Peter Bubel+ by | Mar 7, 2017 | PA, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Sports
As is the case in so many walks of life, how you feel about a baseball team dedicated to rebuilding will often boil down to your perspective.
If you’re in the front office, the media, or a scout for a farm team, the term “rebuilding” likely conjures up a feeling of excitement, fast-paced deals, and an eye for the future. Watching prospects come into their own, making that adjustment that adds 25 points to their batting average or 5 MPH to their fastball gives hope for the future of a team.
From the bleachers, though, watching a rebuilding team can be, in a word, dull. You’d have to go back to 2011 to find the last season in which the Phillies finished above .500. The team’s 71-91 record in 2016 was a small step forward from the 63-99 finish the 2015 team was able to produce. The Phillies are, in every sense of the word, rebuilding. And the future looks like it may be bright.
JP Crawford
Entering 2017, Crawford is ranked as the sixth best prospect across Major League Baseball, and for good reason. Despite not hitting for power or stealing many bases, the Phils’ number one prospect has a knack for getting on base, walking at a good clip while limiting strikeouts. At just 22 years of age, the 2013 first round pick has plenty of time for growth and maturity before he breaks into the bigs, an event that many anticipate taking place this season.
Scott Kingery
While 22 year old Kingery has big shoes to fill at second base with many fans still mourning the loss of Chase Utley and the glory days of 2008, the youngster’s skillset and promising spring training have helped ease the fears of many. With a short, compact swing and the ability to put the ball into gaps all over the field, Kingery has shown himself able to approach each at bat with the patience and keen eye one would expect from a veteran. Though we likely won’t see him on a MLB roster until 2018 or so, Kingery is one of a few prospects to keep an eye on this season.
Mickey Moniak
At just 18 years old, Moniak is still a ways away from a big league appearance. The outfielder, drafted with the first overall pick in 2016, has a lot of hype and promise to live up to, and many scouts expect him to pass with flying colors. The speedy OF has been praised again and again for his high baseball IQ and fantastic instincts. Though he hasn’t shown much pop at the plate to this point, he has worked closely with trainers to tack on muscle mass and reach the “middle of the road power” plateau many expected of him after seeing him play in high school.
Sixto Sanchez
When the Phillies signed Sixto Sanchez for about $35,000 in 2015, fairly few people stopped to take notice. Despite his fairly small size, Sanchez has shown the ability to bring it on the mound, throwing his fastball in the low to mid 90s, topping out at 96-97. And what Sixto lacks in mound presence he makes up for in control; unlike other hard throwers around the league, Sanchez has shown incredible command of his fastball. At just 18, Sanchez has ample time to improve the parts of his game that fall a bit short (offspeed stuff, stamina), but his 0.50 ERA in 54 innings pitched last season warrants some close attention from those interested in the future of the Phillies.
Peter Bubel+ by | Feb 6, 2017 | Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Sports
After another dismal season, the Philadelphia Phillies are striving to achieve more in the upcoming year following four straight losing seasons. The team’s goals are modest, as they have improved over the years. In 2015, the Phillies recorded 63 wins, followed by a 71-win 2016 season. Manager Pete Mackanin says he aims to reach 81 this year.
The team has been in a rebuilding process since roughly 2012 after a string of immense success, including a World Series title in 2008, which has since come to a close after the departure of Ryan Howard. Mackanin believes he has found a number of players that can truly make a difference on this young Philadelphia roster, adding veteran outfielders Michael Saunders and Howie Kendrick, in addition to right-handed pitcher Clay Buchholz.
The newcomers join an already impressive group with center fielder Odubel Herrera, third baseman Maikel Franco, and shortstop Freddy Galvis, who are intended to be utilized by general manager Matt Klentak. The organization is looking to avoid long-term contracts to see which players fit best in their improving system, and with the best farm system in the MLB, several prospects may be able to fill those positions.
“We might not go from A to Z to the World Series, but I think we can go from A to F, or A to G. We have to start making our move,” stated Mackanin. The Phillies have more experience on the roster, as the younger players (Herrera and Franco) have now completed a full season, and with the veteran presence of Saunders and Kendrick, the team aims to take advantage of the added guidance.
As mentioned, the Phillies’ farm system houses some of the best prospects in baseball. Some of the more promising rookies to keep an eye on include pitchers Vince Velasquez, Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin, and Alec Asher, all of whom are under the age of 25 and have some experience pitching in the major league. Shortstop J.P. Crawford is another player that has caught the attention of scouts around the country, as he is the #4 overall ranking shortstop this year. Though most are not expected to join the Phillies starting lineup this year, they will gain valuable experience in Triple-A, potentially increasing their stock and chances of being called up by the 2018 season.
Mackanin has stressed the importance of adding veteran leadership to the team, seeing as Ryan Howard’s departure has left a gaping hole in that area. However, Mackanin feels strongly that Saunders is a viable replacement. “It’s important to have at least one guy with a professional approach to show the younger guys how to approach situations in games,” Mackanin stated. “Maybe they can put something in somebody’s ear and have (the younger player) say ‘You know, I never thought about it that way.’”
The expectations for this up and coming Philadelphia team is much higher than the previous three seasons. Players who showcased their abilities last season will be looked upon to maintain their levels of success, as well as offer a heightened sense of teamwork. There’s no denying that fans will be expecting more as well, and with the recent addition of former Phillie John Kruk to the broadcasting team, morale may be significantly higher than it has been in the past few seasons.
