We’re again as soon as once more with the 97.3 ESPN Phillies Mailbag. The Commerce Deadline is behind us and the Phillies head down the stretch having added all that they will. Textual content a query into The Mike Gill present anytime at 609-403-0973.
As a lot as Alec Bohm has been the discuss of trades, does Bryson Stott want to select it up as a way to keep in Philly? Appears like Edmundo Sosa has been getting extra time.
~Dave
The Phillies younger infield duo of Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott have had some actually spectacular stretches of their Phillies profession. And I feel it is honest to say that each have had some disappointing stretches as effectively. I feel proper now you are seeing one from Stott.
Each high-contact bats, we now have seen Bohm play his manner onto an All-Star recreation and likewise play his manner onto the bench within the playoffs. Stott performed his manner into the leadoff spot but in addition manner down into the order. And now, he is dropping taking part in time to Edmundo Sosa.
First, we all know that Bohm goes to be out no less than one other double weeks. That implies that Sosa goes to play more often than not.
When Bohm returns, that might enable Sosa to play second base on the times that the Phillies face a left-handed pitcher. I might assume that’s the proper transfer to make.
And past this season, I feel that each of their futures is doubtful.
Stott’s glove has been the one regular a part of his recreation. You noticed his glove work on Sunday evening specifically in serving to the Phillies shut out the Tigers. Stott has two extra years remaining in his contract.
Bohm, in the meantime, could possibly be a commerce candidate this offseason since he’s heading into his remaining season of Phillies management.
However the Phillies might actually determine to maneuver on from each gamers, regardless that just one is coming into his remaining contractual season. Although I doubt it might be subsequent 12 months, prime offensive prospect Aidan Miller might issue into one of many infield positions.
Sosa has yet another 12 months of management remaining, and I feel he is a superb wager to stay round. The Phillies might had one of many positions to Sosa subsequent 12 months hoping that Miller will rise sooner, or, preserve him as a stopgap.
I might say this: I would like to see Sosa at third base on the times Cristopher Sanchez pitches. Sanchez has a excessive floor ball charge (round 55% final I noticed) and I feel Sosa’s glove is useful at third base these days.
Why is Justin Crawford not in Philly but? Why is Max Kepler nonetheless right here?
~Greg
I’ll admit, I assumed that Justin Crawford can be moved in a commerce or that he can be a Phillie come August 1. However August 1 has come and gone and Crawford stays on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. I feel there’s a signal that that is coming quickly, although.
Johan Rojas was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after the strikes. As soon as Rojas reported, the lineup card had Rojas in middle area, not left area.
Crawford was in left.
That leads me to consider that the Phillies are discerning the best spot for Crawford, who has principally performed middle area. He has made 60 begins there and 19 in left area.
Left area additionally occurs to be the place the place Max Kepler performs. Heart area is the place new acquisition Harrison Bader gained a Rawlings Gold Glove award in 2021. Heart is Bader’s main place, although whereas with the Minnesota Twins he performed left area to accommodate Byron Buxton.
Talking of Kepler, Phillie smanager Rob Thomson stated he was making good contact as of late, when a reporter inquired about his standing. However in his final 30 video games, Kepler is batting simply .156 with a .478 OPS. That can’t proceed.
Thomson did say forward of the Detroit Tigers sequence that Kepler and Bader would every begin “half of the subsequent six video games.” I would not be shocked if after that, the Phillies decided.
Crawford has persistently hit above the .300 mark for 3 seasons straight. Some surprise if his excessive floor ball charge won’t translate to as many hits dealing with a serious league protection. However maybe working with hitting coach Kevin Lengthy can be fruitful for Crawford.
I feel his day is coming quickly.
Why did the Phillies commerce for Harrison Bader solely to not begin him?
~Gerry
The one offensive addition the Phillies made on the July 31 commerce deadline was centerfielder Harrison Bader. For a group that wanted offense, it didn’t sound like too horny a transfer. Many followers held onto hope the remaining 5 hours till the commerce deadline that the Phillies would add one other bat.
It seems that for now, the Phillies view Bader as primarily a platoon bat.
Bader’s platoon associate shouldn’t be Max Kepler in left area, however as an alternative the platoon associate for Brandon Marsh in middle. As I discussed beforehand, Bader is a 2021 Rawlings Gold Glove award winner, a season wherein he performed completely middle area with the St. Louis Cardinals.
That is extra about Marsh. Marsh’s bat has been higher as of late, significantly towards right-handed pitching. However Marsh’s bat is sizzling.
In his final seven video games, Marsh is batting .421 with an .842 slugging %. He has not walked, so his OPS is 1.263 throughout that span.
I feel that Marsh will preserve his taking part in time towards righties except he struggles once more. Bader may have the opposite half (his OPS is moderately related towards each this 12 months).
Ought to Crawford supplant Kepler and play day by day, I like that outfield higher than what the Phillies have occurring proper now.
It isn’t an enormous, horny bat – and I’m not certain there was one to be discovered that was a superb match – but it surely ought to do the trick.
