Phillies Mid-Season Grades - Part 1: Position Players
Time to check in on each player at the midseason mark.
As we reach the mid-point of the season, it’s a great time to reflect on the performance of the team as a whole and the individual players.
At the midway point, the Phillies sit 44-39, which is 12 games back in the division and 1.5 games back for the third Wild Card spot. The 2022 Phillies were...wait for it...right at 43-38 at the midway point. The beginning of the season was undoubtedly slow. They didn't get their first win until the fifth game. They have been as streaky as streaky comes. Going on long winning streaks but following it up with longer losing streaks.
In June, like last year, they settled in and started looking much better, but they need to keep the positive momentum if they want to replicate last year's success. Although it seems like the Braves will run away with the division, the Phils are right in the thick of the Wild Card race. They have played more away games than any team in baseball so have a lot of games in the second half at Citizens Bank Park.
Let’s do a deep dive on the team and give a grade on each player on they have fared so far this season.
As two-way catchers go, Realmuto pretty much tops the list. He has not disappointed behind the plate. According to ESPN, he’s tied for sixth in dWAR with 0.6 and by the eye test has looked as solid as ever. He is as dependable as he has ever been as he has appeared in an astonishing 74 games out of the Phillies first 81 which is six more games than the next highest catcher. At the plate is where it’s been a bit disappointing this year. In the first half, he’s slashing .244/.303/.455 with a .759 OPS, eight home runs and 28 RBI. He showcases his elite athleticism with his 10 stolen bases and smart base running.
Grade: B-, simply because of his dependability and plus catching otherwise we are looking at a C.
Bohm started the year as one of the team's most consistent hitters but has recently been in a slide that brings his slash line to .277/.322/.427 with a .749 OPS. However, he is tied for the team lead in RBI with 48. One thing worth pointing out is that he has not been any good defensively but has not been the liability we all thought he was in the past. He has shown significant versatility as he has switched back and forth at third base and first base while the Phillies still figure out what to do permanently at first base for the rest of the year. We are all waiting for him to finally realize the home run power we have envisioned for him in the past.
Grade: B, Looking for more consistency at the plate and in the field.
Stott has singlehandedly solidified the second base position for this team. He has been one of the Phillies most consistent players on both sides of the ball. He ranks sixth in the National League with a batting average of. 294. He Looks comfortable and has made all the plays you'd like to see at second base. Until recently, Rob Thomson has moved him all over the lineup and it shows his versatility as he continues to hit no matter where he's placed.
Grade: A, Can’t ask for much more from Stott.
Right or wrong, when you are given a $300 million contract your expectations will be high. That being said, Turner has underperformed this year and has been a disappointment in comparison to what we have come to expect from the All-Star shortstop. He has shown signs of getting comfortable and of rounding into form, but we have yet to see the consistency that this team craves. There are signed to expect a big second half, but the first half is undoubtedly underwhelming.
Grade: C, Looking for a big second half as he gets comfortable.
Playing more than he or anyone probably expected, Sosa has done an admirable job filling in for the Phillies as they battle a whole slew of injuries. He has gone through a bit of a slump but you can't expect too much and whatever you get you have to take as a positive. As we would expect, the defense has been reliable and the bat could be better.
Grade: C
See comments for Sosa. In all seriousness, Clemens has done as good of a job as you'd like your third string first baseman to do. While he was just recently sent packing to Triple-A, he did a fine job filling in at first and we likely have not seen the last of him this year. Dave Dombrowski may look to make some sort of upgrade whether that is internally or making a trade as we come closer to the deadline.
Grade: C
Schwarber’s season is a mystery. Though his average is low, his strikeouts are high and is defensive is atrocious, he leads the team in home runs and walks and is third in RBI. He is a major presence in the clubhouse and the leader of the team. Since Thomson moved him to the leadoff spot, the Phillies are 18-7 and "June Kyle" has come alive. This was, by far, the hardest player to grade.
Grade: B-, The accounting stats are great (homers, RBI, walks) but the defense and batting average is just not up to par.
Aside from proving the comedic relief to this team and leading the Day Care in post game celebrations, Marsh’s biggest contribution has been the stability he has brought to the organization in center field. He seemingly makes all the plays you would hope and expect in the field. At the plate he has figured it out with the help of Kevin Long and is now hitting .279/.358/.463 with an .820 OPS. Thomson protects him a bit from facing lefties but he is as solid as can be in CF.
You can’t ask for much more from a low cost, non-superstar member of the team.
Grade: A-
This is the Nick Castellanos we all expected when he signed a five-year, $100 million contract last year. He has been the Phillies best hitter by far with slash line of .316/.358/.516 with an .874 OPS. He has laid off that pitch low and away and has been making great contact with pitches in the zone. His power that he seemingly had lost has found its way back as he has 12 home runs and 54 RBI, both good for second on the team. His defense could still be better but has not been a complete disaster. He is the only Phillies All-Star representative this year in the mid-summer classic.
Grade: A+
Expectations are a funny thing. When Harper had his Tommy John surgery, there were reports that said hopefully he’d be back by the end of June. Well, he did what no one in the history of the game has ever done: he was activated 160 days after surgery. Harper’s mere presence in the lineup is a significant benefit to this team. He has run into some bad luck recently, hitting balls hard but right at defenders, but he still boasts a .293/.394/.398 line with a .792 OPS and that’s with him being on an extended homerless streak. He is clearly working himself back to the MVP we’ve come to know. He is also working hard at progressing his throwing to where he can, hopefully, contribute in the field.
Grade: B+
By all accounts, Harrison is a great leader and clubhouse guy. That being said, it’s the only thing he is bringing to this team right now. He isn’t hitting, is not a standout infield defensive guy, and when put in the outfield, he has looked as uncomfortable as one could be. There are a number of guys in Triple-A who have been hitting and could offer similar versatility. Harrison seems like this year’s Didi Gregorius and it's hard to see him sticking around the big league roster past the trade deadline.
Grade: D
Stubbs is an all-time vibe guy. He’s a great locker room presence who seems to keep the vibes light and positive. He’s a serviceable back up catcher and is solid defensively behind the plate. Having Realmuto above him on the depth chart really limits his usage but it rarely feels like the team is going to automatically lose the game when Stubbs is behind the plate. He’s done his job well.
Grade: A, No complaints on what he’s done as the back up catcher.