For the first time in quite a few years, fans of the Philadelphia Phillies have plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
For the last few years, the Phillies have had little to be thankful for on the team. Most of the pieces on the major-league roster were stopgaps or so-so players. However, now there are some real pieces fans can be thankful for.
Perhaps the best thing about the team right now is the fact that front office is done with losing and wants the team to start winning in 2018. That’s what led them to fire Pete Mackanin as manager and hire Gabe Kapler. They are now ready to make moves that better the team in the long run, rather than just for the next year.
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Plus, there are some talented players on the field, making the team worth watching again. Every fifth game, it is worth tuning in to see Aaron Nola mow down batters like we haven’t seen since Cole Hamels was traded away. Nola racked up 4.3 fWAR in 2017 and stands to do the same thing next year.
Not to mention, the team has an outfield stocked with talented players. Odubel Herrera has led the team in wins above replacement since joining the team in 2015.
Aaron Altherr could be an All-Star if he stays healthy for a full year, while Nick Williams exceeded expectations in his first major-league season.
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This doesn’t even include the fact that we get to watch Rhys Hoskins for a full season next year. While he almost certainly won’t maintain the home run pace he had when he reached the majors, he should be the cornerstone of the lineup next year. Hoskins could easily hit 30+ home runs next year while getting on base at a high clip.
Plus, we still get to see even more prospects next season. J.P. Crawford should get a chance to start every day if one of Cesar Hernandez or Freddy Galvis gets traded during the offseason. We got a glimpse of Jorge Alfaro last year, and he should be the starter in 2018. Scott Kingery should also get the chance to reach the majors later on in the year.
In addition to those prospects, there are plenty of talented pitchers just a year or two away like Sixto Sanchez, Franklyn Kilome, and Adonis Medina.
Next: What should the Phillies do at catcher in 2018?
Altogether, there is definitely plenty to be thankful for as a Phils fan this year.