Discussion

julio 2018-03-22 15:17:37 UTC #443

andyb 2018-03-22 15:34:10 UTC #444

So the leaders for the final bench spots are likely Quinn, Valentin, Florimon, and Rosales for 2 spots. Can't imagine Cowgill has much of a shot. Maybe a 5th bench slot is possible though I think I see them letting Arrietta pitch 4 or 5 innings his first starts with a deeper bullpen.

David_Criss 2018-03-22 15:39:53 UTC #445

I think this could help Hutchison's chances of joining the team, too. Hutchison and Flaherty were/are the only two Non roster invites that have/had any really shot of making the team at this point. Finding two 40-man spots would have been hard. Flaherty certainly had a good camp and fit the flexible mode.

phillychuck 2018-03-22 15:54:07 UTC #446

Sorry to see Flaherty go--I think he's slightly better than Florimon, but it's so close I would concede to the Phillies' judgment.

phillychuck 2018-03-22 16:07:39 UTC #447

Zoelecki story on Thompson moving to the bullpen:

Austinfan 2018-03-22 16:16:50 UTC #448

I think in the long run, both Leiter and Thompson have stuff that plays better as a SP, but the pen provides them time to work on their repertoire, and they provide a long relief/spot starter option.

Given the log jam on the minor league pitching staffs as the prospects move up this summer (figure a half dozen will get promoted mid-season, and the injuries to Eickhoff and Leiter, Thompson in the bullpen as the #6 starter makes sense.

David_Criss 2018-03-22 16:21:49 UTC #449

Since he has been released, I am assuming this gives him a few days to try and latch on with a Major League club. I am hoping the Phillies gave him an AAA offer he can accept and return if no MLB team signs him.

zambonir 2018-03-22 18:15:51 UTC #450

I think he'll go to Baltimore. When you've played somewhere for seven years it's insulting to only be offered a minor league deal, or a pay cut. But that was then. Now he'll probably take whatever they offer, and there's probably more playing time (as well as comfort) there.

Rosales has a $100K retention bonus, he can go to AAA if the Phillies pay it.

Florimon's fine. With Valentin also available and Kingery able to come up soon if they want, Florimon may not even last very long.

Austinfan 2018-03-22 23:06:33 UTC #451

Arrieta look good in 2 innings, 91-94, mostly 92-94.
His two seamer is vicious, sharp break.
Curve looked good, didn't have a chance to work on his changeup.
Location was a bit shaky, as would be expected.
Figure he's 2-3 weeks away. Probably miss one start, maybe two.

Eflin struggled with command, bad luck and meh defense.
I think he's headed to Lehigh to work on his mechanics.
Velocity varied from 92-96, and he has to learn how to get more movement on his FB.
But with the healthy legs, you can see the potential, but it'll take time to smooth out mechanics.

Squire 2018-03-23 14:06:12 UTC #452

Reassigned
RHP Beato
RHP Eshelman
OF Cowgill
C McBride

andyb 2018-03-23 18:52:13 UTC #453

Big boy lineup doing damage this afternoon. Franco 2 run HR. Altherr and Alfaro with 2B. Nola 4 scoreless so far. All the starters except for Crawford in the lineup together with the pitcher hitting 8th.

donaldorc 2018-03-23 22:34:55 UTC #454

Franco also had a grand slam for six RBIs on the day. Great to see the offense come alive.

Patchmk88 2018-03-23 23:22:48 UTC #455

If he can do that everyday, we won't need Machado

Austinfan 2018-03-23 23:31:13 UTC #456

If he can do that once a week, we won't need Machado.

zambonir 2018-03-24 02:07:43 UTC #457

I'm certainly rooting for Maikel. But home runs with just a .708 OPS (inflated just from the power today, his OBP is horrible) is pretty much the same guy we watched last year.

And even if he does come around he could still get traded, let's hope it's decision they actually have to make.

Austinfan 2018-03-24 14:47:31 UTC #458

Franco will have this year to show the job is his, given his average at best fielding, I think he has to post close to a .800 OPS to keep the job. Supposedly they've fixed his stance, but given how hard Stairs worked with him, "show me."

tom81 2018-03-24 15:42:21 UTC #459

With all the talk of the Phillies persueing Machado and/or Harper this offseason it may be a make or break season for Altherr and Williams too.

julio 2018-03-24 16:16:15 UTC #460

Hoskins? Herrera?

In other words, it's not clear to me why the pursuit of an all-star outfielder would necessarily jeopardize the position of Altherr or Williams, but not of the other outfielders.

julio 2018-03-24 16:57:22 UTC #461

Not even a little surprising:

Austinfan 2018-03-24 17:02:46 UTC #462

It won't surprise me if Hoskins outhits Harper this season.
The problem with Harper is he has had one elite season.
Last four years, wRC+: 115, 197, 112, 156.
And while he's a decent RF, his value doesn't come from defense.

Meanwhile Hoskins bears watching.
While his ML numbers are probably exaggerated, Rhys has put up basically the same numbers at every level since his draft year wRC+: 161, 174, 159, 166, 158.
A .241 BABIP suggests while his HR rate is probably unsustainable, he can also expect to get better luck.
His BB% has risen at every level as he's progressed, which is really unusual.
In last year's small sample he wasn't a butcher in LF, and has better speed than expected.
So .280/.380/.530/.910 is in the realm of possibility.