Phillies: A Controversial Core Piece
Depending on perspective and perception, many fans form their beliefs based on different factors regarding the nucleus of the next contending team for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Revisiting a Third Dawn:
When mental components vary due to the possibilities between positive and negative extremes, conclusions do not match.
Deciding on a core player requires limiting the variables. For instance, the foundational requirements are the results, the timeframe, the evolution and any developments changing the equation.
While cornerstones differ from one squad to another, the one constant is the main cogs experience the losing campaigns. They learn how to win together. And although most are from the farm system, one occasionally is an acquisition from another organization. Additionally, the second tier of contributors are part of the overall core group, not one of the four.
Despite mountains of data, some regulars and hurlers have the stats but are thought of like a supporting cast. For example, Cesar Hernandez is a decent leadoff man but not part of the nucleus. But while some have numbers, the club rallies around others with more modest statistics like Larry Bowa. Or a star could have both like Jimmy Rollins.
IN OTHER WORDS: “You are recognized by your bat. If you are the best hitting shortstop out there, that’s how you win a Gold Glove. That’s the way it is. It shouldn’t be-it’s a defensive award.” – Jimmy “J-Roll” Rollins
After the frequent losing ends, players arriving near that point and beyond aren’t part of the foundation. And the only exception is a direct correlation to a new direction: Rhys Hoskins. That stated, if you make the assumption the team will be an also-ran for the next three years, you can include some Phils’ selections in the 2018 MLB Draft in your projection. However, the opposite is a winning summer in ’18, which might only need some pitchers to become a reality. And general manager Matt Klentak has added starters and relievers during the last two winters.
In the last category, evolution usually occurs over three seasons with a rare exception like Hoskins. In other words, most rookies this 162 are just getting their first taste of major league competition and haven’t proven they can succeed at this plateau. So, when opponents are exploiting their holes, these future stars must adjust to remain at this level. And the experience of even three campaigns makes a huge difference regarding the franchise’s percentage of victories.
With comments on different sites regarding “Phillies Forming a Core 4” from Sept. 7, many felt J.P. Crawford who played his first MLB game on Sept.5 is a better choice than Freddy Galvis. Well, what position has the rookie earned? Meanwhile, someone else complained about a comparison of Galvis to Rollins as if Bowa was before the reader’s time: A cornerstone is more than just stats. But no one questioned the inclusion of Odubel Herrera because of his personality. Surprising!
Among the other candidates, Aaron Altherr, Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro and Scott Kingery are names the readers considered. Moreover, one said it should be TBD (to be determined). Good point! However, the four from the article are realistic possibilities, not three and TBD.
ON THE OTHER HAND: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, which people don’t seem to be shy about expressing.” – Jamie Moyer
When a writer sees multiple signs of hope and a winning combination, he can check the fans’ temperature regarding the red pinstripes. Yes, when the faithful can’t wait for ’18 before ’17 is over, what better way is available when they believe tomorrow is here now?
While many locals are rekindling their interest in the Phils, winning will make a case for Kingery, Alfaro or Crawford as part of the nucleus difficult. So, unless defeats begin mounting again, Kingery isn’t a consideration and will probably join the club in early June. And Crawford hasn’t unseated the veterans at second, short or third and has only 40 at-bats in 12 games. Meanwhile, Alfaro hasn’t won the receiving job yet and won’t without noticeable defensive improvement.
Although Williams has appeared in more contests than Alfaro, the outfielder still has only completed half a year. Yes, he has contributed energy to a struggling offense, but the Philadelphia Phillies really accelerated in an upward trajectory when Hoskins began his home run barrage. He did something truly extraordinary, which is why he’s in the core four. On the other hand, Altherr can reach 107 games maximum, and hitting .276 with 16 homers and 51 RBIs is only enough for a starting gig.
TOUCHE: “If U.S. Grant had been leading a team of baseball players, they’d have second guessed him all the way to the doorknob of the Appomattox Courthouse.” – Bill Veeck
Basing the foundation on young veterans, a writer can pick between Jerad Eickhoff, Maikel Franco, Hernandez and Galvis if the winning is here and continues in April and beyond. Otherwise, losing opens the door for everybody else. For now, however, Hernandez is the leadoff man, Eickhoff is a dependable starter, and Franco is fighting for his job: He may be on more than a hot streak for that reason.
Next: Phillies' Rotation Answers
So, Aaron Nola is the ace, Herrera is the hitting star, and Hoskins is the extraordinary slugger. But who recently got on Williams from third base for not advancing to second on a long fly out, who cusses up a storm in the clubhouse after multiple consecutive defeats, and who is taking Andres “Whitey” Blanco’s place as mentor to newcomers? Who is the leader? Galvis.