Phillies: A look back at five pre-season projections

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 27: The Phillie Phanatic performs in the seventh inning during a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

They say hindsight is 20/20 and it’s no different with trying to predict how a season will play out…especially with the 2017 Philadelphia Phillies.

Back in March, I made a list of five story lines to watch throughout the season. Each one had some small nuance of a prediction to go with it as well. Some I am proud of, some I am not so proud of(looking at you Michael Saunders).

Let’s take a look at each story line and see how I have fared over the course of the season.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 17: Aaron Nola /

Aaron Nola’s Rocky Start

Prediction: Nola would rebound from a poor spring.

I nailed this one for the most part. Nola was coming off his fourth consecutive poor outing of the spring and all the sports talk stations were deluged with fans beginning to disregard the righty.

Nola has indeed rebounded and was arguably one of the best pitchers in baseball during a stretch from July to mid-August.

However, I still hold true to the fact that Nola is likely not a No. 1 pitcher on a real contender and is better suited for the role of a good No. 2 or well above-average No. 3.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 23: Howie Kendrick #47 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a two-run single in the fifth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Michael Saunders and Howie Kendrick’s Impact On The Outfield

Next on the list, I took a look at the additions of both Michael Saunders and Howie Kendrick. Much like with Nola, Saunders and Kendrick both struggled in Spring Training.

Although I did not specifically make a prediction here, I did mention that:

“It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out as the season progresses. Saunders spot is seemingly safe but it seems as if Kendrick could be the odd man out if he can’t get back on track.”

Definitely wrong, but neither player ended up playing enough to be a viable asset moving forward. Saunders was clearly the more disappointing of the two as at least Kendrick was able to bring back McKenzie Mills and international bonus money from the Nationals.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 25: Tommy Joseph /

Can Tommy Joseph Hold Down First Base?

Tommy Joseph’s status as first base was a big question mark to open the season and I was just hoping this one to be true.

Joseph has not been terrible but he has definitely not solidified himself as the first baseman of the future. Joseph is currently hitting .241 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs and should be able to eclipse the 20 home run/75 RBI mark this season.

However, with the emergence of Rhys Hoskins and his prolific power, Joseph looks as he’ll be heading for the bench once the outfield situation plays itself out.

As I stated in the original piece:

“2017 will be a big year for Joseph. If he remains healthy and can keep pace with last season, Joseph could solidify himself as Philadelphia’s first baseman of the future.”

Although Joseph’s 2017 campaign has been decent, it is a far cry from the big year I expected to materialize and to see him with any less than 25 home runs after last year’s pace is a slight disappointment.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 27: Freddy Galvis /

How Will The Phillies Fare In A Top Heavy NL East?

Just give me the L on this one…

Like most fans, I had higher hopes leading into the 2017 season and, like most fans, I’m disappointed to say the least.

More from That Balls Outta Here

Although I didn’t predict much, I did at least expect a better showing. I was pretty confident in stating that the Phils would finish third or fourth in the division, yet, that will be a stretch at this point.

As was my prediction for wins:

“This is no 100 win team but look for the Phils to finish the year with a win total somewhere in the mid to upper 70s as they move one step closer to the end of their rebuild.”

The Phillies will likely not reach the 70 win mark at this point however there has been some promise for the rebuild.

Some of the youngsters look destined for great careers but the players many though to be part of the “core” such as Maikel Franco and Vincent Velasquez have become question marks.

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 05: Pitcher Pat Neshek /

Who Will Be Dealt Come The Trade Deadline?

Trade rumors being my strong suit, I considered this to be my most accurate of the five and I was correct for the most part.

Accurately predicting the Phillies would be sellers at the deadline, I stated: