Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies’ influential acquisitions

By Tal Venada

CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 17: Jake Arrieta of the Phillies delivers a pitch to the plate during the spring training simulation game for the Philadelphia Phillies on March 17, 2018, at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 17: Jake Arrieta of the Phillies delivers a pitch to the plate during the spring training simulation game for the Philadelphia Phillies on March 17, 2018, at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Schooling the young starters, Arrieta will pay dividends even when he isn’t pitching. Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. /

Celebrate more:

Educating aspiring hurlers, Arrieta recently had no shortage of eyeballs and sponge-like minds in the dugout including Ben Lively, Zach Eflin, and Nick Pivetta. The ace is more than willing to assist the youngsters in the fine art of pitching grips and controlling the movement of the ball.

Bringing with him a book on the National League’s hitting threats, the right-hander can offer additional ways to induce outs. Well, if it helps even a little, retiring three more batters can be one additional frame from the starter.

In 2016, Arrieta on the Chicago Cubs and Santana on the Cleveland Indians were in opposing dugouts for the World Series. And it doesn’t get any closer than a one-run triumph in the 10th inning of the seventh game. Speaks volumes!

In 2017, Cleveland had 102 victories, and Chicago had 92. The new Phillies have tasted winning and see no reason to do otherwise. Contagious?

From another direction, the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils had produced an  89-52 mark in ’16, and the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs finished at 80-62 last summer. And they accomplished that with J.P. Crawford and Scott Kingery but despite the promotions of Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro and Hoskins. Ergo, the pipeline is contributing to a winning attitude.

"THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE: “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordan"

Every championship team firstly develops as their players hone their skills. Yes, they also realize the total preparation and in-game anticipation required to be victorious, and what do they call it? Learning how to win!

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