Phillies GM Revisited
At the two-month mark, front offices review their players and their recent acquisitions, but here the evaluation is the success rate of 50 percent general manager Matt Klentak of the Philadelphia Phillies uses to measure a satisfactory offseason regarding his pick-ups.
Purchased Pieces:
When you have a long-term plan, the naysayers will offer a short-term critique even if you inform them your goal is in annual increments.
According to GM Klentak in TV interviews, his definition of satisfactory is 50 percent for veteran additions during the winter. Last year, for instance, Jeremy Hellickson had a solid 162 but a season-ending injury befell Charlie Morton before April ended. On the other hand, the exec has never mentioned his expected percentage from the pipeline especially regarding traded-for prospects, but one clue he did provide was what? Quantity.
In right field, Michael Saunders isn’t producing the numbers he had for the Toronto Blue Jays in the first half of last summer. But because he’s the only left-side bat with power, the Philadelphia Phillies will probably give him more playing time solely for that reason. Yes, the corner outfielder is in danger of losing at-bats to Aaron Altherr with Howie Kendrick‘s return. That stated, he’s been productive out of the five hole.
Stats:
- Saunders’ total: 160 AB, .231 with 6 HR and 19 RBI.
- Batting fifth: 110 AB, .264, 4 HR and 15 RBI.
- Joseph’s total: 149 AB, .257, 8 HR and 24 RBI.
Among the paying customers in the right field seats, two unhappy fans vented about Saunders’ lack of performance for this campaign. When this guy had such a bad second half, why did Klentak sign him? He’s done nothing! Look at his .231 average; he can’t hit. We won’t be able to get anything for him.
After finishing his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies are activating Kendrick for the Miami Marlins series. And he is returning to a .333 average for 39 at-bats. Basically, we’ll see where Kendrick is by the All-Star break – six weeks – before drawing any conclusions. At Lehigh Valley, however, he split his time between left field and third base, which means he’ll also take some ABs from Maikel Franco. In other words, Kendrick will play left and Saunders will sit, and/or Kendrick will man third replacing Franco.
Of the two veteran additions to the rotation, the re-signed Hellickson has an acceptable result: 5-2 with a 4.28 ERA. But while he provided five solid outings in April, he had only one for May with two clunkers. However, those two starts will be less concerning if he has another one or two strong performances. But keep in mind, when July arrives, he’ll still interest some suitors.
Like 2016, the other experienced hurler on the five-man staff is on the disabled list with only a minimal chance of returning. And because Clay Buchholz had a 7.20 ERA after his first appearance and an increase to a 12.27 ERA following his second, most fans do not prefer a third outing. On the plus side, he apologized to his teammates for getting injured.
Listening this time to his friend in the right field stands, the second guy blurted out how he believes Nick Pivetta will outpitch Buchholz. He was horrible. If he comes back, it’ll be too soon. Yeah, the Phillies have many young arms who’ll do better.
NICE CATCH: “This guy from L.A. sits down next to me, and he says, “You like baseball?” I said, “Oh, man, I love baseball.” So he goes “Did you know that if Jesus had played ball, he’d have been the greatest ball player ever?” Like I’m gonna argue with that logic. So I sat there for a second, and then I said, “Did you know that if Babe Ruth had been the Messiah, the Catholics would have beer and hot dogs at Communion?” He left.” – Bill Engvall
When you look at Joaquin Benoit‘s 3.86 ERA, it doesn’t impress you. And the reason is his May 10 debacle of five earned runs for one third of an inning. Since then, however, he has fired seven one-frame performances and allowed two hits, one walk and no runs. And how many scoreless outings has the ageless wonder produced? Nineteen.
Benoit’s stats:
- Total: 22 gms., 21 Inn., 9 ER for a 3.86 ERA.
- Without May 10: 21 gms., 20 2/3 inn., 4 ER for a 1.74 ERA.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “Things could be worse. Suppose your errors were counted and published everyday, like those of a baseball player.” – William Alexander
While Benoit has settled into the eighth-inning setup role, Pat Neshek has solidified the seventh. He’s had 19 excellent performances out of 20 and is comfortable setting up Benoit and Hector Neris. And since he toiled in his lone clunker, he has hurled 4 2/3 scoreless frames and given up only three knocks. So, when the rotation begins to eat more innings, the back end of the bullpen will have adequate rest.
To conclude, Buchholz is a miss, Saunders is a maybe, Hellickson and Kendrick are incomplete, but so far Benoit and Neshek are hits. In other words, if Kendrick can average .290, Kentak will probably have – at least – three successful acquisitions. Ergo, 50 percent.
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 28.
Pitching:
- Hellickson, 30: 10 Gms., 54 2/3 Inn., 5-2, a 4.28 ERA, a 5.47 FIP, a 5.59 xFIP, a 5.60 SIERA, a 0.1 fWAR and a 1.15 WHIP.
- Buchholz, 32.5: 2 Gms., 7 1/3 Inn., 0-1, a 12.27 ERA, a 4.65 FIP, a 6.38 xFIP, a 5.58 SIERA, a 0.1 fWAR and a 2.59 WHIP.
- Benoit, 39.5: 22 Gms., 21 Inn., a 3.86 ERA, 1 Save, 8 Holds, 1 BS (1 Blown Hold), a 4.26 FIP, a 5.38 xFIP, a 4.91 SIERA, a 0.1 fWAR and a 1.10 WHIP.
- Neshek, 36.5: 20 Gms., 18 1/3 Inn., a 0.98 ERA, 5 Holds (1 Blown Hold), a 2.58 FIP, a 4.30 xFIP, a 3.64 SIERA, a 0.5 fWAR and a 0.87 WHIP.
Next: Schedule Now Favors Winning for the Phillies
Hitting:
- Kendrick, almost 34: 10 Gms., 43 PA, a .333 Avg., a .395 OBP, a .487 SLG, a .154 ISO, a .433 BABIP, 0 HR, 5 RBI, an .883 OPS and a 0.4 fWAR.
- Saunders, 30.5: 47 Gms., 170 PA, a .231 Avg., a .276 OBP, a .413 SLG, a .181 ISO, a .267 BABIP, 6 HR, 19 RBI, a .689 OPS and a 0.0 fWAR.