Thoughts and Solutions After Two Phillies Spring Coaching Games

Phillies

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The 2026 season is underway, type of. The Phillies performed two Grapefruit League video games this previous weekend and are 0-2. Fire the coach? Blow the group up? 215-592…

I’ve a bunch of ideas via the primary two video games, perhaps a bit of greater than I ought to have. I requested my Twitter followers for some questions concerning the group, so we’re going to kill two birds with one stone.

Thought: The Phillies’ bullpen goes to be superior

I’ve raved about all of it offseason, however I’ve actually loved the way in which the Phillies have gone about constructing their bullpen this offseason. They’re not throwing darts at washed-up outdated relievers. They’re discovering younger guys with potential, working with them, and hoping a few them stick. It’s solely been two video games, however that is how I see the bullpen shaking out on March twenty sixth vs. the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park:

• Jhoan Duran
• Brad Keller
• Jose Alvarado
• Orion Kerkering
• Tanner Banks
• Jonathan Bowlan
• Zach McCambley
• Kyle Backhus

Backhus might be the odd man out as a result of he has choices remaining, not like Zach Pop, who has no extra choices. But Backhus seemed actually good on Sunday, and that arm slot is ridiculously cool. It throws hitters off. When Backhus threw reside batting apply a few days in the past, even gamers like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper have been shocked. That’s a recipe for achievement. Backhus has my eye early, together with McCambley.

Question: “Is Otto Kemp a lock to make the Opening Day roster in your opinion? Could Bryan De La Cruz compete for that platoon role?” – @Philly_Isaac by way of X

I feel there’s a world the place each might make the group. De La Cruz on the roster can be an enormous plus for the Phillies, as a result of it implies that he’s again on the plate. He had a implausible offseason within the Dominican Winter League, and he’s competing for a job this spring.

Right now, I’d be completely shocked if Otto Kemp didn’t make the roster. The Phillies have praised him all offseason as a part of the youth motion with Justin Crawford, Andrew Painter, and extra.

You carry 13 pitchers, the eight relievers I listed above, and the 5 starters. JT Realmuto, Rafael Marchan, Harper, Schwarber, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, and Edmundo Sosa convey that quantity to 21. That leaves you 5 spots left. I feel it might find yourself being Brandon Marsh, Crawford, Adolis Garcia, Kemp, and De La Cruz, if he has a adequate camp.

Well, you simply acquired my 26-man roster prediction, so get pleasure from!

Question: “Any bold predictions you wanna throw out there? Mine is the same one that I’ve been saying for the past couple years until it actually happens(bc one of these years I’m gonna be right), with Marsh hitting his first career grand slam.” – @missdmh801 by way of X

That’s a enjoyable one! I feel Garcia has an superior 12 months, and we glance again on some tweets from some folks and snicker actually laborious. I feel Garcia is a man that rises when the group round him is nice. You noticed what he did in 2023 when the Rangers gained the World Series. I feel he’ll thrive in an enormous clubhouse.

Brad Keller making the All-Star Game is one other take; I simply don’t understand how sizzling it’s. Crawford goes to have a critical run at Rookie of the Year, however he gained’t win as a result of the stats gained’t be “flashy” sufficient, though I feel he has a fantastic season.

Thought: Bryce Harper actually needs Aidan Miller within the professionals

Bryce Harper all the time drops one thing good when he’s getting interviewed throughout a spring coaching sport. On Sunday, he could or could not have damaged the information of Aidan Miller coping with a again harm, however he additionally continued to reward Miller and stated he will help this group win a World Series later this 12 months:

While Crawford and Painter would be the two prospects to make the group out of camp, I feel it’s eye-opening how a lot the group has talked and praised Miller whereas he doesn’t have a place to play as of proper now. The Phillies might look to commerce Alec Bohm on the deadline to try to get one thing for him earlier than he (most probably) leaves in free company. I don’t suppose that’s off the desk in any respect. Miller gained’t be up early, but it surely’s actually intriguing to see the dialogue flying via the group a few man with that a lot potential.

Thought: It was first exhibiting for Garcia

I noticed Jack Fritz put one thing out about this on Saturday, and I utterly agreed with him. Garcia’s at-bats seemed good, although he didn’t get a success. Rob Thomson has talked about a number of occasions because the signing that they need Garcia to change into extra affected person on the plate, as a result of when he’s, he rakes. He wasn’t chasing a lot on Saturday, which was begin.

Thought: Crawford goes to be a lot enjoyable

It was only one sport, I do know. But man, that was a enjoyable begin for Justin Crawford.

The near-homer, the double off of the wall, the monitoring of the fly balls. Philadelphia goes to like this child due to how he performs the sport, and he’s already exhibiting it early in camp.

Stop worrying about his previous floor ball price.