Phillies News and Discussion 2025 Season

[EDmuch]

I would move Bohm to first and let Kemp play third. In any event the key is letting Kemp play a hand full g games against ML pitching.

[zambonir]

Yeah agreed, he may as well play 3B, and play everyday. Phillies don't actually have any LHBs to play the IF (other than the starting 2B) anyway. And Wilson is still going to play LF presumably, against LHP (though Wilson is also maybe a better 3B than Kemp).

[mdougherty12]

The Matt Gelb story on The Athletic says that Bohm is considered a significantly better defender at 3B than Kemp.

[andyb]

But is Kemp better than Schwarber in the OF. It is a low bar, but still a question.

[zambonir]

Yeah, Kemp is just that bad. But Bohm is also the better/more experienced 1B so it's more about putting the rookie where he's most familiar.

Kemp is definitely not better than Schwarber in the OF either. The only reason not to do that IMO is because DH has obviously been great for Schwarber's bat and base running (relatively speaking) too. But until Kemp hits and Harper comes back it doesn't matter.

[andyb]

And Kemp is at 3B with Bohm at 1B.

Not the best defense with our low strikeout pitcher on the mound (Ranger). Schwarber the only left-handed bat in the lineup. But it is kind of the lineup we have to try.

[allentown]

I guess Bryce managed to help the Phillies briefly when he came back

He had a hit or a walk in only 1 of his last 5 games. That hit was a HR.

[zambonir]

Agree, he didn't really help other than that one game. But they had their reasons to think he was going to be okay.

Could the Phillies have put Harper on the injured list last week while he was recovering from the bruised elbow? Maybe. But it’s also worth noting that Harper was on a 13-game hot streak (18-for-47 with a 1.008 OPS) before getting hit by the pitch and presumably while playing through wrist pain.

Phillies place Bryce Harper on 10-day injured list: ‘I can’t really function on...

[Squire]

Probably worth noting that Kody Clemens has a .908 OPS with the Twins since we traded him for nothing (and chose Marsh and Kepler over him).

[zambonir]

I wouldn't say they chose Marsh or Kepler over him though, because he's still not an OF. He's made 23 starts for the Twins: 16 at 2B, 4 at 1B, 3 in RF. So really you should be pointing out that he's outperforming Stott, who's been far worse than Marsh at the plate in this same time frame. Certainly Clemens would have been the right replacement for Harper if he was still here.

Having both Marsh and Kepler still doesn't make sense but only a RHB can solve that problem.

[andyb]

Both Wilson and Kemp had AAA stats that were superior to Clemens though. And imagine Marsh would put up a 1000 OPS or something in the ballpark if sent there. We would still have Clemens if he had options. And Jose Ruiz.

[zambonir]

Zack Wheeler will start for the Phillies in tomorrow’s series opener at home against the Cubs. Mick Abel on Tuesday. Jesus Luzardo on Wednesday.

— Corey Seidman ( @CSeidmanNBCS ) June 8, 2025

[zambonir]

The Phillies claimed right-hander Ryan Cusick off waivers from the White Sox and optioned him to the rookie-level Florida Complex League. Cusick, 25, had a 6.32 ERA last season in triple A. Right-hander Kyle Tyler was designated for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for Cusick

Has Jesús Luzardo been tipping his pitches? He and the Phillies think so.

[Ryles]

I always felt that we should have kept him. Too many LH's in lineup? Clemans better than Wilson. Rest Casty, Bohm & Turner from time to time.

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Jesus Luzardo on Wednesday.

… better hide the women and children! 🫣

Seriously, if Luzardo gets bombed again, you have to do something to get him out of the rotation and let Nola (if he’s ready) or Painter take his spot for the time being.

Edit: Article in today’s Inquirer states that Luzardo has figured something out regarding tipping his pitches. Sure hope he’s got that fixed on Wednesday.

[Philsmania]

The Phillies claimed right-hander Ryan Cusick off waivers from the White Sox and optioned him to the rookie-level Florida Complex League. Cusick, 25, had a 6.32 ERA last season in triple A. Right-hander Kyle Tyler was designated for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for Cusick

Has Jesús Luzardo been tipping his pitches? He and the Phillies think so.

A recurring problem with this pitching staff, see Romano earlier this season. Our pitching coach really needs to be on this before it becomes a problem. Cotham is a step behind on this.

[andyb]

Ryan Cusick seems worth a gamble. Was number 31 on the A's list this offseason. Number one pick (24 overall) by the Braves in 2021. Big fastball, no control. Was 95-96 as a starter but has touched 100 before and has now been moved full time to relief.

No success yet. Poor command and control, but the Phillies love every big arm they can get a handle on. Of course 40-man spots are rare if they are used on pitchers who are not ready, so chances are he'll get DFA'd at some point, but at least there is something worth experimenting on in the short term.

Athletics Top 42 Prospects

[zambonir]

Cusick's fourth team in two weeks.

[David_Criss]

Who goes down for Wheeler? Lazar or Robert. Can we hope to see Romano DFAed?

[andyb]

Cusick's fourth team in two weeks.

He is in the DFA zone where he is very far away from the majors but has enough intriguing stuff to stash that he does not get through waivers.