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NYY #23 · 08-06-2012, 05:59 PM

The Phillies finished 61-93 last season, and are coming off their fourth straight losing season. They haven't been to the World Series in 12 seasons, after coming off back to back World Series Championships. They beat my Browns those two years of course, but things haven't been great in Philly.

The owner expects a .500 team, and is mad, and the market size, fan loyalty, and fan interest are all in rough shape.

Their offense scored the 5th most runs in the league, while their starters gave up the most runs in the league, and the Phillies had the worst defense in the league.

I feel that the Phillies have a solid, young top 3 to work with for the pitching staff, with Tom Zachary (16-18, 3.98), Highball Wilson (4-7, 3.38), and Joe Coleman (7-4, 3.36) all younger than 27 and going through growing pains currently. 18 year old Waite Hoyt was the Phillies top pick last year, and is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Offensively Mike Greenwell, Bill Harbridge, and Hank Blalock form a solid core, but defensively we've got some big issues, and need to get stronger up the middle.

My initial thoughts are that Rich Rollins will shift from second base to third base, Blalock from third to first, and Spider Wilhelm can man shortstop. Bill Harbridge is better equipped to play right field, so we'll be looking for a new catcher, second baseman, and center fielder. At this point I'm willing to sacrifice some offense for defense at those positions.

Picking first in the amateur draft I was left with an interesting choice. I'd rank the top three players in the draft starting pitchers, and the choice came down to Peek-A-Boo Veach, John Smoltz, or Tom Seaver. Looking at ratings Veach should be the top choice, but it's really hard to completely forget the "name" players. In the end I can't bring myself to draft Veach over Seaver, so we'll draft Seaver and shortlist Veach and Smoltz to subject myself to future torture.

The second round my scout was pushing for Tim Wakefield, but there is nothing like adding a knuckleball pitcher to a team who already has a poor catcher. I went with second baseman Will Rhymes instead.

Shortstop Tim Foli was our third round pick, followed by relievers Masanori Murakami and Scott Maine.

Eddie Collins won another Outstanding Hitter Award after hitting .387 with 2 home runs and 64 RBI. It's hard to believe that at 25 this is his 5th Outstanding Hitter of the Year award.

Babe Ruth won the NL Outstanding Hitter Award, hitting .287 with 30 home runs and 94 RBI. He also added a Gold Glove.

08-06-2012, 05:59 PM	#261
NYY #23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 13,112	11/1/1920 - Introducing the Philadelphia Phillies The Phillies finished 61-93 last season, and are coming off their fourth straight losing season. They haven't been to the World Series in 12 seasons, after coming off back to back World Series Championships. They beat my Browns those two years of course, but things haven't been great in Philly. The owner expects a .500 team, and is mad, and the market size, fan loyalty, and fan interest are all in rough shape. Their offense scored the 5th most runs in the league, while their starters gave up the most runs in the league, and the Phillies had the worst defense in the league. I feel that the Phillies have a solid, young top 3 to work with for the pitching staff, with Tom Zachary (16-18, 3.98), Highball Wilson (4-7, 3.38), and Joe Coleman (7-4, 3.36) all younger than 27 and going through growing pains currently. 18 year old Waite Hoyt was the Phillies top pick last year, and is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Offensively Mike Greenwell, Bill Harbridge, and Hank Blalock form a solid core, but defensively we've got some big issues, and need to get stronger up the middle. My initial thoughts are that Rich Rollins will shift from second base to third base, Blalock from third to first, and Spider Wilhelm can man shortstop. Bill Harbridge is better equipped to play right field, so we'll be looking for a new catcher, second baseman, and center fielder. At this point I'm willing to sacrifice some offense for defense at those positions. Picking first in the amateur draft I was left with an interesting choice. I'd rank the top three players in the draft starting pitchers, and the choice came down to Peek-A-Boo Veach, John Smoltz, or Tom Seaver. Looking at ratings Veach should be the top choice, but it's really hard to completely forget the "name" players. In the end I can't bring myself to draft Veach over Seaver, so we'll draft Seaver and shortlist Veach and Smoltz to subject myself to future torture. The second round my scout was pushing for Tim Wakefield, but there is nothing like adding a knuckleball pitcher to a team who already has a poor catcher. I went with second baseman Will Rhymes instead. Shortstop Tim Foli was our third round pick, followed by relievers Masanori Murakami and Scott Maine. Eddie Collins won another Outstanding Hitter Award after hitting .387 with 2 home runs and 64 RBI. It's hard to believe that at 25 this is his 5th Outstanding Hitter of the Year award. Babe Ruth won the NL Outstanding Hitter Award, hitting .287 with 30 home runs and 94 RBI. He also added a Gold Glove.