Aaron Nola. In his two professional starts Aaron Nola has shown that he has the ability to be a major league pitcher. He has demonstrated good command of his pitches and locates them effectively. More importantly, Nola has exhibited unbelievable poise on the mound. Many promising arms have toed the rubber and wilted under the pressure of big league game situations. Nola, after making a mistake, goes right back to work focused on the next pitch. Young pitchers come unglued after a mistake is hit hard or a good pitch gets called a ball. Coaches sometimes tell a young pitcher that he can’t get that one back. Get the next one. Nola seems to have learned this lesson well. Hitters will make adjustments to Nola, if he can make the necessary adjustments to his game, it could be fun watching him mature into a top of the rotation pitcher.
Odubal Herrera. A rule 5 player, Herrera’s play has been inconsistent, but since the All Star break he has provided some excitement. He has had some big hits and two good defensive plays in Windy City Wrigley during Cole Hamel’s no hitter. Herrera’s mental lapses, especially on the base paths, can drive a manager-and fans- crazy. He reminds me of our last rule five center fielder, Shane Victorino, who drove Charlie Manuel and the fans nuts with his base running blunders during Victorino’s early years. Herrera has raw talent, with good coaching and hard work, he can go from stumbling puppy to best of show.
Hernandez/Utley. Is Chase Utley done? Is Cesar Hernandez our second baseman of the future? It could be interesting if Chase comes off the disabled list and has a run at winning back the starting second baseman job. Hernandez has certainly played well. He looks as if he could become our leadoff hitter and has made trading Ben Revere, a perennial .300 hitter, available for trade. Hernandez hasn’t convinced me that he is an everyday player at the big league level. I would like to see him answer a possible Utley challenge with even better, more consistent play through the rest of the season. We all know Chase Utley is no longer a part of The Phillies future, is Cesar Hernandez?
Hamels/Replacement. Up until last Saturday I thought it was a better than 50-50 chance that Cole Hamels would not be traded. His two previous starts had suitors more reluctant to pull the trigger on a trade involving their top prospects. After pitching a dominating no hitter against the Cubs, I believe other teams may be willing to part with a big name player or prospect and take on more of his contract. Here’s the twist: There are still some “rent-a-player” pitchers available that could be more attractive to the GMs of potential playoff teams. The two teams being mentioned as most interested in Hamels are The Rangers and The Dodgers. The Phillies are high on Rangers Nomar Mazara and catcher Jorge Alfaro and The Dodgers are rumored to be willing to give up Yasiel Puig. If Hamels is dealt to either of these teams Mazara or Alfaro would be in The Phillies plans for the future and Puig-he could be fun.
September Call-Ups. It’s always fun when baseball teams expand their big league rosters after the minor leagues close out their seasons in September. How many kids will The Phillies bring up and who? I think the fans would like to get a look at J. P. Crawford and Jesse Biddle but maybe the front office wants to see Aaron Altherr and Kelly Dugan play the outfield a little. Either way it’s good to see the young kids come up and see if they can impress the team brass. Their youth and enthusiasm is usually entertaining.
Since the All Star break The Phillies 8-1 record has made Philadelphia baseball enjoyable to watch. They are playing well and giving their fans hope. Nine games doth not a season make. Can they maintain their winning ways?
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