2019 Phillies Spring Training Discussion

[andyb]

Anderson's issue is not projection. He kind of maxed that out in the years after TJ surgery. It was always mediocre secondary pitches. Average curve. Below average change and slider. He just did not have the variety of pitches to miss bats in repeated trips through the lineup as a starter.

Maybe the stuff has taken a bit of a step forward, though of course these Spring games are meaningless. If he shows us 10 good AAA starts then maybe we should take a little more notice. Other than that his role is injury spot starter or potentially multi-inning reliever. He is nice depth, but probably not a likely major league contributor at this point.

[allentown]

The pen will probably have Rios, E Garcia, McGarry, Leftwich, Singer, Gilbert and whoever is sent down among Arano, Ramos, Davis.

I think last season's closer, Beato, is back. He's in his 30s, not really a prospect, but a guy who might give some good MLB relief outings if a DL assignment opens a 40-man spot.

Anderson also can be part of our MLB reliever merry-go-round at some point this season.

[el-pietro]

Just turne don the game and saw the last couple of Pivetta pitches in the first. Was he always able to hit 98/99 mph? I don't remember him being up at that level but I might just not be remembering correctly.

[zambonir]

Davis is already sent down. Pazos will be in LV too.

[teabag259]

Harper removed from the game after a HBP to the foot.

[LoneStarPhan]

Phillies score two in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Blue Jays, 3-2. An error started the inning and Williams doubled to tie the game. A single by Walding put runners on the corners. Back to back walks to Haseley and Ngeope ended the game with one out in the ninth. Axford pitching the ninth for the Blue Jays.

Pivetta looked good in his five innings of work. One run on a homer and 3 total hits, but no walks and 2 Ks. Phillies pitching today did not issue a walk.

Williams continues his good spring going 2 for 4 with the double, a run scored and an RBI.

[julio]

phillies.com transactions page reports Mitch Walding was optioned to AAA today.

[phillychuck]

Pivetta looked good in his five innings of work. One run on a homer and 3 total hits, but no walks and 2 Ks. Phillies pitching today did not issue a walk.

Homer was barely out and got some help from the wind. Pivetta looked really sharp, which is a very good sign.

Should help the offense to get Cesar and Odubel back. One can hope.

phillies.com transactions page reports Mitch Walding was optioned to AAA today.

Hope he has a great year in AAA, and learns to play some 1B. He could stick in the bigs as a corner IF if he has some versatility. I think he will hit some next time he gets a shot.

[David_Criss]

Thought Walding would be a good bench option at 1B/3B.

[allentown]

Not room on 25-man for him in that role. He can be AAA injury insurance in that role. If we have a 3B injury, the utility IF will fill in short-term.

[zambonir]

But there is no utility IF! (I mean, why not just say "Kingery?")

If only Walding could play SS. Or even the OF, would be another reason to just get Williams traded (though they have Cozens for that role too).

But I would tend to agree with the implication in your statement that Walding wouldn't even beat out Romine or Rodriguez if the Phillies did have an open spot. They'd want the versatile veteran glove more than the unproven young bat.

Seems to me if they keep Willliams he has to play some 1B (though Harper could also DH in those games).

[zambonir]

Meanwhile: Bryce Harper "day-to-day," x-rays negative, but he may not even play the rest of spring training.

Bryce Harper has right ankle contusion

Manager Gabe Kapler said the swelling had reduced overnight and there was no word on whether he would play again in spring, but he felt confident about Harper’s availability for Opening Day.

[el-pietro]

Nola pitching right now. Odúbel returns to the lineup.

Philadelphia Phillies (Phillies)

[LoneStarPhan]

Arano in to pitch for the Phillies.

Four batters up, four base hits, and the Astros retake the lead.

Arano helping the bullpen log jam, almost certainly earning his option to AAA, although a couple of the hits were just well placed.

Make that 5 up, 5 hits as a solid double plates the 3rd and 4th runs of the inning. Still no outs.

Arano has been shelled repeatedly this spring.

[LoneStarPhan]

Arano final line for the day: 0 IP, 5 hits, one walk, 6 earned runs. Spring ERA goes to 51.00

Pazos in relief gives up a double to first hitter he faces. Then a single off the right field wall to the second batter.

Inning finally ends. Astros score 9 runs. The 11th hitter up made first outs, hitting into a double play. Astros sent 14 total hitters to the plate. Phillies used 3 pitchers.

[andyb]

Walding definitely needs a 5-man bench and not the 4-man one they are going to go with. Assume they keep Williams. Would not be shocked to see Harper be the one to play an occasional 1B if they are resting Hoskins. It should be a LH bat ideally, so Williams is the other alternative.

For injuries they probably shift Franco over. Occasionally one of the two catchers but I really think they will want Realmuto to rest when he has off days rather than play 1B.

[zambonir]

My guess is they will let Harper play RF exclusively. He's still a few years away from needing to think about 1B, has talked about wanting one position after last year, and has never really played 1B.

Of course Hoskins started 156 games last year and that was while running around in LF a lot more. If they need even 10 starts from another 1B it will be because of injury or because Hoskins DHs five times.

Gotta wonder if there's more going on with Arano than just regression, adjustment or reliever small-sample.

[LoneStarPhan]

Fortunately, Arano and Pazos (who also didn't do well today) have options available. Arano was very good last year for the Phillies so hopefully, he gets back on track with some work at AAA. In the meantime, the Phillies have a full bullpen with out them.

[zambonir]

Still can't see how they don't get rid of one no-option guy. Granted, injuries will end up happening and Hunter is already hurt. But as things currently stand they would have no way to send anyone down without waivers. And the lefties would probably get claimed, while the expensive righties can refuse an assignment (not that that would happen unless one of them was a disaster).

I guess if they intend to keep a fifth starter in AAA for part of the time that will open up a swing spot. For now Ramos presumably gets Hunter's spot. I wonder if they'd consider Anderson or Eickhoff as a middle/long guy for early in the season, especially since rain delays are likely.

[donaldorc]

That game was ugly. Would like to see the Phillies put together an 8-10-run inning.