SPORTS  |  LIFESTYLE  |  ATTITUDE  |  AUTHENTIC
YDKJ
  • HOME
  • About
  • Contact
  • Photos

MLB  |  Phillies showing progress ... and that they have a long way to go

6/12/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Cameron Rupp is one of the understated highlights to the Phillies' 2016 season thus far, proving to be a solid everyday option at catcher.
Picture
by Jack Kerwin  |  ydkjack1@gmail.com

With 100 games to go, the Phillies …

► Remain in the rebuilding stages, the early ones.
While it was fun and exciting to see the team defy all logic by hitting the quarter pole of this season at 24-17 despite having little pop and even less offensive efficiency, reality has hit home since, especially with the calendar mostly filled by the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals the last couple weeks. Now 29-33 entering today’s late-afternoon series finale in D.C., they’re just about positioned to give up the pipe dream of competing for a playoff spot this year to focus on the more legit issue at hand, which is to develop a solid nucleus for years to come by continuing to play the “kids” already on the roster, giving the organization’s best prospects a shot as well, and forever developing the farm system – a must this club too often has discarded in its history for the sake of quick fixes, desperation and previous pipe dreams.

► Appear to have not one, but two potential stars in their current lineup.
​Neither of them are named Maikel Franco. While we’re all getting a little gaga over Tommy Joseph since his quick start finally seems to be setting the stage for an actual – and long overdue – goodbye to Ryan Howard, the real story thus far among the everyday players is the emergence of center fielder Odubel Herrera as a bona fide star. The guy can hit, run, field, throw and has shown some power and certainly possesses a body frame at a compact 5-foot-11, muscled-up 206 pounds that suggests he is capable of much more. He ranks among the NL’s top 10 in batting average, stolen bases, walks and on-base percentage while hitting out of the leadoff spot for the Phillies. Joseph, meanwhile, has been a revelation – for a month. Since making his first appearance on May 13, he has 7 homers in just 69 at-bats and is hitting .319. Should he keep up that pace, or even something close to it, Herrera would become Joseph’s top supporting actor and Howard a distant memory – even if he maintains a spot on the bench.

► Are not as well off on the mound as most had thought.
The strong start, bolstered by a much better than expected effort by the starters, fooled many into believing the team was further along than it really is, or even could be. Fact is, we’re not talking about a group of hurlers that, as a collection of arms, is overly talented. Not when you have a guy such as Aaron Nola, lacking any serious “plus” pitch, being considered a top half of the rotation anchor. Granted, he is carrying a 2.98 ERA into mid-June, even after getting shelled on Saturday. But he doesn’t have big-time stuff. In fact, the only pitcher on the squad who does – Vince Velasquez – just got placed on the DL with a strained biceps in his right throwing arm.

► May have their catcher for the next decade.
Seriously. Oh, Cameron Rupp may never make an all-star team, but the dude is a tough, quality ballplayer behind the plate and, now, at bat. Call me a sucker for old-school style, but am kinda partial to big, physical types who ain’t afraid of contact when collisions are possible, imminent or unavoidable. He’s hitting .270 right now and is solid on defense, possessing surprisingly quick feet and a good arm. Plus, he’s done a nice job handling a mostly unproven pitching staff.

In short, they’re showing some promise … and a lot of holes yet to fill.
​

RELATED

Howard not departing
Is it the end of the line?
Just the beer-toss talking
Team brass lacking balls
Realistic view about now
Not doing right for years
Check out this real star
Joseph shows some pop
A possible star in center
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    NFL
    MLB
    NBA
    NHL
    NCAAFB
    ​NCAABB
    Eagles
    Phillies
    76ers
    Flyers
    Temple
    Villanova
    La Salle
    ​Saint Joe's
    ​Penn State

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015

    Best of 2018

    Picture

    Best of 2017

    Picture

    Best of 2016

    Picture

    Best of 2015

    Picture

    RSS Feed

Picture
Your source for insight ... or insanity

GET TO KNOW YDKJ

ABOUT    |    CONTACT   |    BLOG    |    PRIVACY POLICY

​© COPYRIGHT 2018   YDKJ   |   Terms & Conditions
Picture