Phillies 2nd Baseman for the 2018 Whiz Kids
While some fans have found his replacement just two steps away, the current regular may not be the placeholder some of the Philadelphia Phillies faithful believe he is.
Staking His Claim:
Underestimating someone else is not an uncommon occurrence and goes hand in glove with surprise.
Entering the recent series with the Texas Rangers, the Phillies’ outcomes mirrored the 1950 squad’s from September 1 through the World Series. And the reason is the pennant winner was missing three starters and faced the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic. Of course, the current 25 have been playing postseason-bound franchises and offensive-minded organizations in the Junior Circuit. Now, either the contests with Texas were against a hot, talented team; or the Phils are experiencing a breakdown like last summer’s second of two straight cold spells. Is losing taking a toll?
Differential of one or two runs through May 15.
- 1950: 9 wins, 15 losses for 24 of 33 total games.
- 2017: 9 wins, 16 losses for 25 of 35 total games.
Although many players had career years, the ’50 squad had to fight for every victory in the final month. And they did everything in their power to overcome their deficiencies. Ergo, scrappiness and playing as one unit were essential, and those attributes have appeared for lengthy stretches since July 2015 for these red pinstripes. Sooner or later, somebody will pay for these mounting defeats.
Hearing about the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies, many fans today learn a fact or two about game 154 from articles or older relatives. But the 4-1 outcome in 10 innings was closer than the final score and is similar to some endings in 2017.
According to the preview for The Whiz Kids and the 1950 Pennant by Robin Roberts and C. Paul Rogers, manager Eddie Sawyer handed the ball to his ace Robin Roberts one hour before pitch one versus the defending National League champions in Brooklyn (a 97-57 mark for 1949). And it worked until number 36 faltered in the bottom of the ninth with the score tied at one: Roberts had opened the frame with a free pass, and a single had moved the runner to second, while many locals nervously listened on their radios. Up next, Duke Snider, the three-hole hitter – .321, 31 home runs and 107 RBIs – smacked a hard single to center field. Richie Ashburn gloved it and fired it to the plate. Out!
And even though Whitey cut down the potential winning run at home, Roberts had two in scoring position with one out – Sawyer went to the mound – and Jackie Robinson, the cleanup man (.328, 14 homers and 81 RBIs) drew an intentional walk. Then, Roberts induced a foul pop-up to first baseman Eddie Waitkus for the critical first of the next two outs.
However, before Roberts recorded the complete-game victory in the 10th inning, he and Waitkus singled and skilled bunter Ashburn sacrificed them into scoring position. That set the stage. Dick Sisler drove a high, outside fastball over the left field fence, and what did he do all the way to first base? A celebratory dance!
When you review his stats for 1950, Mike Goliat was one player without sparkling numbers, but he had his career best in most categories. He averaged .234 with 13 long balls, 64 RBIs and a 1.3 fWAR. Therefore, he played well above his head that campaign, compared to his other three MLB seasons.
While the Philly fandom considered Cesar Hernandez a placeholder, he realized his benching when coach Larry Bowa told him in salty language his job was on the line. And since he unexpectedly returned to the lineup shortly thereafter, he has been a solid .300 hitter and not the .280 bat skipper Pete Mackanin expected. In fact, he’s hitting higher than his potential replacement with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils.
Hernandez since June 23:
- 128 Gms., 478 AB, 155 H, a .324 Avg., 8 HR, 34 RBI, 21 SB and 11 CS.
IN OTHER WORDS: “A good base stealer should make the whole infield jumpy. Whether you steal or not, you’re changing the rhythm of the game. If the pitcher is concerned about you, he isn’t concentrating enough on the batter.” – Joe “the Little General” Morgan
Before every series and contest, managers, coaches and players have meetings. What do these powwows cover? Well, the hurlers discuss getting opposing hitters out and form their strategies with video, scouting reports and their knowledge of each regular. For instance, second sacker Jesmuel Valentin had averaged .333 through April 20 with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs but batted only .148 since then until May 14 – his placement on the seven-day disabled list with a shoulder strain.
In Reading, second baseman Scott Kingery is holding his own: .289, 13 home runs, 27 RBIs and nine for nine in stolen base attempts. Like Valentin – .366 for 41 at-bats – Kingery had an excellent spring with a .286 average, two homers and three RBIs. However, while Valentin’s route to the big leagues is now as a reserve, Kingery can earn a promotion to the IronPigs in July to replace Valentin. So, what can you expect to see then? The double-play combo of J.P. Crawford and Kingery.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “Second base is anything but magic. If it’s anything at all, it’s speed, sureness with your hands and lots of hard work.” – Nellie “Mighty Mite” Fox
While Hernandez solidifies his position atop the lineup and at second base, Kingery is making noise in the high minors. But keep in mind, if you have success at Double-A, you have the talent for the majors but need the head to go with it And what will the red pinstripes require for Kingery’s challenge to Hernandez? A positional review.
The Numerical Bible:
This review is not a sabermetrics article, which means no heavy statistical analysis. But because some readers rely on stats, this is only a reference: no reason to articulate the importance of these numbers.
Stats are through May 20.
Second Basemen:
- Goliat, 28 in 1950: 145 Gms., 540 PA, a .234 Avg., a .314 OBP, a .366 SLG, a .133 ISO, a .253 BABIP, 13 HR, 64 RBI, a .680 OPS and a 1.3 fWAR.
- Hernandez, 27: 40 Gms., 183 PA, a .303 Avg., a .372 OBP, a .430 SLG, a .127 ISO, a .368 BABIP, 4 HR, 11 RBI, an .802 OPS, 1.3 fWAR, 6 SB, 2 CS and a 7.0 Spd.
- Valentin, 23: 29 Gms., 104 PA, a .229 Avg., a .282 OBP, a .292 SLG, a .063 ISO, a .266 BABIP, 1 HR, 7 RBI, a .573 OPS and a -0.4 WARP.
- Kingery, 23: 36 Gms., 168 PA, a .272 Avg., a .353 OBP, a .605 SLG, a .333 ISO, a .271 BABIP, 11 HR, 25 RBI, a .959 OPS, 1.8 WARP, 9 SB, 0 CS and a 9.4 Spd.
1950 Hitting:
- Ashburn, 23 in 1950: 151 Gms., 670 PA, a .303 Avg., a .372 OBP, a .402 SLG, a .099 ISO, a .318 BABIP, 2 HR, 41 RBI, a .774 OPS, 3.3 fWAR, 14 SB, 0 CS and a 5.8 Spd.
- Sisler, 29 in 1950: 141 Gms., 593 PA, a .296 Avg., a .373 OBP, a .442 SLG, a .145 ISO, a .309 BABIP, 13 HR, 83 RBI, an .815 OPS and a 3.1 fWAR.
- Waitkus, 30 in 1950: 154 Gms., 702 PA, a .284 Avg., a .341 OBP, a .359 SLG, a .075 ISO, a .295 BABIP, 2 HR, 44 RBI, a .700 OPS and a 0.7 fWAR.
Next: At 1st Base in 2018 for the Phillies Whiz Kids
1950 Pitching:
- Roberts, 23 in 1950: 40 gms. (1 in Relief), 304 1/3 Inn., 20-11, a 3.02 ERA, a 3.64 FIP, 1 Save, a 5.3 fWAR and a 1.18 WHIP.