Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies’ Options Going Forward

By Tal Venada

May 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (43) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (43) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joseph Is Cementing His Hold on First Base. Photo by Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports.
Joseph Is Cementing His Hold on First Base. Photo by Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports. /

In the pipeline, first baseman Rhys Hoskins is pushing Tommy Joseph, but Joseph averaged .300 with seven homers and 17 RBIs for May and is producing overall numbers in line with 2016. On the other hand, right fielder Dylan Cozens has 13 home runs and 41 RBIs but is hitting only .245 for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs after a slow start. And catcher Jorge Alfaro is batting .289 with three bombs and 26 RBIs, but major league hurlers need an experienced game caller who knows their stuff and their competition. Meanwhile, there are three possibilities for two starters: One has the most MLB experience, one has the stats, and another has the best stuff.

May stats:

  • Joseph: .300, 7 HR, 17 RBI and a .973 OPS.
  • Hoskins: .300, 7 HR, 29 RBI and a 1.040 OPS.
  • Cozens .330, 9 HR, 26 RBI and a 1.075 OPS.
  • Alfaro: .255, 0 HR, 14 RBI and a .595 OPS.

As for the five-man staff, the red and white have three question marks. Is Hellickson the pitcher from April or May? Has the league caught up to Eickhoff? And since he returned from the disabled list, which hurler is Nola: the one in his first or his last two outings? Now, two starters from Lehigh Valley will receive a call-up, which means their effectiveness for the Phillies will be a toss-up.

After previously having difficulty in the campaign, the relief corps has been solid of late. And although the final four frames have relievers settling in nicely, the other three hurlers have something to offer as well. One is finally ready to stick with the Phils, another is 2016’s closer back in middle relief, and the third is the only southpaw in the pen.

After scoring runs in April, the offense will continue to struggle if Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco don’t add their hits and power to the middle of the order. But while there is production from Cesar Hernandez, Altherr and Joseph, they can only do so much. For now, however, Herrera must stay in center field and concentrate on his hitting. Meanwhile, Franco has no replacement with the IronPigs, and the offense needs him to demonstrate more potential this season.

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