Post by Bish on Jan 6, 2024 10:03:23 GMT -5
Phillies 2009 March/April Report
Record: 20-5
Home: 11-2
Road: 9-3
Positive Team Stat: ERA–2.06/OPP AVG–.183/HRs Allowed–4, BBs Allowed–41 (All 1st)
Notes: When you’re leading almost every possible pitching category, then they all deserve mentioning. We have always been the best team at keeping the ball in the ballpark. We’ve also been the toughest team giving up a hit. When you have these types of arms, and then you even add Kuroda on top of it for insurance, then man…we are in really good shape for another dominant season provided good health. These arms are truly special, and it’ll be interesting if the Phillies pitching staff can get four 20+ game winners once more. I think it will happen provided good health of course.
Negative Team Stat: BBs—89 (10th)
Notes: Listen, I’ve gotta nitpick something, and this is our worst category thus far in the month of April. We walked a good amount, but maybe not as much as we would like. We have capable guys that can get on base, but we need to be a tad better here. Of course if we are hitting the way we are hitting, then maybe not…but this team strives for excellence, and will continue towards that path.
Major League Spotlight
Best Hitter: C Carlos Ruiz
Playoff Stats: .402/.471/.736/1.206 OPS 12 2Bs 1 3Bs 5 HRs 25 RBIs 16 Runs 9 BBs 11 Ks
Notes: Chooch was the batter of the month in the NL, and so it was of course not a shock that he is ours in this month as well. Chooch nearly got on base half the time while also slugging well over .700. He was sensational, and this is a glimpse of what Carlos Ruiz can do as a hitter. We didn’t get the great Chooch last year, and good lord if teams do this year because how can you stop this hitting attack with him firing on all cylinders? There were other plenty of great options such as Chase Utley who smacked ten dingers, Matt Kemp who’s OPS was once again over 1.000, and J.J. Hardy/Scott Rolen who were excellent in their own right!
Best Pitcher: SP Chris R. Young
Playoff Stats: 5 Starts 4-0 1.06 ERA 42.1 IP 17 Hs 5 ERs 9 BBs 25 Ks
Notes: Hey, we aren’t picking Ben Sheets this time, and it’s because Chris R. Young was absolutely masterful this month. He’s continued to get better and better, and he is really showcasing one of the best contracts in all of HOFBBL. I honestly believe Hamels and him are super close to being the true #2 of this staff. I love both of them. Anyway, Young was quite simply dominant, and we expect him to continue doing his thing this year…maybe just not at that type of level of dominance!
Minor League Spotlight
Prospect: 1B Wilmer Flores (AAA)
Notes: Reminder: Wilmer Flores is only 17 years old. This kid is going to be up at the big leagues before he turns 20 years old. He’s been that impressive and that good. He has a strong first month in Triple A, and he expects to be there this season and next to refine his abilities. The Phillies are taking their time with him, but also want to keep him progressing onto bigger and better things. With the Phillies needing a long term solution at 1B, he’s expected to be the guy there. Exciting times ahead for this youngster!
Record: 20-5
Home: 11-2
Road: 9-3
Positive Team Stat: ERA–2.06/OPP AVG–.183/HRs Allowed–4, BBs Allowed–41 (All 1st)
Notes: When you’re leading almost every possible pitching category, then they all deserve mentioning. We have always been the best team at keeping the ball in the ballpark. We’ve also been the toughest team giving up a hit. When you have these types of arms, and then you even add Kuroda on top of it for insurance, then man…we are in really good shape for another dominant season provided good health. These arms are truly special, and it’ll be interesting if the Phillies pitching staff can get four 20+ game winners once more. I think it will happen provided good health of course.
Negative Team Stat: BBs—89 (10th)
Notes: Listen, I’ve gotta nitpick something, and this is our worst category thus far in the month of April. We walked a good amount, but maybe not as much as we would like. We have capable guys that can get on base, but we need to be a tad better here. Of course if we are hitting the way we are hitting, then maybe not…but this team strives for excellence, and will continue towards that path.
Major League Spotlight
Best Hitter: C Carlos Ruiz
Playoff Stats: .402/.471/.736/1.206 OPS 12 2Bs 1 3Bs 5 HRs 25 RBIs 16 Runs 9 BBs 11 Ks
Notes: Chooch was the batter of the month in the NL, and so it was of course not a shock that he is ours in this month as well. Chooch nearly got on base half the time while also slugging well over .700. He was sensational, and this is a glimpse of what Carlos Ruiz can do as a hitter. We didn’t get the great Chooch last year, and good lord if teams do this year because how can you stop this hitting attack with him firing on all cylinders? There were other plenty of great options such as Chase Utley who smacked ten dingers, Matt Kemp who’s OPS was once again over 1.000, and J.J. Hardy/Scott Rolen who were excellent in their own right!
Best Pitcher: SP Chris R. Young
Playoff Stats: 5 Starts 4-0 1.06 ERA 42.1 IP 17 Hs 5 ERs 9 BBs 25 Ks
Notes: Hey, we aren’t picking Ben Sheets this time, and it’s because Chris R. Young was absolutely masterful this month. He’s continued to get better and better, and he is really showcasing one of the best contracts in all of HOFBBL. I honestly believe Hamels and him are super close to being the true #2 of this staff. I love both of them. Anyway, Young was quite simply dominant, and we expect him to continue doing his thing this year…maybe just not at that type of level of dominance!
Minor League Spotlight
Prospect: 1B Wilmer Flores (AAA)
Notes: Reminder: Wilmer Flores is only 17 years old. This kid is going to be up at the big leagues before he turns 20 years old. He’s been that impressive and that good. He has a strong first month in Triple A, and he expects to be there this season and next to refine his abilities. The Phillies are taking their time with him, but also want to keep him progressing onto bigger and better things. With the Phillies needing a long term solution at 1B, he’s expected to be the guy there. Exciting times ahead for this youngster!
