low low outside pitch that he reaches down and hits it to the oppo gap fence.

        https://x.com/Mitch_Rupert/status/1783286896816246806

        I think he is just fine.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Think you are right. Initially i was worried that he was just getting a bunch of infield hits that he wont get at higher levels, but he seems to be getting better which is great because it shows hes willing to work and improve. Still think he has a low floor if things dont work out right at higher levels, but im much more optimistic than i was last year about him.

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    2. The average EV at MLB level is 89 MPH https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/whats-a-good-exit-velocity/

      Justin’s average EV last year, as a 19yo was 87.5

      https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast-search-minors?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2024%7C2023%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&hfOpponent=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&home_road=&hfRO=&position=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&batters_lookup%5B%5D=702222&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.remove%5C.%5C.bunts%7C&hfLevel=&metric_1=&hfTeamAffiliate=&hfOpponentAffiliate=&group_by=name&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=launch_speed&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_tracked_pitch=on&chk_stats_launch_speed=on#results

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    3. The average EV at MLB level is 89 MPH

      https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/whats-a-good-exit-velocity/

      Crawford’s average EV last year as a 19yo was 87.5

      https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast-search-minors?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2024%7C2023%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&hfOpponent=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&home_road=&hfRO=&position=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&batters_lookup%5B%5D=702222&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.remove%5C.%5C.bunts%7C&hfLevel=&metric_1=&hfTeamAffiliate=&hfOpponentAffiliate=&group_by=name&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=launch_speed&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_tracked_pitch=on&chk_stats_launch_speed=on#results

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  45. Miller obviously must be hurt. Not on the IL. I am sure Jim and Potter know why but aren’t saying.

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  48. I was hopeful that Schwarber was breaking out this year, but believe as Mendoza went, so goes Schwarber. 

    It wasn’t vintage Wheeler, but the hill Corp. did a nice job. Harper returned to form and Turner kept on hitting. If you have to split, a good one I think.

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    1. Ranger vs Cease on Sat nite shapes up as a dandy……for Ranger if he keeps his score-less innings streak intact, it will surely sew up NL April Pitcher of the Month

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  49. Aidan Miller’s average Exit Velocity is 85 mph. Best hit was 107.9. He’s hit 12 balls over 100 mph or 21.4% of his balls in play.

    https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast-search-minors?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2024%7C2023%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&hfOpponent=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&home_road=&hfRO=&position=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&batters_lookup%5B%5D=805795&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.remove%5C.%5C.bunts%7C&hfLevel=&metric_1=&hfTeamAffiliate=&hfOpponentAffiliate=&group_by=name&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=launch_speed&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_tracked_pitch=on&chk_stats_launch_speed=on#results

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    1. As a comp, Crawford last year hit 20% of his balls in play over 100 mph. So Crawford and Miller are about the same 100+ mph hit rate.

      Batting average at MLB level on balls hit over 100 mph begins at .426 @ exactly 100mph exit velo and only goes up. And 56% of base hits at MLB level were on exit velos BELOW 100 mph.

      point is, Crawford is making great contact and so is Miller. They are both very young and great athletes. They will develop.

      https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_hit_probability

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  50. Did anyone see the video of Ricones’ recent 500+ foot home run? I realize that he hit it in Reading, but as they say, it would have been out of any park – – including Yellowstone. He has some serious power!

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    2. Wow, you can see the ball go all the way out of the park and bounce across the highway. What a shot!!!!

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  51. v1  Seeing really is believing.

    Thanks for providing the video link. I lack the technology skills to do that.

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  52. I was at the R-Fightins for that game, and Rincones certainly got all of it, but there was a gale force wind blowing to right field. His other hit was a hard line single to left.

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  53. hi guys, sorry i haven’t posted a recap this week. i had an accident going to the complex monday. i’m okay but banged up my left side pretty good. i can’t type comfortably with my left hand. i can’t type a whole recap right-handed. my elbow and shoulder are starting to feel better and i hope to get back to work soon.

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    1. Jim, We can get along without the updates for a few days but we can’t get along long-term without your great work. Relax, rest, heal. We’ll be here when you’re 100 percent again.

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  55. Jim. Glad you are ok. Just take it easy and get feeling better. Takes a little longer at our age. Take care.

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  57. So, guys when is the Pache experiment over? Meanwhile down on the farm Luplow is doing quite well .397. LV had 5 hits the other night, Luplow had 4 of them. Pache, I think is out of options.

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    1. Pache is out of options, and he’s a bench player that’s here for defense. And he’s actually getting on base at a decent pace, albeit with very little other offense besides that.

      Luplow is a 30 year old journeyman that would never see playing time over Merrifield anyways. He’s injury insurance.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. ……..Merrifield is also a journeyman at this stage, appearing in 14 games and hitting a robust .209, but I get it. 

        At the beginning of the year, you decide who you are going to PAY….. and that is who you PLAY! Then,….. you buy a short-term catastrophe ins. plan and stash it in your desk drawer to the day of disaster. When the term expires you DFA it, renew it, or apply it against a different policy.

        …..but, what if there were no guarantees, …..what if you had to play hungry or produce (see Castles abs last night P.2) or (see Pache having the time of his life on the bench)……..I wonder?

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        1. I agree with you about Merrifield. I’m just saying what Thomson would do. I’m not convinced it’s because of his contract, though. Thomson is just cut from the same cloth that Girardi was; they have their guys, and they’ll basically never change their mind about them. Merrifield is apparently one of his guys.

          As for Pache, he’s pretty much an ideal back-up OF. He’s elite defensively, and he can play all three spots. And while his offense hasn’t been good this year (in a super small sample), he’s actually shown some interesting progress in his time here. And for a young, former top prospect, that’s plenty of reason to keep him on the roster.

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  58. Ranger and Alec Bohm are smokin’. Bohm is on pace now for a 7WAR season, though with a little reservation, his BABIP is over .400, so there could be some regression down the road.

    And also hope Ranger keeps it going…should be a strong contender for the April NL Pitcher of the Month Award and leads the team in bWAR@2.1. He has approx. dozen or so starts prior to the all-star break…..at this pace he should be an all-star pitcher in July.

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    1. Romus. I agree. Both have been really good. Seems Turner is getting it going as well. I think Bohm has been good at 3B as well. I remember back when he struggled so badly. Lots of work. Plus, think just more confident now. Seems he anticipates the play now.

      Romus. I am old. But I think I have seen two plays this Spring I have never seen before in all my years of playing or watching baseball.

      First. Was the Marte pitch to J. T. that hit him on wrist. J. T. is hurt. Ball goes to screen and Marte goes and gets it and throws runner out at 1B who for some reason did not run on strike 3. Call was a K on a WP and runner out 1-3 at first.

      Second. Yesterday. Grandson high school team. Runners on 1st and 3rd no outs. Runner on 1st takes off on a steal. For some reason batter bunts and pops up to the right of the catcher. He catches ball and then throws to 1st for double play and runner on 3rd tries to score on throw and is thrown out at home plate. They bunted into a triple play. Have you ever seen that.

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        1. Romus. I had not thought of the two put outs for catcher. He also had an assist on the 2nd out. I think I have seen a couple times where 2 guys are trying to score almost together, and the catcher has tagged both out. I know I have never seen the bunt triple play. You are so right on the never seen moments.

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  59. ANOTHER, masterpiece by Ranger last night, was really hoping he would keep the shutout streak alive to bypass Robin Robert’s. Pitching has been really good almost everytime out.

    Big game from Bohm and Turner as well. Those 2 are barreling it!

    Schwarber edged out Castles in the Golden Sombrero competition, winning the coveted Golden Sombrero with 1 oak leaf cluster! ……of the 10 team SO’s, they eclipsed all of them.

    Now for the sweep!

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  60. Romus, ……. do you remember Saul Rogovin? Whitey used to say that he had 3 pitches, slow, slower and slowest. Watching Walker brought that to mind today.

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    1. Still seeing him hitting 92 in the 7th. That’s within a mph or 2 of his normal velocity. Walker having a solid outing.

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      2. I just told my wife, …….. now watch this. 7 – 6, but that’s not on Walker, it’s on Thomson. I thought Walker had a good outing up to that pitch!

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      1. Saul played for the Phillies, I believe 55 – 57 and had a 5-3 record his best year. He described his 3 speeds as …. slow, slower and stop! Retired at 35 with arm trouble, I wonder what he would say about that kid hitting 103.x mph the other day.

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  61. Bohm is HOT .  But how about ex-Phil farmhand Art Charles. Last night in a Mexican League game he was 6 for 7, 2 doubles, 4 home runs and 15 RBI’s…..

    Liked by 1 person

  62. Sanchez tonite…..will be watching the match-up with Mr Trout…who leads the majors in HR @10 and is off to a hot power start but BA is lower than expected with more than his share of swing and miss for him..

    Griffin Channing for the Angels….has over a 7 ERA so far this season. Seems to give up plenty of hits….LHBs may do well tonight.

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    1. Romus. I see a couple Power Ranking this morning. USA and CBS. USA has Phillies at 6. CBS has Phillies at 3 behind Braves and Guardians. Also speaks highly of Ranger as a possible Cy Suarez. Braves on top in both. I am a little surprised they are still rolling along as usual. Best record.

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  63. Marsh is an all-star level player against RHP. Can’t hit LHP — 50% K rate this year, and nearly that last year.

    I’m heading to the game tomorrow. Excited to see Wheeler on the hill.

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    1. Are you sure it is Wheeler tomorrow…..could be Turnbull…and then Wheeler for the getaway afternoon game on Wed.

      Of course Angels , like most teams trying to mitigate Harper, Marsh, Stott and Schwarber.., are throwing two lefties for Tuesday and Wed’s 4PM game…Anderson and Sandoval.

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        1. they have announced it will be Turnbull … Wheeler gets an extra day of rest and Nola gets two extra days.

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  64. I like that the Phillies are continuing to give Turnbull starts. It’s a good thing. As for Walker, he is what he is. He’s a guy who typically gives you 6-7 innings with around 4 earned runs. He would be very valuable on a really good hitting team like the Orioles or Rangers because, when he’s on track, he truly does eat innings and gives you a chance to win. As I said previously, my hope is that he pitches well enough that they can trade him. With their enviable pitching depth and with new arms coming in the next year or two, they really don’t need him and the money is better spent elsewhere (like Ranger’s extension).

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  65. Some of my take aways thus far from the MiLB Club maybe Jim can expand upon when he’s feeling better

    CLW

    Saltiban hit 2 HRs yesterday. I like this kid out of the draft and think there could be something there in 4-5 years. The BA isn’t present but I like that he has half as many BBs as Ks.

    Caicuto-21 y/o catcher don’t know how he catches and throws but the OBP profile is solid at 396. He doesn’t K and he takes his BBs.

    Mavis Graves-6’6″ 205LBs he’s what they look like as they say. He has 21K in 15.2 IP. 20 y/o in CLW so not uber impressive yet but I like the profile.

    No reason to really mention Miller we know the pedigree and what we think he can be.

    JS

    Hendry Mendez 20 y/o 6’3″ 175 LBS-.289-.396-.729 OPS. 8 BBs 11Ks…I like it

    Bergolla and Rincon have been really big disappointments. The Clearwater stats don’t always make the leap to JS. But then there is Eric Brito at 21. He’s off to a really nice start

    I’m not sure who Elberson Castellano is but 22 y/o 6-3 160 LBs and a 1.10 WHIP with 18 Ks to just 6 BBs stands out some.

    Jean Cabrera has some eye popping stats but age/level 22 JS tempers some enthusiasm for me. Also listed at just 6′ and 145 LBS LOL.

    And then there is Sam Aldeghari who at 22 is absolutely dominant right now. A .59 WHIP is insane at any level. He should be in Reading really soon.

    JC no reason to really mention because again we know.

    READING

    Those of you that loved Rincones Jr. are feeling it right now. I liked the profile out of the draft but then had some deep concerns after Jersey Shore but he’s acquitted himself well. I mean 1.017 OPS in AA is eye popping. Ryan Howard at age 24 in Reading OPS’d 1.033 for comparison.

    Caleb Ricketts is bouncing back with the bat nicely. He and Gabriel are both 23 and at Reading. I don’t know how well Ricketts catches and throws and I believe he was a bat first catcher when drafted. If Marchan is never going to stay healthy he could be a place holder in the coming years.

    And then I’m loving Lachlan Wells the Aussie. .89 WHIP 15 Ks 3 BBs in 14.2 IP as a starter.

    Not at all did I try to be comprehensive these were just some numbers that stood out.

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    1. DMAR…I liked Mavis Graves coming out of his South Carolina HS in ’22…..also a very good athelete to boot…could hit very well besides pitch, was committed to Clemson. He has a better than average chance to some day crack a MLB rotation down the road.

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    1. Wow – that sucks. He is one of our best hitting prospects. Any sense of what the issue might be?

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      1. I read Potter’s blog and it doesn’t say what the problem/issue is with Rincon.

        That said, I stumbled onto this article by Potter regarding Klassen and the Phillies’ minor league pitching development efforts. We are now developing multiple talented pitchers, almost all with projectable arms, both as starters and in the BP. This article tells you how well coordinate and advanced their approach is to developing pitchers. It’s very impressive and it looks like they are doing a great job up and down the organizational ladder if the box scores are to be believed.

        https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/4-28-24-spotlight-rh-pitcher-george-klassen

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  68. To me, this is pretty crazy …

    Alec Bohm is tied for sixth among all position players with a 1.6 WAR, per

    @fangraphs. That’s already a new single-season career-high for Bohm, who finished 2022 and 2023 at 1.4.

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    1. I believe the guys’ said Alec has 17 hits on the road trip in 7 games. That is wild. His swing looks really good right now. Hope he stays hot.

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      1. Don….Bohm BABIP is really high…over .400…..more than likely he will regress some. How much is anyone’s guess.  The league average BABIP is typically around . 300.  The harder a ball is hit, with the high exit velo, the more likely it is to fall in for a hit so a better hitter will usually have a higher BABIP than a worse hitter, so that could be where bohm falls in….. and a poor pitcher will usually have a slightly higher BABIP than a better pitcher given a sufficient sample size. Now on one hand, many consider BABIP a ‘luck’ stat. As many say…..all the line drive caught balls eventually even out over a season with the blooper hits….who knows!

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        1. Professor Romus. Have you ever been called Professor? All your points are really good. As I watched yesterday Alec seems to have the good fortune of wherever he hits the ball at this time there is no defender. I do think some luck does happen but it you hit it hard consistently you get some of that. I was surprised he was given an error on the one in the 8th. Kruk asked if the ball was over 95mph I think was the number. Maybe that is used by official scorers as a guide. I had not heard that before.

          Grandkid last year hit balls like Alec has this season and especially last week or so. This year lots of line drives but right at someone. So, I do think there is some degree of luck or good fortune.

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            1. Romus. I am sure he will some. But he is really confident at the plate right now. Confidence is so important. It appears Rojas is getting more confident at the plate as well recently.

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