Phillies' biggest surprises from first half of 2018 season

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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 09: Nick Williams #5, Aaron Altherr #23 and Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after defeating the New York Mets 3-1 during game two of a doubleheader at Citi Field on July 9, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

There have been ups and downs in individual performances for the Phillies so far. Here are the biggest surprises for the first half of the 2018 season.

The Phillies hit the 50-win mark this season more than a month and a half sooner than last year. As a result, the team is on pace for their best season since 2011. Like with all teams every season, some players have performed beyond expectations, while others have been disappointments.

As we head toward the All-Star break, here are the biggest surprises from the first half of the season.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 03: Seranthony Dominguez #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the ninth inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park on July 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 3-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Bullpen trio of Ramos, Arano, and Dominguez

While there were many question marks about the bullpen heading out of spring training, this trio has proved to be more than solid. In fact, Edubray Ramos, Victor Arano, and Seranthony Dominguez have come out of nowhere to form one of the better bullpen trios in the National League.

Dominguez flew through the organization and took over the closer role after Hector Neris struggled. In 31 2/3 innings, he has a stellar 41-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Dominguez has gone 8 for 9 opportunities and has an ERA of 1.71.

While Ramos made 59 appearances last season with the Phillies and struck out 75 in 57 2/3 innings, he lost seven and had a mediocre 4.21 ERA. This season, he’s been near lights out, striking out 32 and allowing just 4 earned runs in 30 2/3 innings.

Arano showed promise in 10 games last season, pitching to a 1.69 ERA, but the sample size was too small to accurately forecast what he would do this season. All he has done is help solidify the back end of the bullpen. He’s struck out 36 in 32 1/3 innings and posted an ERA of 2.51.

What makes this trio even more effective is their ability to keep the ball in the park. They have given up a combined five home runs in 92 1/3 innings. Should this trio continue to perform at this level, the Phillies are in good shape for a post season run.

Odubel Herrera

After a red-hot start, a poor stretch for Herrera in June derailed any hopes of being selected for the All-Star game. However, Herrera, who averaged 15 home runs and 50 RBI over the last two seasons, has already reached those numbers before the All-Star break.

Of course, Herrera still has his “head in the clouds” moments, there’s no denying he’s performed better than most expected thus far this season. He’s on pace to reach 27 home runs and 93 RBI, while 30 and 100 are not out of the question.

A fixture in the middle of the order, Herrera’s performance is vitally important moving forward. Hitting behind Rhys Hoskins, a hot Herrera will give Cesar Hernandez and Hoskins more pitches to hit, which should translate into a more potent attack.

Aaron Altherr

Having solid numbers a year ago, Altherr got most of the playing time early on in right field. However, Altherr has taken steps back from his 19 home run, .856 OPS last year. He’s batting just .173 with a poor .605 OPS in 197 at-bats. To make matters worse, Altherr is punching out at an alarming rate, fanning 76 times in 197 at-bats.

While thinking 2017 could be a breakthrough season for Altherr, it’s looking more like an aberration. Remember Domonic Brown, who had one stellar season before falling off the baseball map? This could be the same for Altherr.

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There is time for Altherr to turn it around the second half. The question is whether or not he’ll get playing time, with a productive Nick Williams manning right field.

Altherr needs to step it up, particularly against left-handed pitching (.159 in 63 at-bats), since Williams should get rest against southpaws. Williams is hitting .261 against lefties, but only one home run in 46 at-bats compared to 10 in 170 at-bats versus right-handed pitching.

Even if Altherr remains a role player instead of a starter, he needs to pick up the pace to give the Phillies a legitimate right-handed threat off the bench.

Hector Neris

In 2016, Neris performed well in a setup role, posting a 2.58 ERA in 79 appearances and striking out 102 in just 80 1/3 innings. Taking over the closer role last year, Neris saved 26 and had a decent 3.01 ERA. While not stellar, he was solid enough to have the job coming out of spring training this season.

Phillies’ biggest surprises from first half of 2018 season