Phillies: Questions that need to be answered in spring training
What’re the biggest questions going into Phillies spring training?
The Phillies enter into the 2020 season with a large turnover from 2019. With plenty of questions surrounding the franchise, we take a look at a few of the most concerning issues going into the 2020 spring training.
Who will be in the back half of the rotation?
Zach Eflin. Vinny Velasquez. Nick Pivetta. A breakout rookie?
The back-end of the rotation will likely be as fluid as it was in 2019. Eight different pitchers started at least 10 games for the Phillies last year, and three (Drew Smyly, Jason Vargas, Jerad Eickhoff) of them are no longer with the team.
The main concern for Zach Eflin, the “favorite” to land the fourth spot, is health. After a promising start to 2019, allowing three or fewer runs in nine of his first eleven starts, Eflin landed on the Injured List for the sixth time since the Phillies acquired him in 2014.
Over his next 17 starts, Eflin gave up five or more runs five times, only pitching more than seven innings twice after throwing two complete games prior to the injury. Eflin has the stuff to remain a part of the rotation, but will he be available for the team to depend on all season? Also, his July and August numbers need to drastically improve, as they take a major hit in the dog days of the season.
While Vinny Velo’s numbers didn’t improve in 2019, there was a noticeable change in the way he carried himself on the mound. Whatever he was asked to do, he stepped up and pitched well for most of the year, especially in high leverage situations. However, what has always been the problem with Velasquez is how much his numbers balloon as the game goes into the later stages.
As a starter on the third time through the lineup, his batting average and OPS double, with a home run rate of 8.9 AB/HR as opposed to 22.3 AB/HR in the first two times through. Will we see Velasquez as the fifth starter with a short leash, or will he be pushed to the bullpen?
Nick Pivetta has a lot to make up for in 2020. Pivetta was poised to breakout in 2019, according to many MLB insiders and analytics. Yet, he only started 13 games after two seasons of 25+ starts, and was demoted to the bullpen two games after the All Star break. This year is the “put up or shut up” year for Pivetta, with the organization poised to move on to the youth if he continues to disappoint.
Will Pivetta’s new approach translate into better performance, or will he succumb to the pressure and relinquish the role he was in the driver’s seat of in 2019?
Meanwhile, young talents Spencer Howard, Adonis Medina, and Enyel De Los Santos are clawing at the door to get a chance at the big leagues. Expect Howard to reach the big leagues by the summer and for De Los Santos to potentially make an impact out of the bullpen if he can’t land a starting job.
Which relievers will be on the active roster Opening Day?
The Phillies used 29 different pitchers in relief last year, and 34 different pitchers total. That’s the second-most in the National League, and sixth-most in the majors. The other five teams were a combined 122 games under 0.500.
It’s a miracle that the Phillies’ bullpen was ranked in the middle of the league in ERA, with the number of injuries and changes made throughout the year. Even more changes will be made to this year’s bullpen, having to replace nearly 200 innings after the departures of Juan Nicasio, Pat Neshek, and Mike Morin among plenty of others.
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Outside of the Zack Wheeler signing, the Phillies made headlines for signing a plethora of veteran relievers to minor league deals. There will be plenty of opportunities for guys to prove themselves, with the Phillies entering into camp with 39 pitchers.
The expectation is that Francisco Liriano, Bud Norris, Drew Storen, and Anthony Swarzak will all make a play for roster spots. However, there are plenty of young arms that want to make names for themselves, and will heavily compete with the veterans for the big league call up.
Adam Morgan and Seranthony Dominguez also have to prove they are healthy and ready to contribute. Losing them last year was a major blow to the bullpen’s ability to create shutdown innings.
Keep an eye on JoJo Romero, Garrett Cleavinger, Francisco Morales, and Cristopher Sanchez, who have made names for themselves in the minors.
Will the home-grown stars take the next step?
Scott Kingery took large steps forward between 2018 and 2019, and became a sharp utility tool that played almost literally everywhere for the Phillies. While his strikeout rate increased, his walk rate and power production also increased, raising his WAR to 2.7 (fourth-highest on the team).
Now, without having to compete for a starting position, Kingery needs to take another step forward in his development. His defense needs to improve; he still commits too many errors (which I get considering he played so many positions). His strikeout numbers also need to decrease; he cannot strike out in 30% of his at bats. However, Kingery is locked in for the next four years, so the team has confidence that he will continue to improve.
Philadelphia Phillies
Adam Haseley was a pleasant surprise after the Phillies struggled to find a replacement for Odubel Herrera and Andrew McCutchen. His offensive production wasn’t anything overwhelming, but he shined defensively in his 67 games. The Phillies have reportedly been searching for an option to platoon with Haseley in the outfield, due to his struggles against left-handed pitching. The biggest thing I want to see from Haseley is his response to this pressure. Will he show the new manager Joe Girardi that he belongs in the lineup every day? He needs to display some success at the plate to force Girardi’s hand, or else he could be stuck in a platoon situation.
Rhys Hoskins probably had the second most disappointing season on the Phillies last year (outside of Nick Pivetta). Hoskins struck out 173 times, while only hitting 29 home runs compared to 150 strikeouts and 34 home runs the year prior. The expectation was that Hoskins would thrive batting behind Bryce Harper, but he regressed in all of his offensive numbers except walks (which he led the league in). J.T. Realmuto is coming off a phenomenal season, Harper now enters his second year in Philadelphia, and Didi Gregorius will bring his high level of production to the lineup. All of which set up Hoskins for another year where his offensive production should increase.
Will we see any changes in Hoskins’ approach at the plate? Hopefully, he will return to form as the power supply of the future.