Phillies: 3 players who could crack the 2021 MLB Top 100
Three Phillies are ready to emerge as baseball’s best and brightest
When MLB.com’s “Top 100 players” article was released, it was revealed that the Phillies would have three players on the list: Bryce Harper (33), Aaron Nola (81), and JT Realmuto (41).
Obviously, the team would probably prefer it if they had just a few more names crack that list.
Ignoring the guys who are already members of the exclusive club, here are three current Phillies who could be primed to also be labeled a top 100 player in baseball next year.
Zack Wheeler
Since Zack Wheeler inked his 5-year/$118 million dollar contract with the Phillies this offseason, the hype surrounding the hard throwing right-hander has been real. Entering just his sixth season as a major league starter, Wheeler has yet to put together a complete “ace-like” year. However, with a new team and an upgraded coaching staff, he could find his way onto the coveted MLB Top 100 list.
Wheeler relies heavily on his velocity when it comes to his pitching style, utilizing his four-seam fastball 61.6% of the team. Posting a career high average throwing speed of 96.7mph last year, along with a good amount of movement on the pitch, it’s clear why Wheeler loves using his fastball both early and late in counts.
Wheeler’s curve, slider, and change are all thrown pretty hard too, and his rarely thrown splitter may come into play more this season considering new Phillies’ pitching coach Bryan Price is known for his splitter work.
The Phillies have really struggled to find any consistency in their rotation over the last couple years, hence why they were so quick to snag the former Mets pitcher this offseason. Rotating through guys like Jerad Eickhoff, Drew Smyly, and Jason Vargas in 2019 ultimately was one of the team’s major downfalls.
This means that Joe Girardi and the Phillies will lean heavily on “Wheels” this year, running him as the team’s sole “#2” behind ace Aaron Nola. A spot which may even get some extra starts down the stretch into September. In theory, this should lead to more wins, more strikeouts, and ideally a lower ERA for Wheeler when it’s all said and done.
It’s hard to find many pitchers at the top of MLB’s rankings for 2020, however, considering guys like Charlie Morton, Hyun Jin-Ryu, and Jack Flaherty all went from being “unranked” to among the league’s top 55, it’s not unheard of for a player to crack the MLB’s list on the back of just one solid year.
Scott Kingery
A name that may surprise a few of you, but it’s a very real possibility that Scott Kingery is finally ready to take that next step in his career.
Kingery turned a whole lot of heads when he was signed to a 6 year/$24 million dollar extension before even making an appearance in the major leagues. The Phillies’ front office took a serious gamble on the kid at the time, banking on the fact that his minor league dominance would translate into big league success.
It wasn’t smooth sailing for Kingery immediately upon his arrival to the main roster. He hit .226 in 2018 and really struggled to drive the ball against the higher quality pitching he was facing. However, he made huge strides the following year in 2019. Kingery slashed .258/.315/.474 while also knocking in 34 doubles and 19 homers. Massive improvements across the board.
A big point of conversation when it comes to Kingery is his lack of an everyday position. He’s been jumbled around from the outfield, to third base, second base, and even shortstop. As a minor leaguer, Kingery was widely praised for his defensive capabilities. Actually winning a Gold Glove award as a second baseman in AA.
Entering his first year as Phillies manager, Girardi has made it a point of emphasis that he wants Kingery at one staple spot this season. The team has already begun experimenting with Jean Segura at third base to get everyone to fit in the new infield.
If Kingery can gain a newfound comfort level at a set position this year, while also continuing upon the current developmental track he’s on right now, the 25 year old could very well find himself ranked among the league’s best at the conclusion of 2020.
Rhys Hoskins
One of the biggest bounceback candidates across the entire MLB, it’s hard to believe Rhys Hoskins could possibly be worse than he was in 2019.
Hoskins’ first half to the season actually appeared to have him right on track for what would have been considered an extremely dominant third season in the majors. With an OPS of .931 before the All-Star break, many fans felt he was even lined up to be named one of the MLB’s top 100 players last year.
However, as pretty much all Phillies fans know by now, Hoskins entered one of the most horrific slumps the league has seen in some time. The 26 year old first baseman would finish off the season batting a whopping .180 in the second half. His inability to hit the ball was one of the biggest reasons the team completely bottomed out in the wild card race.
More from Phillies News
- Bryce Harper’s absence should lead to Phillies lineup tinkering
- Pirates’ bizarre Vince Velasquez hype video will make Phillies fans laugh
- Acquiring Brandon Marsh gave the Phillies flexibility
- Former Phillies starter Zach Eflin shares heartwarming goodbye message
- Is Rhys Hoskins the future at first base for the Phillies beyond 2023?
Hoskins entire approach to hitting seemed to change in the second half of the season. He was taking a ton of pitches, sometimes watching hittable fastballs go right down the middle. While he did end up leading the national league in walks (116), he was not producing contact necessary for a cleanup hitter.
Many fans and analysts alike criticize the old coaching mentalities in place last year for Hoskins’ near catastrophic failures at the plate. With a new manager and hitting coach now in place, Hoskins has entered spring training with a whole new stance and swing.
Batting behind current Top 100 player Bryce Harper, Hoskins is due for a ton of RBI opportunities. Harper regularly gets intentionally walked which will provide Hoskins with a ton of quality at bats. If he can capitalize on this while simultaneously returning to his old “slugger” form, he could very well rank among the league’s best.