High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Rhys Hoskins is Done For the Year Emergency Podcast

Episode Date: March 24, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Rhys Hoskins injury, discuss how the Phillies will replace him, and more. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies. On Odyssey and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo! Oh no. That's not a good yo. Another edition of the High Hopes Podcast.

A devastating edition of that. A pod we didn't want to be doing, but we're here. We have to be. Jack's got his headies on, so that's good. I learned now that Jack needs to hear himself in his ears when he talks in order for us to do the podcast. That's good. Yeah, I just don't like it when I don't. I don't feel like a podcaster when I don't feel like I don't feel like a podcaster

When I don't have my headphones on I do not have my headphones on So I'll represent For the non-podcasters What you You know Pro it up for us So shout out to our buddy BLG

Hanging out in studio with us Always a pleasure We let a fan come in We let a fan come in Now granted A fan My daughter calls Uncle Brandon So maybe you know A little more than a fan, but we're

very excited. It's always good to help the fans out. Let the little guy come in and see what the big operation looks like. Exactly right. I get it. Calling Brandon a little guy. Pretty hilarious. Yep.

All right. Enough laughing. Enough laughs. There's no laughs allowed today. Look, we'll get into what it means and all that but you know just off the top um you know your thought like obviously reese hoskins out for the season or at least almost definitely the season you never know guys have come back in six months and could maybe dh or who knows whatever but um most likely the end of his season most likely or at least very possibly the end of his

career with the ph Phillies, Jack. It was a really tough, like of all the guys, like he's, you know, from an on-the-field perspective, obviously it's Harper and Turner and all that, but from a heart-of-the-team perspective and the guy who's been here and been through it all, it's just crushing, man. It's crushing. Right, and the thing about Reese is that, you know, we obviously love Harper, we love, you know, JT and all the guys, but there's always something that hits different when it's one of your own. And one of the guys that come to the system,

I remember watching Reese at the Futures game, like, oh my God, we actually have a good player. You know, like, because we had nothing. We had absolutely nothing before Reese came up in 17. And then he came up the way he did and had that start, so it was just like immediately, it's like, this is our dude. This is the guy we can latch on to. We finally have our guy.

And, you know, I felt so good for him. You know, I remember, what was it, opening day against the Braves in 18 when he had the home run, the Grand Slam. And, like, he finally felt – no, it was 19. 19. You're talking about a Harbor guy. It was Harbor's first game. Yeah.

And he finally felt like – he felt like, okay, I've arrived. Like, that's good for him. and then he you know he goes through ups and downs i would say uh for the next couple of years and you know like he turns into a bit of a polarizing topic in philadelphia um and listen we all see like the flaws that he has i mean obviously the the streakiness on offense he ends up the up the year kind of around the same numbers, but it's like super hot, super cold, super hot, super cold. And the defense, we know the defense. But at the same time, like he is one of our guys.

He is, he's been through the mud with us. And him getting to shine and carry the team to the World Series in a sense and have big postseason moments. I mean, it's probably the number two moment, right? Like the Harper-Homer is the number one moment. You could maybe argue the Gene hit because it doesn't happen without it. But I think in terms of like just the word a moment, I think the Reese Batts spike after the Harper-Homer, probably the number two moment of that run.

Yeah. And, yeah, so he gets that big moment. It's like all this is worth it. He's saying it's the most fun he's ever had. Um, and I'm really glad he got that. I'm glad he got those moments. I will say, you know,

I actually think this kind of helps this chance to come back because, Oh, I do too. Like, Oh, I agree with you. That's actually a decent point. Yeah.

In the sense of like, now he's going to maybe like a one year prove it deal or something like that. Maybe as a DH here next year when Harper can play the field. But what sucks for him is that if he went out and had a typical Reese Hoskins year, he's probably going to get a four-year deal on top of this. And it feels like he's always had to leave money on the table because he came up older. He's about to hit free agency at, what, 31 rather than 28, 29. So it always feels like when he has a chance to have a good earnings potential

that it never really happens for him. So it sucks for the guy. It sucks from the standpoint of like he would have made the Phillies way better. But like at the same time. All the people being like, oh, we're fine with that recall. It's like, stop. Yeah, it's a downgrade. It's a downgrade. It's a downgrade.

We'll talk it out, and I don't think it's like the team's crippled type thing, but you are fooling yourself if you don't think this is a downgrade losing Rezask. It is. It's not detrimental. Correct. It's not losing Trey Turner. It's hard for me when I saw the Braves in the World Series when they lost Ronald Acuna.

It's like completely throwing the towel when one of your good players goes down. Yeah, we've seen it in this city with a different team. And we saw Nick Foles win a Super Bowl. It makes me feel like anything can happen. Anything can happen. So, yeah, it definitely stinks. And, you know, I feel awful for Reese. And I think he was about to have a really, really good year.

You know, he looked good in spring training. He was hitting a lot of balls out. And it's just one of those things where it's a humanizing moment where it's like you feel so bad for a guy that was about to get a payday in his contract year. He's our guy, and he goes out. He's done for the year. I feel bad. Schwarber, though, 2016 towards ACL.

Came back from the World Series. And it was like three weeks later the Schwarber injury, too, in terms of the timeline. So we'll see him in the NLCS. I like that. Sure. I'll see him in the NLCS. It's a shame that they won't have the DH open, or most likely.

I think if you interpreted Dombrowski's comments the other day, obviously exciting that Harper is going to be back sooner than I think a lot of people thought, but also made it pretty clear that it's unlikely that Harper will play the field. I don't even think they're really working on the throwing nearly as much as trying to get that bat back. So there's not really, you know, if he comes back, it's not just does Reese have to get back to be able to bat is to get back to be able to

play the field too so it is it is a big ask but um and look you know to your point I think just the the number one thing you feel for this is is just sadness like it is sad that this happened to this guy you know who to your point like finally finally finally got to experience something here that was was magical and beautiful and all that and and it's like i'm addicted to it i want to do it again and all that and then and then you know at the start of the season especially with the vibes that have been now i mean how many times we talked about the freaking vibes well and he and he's a massive part of that. He's a big part of it. The team loves that guy.

We all saw how happy they were when he had that homer, that moment, and all that. Especially coming off the error in the Braves game. Was it Castellanos that said no one on the team deserves this more than Reese Hoskins? Yeah, that's exactly right. And that's exactly right. That's true. And he did because of what you said. He's the one guy who went through all the losing, the one guy who didn't know this.

You had heard all the stories about what Red October was like. It was like, yeah, I got to see it. I got to experience it. And look, I think you make a really good point in saying that I am happy he got that. You know, it would have been a lot more crippling if he had gotten hurt last year and they went on this run without him and he didn't get to be a part of it. I think that would have been even know even more devastating if that's possible but it just sucks man it sucks it sucks for the person it sucks for his career it sucks for the money like you said and it just sucks for our enjoyment of this team this year I think

like I said we were coming in this season with such such positive vibes and I still think that the chemistry will be there I still think the vibes will be there with those guys. But this definitely, you know, it knocks it. It gives it a hit. And it does take some of the magical feeling out of the start of the season. Now you hope that maybe those guys use this as a way to rally, as a way to say do it for Reese and all that type of stuff. But, you know, we don't know.

We'll see how it plays out. And, you know, he's going to be around. We know everything about Reese. He's going to be around. He's going to be in the clubhouse everything about Reese. He's going to be around. He's going to be in the clubhouse. And I think if he needs to say something, I still think he has cachet in that clubhouse to be like, yo, that's not how we do this as a Philly. But you talk about what this means for the team now.

And having Hoskins' ability to bat four you know, four or five, uh, six. I mean, I don't think he would have batted six, but like, you know, four or five part of the lineup run producer, all that,

you know, part of what made this roster so good and, and so deep is that it's just like they had guys at every position that could hurt you. And we were saying all, all off season, like a, a Castellanos bounce back would be almost a cherry on top. Like, they almost don't even need him.

Yeah. Not anymore. Not anymore. Yeah, you're right. The midday show poll I saw today was who needs to step up more with Hoskins out, and it was Castellanos or Boehm, and it's like, it's so clearly Castellanos. Yeah. I mean, I expect Boehm to be good, but it's Castellanos.

That dude has to be what you sign. Right, and this is what happened last year when Harper went down, and this is what happened in 17 when Wentz went down, is that everyone around them just started playing much better and started to pick up their guys. So they have enough talent to survive. I think they're going to enter the year. Derek Hall is going to play against righties.

And then I would assume that against lefties, if Derek Hall can't hit lefties, which he hasn't shown, but he's actually done a pretty good job of it in spring training so far. He's been working on it. They've been giving him some at-bats. So if you... The Boehm-Sosa thing probably, right? Yeah, and it's actually interesting.

They're decently equipped to handle it from within. Obviously, you don't want Reese to go down because it makes them that much better. But like Hall, a Hall-Bohm first base platoon. Is that the right way to say it? Yeah. Good. Nicely done. I messed it up on the area.

Yeah, you say platoon. And I don't even know why. I don't either. Because I say bangles too. So it's like my part of my accent, I guess. I still have it. You got a tiny little bit of it there. Well, because I'm not professional. Because I say bangles too. So it's like my part of my accent, I guess. I still have it. You got a tiny little bit of it there. Well, because I'm not professional.

You know, me. And so the platoon. If anyone is me, it's you. Platoon? Platoon. Okay, right. Platoon, yes. So like a boom hall platoon at first base should put up Reese Hoskins-ish numbers.

Sure. And then it comes down to Sosa. base should put up Reese Hoskins-ish numbers. Sure. And then it comes down to Sosa. I'm legitimately excited about watching more Edmundo Sosa. I think we all are. And in a way, this is almost a preview of what 2024 could have

looked like. It's a year early. We talked about that when we were on with Shield the other day. I think Sosa could be the everyday third baseman here. And we sort of see it a year earlier than we anticipated. Real quick, though, let me push back on that. And I agree with you.

I think it's the way it'll play out. But are we sure that Alec Boehm can play first base? Are we sure? No. Because he has never played it in any sort of meaningful way. We asked him when we were down in spring training on the morning show and he said not really like we're a lot of work at first he's like

I played there the other day but you're not really just trying to perfect third and all that and while Sosa is obviously a dramatic upgrade at third I think Sosa's probably a better first baseman than Boehm too just off the cuff because he is a better fielder and I think he can adapt quickly to the position you know what I mean?

So I do think that'll be how it plays out, but I'm not sure that Alec Bohm can just go over there and play first base at a passable level. Because it won't be good, but a passable level. Well, I guess my thought process is at least at third base, I think he's actually taking pretty good steps forward. Well, that's my point. That's why I'm

saying, do you consider maybe playing Sosa first to start? So you just leave Boh alone? Give Boehm a chance or at least, and work with Boehm on first base as the season progresses on Bobby Diggerson, do all that stuff, but like as much as I know that Sosa makes you a much better third base side of the field when he's out there,

I think it might be smarter to start to just keep Boehm at third and put Sosa at first base in this situation. Regardless, I guess the point is that you're getting two righties in the lineup against a lefty. Yeah, sure. I guess my only thing is I guess Sosa's

not short, but obviously he's not yet. Boehm has the 6-5 frame there. You want that. Ideally, it's Alec Boehm. I totally agree with that. I'm just saying, I just don't want to assume that Alec Boehm, someone who, again, took the third base, we've seen the issues, and he's worked on it really well, but could just flip to

the other side of the diamond and just be a first baseman. There's a lot of footwork. It's different. Yeah, sure. I mean, listen, whatever happens, happens. But actually, it's not a bad thought. You can do anything. I feel like he can just figure it out. He'll be alright. For me, it comes down to Sosa's thought. I mean, and Sosa, I mean, he's so. He can do anything. I feel like he can just figure it out. Like, he'll be all right.

Yeah. For me, it comes down to Sosa's bat. Like, I mean, I heard Drew and Westchester call you this morning. He's right. I mean, he has eight home runs. Yeah. He should have had nine, though, because if that wall in Houston's like. It's a great point.

Three feet. Great point by you. I know. Yeah. Believe me. I thought about that. The Sosa fly ball doesn't get talked about enough. You're right.

It doesn't. It doesn't. No, you're right. We talk about. We talk about Mancini. We talk doesn't get talked about enough. You're right, it doesn't. It doesn't. No, you're right. We talk about Mancini, we talk about Jordan. You're right. We talk about Chaz McCormick. McCormick, yep. We talk about Brandon Marsh. You're right. What a great point by you. The Amuno Sosa fly ball to left field

is a freaking game changer. We talk about the Schwerber almost homer. We don't ever talk about the Sosa almost homer. Let's not go down a rabbit hole. Yeah, you're right. What a horrible hole that... What a terrible pod this is tonight. What a sad. You and me, Brandon, hanging out in a room together. It should be joyous.

I know. This should be like, what a treat. The three of us never get to be in a room together. I know. But yeah, it comes down to Sosa's bat. So like, and. And look, if both Boehm and Sosa are in the lineup, it doesn't really matter who's first, third from a bat perspective.

They're both in the lineup. But like, Edmundo Sosa are in the lineup, it doesn't really matter who's first, third from a bat perspective. They're both in the lineup. But Edmundo Sosa is not a first baseman bat. Yeah, no, he's not. But I just think he looks so much stronger in camp. And he's hitting the ball with authority. And he was batting like 500 in spring. Him and Jake Cave have been like two of the five best hitters in Florida.

And it's spring. I get it. He's coming from Mr. Don't look at the mat. Yeah, I know, I know. This is Rich coming from you. But the swing does look way more, like generating more power. You know, I think one of Kevin Long's big thing is like getting guys in rhythm so it's not just like stationary going from point A to point B it's kind of like moving a little bit to to get into a hitting position and drive a baseball like a Schwarber is is that's one of Schwarber's main

things yeah you see it having fluidity and you're you're seeing you're seeing uh Amunas also kind of add that stuff so um can he hit enough is going to be the biggest question of the season. The Castellanos bounce back has to happen. If they're going to reach any heights they can, the Castellanos bounce back has to happen. I sort of just think Boehm's going to happen regardless. I'm already, maybe dangerous, I'm already penciling Boehm in. It's like 280, 20 plus.

I just think it's going to happen. I just feel so confident. No, it's just so funny that I'm Mr. Overreacted spring training and now you can't help yourself. Because it's fine. It's fine to overreact. To the 5-10 pounds of muscle. Oh, here we go. Nothing you see

in spring training. I'm overreacting because I was in the room with the guy and I told you he's got chiseled cheeks now. The baby fat's gone. That's what I'm overreacting to. Didn't he hit the ball to you at the tiki bar? He did. I think that's what this is. Monster. That's what this is.

Right there. It's right in front of me at the Tiki Bar. This time next year when you're doing the whole, ooh, Jack, don't ever overreact to spring training, if Boehm sucks this year, it's your fault. Anyway. Anyway. But the season now comes down to Cassiano's bouncing back.

Stott has to be good because there's no— God, real quick. Just want to scare you. The season now comes down to Cassianoos bouncing back. Stott has to be good because there's no... Real quick, just want to scare you. The season now comes down to Cassianos bouncing back, period. Yeah, well, it does. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It does. But Cassianos has to bounce back. Stott has to be good, you know,

because now if Stott was going to struggle, he didn't struggle last year, but if he wasn't good or whatever, then Sosa could have played second base. But now Sosa has to play third or has to play first or center field, whatever. Like Sosa goes from 200 at-bats. To like 450, 500. Yeah, he might get 500 at-bats this year.

And Derek Hall might. I mean, Derek Hall, I know. Me especially, he's the left-handed bat in a platoon. I mean, or a platoon. You're always going to get the predominance of the at-bats. And to your point, look, I do think that because of the versatility and the way it shakes out, and because we don't know if Bowman can play first base, I do think they will want Derek Hall to get a couple shots against lefties

and see if he can improve there. Because, like, ideally, Derek Hall can just play first base the majority of the time for you, and it gives you so much more flexibility around the roster. But, you know, we can't count on that. I have some thoughts on Derek Hall. Good. Which is probably a good spot to start with this podcast.

Yeah, this is probably a good pod to give your Derek Hall thoughts, I would say. Of all the ones we do. I've long thought he's just like a triple-A bat. You know, and I wasn't totally buying into it. But I think what the Phillies are at least getting with Derek Hall is I do think he's an upgrade at first base when it comes to defense. I think he's an upgrade over Reese.

I know he doesn't look like it. He's just a big, bulky guy. Lumbering guy, yeah. But I've never seen him. I've seen him make some plays in spring training, and I'm like, I see it. And the other thing that I think is interesting with Derek Hall is he just seems like such a Charlie guy. And you've had Charlie on. Charlie's excited about him.

Charlie's always liked him. And the one thing that Charlie has said, I think this quote came out like two weeks ago, but it kind of stuck with me as I watched him. What he told Derek Hall was, just swing the thing like an axe. Yeah, what a quote. Yeah, just swing thing like an axe. Yeah. What a quote. Yeah, just swing it like an axe. And he's been swinging hard ever since. And it's just like, every time I'm watching him, I'm like, maybe he can do it. You know, maybe he can put this together. I mean, he had 11 home runs last year, and I think five of them were off pitchers, or off position players pitching.

Only five were off pitchers, huh? Were there five off position players? I think five were off position players only five were off pitchers were there five opposition players that seems abnormally high it is a lot it was like it was like all right let's relax here um but i but but in spring at least he does seem like he's hitting the ball harder i think he's taking what charlie uh said to him to uh to heart and he's using it so i know there's gonna be this big overreaction of, like, you know, go get an upgrade or go make a trade. And I think they're going to try their best to fill it internally

before a massive, massive overreaction like that. I don't think there's any question, especially because, look, it's hard to trade right now. Most teams going, like, obviously there are a few teams out there who are going into the season saying, we're not competing. Like the A's. Like trade right now. Most teams going, like obviously there are a few teams out there who are going into the season saying, we're not competing. Like the A's. Like the A's.

But they already traded their first baseman, you know? Yeah, but, you know who's out there? Who's out in Oakland right now? I don't think you'll know, but I've always wanted him to be a Philly. Jesus Aguilar.

Really? I like Jesus Aguilar. I mean, that is, but yeah, I mean the point is there's a couple teams, the Pirates, the A's, whatever that you can look at and say, all right, maybe they would make a trade right now before the season. But the vast majority of teams, like, go into the season with hope, even if they're not going to get there.

It's rare that you see these type of trades prior to the season or right before the season. But as, look, I think, and I think regardless, to Jack's point, I do think they want to give Derek Hall a shot. I do think they want to see if this kid can step in and do it. I mean, he has shown power in the minors. He's shown power in the short since he's had in the majors. If we're talking about Reese Hoskins and, you know, the biggest thing that he gives this offense, it's the home runs. Like, Derek Hall can approximate that.

Like, it is something where you can theoretically, you know, get some semblance of the power that you're going to get from Reese, from Derek Hall. And if he can be, you know, 80% the hitter that Reese was, with better defense, that is not too bad when we're talking about replacing Reese Hoskins in this spot. And I just think it's hard right now to go out and get someone. If Derek Hall can't do it, they'll go out and get someone. That's what it's going to come down to.

Pretty much similar to that. The one thing that Hall won't be able to do, and probably the most underrated part of Reese's game, is the at-bats that he would work. Yeah, taking the pitches, man. Just grinding up pitchers. So with you. And that's what, I mean, when they had Schwarber-Hoskins batting 1-2 last year, I mean, that's why they were there.

It wasn't, the strikeouts became annoying, you know, by the end, but. The on-base percentage wasn't as classically high for both of those guys as it normally is. No. But they did grind up pitchers. What was Schwarber like, second most pitches in the league or something like that. Pitches seen per play at appearance. Yeah, something like that.

One of my faves. It's a great stat, though, because it does give you a, because obviously it's not guys who bat in the higher, in the lineup are going to see more pitches. Guys who play every day are going to see more pitches. It's a good way to get a feel of what they really do per bat. Right. Okay, so now their options.

So first off, Dabrowski, I guess, is talking right now, and he said he's probably done for the year. But he also did just say that they like Derek Hall a lot. So a vote of confidence from Dave Dombrowski. Look, he would probably do that regardless of what they were going to do, but still, good deal. Honestly, the dreaded vote of confidence. It actually can be a little nerve-wracking

It is Let's look for the Jesus Aguilar trade Well, and that's the one thing about Dombrowski Is that we know he's going to be all over it He's not going to This is still their window You don't go and spend all the money You don't say we lost Reese, guess we're just not competing this year

No, don't do whatever it takes And Middleton has made it clear he'll spend whatever it takes. They're there. They're going. They've been so good at finding underrated assets the last couple years with Ani and Dave. And Mundo Sosa we were just talking about.

What a perfect example of that. They trade Jojo Romero for it. We love Jojo. He guy, all that, whatever. But like, Mundo, Sosa, we just talked about, could be like a pivotal member of the Phillies this season. So yeah, I'm with you. So there's a part of me

that's like interested to see how they feel if they do go outside the organization. So some names that popped up for me when looking at this. Now, I don't think this would happen until the deadline, but CJ Krohn is on a... Sure, yeah, I don't think the Rockies

would trade him until the deadline. He's also had some back issues or whatever heading into the season, but he had a really nice year last year. 30-plus homers, he'll hit for a better average than Reese. Now, I know he's in Colorado, so his number's a little inflated, but that's a good name, because we know the Rockies are not going to contend, and the Rockies this season

really did kind of... It's been a while since the Rockies... The Rockies are one of those teams that never contend, but always try to contend. I think they are not trying to contend, so it's a good name. So he's one prior deadline. I think Aguilar could be had whenever. He's an Oakland A.

He's an Oakland A. I don't think the A's would like him. He's an Oakland A. This guy I think would cost too much, but he's I believe on an expiring. Is Christian Walker? Oh, yeah. That would be expensive. It would be expensive. He's an expiring? I'm pretty sure he's expiring. I'm surprised by that.

He was good last year. Albert Pujols. Come on, man. Come on. Dude, he had like 17 home runs. I know. 17 home runs. I didn't understand. I mean, I was shocked he retired.

He has a chance to set the home run record if he could keep going. But yeah, anyway. I think it's unlikely, but I liked you through that. I mean, look. Come on, Albert. Albert and Derek as a platoon?

Let's go. Yeah, Walker is on an expiring contract. Wow, that is surprising that out. I mean, look, I... Come on, Albert. One year. Albert and Derek as a platoon? Let's go. Yeah, Walker is on an expiring contract. Wow, that is surprising. Okay. Plus another Walker out of the team. That'd be two,

which I... Which you are fully in support of now. The more Walkers, the better. By the way, I don't know if this is a sign, but I heard Danny's song

on my drive-in today. Oh. Might be the day. You think it's gonna be the day? Might be the day. I like this. So that's the I'm on Daniel. That song you're talking about? You think it's gonna be the day? Might be the day I like this That's the I'm on Daniel

That song you're talking about? No it's It's Even though We ain't got money Oh I'm still in love That's called Danny's song?

Yeah By Loggins and Messina No I know I didn't know it was called Danny's song Yeah well maybe Learn your music Okay Big dog

That's it right there This guy I don't really have interest in this guy But he was a former top roster back, Miguel Sano Yeah, he was And he did have a year where he was a stud In Major League Baseball But has really fallen off since then

But he had that one great year Anyone who plays fantasy remembers the Miguel Sano year Of course we do And then you remember the six other years You had him on your roster And when he's trying to play third base. What are we doing? This guy I think is going to get bought out today.

Luke Voigt. I love when Jack just drops a little inside information. Well, that's not insane. He's going to get bought out today. My sources are telling me. There's no sourcing here. I like Luke Voigt. I've always liked Luke Voigt. Dude hits some bombs, man. He does hit some bombs. And he's one of those guys who gets locked in.

Funny enough, kind of like Hoskins, where he'll get locked in, and he can be the best hitter in baseball for a month. I know. Luke Voigt can be a monster. And I think you just need someone to believe in him. I mean, he's just like with the Yankees. He does, dude. He went to the Padres, was not as good.

He went to the Nationals, wasn't as good. You just need someone to believe in him. I'll believe in you, Luke. I will, too. Listen, man. I'm in on Luke Voigt. I'm going to fight you. When the Yankees believed in him. I'll believe in you, Luke. I will, too. I'm in on Luke Voigt. I'm going to fight you. When the Yankees believed in him for that one year, he was great.

He was an all-star. I love Luke Voigt. Isn't he? No, that seems like a big reach. I think he was an all-star. You think Luke Voigt was an all-star? I think the one year. I could be wrong.

I might be wrong. I'm probably wrong. Yeah, I would be shocked. Well, you might not. I mean, yeah, 2020, he did 277 with 22 homers. Nah, never made it. He was an MLB home run leader. Yeah, but that was 2020.

I mean, come on. Yeah, he never made an All-Star team. Yeah, I was going to say. I think I probably thought of him leading the league in homers. Dude, he did finish ninth in the MVP in 2020. Wow, did he really? Yeah. Wow.

Look at that. Only five homers away from 100 career home runs. Oh, come on home. It's a big deal. Come on home, Luke. Oh, I didn't realize where he's playing now, so no wonder. Okay, keep going. You got it now. And then the last

name here that kind of popped up, if you're looking for a real upgrade at first base, problem is that he's a lefty. First base defense, I say. G-Man Choi. Oh, well, yeah, that'd be a legit upgrade. Well, at defense, at least.

Defensively, it'd be legit. And he bats in the middle of that lineup, which is great. Well, of course he does. I mean, it's the Pirates. Okay, so here's the thing with all those names, and I like him. So, here's the thing with all those names, and I like them. Are we sure that, like Christian Walker. Costs a lot.

I know. I'm saying outside of Christian Walker, are we sure that everyone on that list is better than Derek Hall? No. No. Well, CJ Cronin is. CJ Cronin is. I forgot about Cronin. And you keep disrespecting our Bulls.

Can you imagine the concept of just saying, just the idea of saying, are we sure Derek Hall is better than Albert Pujols? Like the baseball love inside of me is like dying with that sentence. Yeah. So I'm not. And that's why these are more deadline, I think, more than anything. Especially Cronin Walker, who are the two best names in that. Right. And if things are going bad... Oh, another name...

He's been, like, just not very good, but he seems like an odd man out up there, but Bobby Dahlbach. Oh, in Boston. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, sure. He seems odd man out. Again, another guy, I don't know if he's much better than Derek Hall. Can they just bring back Joey Manessis?

Honestly, how perfect would having Joey Manessis? Honestly, how perfect would having Joey Manessis in your system be right now? I know. Well, Derek Hall could be the Joey Manessis of the season.

Sure, if he's going to go at 300 with like 30 homers or whatever the hell Joey Manessis did last year. No, it wasn't that high, but Joey Manessis was awesome last year. Yeah.

Will Myers? Probably cooked, but like, you know. I'd rather have Derek Hall. Yeah, I'd rather have Derek Hall. Yeah, I'd rather have Derek Hall than Will Myers. I will say, though, and you know I've said this before many times, huge fan of the no batting gloves guys. I just think it's so cool looking.

I just think it's so dumb. It's so cool looking, though. I agree, it's dumb, but it's like, you're a badass. If you go with the no batting gloves, it's like, oh, that's pretty badass. And Will Myers, no batting gloves guys. Yeah, well, he's also not hit for like six years, so maybe put the batting gloves on. Guy like, oh, that's, that's pretty bad. And Will Myers, no batting gloves guys. Yeah. Well, he's also not hit for like six years. So maybe put the batting gloves on. Guy made a lot of money playing baseball.

He did. With little, little results. Guy made a lot of money. Former number one prospect. He scored Will Myers. Yeah, so was Don Brown.

Um, but yeah, it's just like, you start going through these options and it's, it's just like, oh, well, damn it.

You know, like, like we didn't have to worry. And what's, it's just like, Oh, well, damn it. You know, like, like we didn't have to worry. And what's, what's, what's the, the little voice in the back of my head and I'm trying to fight it off is the whole,

like, are the injuries just starting to pile up? And it's like, it's like, are we cursed? Is this like about to be at season from hell season where it's like, Bryce struggles to get back. Yeah,

I know. And, and Ranger can't, can't get know. And Ranger can't get healthy. Painter doesn't get healthy. Hoskins is done for the year. Yeah, the only one that sounds ridiculous is Bryce because he's Superman. Right, exactly right. He's a quick healer.

You know whose fault this is, by the way? It's freaking John Heyman who wrote last night that the Phillies are a super team. And it's like tonight is the night you decide to roll that big old take out there. By the way, this podcast has been saying it for months. But that's the night that he throws it out. Yeah, I think John Amon, very blamable in a lot of situations when it comes to bad things happening. Well, we used to blame Nightingale. We did.

And that's transferred to Amon. I mean, we also, let's be honest, we have to do it, right? I mean, Chio Capatti has to take a pretty big hit on this one, too. Per usual. I mean, if we're going to be honest. Hashtag stick the football. You hear that, BLG? Take that.

Hashtag stick the football. Dave Dombrowski, quote, they like Derek Hall a lot. Yeah, we know, again, they're not going to go out and get someone right now. They're going to give Derek Hall a shot. And again, look, could Derek Hall bat 240 with 30 home runs this year sure you know that that's on the table like that would not be the most insane thing that's happened um you know it's just again going back to what we're you know talked about at the top it's it's I think this is the kind of spot where we we had so many people during the offseason,

after the World Series, obviously after Game 5 and the defensive play with Reese and the bat with Reese and all that stuff where everyone's like, trade him, we don't want him here, this and that. Well, guess what? Those people, you're going to see how valuable this guy was. You're going to see that this guy mattered to this team. And we just got to hope that Derek Hall can, you know, take a step and be. And look, I do think it is possible.

They do like him. Before Reese got hurt, like, now obviously Dave Dombrowski is going to be like, we like Derek Hall a lot. But before he got hurt, all these guys were saying that. Like, Dave Dombrowski did say that a week ago. Like, Charlie Manuel said it on our show, said it on your show. Like, all these people. Like, Derek Hall has, there has been a lot of

excitement about him and his potential this spring so like if you're looking for for things to latch on to I you know I think the Derek Hall potential is is at least something you can be hopeful about well and the one thing that I that I do feel comfortable with Derek Hall with is that um you know because now you would assume that there's this big pressure on Derek, like you've got to step up and be Reese Hoskins which can be a lot for a player. Yes. Which is, and especially

a guy who's had, like Reese Hoskins, it's not just the player but it's the, you're asking to step into those shoes across the board. Like we talked about the leadership on it and it won't be that. But like, when you talk about Reese that way when you expect that, it all comes together. But, I will say this, when he first came up

they put him right in the cleanup spot. That's true. And he had some bombs. Replacing Bryce Harper. That's a great point by you. That's a really good point by you. So, when you talk about if a guy can handle it or not, if a guy is ready for the moment, I think the fact that he is major league debut, he's batting four.

On a team that is trying to win a division. I think they think he's ready for it. His personality, he seems just like, kind of roll with the punches. Just happy to be there. Seems like another good locker room younger clubhouse guy. Everyone seems

to like him. The players like him and all that. And Riesel obviously throws arms around him. The players like him and all that. Yeah, and Reese will obviously throw his arms around him and support him and do what it takes. And again, to your point, I do think Reese will be there. I think he'll be around.

I think he'll be, you know, I think that, I don't think like the sadness of losing Reese will infect the clubhouse or anything like that. I think if anything,

it'll go the other way where I do think it is a chance where they rally around it and rally around this thing and move forward that way. But I don't, it'll go the other way, where I do think it is a chance where they rally around it and rally around this thing and move forward that way. But I don't think it'll be a detriment from a clubhouse perspective because I think Reese will be there and he'll put his arm around Derek and all that stuff. But I think on the field, there's no question that today

they're a worse team than they were yesterday. There's just no other way to put it. Nope. All right. I have a show issue, so to speak, when we're done. You got anything else on the Reese Derrick Hall? The show like this show? Yeah.

So it's two things. I have a show issue, and then we got to get a Jill Walker update. Oh, okay. So do you have anything else on the Reese Derrick Hall, the whole thing? Would you take 230 and 27 home runs from Derrick Hall? Yes. Is that good enough? Yeah, I think it is.

I mean, what was Reese last year? Like 240 with 35 or something? Not even 35, like 32 or something like that. What was he? Somewhere in that range, right? Yeah. I think if you get that close with Derek Hall, I think that's a strong season. Reese was 246, 332 OBP with 30 homers.

30 homers, yeah. So that actually sounds like a That sounds like a reach. Yeah. Derrick, yeah. So how about this? Would you take 240, 24 homers from Derrick Hall? Yeah. I think so too.

I would take 25 homeruns from Derrick Hall. Me too. And that's ultimately all I need and maybe play a little bit better defense than Reese and you know, okay. I'm going to miss the eye. I'm going to miss the eye. I'm going to miss it, too. My biggest thing about Reese is, like, obviously him. But also, like, when he was really working at bat.

Now, I won't miss some of the strikeouts. We won't miss the cold streaks. We won't miss the, like, you know, the month where he decides to go 0 for the month. That we won't miss. But I will miss his West Coast trips. Yes. I mean, West Coast Reese is maybe the best player in Philly's history. Yeah, up there.

One of them. One not as good as June Schwarber. No. Well, that's not fair. There's no player in baseball history that is June Schwarber. Another, and again, I'm sorry I didn't consult you on this, but I feel like you believe me. You're going to be with me on this take.

Okay, I better be. Official high hopes position. They're not putting Cassianos or Schwarber at first base. Oh, official position. Fully with you. Schwarber can't defend at first base. He was atrocious in Boston. He played 40-something games there in Boston, and it was horrible.

Dude, he got, and I love Kyle, but he made a routine play, and they mock cheered him, And he gave a little fist bump. Like, no, no, no, no, no. And I know Cassianos came up as a third baseman, quote, unquote, but there's no way he can move to first base. No way. And honestly, Harper, maybe down the road, but I'm hearing a lot of people do like, bring Bryce Harper back.

Harper's not throwing this year. Maybe by the end of the year because the throws are less intense than from right field. Maybe get the end of the year, because the throws are less intense than from right field, maybe get him some work there, but let's not just say Bryce Harper can come back and play first base. But JT could. JT could. Well, yeah, absolutely JT could. But is that a much better line?

I don't think so. Maybe they shouldn't. No. I'm glad Brandon Marsh is here, but this would be a nice time to have Logan on the hobby. Would be a nice time to have Logan on the hobby. Before we right. Would be a nice time to have Logan on a hobby. All right. Before we get to the show issue, where are we at, buddy? So for those who don't know, if you didn't listen to the pod we did with

Sheila yesterday, listen to this first and then we'll get out. Yeah. Listen to this one. Yeah. Which does his daughter listen to first, High Hopes or that podcast? It better be High Hopes. First of all, shout out to Naya. Naya, we are big fans of yours.

Way bigger fan of yours than your father. We like your your father but we are naya fans on this pod yeah well what i like about naya is that she's an eye test oh yeah she's eye test he's more nerd stats yeah naya get it she gets it also also like he does like epa and all that nonsense like who the hell cares he said his stat yesterday on the pod i never heard it was like home run percentage or something i was like what are we talking about? I know fly ball percentage. I don't know what this is. Just tell me what your eyes are. Expected yards per carry or

yards after. Stop. Are these made up stats? Can he play or can he not play? These sound like made up stats to me. Can we stop using numbers to try to justify if a guy's a good player or not? It's a great point. And by the way, I also like how much grief Nia gives Shield. So that's a win too.

Shout out to Nia. Because she's probably frustrated that his eye test is so lacking. So the point being, Nia, listen to us first, then you can check out your dad's little pod there. But I don't even know

where I was going with that. Okay. So for those who didn't know, yesterday, March 23rd, was the actual due date. Yep. So he's officially... Obviously late. so we're

now officially late i'm already worried about him being lazy yes uh where are we at just just for the high ups listeners walker fritz is on the way middle name still to be announced at least there's some intrigue there i know because well that's the only entry is that we haven't decided yet so that's good it's good well we're between names. Okay. You know what I mean? Yeah, so everything's, I don't know, here's the official position. Yeah, that's what we need here.

Can't wait for him to get here. Obviously. Right? I need it to happen. Yep. I had a dream about him last night, so obviously someone's ready for it. Yep, subconscious.

My dad bod is coming along great. Your dad's always been there. Yeah, it's been there for years. Like, someone's been preparing for this for years. And Jill's feeling well, but she's tired and wants to have the kid.

Yeah, she's like, get this thing out of here. Yeah, she's like, she's like, yesterday, happy due date, let's go. So, yeah,

it could be any day now. It doesn't seem like it's gonna, like, I'm more in the camp of, like, need to see it to believe it at this point. I keep expecting, like, today, like, it could be any day now. It doesn't seem like it's gonna... I'm more in the camp of, like, need to see it to believe it at this point. I keep expecting, like, today, like, this pod, I keep expecting, like, oh, can't do the pod having a kid.

Like, oh, can't do the shield thing having a kid. Like, so many things I keep expecting to happen, and they're not happening. Well, my phone is on airplane mode, so maybe I should... Oh, that's... Let me just check it real quick. Seems like a really good idea.

That's a really, really good idea of all the things that you could do. Everything's good. Everything's good. So no kid. No kid. You're good. No kids.

Maybe keep it out of airplane mode. But then I can't focus, and that's my issue. Because I'm not very good at multitasking. Ah, I got you. You need to be locked in. Just don't look at your phone. You can't. But then I get notifications.

You can't. And I get the watch. See, I can put my phone down and be gone for my life for like an hour or whatever. Jack, it's... Mm-mm. No. Absolutely not. I know.

We'll fit a little inside baseball here. Funny. I hope. Whenever I'm doing the radio show, obviously part of my job is to break news. If something happens, I have to go on the air and be like, hey, this happened. No joke. I was going to go nine times out of 10, but that's not fair. 99 times out of 100, I find out about news.

And I'm on Twitter. Like, it's on there, but I'm doing the show. 99 times out of 100, I find out because Jack texts me or will call me, like, check your DMs or whatever. Like, Jack always tells me what's happening. Yeah. The Lane one was all time. That was very fast today. It was unbelievable.

I think it was up for 30 seconds. He's like, check. I don't even. I just see Jack Fritz calling in on the hotline. He's like, check your DMs. Click. And I'm like, good job. Thanks. No, because insider baseball. Is that a term?

The inside, inside. Inception baseball. No, you're an idiot. And you use regular Twitter on your computer rather than TweetDeck. Yes. So you miss everything. I also am just not paying attention to it.

And you don't have notifications on. I don't have any notifications. For no one. For nothing. There's not a single tweet that gets put out that I get a notification about. It's good stuff. Yeah. It's good stuff.

Now, Brandon, our buddy in here, literally, he is the next level. Not just that, he can't miss a tweet. Do you know this about Brandon? Oh, I know. You know that he can't miss a tweet. Do you know this about Brandon? Oh, I know. You know that he can't miss a tweet. He has an app that he uses. It's a fear. He's a fear of missing stuff.

I give him crap for this all the time. I'm like, you can miss tweets? He's like, no. I used to have a fear. I really, I can't miss any. Like, I have to see every single tweet. I'm like, no, you don't. But he does.

I used to have a fear. It's a compulsion. I used to have the same thing. But I grew out of it. Good job. Well, good. Teach him. You're a dad now or soon to be.

Yeah. I mean, I'm always looking to give advice to people. You really are. You're just ready for it. It's like any opportunity you get, you're like, hold on. Let me just throw that out. Yeah. Yeah.

By the way, I've talked to like a million college kids this week because apparently it's their week to like- What a flex, right? Just like, oh yeah, college kids ask me for advice. No, no, because I have my DMs open and you don't. Yeah. It's true. I don't. Yeah. So i have my dms open you don't yeah yeah so i have my dms open honestly let me tell you what a great decision that is not having my dms i like doing it's good it's good no it is i do like doing that stuff that's but it's it's this

week where it's like everyone all the teachers assigned oh the do a project on someone in the in the industry you want to work oh and then it and then it's all, what the fuck? It's just like flex after flex. Oh, come on down. It's not just you do it, it's you do it because he's their idol, is what he's trying to say. The idea of Jack Fritz molding the young minds of America is a little scary, but good stuff for you. All right, speaking of, so we will obviously let everyone know when this happens, and obviously. Believe it or not, yes.

Yeah, I'm sure you'll have your phone. I'm sure you'll be tweeting as it's happening. You'll be like, Walker's here it's popping out no i know i thought about it and if it happens during the show like marks and reese i gotta call in obviously yeah anything to make this more about content yeah about you let's be honest that's good yeah so oh oh uh i don't know if you're gonna mention this but and hopefully i can be there right yes okay i was like we can't we we can't not talk about it. All over it.

So that's why I was leading him with it. I was like, hopefully Jack will be there, was how I was going to say it. But I will be there no matter what. No matter what, you'll be there. I will be there. And Tommy Green will be there no matter what. And Jack, you know, the rate we're going might be there.

You know, who knows when this kid's coming. But first High Hopes Watch Party of the Year, a little Bedlam at the Bars, baby. It's going to be awesome. We are going to be at Tavola. Me, maybe Jack Fritz, Tommy Green will be there. It's the High Hopes Bedlam at the Bar World Premiere presented by Miller Lite. Shout out to Miller Lite.

We are back. Miller Light for Phil's wins. All the good stuff. It's coming back. Again, it's at Tavola. It's going to be March 30th, so that is opening day, obviously. Tavola is 400 Sproll Street in, it's S-P-R-O-U-L Road

in Springfield, PA. Again, it's going to be for the Phillies opener against the Rangers. 4-0-5 first pitch next Thursday. We'll be there. And listen to this. This is the real key. I mean, you can come see me, whatever. You can come see Tommy Green.

That's pretty cool. A raffle for your chance to win one of 20 pairs of tickets to be in the building for the Phillies home opener, a.k.a. in the building, when Trey Turner steps to the plate in the bottom of the first to lead the Phillies season off. Like, let's go. Okay? Let's go. So coming out, we're going to be at Tavola. It's going to be awesome. I will definitely be there. Hopefully Jack will be there. Maybe the baby

will be there. Probably won't. I don't think that's the best decision. Probably a bad decision. But either way, we will be here. Hopefully the baby's here, and then soon, and then Jack will be there. Alright, last thing I'm going to show you. Just a minor one. Just a little thing. So question. It is now Friday.

So this is, I believe, your second full week of Fritz at Six. Is that right? Yeah. Second week. Okay, and every Tuesday. Ish. Because like Tuesday, Thursday was a 6.30. We're done.

Done. But you had Howard on, right? You do the Brian with the can. Brian with the can, yeah. Yeah, so two weeks. My buddy, my best pal, you know, do a pod together. I like that you said that right into BLG's eyes. Yeah, it's his own, you know, also my best pal.

So I got two of my best pals with me, right? He said me first. Yeah, you're right. I did. You are hosting the pod with me, but no big deal. You know, you would think, I know, see, this is, I know BLG would never have gone this long, but, you know, when am I invited on Fritz at six like what the hell is this you got your own show on the radio and you have not even asked your boy to call in this is like i mean outrage isn't isn't

the right word but it's not the wrong word okay that that's all i'm gonna say just putting it out there i gotta wait a month a year two years i don't know just saying so no invitation has been extended no no no there hasn't i want to talk to james on my show no big deal it's like we have a great time talking on the pod but probably wouldn't translate to the radio i guess no um so i guess here's my here's my official take on this. Yes. My bad. But I feel like with Bedlam at the Bars, we should probably have you on to talk about it. What a good idea. Come on next week to promote it.

What a thought. Yeah, well, maybe I won't be here. It's true. Maybe someone else will be hosting. Yeah. So, yeah, I just, full disclosure, I don't ever think about getting guests on. Yeah, you got an hour, I guess. I'm an anti-guest.

And it's a really tight, I'm an anti-guest type, too. I'm an anti-guest guy. Yeah, me too. So, you know, I have more to think about. So, the way I lay out the show is I have my opening take, and then I have take two at 640. My second take, so I got to take two takes for an hour. So, it's a,an. I'm swan. Stop.

And to be fair, if you had guests on, it would be Les Jack. Yeah, and that's never a good thing. You already got to take callers. I mean, enough already, right? Yeah, yeah. It's a good point. I didn't think about this. But I'll see if I'm working to the mix next week. Okay, see if you can work.

That's all I'm saying. Maybe just a thought. Maybe a quick, you know, maybe I could call in like a normal caller. Like, hey, it's James in Point Breeze. Yeah, James in Point Breeze. Oh my God, is that Charlie Day? All right, you got anything else? You know, we've turned this around.

I think I'm smiling right now. This is good. I guess my final thought is this, is that I know Reese went down and I know that sinks, but all systems go. Like the expectation has not changed for me. The expectation is still go to the World Series and bring it home. Like, you have Trey Turner, you have Bryce Harper, you have JT,

you have Schwarz, you have Wheeler. Like, there is enough talent here to still get the job done. And I just don't want people to throw in the towel this early. The injuries are concerning. Ranger being hurt stinks. Hopefully he's good to go the first week of the year or whatever misses two weeks. But this is not deterring from what is the ultimate goal here,

which is to bring this thing home. We mentioned the Braves. They won it without Acuna. We've seen teams do this. We saw the Eagles do it. Hopefully, Reese can become a rallying cry for the city and the team, and they can say, let's go win it for the city and the team. And they can say, let's go win it for Reese.

But nothing has changed. Like, I don't want anyone's expectation to go down. They just still win 93 games. It is time to, to, to get back there and win this whole thing. So I'm sorry about Reese.

It stinks about Reese. I wish he was out there. He raises the level of this team, but all systems go. It's still, it's still win the World Series. And if they don't, I'm going to be heartbroken about it. And hopefully the Reeds can come back for the NLCS and Bryce can throw again.

And now we just can't. We said this yesterday on the podcast with Shield. June 10th. Officially labeling that as Bryce Harper's return date. Oh, that is the official IHOPs prediction. Dodgers at home. Saturday. June 10th.

It's a marquee game. Bryce Harper will be back June 10th. It's a marquee game. Bryce Harbaugh back June 10th. Oh, and then we... And breaking news. Ba-ba-da-da. Then set it down. Oh, and everyone's melting down in the stands. And then they go on their run.

And they end up probably not winning the division. But they make the wild card game. And we run this whole thing back. And Reese comes back for the NLCS. And the city melts down again and we're back in the World Series. Do not lose faith. Do not lose hope. The message is still the message.

World Series or bust. Couldn't have said it better myself. You've heard some seltzer. We'll see you next time.