Pitchers and catchers reported for their first official workout on Thursday. The club has also announced a deal with the final arbitration eligible player.
The Philadelphia Phillies began to welcome players back to their spring training site in Clearwater, FL this week. The first official workout for pitchers and catchers took place on Thursday. The remaining position players must report by February 21st. According to the Phillies’ social media accounts, many players have already arrived and are ready to defend the title of National League Champs.
This spring is exciting because it will give the team and the fans a first look at some newcomers— most notably Trea Turner. Although fans will only get a short glimpse of players such as Turner, as there are some players participating in the World Baseball Classic. It will also be interesting to hear players speak about goals for the upcoming season. Fans will look to see how the team adjusts after falling just short of a World Series title in 2022.
Let’s look at some of the storylines from day one at the Carpenter Complex.
Last minute signing
The club announced an contract extension for Seranthony Dominguez, a move that should help them toward their lofty 2023 goals. The two-year deal avoided an arbitration hearing between the Phillies and Dominguez. The team has now signed all arbitration eligible players heading into the new season. According to Joel Sherman, the extension includes a $2.5 million salary in 2023. Dominguez will also receive a $4.5 million salary in 2024 and have an option in 2025.
The signing allows the Phillies to keep the duo of Dominguez and Jose Alvarado together. They will be joined by some notable offseason additions in Gregory Soto, Matt Strahm, and Craig Kimbrel. The Phillies will also have Connor Brogdon and Andrew Bellatti returning. On paper, this is the best the Phillies bullpen has looked in years.
The young pitchers
One of the biggest storylines of the spring will be how the young trio of Andrew Painter, Mick Abel, and Griff McGarry perform. All three threw bullpen sessions on Thursday. Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki noted that Painter’s locker is next to Zack Wheeler. Apparently Wheeler requested that Painter and Abel share locker space near he or Aaron Nola.
Placing these young starters with tons of potential next to the bona fide aces of the club is a bigger deal than it may seem. Both Wheeler and Nola have ton of experience to pass on to Painter and Abel and the fact that Wheeler wants to take them under his wings is invaluable. It is very likely that there will be many more Painter and Abel stories throughout the spring.
Position players coming to camp ready to roll
Two notable stories that came out of Clearwater today included Turner and third baseman Alec Bohm. This was the first time since his introductory press conference that fans could see Turner in a Phillies uniform. Apparently during batting practice he hit a ball that cleared the fence and hit a car.
According to The Inquirer’s Alex Coffey, Bohm has said that he has added some muscle over the offseason. This is important because while Bohm had a solid year in 2022 offensively, his power numbers were not quite there. Last season the third baseman hit just 13 homeruns with an OPS of .713. With the added strength, he can perhaps show off the power the Phillies feel he has the potential of displaying.
This is just the first official day of spring training and many things will change as players are sent to minor league camp and others go off to play in the World Baseball Classic. It is always fun to check in with players as they return from the offseason and see the progress they have made. It will be interesting to see other stories that take place before Opening Day.
