After another dismal season, the Philadelphia Phillies are striving to achieve more in the upcoming year following four straight losing seasons. The team’s goals are modest, as they have improved over the years. In 2015, the Phillies recorded 63 wins, followed by a 71-win 2016 season. Manager Pete Mackanin says he aims to reach 81 this year.
The team has been in a rebuilding process since roughly 2012 after a string of immense success, including a World Series title in 2008, which has since come to a close after the departure of Ryan Howard. Mackanin believes he has found a number of players that can truly make a difference on this young Philadelphia roster, adding veteran outfielders Michael Saunders and Howie Kendrick, in addition to right-handed pitcher Clay Buchholz.
The newcomers join an already impressive group with center fielder Odubel Herrera, third baseman Maikel Franco, and shortstop Freddy Galvis, who are intended to be utilized by general manager Matt Klentak. The organization is looking to avoid long-term contracts to see which players fit best in their improving system, and with the best farm system in the MLB, several prospects may be able to fill those positions.
“We might not go from A to Z to the World Series, but I think we can go from A to F, or A to G. We have to start making our move,” stated Mackanin. The Phillies have more experience on the roster, as the younger players (Herrera and Franco) have now completed a full season, and with the veteran presence of Saunders and Kendrick, the team aims to take advantage of the added guidance.
As mentioned, the Phillies’ farm system houses some of the best prospects in baseball. Some of the more promising rookies to keep an eye on include pitchers Vince Velasquez, Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin, and Alec Asher, all of whom are under the age of 25 and have some experience pitching in the major league. Shortstop J.P. Crawford is another player that has caught the attention of scouts around the country, as he is the #4 overall ranking shortstop this year. Though most are not expected to join the Phillies starting lineup this year, they will gain valuable experience in Triple-A, potentially increasing their stock and chances of being called up by the 2018 season.
Mackanin has stressed the importance of adding veteran leadership to the team, seeing as Ryan Howard’s departure has left a gaping hole in that area. However, Mackanin feels strongly that Saunders is a viable replacement. “It’s important to have at least one guy with a professional approach to show the younger guys how to approach situations in games,” Mackanin stated. “Maybe they can put something in somebody’s ear and have (the younger player) say ‘You know, I never thought about it that way.’”
The expectations for this up and coming Philadelphia team is much higher than the previous three seasons. Players who showcased their abilities last season will be looked upon to maintain their levels of success, as well as offer a heightened sense of teamwork. There’s no denying that fans will be expecting more as well, and with the recent addition of former Phillie John Kruk to the broadcasting team, morale may be significantly higher than it has been in the past few seasons.