The Spring Training season is already two weeks old, and the Phillies have shown plenty of improvement over the past couple of weeks with a 10-3-1 record.
Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco has picked up where he left off last year hitting 4 homers (which leads the majors), to go along with 10 RBIs and a .346 average. The Phillies front office should be pleased by the production of their 23 year old power bat as he enters his first full year as the man in the hot corner.
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With outfielder Aaron Alther on the shelf for at least half of the 2016 season with a wrist injury, there are only two sure-fire outfielders on the roster (Oduebel Herrera and Peter Bourjos). That leaves three spots up for grabs. David Lough is fighting for one of those spots, the 30 year old is hitting .333 with a homer and 4 RBI’s along with an OPS over 1.000, would not be surprised to see him make the team. Darnell Sweeney, who was acquired in the Utley trade, is fighting for the backup center field job. He has not be overly productive so far this spring hitting .235. Tyler Goddel has the best chance to make the Opening Day roster, the Phillies top selection in the Rule 5 draft is hitting .267 this Spring and can play all three outfield spots, its very likely he is the Opening Day right fielder. Cody Asche will be fighting for the right field spot as well, the former third baseman is dealing with an oblique injury and has not yet taken part in a Spring game. Many believe Asche will make the team despite the injury.
Is it possible top 10 prospect Roman Quinn makes the team?
It is, the speedy center fielder is hitting .300 with a homer and 3 triples in 20 plate appearances. Although Quinn may be one of the hottest hitters on team, it may be best for him to start the season in the minors.
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With top catching prospects Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro in camp, Cameron Rupp had to show the staff he can be the lead catcher for 2016 with Ruiz’s playing time diminishing, and so far he has. Rupp is hitting .429 with 2 homers, both coming in the same game, to go along with 4 RBIs. Another catcher trying to make the team is JP Arencibia he is hitting .412 with a pair of homers. Alfaro and Knapp will both most likely start the season in the minors, but Alfaro is hitting .308in 13 at bats, and Knapp did have a big homer last week.
As Ryan Howard begins his last season with the Phillies, he faces a platoon with Darin Ruf. Ruf has had a productive Spring with 3 homers, 10 RBIs and a .296 average. Howard on the other hand, is hitting .111 with 2 doubles.
Phillies top prospect J.P. Crawford has not had a stellar Spring so far, he is hitting .150 with a couple of errors, the short stop will head back to the minors with a chance to break through this Spring. Freddy Galvis will assume short stop duties until Crawford’s long awaited arrival.
Another top prospect, outfielder Nick Williams will also start the season in the minors, hitting .227 with a homer and three doubles, it may not be too long before he becomes the Phillies every day right fielder, or possibly left, but I do not believe he makes the Opening Day roster.
The Phillies offense is one of the top offenses this Spring with 18 homers and over 80 runs scored.
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From a pitching aspect, the Phillies are trying to figure out what the bull pen will look like and who the fifth starter will be.
Andrew Bailey may be securing a bull pen spot, through 3 innings of work, he’s allowed only one base runner, with two strikeouts. Dalier Hinojosa has been very impressive allowing no runs in five innings while striking out 7. David Hernandez is the favorite to be the closer, he has only pitched one inning, which was scoreless.
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From a starters standpoint, top pitching prospect Jake Thompson is making a strong push to win the fifth spot allowing no earned runs in 5 innings. With Jerad Eickoff still of the shelf with a thumb injury, its possible two rotation spots could be available. Brett Oberholtzer, who was acquired in the Giles trade, has not allowed an earned run in 8 innings, he may be the favorite to win the fifth spot. Adam Morgan is also making a push, he has allowed two runs in 9 innings of work.
Unfortunately, the possible ace this year for the staff, Aaron Nola, has been roughed up. He has allowed 6 runs in 4.2 innings and posts a 11.57 ERA. Veterans Charlie Morton and Jeremy Hellickson have not pictched much yet this Spring, but both will be in the Opening Day rotation.
Another pitcher acquired in the Giles deal, Vincent Velasquez will make a strong push for a spot, he has allowed 4 runs in 9 innings of work.
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A lot of the future has been on display so far this Spring, Phillies fans should look forward to seeing many top prospects breaking through this year. Some of these prospects have been developing very quickly this Spring and may be up sooner rather than later.
The Phillies are only half a game behind the Blue Jays for the Grapefruit league title… imagine that.
Too bad it doesn’t count.
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