It hasn’t been all bad for the Phillies despite 1-5 start to the season.
Let’s face it, the 2023 Phillies season has not gotten off to the start that the team and its fans would have hoped for. The club lost the first two series in frustrating fashion. They enter the first homestand of the season just 1-5 after some disappointing performances. There isn’t really one factor to blame for the slow start. Injuries are no doubt a big reason why. The lineup is depleted, and the rotation is missing a couple members who likely would have stabilized it in Ranger Suarez and Andrew Painter.
Even though the season is off to a less than stellar start, there are some players who have impressed during the short sample size of a season thus far. While it is entirely too early to put too much stock into the positives, it is also too early to do the same with the negatives. As the Phillies begin a home series against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, let’s look at some of the positives on this off day to help get in the proper frame of mind for the home opener.
Pitchers who have impressed
Most of the pitching for the Phillies in the first two series was just not good. They are currently dead last in all of baseball in ERA. There are a few pitchers who have stood out in a good way, however. One pitcher is Jose Alvarado. Alvarado has picked up where he left off last season. In his two appearances thus far in 2023, Alvarado has struck out five batters in 2 innings. His second outing was a display of pure domination as he struck out the sides on just 12 pitches. If Alvarado can remain in control of his command, he should continue to have success out of the Phillies bullpen.
Another reliever who has been solid early on is Andrew Bellatti. In four appearances already, the right-hander has four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. He has been utilized quite a bit by manager Rob Thomson as the season begins. He has been reliable to this point as he has not allowed a run yet. Bellatti and Connor Brogdon both become even more important out of the bullpen now that the next name on the list is in the starting rotation.
Matt Strahm was called upon to start the fifth game of the season for the Phillies. He was signed this offseason as a reliever but has started before in his career. Strahm went four solid innings in the Phillies lone win this season. He showed his ability to get out some good hitters and demonstrated for tenacity on the mound. Having a guy like Strahm who can start and pitch in relief will be invaluable as the season lingers on into the summer and fall months.
Hitters who have impressed
The Phillies’ offense has really taken a beating when it comes to injuries. Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins were already expected to be out. In recent days, however, Brandon Marsh— who had a good start to the season— and Darick Hall have also suffered injuries. The lineup is currently looking thin. Two players who have looked good though are Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm. Both players will need to remain healthy and consistent for the Phillies offense to produce runs.
Both players have only had 20 at-bats or so, but they have made them count early on. Stott is slashing .435/.458/.565 so far. Stott’s offense was somewhat of a question mark, but he has carried over his second half momentum from last year and is hitting the ball well. One thing that his slash line does not factor in is his ability to work the count. Stott sees a good number of pitches and has showed a pretty good eye at the plate, despite drawing just one walk to this point.
Bohm has also hit the ball well so far. He has a home run and three RBI in 20 at-bats. His slash line is .350/.458/.600. The big number there is his slugging percentage. The Phillies need Bohm to hit for power this season as they will be without Hoskins’ bat in the lineup. He will not carry a .600 slugging percentage the whole year, but he needs to improve it from last season’s .398 to help offset Hoskins’ absence.
Bryce Harper is taking batting practice
Harper may not be ready to rejoin the Phillies’ lineup just yet, but he is making significant strides to return before the All-Star break. Harper has been taking batting practice this week. This is a huge step forward for Harper as he mends from offseason Tommy John surgery.
The Phillies will not rush Harper back into the lineup, and they shouldn’t. The quicker he is able to return, however, the better, as the lineup has struggled to score runs. Adding Harper’s bat into the lineup could be an immediate spark plug to get the offense going again. Harper still needs to face live pitching and will require a rehab stint prior to making his Phillies debut in 2023, but the sight of the former National League MVP taking batting practice gives fans a glimmer of hope.
The Phillies finally return to CBP
Starting the season on the road is difficult. Starting the season on the road against the vastly improved Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees is a whole different thing. There is no arguing that the first six games of the season have been dreadfully disappointing, but the Phillies return home this weekend. As was the demonstrated last season— especially during the postseason— the Phillies play well in front of the home crowd.
The Phillies will honor the 2022 National League champions this weekend. On Friday, the team will raise the National League Champions banner over Ashburn Alley. Then on Sunday, the 2022 Phillies will receive their National League Championship rings. Some of the positivity and passion from the home crowd could help ignite the slow starting ballclub. There are always peaks and valleys over the course of a baseball season. Let’s hope the Phillies are getting one of the “valleys” out of the way early and that they can get healthy sooner rather than later.
