Phillies’ Make-or-Break Candidates

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT:   “Our mistakes don’t make or break us. If we are lucky, they simply reveal who we really are, what we’re made of. Challenges will come, but if you treat them simply as tests of who you are, you’ll come out of it not bitter and victimized, but smarter and stronger.” – Donn Moomaw"

With the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, right-hander Jake Thompson will remind himself not to change his approach after his next promotion to the Philadelphia Phillies. He’ll remember telling his pitching teammates that he walked too many batters because he gave them too much respect instead of the method he used against Triple-A talent. Ergo, inconsistency. So, when he dominates again with Lehigh Valley, he’ll remember to handle his next call-up differently and make the big leaguers earn their way on base.

Next: The Unheralded Battle in the Phillies’ Pen

When you think about the campaign and a half Adam Morgan lost due to injuries, you can understand that his limited opportunities in the major leagues are making success even more difficult. And righty Mark Appel could have a similar fate after struggling with a number-one label for two campaigns in the Houston Astros’ system and injuries last summer. But even if a player has excellent years like outfielder Roman Quinn, the front office hesitates to count on them until they stay healthy from April to season’s end. And, Double D, general manager Matt Klentak has only one question regarding an injury to Quinn or his advancement to the red pinstripes. Which will be first?