Freddy Galvis is getting plenty of playing time in preparation for Opening Day. Charlie Manuel had him leading off yesterday against Baltimore in a 4-1 win. Galvis was just 1-for-5, but he made the 1 count.
Deadlocked in a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning, Galvis laced an RBI triple, bringing Michael Martinez around to score and putting the Phillies on top for good. Galvis also struck out twice.
Roy Halladay was solid after a very bad outing that led to speculation that something was wrong with him and his velocity was down. He went six strong, allowing one run on three hits with no walks and five strikeouts. Jonathan Papelbon, Michael Stues and David Herndon each tossed a scorless inning.
The Phils are off today before visiting the Toronto Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon. Cliff Lee will take the ball with Chad Qualls and Jose Contreras also expected to pitch.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
A look at Freddy Galvis, your Opening Day Second Baseman
Freddy Galvis was thwarted into an even larger spotlight yesterday afternoon at Bright House Field as news of Chase Utley's departure from camp swirled. Unless Ruben Amaro Jr. can find the right deal in the next two weeks, Galvis is the Phillies' Opening Day second baseman.
It's not what anyone wanted, anyone not named Galvis anyway, but having him at their disposal is a luxury. Galvis is not going to be a liability for the club. He's an excellent defensive player and has great baseball sense. Naturally a shortstop, he made the transition to second base instantly and flawlessly. Everyone raves about his glove. But can he hit?
That's been the question. This spring he's been very good at the plate, going 11-for-39 (.282) with six runs, two doubles, one triple, one home run, ten RBI, two walks, three strikeouts, one stolen base and no caught stealing. Each of the previous two springs with the Phils, Galvis bat .182. It's certainly safe to say he's progressing as a hitter. But this is only spring training.
Last year, in time spent between AA and AAA, he had a career year, batting .278 with 78 runs, 28 doubles, five triples, eight home runs, 43 RBI, 23 steals and 13 caught stealing. Nearly every stat was a career high. He's a career .246 hitter in the minors.
Galvis is not likely to hit at the .282 clip in which he's currently batting in the big leagues during the regular season, but his ceiling is extremely high and he's clearly maturing as a hitter after every at bat. That bodes well for distressed Phillies' fans. There's a good chance we've all seen the last of the real Chase Utley. Start buying your Galvis T-shirts; he has the potential to become a fan favorite.
It's not what anyone wanted, anyone not named Galvis anyway, but having him at their disposal is a luxury. Galvis is not going to be a liability for the club. He's an excellent defensive player and has great baseball sense. Naturally a shortstop, he made the transition to second base instantly and flawlessly. Everyone raves about his glove. But can he hit?
That's been the question. This spring he's been very good at the plate, going 11-for-39 (.282) with six runs, two doubles, one triple, one home run, ten RBI, two walks, three strikeouts, one stolen base and no caught stealing. Each of the previous two springs with the Phils, Galvis bat .182. It's certainly safe to say he's progressing as a hitter. But this is only spring training.
Last year, in time spent between AA and AAA, he had a career year, batting .278 with 78 runs, 28 doubles, five triples, eight home runs, 43 RBI, 23 steals and 13 caught stealing. Nearly every stat was a career high. He's a career .246 hitter in the minors.
Galvis is not likely to hit at the .282 clip in which he's currently batting in the big leagues during the regular season, but his ceiling is extremely high and he's clearly maturing as a hitter after every at bat. That bodes well for distressed Phillies' fans. There's a good chance we've all seen the last of the real Chase Utley. Start buying your Galvis T-shirts; he has the potential to become a fan favorite.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Utley leaves camp, all but ruled out for opener
We've seen this story unfold before. Chase Utley not on the field. Utley says don't panic. Ruben Amaro Jr. says he's fine and will be on the field Opening Day. This has been the plan all along. Stop overreacting everyone. It all sounds great; until it doesn't.
Utley has left camp to go see a specialist regarding the tendinitis in his knee that has prevented him from even fielding ground-balls this spring. Amaro finally admitted it is unlikely that Utley will be on the field on Opening Day. Rookie Freddy Galvis is likely to start in Utley's absence.
It looks like Utley will start the season the disabled list for the second straight season. This was considered by many to big a big year for Chase, who had career lows in just about every statistical category, to see if he could bounce back from injury and return to the all star player he once was. That notion is in serious doubt. There's a good chance we've seen the last of Chase Utley; at least the Chase Utley we used to know.
Utley has left camp to go see a specialist regarding the tendinitis in his knee that has prevented him from even fielding ground-balls this spring. Amaro finally admitted it is unlikely that Utley will be on the field on Opening Day. Rookie Freddy Galvis is likely to start in Utley's absence.
It looks like Utley will start the season the disabled list for the second straight season. This was considered by many to big a big year for Chase, who had career lows in just about every statistical category, to see if he could bounce back from injury and return to the all star player he once was. That notion is in serious doubt. There's a good chance we've seen the last of Chase Utley; at least the Chase Utley we used to know.
Hamels, Contreras roughed up by Jays
Cole Hamels was roughed up in yesterday's 10-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Hamels allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits over 3.1 innings. He's been sharp this spring, and wasn't worried about the outing saying, "I was very happy with what I was able to do today. I thought I thew a lot of really good pitches."
Manager Charlie Manuel shared that sediment, "He was all right. He was working on his change and his cutter. He's fine. He'll be ready."
Jose Contreras, who pitched in just 14 innings last season, made his spring debut. He lasted just one-third of an inning, allowing four runs on four hits with one strikeout.
It was a big step for the 40-year-old, on his way back from elbow surgery. Hopefully he can progress along to the point where can contribute to the bullpen in 2012.
Scott Elarton is getting his first start of the spring against Max Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers this afternoon. In eight innings this spring, Elarton has allowed four runs on five hits, one walk and one home run with five strikeouts. Opponents are batting .185 against him. The Phillies are home, and it remains to be seen if Detroit's big boys, Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, will make the trip.
Hamels allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits over 3.1 innings. He's been sharp this spring, and wasn't worried about the outing saying, "I was very happy with what I was able to do today. I thought I thew a lot of really good pitches."
Manager Charlie Manuel shared that sediment, "He was all right. He was working on his change and his cutter. He's fine. He'll be ready."
Jose Contreras, who pitched in just 14 innings last season, made his spring debut. He lasted just one-third of an inning, allowing four runs on four hits with one strikeout.
It was a big step for the 40-year-old, on his way back from elbow surgery. Hopefully he can progress along to the point where can contribute to the bullpen in 2012.
Scott Elarton is getting his first start of the spring against Max Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers this afternoon. In eight innings this spring, Elarton has allowed four runs on five hits, one walk and one home run with five strikeouts. Opponents are batting .185 against him. The Phillies are home, and it remains to be seen if Detroit's big boys, Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, will make the trip.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Halladay roughed up by Twins
The Doc was not in yesterday.
Roy Halladay was not Roy Halladay, allowing five runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings against Minnesota. He walked a batter and struck out three. Josh Willingham hit a solo shot off Halladay in the first inning, and Chris Parmelee crushed a three-run shot in the third.
Halladay's spring ERA ballooned up to 10.57. Is anyone worried though? I didn't think so.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless inning, allowing a hit and a walk with one strikeout.
Jimmy Rollins went 0-for-3 on the day, dropping his spring average to .217. Shane Victorino went 1-for-4 but struck out twice and left three runners on. He's batting .231.
Placido Polanco and Carlos Ruiz continued swinging a hot bat; Polly was 2-for-4 with an RBI, keeping his average at .500. Chooch was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk, raising his average to .600.
The Phillies have split-squad games today. They'll host the Braves with Joe Blanton starting on the mound, and will visit the Rays where Joel Pineiro gets the nod.
Roy Halladay was not Roy Halladay, allowing five runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings against Minnesota. He walked a batter and struck out three. Josh Willingham hit a solo shot off Halladay in the first inning, and Chris Parmelee crushed a three-run shot in the third.
Halladay's spring ERA ballooned up to 10.57. Is anyone worried though? I didn't think so.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless inning, allowing a hit and a walk with one strikeout.
Jimmy Rollins went 0-for-3 on the day, dropping his spring average to .217. Shane Victorino went 1-for-4 but struck out twice and left three runners on. He's batting .231.
Placido Polanco and Carlos Ruiz continued swinging a hot bat; Polly was 2-for-4 with an RBI, keeping his average at .500. Chooch was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk, raising his average to .600.
The Phillies have split-squad games today. They'll host the Braves with Joe Blanton starting on the mound, and will visit the Rays where Joel Pineiro gets the nod.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Hamels Strong, Brown Homers
Cole Hamels had another strong outing yesterday in a 6-5 loss to Houston. Hamels went five innings, allowing one run on four hits with no walks and four strikeouts.
Domonic Brown hit his first home run of the spring, untying the game in the 10th inning, before Brian Bixler hit a walk-off three-run shot in the bottom of the tenth for Houston. Brown struggled once again in the field, making his second error of the spring and botching a few other plays. He continues to frustrate the Phillies with his defensive problems.
Roy Halladay takes the mound today against the Twins. Jonathan Papelbon is also scheduled to pitch.
Some notable player stats thus far:
John Mayberry Jr.- 5-for-26 (.192) 2 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 SB, 2 CS.
Scott Podsednik- 8-for-25 (.320) 3 2B, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 SB, 0 CS.
Hunter Pence- 7-for-24 (.292) 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K.
Freddy Galvis- 8-for-22 (.364) 2 2B, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
Laynce Nix- 4-for-19 (.211) 1 RBI, 5 BB, 5 K
Juan Piere- 5-for-19 (.263) 3 BB, 3 K, 1 SB, 2 CS
Ty Wigginton- 3-for-16 (.188) 2 2B, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K
Placido Polanco- 4-for-8 (.500) 1 RBI
Carlos Ruiz- 4-for-8 (.500) 1 HR, 3 RBI
Domonic Brown- 5-for-16 (.313) 2 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 CS
Domonic Brown hit his first home run of the spring, untying the game in the 10th inning, before Brian Bixler hit a walk-off three-run shot in the bottom of the tenth for Houston. Brown struggled once again in the field, making his second error of the spring and botching a few other plays. He continues to frustrate the Phillies with his defensive problems.
Roy Halladay takes the mound today against the Twins. Jonathan Papelbon is also scheduled to pitch.
Some notable player stats thus far:
John Mayberry Jr.- 5-for-26 (.192) 2 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 SB, 2 CS.
Scott Podsednik- 8-for-25 (.320) 3 2B, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 SB, 0 CS.
Hunter Pence- 7-for-24 (.292) 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K.
Freddy Galvis- 8-for-22 (.364) 2 2B, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
Laynce Nix- 4-for-19 (.211) 1 RBI, 5 BB, 5 K
Juan Piere- 5-for-19 (.263) 3 BB, 3 K, 1 SB, 2 CS
Ty Wigginton- 3-for-16 (.188) 2 2B, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K
Placido Polanco- 4-for-8 (.500) 1 RBI
Carlos Ruiz- 4-for-8 (.500) 1 HR, 3 RBI
Domonic Brown- 5-for-16 (.313) 2 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 CS
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Worley dominates Pirates
Vance Worley took a big step yesterday in a dominant spring outing against Pittsburgh. The rookie of the year candidate last season struggled during his first outing of the spring; heading into a season in which he looks to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.
Worley pitched four perfect innings, retiring all 12 batters he faced, striking out eight of them. He pitched with attitude and swagger, exuding a 'don't mess with me' confidence on the mound. He mixed locations masterfully, one of his strengths last season, and didn't walk a batter.
He faced most of Pittsburgh's regulars, including Nate McLouth and Andrew McCutchen who were a combined 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
Worley pitched four perfect innings, retiring all 12 batters he faced, striking out eight of them. He pitched with attitude and swagger, exuding a 'don't mess with me' confidence on the mound. He mixed locations masterfully, one of his strengths last season, and didn't walk a batter.
He faced most of Pittsburgh's regulars, including Nate McLouth and Andrew McCutchen who were a combined 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
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