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Philadelphia Phillies: A Winning 2017 Or?

By Tal Venada

May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phillies Hope Buchholz Will Be the Next Hellickson. Photo by Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports.
The Phillies Hope Buchholz Will Be the Next Hellickson. Photo by Greg M. Cooper – USA TODAY Sports. /

While the hope for next summer is 82 victories or more, some fans expect fewer than 71 wins, and others predict 86 triumphs for the Philadelphia Phillies: a range from 66 to 86.

Varied Expectations: 

In the middle between wishful thinking and pessimism, reality is invisible to anyone with incomplete analysis.

Regarding a plan, Double D, a poster from another site, expressed confidence in general manager Matt Klentak and the way he’s improving the team. Of course, the decision-maker has given youngsters who were ready a shot, while others filled in for disabled hurlers. Originally, Double D, Klentak added Jeremy Hellickson and Charlie Morton in 2016 to head the staff and take the pressure off Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff and Vince Velasquez. But what was the GM’s expectation for success from the two veterans? Fifty percent.

Last year, Klentak acquired two experienced arms to strike gold with one. For instance, Hellickson is returning for a second campaign, while Morton had a season-ending injury in late April. In other words, health is also part of that other 50 percent.

Pitching stats for 2015:

  • Hellickson: 27 Gms., 146 Inn., 9-12 and a 4.62 ERA.
  • Morton: 23 Gms., 129 Inn., 9-9 and a 4.81 ERA.

Klentak adds two of everything he currently needs and can move in July. Who does that remotely remind you of? Noah. For instance, Double D, he acquired Pat Neshek and Joaquin Benoit for the back-end of the bullpen, Howie Kendrick and Michael Saunders for the corner outfield spots; and the general manager has two vets for the rotation: Hellickson and Clay Buchholz. And if we rely on Klentak’s own words, three will be healthy for most of  ’17 and give the locals plenty to cheer about.

Pitching:

  • Hellickson: 23 Gms., 189 Inn., 12-10 and a 3.71 ERA.
  • Buchholz: 37 Gms., 139 1/3 Inn., 8-10 and a 4.78 ERA.
  • Benoit: 51 Gms., 48 Inn., a 2.81 ERA, 1 Save and 18 Holds.
  • Neshek: 60 Gms., 47 Inn., a 3.06 ERA and 18 Holds.

Hitting:

  • Kendrick: 146 Gms., 543 PA, a .255 Avg., 8 HR and 40 RBI.
  • Saunders: 140 Gms., 558 PA, a .253 Avg., 24 HR and 57 RBI.
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