Philadelphia Phillies Philes Vol 1.3: The dog days of April

Discussing the Philadelphia Phillies’ need for Dallas Keuchel & Craig Kimbrel, praising Adam Morgan, and remembering Harry Kalas.

Leading off

April is one of the weirdest months in Major League Baseball. As teams search for an identity amid players still trying to find their groove, the standings can be in disarray. Contenders sometimes stall coming out of the gate (see Red Sox and Yankees) while pretenders appear otherwise (see Padres).

The Philadelphia Phillies, like all contenders, simply must survive baseball’s first month, and they are.

Fresh off a week that saw the team lose their first series of the year, the team came out like gangbusters Friday night beating the Marlins in impressive fashion. Then Saturday they couldn’t buy a hit. This is April baseball.

In Sunday’s 14-inning affair, the Phillies passed an early season test as they persevered through their second straight game of offensive woes to eke out a 3-1 win. It’s these kind of “W’s” that build character going into the heart of the season come May.

Extra help needed?

Again, it’s the middle of April. Just the middle of April. There is no need to panic.

Yes, the Phillies entered the season with high expectations, all of which remain. Despite a week where the team blew a 6-1 lead vs. the Nationals, put up a 15-1 clunker the very next night, and later lost in uninspiring fashion to the lowly Marlins, the sky is NOT falling. Nor is the bullpen or rest of the starting pitching staff.

Through the uproars of people calling for the team to sign free agents Dallas Keuchel and/or Craig Kimbrel, everything is okay. The Phillies have a very talented bullpen with young, lively arms. Victor Arano returned after starting the season in the minors, and David Robertson and Hector Neris appear headed in the right direction. Give the relievers time to develop and understand roles. At least more than two weeks.

Same goes for the starting five.

Jake Arrieta has pitched very well so far through three outings, and Zach Eflin – Saturday night aside – has been quite effective. Is it likely that Aaron Nola‘s struggles continue? Probably not.

The concern surrounding Nick Pivetta is justified. His potential is high, but through the course of two seasons, the only consistency in his productivity is that he’s inconsistent. The same can be said for Vince Velasquez, who pitched well in Sunday’s outing against the Marlins. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Either way, it’s way too early to push the panic button. For now…

Hey now, you’re an All-Star, get your game on

On Tuesday, the formal announcement will come: The Phillies, city of Philadelphia, and Citizens Bank Park will play host to the 2026 MLB All-Star game. The celebration coincides with our nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The last time the midsummer classic was played in South Philly was 1996, where the National League beat the American Leaguers 6-0 at Veterans Stadium before a crowd of 62,670. Philadelphia-area native Mike Piazza (Norristown, PA) took home the contest’s annual MVP award.

Barry Bonds won the Home Run Derby the day before, belting 17 dingers to beat out Mark McGwire.

Ricky Bottalico was the Phillies lone All-Star representative.

The city hopes to lure All-Star games from every major sport for 2026.

Who’s on first?

Chances are Bryce Harper. If not first, then second, third, or a round-trip home.

Through the Phillies’ first 14 games, Harper has reached base safely in every contest. No other player has done so. Pretty impressive start to his Phillies tenure. (The .280/.438/.600 slash line doesn’t hurt either!)

Show me what you got

Quietly, Adam Morgan is having a very good 2019. Through seven games and 5.1 innings pitched, the lefty specialist has one win while allowing a measly two hits coming out of the ‘pen. That’s it. No walks, no runs.

While that might not seem like much, Morgan’s numbers have been pretty solid since becoming a reliever to start the 2017 season. Now in his third full year of relief duties, the 29-year-old has amassed a 3.79 ERA in 109.1 innings pitched during that span, with a 4-5 record and one save.

Throughout his five-year career, he also boasts a Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 1.5. Not too shabby.

Toughest division in baseball?

Coming into the season, four of the five teams in the NL East appeared better on paper. Now after a few weeks of meaningful baseball, those evaluations are proving correct. In fact, the division may be the toughest in the game.

Along with the AL West, the NL East is the only other division where four of its teams boast a record of .500 or better. The baseball season – perhaps more so than any other sport – is a marathon. Right now the top four teams in the NL East are separated by just 2.0 games.

Though the race just began, it’s safe to expect a suspenseful September as the finish line approaches.

Bringin’ the heat!

In Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Nationals, Gabe Kapler decided to hand the pitching duties over to outfielder Aaron Altherr to close out the game while preserving a bullpen arm. Last season, Kapler used four non-pitchers in games (Pedro Florimon, Scott Kingery, Roman Quinn, and Jesmuel Valentin).

Altherr, who last pitched in high school some 10 years ago, provided one of the lone bright spots during a game with few reasons to celebrate. In his one inning of work on the mound, the 28-year-old struck out the first batter he faced with a 90-mph fastball before allowing one earned run and getting another strikeout.

Eyeing a return

Roman Quinn continues his rehab following an oblique strain suffered early in spring training. The dynamic outfielder played in three games at Class A Clearwater before moving up to Lehigh Valley (AAA) for the past three games.

Through 24 ABs this spring, the 25-year-old speedster is hitting .417 with one home run and two stolen bases.

Quinn, who’s rehab assignment runs through April 23, will likely remain with the IronPigs for the full duration while getting necessary playing time. Come April 24th, the Phillies will have to make a subsequent roster move to account for Quinn’s presence on the 25-man roster. Both he and Aaron Altherr are out of minor-league options, meaning both will be with the big club. Unless the team decides to carry one less pitcher, Nick Williams could be optioned down (pending an unforeseen trade).

Most Valuable Phillie Power Rankings – Top 15 (through 4/14/2019):

1. Bryce Harper (OF) – Previous Rank: 1 (↔)
2. Jean Segura (SS) – Previous Rank: 2 (↔)
3. Jake Arrieta (SP) – Previous Rank: 5 (↑ 2)
4. Rhys Hoskins (1B) – Previous Rank: 3 (↓ 1)
5. Maikel Franco (3B) – Previous Rank: 4 (↓ 1)
6. Andrew McCutchen (OF) – Previous Rank: 7 (↑ 1)
7. Odubel Herrera (OF) – Previous Rank: 8 (↑ 1)
8. Pat Neshek (RP) – Previous Rank: 6 (↓ 2)
9. Adam Morgan (RP) – Previous Rank: 9 (↔)
10. Hector Neris (RP) – Previous Rank: 12 (↑ 2)
11. Vince Velasquez (SP) – Previous Rank: N/A (↑)
12. Zach Eflin (SP) – Previous Rank: 10 (↓ 2)
13. J.T. Realmuto (C) – Previous Rank: 15 (↑ 2)
14. Juan Nicasio (RP) – Previous Rank: 11 (↓ 3)
15. Aaron Nola (SP) – Previous Rank: 14 (↓ 1)

“Ring the Bell” Award Winner of the Week

This week, you – the fans – get to ring the bell. You who have been filling Citizens Bank Park and generating an atmosphere of excitement reminiscent to the glory days of ten years ago when opposing players feared the wrath of Phillies faithful.

Just this past week alone as “the wave” spread throughout Citizens Bank Park, fans inundated a Nationals pitcher with mocking chants of “Strasburg! Strasburg!” (even though the Phillies ended up blowing their lead and the game). The vibrant buzz that could be felt throughout the yard even parlayed its way through a television screen.

In recent years, the overwhelming sight at a Phillies game was often a sea of blue. People loved their hometown team but trying to find the energy (and money) to consistently fill a park for a decent but uninspiring team was challenging.

This year, the Phillies organization supplied an improved roster, and the Phillies faithful are supplying the energy to propel their team to victory. It’s only mid-April, and Citizens Bank Park is rocking!

Just wait till the temperature heats up.

Phillie Pholly of the Week

He’s a man of style all the way down to his socks and Phanatic cleats, yet Bryce Harper was spotted wearing some gear from his old Nationals days. During this weekend’s games at Miami, the red protective sleeve on Harper’s right arm featured the number “34” etched in white. No. 34, of course, was Harper’s previous number with Washington.

You’d think he’d have updated accessories.

This fashion faux pas, my friend, earns you Phillie Pholly of the Week honors.

Phillies Phlashback

Saturday marked the 10-year anniversary of the passing of legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas. His voice, so iconic, went with the season just as much as fresh cut grass and summer sun. A 2002 inductee in the Baseball Hall of Fame, he transcended generations and will forever live in the memories of Phillies fans.

On Deck

The Phillies return home for an early season showdown with the uptick New York Mets. Monday’s game features a premier matchup as Noah Syndergaard squares off against Aaron Nola.

The Phillies then fly out to Denver, Colorado for a four-game set with the last-place Rockies.