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Philadelphia Phillies: Starting rotation’s catch-22

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 27: Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler (22) makes a pitching change during the sixth inning of a MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies on August 27, 2018, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA(Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 27: Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler (22) makes a pitching change during the sixth inning of a MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies on August 27, 2018, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA(Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Eickhoff will battle for a rotation slot in March. Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. /

For many Phillies fans, tomorrow, impatiently, is 2019; and they project the impression that general manager Matt Klentak can’t contend and simultaneously allow his youngsters to develop.

Ahead of schedule:        

After the Philadelphia Phillies had traded an ace and a closer for MiLB stars, they hoped a handful would make the majors. That stated, they acquired two regulars and two starters for those two prized assets. But their plan didn’t call for abandonment with initial success.

"IN OTHER WORDS:          “There was only one catch and that was catch-22.” – Joseph Heller"

According to a recently retired general manager from another organization, a player makes an impact in or after his third year. But missing time on the disabled list is one exception. On the other hand, superstars are few and far between.

Based on rebuilding strategy, ’19 will be the first contending 162. But it doesn’t guarantee a postseason berth or a Wild Card Game. Look in the baseball dictionary under the 2018 Washington Nationals. Ergo, no exceptions!

If your definition of being competitive is getting to the NLCS –deep in the playoffs– your expectations are exceeding Klentak’s. Of course, he wants to win the World Series, but the exec doesn’t anticipate being one of the two best National League franchises in 2019.

Realistically, when the Phils began ’18 in late March, they had Nick Williams with almost four months under his belt, Rhys Hoskins with nearly two months, rookies behind the plate and at short with 131 and zero plate appearances in the majors respectively. They also had four veterans for eight spots.

Regarding the starting staff, one season equals 30 outings. And only Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff by that measurement were beginning their third summer, but Nola alone was healthy. However, Vince Velasquez, Nick Pivetta and Zach Eflin weren’t within 10 starts of that mark.

Phillies starts at 2017’s end to current total:

  • Eickhoff at 65 to 66.
  • Nola at 60 to 93.
  • Velasquez at 46 to 76.
  • Pivetta at 26 to 58.
  • Eflin at 22 to 46.
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