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What The Hell Is Going On With The Phillies?

tbyrd
tbyrd7/06/2016 8:10 PM

fr

Is there anything more exciting than this youth movement coursing through the city? A town that was filled with old head has beens is finally starting to see a rejuvenation. And it all starts with the Phillies. How hot is this team!! This offense has gone into another gear these past couple weeks, while we get to witness gems like the one, 22 year old Zach Eflin twirled last night.

So what the hell has gotten into this Phillies team, winners in 9 of their last 12. The answer is the bats. The 1-5 hitters over the past 15 games are scorching hot. Odubel Herrera, Peter Bourjos, Cody Asche, Maikel Franco, and Cameron Rupp are hitting a combined .353 with 17 home runs and 49 RBI. Tommy Joseph has even joined the hit parade over the last couple games while Caesar Hernandez just continues to get on base. Although only 15 of his 76 hits are for extra bases this year, he is doing the necessary damage out of the 8 hole that we need.

The Phillies are 8 games under .500. They are 7 games back of the second Wild Card and with the trade deadline looming, there are so many directions this team can go.

Trade Targets

Peter Bourjos continues to swing a scorching hot bat and is becoming a fixture in the top of the Phillies lineup. But, he is Peter Bourjos after all. Breaking up the chemistry that has been found over the past couple weeks is probably the last thing Pete Mackanin wants, but Bourjos isn’t part of the future. I doubt he is that hot of a commodity on the market, but I expect him to be moved at some point, especially with Nick Williams knocking on the door.

Jeremy Hellickson is as streaky of a pitcher as it gets. However, he is a veteran with a relatively cheaper contract (owed 3.5 million thru this season). He has playoff experience and at just 29 years old, he still has a few prime years on his arm. Regardless if the Phillies are sniffing a wild card spot, I think Klentak knows he has to move him. The value will be too high not to.

Cameron Rupp or Carlos Ruiz?

Rupp’s defense is atrocious, but he swings a great bat (4th highest OPS amongst starting catchers). Ruiz is ancient, but he brings experience and the ability to lead a pitching staff. With Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro just a phone call away, their status depends soley on where the Phillies are over the next month.

Is it Time To Call Up JP Crawford?

I love Freddy Galvis. I love his glove, his hillarious face masks, the energy he brings to the team – but I think it’s finally time we call up the prize. JP Crawford is ready, there is no denying that. His batting average and cumulative stats might tell you otherwise, After a slow start, the dude is finally starting to mash AAA pitching (.312 BA in last 23 games), even hitting his first home run since his call up in last night’s game. He’s also making plays like this.

Freddy’s bat has been a crutch in this lineup for far too long. JP’s plate discipline and ability to adjust, not to mention his glove will help catapult this team to the next level. Look at Machado in 2012, or Correra and Lindor last season. The impact these shortstops have had on their team is palbable, and winning baseball in their cities has been the result. If the Phils keep winning, I don’t think they have any other choice but to call him up.

Around The Phillies

Congrats to Odubel Herrera for being elected to the All Star game. A well deserved honor.

Aaron Nola will not make his next scheduled start in Colorado and will receive a reprieve until after the All Star Break. Great move by Phillies management to give the kid a much needed rest.

Rhys Hoskins hit home runs 23 and 24 last night for the Reading Phillies. He took over the Eastern League lead from teammate Dylan Cozens with those two bombs. We haven’t seen this sort of power on display in the Phillies system in years and it’s damn exciting. I need to head up Reading soon to watch these bash brothers.

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tbyrd
tbyrd7/06/2016 8:10 PM