Four Storylines From Phillies Weekend Sweep of the Braves

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Apr 23, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (left) and first baseman Brock Stassi (right) talk between innings against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Phillies earned their first sweep of the 2017 season over the weekend against the Braves. Here are four storylines from the series.

The Phillies evened their record to 9-9 after sweeping the Braves over the weekend. It was their second straight series win after taking two of three from the Mets the series prior. They now sit in third place in the NL East behind the Nationals and the Marlins.

The Phils have an off day Monday before they face the Marlins for the first time this season. In the meantime, let’s take a look at four storylines from the weekend’s sweep.

Apr 22, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Aaron Altherr (23) makes a catch during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Braves, 4-3 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Aaron Altherr May Be a Piece After All

Most Phillies fans wrote off Aaron Altherr after his putrid 2016 season. He appeared in just 57 games after breaking his wrist during spring training and undergoing surgery to repair it. Altherr was worth -0.3 fWAR as he finished the year with a .202/.304/.293 line and just four home runs in 227 plate appearances.

However, Altherr has changed the narrative this season. His line for the year sits at .364/.417/.667 and he already has racked up 0.6 fWAR.

Altherr has really shined since Howie Kendrick went down with an oblique injury. He and Daniel Nava have split time in left in Kendrick’s absence, and Altherr has taken full advantage. In the past six games since Kendrick’s injury, Altherr has nine hits and a 1.193 OPS. He hit his second home run of the season Sunday as part of Philadelphia’s first set of back-to-back-to-back home runs since 2008.

General manager Matt Klentak told reporters that Altherr is definitely taking advantage of the opportunity: [quote via Ryan Lawrence of Philly Voice]

“A lot of us talked about this through the offseason, we like Aaron a lot. And we want to see him play. The opportunity existed for us to add the veterans that we did. But all along, we hope that we’d still be able to find time for Aaron to play. With Howie being down for a few weeks, this is an opportunity. And from what we’ve seen in the last few days, Aaron is making the most of it.”

With Altherr set to be in the lineup for the next several weeks, Altherr could very well play his way back into the Phillies’ plans. Many expect the team to trade Kendrick later on during the season, and Altherr could be Kendrick’s replacement if and when that happens. Also, if Kendrick’s performance falls off while Altherr continues to hit, Altherr may replace him even without a trade.

Apr 23, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zach Eflin (56) pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Zach Eflin is Back and Looks Great

Zach Eflin started 2017 on the disabled list as he continued to nurse his surgically repaired knees back to full health. After returning from the DL, Eflin has looked strong.

Eflin went five shutout innings in his lone start at Triple-A before he was promoted to replace Clay Buchholz in the rotation. In his first 2017 start in the majors, he threw five innings again, giving up two runs on just three hits.

Don’t Underestimate Cesar Hernandez

Cesar Hernandez has been Philadelphia’s best everyday player in the lineup this season, especially since Howie Kendrick went on the disabled list. Hernandez leads the team in batting average (.338), hits (27), runs (18), stolen bases (3), and fWAR (1.2).

Hernandez also leads the team in a surprising category: home runs. That’s right. The 5’10, 160 pound second baseman leads the Phillies with four home runs in 2017. Maikel Franco has three and several other Phils have two.

More from That Balls Outta Here

Hernandez’s fourth home run of the season started off three straight home runs that sealed the win Sunday for the Phils.

Considering Hernandez hit just six home runs in all of 2016, the fact that he has four through 18 games this season is definitely a surprise. Manager Pete Mackanin said he is definitely surprised with Hernandez’s power this season.

“Who would have thought Cesar would hit four home runs the whole year?” Mackanin told Corey Seidman of CSN Philly.

While it’s hard to imagine Hernandez keeping up this torrid pace at the plate, it’s not hard to imagine Hernandez finishing the season with a double-digit home run total. Combined with his on-base ability, that gives Hernandez even more value.

Apr 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson throws to the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeremy Hellickson Forcing Interesting Dilemma

Jeremy Hellickson continued his strong start to the 2017 season Friday night against the Braves. In seven innings, he allowed just two runs on three hits with five strikeouts. He earned his third win of the season, improving his record to 3-0.

With four starts now under his belt, Hellickson has a 1.88 ERA and 3.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2017. His 0.71 WHIP leads all qualified National League pitchers.

Hellickson’s early success in 2017 brings back the obvious trade speculation. The Phillies tried to trade Hellickson last year – and got fairly close – but were unable to do so. Now that he is back in Philadelphia after accepting the team’s qualifying offer, the potential for trading him is back once again.

If the team is unable to trade Hellickson – or decides not to if they somehow are in the playoff hunt – they will be posed with another question after the season ends. Hellickson is a free agent yet again, but the team cannot offer him another qualifying offer. Barring the market completely falling off, Hellickson is unlikely to accept a one-year offer in free agency.

This would mean the Phillies would have to offer Hellickson a longer deal if they want to retain him. While this seems like an unlikely option considering the young pitching talent already on the team, it may not be the worst thing on the world. Jon Stolnis of The Good Phight laid out why giving Hellickson a two or three-year extension may not be a bad idea:

“When you consider his strengths (pitch economy and experience) with what the rest of the staff brings to the table (struggles with pitch economy and youth), as well as the perils of offering big-time, long-term deals to ace pitchers like Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta, perhaps Hellickson’s experience and reliability are a perfect fit for this team as they transition from rebuilding to contending.”

Next: Phillies Place Aaron Nola on DL with Back Strain

For now, the hope is that Hellickson can pitch his way right into a midseason deal that nets the Phils a solid prospect or two. However, if that doesn’t pan out, offering an extension to Hellickson may be an option.

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