Philadelphia Phillies Philes Vol 1.10: Time for hittin’ season!

Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel are signing; could it be with the Phillies? Plus the greatest hitting pitcher ever in today’s Philadelphia Phillies Philes.

Leading off

The Philadelphia Phillies are in discussions to acquire Seattle Mariners‘ outfielder Jay Bruce, according to reports. The 32-year-old is batting .212/.283/.533 with 14 homers on the year.

Bruce, who is owed $14 million for the remainder of this year and next, will likely fill a reserve role with the team. Having recently notched his 300th career home run, he’ll provide a power threat off the bench from the left side.

Hot Stove… in June

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The MLB draft begins this Monday, and with it comes the chance to sign available free agents without restriction, as teams will no longer be subject to surrendering draft pick compensation. In other words, let the bidding begin.

Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel both remain options for the Phillies and could certainly be of use.

The Phillies trio of Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin, and Jake Arrieta have pitched well and certainly aren’t going anywhere (aside from maybe the IL, which is where Eflin now sits with mid-back tightness). Jerad Eickhoff, on the other hand, has been a bit shaky, and the fifth spot, whether it be Vince Velasquez, Nick Pivetta, Cole Irvin or any other number of minor league options, is far from a sure thing. Keuchel would help stabilize the back-end of the rotation.

But at 31-years-old and much mileage, what is the ideal cost? Teams will be willing to open the pocketbooks for a one-year deal, and could one of those teams be the Phillies? Currently atop the NL East, they’re certainly an enticing option. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers will all be in the mix.

If I were Matt Klentak, adding a much-needed lefty to the rotation would be at the top of my wish list. Adding one without having to give up anything – be it compensatory picks or prospects via a trade – is ideal. Keuchel isn’t the only option (see Madison Bumgarner and other trade candidates), but if the price – and as importantly – years are right, I’d be all in.

With the Phillies losing left-handed reliever Adam Morgan to the injured list with a sore elbow this week, Craig Kimbrel could be an intriguing option. Though right-handed, the 31-year-old would provide depth to the Phillies bullpen which has already been hampered with injury. And while Morgan, David Robertson, and others are expected back in the not-so-distant future, having another experienced arm heading into a playoff push would certainly be a plus.

Time will tell where both free agent pitchers land, and that moment is now. Could it include Philadelphia?

With the 14th pick…

This Monday the Phillies hold the 14th overall pick in baseball’s amateur draft. While the jury is still out on recent No. 14 overall selections, there are a handful of players from the past that stand out, including Jose Fernandez (Marlins, 2011), Jason Heyward (Braves, 2007), Jason Varitek (Mariners, 1994), Cliff Floyd (Expos, 1991), and Tino Martinez (Mariners, 1988).

Two names of note for Phillies fans; in 1985 the Atlanta Braves selected a pitcher out of Whiteville, NC that would go on to throw a no-no for the Phillies in 1991. This pitcher, who was recently featured in Phillies Philes’ Phillies Phlashback just two weeks ago, can now be seen on NBC Sports Philadelphia breaking down games: Tommy Greene.

A year before another Phillies postgame analyst alum would be drafted No. 14 overall by the Boston Red Sox. In 1984, local product John Marzano was drafted out of Temple University and would go on to play catcher for three teams during his 10-year career. Marzano died unexpectedly in 2008.

Dominance restored

Aaron Nola stifled Cardinals‘ hitters on Wednesday, earning his sixth win of the season. The 25-year-old Louisiana product is quietly putting together a stellar season, despite what the 4.18 ERA might suggest.

Through his first five starts, Nola allowed 19 earned runs in only 25 innings pitched to the tune of a 6.84 ERA. In seven starts since, Nola’s surrendered just 11 runs in 39 2/3 innings pitched, good for a 2.49 ERA. That’s the Cy Young candidate the Phillies, and their fans have come to expect.

Now 6-0 on the year, Nola has won three straight decisions and four of his last five. He is slated to face Eric Lauer of the Padres Monday night.

Hammertime

Rookie reliever J.D. Hammer made his big-league debut last Sunday against the Brewers. Though the Phillies were down 7-1 at the time, the fire-throwing righty set down the meat of the order 1, 2, 3.

In fact, through his first three appearances, Hammer has set down each lineup faced 1, 2, 3. Originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 24th round of the 2016 draft, Hammer was acquired by the Phillies in 2017 in exchange for Pat Neshek. Ironically, it’s Neshek that Hammer is replacing after the veteran reliever suffered a right shoulder strain last week and ended up on the IL.

Entering last night, Hammer has faced nine batters in three innings, amassing five K’s in the process.

Here’s what the 24-year-old did to the Cardinals on Thursday:

Most Valuable Phillie Power Rankings – Top 15 (through 6/1/2019):

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

“Ring the Bell” Award Winner of the Week

This week’s honor goes to Phillies skipper, Gabe Kapler, who on Wednesday invited a 17-year-old baseball player from Timber Creek, NJ, and his family to the ballpark. Jonathan Martinez, whose home in Florida was destroyed by Hurricane Irma, moved up to South Jersey with family, and their house recently burned down in a fire.

Kapler, a victim of his own home being destroyed in the California wildfires this past offseason, presented Martinez with his own Phillies jersey, as he and his family enjoyed batting practice.

Phillie Pholly of the Week

Odubel Herrera for his alleged involvement in a domestic abuse incident this past Monday in Atlantic City. While innocent until proven guilty, the circumstances don’t look good as the woman who reported the incident had visible signs of injury to her arms and neck, according to reports. Herrera is currently on administrative leave while MLB investigates.

Phillies Phlashback

Remember Robert Person? He pitched parts of four years with the Phillies, even winning 15 games in 2001. Well, he produced one of the most spectacular performances in baseball history – let alone Phillies history – on June 2, 2002. And it had minimal to do with his work on the mound.

On this sunny Sunday afternoon at the Vet, Person launched a first-inning grand slam into the left-field seats off Expos pitcher Bruce Chen (who pitched the previous two seasons with the Phillies). It was Person’s first homer of the season and only the third in his eight-year career. His previous two came the year prior.

But the 32-year-old wasn’t done. In the bottom of the fifth with his team up 14-1, Person connected on another bomb, this time a three-run homer off Masato Yoshii, scoring Travis Lee and Todd Pratt.

His work would be done as manager Larry Bowa pulled the righty with a 17-1 lead following the fifth. The Phillies would go on to win the game 18-3.

Robert Person’s offensive stat line: 2-for-3 with two HRs, seven RBI, three runs scored, and a walk. Oh yeah, he also pitched five innings of one-run ball en route to his first win of the season. I’d say that’s a heck of a day!

On Deck

The Philadelphia Phillies west coast swing continues as they face Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres for three before flying home to take on the Cincinnati Reds for a weekend set.