Darick Hall’s First Chance Vs Lefty Showed His Work May Pay Off

Monday night's game against the Yankees is one Phillies fans will mostly want to forget. The Phillies got blown out to fall to 0-4 on the season. For the 2nd straight game, they managed to get just a single run across the plate. And Yunoir Marte blew up out of the bullpen again. But even in the 8-1 loss, there could be one small positive takeaway, on top of Bohm continuing to shine at the plate. Darick Hall got a chance vs a tough lefty in Nestor Cortes. Last season, lefties hist just .110 against him. And while he didn't do anything Earth-shattering, Hall showed a much better approach to lefties than he did all of last season.

Hall's first chance against Cortes came in the 2nd inning with Bohm on first base. He quickly fell behind 0-2, after looking at strike one and fouling off strike 2. At that point most people would think Hall had no chance at the plate given his history vs lefties. To his credit, he stayed alive. He took one ball and fouled off another pitch to stay alive. On the 5th pitch of the at-bat, he got fooled a little bit. But as John Kruk pointed out in the broadcast, he stayed on the ball and managed to make contact. He blooped the ball into right field for a hit.

Nothing amazing. It took a fair bit of luck for it to turn into a hit. But every hitter in the MLB relies on luck to get hits now and then. What that at-bat showed, was a good approach by Hall. He fell behind but gave himself a chance to stay in the at-bat. It paid off with a hit that got him on first base and moved Bohm over to 3rd. It's something he struggled to do against lefties in both the majors and the minors last year.

His next at-bat in the 4th inning looked even better. However, it resulted in an out. He took one pitch for a ball and then squared up a fastball. The ball had an exit velocity of 111.6 mph off of his bat. Unfortunately, it was right at Anthony Rizzo, resulting in an out. But if he keeps making contact like that against lefties, some will find their way through the infield, and maybe even into the outfield bleachers. What is important is that he hit the ball very hard, and things tend to go well for you when you hit the ball hard.

Lefties posed a huge problem for Hall last season. He couldn't hit them in the minors, and they barely gave him a chance against them in the majors. But he evidently focused on fixing that issue this offseason with Kevin Long. Two at-bats is a very small sample size. But we saw improvements in Spring. And at least in his first chance this season, the work seems to have paid off.

The Philadelphia Phillies open up their season on Thursday at 4:05pm in Texas against the Rangers, as the most anticipated season in over a decade begins in earnest. It’s a year with great expectations, amazing new talent, a difficult division, and incredible moments just waiting to happen. Ahead of the team taking the field, let’s take a look at the players who are projected to – the official opening day roster has not yet been released – be the ones making those moments a reality in Philly this year.

Realmuto will once again be the starting catcher. BCIB.

Stubbs played a solid backup to Realmuto last season, and is expected to again this year.

Hall will most likely be the main starting 1^st baseman with Rhys Hoskins’ ACL injury.

Stott shifts to 2^nd for the 2023 season with a new addition at shortstop, he’ll start in the middle for the Phils.

The Phillies’ biggest offseason addition, and arguably the best shortstop in baseball, Turner starts his tenure as a mainstay in the middle of the Phils’ infield.

Bohm had an awesome spring, and the Phillies will be looking for their young starting 3^rd baseman to make a big jump this season.

Sosa is a utility player extraordinaire, who could probably start on some MLB teams. For the Phillies, he’ll be the first infielder off the bench and may even see some outfield time.

The wily vet of the infield, Harrison is a defensive specialist who will see a share of innings as either a spot starter or a defensive replacement late in games.

Schwarber will be starting for the Phils again, whether it’s LF or DH. The NL home run champ from last year is looking for another big year.

With a strong offseason behind him, Marsh looks for an improved year as the Phillies’ everyday starter in center.

With Bryce Harper injured, Nick Castellanos will start in RF for the Phils, and he is looking for a bounce back year from a forgetful 2022.

Cave had an outstanding spring training, and earned a spot as an outfield depth piece on this roster. He may also DH with Darick Hall starting at 1B.

Guthrie may not have made this roster without the Rhys Hoskins injury, but the team still has confidence in the young outfielder to be a serviceable defensive backup.

Your opening day starter for the 6^th straight year.

Wheeler is back for hopefully another dominant season.

Walker comes to Philly from the NY Mets via free agency, and is one of the more underrated offseason acquisitions in all of baseball.

With Ranger Suarez’s injury setback, Falter is set to slot into the 4^th spot in the rotation to start the season.

Strahm, who was signed this offseason as a bullpen piece, will be forced into the 5^th starter role due to the Suarez injury. The last time he was a bona fide starter was with the San Diego Padres back in 2019.

Armed with a contract extension, Dominguez has a chance to be the team’s set closer this season.

Soto is probably the other guy in contention for the closer role this season after the Phillies traded for him from the Detroit Tigers.

Also extended this offseason, Alvarado looks to build on an outstanding 2022 campaign.

The long time closer may not close for the Phillies, but he’s still a more than serviceable bullpen arm.

Brogdon is back, and this year he has a mustache. Can’t have a bad year with a mustache.

Bellatti was the breakout bullpen arm of 2022, and has now solidified his roster spot for 2023.

Marte was acquired this offseason from the San Francisco Giants, and he will be pushed into a bullpen role, at least until the starting rotation turns to strength.

Vasquez is unproven, but had a solid spring and showed off some good stuff. He’s the least proven of this year’s staff.