Philadelphia Phillies Philes Vol 1.11: Thriving through injuries

In a week that saw major losses on-and-off the field, the Philadelphia Phillies are keeping afloat in this week’s Phillies Philes.

Leading off

If anything, this week shows the extent of the Philadelphia Phillies‘ resilience. Despite all the injuries, and at times, sloppy play, the team managed to take two of three from the Padres after suffering their season-high fifth consecutive loss Monday night.

Oh yeah, and there were a couple of injuries you might have heard about that they’re juggling.

Yet through it all, the Phillies hold a 2.0 games advantage over the second-place Braves, whom they face the next weekend in Atlanta for a pivotal mid-June showdown.

“You just made the list!”

The injury bug continues to plague the Phillies. This week it claimed Andrew McCutchen, now lost for the year with a torn ACL, who joins a growing list that includes another prized free agent acquisition, David Robertson. Also included are relievers Victor Arano, Tommy Hunter, Pat Neshek, Adam Morgan, Edubray Ramos, and now Seranthony Dominguez, who left Wednesday’s game against the Padres and will likely require Tommy John surgery.

Speedster Roman Quinn has been sidelined since April but is expected back soon. Zach Eflin, out since May 28th, returned Friday night and picked up a win against the Reds.

Of course the Phillies are also without Odubel Herrera, whose stay on administrative leave was extended by MLB, with no timetable for a return.

Welcome to The Show!

With all the injuries, the Phillies called up 2017 first-round pick Adam Haseley to man center field (who, ironically, is now also on the IL with a groin strain). After going 0-6 in his first six at-bats, the eighth overall pick came through in a big way Wednesday afternoon:

The hit proved to be the game-winner as the Phillies went on to beat the Padres 7-5. Haseley, who walked in his previous plate appearance, finished with two runs scored and that go-ahead RBI.

Remember when…

…Nick Williams was a highly-touted prospect? Once deemed a “premium prospect” in the return haul the Phillies received from the Rangers as part of the Cole Hamels trade, he seems to have fallen far. (Remember, that was a Ruben Amaro acquisition.)

It’s telling that the Phillies chose to promote Haseley – who had to be added to the 40-man roster – over Nick Williams who’s playing in Lehigh Valley (AAA). Williams apparently can only play right field, which significantly hinders his chances. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him moved in any trade package in the coming months.

A Grand Entrance

Newest Phillie Jay Bruce has made a significant impact in his first week with the team. In his first start Tuesday night against the Padres, Bruce went 3-for-4, giving the Phillies the lead with a two-run homer in the fourth, then following it up with a grand slam an inning later. The team would go on to win 8-2.

In his first week with the team, the 32-year-old is hitting .444 with four home runs, 11 RBI and six runs scored. Pretty good first impression!

Finding his rhythm

Nick Pivetta had the best outing of his career yesterday, stifling Reds’ hitters en route to his first-ever complete game. Only allowing one run on six hits, the most impressive stat was a “0,” as in zero walks allowed. Pivetta, whose consistency has been mostly nonexistent through three big league seasons, has pitched much better since a brief stint in Triple A.

Since returning, the 26-year-old boasts a 2-0 record and 1.80 ERA in three starts. Small sample size, but hey, maybe he’s onto something.

Most Valuable Phillie Power Rankings – Top 15 (through 6/8/2019):

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

“Ring the Bell” Award Winner of the Week

Jay Bruce. Initially acquired to fill a reserve role, Bruce has been thrust into the starting lineup with McCutchen now done for the year, and has performed exceptionally. While it’s unlikely his hot streak will last at its current pace, it’s been enjoyable so far.

In his first start, he did this:

Phillie Pholly of the Week

This week’s distinction goes to Bryce Harper, whose misplayed ball last Sunday in Los Angeles sealed the fate for the Phillies. The Dodgers would win 8-0, sweeping the Phillies and handing them their season-high fourth consecutive loss, which they’d extend to five straight the next night in San Diego.

Entering the bottom of the eighth with the Phillies down 1-0, Harper undercut a liner in left which allowed the Dodgers’ Max Muncy to end up with a leadoff double. Everything was downhill from there as the Dodgers plated 10, scoring seven runs in the process.

Phillies Phlashback

A fifth-inning single against the Chicago Cubs on June 14, 2014 would become career hit No. 2,235 for Jimmy Rollins, breaking Mike Schmidt‘s club record of 2,234. Schmidt, who was on-hand at Citizens Bank Park this Saturday afternoon, greeted Rollins at first base as fireworks blasted overhead.

Rollins would go on to collect 2,306 hits during his 15-year career with the Phillies before being traded to the Dodgers in the offseason. Rollins finished his 17-year career in 2016 with 2,455 hits between the Phillies, Dodgers, and White Sox.

On Deck

The Phillies host the Diamondbacks for three before heading south to take on the Braves for a weekend set. The Phillies, who swept the Braves to open the season, currently hold a 2.0 game lead over the second-place Braves.