2017 Season Phillies Discussion (News/Notes, etc.), continued

[Slinging_Southpaw]

I think it was more he didn't fit what many of us thought he should be as a lead-off hitter. I remember combing though the offensive and defensive numbers looking for someone to replace him with. When I got through, I stopped complaining and accepted, he was pretty damn good.

[zambonir]

Yeah, there was that too. And hey, Philly fans could do that to the white guys as well. Burrell struck out too much and took too many walks. Werth took too many walks and didn't hit with RISP.

I imagine Phillies phans aren't really any worse than other fans either, at least not in the good baseball towns.

The important thing is that I genuinely don't think this kind of stuff is coming from the top anymore, even if there are still lingering traces. Even Bowa seems a lot more mellow and open-minded than he once was (not so much when he still worked for Amaro and Sandberg, but definitely now).

[allentown]

I imagine Phillies phans aren't really any worse than other fans either, at least not in the good baseball towns

That may be true, but I think our TPTB and the announcers they hire do an unusual job of throwing certain players under the bus.

[Soloman_grundy]

Franco won't hit until he learns not to let his front shoulder fly open every time he swings.

[zambonir]

Well, that's the thing, I'm not sure that's really true, it just feels true because we are damaged by all those years of Chris Wheeler and the old regime. The Mets announcers are pretty tough, and announcers should be tough (and also shouldn't be employed by the team, which is something the Phillies only just got to with the new deal, though they also own a piece of the network again). Steve Stone got fired by the Cubs for being too tough. For me, Pete Mackanin has never said anything that I found controversial or inappropriate. I prefer his occasional lack of discretion to the alternative. YMMV (and does).

[Philsmania]

Well, that's the thing, I'm not sure that's really true, it just feels true because we are damaged by all those years of Chris Wheeler and the old regime. The Mets announcers are pretty tough, and announcers should be tough (and also shouldn't be employed by the team, which is something the Phillies only just got to with the new deal, though they also own a piece of the network again). Steve Stone got fired by the Cubs for being too tough. For me, Pete Mackanin has never said anything that I found controversial or inappropriate. I prefer his occasional lack of discretion to the alternative. YMMV (and does).

One irony to that is that the radio broadcasters are still employed by the team and I have always noticed that the broadcasters are far more brutally honest on radio than they are on TV. Even during the glory days of Harry and Whitey, they would tell it like it is more on radio while seemingly dialing it down on TV. At least that was always my impression.

[Lucky_Beagle]

Well, that's the thing, I'm not sure that's really true, it just feels true because we are damaged by all those years of Chris Wheeler and the old regime. The Mets announcers are pretty tough, and announcers should be tough (and also shouldn't be employed by the team, which is something the Phillies only just got to with the new deal, though they also own a piece of the network again). Steve Stone got fired by the Cubs for being too tough. For me, Pete Mackanin has never said anything that I found controversial or inappropriate. I prefer his occasional lack of discretion to the alternative. YMMV (and does).

One irony to that is that the radio broadcasters are still employed by the team and I have always noticed that the broadcasters are far more brutally honest on radio than they are on TV. Even during the glory days of Harry and Whitey, they would tell it like it is more on radio while seemingly dialing it down on TV. At least that was always my impression.

I was amazed at how much Schmidt and Kruk sang the praises of Freddy Galvis over the weekend.

[LoneStarPhan]

I certainly expected that the Phillies would be much better this season than the record has turned out. I am disappointed, but I still see rays of hope.

I have never been excited with the current manager and the majority of the coaches. I would like to see a change after this season. I just get a negative vibe from the organization this year. I would welcome some new enthusiasm.

I think next season will be a big indicator as to whether or not this organization is on the right track. I hope to see several rookies make the grade with the big club as starters and I hope that they will lead the team to a much improved record. I want to see a few of the young starting pitchers step into the rotation and post winning records. I want to see a much improved bullpen, perhaps a mix of some veteran relievers signed or acquired and some young arms from the system.

In the minors, I want to see continued winning teams at all levels led by true prospects that take a step up next season.

One thing that would really turn me off would be a dumping of Herrera. I excused the dumping of Abreu and tried my best to be supportive of the Rolen, Schilling and Lee (to Seattle) deals, but in reality, all were bungled in that they moved real talent out for far less talent coming back.

[zambonir]

It's really all about the pitching still, IMO. Last year it looked like at least one of Velasquez, Eflin, and Thompson might become a stalwart, but as usual, TINSTAAPP. One of them still might. Nobody in the next tier has locked down their spot.

It will be interesting to see what happens w/ the manager. Team is 14-14 in the second half, if they can keep that up and finish 24-23 he is probably safe. I'm sure Klentak has a pretty good idea what he wants in his next manager, but is that Wathan, Showalter (or someone like him) or a Hinch/Andy Green type?

Barring Mike Trout (or an all-star corner OF) I think Herrera is safe.

[Philsmania]

It's really all about the pitching still, IMO. Last year it looked like at least one of Velasquez, Eflin, and Thompson might become a stalwart, but as usual, TINSTAAPP. One of them still might. Nobody in the next tier has locked down their spot.

It will be interesting to see what happens w/ the manager. Team is 14-14 in the second half, if they can keep that up and finish 24-23 he is probably safe. I'm sure Klentak has a pretty good idea what he wants in his next manager, but is that Wathan, Showalter (or someone like him) or a Hinch/Andy Green type?

Barring Mike Trout (or an all-star corner OF) I think Herrera is safe.

Personally, I think TINSTAAPP is a bit of an overgeneralization. I do believe there is such a thing as a pitching prospect but, unfortunately, there is also a high mortality rate for pitching prospects. Some get hurt and some find their mechanics and/or the delicate balance that enables them to throw with command and control becomes irreparably disrupted when their bodies change through growth, aging and/or bulking up.

[zambonir]

Well yeah, of course it is an overgeneralization. But its main meaning as I understand it is that any pitcher can get hurt (and have their career end, or never even start) at any time (and all three of those guys have been hurt), not that we can't actually judge their potential.

[teabag259]

It is all about pitching. That's why we need to get 1-1 next year and Brady Singer. If we don't get 1-1 then it looks like a high school arm like Rocker or Hankins would be next in line.

[California_Dreamin]

Do not want a high school arm at 1/1. No way, no how. Pitchers are too fragile and a 1/1 has to at least provide a decent opportunity of staying healthy enough to make it to the big leagues. Not even that thrilled with taking a Singer at 1/1 but if most people feel he is the BPA then I am fine with it.

[Philsmania]

It is all about pitching. That's why we need to get 1-1 next year and Brady Singer. If we don't get 1-1 then it looks like a high school arm like Rocker or Hankins would be next in line.

Considering our trevails in selecting position players in the first round, at this point, I would rather them take a pitcher especially if Singer is as good as advertised.

[teabag259]

Right now 1-1 has to be Singer. I agree that it is too risky to take a high school pitcher at 1-1.

[LoneStarPhan]

Well no selection will be a sure shot, but if they can get a college picture who looks to project as well as Nola has, I don't see how you can not take the chance.

Without a doubt, they need reliable, consistent, and durable starting pitchers who can make 30 starts and post a winning record.

I am not ready to write off some of the outfielders who have been high picks in recent years. Next season will be important for several of them and I expect a few will have breakout years.

[zambonir]

It's unlikely Randolph, Moniak and Halseley will ever be major league teammates for very long. Probably one doesn't make it and one gets traded to improve the major league team.

[David_Criss]

Nava headed to the DL. Guessing that cancels any plans, if there were any, of an August trade. Guess we get to see more of Perkins, though.

[zambonir]

hopefully it won't be a long stay. it was always gonna be for PTBNL anyway, and you can be traded when injured (if another team wants to at least get him on the roster before 9/1.

[andyb]

Two of the top 10 breakout hitting prospects are Kingery and Hoskins. And just to keep CD happy, so is Derek Fisher....

Breakout hitting prospects of 2017