High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Should The Phillies Buy Tickets To The Sku-Ball?

Episode Date: June 8, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies' successful homestand and wonder if the Phils could actually be suitors for Tigers ace Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline. Presented by Miller Lite.To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.comTo buy tickets for the High Hopes Night in Reading CLICK HERE.

Miller Light, the official beer partner of your Philadelphia Phillies, is proud to serve as presenting sponsor of WIP's High Hopes Pod. So whether you're listening to the game, catching off on the latest High Hopes pod or at the ballpark. Remember, it tastes like Miller time, Phillies fans. Celebrate responsibly. This is the High Hopes podcast. High Hope! On the Odyssey app and Sports Radio 94, WIP.

The crowd is singing high hope. I feel a little less alone. is another edition of the I-Opies podcast, sponsored by Miller-Light official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies, Tastes like Miller Time, Philadelphia, celebrate responsibly another two or three, another series win so much to get into, but first,

while the Phillies handled business this weekend, we did not, Jack. We handled business very poorly. We were close, but not correct. So June 10th, that is Wednesday. We have an event we told you about it. We told you it to Warminster. That's true.

We told you that. the time, 707 game for the Blue Jays and the Phillies. That's true. We told you it was at a place called Blue Jays. It's not. We're playing the Blue Jays. That was on there. So here is the deal.

Wednesday night, June 10th, we will be in Warminster. We're going to be at a place called Tony's Place. It's technically an Ivyland, but Warminster, Ivyland right there. So we will have the High Ops Trivia and Phillies watch party, sponsored by Miller Light. You have a chance to win Phillies tickets and merch and all that stuff. And obviously, we'll watch the Phil's. and the Blue Jays up in that horrible stadium

that brings back terrible memories. First pitch 707, Miller Lights for Phil's win, celebrate responsibly. So Wednesday night, please comment. It's to be awesome. Again, it's not, we'll take accountability on this one because we are accountability guys, but it's not our fault. No, clearly not.

I mean, come on. The paper said Blue Jays. What do you want to say, you know? Well, and shout out to the guy who tweeted me. He's like, hey, I'm looking for a Blue Jays in Farrington. And I was, I was, at a time I was driving around. I was at a stoplight, of course.

And I was like, hold on. It all clicked in my brain of they're playing the Blue Jays. And the event's going to be in Wormonster. And then you texted me and we were like, well, great job, boss. That's awesome. Terrific. Yes. So we are locked in now. Tony's place. Tony.

Tony's place. It's his place and we'll be there. Yes. We're coming to hang out with Tony. I don't know if it's Anthony Rendon. You know, Tony, too back. He's not playing baseball, right, is he? He's got enough money, you know?

Or you can open up restaurants in every country or every state if he wanted. So, no, it'll be good. It'll be a good time. And it'll be, will be, will we be enjoying who's going to be on the mound Wednesday? So sadly, I think it's Wheeler and Sanchez and the next two games. We got Zeus. It's great. It's great.

one of the locations of his tip pitching issues last year. Oh, yeah, I forgot. I forgot about that one. That was not a fun game. Will they have a tribute video to Don Mattingly? You think or not? Yes. Yes, I think so.

Yeah, I think so. I mean, they went to World Series last year, you know. Yeah, I think so, for sure. Okay, okay. As they should. As they're a Blue Jay, great. Treasure him, as we say. Yes.

As we say. So come hang out Wednesday. It would be a lot of fun. And we'll have some Miller lights. Yeah, and win some Philly tickets. We'll do trivia. You can win stuff. So it's awesome.

All right. Let's have into the weekend. It's so much to get into with the weekend of baseball. First and foremost, just the overall thoughts about, look, 26 and 11 since Magnly came in. It is the best record in baseball since then. Shockingly, they've scored the most runs in baseball since then, which it doesn't feel that way. Or excuse me, they have the highest average. Not most runs.

They have the highest average, excuse me, in baseball since then. then, not the most runs, excuse me, have the highest average in baseball since then. Where are you at with this team right now? Because I do think, like, I think Magnley's done a really good job. We've talked about that. I do think he's actually doing some things and managing, but, you know, I don't know that he is the reason that they're going to go all the way. But the bats get going a bit.

Marsh, I mean, just an insane weekend. Three, you know, Homer in each game, multiple hits otherwise hit Homer off a lefty, too, which was thrilling to see. But, you know, now people are starting to get concerned about the pitching. I didn't expect to come in today and or should they get hitting or pitching at the deadline. Where are you out with this Phil's team? Because they're playing good baseball. They're a playoff team right now.

But kind of still like this is the first weekend. They scored over four runs in a game in like a month, you know? So where you at? Well, that's why there's no way they have the most runs in baseball. Yeah. I met average. Richie said it on the average. That was a bad job at me.

Definitely makes sure you double check it if Richie said it. That's a good point. Well, because our other good friend, Richie, in the Northeast. So he was running some numbers. He's my, he's my analytical. great at numbers our guy, Richie, in the Northeast. That dude brings it. He's my analytics department.

Yeah. And they have, so it's the best record, but they have like a plus 33 run differential. Well, yeah. Which, like the Braves, I think have like an 85 run differential during that. Well, and also, I mean, like, just if you go season long and I know it started season, I think the Phillies are minus 19 right now. And both the Braves and the Dodgers are like plus 130 something or whatever. It's like they're light years apart.

I mean, the Braves and Dodgers have both scored over 80 more runs than the Phillies this season. right there. Don't let this team get out. It is wild, though. It seems like they're really the only two teams in baseball that are hitting with any real consistency, which is wild too, you know? Yeah. I mean, one of my takeaways to the weekend is like I really like that White Sox team. They're fun, man. They are the definition of frisky. They can't pitch at all, but they can hit. I mean, that's a real, that's a real professional

lineup. And I'm so, there's a part of me jealous and also asking questions how, seemingly overnight they like their hitting identification got way better you know like these guys developed really really fast developing these hitters in the minor leagues so like the quick turnover nature of the the white socks two years ago lost 47 or 147 yeah 43 whatever and just had seemingly no hope for the future and they bring in a new

GM I assume he brings in his own guys and it's again overnight I feel like hitter identification and just the development of their guys has, has exploded. Skyrocketed, yeah. Yeah. So, I think the White Sox are, when the White Sox are outsmarting you, that's not what you want. I know. That's a dangerous spot to be in.

I know. I know. It was jarring. So, yeah, first off, it was a, what an annoying weekend not to be fully locked in. Again, I was out of my, one of my best friends' weddings. Now, you got all kinds of stuff going on these days. It's just too much action, buddy, between the kids and the, and you got another kid on the way.

I mean, man, when do you have time for anything, Jack? That's what everyone says. At the rehearsal dinner, don't worry, though. I was streaming the game. Of course you were. Locked in for the final two winnings. He was like, wow, he came back and, you know, they're going to probably win this ballgame.

So, yeah, I mean, overall, like, it's one of those things where you face the Padre staff and you're annoyed the offense. And then you think the pitching staff is great. and then the pitching staff faces a good offense. Yep. Doesn't look as good. And the hitting faces a horrible offense.

It's funny how that happens, huh? All of a sudden, they look a little bit better. So, like, this weekend didn't change how I really feel about anything besides, besides maybe, just maybe, dipping our toe in the water of the scuba discussion. Shout out to that guy who in the mailbag tweeted us. could they be and we're like no idiot stop it and i will get there i'm not in fully but like in belief but to to you sir i apologize yes full step yeah we are we we might be having to enter in the discussion but i think i think overall um like some of the offensive pieces that you need

to get going are are getting there marsh he kind of went through was it like two weeks ago he was striking out a lot and i kind of had this fear because i always have a fear in the back light head with these guys like, all right, here comes a downturn. Especially with Marsh, because he's never done this, this consistently this long, you know? But now I guess he has, you know? It feels so real, dude. It's like, like, is he going to lead the league in average? Like, what the hell, man?

It's awesome. I mean, he's going to be an all star. Brandon Marsh can be an all star and, like, deservedly so. Like, can't not be an all star. It's, it is, it's pretty funny. Funny. I don't funny is the right word, but it's, you know, we spent all this time with Bowman and Stah and that.

development, the belief what they could be in their first round picks for us, all his stuff. And then they go trade for Marsh. And he's the third of that kind of age range group. And he's the one who's developed into something. It really is, I think it's surprising for a lot of people. Well, that's a good sign. It's not one of our own either. Yeah, of course, right.

Yeah, exactly right. God forbid, right? But, well, and also at the same time, the belly aching over Curtis Mead and Logan O'Hoppy. How about it, man. A lot of bellyache about Curtis Mead. You never talked about that trade. Can you, could you believe that? He's got top 100 props, but anyway.

We don't go, we don't go, we don't go, we don't go back to dark times. But, but yeah, and then O'Hoppy, who... He's not good. No, he's not. No, he's not. And, you know, Marsh now is hitting 294 against left-hand of pitching this year. Yeah, yeah. Which, it's one of the, one of the things with Topper, he just...

He didn't give him a chance. He got a little too obsessed, a little too obsessed with matchups, and numbers and like I'm sure if those guys like stop and Marsh if they were facing a lefty there's extra pressure because it felt like if I didn't get a hit I'm not going to see a lefty ever again you know and that's been one of the differences with with madly coming in here is like sure he's had moments where he's pulled him I mean he pulled him in L.A. and it worked out yeah and Mundo hit the big home run and stuff like that but he's pretty much getting a chance to play every day against lefties and now that he's getting more reps he

Who to thunk. Reps are important? Wow. He's doing it. He's doing a good job. He's doing a good job. Now, I do think they had a tip in the one yesterday, in the game yesterday, where he went the opposite way against the lefty. Because Schwerber was like, I don't know if you noticed this.

Schwerber was standing at second base. And then as the pitch was like coming, he was putting his arm out. No, I didn't notice that, really. To give him the location, I think. And of course, Marsh took it and went the opposite way. But, you know, Bome had a really solid weekend. He did. Like, looking like, boom, you know, at least thinking the.

opposite way, line drives up the middle. So, I mean, he's obviously massively important. I just, because you kind of start, you kind of start thinking. Yeah, they need a righty bat. They need a frigar righty bat. They need one. But the righty bat also kind of had a big weekend as well. I mean, come on, man.

Come on. You saw a dollies out there. You're seeing the bat flip. Ah, dude, if he hits one of those in October, I'm ready to listen. I think we should commit to him. I think we should commit to him. Before a 10-year contract? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

One of those. It's going to be one of those in the postseason. meaningful spot. Yes, obviously Adolis, he did have a good weekend. Yesterday was not a great weekend. Bat looked a little bit quicker. We like that. He has about a month and a half to really, really change their minds without having to go out. But let's say, let's say for the next month and a half, he hits seven home runs. And it's like, wow, like Adolese has arrived. And Stott stabilizes a little bit. And like he's been fine ever since like a dreadful start. Like his overall numbers don't look great. But I think he's been okay. Yeah. Yeah. A nice piece of

hitting yesterday in a big spot. Yeah. Well, that. And it's like, I'm watching that. And I texted my one buddy. It's like, why can he just do that all the time? I know. I know. It feels like he used, it felt like that was the hitter he was going to be. Like that hit yesterday, like up the middle, like like kind of looping it out, like hard.

That was what we thought he was going to be, that type of hitter. And you're right. It's so, so rare. I mean, he's had success as you're pulling the ball. But he hasn't been that type of hitter. It's strange. And then you got, you got, you got, Bome, who at least has stabilized. Like, he's hitting, I mean, his OPS is like 650, but that's also the best it's been in a long time.

So, I mean, he was in the fours. Like not that long ago. He had like a 440 OPS wherever that was, you know, so. So like, again, I'm still in the camp of I think they need to go get a bat. But at the same time, and this is that, listen, this is just coming back to my scuba point. It's like, which is more of a needle mover for this team? Like Taylor Ward or Derek Scoob. Well, yeah, I get that.

But again, so let's just get in it. And we'll get back to the weekend because I think it is the number one. thing kind of just being talked about right now. I get your point, but it's not really a one-to-one there. You know, what you're giving up to get Taylor Ward is very different from what you're giving up to get scuba. You know what I mean? So let's do the scoble thing and then we'll get into the bat part.

So I'm sure people have seen it. You know, they've been linked. Buster only mentioned it. He has since kind of said it was more of a, it's not reported as much as kind of assuming the Phillies will be in a bit. But I, I, I, I, get it. I think, look, if they, I mean, Scoobel, Wheeler, and Sanchez, I mean, in the discussion for best three ever, like, you know, that's, that's really unreal. But what it would cost to get scuba for two months. I think it's so unlikely that he would be resigned here based on the amount of money he's going to get. And, you know, the amount of money already put into that pitching staff moving forward with the contracts with Sanchez, Lizardo and Nolan, all that. I just can't justify it myself. Like, I can't. I can't trade gaugewood and this and that to go get Scoobol when I do think he makes you better.

But if they don't hit, they don't hit. Like I get it. And again, the idea, you know, they have Scoobel and Sanchez and Wheeler. They have a chance to win a World Series. I just, to me, especially like, look at last year. I mean, they got Harrison Bader for very little. And he was as good at deadline acquisition as anyone had. So I don't think getting the big name is always the right.

move. And in this case, I just, I don't, I don't see how they make it work and not submarine the future. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Well, you would hope that the two months thing would drop the price, but it, it's, come on. Like, there's, I mean, like, it's going to be, Soto got traded with two months. It was a lot or so was a year out, but there, these guys get traded. These guys get traded with two months. And like, it will be more than he's the, potentially the best pitcher in the sport. You know, he's won two straight Sigh Youngs. Like, It's just not going to be, you know, like it might not be as expensive as we would think, but it's not going to be cheap. All right.

Now, let me lay out the case here for a second. Let me lay out the case. And full disclosure, I haven't fully talked myself into the scoop thing yet. Because, like, I know the risks. I know the worry. I'm a prospect hugger. But what we've kind of said, honestly, in the last couple deadlines, is if you trust people that are drafting, developing, and scouting an international. a market. Like, you should be able to go out. I mean, the Dodgers have eight top 50 prospects right now.

Like, and they trade them all the time. So you should be able to to keep replenishing talent. No, they've done that, though. The Dodgers have no, they could do that because they have consistently kept doing this and they can. Like, we're, we're, we feel good about where we're at, but we do not have the, like the history of these prospects with this group yet, you know? I know. And if you're telling me that the bat is Byron Buxton, okay. Like, I would much rather have Byron Buckson. But, like, is one bat really changing anything for the offense or is the offense in is what it is. Well, I get your point, but we would have said that about Harrison Bader last year. And he did. If he didn't get hurt, who knows? So I agree with you,

but like, it is possible that you get the right that Taylor Ward comes in and he's hot and it's per, you know, I'm not, I get your point, but I do think that, you know, you can't just say that like that declaratively. You know what I mean? know, but I think, like, Harrison Bader was also the only bat that they've gotten a deadline. It's also worked out. I agree. Yeah, other than the Marsh long term, but yeah. If I had to bet on, like, Harrison Bader having an 800.

I agree. It's unlike it. You're playing the odds there. I agree. So, like, the case for, the case for Scoobel is, is a bat really changing this? Or can you get there with the guys you have and hope that they have a little bit more moments? And then you add scoble in. And by the way, then all of a sudden, you can have Lazzardo come out of the bullpen.

Yeah. Or as your four. as you need it, yeah. As your four. Because right now, I mean, neither. No, the four is a problem. It's a problem. But right now, either Nola or Painter is not touch, should not touch a ball in a playoff game.

So, like, now, I know full knowing and, you know, I know that if a Trevor Scoobel, Nola is still going to start a playoff game before him because that's how, that's how things work around here. But so it's just creating possibly the best rotation in the history of baseball, we just, You know Nebraska is a sucker for just great starting pitching. I know it would be the four aces all over again times a million. Not times a million. That's not fair. That's disrespectful.

But you get my point. They would legitimately build the 2011 Phillies all over again. It would make the rotation. I mean, I think it's legitimate the top, the best top three I've ever seen. It's like what, like Maddox,

Clavin, Smoltz. Like, that's like, there aren't many I can think of that would be in the same hemisphere. Yeah. So the prospect cost would hurt my heart for, for a day or two, 100%. But also when you start thinking,

I'm going to have Terrick Scoobel heading into a playoff series. That is super enticing. So I know he can't hit. I know that we want to that. Maybe you can. Who knows? But like there's a case for Scoobel. I still, I think it,

I'm not even sure how in on it I would be. But it would be exciting, obviously, to add. It'd be thrilling, dude. Are you kidding me? It'd be so much fun. And look, I do think it increases your chances to win. And I think at a basic level as we approach this, there's going to be the hitting versus pitching need thing.

And there's also going to be the philosophical question of how much do you want to invest in this group right now? And how much do you want to, you know, take from the Rob Peter being the future to pay Paul the present. And it's a fascinating discussion, especially because to the point you just said, it's like, no matter what they do, you still need guys to get out in the playoffs. You still need guys who have struggled in these spots before to be a little different this year. So it's a really fascinating, interesting conundrum.

And especially when we take into account the last time the Phillies were organization in this situation, the decade of sadness that we had to endure because of those moves. So it's a really complicated, kind of precarious spot organizationally, I mean, in terms of like how the future is going to go. It really is an interesting either or. well yeah and and the way painters pitching might be changing the calculus on a guy like gauge wood where you feel like you can't give up you you can't trade them because you don't really know what what painter's going to be um so yeah i mean there's a there's a lot of things that's going to be

a one to follow the one that i'm becoming more and more interested in as we get all all of our trade deadline thoughts on the on the way they got to on june 8th that's when we do it yeah on june 8th is the idea of you know possibly moving stott and like going and putting together a good package to go get a rise and Heliot Ramos. I mean, I mean, I rise 360 or something.

He's been awesome again. And so the guy just hits. Arise. And I'm not even the big. I'm not a huge arise guy in the past because he was like dreadful at first base and a slap hitting DH. Like what does that really do for you? But the thing that's changed with him this year is he goes to the Giants and he's

working with Ron Washington. And by the numbers, he's like this he grades out second in baseball an ounce above average at second base which and he used to be a second baseman like back he came up as a second baseman and then switched over and stuff now I find it very hard to believe that it's true uh that like his he's like the second best defense base second best offensive second baseman in baseball like I don't believe that fundamentally because I don't really believe in defensive metrics but at least if he can stand there yeah he's not the point is he's not one of the worst if those are the metrics likely you know yes but then he's

stopped make that play yesterday and you're like i don't know it's pretty sweet having him you know up the middle so but and then ramos but probably costs a little bit more and i know tucker's been been banging the drug for yeah you're big really i i love my he's a fun player yeah he's a good play he's been hurt a lot this year but he's a right-handed bat with some real pop and and i'm sure that getting out of san francisco would actually only help his power so like a package for those to again not sure where it would start but uh you know arises on expiring so it wouldn't cost a lot of money. I would probably put Stott in the deal. So at least they would have a second basement with another year of control.

Maybe he has some value there, obviously the defense that he brings. But I can't believe if I'm sitting here, you know, wanting. I can't either, but I love it. I'm fully in on this. This is great. Wanting a rise. But putting in the top of the lineup with a 330 average with March is 330. Like, that's how you could lengthen this thing out.

Like if you ask me, would I rather do a rise in Ramos, you know, a Stott thing? He plays second base to the rest of the year. and you'll see what happens after this year or Scoobel, like I would, I would rather do the rise in Ramos. Yeah, I do. I love that idea.

I really do, especially because I get the stuff of the rise, but it does feel like, you know, especially this year, but the last couple of years, baseball is moving towards Arias's skill set rather than away from it.

I mean, we've talked about what the race are doing. And they're basically just hitting the ball in the ground and putting the ball in play and stealing bases. And that's, they have the best record in the American League, you know? And it's,

it's really been that simple. They are, prioritizing, not worrying about hitting the ball hard, they're prioritizing just putting it in play and being fast. And, you know, more or less, they got Cameron Arrow and they got some Yondi, they got some dudes you can hit. But for the most part, philosophically, they're doing it

that way. And I do think with how bad the game is right now from a hitting perspective, I mean, we had a caller on the air to say it said it's 1968 again. And he's not that far off, you know, from a number's perspective, you know, a guy like a rise who does put the ball and play a ton and get on base a lot

hitting the ball. I do think he's a more valuable player today than he was five years ago. Yeah, maybe. I just, I like the idea of having pests in the lineup, especially heading into, for this team. We don't want to ever have those.

Heading into the postseason series, especially because like, you know, which the rest of Trays you're going to be like, you know, it would, oh my God, totally.

It would be another lefty. It would be another lefty. I get it. But like, again, with him, Schwerber and with Schwerber, Harper,

and Arise and Marsh so far, but really those top three, they're not, hopeless against the lefties. Yeah. Right. It's pretty good. Yeah.

So that's my big trade deadline primer on June 8th. I honestly love that idea. You know, I really do. I think it's, I think it, to your point, I don't think it would be an insane amount for those two guys, certainly obviously less than scubal. And I think you've given yourself kind of two shots to help things and two guys who can do different things for you. I mean, it makes a lot of sense.

And the Giants are obviously, you know, they're going to be trading, I would think. Yeah. Now, Ramos, I think. has two years of control after this. So it costs a little more because of that. Yeah. So he's a pretty cost controllable. So yeah.

All right. We'll get to the take back in a few, but back to the weekend quickly. Lazzardo struggled again a bit. Like I keep getting into it with Joe and John. Like they are very concerned about Lizarro. I am not. I feel good about Lazzardo at moving forward.

Wasn't great over the weekend. Where are you at with Lazzardo? Well, the balls are also, like, flying on Friday, you know? Like, there was some pop-ups that kind of got out of there. So, uh, yeah, I mean, no, he's, he's been on, he was on a great stretch before that show. I'm with you, dude. I'm with you. I'm surprised this is like a topic, a discussion thing.

It seems like people are really down on Lazardo. He's certainly been more of a three than a one this year, which is disappointing. You expect him to take a step forward. His ERA is jacked up a little bit, 100%. But he's also shown enough time. this year and last year where he has some stones and in big starts there's something about him that I trust so it wasn't great I think the blue I think the white socks also are a pretty good offensive team and I also think it was like 93 degrees and humid and the ball was flying out so it was just one of those nights at the ballpark the nice part but October it's generally a little bit colder so I'm not I'm not overly concerned about Lazzardo uh painter obviously obviously that's why I didn't even lead there It's like, yeah, Nola, yeah, sure. It's like, yeah.

Yeah, Noah's weird. I mean, let's put this way. I feel better about Nola than Painter right now in that, but not, you know, great about either, obviously. Now, I think Nola got hurt a little bit yesterday because it was so windy. I mean, that's why I think he was walking. He had a lot, what, four walks. Who's his first walks in a while? He'd been really good with that, like three or four starts in a row, I think.

Yeah. But it was still a miserable watch. I mean, that was a three and a half hour of game. Oh, my God. Well, it was for the first five, I was joking with Emily. I was like, is this going to be one of those games? where there's no zeros in the box score because it was like every inning was like five five in the fifth and they just kept like every there's score we score they score like it was like one of those games

and then obviously leveled off but yeah for a little while there it was like is this going to be like a 16 to 14 game oh it's good to see two teams turn to a seesaw back and forth yeah so no la i'll be i'll be interested what his next start looks like just because i i don't want to get too thrown off the scent because i i did think he found good things and the two padre start Padre starts, obviously the Padres are not a good offensive team, but I think there was a path forward, and I do think the wind yesterday affected them. Pitching in the wind is no fun, because sometimes obviously your balls flattened out and whatnot. Like, if the wind's blowing this way, your curveball's going this way, it just makes it, it doesn't spin as much,

and we're used to hitting a spot over and over again, but then the wind's there and takes it off. Like, it just changes things. Painter, it's going to be every podcast. It feels like, it's just that, But he has to find a way to become more explosive. And because the ball's just like, I mean, hitters are hitting over 400 now against the fastball, I believe. That's bad. That's bad.

Again, we had our concerns about it heading into the year. And he's got like a one-six whip, which is atrocious. That is hard to believe. Yikes. I think he's the highest qualified of the IRA amongst rookies, which makes a lot of sense. Yeah. like he he he's got to develop some dog he's he's got to develop some dog he's he's got to develop

him dog it's a lot of nibbling it's a lot of not being aggressive it's a lot of throwing like it's got to be a little bit more conviction and gumption behind behind the pitches and like I just don't think that there's anything that's going to really change it in the season I think they're like the coppins out the other day that they're working on having more extension they're working on this kind of stuff this feels like an offseason getting a lab and let's let's figure this thing out because right now he's not given him a chance he's just not and he's allowing me that that one pitch to jacob gonzalez was like 87 didn't spin at all and it was one of the most hung pitches i've ever seen in my life so like i could throw out all the

this happens all the time i mean halliday had a 10 a year yeah yeah sure all that does happen but also there's plenty of prospects where it just doesn't work out. So, yeah, I think that there is, there needs to be a real reconstruction here. They got to figure out, hey, should we just cut the fastball all the time and make it like a Corbyn-Burns plan where instead of you already had a natural cut to it, like just use that over and over again versus trying to get it back to where it was. Maybe. But yeah, I think for the rest of this year, certainly it's just going to be a hope and a

prayer when he goes out there versus like he's going to turn a corner and all of a sudden, you don't look like the guy that we thought. Yeah, yeah, you're just hoping to get. as many quality things out of them as you can. And I agree with you. It just like he'll have some good starts. He'll have these ones. I think it's going to be up and down because he's had some moments.

But to your point, I think it's an offseason thing to get hope for that consistency and get back to where he needs to be. All right. Take back in a sec. Shout out to Kelly's Corner. Today's show is sponsored by Miller Light and Kelly's Corner and Lester. Check out Kelly's Corner for every Phillies game and enjoy $4 Miller Life bottles and their mouthwatering. And they're mouthwatering roast pork sandwiches.

Miller Life fulfills wins celebrate responsibly. All right, Fritzu, what's in the bag? Let's see. Anything different that we did not talk about? Oh, so this is a movement that I need them to all get behind. I don't know if you saw it yesterday, but Trey is rocking a stash now. Buddy, did I see? And me personally, I think they all have to do it now.

I love it. I think they all have to do it besides Marsh. I know he won't do it. I mean, Don Bangley is their manager. I know he doesn't have one, but he is the all-time stash guy. But that's why they got to do it, is that if they can bully Don into rocking the stash. He looks weird with that one. I'm sorry.

I need him to have a stash. Have you noticed, by the way, the no teeth smile that he has multiple times a game? Yes. It's very funny. Like that guy, yeah. Yeah. He's always just a bleep eating grin at all the time. It's good.

You know, Don Mattingly, probably a bleep eating grin all the time too. Yeah, just happy to be there. But I do want them all to wear a stash. I mean, I think a heart stash. It would be hilarious. It'd be awesome. It'd be a thing. and fans would be doing it.

Yeah, exactly. I mean, I think was it, was it Swisher with the Yankees? I think he went stash and everyone brought like the stash. That sounds familiar to me. It sounds familiar to me. Yeah. Be a good look. Be a good look.

And then they can bully Donnie into doing it and we'd be really back. We'd be really back from this. I love this idea. Honestly, you have many great ideas on this pod. This is up there. Thank you. John De Bolan has a 0.77 of the IRA since coming off the I.L. good to see we always believed that fastball velo's ticking right on up i mean he had a hundred a couple

times over the weekend where it's like ah we like to see that we like to see that so uh i don't think we're out like some inherited runners problems i believe with with bowling um but at least overall 0.77 pretty good fastball good uh would like him to have a better feel for that change up but at least the sweeper looks like it's a decent pitch so uh he at least kind of looks like we thought heading out of spring training. And, you know, Keller is just kind of Keller, but,

you know, I still think maybe trending in the right direction, but we'll never have. He's been slightly better. He has not been quite as bad, but that is a spot where we talked a lot about, you know, scoble and a bat and stuff.

You know, that is a spot where, you know, one more arm might be needed, depending on how Barado continues to look, how this goes forward. Like, that is not a,

a settled spot either yet, I think. Well, certainly, certainly a lefty leverage arm. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Like Alvarado's, he was good yesterday, but heading into yesterday at 5.91, I think Mays is just like a good, he's fine. He's fine. Fiffing lefty guy. Banks has been bad this year. You thought maybe he could help you out in leverage spots, but I don't think that's the case. So, um, so maybe going out and seeing if there's some kind of lefty leverage arm,

obviously Chapman's like the. Yeah. Yeah. And I mean, can add Dombrowski the whole thing, you know, If you could add Chapman to this, to this bullpen. How great. I was, so I was telling Emily, there's no, there's no, no,

there's no, dad, that was too early. I, I was, I know, right, I was telling Emily this weekend about,

Mizorowski and, you know, because I was telling, actually before the game, I was like, broke all the starter records, and then he broke it again in that game. But I was talking about how Chapman was like the first guy,

like to really just consistently throw over hundred. And I was like, yeah, and he's still doing it like, like, and she's like, what? You know,

it's just, It is wild to think that that guy has maintained that velocity for that long. Yeah. Was it cracks that hit the walk off against him in 2012? Cratsy. I think so. I think it was like, that was like peak of his powers.

Chapman too when he's found like 105. Yeah. But somehow, like he was, it's unbelievable. Well, he was trending towards just kind of done. And then he felt like it.

And then he had a resurgence. I think he figured out like a split up there with the, with the Boston, you know, so he would have to call it. If they did Chapman, it would have to be Chapman. and someone, you know, like Chapman and Wilson or Chapman and.

Sure. Jared Duran and then that would be a bigger trade package to go get him. But we're pretty locked in on the trade deadline. I don't know if you can tell. We got a lot of thoughts on. Only a month and a half until we get there, a little longer. No big deal. I know.

Hopefully they're still in a playoff spot. Tell me about it. That'd be a tricky deadline. If they're like 500-ish, what do you do? It's a tricky deadline regardless, again, because of what we talked about before and that they don't have all the prospects in the world to go shopping with. and, you know, there's a balance of how much you want to give up for these high-end guys and kind of the middle-tier tough.

And, and again, how much you want to invest in this group. It is there's a lot of layers to it. Oh, yeah. Yeah. It's, it's going to be fascinating, especially what's the status of baseball next year. Yeah. Well, yeah, that too. You're right.

And then, I mean, Duran looks like he's reached another level. Oh, dude, he looked. The last, like, four or five outings, you're right. Like, he's striking more guys out. He looks like the guys up there look silly. when they're batting against him. It's exciting. Kind of what we thought when we traded for him.

Yes. He still is not blown a save yet. Obviously, we know about the Manzardo home run. But yeah, it looks like he is leveling up right in front of our eyes, which is very exciting. Which is also crazy.

And I said, you know, I was talking to Emma about this yesterday too and the idea that I'm excited that we have a season. I'm excited they could, you know, make the playoffs. I have a chance of the world's not.

But like, honestly, a big thing that I'm just so happy about is that we're, We're going to have all stars with the all star game here. Like we can have, I mean, there's six guys with, you know, Schwerber, Harper, uh, Marsh, uh, Wheeler Sanchez and Duran. Like all those guys can make, I don't think all six will make it, but they all have real cases to make it.

And it felt for the first month of season, like the all star game was going to be here. And we're going to have one representative. And we were going to stink. And it was going to be such an embarrassing, like moment to have the game here and that like, I know it's a, uh, a meaningless game, but there is a large part of me that is just so happy that that game's not going to be like likely not going to be just a big like bummer you know so do you run all of your like baseball thoughts by emily yeah i brought all my thoughts but emily is like just forced to listen to my thoughts yeah and so movie thoughts but and i'll always be like i know you don't care but

i'm telling you anyway yeah yeah and just and she has probably reached a point out where it's just like nod and wait you know like yeah oh yeah oh yeah i hear you i hear yeah sometimes she'll be like you already told me that. I'm like, ah, damn. Yeah. Again. It's good. A lot of, a lot of, well, you know, as, as my daughter likes to say, me and her are yappuccino's. And as Emily is not a yappuccino. So, no, no. All right. So some minor league minute stuff. Yes. Gage was very good again. Now, the one difference in this outing is I thought that he, he went back to the well with the fastball a lot. And again, it's a great pitch. We know it's a great pitch.

We know it can dominate hitters, probably even at the bigley level. Maybe not dominate, but it can get out to the bigly level. I did not think he used his off speed enough to like get out of jams. You know, and like those are the pitches. That's why he's in double A. He's in double A to challenge himself. So like I understand he's got this like, I think I think Gage has this like bulldog psycho like I want to go out there and whatever it takes to win,

which you do appreciate. Like, that is a good quality to have. But there also has to be a development part of it. And it probably doesn't register in his brain of like, hey, this is like a one-two count. Instead of trying to blow a fastball by him, let's throw the split or let's throw the slider. I just didn't think he used his off-speed a lot in his last start. That comes with age and reps and coaching and all too, though. Sure.

But, yeah, I mean, it was another really, really good outing for him. When the stakes rise and the lights get bright, that's when you find out who can really swim. Deep Waters is a new UFC podcast from CBS Sports. Every Monday, myself, Dean Thomas, alongside with legends of the sport, Chris Widman, Jorge Masvedal, and Dustin Porriere, bring you inside the octagon like no one else can.

Deep Waters, new episodes every Monday, watch on YouTube or listen on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere else you get podcasts. On the same night was Tate Overmuller, the other, I mean, the other baby boy. And I tell you what, he's starting to look just like we thought. Just like we thought there's starting to be some exciting pitching development things right in front of our eyes, which is great. First off, he was dotting again. You know, the command from the spring breakout game in his first outing have gone away, and he is now dotting with his fastball.

He allowed one run, but it was on a balk. It doesn't even really count. And I don't think he balked. Also, I appreciate he got real mad after that and started really mowing people down. So he threw like three innings and struck out six. He was, he's all like the, you see it. You see it very easily with him. It pops, so to speak.

It pops. Like gauge pops. He pops. And, and that's exciting. Matthew Fisher had another good outing two straight in a row, five innings, five, three innings, five days. his thing is going to be because he comes from football and so he played football and baseball he's never fully committed to baseball his his VLO I think is to like 90 to 92 for him to be a possible guy going forward we need that to be at least 92 and 95 but again he's 18 so we don't need to to freak out too much but uh he's showing some good pitchability I really like a slider and um yeah it was overall those two straight good starts for for one of our other baby boys in that's Fischer.

Yeah, buddy. And the velocity is something that I think needs to continue to trend up. Oh, and then Ramon Marquez shoved again. Yeah. Yeah, buddy. Ramon Marquez, like, is starting to get into the nerdy prospect culture. Good. That's exciting.

Yeah. That I've become a part of or, you know, kind of look at. And I think he went, we went five in a third, struck out nine. Whoa, buddy. A loud one earned. The change up is stupid. It's just it's just this stupid pitch. There is some concerns about like the fastball, but like we don't need to worry about it right now.

It's still trending up. How old is he? He's 20. Okay. Yeah. So it's been a quick rise for Ramon Marquez, but he is, I mean, it's been a tough time. I mean, like, Gage is number one pitching prospect wise. And that's like, like, I think Marquez is two and then Obermuller.

but like all three look really, really good. And then, of course, because we got to grind the Dominican Summer League tape as well. I did not know this guy

when they signed him. But you want to talk about, you know, popping off the screen. You know, my guy Mitch Rupert. He was watching. Oh,

I love Mitch. Mitch has a great job. He DM. He is like, hey, if you're bored, like go watch the first two in a instance. Even if you're not bored,

it's you. Are you kidding? You can't even just go. You can say, go watch it. You'd be like, I can't wait. Anyway.

So Yelmar Samudia, Dude, he's 17, 17. Three innings six case was up to 99 with a hammer breaking ball. At 17. Out of nowhere. He looked like it reminded me of Claussen slash Garrett Richards, you know, like where it just, it just jumped. He was consistently hitting like 96 to 98.

And then popped out at 99. That's awesome. He was awesome. Like I, I'm ready to put him as. and my number two pitching for a prospect. So I think he's pitching again this week, obviously second week of the DSL, but he really popped.

Now, the third, he started getting a little worn down. He was a little tired. Who cares? He's 17. Yeah, yeah, plenty of time. He's still, a break, yeah.

Yeah, but he was awesome. And then your Francisco Renteria update. Yes. So this is the first week. This is his numbers. He hit 529. Oh, buddy. With an OPS over 1,500, he had three triples, two doubles.

He's, like, also huge for, he's huge. He looked huge, and, like, the sub-I've seen, it's like, he looks, you could kind of tell. It's like, wow, he looks big. Yeah, he's huge. The one triple was, like, windblown. I don't really count it, but everything else has been, like, I think once he develops strength and develops more power, like, the batch, it has that special sound that you search for. and like it's a big lumbering bat that I think that as he continues to put on muscle and get stronger,

it's going to be, it's going to be even better. Is he the most important person in the organization, player wise? Yeah, I mean, like, right? Like, Aiden got the back thing on Friday. But that's like, you know, if Aidan can come back, he's right there with him. But like, have you a kid at 17 with this kind of stuff. I mean, that's real upside, you know.

Yeah, I mean, it's a window. extender and really could just be the next. Yeah, it could be the next dude. Yeah. So, yeah, and then we didn't talk about it last podcast, but Aiding got the back thing on Friday. Yes, yes, yes. Now, Browski said that this is going to take care of it.

I, I know. Who knows. Just that. Yeah. I mean, everything from chat, GPT to other people is more like, well, yeah, this is where we're at is, is that this is something that will hopefully reduce the symptoms, and you can kind of play through it.

so we'll say we'll see but at least they're doing something proactive and not just like waiting around it at least they're trying something so i'm fine with it yeah it's almost they didn't it's almost like they didn't have a choice anymore like we got yeah yeah yeah we can't just sit around and wait and nothing's happening yeah yeah uh so that's kind of it that's kind of it well it's not it because again let us uh tell you again because we did such a poor job of it last time tony's place in in Ivyland, it's warm in Sur area, Wednesday. So two nights from tonight, June 10th. We're going to be at Tony's Place.

Our High Ops trivia, Philly's Trivia and Watch Party, sponsored by Miller-Like. And when Phillies tickets, merch, all the good stuff and watch Phillies, Blue Js 707 start at Tony's Place with us. It's going to be awesome coming out. We miss you guys. We haven't had an event in a while. Please, coming out, it's going to be a really, really fun time. And don't forget, by the way, June 20th, the Redding Hills game. That's going to be so much fun.

just talk to neighbor Tommy he's going to come uh nice it's gonna be fun the family's coming all that emily's inviting her sister and father it's gonna be great it's gonna be a lot of fun i am planning on having walker and study there the got to got to yeah yeah so it'll definitely be there so should be i got i got i got to find which set of parents want to be know that game buddy know that game coming so um so coming out this wednesday and then we get the 20th the 24th we'll tell you more about coming up but um well 24th garage yeah garage and Philly, so written house. So, um, awesome.

Can't wait to see you guys on Wednesday. We'll be back Thursday after that game that night to react and all that. So until that, he's read some seltzer.