3 important things we’ve learned about the Phillies at the season’s 30% mark
The Phillies are about one-third of the way through 2024. Here are some takeaways from the first leg of the season
It seems like just yesterday baseball fans were impatiently awaiting Opening Day. Now, the 2024 MLB season is entering June, and most clubs have wrapped up one-third of their games. There have been some surprises and some consistencies.
The Philadelphia Phillies were projected to be in the running for a Wild Card spot entering the season. Some believed they could compete with the defending NL East champion Atlanta Braves, but the expectations for the division foes were sky-high.
Fast forward to Memorial Day, and the Phillies are atop the division and hold the best winning percentage in baseball. They have one of the top run differentials in the game and are simply demolishing the teams that good teams should be beating.
3 important things we’ve learned about the Phillies at the season’s 30% mark
Let's take a look into some things that the league has learned about the 2024 Phillies through the first 30 percent of their season.
The Phillies' starting rotation has exceeded expectations
Entering the season, the Phillies' starting rotation was viewed as a strength. After extending Zack Wheeler and re-signing Aaron Nola, the starting staff looked set for 2024 and beyond. To start the campaign, the club's starting pitching has been a juggernaut.
Entering Sunday, Phillies starters lead the league in innings pitched (318), ERA (2.63), FIP (3.25), and fWAR (7.6). Spearheaded by Wheeler, Nola, and Ranger Suárez, the starting staff has been dominant.
It's no surprise that Wheeler is off to a great start, but the revelation of Suárez was not predicted. Phillies' fans knew their left-hander was a solid pitcher, but what he has accomplished to this point in the season has been nothing short of incredible.
The top three pitchers in the rotation have been great, but the backend of the staff has pitched well too. Cristopher Sánchez has a 3.15 ERA through his first ten games. Spencer Turnbull made six starts while Taijuan Walker was rehabbing from an injury and filled in admirably. Walker has been fine for a No. 5 starter. He has the occasional blow-up inning but has shown some glimpses of effectiveness.
The Phillies could ride this rotation to a deep postseason run if they are able to stay healthy and consistent.
Edmundo Sosa is a valuable bench piece
When the Phillies traded for Edmundo Sosa at the trade deadline in 2022, they believed they were getting a nice bench piece to add infield depth. So far in his Phillies career — and 2024 in particular — they have gotten just that.
When Trea Turner was placed on the injured list in early May, it was assumed that Sosa would get much more playing time at shortstop and he would need to step up. He has.
Going into Sunday's series finale, the versatile infielder was slashing .354/.446/.688 with two home runs — both in his last three games — 15 runs scored and 11 RBI since Turner was placed on the IL.
This is the 28-year-old's best run in a Phillies uniform, and it could not have come at a better time. He has been a solid depth piece for the club since his addition; however, in Turner's absence, he has taken it up a notch.
While his production is likely unsustainable, what he has contributed to the Phillies' hot start cannot be understated. When the $300 million Turner returns from the injured list sooner rather than later, Sosa will go back to the bench. But his performance during this opportunity should give the club more confidence in the multi-positional Sosa.
Whit Merrifield has not been the depth addition the Phillies had hoped for
Speaking of bench pieces, while Sosa has filled in admirably, the same cannot be said for the Phillies' biggest offseason addition, Whit Merrifield. As the elder statesman of the club, Merrifield was signed because of his positional flexibility. While second base is probably his strongest position, the versatile 35-year-old has also seen time at third base and left field.
Garnering 91 at-bats over 28 games, the right-handed hitting utility man has not lived up to expectations. He is slashing .187/.267/.286 with two home runs and just four runs batted in. A career .282 hitter, the start to the 2024 season must be frustrating for Merrifield.
The veteran Merrifield is not used to being relegated to a bench role. He was a starter for his career in Kansas City and Toronto before signing with the Phillies. In the offseason, he had commented that he planned on forcing manager Rob Thomson to give him more playing time by performing well.
So far that has not transpired despite a decent number of opportunities. The season is still young, and Merrifield may still be adjusting to a new club and a new role. It will be interesting to see if he is able to become more productive as the season heads into the summer months.
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