Phillies Spring Training Tracker Part Deux: The Second One

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CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 17: Fans try to catch a home run by New York Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres (25) during an MLB spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 17, 2019, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Mary Holt/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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.

Studs

J.T. Realmuto

The Phillies’ new catcher batted a crisp .350 over 40 at-bats this spring, with four homers and eight RBI. He also put up an impressive .725 slugging percentage and an outstanding 1.097 OPS. This spring made it clear why the Phillies went out and got him. He’s a solid defensive catcher with great offensive upside that was somewhat limited by playing in Marlins’ Cavern.

Realmuto’s power numbers should go through the roof with a full home slate at noted not-cavern Citizen’s Bank Park. One worrying note from Spring Training is that he did strike out 13 times, and he’ll need to cut back on the strikeouts if he wants to continue his success into the regular season.

Drew Anderson

While some of my comments aged poorly, my take on Anderson aged like a fine wine, nay, like a 50-year single malt scotch. Anderson made four starts this spring, and posted an ERA of 0.71. Zero. Point. Seven. One. He pitched 12.2 innings and racked up 12 K while only giving up two walks and one run on six hits.

Unfortunately, Anderson did not make the Opening Day roster, and I’m frankly a little surprised given how Vince Velasquez has looked this spring (more on that later on). With Velasquez currently the fifth starter, and Eickhoff set to start the year in Triple-A, Anderson will have to wait awhile before making his way to the big leagues, but he’s been good enough to warrant a shot.

Phil Gosselin

Yes, I know he won’t be on the Opening Day roster, and has little chance of making any sort of impact on this team, but the story’s too good, and his spring was too strong to ignore. The West Chester native who grew up rooting for the Phils had a stellar spring, batting .405 across 19 games and 42 at bats. He also clubbed two home runs, and drove in in six, while slugging at .714 and posting an OPS of 1.159.

I had Gosselin as an honorable mention in my previous list, but I just felt like he needs more recognition for how good he’s been this spring. He’s the Vince Papale (whose son is trying out for the Eagles by the way) type story; the local guy that you just really hope can fulfill his lifelong dream, and help this ball club out along the way.

Honorable Mentions

Andrew McCutchen, Andrew Knapp, Odubel Herrera

Duds

Vince Velasquez

Velasquez was also a dud in my previous list, and did little to change my mind. In his last start against Toronto, he allowed three runs on five hits in 3.1 innings, which actually lowered his ERA to 12.79. Yikes. He made three starts this spring, but only threw 6.1 innings total, walking seven, and allowing opposing hitters to hit .379 with three homers. He did manage 15 K though, which honestly encapsulates him perfectly.

Velasquez has always been a frustrating pitcher. He has absolutely electric stuff when he’s on his game, but when he’s off his game it can get ugly fast. Maybe he should try throwing left-handed instead, he’s done it before.

Rhys Hoskins

He wasn’t terrible this spring, but he wasn’t particularly good either. He batted .222 across 36 at-bats, striking out nine times and only going deep once. He had a respectable .317 on-base percentage but only slugged . 333 for an OPS of .650. Missing about a week with a sore shoulder certainly didn’t help, but he’ll most likely be ready for Opening Day.

I expect Hoskins will do alright in the regular season (particularly with Harper and Realmuto surrounding him in the batting order), but your cleanup hitter really needs a slugging percentage better than .333.

Cesar Hernandez

Hernandez was hurt for much of the spring, which is simultaneously the biggest reason for and against putting him on this list. Again, he wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t on the field much and was uninspiring when he was. He batted .241 with no homers in 29 at-bats, but only slugged at .310 with an OPS of .601.

Hernandez’s mediocre Spring Training combined with a strong camp from Andrew McCutchen was enough to cost him the leadoff spot heading into the season. It’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts to hitting in a different spot in the lineup, as he’s started 395 career games as a leadoff man, and 172 in the other 8 spots. His average in the leadoff spot is nearly identical to his average elsewhere (.276 vs .277) but he has 28 homers and 60 doubles batting first against four and 22 batting anywhere else.

Next. 10 keys to winning the National League East. dark

(Dis)Honorable Mentions

Victor Arano, Maikel Franco, Nick Williams

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