MLB Spring Training: the ups and downs of the Phillies
By Bill Felber
MLB Spring Training Recap: March 9
Winner: Felix Hernandez, Atlanta Braves pitcher
Could Felix Hernandez become the king of Atlanta?
The veteran Seattle ace, signed as a free agent this winter, looked the part against Boston Monday. Hernandez delivered five strong innings and scattered six hits, allowing just one run. He struck out six batters.
Hernandez has now delivered 8 and two-thirds innings, allowing just two runs and a .226 opponents batting average.
Eight MLB spring training innings don’t make a recovery, and it’s well to keep in mind that since 2017 Hernandez is 15-27 with a 5.42 ERA. To this point, however, he’s done everything the Braves asked to cement a spot in the season-opening rotation.
Winner: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder
In his second season with the Phillies, Harper appears intent on earning his $27.5M salary.
He has 8 hits in 16 spring at-bats, a nifty .500 batting average. Facing the Yankees Monday, Harper delivered a 3-for-3 performance.
Sadly for the Phillies, they wasted all three of those knocks: a Harper’s first-inning single, a third-inning ground-rule double and a sixth-inning single. At the midway point of camp, however, Phillies manager Joe Girardi must be pleased with Harper’s 1.820 OPS.
Winner: Miles Straw, Houston Astros outfielder
In an outfield already populated with Michael Brantley, George Springer and J.J. Reddick, is there room for Myles Straw? Myles Straw thinks so.
Facing the Detroit Tigers Monday, Straw continued his robust bid for playing time in the Houston outfield. Starting for Springer in center, Straw went 2-for-2 with an RBI and raised his spring batting average to .389.
Straw singled with two runners on base in the second inning, sending Carlos Correa home. He also collected a fourth-inning infield hit, but that one did not lead to any runs.
Straw was sparingly used last season, batting .269 in 56 major league games.
Winner: Hyun Jin Ryu, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher
Hyun-Jin Ryu got the start against Tampa Bay Monday and stretched himself out to 16 batters. If he didn’t demonstrate readiness for opening day, he’s close.
Obtained as a free agent over the winter, Ryu allowed three base hits but did not walk anybody and struck out four. That lowered his spring ERA to 1.42.
With the requisite qualifiers about the potential meaninglessness of spring numbers, let it be noted that Ryu is on pace to have by far the best MLB spring training of his career.