Call to the pen
Fansided

The Phillies’ edge for 2018

By Tal Venada

Will Franco finally blast 30 homers because Hoskins is now the cleanup hitter? Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images.
Will Franco finally blast 30 homers because Hoskins is now the cleanup hitter? Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images. /
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In 2018, will fans let Herrera slide a bit or not? Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images. /

Phillies experiment:

On Phillies sites in September, many locals had a double-play combo of Scott Kingery and J.P. Crawford. Doesn’t Cesar Hernandez with his consecutive .294 marks count for more than a placeholder or an upgrade to trade chip?

As for Freddy Galvis, many of the faithful were in disbelief because he didn’t receive a gold glove. However, others were ready to hand the job to Crawford before his .214 September average.

Among their outfield solutions, moving Odubel Herrera was in some local’s plans even during his hot streaks. Yeah, he hit considerably more than .300 for roughly three months. But a 0-for-4 night with a couple of bat flips during those weeks produced an earful from the boobirds. They needed a whipping boy.

"THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE: “Losing streaks are funny. If you lose at the beginning, you got off to a bad start. If you lose in the middle of the season, you’re in a slump. If you lose at the end, you’re choking.” – Gene “Skip”  Mauch"

Last year, Maikel Franco, Hernandez, Galvis and Crawford had exactly 1,950 plate appearances. Basically, 1,600 PAs in 2018 will be for those four infielders and 350 for Kingery from June 1 to season’s end.

Plate appearances:

  • INF: 2 hitters with 500 and two sitters with 300.
  • Kingery with 350.
  • OF and 1B: 2 hitters with 500 and two sitters with 325.
  • Hoskins with 500 or more and the reserve OF with 200 or less.

At first base and in the outfield, the combination of Rhys Hoskins, Tommy Joseph, Nick Williams, Aaron Altherr, and Herrera totaled 1,851 PAs. Also, adding 516 plate appearances for four other players brings the tally to 2,367 PAs to split six ways including a reserve outfielder next year: Pedro Florimon or eventually Roman Quinn or Dylan Cozens.

Next: Phillies: Eyeing divisional rivals

To sum up, technology has accelerated the rate of change and replaced some traditions with new ideas. Ergo, the hit-or-sit method produces friendly competition and motivates the regulars to reach new heights. All-season benefit: fresh players!

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