Phillies 2018 Season News/Notes/Discussion

[zambonir]

The infield has been pretty stable since Crawford went out. And when he comes back I don't think Franco is going to lose playing time to Kingery.

I personally think it's all fine. As far as the outfielders, I don't believe the front office thinks Williams and Altherr are future cornerstones. But if either of them are, lack of playing time or an uncertain role won't stop them from proving it. The Dodgers players who were used similarly last year did not struggle. They hit so well they couldn't be kept out of the line-up, regardles of position.

And Hoskins, of course is probably not a career LF. For sure, that move to accomodate Santana remains weird. As Andy predicted, if he's merely a solid offensive player he's only a replacement level LF (current BR WAR, 0.1, though obviously it's a counting stat).

I think, even with his struggles though, Santana has done a lot for the offense. His OBP is almost where it's supposed to be and he has nearly 1.000 OPS in the last 28 days. He's actually carrying the team during Hoskins' slump, at times.

[tom81]

As for the road trip, 4-6, 5-5, 6-4, it doesn't really make a difference

I really disagree, I we go through this 10 game road trip 6-4 or better it will really make a statement that this team is for real. West coast trips are always difficult and the Dodgers and Cubs are still viewed as the two toughest teams in the NL. This trip is very important to this young team and could play a big part in its development.

[zambonir]

I just don't think the difference betwee 4-6 and 6-4 is a statement. I already know they are good enough that they have every chance to go .500 on this trip (especially since, time zones and history aside, only one of these teams has a winning record).

They'd have to go like, 2-8, for me to think this team might not be as good as its current record and level of play suggests. Or 8-2 for me to think they're better than the current record and level of play suggests.

[zambonir]

Of course, that was kinda the worst loss of the season.

[LoneStarPhan]

We will see how this team responds to the extremely disappointing loss in the first game in LA. Will they fold and have a bad road trip or will they come back and show that they are the team we all hope and think they are. If they can come back and win at least 5 of the remaining 9 games on this road trip, I think they will have shown that they are for real.

Reports seem to indicate that Hoskins is not seriously hurt and should not miss much if any time. I would suggest that a game or two off might do him good. Last season, he hit the majors about as hot as one could and then, in September, cooled back to mere human status ..His spring training and early performance once the season started, indicated that he is something special. I expect that he will come back this season and again be a very productive hitter, but I admit that he seems to be in a prolonged down period. The Phillies need him to come back soon.

[gmwannabe]

unfortunately, i guess i was correct.

[Lawman]

Phillies need to hit more singles:

https://sports.yahoo.com/10-degrees-single-vanishing-victim-strikeouts-shifts-swinging-fly-balls-051042726.html

[bkeich]

Unfortunately with Hoskins, this is not just a slump. The announcers have been harping on this for a few weeks and they are correct, teams are now throwing him hard inside and breaking balls low and outside and he hasnt been able to adjust. He can't keep the inside FB fair and he is wailing at the low outside breaking ball (funny hearing Mike Schmidt talk about that, because he always had that problem). Either he can't identify the breaking ball in time or he thinks it is a strike, but many of them have not been when I was watching. The hitting coaches need to be working with him to fix this, but sadly I dont think sending him to AAA will help because the pitchers here are not as pin point with the control like the guys that are getting him are now.

Not saying it isnt also a slump, but it isnt JUST a slump, there is an adjustment needed by Hoskins and who knows how long it will take him (I am confident it will happen eventually). He has to learn to bring his hands in on the fastball if it is on the plate and he has to lay off the low outside breaking ball.

[andyb]

Crawford is scheduled to play for Clearwater tonight. Hopefully it is a quick rehab. I just think getting him in the lineup will make everyone better on defense even if there is no immediate offensive improvement. Having Kingery compete for at bats all over the lineup might make everyone a bit better eventually.

[Austinfan]

e everyone a bit better eventually.

Hoskins is pretty athletic, more than I thought, and should be able to be at least average in another year in the field.
Right now his biggest problem is inexperience, getting a good jump on the ball, judging the trajectory of balls over his head.

I think the hitting will come around, he has to make adjustments and relax a bit, but often a hitter just needs that good game and everything suddenly clicks.

[Philsmania]

Phillies need to hit more singles:

https://sports.yahoo.com/10-degrees-single-vanishing-victim-strikeouts-shifts-swinging-fly-balls-051042726.html

The most recent SABR journal had an article about the rising prevalence of the "Three True Outcomes" (homerun, walk, strikeout) but also noting how it is leading to longer games and, perhaps, a less entertaining product on the field.

[gmwannabe]

is "launch angle" hurting the game?

[allentown]

Probably. I think it's even likelier that it's hurting our last 3 first rounders and some of our young major league hitters.

[Austinfan]

The game will adjust, teams will focus less on velocity and more on command, and we'll see more weak contact as pitchers with good secondary stuff take advantage of those launch angles. What works against a 95 MPH FB over the inner half of the plate may get you in trouble against a changeup on the outer third of the plate.

[zambonir]

For me there's no real difference between a slump and "needing to make adjustments." I mean, I guess for some people a slump is random or bad luck, and this has probably gone on too long to just be that. I suppose for other people a slump suggests the player is pressing, or unfocused, or needs to "get his head straight" and I don't know that this is that either.

They are certainly working with him. If the announcers know it the coaches know it. There's been a lot of talk about the timing of his leg kick too.

[andyb]

The game will adjust, teams will focus less on velocity and more on command,

When has the game ever adjusted and promoted less velocity? They will continue to push velocity. This does not mean that the most successful pitchers will not learn to change speeds and vary their pitches. Of course they will. But none of that is new. The reality of higher velocity is here to stay. All things being equal, more velocity is always better.

[Philsmania]

Regardless of the severity of Hoskins' lip injury, one can't help but wonder if he will be placed on the DL for just a "clear his head' break.

[zambonir]

I doubt it. 1-2 days off where he's only available to PH maybe. He hasn't even stopped hitting second!

Gotta play Williams tonight one way or another though.

[Austinfan]

Higher velocity is probably maxed out, the move toward shorter starting stints and more RP pitchers has pushed it up about as far as it can go (physiological limits, for one thing, and pushing for maximum velocity at some point hurts command and secondary pitches).

In the same fashion, tweaking swing mechanics to increase bat speed and reduce bat path also has its limits. But it's reached the point where most ML hitters can handle a 95 MPH FB over the plate on a regular basis.

You're seeing that with the Phillies, stressing SPs using breaking balls and focusing on RPs who have at least one plus secondary pitch. The other adjustment is working on movement with the FB, from spin rates on 4 seamers to the break on 2 seamers.

And then there's the SD 98 MPH cutter. That's just plain unfair.

[andyb]

When average velocity goes up several mph in the last few years, it is clearly important to teams to train pitchers to have it. That is what MLB teams are doing. You claimed they will place less priority on velocity than in the past. There is just no evidence that is true.