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Phillies: Three players with something to prove in spring training

By Bryce Turner |
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 16: Vince Velasquez #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on June 16, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 16: Vince Velasquez #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on June 16, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
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Which Philadelphia Phillies are worth watching closely during spring training?

Phillies spring training is right around the corner, with pitchers and catchers reporting on Tuesday before position players report on February 16.

Baseball’s pre-season is not only a chance to knock off the rust, but an opportunity for some to earn a spot on the roster or prove their worth heading into the regular season.

Several Phillies come into 2020 with something to prove, and they each are at risk of losing either a major role, not making the 25-man roster, or being outright released.

Here’s a look at three of the players who have the most to lose and have to prove themselves.

Nick Williams

Nick Williams enters his fourth season in the majors behind a crowded outfield in Philadelphia.

Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen and Adam Haseley are expected to start, with Jay Bruce and Roman Quinn as top candidates to come off the bench.

McCutchen was limited to 59 games last year due to injury, while Bruce was acquired a couple of months into the season.

Williams played in 67 games, with a slash line of .151/.196/.245, alongside two home runs, five RBIs and a -1.2 WAR.

He was below Harper, McCutchen, Haseley, Bruce and Quinn in each of those categories, though he also had the least number of at-bats, two less than Quinn but more than a hundred less than the next nearest player.

The MLB.com depth chart has Williams fourth in right field and third in left field, where he’s ahead of only Nick Martini.

For Williams, spring training will give him a chance to prove that he deserves more at-bats and can be one of the primary backup outfielders.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 17: Cole Irvin #47 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park on May 17, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Rockies 5-4. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 17: Cole Irvin #47 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park on May 17, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Rockies 5-4. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Cole Irvin

Irvin spent 2019 between the Phillies and AAA Lehigh Valley. His first call-up in May went off to a great start, giving up only one earned run over seven innings to record the win against the Kansas City Royals.

But the numbers saw a decline thereafter, giving up three earned runs over six innings against the Colorado Rockies before picking up the loss against the Chicago Cubs, where he gave up seven earned runs over 4.2 innings.

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Irvin’s June call-up saw him give up 11 earned runs over 7.2 innings of relief.

He appeared again for the Phillies in July before getting another opportunity in September.

During that final month, he gave up only one earned run over 12.1 innings of relief, ending the season with a 5.83 ERA, 1.392 WHIP and -0.4 WAR.

Given the ups-and-downs of his time at the major league level, Irvin can use spring training to prove that he’s ready for regular opportunities as a reliever and perhaps as a starter if needed.

The bullpen was a significant concern for the Phillies last season and would figure to have more room for movement behind closer Hector Neris.

MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 23: Vince Velasquez #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 23, 2019 in Miami, Florida. Teams are wearing special color schemed uniforms with players choosing nicknames to display for Players’ Weekend. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 23: Vince Velasquez #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 23, 2019 in Miami, Florida. Teams are wearing special color schemed uniforms with players choosing nicknames to display for Players’ Weekend. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Vince Velasquez

With Jake Arrieta returning from injury and the free agent signing of Zack Wheeler, a place in the starting rotation is no guarantee for Vince Velasquez.

He’s currently listed fifth in the rotation on the MLB.com depth chart, behind Aaron Nola, Wheeler, Arrieta and Zach Eflin.

Velasquez finished last season with a 7-8 record, 4.91 ERA, 1.389 WHIP and 0.1 WAR.

Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies /

Philadelphia Phillies

Compared to the four pitchers projected ahead of him, he was last in ERA and WAR, while better than only Eflin in record and Arrieta in WHIP.

Another factor against Velasquez is how rough he finished last year.

During the first four months, he gave up 35 earned runs over 71.2 innings for a 4.42 ERA. During the final two months, he gave up 29 earned runs over 45.2 innings for a 5.77 ERA.

Oddly enough, he posted a record of 4-2 during that final stretch, compared to 3-6 before that.

With the Phillies having an improved rotation heading into this season and Velasquez struggling with ERA down the stretch, he will need to prove during spring training that he still belongs as one of the team’s primary starters in 2020.

While there are many candidates who fit the bill as someone with the most to prove, Williams, Irvin and Velasquez are three Phillies with something to prove during spring training.

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