Do you like roast pork with provolone and broccoli rabe? Do you find John Kruk both devilishly handsome and well spoken? Can you recite from memory Michael Jack Schmidt’s retirement speech, including the exact moment he breaks down in tears? Do you know what jawn means? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re a Phillies fan. This jawn is for yous.
2018 Recap: 80-82, 3rd in the NL East. Playoffs? Nah. Clubhouse Fortnite game destroyed? Oh hell yes.
2019 Notable Additions: Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen, David Robertson
2019 Vegas Odds: NL East – 9/4 | NL – 11/2 | World Series – 12/1 | Win Total O/U – 88.5
2019 Prospects: Razzball 2019 Minor League Preview
| 2019 Projected Batting Order and Stats* | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order | Player | Pos | R | HR | RBI | SB | AVG/OBP/SLG |
| 1 | Andrew McCutchen | LF | 81 | 26 | 79 | 11 | .263/.362/.474 |
| 2 | Jean Segura | SS | 81 | 14 | 63 | 20 | .284/.330/.414 |
| 3 | Bryce Harper | RF | 93 | 35 | 94 | 10 | .260/.395/.530 |
| 4 | Rhys Hoskins | 1B | 89 | 36 | 99 | 5 | .249/.352/.500 |
| 5 | J.T. Realmuto | C | 65 | 20 | 72 | 5 | .269/.325/.457 |
| 6 | Odubel Herrera | CF | 58 | 15 | 62 | 7 | .267/.327/.426 |
| 7 | Maikel Franco | 3B | 65 | 25 | 79 | 1 | .263/.318/.473 |
| 8 | Cesar Hernandez | 2B | 73 | 9 | 49 | 14 | .256/.350/.365 |
Damn that’s pretty. Not just saying that as a fan, but 1-5 I’ll take all day and thrice on Sunday. For me, Hoskins is going to crush it this year. First base is a better fit for him defensively, and he has the bat to clean up any ducks Harper happens to leave on the pond. I could see both surpassing 100 RBI this season.
Doobie Herrera is one of my favorite players to watch. Having Doobie, Franco, and Cesar Salad as our 6-8 (last year those guys were our 1-5) is kinda crazy. If due to injury or performance any one of the three moves into that counting stat party at the top of the lineup, they’ll be golden. The bench is also solid, with players like Nick Williams, Scott Kingery, and the now-injured Roman Quinn ready to step in when needed.
| 2019 Projected Rotation and Stats* | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order | POS | Pos | W | IP | ERA | WHIP | K |
| 1 | Aaron Nola | RHP | 13 | 194 | 3.58 | 1.20 | 210 |
| 2 | Jake Arrieta | RHP | 11 | 181 | 4.25 | 1.33 | 160 |
| 3 | Nick Pivetta | RHP | 11 | 160 | 3.98 | 1.25 | 171 |
| 4 | Vince Velasquez | RHP | 9 | 137 | 4.40 | 1.33 | 141 |
| 5 | Zach Eflin | RHP | 9 | 145 | 4.61 | 1.32 | 127 |
Aaron Nola is a stud muffin and Vince Velasquez is the guy I just can’t quit. I’m like a moth to the flame when it comes to VV’s strikeout potential. Eflin and Pivetta have been nice surprises, and if there happens to be an injury or poor performance (psst there will be) Jerad Eickhoff and Enyel De Los Santos should be ready to go in AAA.
One of the storylines I’m interested in this year is how Nola handles the pressure. Last year was all gravy, but this year fans and management will expect to win. He’s going to have to put the rotation on his back, at least until the trade deadline. FWIWerth, I think he’ll do just fine.
| 2019 Projected Bullpen and Stats* | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Player | Pos | W | SV | ERA | WHIP | K |
| Closer | David Robertson | RHP | 4 | 21 | 3.25 | 1.17 | 86 |
| Closer | Seranthony Dominguez | RHP | 3 | 13 | 3.40 | 1.25 | 81 |
| Setup | Hector Neris | RHP | 2 | 0 | 3.60 | 1.17 | 51 |
| Setup | Pat Neshek | RHP | 3 | 0 | 4.50 | 1.29 | 50 |
I think Dominguez is the guy to own in this pen. Three reasons: (1) he’ll likely be cheaper than Robertson on draft day; (2) he’ll net you similar strikeouts; and (3) even if Robertson wins the gig out of spring training, he’ll be on a short leash.
This is one area that I could see the team trading for some help with midseason, once the dust settles and they can see what their realistic chances are. The rumors that tied them to Kimbrel in the offseason (who is still unsigned BTW) make me think that Robertson and Dominguez aren’t their dream closers come September.
*All projected stats provided by Steamer.
