Being a diehard Phillies fan for more than two-decades now, I like so many others here have loved this team through its ups and downs. This year does really feel different, like a real plan with blueprints and future planning are all in place. I know I sound cliche.
But my goodness I remember the we got Andy Ashby to go with Schilling to provide the best one-two punch in the game. I remember the we got Greg Jeffries and B. Santiago to propel this offense along with Sid Fernandez to be a great compliment to Schilling. I remember the we got Thome and Billy Wagner now. I remember getting so excited to see the likes of Desi Relaford, Marlon Anderson, Reggie Taylor, Gavin Floyd, Bobby Estalla, Ricky Bottalico, Tyler Green and on and on make their debuts in Philly and become super stars. I remember the lets move Utley to 3B experiment at AAA - the good thing about that move is that it brought my now good friend PJ Forbes into the organization, but I digress.
In 2016 the rotation seems pretty set - no it doesn't excite me for this year but after Nola and Eickhoff who represent the future the likes of Vincent Velasquez
Adam Morgan, Jake Thompson, Mark Appel, Zach Eflin, Alec Asher and even David Buchanan wil all be at LeHigh Valley or Reading. I think it is a pretty good bet that at least two of those can join Nola and Eickhoff if not this year, in 2017 or certainly by 2018 to form a pretty good young athletic rotation
Heck the interesting thing this year to watch is who gets to pitch in AAA and who starts at AA instead of they signed this guy to eat some innings and be stashed at AAA in case of emergency (O'Sullivan)
The pen - these things can change hands every year. There are 12 to 14 serious options for this year - none are going to make an All Star team, but a pen is a pen
Mackanin has made it very clear that Ruf gets a real shot this year at 1B if he doesn't challenge Ruf Arencibia will get a chance, too. This gives Stassi a full year at AAA
At 2B - Sweeney can play everyday at AAA keeping Hernandez honest
At SS - Galvis keeps the position warm for another couple of years letting Crawford fully develop
The talk this time next year could be how do we handle Knapp and Alfaro, who both look like the real deal behind the plate - Ruiz and Rupp handle it this year
The point in all this is 2016 has a decent mixture of "vets" and youngsters and the vets know they are only here to impress for a July trade that only adds more to the farm or can be shown the door with a thank you given the depth - that is what has me excited this year. It isn't just one prospect at AAA and one at A that may pan out - it is a string of pitchers and position players in the pipeline that wont be rushed
I'll continue to follow every day and see the Phillies as the Royals four or five years ago.
