Right now the Phillies are auditioning a lot of young pitchers, I think mainly to give them a taste of ML hitting, to make the more conducive to off season coaching.
They have a lot of arms with ML potential that need polishing, which is different from having a lot of marginal arms.
Sure, most won't make it but it's different from the "4 aces at Lakewood" days, because they have 4 aces at every level.
Back then, 4 aces at Lakewood was 2 at Lehigh and 1 in Philly or so.
Lively is a good example, he has a ML FB, 92-93 but with movement and deception. More than good enough. Was blowing it by guys until they timed it.
His problem is mechanics and secondary pitches. But he flashes a good breaking ball.
So we're not talking Kendricks here, a one pitch guy (sinker) who struggled to develop a changeup but lacked velocity.
Doesn't mean he'll ever "get it," Worley is a good example of a guy with ML stuff who never developed command.
But load up on enough arms like this, with good coaching a few will make it.
THis Phillies team will hit, with Nola, and odds are a college pitcher next summer, you don't need to find three additional studs. Just three solid starters.
2008-2009 Phillies averaged 5 runs a game on offense, something I expect from the 2019-2020 Phillies
2008:
Hamels (24) 33s 3.09 ERA / 3.72 FIP
Moyer (45) 33s 3.71 / 4.32
Myers (27) 30s 4.55 / 4.52
Kendrick (23) 30s 5.49 / 5.55
Eaton (30) 19s 5.80 / 5.35
Blanton (27) 13s 4.20 / 5.03
Now it helped to have Lidge, and when this team is ready, a top closer is probably my prime FA target if they don't develop one the next few years
But the rest of the pen wasn't spectacular
Durbin (30) 71g 2.87 / 3.77
Madson (27) 76g 3.05 / 3.33
Condrey (32) 56g 3.26 / 4.19
Romero 81g (32) 2.75 / 4.66
2009 team won 93 games with pitching just as bad and no legitimate stopper (LIdge 7.21/5.45):
Hamels 32s 4.32/3.72, Blanton 31s 4.05/4.45, Moyer 25s 4.94/5.08, Happ 23s 2.93/4.33, Lee 12s 3.39/2.83, Myers 10s 4.84/6.14, P Martinez 3.63/4.28
2010 team won 95 games with top top pitchers:
Halladay 33s 2.44/3.01, Hamels 33s 3.06/3.67, Kendrick 31s 4.73/4.88, Blanton 28s 4.82/4.34, Moyer 19s 4.84/4.98, Oswalt 12s 1.72/3.13
Conclusion, given a team that can hit, you really need two solid starters, 3 inning eaters and a solid bullpen.
