2017 Season Phillies Discussion (News/Notes, etc.), continued

[David_Criss]

Todd Zolecki‏Verified account @ToddZolecki 23m23 minutes ago
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Rhys Hoskins will be added to the Phillies roster today, according to a source.

Does this make it official or the worst kept secret in baseball?

[Lawman]

I plan on being there tonight.....my first (and probably only) game of the season.

Speaking of which, should I expect a boatload of traffic, given that Eagles 1st pre-season game is tonight?

[flyers19rw]

Isn't the Eagles game in GB?

[Lawman]

Correct. I saw Eagels vs. GB instead of @ GB and figured meant in Philly.

[Philsmania]

Phillies unveiled their version of the goofball Players Weekend jerseys that all teams will be wearing on August 26-27. Let's just say that I hope this is the only year that they do this one.

And, not to mention, someone needs to tell Andres Blanco that there is only one Whitey in the Phillies universe.

Phillies to celebrate Players Weekend

[donaldorc]

And in agreement with Allentown in another thread (I think) they are quite ugly.

[California_Dreamin]

Zolecki is reporting that Hoskins will be called up today and possibly be in the lineup tonight. Opening against DeGroom...welcome to the big leagues indeed.

[California_Dreamin]

Salisbury also reporting it....and sorry, meant DeGrom.

[zambonir]

Wonder what the bench looks like next year - maybe Cesar, Quinn, Knapp/Alfaro, Nava/Perkins, Joseph or other FA who can play 1st and maybe OF (Adam Lind? Stassi? Jon Jaso?)

Cesar will get traded if he's not starting, Shoot, he's more valuable than Galvis, and also less useful as a utility guy.

I can't write Roman Quinn's name anywhere until he makes it through spring training.

Joseph will be gone. Nava could be gone in a week.

A LH bench player who can play both 3B and 1B would be something to look for. Jes Hernandez still a strong candidate to replace Blanco if he's healthy.

I think they will sign or acquire a 4th OF who could be good enough start. Hopefully someone much better than Saunders turned out to be.

[bkeich]

C: Rupp, Knapp, Alfaro
1B: Hoskins
2B: Hernandez (Kingery starts in AAA)
SS: Crawford (if he keeps hitting)
3B: Franco, Galvis
LF: Williams, Stassi
CF: Herrera
RF: Altherr, Perkins

I think you have to drop Stassi for a backup infielder. Only having one backup for 3 positions just isnt enough, if one player is slightly injured you have to make a move. One could argue that Herrera could be that guy, but he hasnt played 2B in a few years now, not sure they could count on him for 20-40 games filling in at 2B over the course of a season, but maybe try that.

Stassi is 28 and really has done nothing to prove he needs a ML spot. He is a AAAA 1B whose best skill is 1B defense (pretty negligible) and really doesnt hit enough to justify a bench spot. I would rather have the veteran take that spot, especially if you are talking about catchers player 1B also. He can be held in AAA awaiting an injury to fill in at 1B, OF or just as a hitting bench player, which is pretty much the definition of a AAAA player. If he moves on to another team he will be in the same role, there are no teams out there that would trade for him or offer him a ML contract.

I think you do need a veteran in there somewhere, and I am certain that Pete will fight for it. Additionally, it would be nice to have a trade chip again. Williams really is not a lock to start yet, he has done well and had a nice hot streak in AAA, but he still needs to prove that he can hit ML pitching once they realize he has bad plate discipline.

The 3 catcher thing is just because that is what we have available rather than actually smart. That is a great deal of "slow" for one team. I would rather the team make a decision and trade one of them, I would look to move Rupp and get a reasonable return for him, but really any of the 3 would be acceptable to move. It would be best if we could get 2 high prospects, preferably not 40 man eligible. Former 1st or 2nd round pick types (that havent been failures). A contending team needing a catcher would be wiling to pay that price for a plus hitting, plus fielding catcher in his prime. Rupp is underrated by this board, he has a .750 and .747 OPS he last 2 seasons, that is well above average for a catcher and he has developed into a solid defensive catcher by my eye (above average at throwing out runners, etc.)

[andyb]

I don't think they go with 3 catchers. They either trade somebody or stash Knapp in AAA because they have the option.

As for a bench, outside of the backup catcher I think they go with Quinn ideally. The backup middle infielder could be Galvis though I think he ends up traded and they get a veteran rental to work with Crawford. Beyond that they could choose to go with veterans. Stassi could fit as a left handed bat (more than Joseph). Ideally they want more defensive flexibility than either Stassi or Perkins provides.

With all that reasoning it is very possible that almost none of our bench outside the backup catcher is currently in Philly. They probably need to develop a 3B/1B/OF type assuming Perkins is not picking up a 3B glove any more. I wonder if Walding could be decent in that type of role since he is pretty good defensively.

[David_Criss]

Phillies to call up Rhys Hoskins

Saying it is a done deal now

[zambonir]

Stassi probably won't even be on the 40 come spring training, which also means he may or may not be with the Phillies.

[andyb]

Matt Winkelman on Hoskins:

Crashburn Alley – Phillies Call Up Rhys Hoskins

[bkeich]

Nice idea to give Hoskins 2 months in the ML this year to hopefully get 80-100 PAs and get adjusted. He and Crawford look like they are "ready", I would rather have them up here now getting adjusted.

Crawford is less of a concern as he has really only been hitting AAA well for a couple months now, while Hoskins has been crushing it all season. If there is another injury in the middle infield or 3B I would bring up Crawford, but otherwise wait until Sept 1.

If not for Kingery Galvis would have a good shot at a job at 2B, but I think the last thing we want now is another player in that mix as we already have to make a move. Either Galvis or Hernandez needs to be moved this offseason, their value will be falling by becoming a backup.

[bkox]

Phillies unveiled their version of the goofball Players Weekend jerseys that all teams will be wearing on August 26-27. Let's just say that I hope this is the only year that they do this one.

And, not to mention, someone needs to tell Andres Blanco that there is only one Whitey in the Phillies universe

Its not going to be a one year thing but I do hope next years unis are better.
This is one of MLBs initiatives to bring in younger fans. And I support it. Its fun without really changing the game.

As for Whitey... yeah I cringed the first time I heard Blanco called that.. but.. he had that nickname before the Phillies and while Richie Ashburn will always hold a place in our hearts... most of the younger generation doesnt really know him. It was striking the other night when Matt Winkleman tweeted that Crashburn Alley couldnt do a good tribute to Dutch because the writing team there are all too young to have seen or remember Dutch from his playing days. Our Whitey died in 1997. Meaning anyone 25 and younger really dont know him except for stories occasionally being told and the occasional highlight that features him

[andyb]

Whitey is kind of Blanco's actual name. And he is a player that respects the past so I am fine with him wearing on the back of his uniform.

[bkeich]

Whitey is kind of Blanco's actual name. And he is a player that respects the past so I am fine with him wearing on the back of his uniform.

Honestly, I think Whitey would like Blanco. While Blanco has not hit this year, he is a guy that has always been seen as a hard working and team leader type This will be his last season with the team, but overall "Whitey" Blanco has been an easy guy to root for and a guy that "the real" Whitey would be happy

[allentown]

And you have to be around 70 to remember Whitey as a Phillies player. As I entered H.S. Ashburn was a Met. To have any coherent memories/understanding of the Whiz Kids, you'd have to be mid-70s today.

[nycphils]

thread

Cracks me up that Perkins' jersey has his nickname as...Perkins. Oh well, won't see that guy no more.