After two winning months, the Phillies approach for June and July will determine the importance of the first stretch drive for this group of youngsters and veterans assembled by general manager Matt Klentak.
Your call:
Before this 162 began, the Philadelphia Phillies faithful had no doubts regarding the players they wanted to keep or trade. However, predicting tomorrow is a bit more difficult than forecasting the weather.
"IN OTHER WORDS: “That’s why I’m such a big sports fan, with sports you can never guess what’s gonna happen. Most movies you get halfway through and you can kind of guess the ending.” – Michael Douglas"
Judging talent from a distance, fans evaluate players differently because they reach their conclusions with partial information. But GMs have multiple departments reporting to a director who advises, in this case, Klentak, and he needs three months of input to promote most prospects.
If you’re wondering why execs need a full half of performance to decide, a minor leaguer could have a hot April and a cold May with June as the determining factor. All hitters are streaky, and most MiLB pitchers lack consistency. Therefore, the higher-ups want to know how the player handles adversity.
Concerning Double-A, one of every three successful prospects makes an active MLB roster in any role for a healthy half season. But an overall top-100 stud is more of a fifty-fifty proposition. Translation: Game speed (mental) and adjustments are the roadblocks.
As for Triple-A, producing there means a 50 percent shot for the same major league possibilities as a Double-A star. To illustrate, Rhys Hoskins earned an August promotion, but right fielder Dylan Cozens didn’t. Yes, the locals wanted both to advance.
Regarding Cozens prior to his call-up, he batted .226 with 10 bombs and 25 RBIs for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. And, again, his average was the problem. On the other hand, outfielder Roman Quinn is back on the disabled list, and not staying on the field is another reason players don’t make the big leagues.
Many fans expect dazzling performances from phenoms, while front offices with years of experience know these youngsters will mature after two or three campaigns before making an impact. Unfortunately, many locals have no time for patience.