News of Phormer Phillies, 2021

[Philsmania]

Deivy Grullon claimed by Rays.

He'll turn into an All-Star now.

[zambonir]

Just like Edgar Garcia

[andyb]

I am feeling pretty good about the Cleavinger for Alvarado deal now, so maybe the Rays magic dust is not perfect.

[andyb]

Welcome back to the big leagues Nick Williams. Seems like he had a decent spring but not enough to make the initial roster.

https://twitter.com/whitesox/status/1380209529317646339/photo/1

[DurhamBull]

I’m surprised Williams is only 27. There’s still time for him to be a late bloomer.

[andyb]

Pivetta's second start less good (6 IP, 4 R) but it was going OK till he had to face Maikel Franco in the 6th:

Phillies: Maikel Franco slugs HR, 4 RBI against Nick Pivetta

[BostonRoss]

I was listening to the Sox game yesterday, and Pivetta was lucky to get that win. He gave up several other line drives, which included a double and a triple and two other hits. Earlier in the game, Franco Was robbed of extra bases on a leaping catch of a liner that turned into a double play. Pivetta also escaped a bases loaded jam when he and the catcher got crossed up, and the ball got away, but they got Galvis trying to score. (Actually, it was a very nice play by Pivetta to rush home and make the tag.)

[zambonir]

Jeff Manto (who once seemed on track for a much more high-end career) managing Trenton, and Delwyn Young (not to be confused with Delmon, but we had him too) the State College team.

Jedd Gyorko To Manage MLB Draft League Team

[Philsmania]

Manto was one of those guys who '90's vintage sabermetricians drooled over. Charlie Montoyo, who now manages the Blue Jays, was another one. Both were walk machines but, unfortunately, couldn't seem to do much else. Manto did hit 17 HR's in Baltimore in 1995 in what was probably his best season but, even then, he only accumulated .7 WAR. Great numbers in AAA. Was probably a AAAA player, in the end.

[zambonir]

I meant he seemed on track for a more high-end managing career (for which being a less accomplished player is almost a requirement!). Phillies hired him to manage Lakewood almost 20 years ago but he only lasted one year. He's had a couple of major league hitting coach jobs but seems like he's been unemployed or on the fringes of the game more years than not, and now he's starting at the bottom again. Maybe it was a family thing, if he has kids they're probably grown now.

[bkox]

I meant he seemed on track for a more high-end managing career (for which being a less accomplished player is almost a requirement!). Phillies hired him to manage Lakewood almost 20 years ago but he only lasted one year. He's had a couple of major league hitting coach jobs but seems like he's been unemployed or on the fringes of the game more years than not, and now he's starting at the bottom again. Maybe it was a family thing, if he has kids they're probably grown now.

His linkedin shows he was the minor league hitting coordinator for the Orioles from 2013-2019

and he owns Manto Player Development Center in Philly area

[zambonir]

Ah, thanks. Was not in the Wikipedia. Kind of interesting he's in our backyard but never came back into the fold. He was a Francona guy wasn't he?

[BostonRoss]

Nick Williams has been DFAed by the White Sox.

[David_Criss]

Can he play center?

[Taudawg]

Can he play center?

As good as Roman Quinn apparently

[zambonir]

Boy, at some point you have to wonder just how good - which is to say bad - you have to be to play CF for the Phillies. They have not emphasized defense at a single position, other than having a star catcher who excels all-around. Harper, who's up and down, is probably the second-best defender relative to his position. And Moniak hasn't established himself as a great defender either (or played a single inning of CF in the majors).

So what I'm saying is, it's still kind of hard to believe they so firmly refused to let Williams play there. At this point they might end up with Brad Miller (or Harper again).

[BostonRoss]

Heck, if McCutchen starts hitting, put him in center and Joyce in left.

[zambonir]

Well, yeah, that too, though Harper is probably still the better pick if Joyce and Miller can play RF. But if Miller can theoretically play SS and 2B (even if he's more suited to LF/1B/3B) CF should at least be an option.

[BostonRoss]

Maybe the best idea is to play the three guys in the outfield who are hitting best (which will always include Harper, of course).

[zambonir]

Right now it just might be. Though I reckon such a plan invariably ends with either an injury or a game-blowing mistake.

They're doing the right thing I think. Miller should probably play more in LF though I imagine the idea right now is to try and get Cutch going, rather than load-management. And CF should remain two guys who hopefully don't embarass themselves defensively, even if they can't hit. It's just Moniak instead of Haseley now, so maybe he'll do better.