Phillies Scouting Director Johnny Almaraz Steps Down

[allentown]

I think the philosophy did change somewhat. There has been a more consistent focus upon college players with the top draft picks, while actually picking up as many or more H.S. fliers with later picks -- I think a realization that most of their first and second round H.S. draft picks had been little more than fliers. Yes, he took Randolph and, I guess, Moniak -- although that was really Gillick.

I agree that our international operation, especially for position players, continues to fall short. Sal found Ruiz and he has done well with actually quite a number of low-cost pitchers. We have Realmuto as our starting catcher. Whether he stays healthy enough to make his mark in the majors or never gets there (and he's knocking on the door, pitching well in AA), Realmuto means that Sixto has already made an MLB contribution.

I don't know how our international operation works. Is Sal doing a lot of scouting, or has he become more administrative? The later Arbuckle years, until management asked him to become more directly involved again, went downhill as he left more of the scouting work to others.

[allentown]

If he was truly, inexorably old school, presumably he would not have survived for another three years under this GM. Obviously they did work together well and have been on the same page for the most part.

I'm not so sure about this. It seems to me that one of the hallmarks of MacPhail and Klentak are the painstakingly slow way in which they are implementing change in the organization and organizational philosophy. I can't help but think things would have gone better had they installed 'their management team' and philosophy in one fell swoop, so that the new way could quickly gel and move forward. We have seen continuous churn since Middleton/MacPhail took over. Really, that has to leave virtually everyone constantly confused. Part of the problem was hiring such young and inexperienced analytics guys. They've had a learning curve.

I know I'm not in a position to understand why this Almaraz move is happening now or whose choice it is, but the main thing I see is more churn. Now, at some unknown time, we are going to bring in a new domestic scouting director and change....??

On Sal -- if we are near the beginning of an international draft, that is going to change a lot. Perhaps, if he really is staying, that is what Almaraz is going to be working on. I don't know what role Sal has had in the Asian and European scouting -- if he's also in charge of that, then he is carrying a heavier administrative load.

[Austinfan]

I think the reason for a slow rate of change reflects the loyalty to employees that has traditionally been a Phillies trademark, and that I assume Middleton endorses. While this slows the pace of change, it also creates an environment where good people don't easily leave so you have a tradeoff between an attractive workplace and reluctance to discard dead wood.

I also think this may reflect Klentak's desire to thoroughly evaluate the people he inherited (again, going back to that loyalty thing, you don't fire people on a whim but after careful evaluation - procedure matters if you want to maintain morale and the perception that you treat people fairly).

It's much easier to blow up organizations than rebuild them for the long haul.

[zambonir]

If he was taking another job he wouldn't be taking the advisor role - and in fact, he is likely still under contract with the Phillies (though that still doesn't prove it was voluntary, so was Mackanin).

I don't know that the timing is so unusual, Joe Jordan left at the same time. When your job is the minors or the draft the schedule is different anyway.

[nycphils]

Any time someone is resigning “to spend more time with his family” they KNOW that the public will believe that they were fired, since that’s what companies say when they fire people and don’t want their dirty laundry aired.

As a result, if it was voluntary they would have said SOMETHING different - the only other option is that Almaraz and all his people are dopes, and I doubt that.

[julio]

don't know that the timing is so unusual, Joe Jordan left at the same time. When your job is the minors or the draft the schedule is different anyway.

Minor league seasons ended Monday. Scouting director (who oversees amateur scouts and minor league scouts - and the major league advance people?) steps down the next day. I would go beyond "not so unusual" - it's an obvious time - arguably the most obvious time - as they're beginning to gear up for the next cycle.

As a result, if it was voluntary they would have said SOMETHING different

You're assuming that Almaraz cares what some overwrought fans (the "public" you referenced) think. (For that matter, you're assuming the Phillies' front office cares - they may, but this front office has demonstrated they're less focused on what the fans think, on PR, than any predecessors since about Paul Owens.) Is it conceivable that they just decided to tell the truth, and not worry about spinning it?

I mean, I'm as cynical as the next person - probably more than most - but I don't get the absolute determination to read the worst possible meaning into essentially everything that happens in the Phillies' organization.

[fish]

if his preference was old school then how do you explain the last couple of drafts?

That he was being pushed to go the college route.

[zambonir]

Minor league seasons ended Monday. Scouting director (who oversees amateur scouts and minor league scouts - and the major league advance people?)

He doesn't oversee the minor league and major league people though, that's Mike Ondo. Almaraz was amateurs only.

[zambonir]

We agree that they have moved too slowly, but given how slowly it has moved I don't think I would call it "churn." It's frustrating to think that some areas were behind others but dealing with them in a linear fashion probably had some merit (in addition to evaluting/retaining useful inherited talent for at least a while).

Clearly Klentak and Almaraz were able to work together; but having restocked the system they decided Jordan wasn't the guy to develop it (or he decided that as well). The analytics department on the scouting side is probably a lot further along than it was three years ago as well, to the point where there will be fewer on the ground scouts and you want a scouting director who is well-versed in the new approach (while still using eye tests too of course).

What it does say, IMO, that fans who think Klentak's job is in any kind of danger after next year are mistaken. He's under contract through 2021 and 2020 will now be the first year where it is his organization from top to bottom. And his boss (if not always his owner) has obviously been on board with the deliberate pace. If he has to hire a new manager he will be on the clock; if he does not, he (and Kapler) will both get extensions next season. If they were to hire a new GM after next season would they also fire all the assistants and directors?

[Philsmania]

[quote="zambonir, post:8, topic:51766, full:true"]
I guess I take a less positive view of Almaraz's performance than others. In today's game, it's all about finding value and return on investment. Well, in recent seasons the Phillies have had a lot to invest in terms of acquiring amateur talent--high draft picks, high bonus pools and high international spending allocations (allocations which they typically supplemented by trading for other team's unused amounts). Yet, the return on that sizable investment so far has been quite meager. And, his operation has had some notable big money flops (MAG (RIP), Encarnacion, probably Ortiz). Meanwhile, elsewhere in our own division, the Braves and Nationals churn out guys like Acuña, Albies, Soto and Robles.

Do you find it interesting that two of those names, Acuna and Albies were signed while Almarez was in charge of that particular function?

Also...there is no real way to decide what you're already deciding.

I was talking about Almaraz's and Agostinelli's body of work here in Philadelphia.

[Philsmania]

I saw the below article a couple of weeks ago. Granted, it's from MLB.com so there's probably some fluff involved, but it discusses the wave of good young hitting talent in the game today. The article mentions numerous players, none of them Phillies. So, despite having an advantageous position in terms of the draft and international spending, we have--so far--missed the wave.

We're in a golden age of young hitters

[gmwannabe]

not a one mentioned. isn't that a kick in the teeth.
gm

[fish]

not a one mentioned. isn't that a kick in the teeth.
gm

They aren't linked to any of the top international guys next year either. Though lots of good that did this year.

[Squire]

More changes in the Amateur Scouting Department. One of the two National Crosscheckers Bill Moore let go.

Jim Salisbury on Twitter

[Austinfan]

Sounds like Klentak gave everyone a chance to prove themselves, then did his evaluations and the axe is beginning to fall.

[bkeich]

Sounds like Klentak gave everyone a chance to prove themselves, then did his evaluations and the axe is beginning to fall.

Yes, by the time he gets fired he should really have a good handle on what he wants to do. He has moved way, way, way too slow. Taking a whole year to "evaluate" and then starting to clean things up now is just ridiculously slow and we have the minor league system that reflects that glacial pace.

[andyb]

It is now almost 4 years into Klentak's tenure. Hard to believe he is still getting to know his staff and now the axe is beginning to fall. He would have made these evaluations after a year or two and then changed personnel. People leaving now are leaving for other reasons (failure to perform, better offers elsewhere, etc.). There is always some level of change in scouting jobs as it is a tough job and personal reasons for those who do it are important also. I am not sure that these latest changes are part of any grand pattern. But at some level the fall of the system from above average to below average has to play into it somewhat.

[zambonir]

From the sound of things Almaraz really did just want to move back to Texas. It certainly stands to reason that there'd be more changes stemming from his leaving, just as Jordan leaving came with other changes.

I still don't care for the overall pace, but clearly MacPhail and Klentak did not promise rapid - or dramatic - change internally when they were hired.

[fish]

It is now almost 4 years into Klentak's tenure. Hard to believe he is still getting to know his staff and now the axe is beginning to fall. He would have made these evaluations after a year or two and then changed personnel.

I guess a guy coming in without GM experience who worked for other questionably managed franchises wouldn’t have a great idea of what it is that works.

[zambonir]

If this regime doesn't accomplish anything it's a very fair point. Why MacPhail? Why MacPhail's protege from a terrible Anaheim team? Meanwhile Chaim Bloom has the Rays doing as well as ever (and we also considered someone from Oakland). Luhnow/Theo proteges are everywhere.