Post by Bish on Dec 8, 2023 13:54:50 GMT -5
Phillies 2008 July Report
Record: 17-7
Home: 8-4
Road: 9-3
Positive Team Stat: Stolen Bases–158 (5th)
Notes: We knew this team had another level to get to when it came on the base paths and boy was I right about that. Matt Kemp being red hot has now seen his stolen base total explode. We now have four guys with 30+ stolen bases on the year. Rolen leads the way with 39 despite having some struggles throughout the 2008 campaign. He is followed by the dynamic 5-tool player Chase Utley with 38. The Grandy Man is third with 36 steals. Matt Kemp has now eclipsed 30+ as he is sitting with 31. These guys all have the potential to top 50 which would be pretty neat. Anyway, this adds another dangerous component to a Phillies offense that was already top 5 in walks and home runs. We can beat you in so many different ways which makes this offense easily the best one we’ve ever had here in this great league.
Negative Team Stat: Batting Average—.267 (11th)
Notes: I mean, it’s kinda annoying to do this, but is there anything else we can pick on right now? Everything is top 5 with hitting. Everything is top 2 pitching. The only thing that isn’t? Our team’s batting average. I honestly feel more confident than ever with the addition of Larry Walker who is another guy that is going to be able to hit over .300 and add even more crazy depth to our hitting lineup. The best part is, we didn’t give up anything besides absorbing his contract which we tried to offset with some other minor moves to relieve some cap. Anyway, this move should help that part of it out. I do feel with Chooch and Hardy being able to hit more towards their elite abilities, this will also raise it a bit.
Major League Spotlight
Best Hitter: CF Hideki Matsui
Stats: .278/.426/.608/1.033 OPS 8 2Bs 0 3Bs 6 HRs 19 RBIs 19 Runs 19 BBs 6 Ks
Notes: Godzilla was truly a tough out in July. While he didn’t hit for a particularly crazy average (.278), he did get on base at an elite level (.426). His power was on display and he was able to knock 19 in while scoring 19 times himself. This is another addition that has been instrumental in getting the Phillies back to where they wanted to get to. They needed him because Giles was falling apart last season and retired in the offseason. This couldn’t have turned out any better, and we are intrigued to see if Godzilla can come up big during the postseason.
Best Pitcher: SP Cole Hamels
Stats: 6 Starts 5-0 1.87 ERA 43.1 IP 23 Hs 9 ERs 16 BBs 49 Ks
Notes: King Cole has simply been dominant. He really is starting to become that guy we envisioned when we took him with the 4th overall pick back in 2002. As I’ve said in a different article, Hamels progression has been unreal. His ERA has dropped from 3.13 last season to 2.25 to this season alone. His arrival is here in full. He can strike you out in bunches, keeps the ball in the park, and is just flat-out nasty. His only issue he needs to rein in is the free passes. He’s giving too many guys a free base, but once he corrects that, look out!
Minor League Spotlight
Prospect: SS Jordy Mercer (AA)
Notes: Jordy Mercer has been a pleasant surprise down in Double A. He is hitting .317 with an on base nearly hitting .400. He has 50 extra base hits with 22 of those via the long ball. Good balance thus far, and I’m looking forward to seeing some future growth from him as he gets more mature!
Record: 17-7
Home: 8-4
Road: 9-3
Positive Team Stat: Stolen Bases–158 (5th)
Notes: We knew this team had another level to get to when it came on the base paths and boy was I right about that. Matt Kemp being red hot has now seen his stolen base total explode. We now have four guys with 30+ stolen bases on the year. Rolen leads the way with 39 despite having some struggles throughout the 2008 campaign. He is followed by the dynamic 5-tool player Chase Utley with 38. The Grandy Man is third with 36 steals. Matt Kemp has now eclipsed 30+ as he is sitting with 31. These guys all have the potential to top 50 which would be pretty neat. Anyway, this adds another dangerous component to a Phillies offense that was already top 5 in walks and home runs. We can beat you in so many different ways which makes this offense easily the best one we’ve ever had here in this great league.
Negative Team Stat: Batting Average—.267 (11th)
Notes: I mean, it’s kinda annoying to do this, but is there anything else we can pick on right now? Everything is top 5 with hitting. Everything is top 2 pitching. The only thing that isn’t? Our team’s batting average. I honestly feel more confident than ever with the addition of Larry Walker who is another guy that is going to be able to hit over .300 and add even more crazy depth to our hitting lineup. The best part is, we didn’t give up anything besides absorbing his contract which we tried to offset with some other minor moves to relieve some cap. Anyway, this move should help that part of it out. I do feel with Chooch and Hardy being able to hit more towards their elite abilities, this will also raise it a bit.
Major League Spotlight
Best Hitter: CF Hideki Matsui
Stats: .278/.426/.608/1.033 OPS 8 2Bs 0 3Bs 6 HRs 19 RBIs 19 Runs 19 BBs 6 Ks
Notes: Godzilla was truly a tough out in July. While he didn’t hit for a particularly crazy average (.278), he did get on base at an elite level (.426). His power was on display and he was able to knock 19 in while scoring 19 times himself. This is another addition that has been instrumental in getting the Phillies back to where they wanted to get to. They needed him because Giles was falling apart last season and retired in the offseason. This couldn’t have turned out any better, and we are intrigued to see if Godzilla can come up big during the postseason.
Best Pitcher: SP Cole Hamels
Stats: 6 Starts 5-0 1.87 ERA 43.1 IP 23 Hs 9 ERs 16 BBs 49 Ks
Notes: King Cole has simply been dominant. He really is starting to become that guy we envisioned when we took him with the 4th overall pick back in 2002. As I’ve said in a different article, Hamels progression has been unreal. His ERA has dropped from 3.13 last season to 2.25 to this season alone. His arrival is here in full. He can strike you out in bunches, keeps the ball in the park, and is just flat-out nasty. His only issue he needs to rein in is the free passes. He’s giving too many guys a free base, but once he corrects that, look out!
Minor League Spotlight
Prospect: SS Jordy Mercer (AA)
Notes: Jordy Mercer has been a pleasant surprise down in Double A. He is hitting .317 with an on base nearly hitting .400. He has 50 extra base hits with 22 of those via the long ball. Good balance thus far, and I’m looking forward to seeing some future growth from him as he gets more mature!
