May 14, 1984
Down on the farm,
AAA Portland is 13-14. Still too early to make hasty moves, but Mark Funderburk is still doing well (79 PA, .284/.329/.635, 7 HR). Not sure where he’d fit on the roster yet, as moving John Wockenfuss means losing a backup catcher (I’d still have John Russell, though, so it’s possible).
Speaking of catchers, Darren Daulton has been outstanding (93 PA, .295/.409/.551, 10 XBH, 19 K, 14 BB), though I don’t want to bring him up until I’m positive he’s the everyday catcher at least 60 percent of the time. Kelly Downs has been the team’s best starter (37 IP, 2.68 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 1.9 K/BB, 5.1 K/9), though he could still use time in AAA. Don Carman (9.2 IP, 0.93 ERA, 2.76 FIP, 1.6 K/BB, 10.2 K/9) is threatening a promotion, and that could come soon.
At
AA Reading, outfielder Willie Darkis is demanding a promotion. Repeating AA, he’s hitting .320/.359/.557 with 13 XBH in 131 PA. Defense and consistent hitting have been issues, but he’s doing well with both, playing in left field. Problem is Jeff Stone is in left in Portland, and he’s not quite doing his job (just three SB when he’s regularly swiped more than 50 bags per season). If I promote Darkis he could move to the DH spot, or to right field, but I don’t want to stunt development. Another option: Moving Stone to center so Darkis can stay in left. And that might actually be the best idea; if Stone is beginning to prove no more than a fourth outfielder, why not build his defensive flexibility?
(By the way, I try not to promote minor leagues until about June 1, which is the 150-200 PA range for most players. I’ll usually do a wave of promotions around July 15 [midseason], and potentially a final wave around Sept. 1 [roster expansion].)
Second baseman Steve Kiefer, who I acquired in the Ozzie Virgil trade, is also ready to move to AAA Portland. He’s in line to do so on June 1. (FYI Virgil is playing well in Oakland but in a platoon, which he doesn’t like; Marty Bystrom, meanwhile, has an ERA over 6.00.)
At
A Peninsula, center fielder Todd Soares is still hitting the cover off the ball (153 PA, .318/.405/.636, 21 XBH, 25 K, 18 BB, 200 OPS+, 2.5 WAR), and left fielder Keith Hughes is right there with him (152 PA, .354/.441/.562, 17 XBH, 31 K, 21 BB, 191 OPS+, 2.3 WAR). Then there’s third baseman Greg Jelks (144 PA, .313/.375/.588, 16 XBH, 25 K, 12 BB, 177 OPS+, 1.7 WAR) and right fielder Kevin Ward (155 PA, .343/.432/.455, 10 XBH, 21 K, 19 BB, 159 OPS+, 1.7 WAR). Also, first baseman Randy Day has 10 HR and a 149 OPS+. All but Jelks has been good defensively. Point is, lots of guys aiming to be promoted to Reading, either by June 1 or midseason.
On the mound, David Bulls is forcing the issue (61.2 IP, 2.63 ERA, 2.64 FIP, 2.7 K/BB, 6.0 K/9) and at age 23, can be pushed sooner rather than later. Also, 24-year-old Jerry Arnold is probably ready (45.2 IP, 3.35 ERA, 2.81 FIP, 3.0 K/BB, 5.3 K/9). I’m also watching reliever Tony Evetts, whose 9.3 K/9 is stunning.
I have already promoted one reliever: John McLarnan moved from Peninsula to Reading. Down in Peninsula the 22-year-old put up a 3.77 ERA in 14.1 IP, but his 13.8 K/9 and 11.00 K/BB (also a 1.09 FIP) sold me.
Finally, in
A Spartanburg, second baseman Keith Miller is starring (106 PA, .343/.387/.475, 6 XBH, 7 K, 7 BB), while first baseman Ricky Jordan is supplying power (104 PA, .299/.317/.526, 12 XBH, 11 K, 4 BB). Also, center fielder Luis Polonia hasn’t been bad at the plate (108 PA, .240/.306/.396, 9 XBH, 12 K, 10 BB), and has been good in the field (+3.4 ZR), though his 3.19 RF suggests he needs work commanding the outfield.
On the mound, while it’s still early, William Jester has been terrific (35.1 IP, 2.29 ERA, 3.34 FIP, 2.4 K/BB, 5.9 K/9), while Tim Belcher (acquired in the Virgil trade) has been as-advertised (32.1 IP, 2.51 ERA, 4.20 FIP, 2.1 K.BB, 4.7 K/9), though the strikeouts can go up.
Game 1984-35 - Dodger Stadium: Dodgers 7, Phillies 5 / 15-20
We’re up 5-0, then Kevin Gross walks seven and the Dodgers score seven unanswered. Sure.
May 15, 1984
Game 1984-36 - Dodger Stadium: Dodgers 7, Phillies 1 / 15-21
After giving up two hits, walking a batter, balking … why isn’t Steve Carlton lifted in the eighth? Beginning to wonder what the hell Danny Ozark does on the bench.
May 16, 1984
John Wockenfuss wants more playing time. Yeah, hard to do it now.
Game 1984-37 - Dodger Stadium: Phillies 8, Dodgers 5 (10) / 16-21
Despite giving up a 5-0 lead (again), we take it in extras thanks in part to John Russell’s three doubles.
May 17, 1984
Taking the day off.
May 18, 1984
Game 1984-38 - Candlestick Park: Giants 12, Phillies 9 / 16-22
A three-run homer by Schmidt in the top of the first makes me feel really good, then Charles Hudson immediately allows four runs in the bottom half (and seven runs in a row). So frustrating. Also, with a 13.50 ERA in 2.2 IP, it may be time to let John Flinn head back to AAA Portland after this San Francisco trip. (With Dave Wehrmeister coming off the injured list today, it definitely is.)
RP Dave Wehrmeister activated from injured list, sent to MLB Philadelphia
RP John Flinn demoted to AAA Portland
May 19, 1984
Tough news out of Montreal: Andre Dawson is out for the season with a ruptured achilles tendon. Will this help our chances? Probably not.
Game 1984-39 - Candlestick Park: Giants 6, Phillies 1 / 16-23
Why does Larry Andersen have a 6.17 ERA? Why does every opponent get like 10-15 hits per game against us? This May is beginning to prove that we have a lot of work to do.
May 20, 1984
Game 1984-40 - Candlestick Park: Phillies 5, Giants 2 / 17-23
Hey, a win! Kevin Gross pitches well (7.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 6 K, 2 BB), while Schmidt collects two hits, and Hayes homers. Let’s leave the West Coast and get back home to Philly.
A new set of rankings, and we’re 21st again. Woo-hoo. The top-five:
1. Toronto Blue Jays - 28-13
2. Detroit Tigers - 26-12
3. Kansas City Royals - 24-15
4. New York Mets - 23-16
5. Milwaukee Brewers - 24-16