Call to the pen
Fansided

The 2018 Phillies’ Whiz Kids

By Tal Venada

Apr 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of Citizens Bank Park before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of Citizens Bank Park before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Franco Looks Skyward To See If the Outcome for 2018 Is Visible. Photo by Caylor Arnold – USA TODAY Sports.
Franco Looks Skyward To See If the Outcome for 2018 Is Visible. Photo by Caylor Arnold – USA TODAY Sports. /

By rebuilding with an emphasis on pitching, the red pinstripes have the arms for rotation slots and bullpen seats; they also have multiple players at every position except for third base. In other words, the top performers for those jobs will have the best shot, and some starters may find a roster slot with an important role in the relief corps, while others can be trade bait to fill a need or two.

Beginning in the mid-40s, the Phils signed bonus babies, and by 1949 they finished third but 16 games out with 81 victories. The top two franchises had 97 and 96 triumphs, respectively.

Age comparisons for 1949 to 2017:

  • Catcher, 28: regular is 28, backup is 25 and AAA regular is 23.
  • First Baseman, 29: regular is 25, backup is 27 and AAA regular is 24.
  • Second Baseman, 27: regular is 27, AAA regular is 23 and AA regular is 23.
  • Shortstop, 22: regular is 27 and AAA regular is 22.
  • Third Baseman, 23: regular is 24.
  • Left Fielder, 24: backup is 26 and AAA regular is 23.
  • Center Fielder, 22: regular is 25 and AAA regular is 24.
  • Right Fielder, 28: regular is 30 and AAA regular is 22
  • 1950 Starting rotation in 1949: 22, 20, 23, 25 and 24.
  • 2018 Starting rotation: 26, 25, 24 and 23.
  • 2018 Fifth slot candidates: 23, 24 and 25.

Before the major leagues established the draft in 1965, the New York Yankees by being in the Big Apple basically had the first selection regarding prospects. Ergo, championships. After the draft, though, losing organizations could build a young core four, like the champs did for 1980 and 2008. However, earlier Phillies teams had just one star on the mound and another at the plate: Robin Roberts and Richie Ashburn, aka Whitey.

Home/Philadelphia Phillies