What’s Next

Weekly Discussion

I am prepared to resume operations at Phuture Phillies.  My long hiatus was caused by the aftereffects of a short, mild bout of COVID back in January.  I was ill for a couple nights but tested positive for about ten days. 

Afterward, I suffered from reduced stamina.  If you are familiar with the Complex, I would get winded walking from the parking lot to the main building, about 400-500 feet.  The walk back to the car was equally tiring.  But, I’m better now, not as good as before COVID, but well enough to get to the Complex multiple days each week.

One, recent incident has shaped how I will provide future reports.

Several months ago, I was sent a published poll that ranked Phillies’ blogs (circa 2021).  We were rated third among a couple dozen sites.  We were described as the best place to read about prospects in the organization.  I was slightly embarrassed because, by the time I saw the poll, we were predominantly a Phillies discussion site.

Going forward, I intend to return to our roots.

  1. Phuture Phillies will once again focus on prospects.  I will no longer provide a weekly post for a Phillies discussion.  There are a couple dozen other sites that already provide a place for that.   That doesn’t mean I won’t ever write something about the Phillies.  If something newsworthy happens, I’ll report it.  I just won’t be doing it every Sunday as I have for the past few years.
  2. I will no longer be writing nightly game reports.  This requires a 6-day-a-week commitment.  You all must know how taxing that can be.  When I solicited help doing the affiliates at Lehigh Valley, Reading, and Jersey Shore, nobody volunteered.  You may recall that these posts were often published around 2:00 AM.  Well, I don’t stay up nearly that late anymore.  I’m not going to change back to my old sleeping habits.
    1. Besides, my friend, Steve Potter, publishes a daily minor league round-up on his Phillies – A Fan’s View (https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com).  No need for me to recreate the wheel here.  Steve also provides a lot of other organizational information.  If he allowed comments, I probably would point you all there and remain retired.
  3. I have been able to spend a lot of time watching prospects at the complex and stadium.  The Threshers are much more exciting to watch than the Phillies so far this season.  So, I have a lot of observations to share.  I plan on writing about the kids I’ve seen and will see as new players report to the Complex.
  4. I’ll also report on the FCL and FSL games I attend.  Not each one.  Just the ones that provide something special to report.

I exchanged my car for a 55 cc scooter.  Security at the Complex jokingly refers to it as my “harley”.  So, the weather will dictate when I go to games.  The threat of rain will keep me home unless Steve is driving over and gives me a lift.  I don’t want to have to “scoot” in the rain.  And, the heat can cut a day at the Complex short.  I have been able to watch the morning workouts, mostly live batting practice and bullpen sessions before the noon heat and humidity move in.

*** In addition to random stories about prospects, the occasional Phillies post, and a few Threshers’ and FCL game reports, I’d like to try something new.  I propose a mailbag.  If you ask questions in the comments section below, I will devote a column or columns as needed to answer your questions.  I can’t promise that the answers will be any more than my opinion, but it will be opinion based on what I have actually seen and sometimes heard.

I do have a Phillies post ready to publish tomorrow to celebrate the start of the second half.  I have to edit out the negative tone that the Nationals series inspired.  I was at the Friday night game and, well, you know.  Anyway, enjoy.

(Note that I remembered to turn on comments this time.)

 

13 thoughts on “What’s Next”

  1. Glad to hear everything is getting better in your world!

    I’ve missed the prospect was and can do without Phillies discussion. Prospect updates are what I’ve been missing the most. Really excited for the direction of our system. Truly believe they’re close to being a top 15 system.

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  2. Jim, Do you think the Phillies’ scouting and development programs have moved forward? Have you observed such progress from your vantage point?

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  3. Jim – as you know, I love to talk prospects and I appreciate that you’re seeing and hearing things I don’t get to see in my short spring training trip (which I was sorry to miss you on this year). My question to you from the other article is whether you see improved development techniques with the new team in place, they’ve obviously had improved results. Thanks Jim, welcome back. And be careful on the scooter on the rocks and dirt there.

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    1. You said you will not be hosting Phillies discussion as much, as there are other sites that already do this. What would be the best site(s) for providing informed discussion, on MLB level, as I have witnessed here? I have always come here for both prospect and major league info and found both helpful.

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  4. This is my favorite Phillies blog. Thank you for all your hard work in keeping this interesting.

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  7. Jim:
    “But, I’m better now, not as good as before COVID, but well enough to get to the Complex multiple days each week.”
    …think about supplementing with Balance of Nature (fruits and veggies). Company out of Vegas. It is pretty pricey at a minimum , with discounts, of $70M per month (Walmart-$90 for the two bottles). It seems to work for the people I know at my fitness club. Because of the price I decided to only take 1/3rd the amount daily…half a loaf is better than no loaf as they say..or a 1/3rd in my case.
    Whether you decide to do it or not, good luck in the recovery and healing process.

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    1. My wife had covid back in January. She is still taking inhaler to help . Doctor told us some people remain with this problem

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  8. Romus, open the checkbook! LOL.
    Hope you are well. Hope all are well.
    You can do everything. Figure a way to get in touch with me.
    I have some neat things to share with you from last Spring but do not want to upset Jim.

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    1. Don…..i tried awhile back…I think sending out or relaying privacy info, like emails, is considered off-limts.

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  10. Just some hitting stats I put together. I debated, not only restricting to 200 PAs, but also restricting by age. I might restrict to age 25 and below next time.

    Hitting Leaders with minimum 200 PAs through Saturday 7/15:

    BA: Cave (.347); Muzziotti (.346); Crawford (.341); Kroon (.322)

    OBP: Cave (.429); Dunn (.409); Muzziotti (.407); Boyd (.405); Podkul (.400)

    Slg%: Cave (.689); Podkul (.597); W. Wilson (.515); De La Cruz (.503)

    OPS: Cave (1.118); Podkul (.997); Dunn (.897); Wilson (.881)

    RBI: W. Wilson (58); Wingrove (52); Cave (48); De La Cruz (45); Dunn (45); Rojas (45)

    HR: W. Wilson (20); De La Cruz (17); Cave (16); Wingrove (13); Podkul (13)

    3B: Crawford (6) Rojas (5); Kemp (4); Heredia (4)

    2B: Cave (29); Rojas (20); Kroon (19); Rincones (19)

    Hits: Rojas (98); Muzziotti (97); De La Cruz (93); Cave (78);

    BBs: Dunn (56); Wilson (51); Lee Sang (50); Kemp (47); Ward (47)

    Ks: Lee Sang (104); Wingrove (94); De La Cruz (93)

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