Philadelphia Phillies ST Stock Watch: Which Players Are on Fire and Slumping?

With Opening Day less than a month away and a full week of spring training games in the books, the Philadelphia Phillies’ roster is taking shape.

Few spots are actually up for grabs on the Opening Day roster, but players are still able to position themselves for early season call-ups.

As for the players already projected to make the Opening Day roster, they must now prove that they are progressing towards being ready for Game No. 1, or risk losing their grip on a roster spot as spring training progresses.

So far players such as Ryan Howard and Domonic Brown are giving fans a glimpse as to what the middle of the Phillies’ lineup may look like this season. 

At the same time, players such as Jonathan Papelbon and Jeremy Horst are serving as reminders that spring training is still used for working out the kinks.

Plenty of time still exists, but each poor performance from one player allows another to improve his stock.

This list features players that had high chances of making the major league roster prior to the start of spring training. 

Spring training statistics may not matter once the regular season begins, but they give an indication as to how players are progressing towards Opening Day.

Here is the Phillies’ stock watch for players that are either on fire or slumping.

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Full Scouting Reports for Each Philadelphia Phillies Prospect at Spring Training

Spring training this year is providing the Philadelphia Phillies with an opportunity to view the young prospects hoping to become a part of the team, and the veterans looking to put 2012 in their rearview mirror.

However, this year’s camp doesn’t just include prospects who are still a few years away from the major leagues. 

Instead, several are currently in camp who could potentially end up on the Opening Day roster, earn a call-up during the season or make their case for a chance to replace an impending free agent next season.

Regardless of the situation for each prospect in camp, now is their opportunity to prove that they can hold their own with and against major league talent.

This list features 15 players who have always been considered prospects, or who used tremendous 2012 campaigns to earn the label.

Here are scouting reports for each of these Phillies’ prospects at spring training.

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Domonic Brown’s Fast Start Could Help Him Earn Starting Job with Phillies Soon

Remember last month when the possibility existed that the Philadelphia Phillies could use a double-platoon for their corner outfield spots, rather than naming a starter at each position heading into spring training?

Although the eventual signing of Delmon Young made it appear as if the Phillies had their candidate for an everyday right fielder, left field was still a mystery.  And following news from Jim Salisbury on CSNPhilly.com that Young could not only miss Opening Day, but also much of April, it appeared as if both corner outfield spots were back up for grabs.

That is, unless Domonic Brown continues with his strong early showing.

The Phillies have only played four spring training games, but manager Charlie Manuel recently spoke on the outfield situation in an article by David Murphy on Philly.com, and made sure he mentioned Brown’s name when it came to which players could claim spots early.

We’ve got 10 outfielders, and somewhere along the line, probably about two-thirds of the way through spring training, we’re going to have to make decisions on at least four of them, Manuel said.  We’re going to try to get them all some playing time where we can see them enough.  If somebody jumps out and really gets going, like Brown right now, the last three days he’s really swung good.  He’s played good in the outfield, things like that.  We could settle on a guy or something.

 

Again, it’s still very early in camp.  But another week of strong performances, similar to the one he had today, could allow Brown to see his name officially penciled into a starting corner outfield spot.

Brown hit his second home run in four spring training games against the New York Yankees today, and now has three hits in seven at-bats this spring. 

Manuel is not the only member of the Phillies who has been encouraged by Brown so far.  In another article by David Murphy on Philly.com, it is noted that both Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard believe in Brown’s ability this season, and may already think it’s time to give him an everyday starting job.

Brown may not have many opportunities left with the Phillies.  In 147 career games over the last three seasons, Brown has a career average of .236 to go with 12 home runs and 58 RBI.  However, his two home runs already this spring are nearly half his total from a year ago in the major leagues.

With Ben Revere already locked into the starting center field job and John Mayberry, Jr. and Laynce Nix serving as better options off the bench rather than starters, Brown and Darin Ruf give the Phillies two young players with the potential to win starting outfield jobs. 

Once Young returns, both players could also be candidates for being sent down to the minor leagues depending on how they have performed up until that point. 

Throw in Rule 5 draft pick Ender Inciarte, and the Phillies have an even more interesting situation in their outfield.

However, this situation could also mean that the team is hoping at least one player will step up early and earn a starting job, regardless of whether Young is on the roster.

Following his monster home run today, Brown has certainly gotten off to the type of start that the team was hoping for early.  

If Brown is able to keep this fast start going, he could soon earn a starting job for Opening Day, something he has never received.

Since debuting in 2010, Brown has experienced two vastly different situations with the Phillies.  In 2011, Brown had an opportunity to remain as the Phils‘ everyday right fielder, before a .165 batting average in June led to the Phillies acquiring Hunter Pence a month later.  Last season, Brown was not called-up until Pence was traded to the San Francisco Giants in late July.  Following his promotion, Brown batted .235 while playing in an outfield that looked much different after the trade deadline.

In 2011, Brown played on a Phillies team that was on pace to win a franchise record number of games, and win the National League East by 13 games.  Last season he played on a Phillies team that finished 17 games back of first place. 

Playing in these situations allowed Brown to play on a team with little pressure on it during the regular season due to a strong lead in the standings, and on a team that, except for a late season charge at the second wild card spot, was hardly in playoff contention.  Two very different situations, yet two situations that were not as high pressured as some the Phillies have seen in recent seasons. 

However, despite the lack of pressure, Brown was unable to earn and maintain an everyday starter’s job in the outfield.

This year, with an open competition for the corner outfield spots, Brown has a third chance to claim a starting outfield job.

Although the returns are still very early, it appears as if the third time might be the charm.

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Early Projections for Philadelphia Phillies’ Final 25-Man Roster

The Philadelphia Phillies have five days left before their first official spring training game, and the first opportunity for players to begin winning or losing roster spots for the upcoming season.

The Phillies still have far more questions than answers at this point as to which players will start, claim final roster spots and remain healthy throughout the season.

Soon, however, players will have a chance to see whether an offseason’s worth of preparation was enough to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.

The starting rotation and infield has already been locked in, and four out of a likely seven bullpen spots have been claimed.  As for the outfield, the question marks now surround which players will start, rather than which players will make the initial roster.

In total, six position players have starting jobs already nailed down, joining five starting pitchers and four relievers with guaranteed jobs.  Additionally, John Mayberry, Jr. and Kevin Frandsen may not be in the starting lineup, but both are out of minor league options, meaning that the Phils would have to risk either player being claimed on waivers if they were to option them to the minor leagues.

That leaves primarily the bullpen, bench and possibly an additional outfield spot up for grabs as games get underway in less than a week.

The Phillies will soon have to monitor the health and progression of players in camp, as well as the performances of certain players in the World Baseball Classic, in order to put their Opening Day roster together.

Before Grapefruit League games begin, however, here are the early projections for the final 25-man roster that the Phillies will take to Atlanta to begin the 2013 season.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Options If Kendrick or Lannan Need Replacements

The Philadelphia Phillies’ pitchers and catchers are set to have their first official workouts today, beginning the process of answering a handful of questions before the regular season begins.

Is Roy Halladay 100 percent healthy?  Who will claim the last four spots in the bullpen?  Which pitcher will get the nod on Opening Day?

However, some more decisions may have to be made once the regular season gets underway.

Although Kyle Kendrick and John Lannan are seemingly set to take the No. 4 and 5 spots in the Phillies’ starting rotation, neither has inspired the type of optimism throughout their careers like fellow starters Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Halladay have.

Kendrick tied a career high with 11 wins last season and had a career-best 116 strikeouts.  This was largely due to a tremendous late-season stretch that saw him go 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA and 47 strikeouts in August and September.

However, Kendrick also had a 6.96 ERA in six June starts, going 1-4 while allowing 25 earned runs in 32.1 innings as opponents batted .305 against him.

Lannan, meanwhile, only made six major league starts last season after getting bumped from the Washington Nationals’ starting rotation. Although he won at least eight games in each season from 2008-11, he also has a 4.16 ERA in his last 64 major league starts.

Both pitchers have had performances throughout their careers that could allow them to make for tremendous options as No. 4 and 5 starters, but they are also playing a position in which minor-league talent may soon be major-league ready.

Starting pitching is one of the positions the Phillies have minor-league depth at, which could make for some interesting decisions should Kendrick or Lannan struggle throughout the regular season.

If the Phillies decide that a replacement is needed at some point, here are five options that could make a case for a spot in the starting rotation.

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Putting Together Philadelphia Phillies’ Best Defensive Lineup

The Philadelphia Phillies were one of the best defensive teams in the National League during their streak of division titles from 2007 through 2011.

Last season was a different story.

The Phillies’ 101 total errors in 2012, 27 more than the team committed in 2011, left them tied with the New York Mets for ninth most in the National League. 

Late last season, Matthew Leach on mlb.com provided more insight into the Phillies’ defensive woes . Leach pointed out that errors do not provide the full story.  Players must actually attempt to make a play in the first place.  Errors only provide a small glimpse into a player’s defensive ability.

Having athletes in the outfield capable of getting to the ball is often just as important as their offensive production. Philadelphia learned that after trading center fielder Shane Victorino last season.

With Ben Revere set to take over in center field, the Phils should see an improvement in at least one area.  Other positions, however, could feature players that cause fans to hold their breath when the ball is hit their way.

The following lineup does not take into account a player’s offense but, instead, their ability on defense. These players are the Phillies their best defensive options at each position.

With that being said, here is the Phillies’ best defensive lineup.

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Philadelphia Phillies: What Does Chad Durbin’s Signing Mean for Phils’ Bullpen?

Doesn’t this seem familiar?  For the second consecutive offseason, Philadelphia Phillies‘ general manager, Ruben Amaro, Jr., has added an outfielder and a reliever with just a few weeks to go until the start of spring training.

Kind of like the impulse buying that takes place in the checkout aisle with all those packs of gum staring back at you.

While the addition of Delmon Young on a one-year, $750,000 deal adds another outfielder to the mix, Young still does not give the Phils a definitive starter at either of the corner outfield spots.

The team’s latest addition has seemingly already been given a spot on the 25-man roster.

The Phillies recently signed right-handed reliever Chad Durbin to a one-year, $1.1 million deal that includes an option for 2014. 

Durbin bounced back from a 5.53 ERA in 2011 to go 4-1 with 49 strikeouts and a 3.10 ERA in 76 games last season. 

What’s more impressive, however, is how he held right-handed batters to a .206 average.  During the past three seasons combined, Durbin has racked up 171 strikeouts in 198 innings.

Matt Gelb on Philly.com recently wrote that the Phillies’ Opening Day payroll could be at its lowest total since the 2010 season, although the article was published before Durbin’s signing.  Gelb also wrote that the Phils were about $11 million under the luxury tax threshold.  With Durbin and his $1.1 million salary in the fold, the Phillies should still have their lowest payroll since 2010, and should have just under $10 million to go before hitting the tax threshold.

At that price and with plenty of payroll room for a smaller scale signing, such a deal shouldn’t hurt the Phillies financially.  However, Durbin’s signing does take away a spot from a reliever previously expected to have a good shot at being in the team’s Opening Day bullpen.

Todd Zolecki on the Phillies’ website provided a glimpse as to which bullpen spots are all but locked up and how many are up for grabs:

Durbin is expected to join a bullpen that includes closer Jonathan Papelbon, setup man Mike Adams and left-hander Antonio Bastardo.  His arrival means that there likely will be three jobs available in the bullpen, which should make for an interesting competition in Spring Training.

Those three remaining spots will likely be fought for by Phillippe Aumont, Justin De Fratus, Jake Diekman, Jeremy Horst, Michael Stutes and Raul Valdes. 

But only half of this list will make the Opening Day roster.

Prior to Durbin’s signing, the Phillies seemingly had room in their bullpen for both Stutes and Aumont, with two more left-handers joining Bastardo.  Now, however, at least one of these players will likely be left out when the team breaks camp for the start of the season.

Stutes may have an advantage if he can remain healthy throughout spring training, and if his performances resemble those of 2011.  Prior to pitching in just six games and having rotator cuff surgery last season, Stutes had a 3.63 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 62 innings in 2011.

If he can remain healthy, Stutes may also benefit from Aumont missing time from camp to represent Canada in the World Basic Classic.  Despite showing great promise after being called-up last season, Aumont now appears to be on the outside looking in when it comes to the final bullpen spots. 

Aumont struck out 14 batters in 14.2 innings last season after being called-up in late August.

Durbin’s addition could have less of an impact on left-handed relievers fighting to win bullpen spots behind Bastardo. 

Diekman had 35 strikeouts in 27.1 innings and only gave up one home run, but finished with a 3.95 ERA.  Horst struck out 40 batters in 31.1 innings and had an outstanding 1.15 ERA, but, after coming over last offseason in a trade for Wilson Valdez, he will also have to prove that he can match these numbers in consecutive seasons.  Valdes had 35 strikeouts in 31 innings and had a 2.90 ERA, but has only appeared in 40 major league games in the past two seasons combined.

Behind Bastardo, only two of these relievers will likely make the Opening Day roster, unless the Phillies decide to carry five right-handed relievers.

After filling their need for a right-handed eighth inning reliever by signing Mike Adams earlier in the offseason, the Phillies could have left the bullpen alone and used minor signings to bring more pitchers to camp.

With a veteran right-hander in the mix, adding an experienced left-handed reliever would have made sense, but adding another right-hander seems to be a case of Amaro trying to add value at a low cost.  In Zolecki’s article, as previously mentioned, Amaro is also quoted as saying that Durbin’s experience is something he brings to the team that the other, young relievers, cannot.

The Phillies used 19 different pitchers in relief roles last season, which means that the players serving in the seven bullpen spots can change multiple times this season.

And, after last season, it’s difficult to argue with having more experienced and proven relievers in the mix.

But signing Durbin to a major league deal means that at least one young reliever has even more work cut out for him in order to start the season on the Opening Day roster.   

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Latest News on Every Injured Philadelphia Phillies Player

Last season, the Philadelphia Phillies and “injuries” were mentioned all too often in the same sentence.

Throughout the year, more than half of the Phillies’ 25-man roster spent time on the disabled list.  A total of 285 games were missed just by players who would have been Opening Day starters, if healthy, due to time on the DL.

But what about this season?

The Phillies’ lack of major spending this offseason could be a result of the question marks surrounding the health of key players currently on the roster.  Few free agents would have made a significant difference, even with players such as Chase Utley and Ryan Howard on the disabled list.

However, with an injury-free lineup and a healthy Roy Halladay in the starting rotation, the Phillies’ offseason moves could make for ideal complementary pieces.

With key players nearing free agency, having a healthy 2013 is now even more important for both the individual player, and the team.

The offseason is taking its final turn towards the start of spring training, so let’s take a look at the latest news on every injured Phillies player.

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A Timeline of Philadelphia Phillies’ Offseason Moves and Non-Moves

With less than three weeks to go until spring training begins, the Philadelphia Phillies are putting the finishing touches on an offseason that saw its share of moves and non-moves.

The Phillies essentially began creating holes that needed to be filled following their moves at the July non-waiver trade deadline, and entered this offseason with plenty of options but few courses of action that guaranteed success.

Even with this in mind, some of their decisions may still have come as surprises.

Despite several free agent center fielders available, the Phillies looked to the trade market to acquire Ben Revere from the Minnesota Twins, creating a hole in their starting rotation in the process.  Although Kevin Frandsen and Freddy Galvis remain on the roster, the Phillies acquired Michael Young from the Texas Rangers to take over at third base.

And, according to CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies recently signed Delmon Young, proving that they weren’t finished making moves just yet.

However, for each player that the Phils acquired, multiple other options existed in players who either signed elsewhere or priced themselves out of the Phillies price range.

Here is a timeline of the moves and non-moves from this offseason that have led to the 2013 Phillies squad that will soon take the field in spring training.

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5 Offseason Moves Philadelphia Phillies Should Have Made

At this point in the offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies, like all teams, are finalizing their roster and checking to see whether more competition can be added to create position battles in spring training.

With the exception of an additional corner outfielder, the Phillies hit all of their needs this offseason, although just how well they filled each hole cannot be determined until the season begins.

In the meantime, however, we can review an offseason’s worth of transactions to see which moves the Phillies could have made, but decided to go in a different direction.

These players did not receive an offer from the Phils, chose a different deal instead or were dealt to another team. Regardless, each player fills a need that could have helped to further improve the team heading into next season.

Here are five offseason moves the Phillies should have made.

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