The Philadelphia Phillies have been sitting on their checkbook as they rebuild. They actually made a notable signing this offseason when they signed former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta to a three-year deal worth $75 million.
One player everyone should watch this season is Rhys Hoskins. He lit the world on fire when he was called up late last season. He only played in 50 games, but hit 18 homers and drove in 48 runs. He has always hit for power in the minors, but no one expected that kind of output so early. How will he fare in a full season in the Majors?
Are the Phillies a .500 team this season?
Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the Philadelphia Phillies.
2017 Win/Loss Record: 66-96
Key Additions: SP Jake Arrieta, 1B Carlos Santana, RP Tommy Hunter, RP Fernando Abad, RP Francisco Rodriguez, OF Collin Cowgill, 3B Ryan Flaherty, RP Drew Hutchison, C Matt McBride, 3B Will Middlebrooks & SS Adam Rosales
Key Losses: 1B Tommy Joseph, 2B Freddy Galvis, OF Daniel Nava, 3B Ty Kelly, OF Cameron Perkins & RP Kevin Siegrist
Interleague Schedule: AL East
Projected Starters: Jorge Alfaro, Carlos Santana, Cesar Hernandez, Maikel Franco, J.P. Crawford, Rhys Hoskins, Odubel Herrera & Nick Williams
Projected Starting Rotation: Jake Arrieta, Aaron Nola, Vince Velasquez, Jared Eickhoff & Nick Pivetta
Closer: Hector Neris
Fantasy Sleeper: OF Odubel Herrera – Herrera had a breakout season in 2016, but thanks to the Phillies weak lineup, his RBI and Run opportunities really took a hit. He wasn’t walking as much and could chalk up his strikeout jump to ‘trying to do too much.’ The Phillies added Carlos Santana and Rhys Hoskins will be in the lineup for an entire season. He doesn’t have to do everything and more guys will be on base when he’s at the plate. His numbers should be near his 2016 production.
Prospect To Keep Your Eye On: 2B Scott Kingery – Kingery is good enough to supplant Cesar Hernandez at second base. Thankfully for Hernandez, he can play other positions. Kingery is a five-tool player and could be a 20/20 guy and hit for .275 at the Major League level. I’m sure you will see him on the Phillies this season.
Team Analysis: The Phillies have been one of the worst teams in the National League. It was by design as they gave some of their former stars big money deals and they had to wait out those contracts. Now that they have ridden themselves of those huge burdens and have been picking near the top of the draft, their rebuild is now in its next phase.
Philly made two notable free agent additions as they signed power hitter Carlos Santana and thanks to nearly every team saving their money for next offseason, was able to get a discount on signing former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta. If he can regain the couple mph he lost off his pitches, he could once again be in the Cy Young race. The new signings should help move the team into the 70+ win category this year.
The Phillies are a very young team and will need to see improvements across the board. They have some possible blue chippers in their farm system, so the cream will need to rise to the top. The NL East is a one-horse race for the division (Washington), but the Phillies could pad their win total due to facing the Braves and Marlins multiple times. They are still a couple seasons away from being a playoff contender.
2018 Wins Over/Under Betting Line: 77.5 (Prediction: UNDER)
2018 Projected Win/Loss Record: 76-86 (3rd in NL East)
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About the Author…
Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob.