2022 Phillies Spring Training

[phillychuck]

Moniak hit on the hand by a fastball he swung at. Looked bad, but x-rays negative. Lip reading, Moniak said, "I'm fine" to the trainer.

[gmwannabe]

evanko can pitch for me anytime. I I knew it was just a matter of time until mick got hit.
gm

[phillychuck]

So we're ignoring that Evanko started the inning HBP, Walk, single? Finished DP/K, though.

[gmwannabe]

no PC, I was just talking about the HBP. even though it is real early, he is protecting his teamates. Gotta have that this year.
gm

[zambonir]

Yes we are really going to need Evanko to protect Torreyes and Bonifacio

[schillingfan]

If we were a division team, I might agree it was intentional, but we are the Phillies, not the Yankees.

[andyb]

And Moniak really was at fault for getting hit. He was diving over the plate and the pitch just moved in on him. Just hope he is OK as he did leave the game. Never good to get hit with your hand on the bat.

[zambonir]

These Phillies can ill afford to lose Mickey Moniak! (Gotta like that.)

[andyb]

The A's go RHP, LHP, RHP in the first 3 games so if they wanted to give Vierling the opening day start they could really rest Moniak until game 3 of the season.

Note the LHP Saturday is old friend Cole Irvin - number 2 starter on a much depleted A's starting staff.

[fish]

These Phillies can ill afford to lose Mickey Moniak! (Gotta like that.)

before games started I thought Tyler Naquin would be a good centerfield pickup, now Mickey looks like he has the potential to be a clone of Naquin. Man, that and a successful season from Stott would really make this a satisfying season if this club can get to the playoffs.

[andyb]

We rank 8th overall in the cumulative Fangraphs positional rankings. 23rd at SS, 24th at 3B and 29th in CF. If we could turn one or two of those positions into a league average platoon we could really be a good team. Betting on Stott or Bohm to break through is probably more likely than betting on Moniak.

2022 Positional Power Rankings: Summary

[Austinfan]

I wouldn't bet against Moniak, watching him a couple times this spring, his swing look solid, it's not like he's loading up to drive the ball - his power is legitimate. Between the screwed up development process and adjusting to a new body, Moniak has had to reinvent himself - but it's not like he's some 26 year old with 3 AAA seasons who's suddenly breaking out.

[zambonir]

I don't know that we need miracles in CF, just 2-3 WAR combined from the 3 players which Herrera would have done by himself with a few more games played last year. If Moniak makes it impossible for Herrera to get back the job, great. If Vierling can really play the position well defensively and take bats away from either of the LHBs, also great.

And yeah, you need one of 3B or SS to be better than an 8-9 hitter, if not both. Also not too much to ask, I don't think.

[EDmuch]

Moniak’s 6 home runs in preseason does suggest legit power. If we add another 25 home run guy like him, this
line up will be incredible. But now that the games are going to count, I suggest that teams are going to counter his improvements based upon standing closer to the plate by repeatedly busting him inside until he has 2 strikes and then throw the slider or change up away. if Long and Moniak are able to adjust to that adjustment, we may have a solid 25+ home run guy in center field and Long will be in the front car of the World Series Parade down Broad Street.

[Austinfan]

One of the HRs I saw from Moniak was to the opposite field, so Long may already be working on that.

I think moving closer to the plate was less about pulling the ball than correcting his stride and keep him from lunging for balls on the outer part of the plate.

[nycphils]

One article said that Long moved him in toward the plate because being off the plate was causing Moniak’s first movement to be stepping toward the plate and closing off his hips - couldn’t get the smooth torque needed to reach and drive the ball.

If he can walk 7-8% of his ABs and strike out less than 25% of the time, he should approach league average at least.

[gmwannabe]

anywhere he pitches, he can pitch for me.
gm

[Squire]

I've decided the Phillies are winning 110 games this year and every prospect will take a big step forward and give us a Top 10 system

[EDmuch]

Just finished reading the article about Long and how he approaches his job as a hitting coach. Dang I keep getting more & more excited about this team.

[Austinfan]

Well, it is April. When showers bring flowers and baseball fans have high hopes popping up like Tulips.

And who knows, maybe the Beisbol Gods finally shine upon us!