Friday, February 14, 2020

Who's it Gonna Be?

Position players aren't officially due in Clearwater until next week, but it's never too early to start thinking about the roster that the Phillies end up with once Spring Training is over. MLB rosters will have 26 players this year, and only (?) 13 of them can be pitchers. Injuries are always a thing, but I'm writing this imagining everybody is healthy. So here goes:

Catchers - JT Realmuto, Andrew Knapp
Infielders - Rhys Hoskins, Jean Segura, Didi Gregorius, Scott Kingery, Logan Forsythe, Phil Gosselin
Outfielders - Andrew McCutchen, Adam Haseley, Bryce Harper, Jay Bruce, Roman Quinn
Starting Pitchers - Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Jake Arrieta, Zack Eflin, Nick Pivetta
Bullpen - Seranthony Dominguez, Adam Morgan, Hector Neris, Jose Alvarez, Tommy Hunter, Anthony Swarzak, Garrett Cleavinger, Vince Velasquez

I expect uber prospects Alec Bohm and Spencer Howard will start the season in the minors, unless Bohm absolutely mashes all spring long. If Bohm makes the team, I'd look for the Phils to try and trade Segura and move Kingery to second base.

I put Pivetta in the rotation because for me, Velasquez has always profiled as a reliever and he has trouble lasting more than 5 innings in a start. And Pivetta will be on a short leash with Howard waiting in the minors.  I'm hoping new pitching coach Bryan Price can do something magical with these two, who have all the talent in the world but haven't been anything close to consistent.

Forsythe and Gosselin provide flexibility off the bench. Both can play multiple infield spots as well as some outfield. Non-roster invitees Neil Walker and Josh Harrison also play multiple positions, but it seems like their best days are behind them.

I have Hunter making the team because he signed a Major League contract. Swarzak gets a spot thanks to his ability to induce ground balls, which is a good thing in Citizens Bank Park. And I have Cleavinger on the squad because he throws absolute gas. He struck out 83 hitters last season in AA in just 51.2 innings.

2 comments:

  1. Mine is similar, except I had Irvin making the team instead of Cleavinger and Harrison instead of Forsythe

    ReplyDelete

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