News of Phormer Phillies, 2021

[fish]

I feel like I’m going insane looking at the performance the As are getting from Irvin, the Cubs are getting from Arietta, and the Sox are getting from Pivetta. Now if someone takes Vince Velasquez, the patron saint of lost causes, and turns him into something useful overnight then you know there is something really wrong with the Phillies and not just really bad luck.

[zambonir]

Are you really surprised? They changed pitching coaches every year, and Arrietta was also never healthy, so can probably just give that one time.

Pivetta has always had potential, but it was time. Irvin could really be the one who got away, and that was some poor 40-man roster management, but it's hard to imagine the Phillies would have let him compete for a rotation spot this year. That's where the A's' vision and thrift pays off for them.

[fish]

Are you really surprised? They changed pitching coaches every year, and Arrietta was also never healthy, so can probably just give that one time.

Pivetta has always had potential, but it was time. Irvin could really be the one who got away, and that was some poor 40-man roster management, but it's hard to imagine the Phillies would have let him compete for a rotation spot this year. That's where the A's' vision and thrift pays off for them.

One thing that doesn't seem to have changed about the Phillies over the last 6 years is that they don't seem to be able to identify or develop the strength of a non-star player, and then deploy that player in a way that takes advantage of that strength. The only guys that have developed that jump to mind is Hector Neris and Zach Efflin, and I'd give them more credit for that than the Phillies. I'm not even convinced they use Hector Neris to maximize his results either.

Maybe Sam Coonrod is Cotham's first reclamation- and i'm not down on Cotham, it's a bigger organizational problem.

[schillingfan]

I saw Cole Irvin pitch here in SWB. He was pretty much at 89-90 on his fast ball. That requires a great command of location. I’d be surprised if he does more than bounce around. I was disappointed since had been doing so well in AAA.

[bkox]

At least Drew Smyly is being atrocious for the Braves.

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Arrieta got hit hard today as well.

[zambonir]

That's way better than what anyone does for the Cubs, Sox or A's!

[bkox]

Travis d'Arnaud has a torn thumb ligament, will require surgery. #Braves hope/think they'll have him back at some point late in season, but no certainty.

— David O'Brien ( @DOBrienATL ) May 2, 2021

[BostonRoss]

Tough break for Travis, and the Braves (their other catcher is 1 for 23 this season so far). D’Arnaud is the only one of the guys traded for Halladay to have a real career. It worked out well for the Phillies.

[Philsmania]

D'Arnaud has always had injury issues, aside from the last two years.

[David_Criss]

https://twitter.com/nickgroke/status/1389258793968488453

Rockies release Ivan Nova

[Philsmania]

James Pazos now a Dodger. Update, maybe not.

Dodgers To Select James Pazos?

[bkox]

Cole Irvin goes 8IP striking out 9, giving up just 3 hits and 1 run.

[BostonRoss]

Arrieta went on the IL, not COVID.

[bkox]

Tommy Hunter called up by the Mets

[andyb]

Carson Ragsdale off to a nice start in Low A for the Giants (Coonrod trade, 4th round pick last year).
https://twitter.com/SFGProspects/status/1391077885016887298

[Philsmania]

I saw Cole Irvin pitch here in SWB. He was pretty much at 89-90 on his fast ball. That requires a great command of location. I’d be surprised if he does more than bounce around. I was disappointed since had been doing so well in AAA.

He's a guy I could see the Athletics trading away for a nice return at some point before either he comes back down to Earth or becomes arbitration-eligible, whichever is likely to come first.

[Philsmania]

J.A. Happ still going strong at age 38 with the Twins. 2-0, 1.91 ERA, 5 starts, 0.847 WHIP, though I guess if you want to nitpick, he's only pitched 28.1 innings in those five starts meaning that he averages less than 6 IP and he's struck out only 16 but given up only 16 hits.. Looking at his career line, he's definitely been one of those pitchers whose been better in his 30's than he was in his 20's.

[bkox]

Another Former Phillie is Battling Brain Cancer - Crossing Broad

[andyb]

Heath Hembree with Cincinnati is doing well. 6.2 IP across 6 outings. 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K. Not expecting it to last of course.