Phillies Spring Training Discussion 2024

[phillychuck]

I agree with Andy, which is why I'd like a viable, LH 3B/OF on the bench. Cave doesn't play 3B, and I don't think the Phils are confident of Clemens' offensive ability. If Bohm is injured or ineffective, I think we need a better option than Sosa.

[andyb]

Brad Miller is still out there but he has not really been that good since 2021 (his second stint with us). Clemens is probably as good as Miller these days.

[Austinfan]

The fact that he's been 2B/LF suggests he probably lacks the arm for the left side of the IF.
I think Kroon has played 3B as well as all three OF spots.

[zambonir]

I'm just going by what Thomson said. That Merrifield will play some 3B and 1B. Of course that should be based on him being the hitter he was three years ago. If he's struggling/declining he can't necessarily outhit Sosa or Bohm, let alone out-defend them, and would have no business playing 1B (even if Clemens and Cave didn't either last year).

Miller's about the same as Merrifield I'd say, though he certainly wouldn't be as expensive. In addition to his bat fading not sure he can really field that well anymore either, though he's obviously coming back from a lost season/injury.

I actually think Sosa is fine if Bohm is injured. It would just make more sense to have a LHB to spell him once or twice a week on the regular. That player probably wouldn't be a good defender himself, or anyone you'd want playing 3B long-term (if Bohm was so ineffective as to lose the job, which seems unlikely).

Sosa was kind of bumpy last year at 3B but he should still be capable there defensively in the long run.

[Callison]

"Merrifield" doesn't relate the same way unless the first name is "Santa", but is a great name for a ball player. Right up there with "Throneberry".

[LoneStarPhan]

First chance to see the new uniforms and I am NOT impressed. The names on the back of the road greys absolutely disappear on TV unless it is a close up. I’ve read numerous negative things about the players response to the uniforms. Looks like a huge failure for Nike.

And now the uniform pants are a disaster too

In the game, Allard walks 2 to load bases with one out ahead of a double off Clemens’ glove to score two. Third run scores on a swing and miss that the catcher just didn’t catch. 3-0 Blue Jays after one inning.

In the top of the second, the Phillies score four featuring home runs by W. Wilson and Scott Kingery.

Great to actually see the Phillies playing again.

Seeing Kingery today makes me wonder if he has any chance of making it back to the active roster. I remember sitting in the stands in Clearwater watching the Phillies warming up prior to a spring game and pointing Kingery out to my wife and telling her he was going to be a star for the Phillies. That was just before the Phillies signed him to the six year contract. Looking at Scott's BA at AAA from last year makes it very doubtful that he comes back to make the active roster, but he would provide great versatility off the bench.

[LoneStarPhan]

Early pitching lines for the Phillies in the first game of spring training:

Allard 2IP, 3R, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, 3K.
Nelson 1IP, 4R, 4ER, 5H, 1BB, 0K.

[andyb]

I'm just going by what Thomson said.

Thomson said Sosa would play the OF too. That really hasn't happened. Coach/manager-speak is a thing. It is not designed to highlight the limitations of any player to the press.

[phillychuck]

Matt Kroon contributes to the 10-run 5th inning with a RCF 3-run HR. Phils leading 14-7. Pitching clearly well ahead of the hitting...

[Callison]

Looks like a softball game in the park - only missing the beer keg.

[LoneStarPhan]

Mercado pitching the fifth starts with a walk, single, single, and a double to make it 14-12 and still no outs. In fairness to Mercado, the two singles were pop ups.

Mercado is the 4th Phillies pitcher today and the 4th to start off with a multi-run inning.

[Lucky_Beagle]

same score to the bottom of the 9th ....who is the closer? lol

[zambonir]

True true. But I can think of seven million reasons why it's more likely to be true of Merrifield than it was of Sosa (in addition to the backs of their baseball cards).

And they still played Cave at 1B (a position he had never played). Sosa also never played the OF because they were able to get Pache to replace another converted IF (Guthrie) at the last minute, and then called up Rojas later of course. So I still hope they just find that LHB 3B somehow.

It really is odd that the bench and 40-man depth is still so mismatched in terms of batting side and position. If Wilson was LHB he'd have a much clearer path. If Hall could play the OF he might have. Even Kody Clemens is primarily a 2B on a team with a LH 2B (though he's been legitimately more versatile than Merrifield in his career, albeit without the bat or everyday job).

[xogfog]

Of course it was against AAAA compatition, but I like Wilson as a RH bat. If he has a torrid spring, I might consider him for the bench.

[bkeich]

I saw the box score that Brito had a sacrifice and got excited. Then I realized it wasn’t the young man that had the stroke.

I guess he was quietly released or not signed. I found that he is now in the Atlantic League (Independent) trying to get back to prospect status, but at 25 I have to think time is running out, or ran out.

Shame, the kid was very near his “shot”

[julio]

After a busy day (my son's birthday; most of the family here), I decided to put on the radio broadcast of the game at mlb.com.

Bad idea. Are they actually paying an engineer to tend to these broadcasts? Franzke was barely audible; Stocker a little better; and the between-innings WIP station announcements would blow you out of your chair. If there was actually an engineer responsible for this...well, paying attention to audio levels on a radio broadcast is pretty basic, one would think.

I gave up after a couple of innings. I'm not going to sit here and gain-ride because somebody isn't doing his job.

[Austinfan]

I don't really follow the first two weeks of ST games, pitchers are just trying to get a feel for their mechanics and are only throwing an inning or two. Around mid-March, pitchers have a few starts under their belts, and start preparing for the start of the season, pitching is much better and you get a better feel for hitters.

[zambonir]

Yup you post that every year. It's still baseball, still a chance to see some fringe guys you never will again (unless you're in Allentown) and still entertaining (except maybe for the pitchers).

Granted I would never watch an exhibition game in any of the other sports.

[zambonir]

Was a lot of love for Aramis Garcia yesterday too. Marchan once agan injured.

Phillies Sign Cam Gallagher To Minor League Deal

[BaseballCat]

I have seen Cam Gallagher many times. Definitely a glove-first catcher. Those can be nice for depth. Wish Marchan could stay healthy so we could get a good look at him.