2023 Phils Spring Training News and Discussion

[andyb]

Evaluating Bohm's defense this year might be important in assessing where the chess pieces go next year. Bohm certainly could play a corner OF position the next few years. He makes less sense at 1B where the bat requirements are steeper. Ideally he stays at 3B of course, but there is some chance that he won't be able to.

But also, there is really no reason to think Harper can't be an OF again. Lots of pitchers come back after taking a year off. The question here is whether you push his throwing recovery in August and/or September so he can play the field late in the year and in the postseason. I don't think there is much question that he could play the field next season after a full recovery though. As long as his legs hold out he should be able to play an adequate OF (which is probably better than either Castellanos or Schwarber).

[zambonir]

As long as his legs hold out he should be able to play an adequate OF (which is probably better than either Castellanos or Schwarber).

Well, I think that's the question. I believe in 2021 Harper wasn't actually that much better than Castellanos (by DWAR or DRS). Both among the bottom three. And now he'll have had almost two years off, and will be two years older. He hasn't really been a good defensive OF since his first season in Philadelphia.

In a perfect world Rojas is such a defensive and baserunning weapon, with passable enough offense, that he goes to CF, and Marsh's hitting improves to where he's in the corner mix. Then you just have to make the platoon combos work to some extent.

And I think if they wanted to try Bohm in the OF they would have done that already. Never really understood why LF wasn't on the table, he's used to that side, he's tall, he's not completely immobile. But at this point I think the best case is he actually does hit well enough to either hold down 1B or continue to be tolerated at 3B. Worst case, he's not good enough to hang around into 2024 regardless.

[andyb]

Stott finally has a good game at the plate. 2-3, HR, SB. Sosa remains red hot with his 3rd HR and is hitting .500 this Spring. He is just going to have to play a great deal. One wonders if the defensive boost he provides in the field would be enough to essentially have him replace Harper in the lineup somewhere with a rotating cast of players getting starts at DH.

[LoneStarPhan]

Sosa with two home runs today against the Orioles gives him 4 for this spring.

[Squire]

Painter diagnosed with a UCL sprain (diagnosis confirmed by second doctor). Apparently will be completely shut down for 4 weeks. Then start light throwing.

[Patchmk88]

Not the worst case scenario. Actually pretty good compared to what we feared. My guess is that we won't see him in a Phillies uniform till after the all star break.

[zambonir]

Unfortunately sprain (or strain) is still code for small tear (or tears) no? He could heal completely with the rest and not be at any risk of further injury. But also, not.

[zambonir]

In other news

The Phillies brought back Ranger Suarez from the WBC because of left forearm tightness. He will receive treatment here. He will be pushed back a few days. They said they believe it is minor.

— Todd Zolecki ( @ToddZolecki ) March 10, 2023

[phillychuck]

[andyb]

Getting through the first couple of outings in Spring Training is always the most dangerous thing. Guessing Ranger had a controlled bullpen simulated outing or two before he went to the WBC, but it is not like pitching 2 innings in a Miami exhibition is any different than 2 innings in Clearwater.

I definitely prefer they found a way to do the WBC in July during the All Star break. Just no easy way to do it without setting aside 10 days.

[zambonir]

I definitely prefer they found a way to do the WBC in July during the All Star break. Just no easy way to do it without setting aside 10 days.

Problem is even if you didn't mind the interruption - the NHL used to do it, though didn't necessarily like it - no way to do that without shortening the season. Starting it earlier or finishing it later not really an option in too many cities/stadiums. I'm still amazed at some of the weather MLS plays in.

[donaldorc]

Darik Hall with his third home run of the spring.

[Austinfan]

It's too early to read much into hitting.

Last two weeks of ST, pitchers are focusing on getting ready for the regular season, building up stamina and experimenting less, so you get a better read - plus most of the minor league pitchers are no longer playing ST games.

[zambonir]

What I read into it is that it's still better than if they weren't hitting.

[andyb]

6 HR day for the Phillies. 2 for Hall. Then Hoskins, Kingery, Toffey, and Ortiz. Hall is hitting these in the first half of the game so it does mean something. His chances of making the team look really good. Feels like Cave vs Guthrie for the last spot on the bench. Cave is playing better but Guthrie is right-handed and helps more defensively.

[Austinfan]

I think coaches don't take spring stats seriously.
With someone like Hall, they're probably more focused on pitch selection, is he showing more discipline, waiting for his pitch, chasing breaking balls out of the zone?
They know he has great power, but what hurt him last year was two of the "three outcomes," too few walks, too many Ks.

[andyb]

Nobody takes spring stats seriously. Not sure why you keep posting that. But it does not mean the performances are meaningless. That Stott hit a high fastball for a home run yesterday is meaningful. That Hall is hitting decent pitchers in the first half of games is meaningful. Hitting is better than not hitting. Just saying stuff is meaningless does not really advance the conversation here.

We can learn things from every performance. We can also speculate on who will make the team because that is in part based on Spring performances. That is kind of what that thread is here for.

[zambonir]

Oh no!

Phillies' Noah Song shut down with back tightness

[andyb]

Not a surprise. Those cockpit seats make a tough transition.

I wonder if it is completely legit for the rehab to take much of the season and push his rule 5 status on the roster into 2024. That would give him a chance for a full baseball training year and 30 days of rehab in the minors. Followed by the Arizona League and a decision about whether to then keep him on the 40-man roster next winter (and the major league roster in 2024).

If he is good enough then it will be worth it. They'll know by mid-summer if his stuff is back. If it is not then they can return him to the Red Sox.

[Docs]

This article says that he has to be on the Phillies roster for at least 90 days this year or they have to offer him back. The injury status allows them to significantly reduce the active roster time plus the 30 day rehab but I don't think they can punt the designation to 2024.

How ex-Red Sox prospect Noah Song’s injury might affect his Rule 5 requirements,...