Philadelphia Phillies: The Phuture is Bright

Baseball is back in the City of Brotherly Love, kinda. Our Philadelphia Phillies took their place on the diamond at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida for Spring Training earlier this month.

I had the pleasure of seeing the Philadelphia Phillies “home” opener last Saturday in Clearwater. The batting order resembled what could likely be the one on opening day: Cesar Hernandez (second base), Howie Kendrick (left field), Odubel Herrera (center field), Maikel Franco (third base), Michael Saunders (designated hitter), Tommy Joseph (first base), Freddy Galvis (shortstop), Cameron Rupp (catcher), and Aaron Altherr (right field). Adam Morgan got the start but only pitched two innings. On paper, aside from Adam Morgan, this is a pretty decent lineup, one that could easily hit the .500 mark that Manager Pete Mackanin is aiming for.

This is still a very young roster, one that has a lot of that scary p-word that gets thrown around Philadelphia sports more and more every year.

Potential. One of the strangest words in professional sports. If all goes well and a player reaches or exceeds their potential it is a wonderful thing. If a player doesn’t its one of the worst feelings in the world. Remember Domonic Brown? Once considered the top prospect in baseball, a one-time all-star who never panned out for the Phillies. He was the definition of never reaching potential. A reminder that potential is a terrifying thing.

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The Phillies have an incredibly deep farm system that includes top prospects JP Crawford and Jorge Alfaro. They have other prospects that can be packaged to trade for big name players in the future. There is also a stable of young pitchers ready to get their first or second crack at the majors. Players like Alec Asher, Mark Appel, Jake Thompson, and Zach Eflin are sure to make their mark on this team in the coming seasons. Couple that with the fact that the Philadelphia Phillies have almost no money on the books past this season, meaning they can sign any free agent they want (read: Bryce Harper), puts this team in a great position.

With that knowledge, it was easy to be stoked to see the Phillies play a spring training game against the Yankees. Here are some things I noticed from my time in Clearwater:

1.) There is no room in the starting rotation for Adam Morgan.

Sorry Adam Morgan fans, if there are any. The combination of his inconsistency paired with the younger (better) arms won’t allow him a starting spot. Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff, Jeremy Hellickson, Clay Buchholz, and Vince Velasquez should beat him out. Add in minor league guys who will push for spots like Zach Eflin, Alec Asher, Jake Thompson, and Mark Appel, there’s just no room for Morgan. Realistically he should be in competition for a bullpen spot. I wouldn’t be opposed to him being a two, maybe three inning reliever.

2.) Freddy Galvis will be a Golden Glove Finalist/Winner this season.

He was robbed last season, to be honest. Just watch this play from Satuday’s game. It speaks for itself.

The dude can straight up field. I just hope the Phils can find a way to keep him on the roster when JP Crawford makes his way to the bigs.

3.) *POP* “Wake up the Bats!” – Pedro Cerrano

The famous quote from the movie Major League perfectly sums up the Phillies Achilles’ Heel for what seems like the past 8 years, we have to wake up the bats! It appears like the bats are here or will be here soon. Maikel Franco has three homeruns to his name this Spring Training and Rhys Hoskins, while young and raw, has incredible power. He boasted a two hit game, one double, one homerun, on Saturday afternoon.

The Philadelphia Phillies hired Matt Stairs as the new batting coach and it seems like the young guys have taken to him. It has been reported that Nick Williams has taken what Stairs has to say to heart. Stairs could be just what the doctor ordered for the young guys on this team.

4.) There is some serious talent in our farm system

I knew the Phils had a deep system, I didn’t realize it was this deep though. For example, Brock Stassi has had an incredible Spring training thus far, including a walk off single to end Saturday’s game. Scott Kingery has shown his defensive prowess and appears to have improved at the plate. Look for Stassi to be a utility player for the Philadelphia Phillies this season (a la Andres Blanco), Kingery could be up as early as this summer.

“The Bash Brothers”, Dylan Cozens and Rhys Hoskins, aren’t quite ready for the majors, but they are fun prospects that fans should keep their eyes on. These guys can hit, Cozens led AA ball in homeruns last season. Hoskins sent this ball 400+ feet in Saturday’s game.

5.) Philadelphia is going to love Nick Williams

When he makes it to the big show, this city is going to love this guy. While he was knocked for his work ethic in the minor leagues, I think Williams has turned a new leaf. As I mentioned before, he has been working closely with hitting coach Matt Stairs, which is perfect. If he can hit for both average and power he will find a home in our outfield for years to come.

While Williams didn’t play in Saturday’s game, he was the last player off the field. Fans lined the front row of the third baseline, the path the players have to follow to get to the locker room, hoping to get pictures and autographs. Most players did a few signatures, a few pictures, and cut off fans en route to the locker room (who can blame them, it was hot out) but Nick Williams stayed until he satisfied every fan, old and young, who wanted to meet him. He is embracing the fan base. If When he produces when he gets to the majors, he will be the fan favorite.

6.) Pete Mackanin is the right manager for this team, city

The Yankees tied the score at 5-5 in the top of the ninth inning at Saturdays game. Rhys Hoskins stepped up to the plate with one out and calmly hit a stand up double. What did Mackanin do with one out, a runner in scoring position, with a (meaningless) game on the line? Called in a pinch runner. Not just any pinch runner, Roman Quinn, the fastest prospect (read: player) in our system.

While I guess it’s not the most farfetched thing for a manager to coach to win, I was excited to see someone in this City is out to get the job done right.

Long story short, Brock Stassi hit a walk off and Roman Quinn beat the throw from the outfield. The Phillies won by a walkoff. Excellent call by Mackanin to get a speedster in scoring position. Pete Mackanin is going to be a great manager for this team. I can’t wait to see what he can do with a legitimate lineup.

Next: What Should Phillies Do With Pete Mackanin?

I know, it’s February baseball we’re talking about, but still. How can you not get excited about a team from this city doing well. Especially when said team has the *gulp* potential that this one has. Judging by what I saw so far in Spring Training, the Philadelphia Phillies will be the next team to parade down Broad Street. Mark my words.