Spring training is now wrapped up, and Opening Day is upon us. Which Phillies players were studs, and which were duds this spring?
About two weeks ago I wrote an article highlighting studs and duds from Phillies Spring Training and talked about how bad Scott Kingery had been, and how dominant Jake Arrieta looked. Those comments aged about as well as a dead fish wrapped in gym socks, as within 24 hours, Kingery homered against the Yankees, and Arrieta gave up five runs vs. Pittsburgh. Oh well.
With Spring Training now wrapped up though, and Opening Day finally upon us, we can look back on the whole picture, and select more studs and duds without fear of them making us (me) look like idiots the next day.
First, let’s recap the players I highlighted in the last article:
Studs:
Dylan Cozens, Jake Arrieta, Drew Anderson
Duds:
Scott Kingery, Maikel Franco, Vince Velasquez
Unlike previous years, the Phillies had their roster more or less set coming into spring training with only a couple battles for roster spots. Normally, spring performances wind up making or breaking a player’s ability to earn a position with the major-league club.
However, as you will soon see among the studs, certain players were able to make an impression that could help them down the road. Injuries will inevitably strike the team, and those who shined during camp have better odds at being the ones who get the call when that spot needs to be filled.
Ultimately, the players who struggled during the spring can come back and blow the doors off during the regular season and vice versa. Still, getting off on the right foot in Florida can set the tone for the rest of the season.