[FantasticPhanatic23]

Summary

In the month of May, the Philadelphia Phillies went 15-13 (.534), bring the Phils to an overall 25-27 (.481) record on the season. This is good for 4th place position within the NL East division, 3 games behind the division leader New York Mets, Miami Marlins, and Atlanta Braves. Whether or not the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves have the talent to hold off the Fightin Phils is yet to be seen. However, New York is a legitimate playoff contender and a formidable enemy for the team.

With the Phillies only 3 games back on the division leader, it is too early to say whether or not the team is a buyer or seller at the trade deadline. With about approximately two months left before the trade deadline, a lot can happen. However, if the Phillies expect to contend for a playoff spot, they need to address some glaring issues.

C, 1B, and SS

The catcher position has been a nightmare this year. Veteran Cameron Rupp has put up terrible numbers this season. This begs the question, what Rupp’s future with the team? Rupp has posted a .222 OBP, 30.6 SO%, .091 ISO, .190 BABIP, 25 wRC+. Backup Andrew Knapp has posted equally bad numbers, going .230 OBP, 28.9 SO%, .073 ISO, .218 BABIP, 11 wRC+. This led to a short stint with AAA Lehigh and calling up catching prospect Kyle Farmer. Thus far, Kyle Farmer has been the most consistent performer at the catcher position. Farmer has posted .318 OBP, 17 SO%, .138 ISO, .308 BABIP, 83 wRC+.

First Base has been less problematic this season. However, like catcher, three first basemen have fielded the position in the 2017 campaign. Tommy Joseph, Chris Merrero, and Brock Stassi have fielded the position. Joseph posted marginal numbers, .263 OBP, 25.6 SO%, .252 BABIP, 70 wRC+. This led to his demotion to AAA Lehigh to provide places for first base prospects Brock Stassi and Chris Merero. Stassi posted a .296 OBP, 29.6 SO%, .360 ISO, .267 BABIP, 135 wRC+. However this is on a very small sample size (27 AB). Therefore, I do not expect the numbers to remain stable. Chris Merrero has posted a .296 OBP, 23.5 SO%, .163 ISO, .250 BABIP, 72 wRC+. While Merrero and Stassi have both placed mediocre numbers and could see potential long term improvement.

President David Montgomery has publically stated that the organization will consider making the appropriate adjustments to find a long term solution at the position. Details were not given, however, one can assume he meant potentially moving Tommy Joseph and calling up elite prospect Rhys Hoskins. Hoskins has posted a .336 OBP, 24.5 SO%, .185 ISO, .296 BABIP, 108 wRC+ with AAA Lehigh. Hoskins is projected to be the next great Phillies first basemen.

Finally the short stop position has struggled offensively of late. Freddy Galvis, who is known for his elite defensive ability, has failed to produce on the hitting side of the ball. Galvis has posted a .270 OBP, 20.3 SO%, .102 ISO, .295 BABIP, and 63 wRC+. Galvis has been a rather streaky hitter this season enjoying high peaks and low valleys. It is hard to say where is numbers will settle out. However, there is not a lot of organizational depth ready to advance to the Major League level. The best candidate is JP Crawford. Crawford is a highly regarded prospect and could make an immediate impact upon his arrival. However, he is about 1-2 years away from becoming Major League ready. Until then, internal options could include moving Cesar Hernandez or Scooter Gennett to the position. External options include trading for a viable short stop for the short term while Crawford continues to advance through the Minor Leagues.

The Nola Problem

Aaron Nola has been widely regarded as one of the next great Starting Pitchers. However, he has suffered several setbacks during the 2017 campaign. Nola, posted a 6.87 ERA and 5.99 FIP over 55 innings pitched. David Montgomery has publically mentioned his frustration with Nola’s performance and said they could consider sending him to AAA Lehigh in order to make adjustments to his game.

Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Valesquez, Jake Thompson, and Zack Eflin have all had pretty decent seasons thus far, and Clay Buchholz is expected to return from the Disabled List within the week. Adam Morgan can also help within the Starting Rotation if needed. Therefore, it might help the youngster Nola to take AAA reps and continue to learn how to pitch.
Jeanmar Gomez has also struggled this season posting a 6.38 ERA and 6.46 FIP. Gomez contract is set to expire after the 2017 season and the Phillies could consider designating Gomez to assignment or outright releasing him. However, the Phillies organization lacks pitching depth at RP. Therefore, the Phillies could consider making some moves this season in order to find a major league ready pitcher.

Hot Bats

Obdubel Herrera, Nick Williams, and Cesar Hernandez have had tremendous years thus far.

Hererra has posted a .346 OBP, 24.2 SO%, .172 ISO, .366 BABIP, 115 wRC+.

Williams has posted a .337 OBP, 32.7 SO%, .202 ISO, .424 BABIP, 124 wRC+.

Hernandez has posted a .391 OBP, 18.8 SO%, 0.081 ISO, .408 BABIP, 120 wRC+.

Overall the team has continued to strikeout way too often. However, these three players have been able to put up decent numbers and keep us competitive. If guys like Maikel Franco, Freddy Galvis, Kyle Farmer, and Aaron Altherr could play a little bit more consistently, the Phillies could finish the season strong and make a splash in the Major Leagues.