The season has begun and there have been ups and downs already. This is the time to find some positives on the Phillies, and it’s not that hard to find…
Bryson Stott is turning into the player that everyone thought he could be. A player that can hit for average, get on base, score runs, the whole thing….Is he there yet? Well, I don’t know about a Hall of Fame career, but he has been a sparkplug for this Phillies team that has needed him badly in the early going. Stott has opened eyes so much that he has been moved to the leadoff spot. He sees the ball well and sees a lot of pitches in his at-bats. Which is huge for that guy on deck or sitting in the dugout). He has also proven he could lay down a bunt here and there.
Stott has been steady at second base as well. Working with a veteran like Trea Turner could only make him better as time continues. Stott at this time has a 16-game hitting streak. Capped by a leadoff homer in Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon. Through 16 games, he has 27 hits and carries a .380 BA into Chicago. He has come into his own. In a world with a lot of question marks surrounding young players, Stott has opened up a lot of eyes and has become a force at the top of the Phillies lineup.
I do not have to look very far to find a second positive, this time let’s head to the bullpen. Jose Alvarado, just the name should bring fear to opposing hitters. Alvarado brings a 100 mph fastball with lots of finish, along with a cutter that would make Mariano Rivera proud. If we can think back to 2022 when he was sent down to work on some things because he was ineffective at the big league level. He came back with a vengeance, he was spectacular at the end of ’22 and has started this season with outlandish numbers.
Alvarado is a strikeout machine, (6.1 IP, 16 K’s). No that is not a typo. He may very well have the best stuff in baseball, and he is now proving it on a daily basis. As a fan, you have to love when Alvarado grabs the ball, as in the Bugs Bunny cartoon, 1-2-3 strikes you’re out !!!!!
The Phillies will continue to grow in 2023, but it is nice to know guys are stepping up in a big way and these two have done that to a “T”!
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This one was easy, but doesn’t totally fit the narrative. Unlike outfielders and starting pitchers, the Phillies have been successful with catchers. Boone, Dutch Daulton, Ruiz, and now JT Realmuto. All have been a part of a World Series, and all have been vital parts of the team. Unfortunately for Lieberthal, who played 13 seasons with the Phillies and is now on the Wall of Fame, he came in during the 94 season and left before the Phillies won the division in 2007. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport You are laughing. I know you are. But in the late 90s when the Phillies were bottom feeders, Brogna was a dim bright spot. He hit at least 20 home runs in each of his 3 full seasons with the Phillies and drove in over 100 runs twice. After leaving the Phillies he hit 4 home runs and only had 29 RBI. Something about the Vet helped Brogna’s career. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport Scott Rolen would be the obvious answer here, but people remember Rolen. Heck, the dude is being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. So the guy that fits this conversation is Polanco. A guy who had two stints with the Phillies. He ushered in Chase Utley to second base in the early 2000s, and then came back to play third base. When I ask you to name third baseman in Phillies franchise history, your first, second, third, or fourth thought would be Polanco. In total, his 7 seasons with the Phillies were productive but didn’t lead to anything big. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) If you are my age, you’ve had it good at shortstop. Jimmy Rollins for over a decade and now Trea Turner. You can’t go wrong there. But there was a shortstop in between who wasn’t bad (except when he came back) and that is Freddy Galvis. A guy who played almost every game had enough pop to hit 20 home runs, and was an excellent fielder. Do I miss Galvis? Absolutely not. Was he a decent ball player during the bad days of the Phillies post 07-11? Yes. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) Kenny Lofton played one season here. One. You forget that he played with the Phillies. When you look at what he did, you are amazed that you forget what he did. In 2005 Lofton hit 335, THREE THIRTY-FIVE. He didn’t hit bombs, he didn’t drive in runs, but he was a staple at the top of the order for a young team. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) I will start with Rowand. You will always remember Aaron Rowand, but only for the catch where he broke his nose. In 2007, the guy did way more than just that. He hit .309 and smashed 27 home runs. If it wasn’t for Shane Victorino, Rowand is your centerfielder when they win the World Series in 2008. After leaving Philly and going to the Giants, he was a mediocre player. But that 2007 season got him paid, and the Phillies finally won the division. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) Last but not least, and definitely not least, even though he gets 0 respect from Phillies fans, Bobby Abreu. I have him in this just so he gets a little love. A bubble Hall of Famer, a guy you could pencil in for 20-30 home runs and 80-100 RBI every single year. He was a great baseball player, 5 tool, and just played with bad Phillies teams. In 9 seasons with the Phillies, he finished hitting over 300. Someone that gets no respect but deserves it. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)8 Philadelphia Phillies Who Were Good, That We May Forget
Catcher- Mike Lieberthal
First Base - Rico Brogna
3B- Placido Polanco (Screw You Scott Rolen)
SS- Freddy Galvis
Outfield- Kenny Lofton
Outfield- Aaron Rowand
Outfield- Bobby Abreu
