High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Sure the Phils Swept the Rays But the Draft is Two Days Away

Episode Date: July 7, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the best series of the season in Tampa, preview the Marlins series, the MLB Draft, 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

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started more than two years ago and it's now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is another fact so jump aboard the bib express follow and listen to baseball isn't boring presented by wasabi hot cloud storage on the free odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts this is the high hopes podcast Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies. On Odyssey and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Oh, it is another edition of the High Hopes podcast. Are you going to pass out? 12 straight, buddy, on the road.

That yo was for that and for your draft stuff. We'll get to it. Don't worry. I'm excited about that, too. But yo, yo, Jack jack we just swept the rays in tampa 12 straight road wins like who is this phillies team jack and i texting during the game last night we're just basically going back and forth with all like can you like what's the most ridiculous thing that's happening i said i was like craig kimball did they i like the fact that

he's good is the most ridiculous thing that happens has happened this season and jack's like well actually 11 straight road wins, which then became 12. And then we had like 15 things like, we're here now. The Phillies are good. We did it. We did it. We did it. We got a season, buddy.

That's the big one. Thank God. The big one is that. Thank God is what I have to say. I know. And as someone that never doubted this baseball team, it feels very validated. Check the tape, friend. Never once was like, you know what?

This team might not be it. And my big takeaway from the series in Tampa, which, by the way, just can't believe it happened. What a series. They just played great baseball. It wasn't just that they beat one of the two best teams recognized in the sport. They played sound, fundamental baseball. We got the best Aaron Nola.

We've seen him forever. Everyone just showed up. So I texted some people that. I felt like that was the best start he's had since the Red Sox. Boston! The Red Sox start. I had the same thought, dude. I had the exact same thought.

The Red Sox start that year. Maybe the one last year in Houston to close out the season was pretty great, too, in that spot. Six and two-thirds perfect or whatever the season was pretty great, too, in that spot. Six and two-thirds perfect or whatever. That was pretty great, too. But this one, he goes eight. Or seven and a third, 12 strikeouts. I mean, and the spot. You know, like, there wasn't as much pressure as it felt like in that.

They still had three games to get in. Like, they just had to win one of three. Like, this was a spot that Aaron Nolan never comes through in, it feels like. Well, and he was just brilliant. He was just brilliant. And it's like, there it is. Just do that. I would love you, buddy.

I really would. I would. But my big takeaway from the series is that they have that look again. Yeah. And they have that look of we're good. Have that look of, we're good. And yesterday, even when I feel like I would usually have the thought of, they're probably going to lose this game, right?

I texted you that. I know you did. I know you did. I just didn't. I didn't really have that feeling. Well, you didn't respond to me. I texted Jack. I think it was in the 10th inning. I'm like, they're not actually going to win this game, right?

And he didn't even respond. And I was like, I in the 10th inning. I'm like, they're not actually going to win this game, right? And he didn't even respond. And I was like, I don't know, man. Like the way they're playing and the confidence they had and just like the starters on a roll, the bullpen on a roll, offense just do something, just sneak one out, and I feel like you're going to win it. They have that look again. And I know it's early because it's July,

but that felt very October Phillies. Totally. It really did. It's like the Road Warriors thing. The last time it felt like that was when they went on that run on the road and then go to the playoffs and keep winning road games. That's what it feels like right now with this team on the road, that this group has just bonded and come together again.

The big balls celebrate. The whole thing. That's right. So that's what that is, right? Yes. It's Sam Cassell. Well, Sam Casse celebrate. Like, the whole thing. That's right. So that's what that is, right? Yes. It's Sam Cassell. Well, Sam Cassell, it's also Major League. Like, the maubles.

I got those maubles. Like, Major League Two originally is where I first saw it. But, yeah, the Sam Cassell thing, it's clearly what it is. There's no other. I guess, and maybe Alex Coffey can get to the bottom of this. We need you, Alex. Yeah, come on, Alex. As always, there's no one else on the beat who has a chance to get to the bottom of this. You're our only hope.

I just want to know why they changed. I was wondering the same thing. Because they did multiple. They had the glasses thing. I think that's for triples. Okay, just for triples. I think that's for triples. And obviously we had the thumbs up for a while. It's kind of gone away a bit. Although the bullpen still holds everyone accountable. Yes, they do. They make sure that you go out

there and do that. I'm very curious where the new celebration with the origin story of it me too well you know my i that celebrations are one of the most fascinating things in the sport to me i asked you at the beginning of the season i'm like do teams like coordinate so you don't have the same ones like what if you're playing against a team and you're all doing the thumbs up like i i'm so fascinated by it all and the switch mid-season is definitely unexpected yeah didn't see it coming frankly didn't see it coming but um i just there's there's so many important factors to what they're doing right now and like the celebrations and and the camaraderie and the

stuff they do on the road um you know i think that's really important obviously the post-game stuff like the the dumping water on each other like bucket umbrage yeah like that that's that's fun that's good stuff and i know it's a small thing and i know that this can be viewed as as as like geeked out about something that doesn't really matter oh no we never do that never but i like when when schwarber hit the single yesterday and they pan to the dugout and the first guy on the top step of the dugout was josh harrison who was not in the game not gonna play hasn't played all series and if he's the first one like let's go and i think that when you have the whole team being bought in to like we gotta win this game and putting the importance on winning that game i just think that that kind of breeds like a winning culture.

And what you've seen on the road is what a winning culture to me looks like. And it's been a while since I felt like we could say that, but that's what it looks like to me. And it's just, they went down, like, dude, I texted you this also yesterday. It's like they went down there and they took the Rays' lunch money. No one goes down to the Trop and takes the Rays' lunch money. No one had this year.

They're the first. They're the first team to sweep the Rays at home. Only the second team to win a series there. Tucker tweeted this out. They've only lost three home series. They only got swept in home series. Three have lost 102 home series. So this never happens.

It never happens. It never happens. The Phillies just looked like a better team than the team heading into that series with the most wins in baseball. The Phillies looked better than them. They did. They were just absolutely better. They did. Finally, the Rays magic is running out.

These scrub players that are all of a sudden good down there. But man, what a series. What a week. Again, last night when they didn't score in the 10th i was a hundred percent sure they were losing that game and then strong comes out and just handles it the bullpen just doesn't give up runs anymore so that's pretty sweet it's a fun development it's a really fun development and something that i'm really enjoying it yeah well, and one of the most under-talked about things is, I mean, two weeks ago, they essentially just gave Matt Strom the week off because they want to limit his innings as best as possible.

His last two outings looked back early season, Strom. Yeah, it was exactly like that. Fastball's getting by people. It's got that zip to it. Come on, man. You're so fired up. The watch is going off. Yeah, my watch is going off.

That's how fired up. But, yeah, dude, dude i mean strong looked awesome like look they've been they've been giving up a run at nine outings or nine games that the bullpen and sir anthony's hurt right now like we came in and see me like that's our best reliever like they did it without alvarado for a while i mean the depth the amount of talent back there is something we have not seen in our time doing this podcast by a mile well and the and the big development to me is also, you know, and we were calling for Belotti to come back up and maybe even Brock then, but Junior Marchant. Junior, it's a win for you, buddy.

You can take the win, I think. He's nasty. Like, now that he's trusting his stuff, and to your point, like unafraid to just throw the 98, like, down the pike, whatever, like, that slider, like, he's nasty, dude. Let's talk about a crazy development that Caleb Cotham has taught the pitchers. Hey, throw it down the middle. It's like Craig Kimbrell.

It's like the whole thing. It's like, what are we doing here? It's like, just throw strikes. Throw it down the middle. Christopher Sanchez, throw strikes. Jose Alvarado, throw it down the middle and let your stuff play. I know. All these guys, just, hey, hey, hey, you see that? Just throw it there

and let your stuff just work off of it. Crazy concept. Caleb Gotham, assistant coach of the year. But yeah, Junior Marte, the craziest part about where we're at with this Phillies pitching staff is that I have no fear. I know.

Chris Sanchez going six innings with one earned yesterday. I was like, of course he did. Dude, I picked him up in fantasy for a spot start. That is sickening. Chris Sanchez has it. That is sickening. It is sickening. I mean, how ridiculous is that?

Again, that's where this team is at. Again, Junior Marte coming into a 1-1 game in the 7th is like, he's going to do his thing. Of course he is. That's what he does. Simply what he does. Jeff Hoffman coming in the other night in an 8-4 game. By the way,

great managing by Rob Thompson to not have to use one of his studs there and trust Jeff Hoffman on that spot because then it lets Alvarado pitch yesterday. Let's use Kimbrough again, the whole thing. And that's trusting. That's trusting your guys. And that's what made –

And they don't win the game yesterday without that, obviously. But that's what made him, I think, topper last year was that the guys believed in him because he believed in them. And I think you're starting to see that again. You're starting to see like, okay, Jeff Hoffman, go do your job. And he's just like, all right, I'll go do my job by the way like his his stuff is stupid man well i mean he's a top top pick guy like he's one of those guys ninth pick in the draft like he's one of those guys who who like a real pedigree guy who you know injuries and got off track and stuff but i mean the stuff has never

been a question with jeff offman ever yeah no not at all and he's finally finally again another guy hey just throw it down the middle and see what happens with your stuff. You know, like, try to throw that splitter. I feel like I could do Caleb Gotham's job at this point. Dude, I know, but, man, and I don't think, I did this whole thing on the final out last night, but, like, who, besides most of Nola's season, everyone else has gotten.

Everyone else has gotten better. Like, they've gotten... When... Dude, when have we seen the Phillies get the most out of random guys? Never. Never.

This has been our issue forever. We always talk about, like, we never have those guys. The guys just come up and get outs for you and make plays. Like, they never have those dudes. And now they're, like...

It's full of them. We got Pilate in the minors. The dude hasn't given up a run in, like, a month in the minors. He can't get back on the major league roster. Like, that's crazy. Well, and I think it's full of them. We got Pilate in the minors. The dude hasn't given up a run in like a month in the minors. Can he get back on the major league roster? Like, that's crazy. Well,

and I think it's time to start putting the Phillies in the conversations of the teams that are great at developing pitching. Not just like, but not like just, not developing just prospects.

No, but taking, yeah, no, and reclamation projects. Yeah, reclamation projects. Rays,

Dodgers, Yankees, Astros. Wow. Phil? Phil? Honestly, I'm like speechless right now. I don reclamation projects. Rays, Dodgers, Yankees, Astros. Wow. Phil's? Phil's? Honestly, I'm speechless right now. I don't even know. But you're right. You're right, but I don't...

Craig Kimbrell. Craig Kimbrell wasn't on the postseason roster for the Dodgers last year. Dodgers? Fraud Watch? I'm just saying. We fixed Craig Kimbrell. The Phillies are better than the Dodgers. I'll say that right now. I feel very confident about that. We are.

I'm talking to the team right now. The team this season are better than the Dodgers. We have reached full high hopes. Yeah, we are there, dude. We are better than they. Hey, bring on the Dodgers. I don't care. I'm not scared of anybody right now. I really am not. Like, the Braves are damn good. I get it. Oh, well, I'm terrified of the Braves.

Yeah, they're great. We beat them in the playoffs last year. And let's be honest, their offense is amazing. Philly's pitching is significantly better than Atlanta's. At least the last month and a half, they've been better. The bullpen's better. It's just the Braves have the best lineup we've seen in a while. I mean, like maybe in a while.

Listen, this is our podcast. We don't need to wax poetically about the Braves. Pretty good. Pretty good. You're doing good. All right, let's get into the ins and outs of the series. Plus, coming up later, really the only reason this podcast is happening. No, I don't want the draft stuff to overshadow.

It shouldn't. Finally. Finally. This isn't 2019, 2020. But we do have some fun draft stuff coming later if you're one of those sickos like Fritz who really, really cares about the MLB draft. By the way, some positive developments in recent mock drafts. I'll say that.

Oh, that's what I was hoping to hear. Even though it's from people I don't know what they're talking about. So the last five to ten minutes of the pod, you'll just hear my mic turn off and I'll just let Jack go. Thank you. You're welcome, buddy. It's your Super Bowl. Thank you.

All right. Shout out to Millerite, by the go. You're welcome, buddy. It's your Super Bowl. Thank you. Shout out to Miller Lite, by the way. Come hang out with us. All-Star game Tuesday night. We're going to be at Time Out in Huntington Valley. All presented by Miller Lite. Tommy Green's going to be there. We're going to be there hanging out, watching the All-Star game during a $3 Miller Lite. So come hang out with us. Time Out in Huntington Valley. We'll be there for the

All-Star game, 7 o'clock. It's going to be an awesome time. All thanks to Miller Lite. All right. So, full disclosure before we – I know. I know. I'm just – I'm kind of – so, I'm going through my big board right now. Oh, good. I'm happy you waited until now to go through it.

Well, believe me. This is all in my memory. I'm just making sure I'm writing it down as we're going. It's good. And you can't deny I've been locked in early on the podcast. You have been. Thank you. I've been very locked in. I'm writing it down as we're going. And you can't deny I've been locked in early on the podcast. You have been. Thank you.

Very locked in. I'm impressed. There's a lot of brain power being put out right now. You came in hot today. No, I did. I'm very excited to be here. I wanted to do this last night at like 10. I know you did.

All I wanted to do was do high hopes. I couldn't sleep. You actually wanted to do it yesterday. I was like, we've got to wait for the end of the series. Well, some of us knew it was going to happen. You were like, no, let's just go today. Yeah. No, but before, like, I, there's so many names on my list.

I'm already sorry. I'm sorry. And now I'm just getting to my late round, guys. I need to make sure I bring up. I don't miss those late. Those are the most important ones. Those are the ones that you get. But hold on. But deny this, man.

A couple years ago, I said Griff, right? Yeah. And Griff was taking the fifth round. And I'll watch it start last night. He needs Cotham to say, hey, throw the ball down the middle and just see what happens. Like, that's the biggest thing for Griff. Because the stuff still plays. It's ridiculous.

But, yeah, this is getting to... I've watched too much draft. I think that's my big takeaway. Talk too much draft. A little too much draft action. Yeah, I could. I think that's probably true. So, listener, loyal listener, you get to hear that. You're the beneficiary of that

way too much time spent on the draft. So that's coming up in a little bit. Let's get to the Ray series. We'll look ahead to the Marlins. Again, the Marlins series obviously is massive because Philly's two games back of them right now, but also more important than in years past because for two reasons. One, tiebreakers, they don't play game 163 anymore.

Like tiebreakers come down to, I mean, the seeding and playoff spots come down to tiebreakers, and they don't play the Marlins 19 times anymore either. There are 10 games against the Marlins this year. So like these games are like exceptionally important. Like they really are. Yeah, and especially when you're talking about at least in the wild card.

And I feel the importance. I do. The Marlins and Flyers. It's like, what are we? We're in that stadium. I can't watch a game in that stadium and feel like it's a meaningful game, you know? I just, they're good, man.

They're good. That's why I fell off the National Series, the Phillies. Like, I wasn't pressing the panic button. And even if they go down there and lose 2-3. They're good. That's why I fell off the National Series, the Phillies. I wasn't pressing the panic button. And even if they go down there and lose two or three. It's fine. It's like they've done enough in the last month to just calm everyone down. They're eight games above 500 all of a sudden. 22-8 with Kyle Schwarber at the leadoff spot.

Yeah, but I've been the worst. I hate it. I'm getting tired of it. They're 22-8 with the guy at the leadoff spot. Yeah, but I've been the worst. I hate it. Well, and people, and by the way. I'm getting tired of it. They're 22-8 with the guy in the leadoff spot. You know what? Who cares? Well.

It's like Bryce Harper's not hitting home run. Guess what? They're 22-8 when he's not hitting home run. I want him to hit them, but like, it's okay. Like, they're good. Yeah. Obviously, the main reason they're 22-8 is because the starting pitching is great. Yeah, and the bullpen.

And the bullpen's great. The bullpen's great. Pitching, period. Like, the pitching reason they're 22-8 is because the starting pitching is great. Yeah, and the bullpen. The bullpen's great. Pitching, period. Like, the pitching has carried them. It's just like, I just, every day complaining about the batting average. And, obviously, the guy's struggling. I mean, like, the average is definitely a problem. But, at the same time, would I rather him be batting 220 with 15 home runs,

or would I rather him be batting 189 with 22 home runs? So that answer would be the same any year, but it's particularly 22 home runs this year when no one else can hit home runs on this team. His power is even more important this season for this team. It is desperately needed with this group. Yeah. So it's mostly working. It's mostly working.

The offense is doing its job. 22 and 8 in the last 30. And you can't tell me that he has given them a first-inning lead six times in June. Like, that matters. It matters. It matters. So, I can't do the everyday Schwarber Stinks, Schwarber Stinks, and the whole idea of, like, the deadline and that coming up.

The only way you're getting them out of left field is if Bryce can play first. That's it. There's no other way. PSA to everyone. You can't get them out of left field unless that guy can play first base. That's it. Or else he's there. And look, I know, look, ideally Bryce can play first base.

I do think that that is the best outcome for this team. But I am far more concerned about Bryce Harper's elbow being good to hit baseballs. I want Bryce Harper hitting the ball at the ballpark. If he can play first base, that's nice. That'd be cool, but not in any way if it's any sort of detriment to his ability to hit the baseball. That has to be the priority. Yeah, and real quick on Bryce.

Health, obviously. Real quick on Bryce. I think he's close. I think so, too. He's clearly frustrated. So frustrated. I think he's close, too. so, too. He's clearly frustrated. Like, so frustrated. I think he's close, too. It's really pull-side power now.

Like, I think opposite field power has mostly been there. It's been mostly there. He's come close a few times. It's the pull-side still driving the ball into the ground. But he's hitting the ball hard. I mean, it is funny. You guys talked about today that his OBP is almost as close as his slugging percent. I know.

But, I mean, he's got on base almost a 400%. Almost 400 clip. He's been a, like, honestly, like, I've always said absolutely not to him as a leadoff hitter. Like, right now, this version of Bryce Harper is a leadoff hitter. He is. He is. And I think the most under-talked about important thing of the 22 and 8 in the last, whatever, is that 31?

30. 30? That's good math right there. That was really dumb, by the way. Yeah, that was about as simple as it got. Because I was about to get into a really important thing I wanted to bring up, and I tried to do quick math, and now I feel really dumb. It was bad.

Really dumb. Pretty simple stuff. Really dumb. 2 plus 8 is 10. Idiot. Such an idiot. Yeah such an idiot anyway god that's so stupid that's so stupid well at least you didn't say it to a microphone for posterity forever 22 and 8 which is 30 in the last 30 games um they've done it all without bryce driving the ball the ballpark like he has no home runs i mean he hasn had a home run since May 23rd, I don't think.

Obviously, it's been the longest streak of his career. He's got 160, 170 at-bats or something. It's nuts. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster.

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So what is this team? What is this team when Bryce figures it out? When, like, I think Turner is slowly... I do too. I think he's getting there. He's getting there. Schwarber, he actually just missed a couple home... Like, just missed down in Tampa. He did have a double and a single last night

that were the two most important hits of the game. I agree. So the offense done a better job. Still not firing on all cylinders. And look, the other guys, like, I mean, Boehm has looked great since coming back. Stoddy? And I'm getting that. I mean, like, Stoddy is like, I mean, you tweeted it. Like, that dude went to batting title.

And I've said on the pod earlier, like, he's playing 320-something against Levis. 325 going to that last bat. So he's like 324, 323 against lefties this year. Like, the dude's just a hitter. The 4-8 night the other night. Like, the bottom of the line. And look, Derek Hall homered last night. So he was like 324, 323. He gets lefties this year. Like the dude's just a hitter. The four hit night the other night. Like the bottom of the line. And look, Derek Hall homered last night.

I know. Finally. And Marshy. Getting a little go in here. Marshy's coming around. Yeah. Stoddy. In year two.

Just a stud. In year two, he's batting over 300. Yeah. Like has multiple big hits. Has the second most two strike hits in baseball or the most tworike hits in baseball, either way. It's him or Rice, I would assume. Dude, what does Bryson Stott look like at age 28, 29, 30? Dude, he is so,

so far advanced compared to where I expected him to be. Especially after what we saw last year, we saw he's like a good hitter, like, alright, this guy, he improved throughout the course of the season, which I thought was really impressive. You know, he's batted like one, whatever it was, through May, this guy, he improved throughout the course of the season, which I thought was really impressive. You know, he's batting like one whatever it was through May, and then all of a sudden it's just figured out. And then playoffs happen, and he gets some big hits,

and he gets some spots. Like, I really liked him, and I was really excited about his future. It's like a Jalen Hurts leap with this guy in terms of his bat-to-ball skills, his ability in year two. Like, nothing is a Jalen Hurts leap. Don't get me wrong. Well, if you had to bank on wanting to be better for the entire of their career, you'd obviously take

Stott, right? I'm just kidding. Relax. Deep breaths. You would take Stott. Don't lie. Well, it's a Phil. Come on, man. What are you talking about? I think I would. It's a Phil. I will defend Phillies until... No matter what. No matter what side. Hey, no matter what side,

I'm taking the Phil side. But on the bigger part, the fact that they've done all this without Bryce just being Bryce yet, a month from now, if Bryce can get the power stroke going, which I think he can, coupled with, by the way, Castellanos finding the power,

again, eight home runs in his last... He crushed that ball to center. Bomb. You put that with the pitching staff and what they're doing right now, like the ceiling of this team, and they're just better than they were last year at this point. I mean, they are. You see it on the field more.

You look at the roster, and it's like, bang, look at all these guys they can go to. Serenity coming back from the oblique and being fine, it's going to be a big key here. I mean, think about that. With how great they've been, they just got that dude waiting in the wings. Exactly. The upside of this team is there again.

I mean, like, I think with a healthy Serenity, they might have the best bullpen in baseball. Like, it's certainly top three. Like, they are that great. And, look, we talk about it every year, and we saw it in the World Series. Like, your starting rotation and your bullpen are just the most important things in the playoffs. They just are.

Well, and we're not even, like, what do they do at the deadline? I mean, like, they could go in the deadline, and obviously the impact that I think is something that we are looking for. We are. But even if they wanted to go out and get another bullpen piece. And just make it like a freaking like a joke. A superstar back there. Yeah, let's go. No problem at all.

It's just exciting, man. It's fun to see them finally firing on all cylinders. And again, 12 straight road wins seems impossible. Dude, you were right. When I said the Kimbrel thing and then you wrote the 11 straight at the time and now 12 straight, you're right.

That is the most shocking. It hasn't happened since 1888. So, yeah, let's go with that as the most shocking thing that, you know. And 76. I think 76, they won 13. So we got one more. Okay. We got one more tonight.

One more. One more tonight. Yes. Regardless, like, the fact that this team is just, like, for the first time all season over the last few weeks, like, it's like, that's the team we expected to see. The two more wins team. Yes.

That team that we talked about, we got them. Yeah, they're grinding it out, being tough. They feel like winners. They look like winners. To your point, like, all the, I point, I know it's silly and stuff, but it's something that we've cared about on this pod. The entire history of the pod is just chemistry and culture and guys looking like they're having fun out there

and guys looking like they like playing with each other. That has always been something that we have harped on and cared about. And this is the best. The playoff run last year, and this is the best I've seen it in the history of this podcast without a doubt. Well, that's why I think going on the road is actually important for this team because it's not an indictment of the crowd at Citizens Bank Park. They've been winning at home too.

They have been. They have been. But I do think there's a little bit extra level of tightness at home because the crowd wants it to feel like October every game. You know what I mean? So it's not – It's almost like too much pressure. Exactly.

Exactly. At home, it's like we want to go – that's why I think they make so many base running mistakes at home. Yeah, that's a really good point. They want to impress the crowd. I think they want to impress the crowd. That's a really good point. And I think going on the road, they just can go play.

Just go play. Just go play. And I think one of the more impressive parts of what they've done on this road streak, I know Chicago was great from an atmosphere standpoint, but remember the last couple years they would go to Miami and there'd be five people in the ballpark and they would play like it? Oh, yeah. They went to Oakland, won three straight.

They went down to Tampa and won three straight. They're doing it in these ballparks that are dead. Now, I know. Now, Tampa had some Phillies flavor. A lot of Phillies fans. Just bring your Clearwater. I was thinking about it. I was watching the game, and I turned to Emily, and I'm like, man, like, it's really loud

down there. And I'm like, oh, yeah. Wonder why. Clearwater. Wonder why. That makes sense. And, oh, yeah, no Rays fans. No Rays fans.

But, yeah, it's just, like, their ability to go into these ballparks where you have to almost create your own energy. Yeah, which they never used to do. Never. It didn't matter if it was Miami, Cincinnati, whatever. Hundreds of times we've talked about that on the pod. Of just like a no energy team on the road, an empty stadium. You've used that phrase, that exact phrase, Jack.

I have it burned in my mind of you going like, they need to create their own energy on the road, and they haven't been able to do it. You've said that so many times. Well, and that's why. Garrett Stubbs, the second most important Philly behind Schwarber. He really is important. He's very important.

I was thinking about it when I was watching the game last night. And also, by the way, a really solid backup catcher, too. Got a good arm, makes great throws down to second. Calls a great game. Seems like he calls a really good game, though I will say, I feel like he drops more strikes than any catcher i've ever seen for some reason you know i mean like just like not a big deal but like they just kind of bounce off the bottom of his glove because again he's a little leader he's a little guy but i feel like it happens all the time

but like he's a really solid player a solid hitter like obviously took one for the team last night oh he wore that i will say i was thinking about watching last night because I think it's most startling when you go to a normal Phillies game and he's doing that catching in between innings, like if JT was batting or whatever and he's getting his gear on, and Stubbs comes out and when he's got no gear on, he looks so absurdly small out there. But I always think about he was the best player on his freaking high school team. He's the best player in his college.

All these dudes who tower. Now he's not the best player, obviously, but, he was the best player on his freaking high school team. He's the best player on his college. Like, all these dudes who tower. Like, now he's, like, not the best player. Obviously, he's a major league player. But, like, I think about, like, Garrett Stubbs with a bunch of dudes on his college team where he's, like, the little guy and he's just way better than all those guys. That's awesome. Well, I mean, at one point, he was the top 20 prospect for the Astros. That's what I mean.

Like, he's just, yeah. But he is the cultured dude, man. Of course he is. They all love him. Like, those guys love him. And, sure, they could go find a better backup catcher, but I don't need it. And even then, like, honestly, like, that's the kind of thing, and Andrew Knapp I do think was particularly bad, but it was one of those things where, like, look, backup catchers

are bad when it comes to hitting. You couldn't get past that with Knapp. Knapp worked a great at bat, called a good game, and all I heard, oh, Nappy's the woe. Grow up. He was the woe. You know why? Because he got us Garrett Stubbs. Don't you love Stubbs more?

I do love Stubbs. I do love Stubbs. I was right. I called for a better one, and I got it. Congratulations. You nailed the backup catcher thing. Everyone, you're welcome. Yep.

All right? And he's a Jew. And he's a Jew. There it is. In fact, I'm going to claim ownership of Garrett Stubbs. Garrett Stubbs is a Philly because of me. Yes. Well, no. And he is just like going to claim ownership of Garrett Stubbs. Garrett Stubbs is a Philly because of me. Yes. Well, no.

And he is just like, again, he has all the playlists. He has, you know, like, he's just, he's the energy guy. And him having, I believe he came up with a new celebration, too. If I had to guess, it was because of him. Oh, yeah, that would make sense. Like, it seems like a Garrett Stubbs. Like, this is going to be our new thing. We're all beamed up.

What he's like, he's like walking up and down the dugout before the game doing high five. He's very important. They would not be as good as they are without Garrett Stubbs. I'm a big glue guy guy. I really am. Because many say that you're the glue of WIP. I agree with that. Thank you.

You are the glue guy of this radio program. I'm a friendly guy. I think it's important. And I'm so with you, dude. I think Stubbs has been an underratedly, incredibly important part of this team. All right, what else should I add to? We talked about Nola, obviously. I think that, at least for me, outside of just them going to Tampa and winning these games,

if I had to pick one dude who I think is the most important thing we saw in Tampa, it was that start from Nola. Would you agree with that? I would say that. I thought Tomlin Walker, you know, I think it was important. Yeah, I mean, just being able to go do that. And the other thing that I thought was interesting, they didn't do it with Sanchez yesterday because I don't

think that, you know, maybe two starts from now if he continues to keep this up, they will be more open to it. But I thought it was noticeable, and we talk about these guys trusting Rob Thompson because he trusts in them. Talked about it with Jeff Hoffman. Talked about it with Junior Marte.

Noah going out for the eighth. I thought about it in the moment because you said this last time. We talked about it with the Wheeler thing. I am so with you. So Noah going out for the eighth. And then he gave Tom Walker the seventh. And he got through it. He handled it.

Yeah, and he's done that a couple times with these starters. And it saved a couple pieces of the bullpen, which is good, which is important. But I do think it does – it gives those guys, like, all right, Rob's got me. I got to go do this. And we talk about the importance of a manager. What does a manager do? Everyone's questioning.

Like, oh, they do a set of lineups. They don't even matter. Right. Right. That stuff. Like, that's what managers – that's why they're not coaches. No, it's like with Joe Torre. They do a set of lineups. They even matter. Right. Right. That stuff. That's what managers, that's why they're not coaches. No, it's like with Joe Torre.

Everyone used to be like, what the hell does that guy do? It's that he kept the clubhouse together. Everyone loved him. He was able to find ways to get players to motivate guys and all that. But the funny thing is. I think Rob Thompson's winning percentage is like 638. Dude, I'm just saying. I will say, too, I think with Thompson,

we're starting to see something that was was you know basically until game six of the world series like uh topper had it just felt like whenever we'd make these moves where everyone's like why are you doing that it worked well and we're seeing that like josh the josh harrison starts like it seems like the dude homer's when he starts so this that like it's like topper keeps doing these things where it's like why are you doing like the other day i can't remember what it was they're facing a lefty and both stop and marshal down. And like, you know, Pache comes through and freaking, you know, Josh Harrison comes through. And it's like, I feel like we're starting to get back to that point

where like even when it maybe isn't the smartest or best decision, like it goes right for Topper. Yeah, but he's on a, he's definitely, yesterday was the heat check for him. Yeah. I mean, he had five straight lefties batting. Like, what are we doing? I mean, you don't have to do that. It's funny because it was almost like, all right, Rays, I'm going to out-Ray you.

Because that's the kind of thing the Rays would do. Like, the only team that I – if you said, all right, what team in baseball is going to have five straight lefties in the lineup? It would be like the Rays. They'd obviously do that. The Rays might have nine straight lefties in the lineup. Five straight lefties. I was like, what are you doing?

And then the other hot streak moment was in the 10th, he let Derek Hall bat. Yeah, that's another great point. Like, I mean, unless they just wanted to give JT the full day, but I don't know. Which they might. They've been weird with the days, the double days. They've liked to give guys the two days off and all that type of stuff.

So, look, hey, I will give them credit in that they've done a nice job keeping guys healthy so far this season, especially with how taxed the bullpen was early in the season. I mean, a guy like Strom we talked about, he's already surpassed his innings for combined the last two seasons. So, you know, like I do think Topper's found a way to really navigate this. Yeah. And he's got a really good feel for this roster.

Oh, and I think a lot of it comes back to also Koffman and his staff. I think Koffman and his staff putting together the game plan. The whole thing, Law and the Biomechanics, the whole group. Again, back up to the top. The guy we always loved, the guy we always said was going to do a great job here. Dave Dombrowski just deserves a ton of freaking credit for how this organization functions, how they look. The fact that there are real, like, it feels like

real checks and balances, real, like, best practices, like, all these things that high functioning organizations have that we have not had in a really long time, Jack, or ever. Like, it just feels like it's a really high functioning organization, top to bottom. And it's starting to bear itself out in the field, which is the best part of it all. It's starting to bear itself out in the field, which is the best part of it all. So, yeah, it's for, because the beginning of this podcast, first couple years of this podcast, it was like, are they a well-run team? Does anyone down there know what they're doing? Last two years, I mean.

It's like a night and day. The organizational shift, even like getting the analytics right. And, I mean, it's a minor thing, but having Stott playing up the middle last night, he dives. Double play. That was a big play in that game. He's in the right spot. He might lose that game if he's not because the run score is there. Who knows?

Yep, totally agree. They are finally doing it. Dude, when Gabe first got hired, they had the wrong shifts for an entire year because they had no idea. They couldn't read the analytics. They didn't understand it. Dude. That was so funny.

It was one of the most funny storylines of the early game was that they tried all this advanced stuff that didn't make any sense because they were reading it wrong. They're reading the information wrong. It didn't make sense. I was watching it like, Oh, Freddie Freeman.

The amount of balls that were hit to no one. I remember us just being like normal baseballs. There were a few things. Don't get me wrong. We all remember the 2020 bullpen. That was the worst. But in terms of just watching a baseball team and feeling deflated, there are a few things more deflating than just seeing balls hit to the shortstop

and there's no one there. Or a ball that's hit to secondstop and there's no one there. Or a ball that's hit to second base and there's no one there. By a wide margin. He used to shift Freddie Freeman. It's like, he can hit it wherever he wants. You don't need to shift him.

And we've gone from that. We've gone from not knowing how to read shifts, not knowing the right bullpen guys to bring in the right spot, you know, like, to where they are now, where it's just like, they got it. And the beginning of the season was incredibly frustrating, and coming off the World Series and starting off and getting to six games under.500 and whatnot. The thing that has me the most happy and excited right now

is that, first off, the ballpark's been full all year long. Shout out, dude. Like, that's been, because they've not earned it. They've not earned it. Well, they earned it last year, but they've played this year. Yeah, and look, they have won at home. Like, the home record's been good. Like, the people who show up, they've seen more wins than losses and stuff.

But as a baseball team, they underperformed. But people showed up, which was huge. And I can't wait until after the All-Star break. Because I think this Ray series, for a lot of people that were still doubting if they were truly a good team, this Ray series, I think, validated a lot of people. Like, all right, they're back. I'm so excited. I know.

They are. They are. They're good. I literally yelled, thank God, at the top of my lungs in my house last night when they won. And I said it to Emily because she's all year. You know, I love to tell her everything, complain about everything, all that. I kept saying to her, I'm like, this was the year that I was most excited for the Phillies. Like, in as long as I can remember, certainly in my career by miles.

Like, this is the most excited I've been. And it's been such a letdown that they just came out of the gate the way they did and looked the way they did. And I'm just so freaking happy that we're at the point where we're like, we got a good team.

They're the team we expected to see. I'm like, really, it is a beautiful day, man. By the way, it would be 13 straight road games if Cody Clemens could have kept that ball fair. That's a really good point. That's the reason he's in the minors. Yeah, keep that ball fair. By the way, it would be 13 straight road games if Cody Clemens could have kept that ball fair. That's a really good point.

That's the reason he's in the minors. Yeah, keep that ball fair. By the way, that's the night JT hit for the cycle and ended David Bell's reign of terror. So wait, honestly, we didn't want him to win that game. Exactly right. No, again, that game was perfect. Let me ask you something real quick on the David Bell thing. Okay, well, it's funny because I actually have a question for you.

Well, it might have been because it was brought up on your show today. Oh, no, so I have a different one. Okay. Mine is Francisco Lindor related okay okay uh david bell or west helms for you because you sounded like your hatred of west helms felt very personal to to my hatred of david so i hate to do this because i know how much you hate like it was easily i hated i hated west helms i hated that guy like i hated him hated him. I hated everything. Like, I hated his face. Dude, there was like three straight years they tried to bring in former Marlins.

They brought in Conine, who was terrible here. They brought in West Helms, and they brought in Wigginson. Yep. Yeah, and Wigginson had a career. You know, Wigginson just lasted and lasted and lasted in that moment. Like, West Helms, easily my least favorite of all those guys. Yeah. I'm close.

Yeah. Honestly, the David Bell, if he didn't hit for the cycle, if he didn't hit for the cycle, Wes Helms would be number one. Yeah. It's the Bell for years. So, all right. It's funny because this is my question. This is a how mad would you have been at him situation.

Francisco Lindor last night goes five for five. Home run, two singles, two triples. I know. How mad would you have been if a Philly, let's say, whoever, let's say Trey Turner, because short subs or whatever, if Trey Turner had had a night like that, where if he had just been not so greedy to get that extra triple. Yep, making it a me guy.

Making it a me guy. Could add the cycle. How devastating would that have been for you before the reign of Tyra? Because I could only think about you when I saw that. I was like, you'd be yelling at Lindor, stop! So obviously I'd be mad, but also happy at the same time because it'd be funny. I could come on and rip Lindor. Why did you stop?

It was right there. It was right there for you. Especially the me guy I think is really good. You want a triple? Come on. there. It was right there for you. You know what I mean? Especially the me guy I think is really good. Yeah. You want a triple? Come on. Yeah. Think about the greater good.

Think about the greater good. That would have been my- Trying to help the team win a baseball game? You're trying to get the cycle. Exactly right. Yeah. Think about the important things. Yeah. So anyway, I couldn't help but think of you.

Good. Proud of you. Well, I do like that the vit lives on. You know, it's over, but I still can't watch cycles or potential cycles or whatever and not think of you and think of the bit. That was a good one. Thank you. That one will last forever. We'll see if I can replicate it. Well, you always

seem to. You always say I can't and then somehow, someway, there's always another one that works just as great. Thanks. It's a really impressive thing. You know what I feel. I think you're the best at it. In the business. Okay. Anything else from the Rays series?

So do you want to do take back and then draft? That's what I figured we would do, yes. That's what I was going to say. Anything else from the Rays series? Take back, draft. It's all kind of a thing. I'm committed to you today, buddy. Thank you, buddy.

Just so everyone knows, I have a very, very, obviously can't be that strict, but generally strict, no recording on Friday's policy. I'm here. I'm excited. I was looking forward to it. I'm just letting you know how happy I am to be doing this. Also, next week I am off. I'm going to do a podcast on Sunday. Two podcasts on Sunday.

I'm going to have an event Tuesday and I'm going to have a podcast on Wednesday reacting to the entire draft. So why don't you calm down on your little Friday thing. Get the rest of the day off. I love that you're like, well, I'm going to work on my week off because I'm off the rest of the week so that you should, yes. Well, believe me. Guess what?

When I'm off, I have a pretty good feeling we're going to be doing pods when I'm off too. Yes, we will be. We'll be there, buddy. Lock in. We do. We're always here. Yes.

Well, unless the Phils are playing bad. Unless the Phils are playing bad, then we are absolutely not there. And then maybe, you know, a week or two in the offseason when we maybe skip one. Exactly right. But it's pretty rare. We're pretty consistently here. I only have like three things in the take back. Good, because I'm sure you've got like 15 minutes to dress up.

Yeah, I do. I keep complaining about having to go to bed. There are two things that I need to address with you personally. Oh, goodness. Uh-oh. That's always a dangerous lead-in. One is that I noticed that I'm out of the profile picture. Okay, this is a good one. Thank you. I meant to bring this up dangerous lead-in. One is that I noticed that I'm out of the profile picture. Okay.

This is a good one. Thank you. I meant to bring this up last podcast. Do you want my official response to that? Yeah. Yeah. Have I ever been in your profile picture? No.

Okay. Me guy. There we go. So I gave you a nice run, like an eight-month run right there, center stage. And then, you know, you got usurped by Jason Kelsey. It could be worse. All right? Well, who's a bigger legend in Philadelphia?

I mean, you are, obviously. You're Jason Kelsey. I had to mix it up a little bit. Well, actually, I'm glad I'm not your pro. Because I was pretty drunk. You look a little bit, too. I'm definitely more with it in that moment. Well, dude, it's like, this isn't a problem.

It's just like I walk around, people are like, can I get you a Miller Lite? I know, I know. It's like, well, I'm not one to turn down. I get it. Trust me. I know that game, pal. I'm not one to turn down. I get it. I know that game, Val. I'm not one to turn down. You want to give me a Miller Lite?

Yeah, I'll take one. Yeah, I'll take one. Thank you. Sounds great. And the second thing is, do you think the Phillies are stealing, the Phillies' social media handles are stealing my bit? Oh, goodness. Okay.

No, so tell me what I missed. Did you see their tweet this morning? No. So they tweeted out four photos of the series in Tampa Bay, and they said definitely the biggest win against the Raisins team. Oh my god, yes! Sickening, right? Absolutely sickening. Wow!

There is no question. Shout out to Philly Social Media. We love you guys. We know you listen. And we love you. We're big fans. Just, you know, maybe a little hat tip or whatever. HT, you know, that old thing they do. What are we doing here? It's clearly your bit.

I mean, there's no chance in hell that the person who put that tweet out does not know that that's your thing. I bet my life that they know. I mean, I believe I tweeted it in 2021. That exact thing. Yeah. And also you've done that version eight zillion times. And I don't, I'm close to retiring it. Because it's almost to the point where it's like,

when the Phillies are stealing the bid, it's probably time to retire it. Well, and like last night I went back to the well because I tweeted like, I've never seen a better third baseman defensively in team history than Alec Fong. What a play by the way. What a play. It was so smooth and so easy.

It's just like, yeah, bare hand, no big. You want to talk about shocking developments of the 2023 Phillies. I have no fear when the ball hits it. One error. He said one error all year. Nice. He's been phenomenal. Like, he is a vacuum.

It is astounding. And not to mention, like, also when he's played first base, he's been terrific there. Like, for someone who, like, literally never played the position in a meaningful game, he's done a really nice job. Totally. And again, you talk about not worried about Sanchez. Not worried about the bullpen.

What is going on here? Where are we? It's unbelievable. They're weird. It's a weird year. Chris Sanchez just goes, he had 75 pitches, six innings. Like, yeah, no problem. It's where they get the minors.

The dude walked every battery freaking phase. He comes to the majors and it's like, I don't yeah, no problem. It's where they get the minors. The dude walked every battery freaking phase. He comes to the majors and it's like, I don't walk anybody. Yeah. It's been phenomenal. Andrew Painter. It looks good to see him get back on the mound. Yeah. Well, especially because he was on.

So for those who don't know, had a bullpen. There was a report that he was going to have to stop, that there was a little tightness. Minor stiffness. Minor stiffness. It was back the next day. So we're all good. Yes. Hopefully.

Yeah, for this second until the next one. Yeah, and if he does come back, first off, does he take – I don't think they can take Sanchez out of the rotation, and I think they would go six-man. I think so, too. I mean, you think about – and think about maybe as a playoff guy, like having that potential to bring Painter in for an inning or two out of the bullpen maybe in the playoffs or something like that,

getting to the playoffs, like it is something where we've kind of, he's out of sight, out of mind, but he is talented enough where he's the kind of guy to come in and be a difference maker for you. Yeah, he's going to be 06 Wainwright. Wow. I love that. 06 Wainwright. Honestly, that's my favorite comp ever.

I'm all in on 06 Wainwright. 06 Wainwright. That's freaking great. Comes out of the bullpen as a rookie and is dominant. Dominant? Yeah, because he was really good. Yep. Either way though, yeah. And if they go six man down the stretch run, it gives Wheeler hopefully some time off. Knowles

some time off. Now they have to be in a better spot. Right, but that is important. I mean, we talked about that a lot last year. That Wheeler time off, I think, really mattered in the playoffs. Totally. And last thing is that Orion Kirkering was in Reading last night. I saw, buddy! Dude, he is nasty, man. He is.

He's moving quick. He's moving quick, yes. And, just saying, Sir Anthony's hurt. Sir Anthony's like, can't come back from the oblique. Right. Come on, let's get Orion up here. What a leap. Dude, his Orion up here. What a leap. Dude, his slider is disgusting. I love him.

Again, you show me the video. I've never been more in on a minor league pitcher. That a guy. That always seems to end well for us. I know. We never get those right. Hey, Junior. All right?

Yep, yep, yep, yep. All right. Are you ready? It's the whole reason we did this, Bob. I mean, you know, sweeping the Rays is nice. Cute little story. Cute little story, but it's draft whole reason we did this pod. I mean, you know, sweeping the Rays is nice. Cute little story. Cute little story, but it's draft time, buddy. All right.

Should I turn my mic off? Should I add some color? Just, you know, what should I do here? I mean, I don't know how you should, frankly, handle this. You can just do whatever you want to do. Okay, I'll get out of here. So the plan for Sunday, I think, is going to be this. Is that we'll do a podcast reacting to the Marlins.

Yes, we will. Without a doubt, 100%. And then I think, is going to be this. Is that we'll do a podcast reacting to the Marlins. Yes, we will. Without a doubt, 100%. And then I think I'm going to come on after you're long asleep. Oh, I will be way asleep, buddy. Especially because for anyone who comes to the event Tuesday night, feel free to ask me how annoyed I am that I have to wake up at 3.20 the next morning. Because I will be annoyed. But I'll be happy to see everyone.

Right. And you can, yeah. Someone else can sympathize with your tiredness. I'm going to have to nap. I'm going to have to take a nap during the day. Wah. Wah. Wah.

Poor me. Poor me. No, you're, you know what, you're right. Thank you. I am,

I am excited. I will not complain once. Good. So, and I think like when they make the pick, I'll try to be on YouTube and do like a live reaction

as fast as possible once I gain my thoughts. Okay, good. And we're all good. So watch out for that, and then it'll be dropped from the podcast feed and all that stuff. And then I think we'll do a post-draft full reaction

probably Wednesday? Yeah, probably Wednesday or Thursday. One of those days, depending on... Because last year, I went to Virginia on the draft week. Yeah, and it was a disaster. I was like, I didn't get a chance to dive into my guys. We will definitely do it either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on... Probably basically how And I was like, I didn't get a chance to dive into my guys. We will definitely do it, either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on probably basically how tired I am on Wednesday

after being out at night on Tuesday. Yes. But 100% it'll be. All right. The first is, so I have my tears here, the tears, of guys that die out of happiness. Real quick, I love that, so for those who don't know, if you're new to the pod, we did get some new listeners

during the World Series round the line. If you're new to the pod, we did get some new listeners during the World Series round, if you're new to the pod, we do this every year, and amazingly, Jack has found different names for each tier every year, so this is great. It's mostly because I forget what I said the year before. Yeah, but you always have good tiers. Thank you. Lay it on us.

Guys, I'd die out of happiness if they are Phillies. Okay. Two is be very happy. Okay. I would not be anti these guys, I'd is be very happy. I would not be anti these guys and be very happy, but I would not die out of happiness. And then my last tier is would have to talk myself into it.

Yeah, they taught myself into it. It's always been a staple of the tiers. I don't want to be negative. Yeah, look, if they draft a guy, you'll figure it out. Don't worry. Justin Crawford, by the way, had like 330 or whatever. First homerer 35 stolen bases i know i'm excited it's exciting he's gotta lift the ball but he's excited it's exciting you

know he could be really maze hayes i'll take it yeah just be super fast yeah um and famously andrew painter was once in the would have to talk myself into group i didn't even bring up justin crawford last year because i was like no way they're gonna yeah it wasn't even mentioned yeah um so and by the way i mean j Johan Rojas is heating up at AA. He's been really good, yeah. All right, the guys that die out of happiness here, number one is obviously Chase Davis. We know.

It is the number one. Your heart is Chase's. Yes. As it has been before. The most important Chase in Philly's history. Oh, the bit's not dead. It's Chase Davis. The bit's not dead, buddy. It's Chase Davis. The bit's not dead.

But so today, Keith Law, our good friend of the podcast. Like, great friend. Yeah. Really just enjoyed his time on the pod. Really enjoyed his time here. You know, there was no bristling between the two of you. Yes, yes. It was great.

And I was right. You were right. I'm just saying, you were right. So Keith Law. There is no way it'll take a high school No way Deep breaths Keith Did he get Keith back

On the fire Yeah I'm sure he'd be pumped Jim Callis Also put out his mock draft No no It's John the Mayo John the Mayo And they both had

Chase Davis at 27 Whoa really So that's really exciting Oh buddy But Oh buddy But the people that I Trust have him going like top 10. Whoa.

Okay, so real quick. I know the baseball draft is super weird with slotting and paying and all that, but explain just real quick before you dive in, and not to extend this longer than I need to, but how does that happen? How does someone get mocked at 27 and go 10? Because the teams in the top 10 have more money and they can just

spread out the money and go underslot. The Phillies can only pay a guy like $2 million at 27. Teams in the top 10 have $5 to $6 million, I believe, in their slot allotment. So they can offer them $4, but they still have $2 million they can spread out the rest of the draft.

The Phillies only have two million. Right, but my point is like, how does he potentially pick eight or less to 27? Why wouldn't he go 14? Why wouldn't he go 17? Oh, he could. He could. I'm just saying like there's,

I think there's a high chance he goes top 10 because I think teams believe in his talent and can sign him for cheaper and spread the money out. Oh, I got you. Did he be, I get it. I get it. They take him for cheaper spread. I got you.

I was misunderstanding. Yeah, I got you. I get it. I get it. They take him for cheaper spread than I got you. I was misunderstanding. Yeah, I got you. So he's like not necessarily a top 10 pick on paper. He's not a top 10 talent per se. But they feel like you can take him early, get the money out of the way. And still potentially get a top 10 talent because the bat has such upside.

Correct. Alright, I got it. Honestly, I would not be surprised if he goes number one and they underslot him that much. I mean, I'm just telling you. Wow. I know it's a team the model based teams will do something like that yeah if the orioles if he i would be shocked that the orioles passed on the 17th it's something they would love to do yeah well the orioles i mean do they even need more young it's just like i mean holy cow dude after dude i would die to have what the

orioles could do i know they're I know. They're like your perfect. It's like every week. Oh, now we're bringing this guy up. Yeah. Yeah. You know, 45 home runs and double. It's just like unbelievable. I know.

Connor Henderson, man. Yeah. I mean, Adley Rushman's like one of the most exciting young players in the sport. Like, that dude's freaking awesome. And Jackson's coming. Yeah. Westbrook. Like, they just have all these freaking guys.

Oh, you and Jackson. I mean, they freaking like seriously. Yeah. They brought up another kid. They brought up Colton Couser the other day. Yes, it's just like dude after dude after dude. I didn't like him in the draft. I did not like him in the draft. Wow.

But whatever. He's not a Phil. He's not a Phil. So frankly, I'll be shocked if he's there at 27. If he's there, I'll be thrilled. Walker Martin is a guy, this 19-year-old. So he's 19, so maybe that's the reason he falls, because he's older for a high school prospect, so teams don't like that. Walker Martin, great guy, this 19-year-old. So he's 19, so maybe that's the reason he falls, because he's older for a high school prospect,

so teams don't like that. Walker Martin, great name. I agree. Great name. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And if they drafted a Walker on Walker's birthday, you want to talk about synergy. Yeah, that's strong.

A lot of people think he's going to be a centerpiece. I also like the people who, because Walker obviously could be a first name or a last name, but I think most people, at least historically,'s like more a last name than a first name. I like the people who have the last name, then the first name, like Walker Martin, a first name more than a last name. I like that. Good.

It's like a two first names guy in a way. Right. My only problem with Walker Martin is I keep saying Ethan Martin. Oh, yeah. And it's like former Phil Gray. Of course. Yeah. All-timer.

All-timer. So I just think he's going to rake and all the reports are that he's just crushing in the interviews. People love him. So I'm always impartial. Ah, you know me. I'm a big interview guy. Yep. And then third is Hurston Waldrip, the Florida pitcher,

who I just believe he's used wrong. And I think his split changeup is already the best pitch in baseball. Hurston Waldrip sounds like someone who should be living on Martha's Vineyard. I agree. And he should be a third. Third. Hurston Waldrip the third. Hurston Waldrip sounds like someone should be living on Martha's Vineyard. I agree. And he should be a third. Third. Hurston Waldrip the third. Hurston Waldrip the third.

Nailed it. Yes. All right. Guys I'd be very happy with. Charlie Soto is a former shortstop turn pitcher. Just sounds like a baseball player. Yeah. He throws 98 already.

He's a little smaller, but you watch him, you see it change up. It has a good feel for it. Johnny Farmello. Like a little smaller or like small, small? No, like 6'1", small. So not like 6'0", small. Not 6'0", small. Similar size.

Poor 6'0". Johnny, I know. I know. Bring him back, though. Yeah, I would tell you. Hey, get him with our development team. Who knows what could happen? Okay.

Johnny Farmello. Okay. I'm talking too much. Johnny Farmello, who I think is probably going to end up being a Dodger. He's a prep kid that's going to Virginia, hits the ball really hard, swings kind of ugly, but hits the ball hard. So I think teams are going to try to iron out his deficiencies. Last great name.

Yeah, Johnny Farmelo. That's tough. What about Sammy Stifora? I kind of like that. Sammy Stifora. I can get by on Sammy Stifora. So Farmelo and Stifora, to me, both have kind of ugly swings, but they hit the ball hard.

Okay. So I think it's someone that a lot of projection teams, especially 25 to 35 in the comp rounds, are like, that's a top 10 talent if we can get the swing right. Right. So I'll take a shot on that. George Lombard, he kind of just does everything well, but nothing great.

But he's a young kid with projections. His dad was a draft pick. Okay. You notice there are some names where you just can't imagine them being like a young kid? George Lombard sounds like a 70-year-old guy. Yeah, for sure. He just does. So we'll see if he's really 18 or 70.

Yeah, exactly. Teams will have to figure that out during the draft process. It's going to be an important clarification for those teams. Really smooth defender. People think he's probably a third baseman long term. Blake Mitchell is a catcher, but he can play center field. He's that athletic. Wow. It's like JT-esque.

Yeah, but a beautiful swing. Frankly, I think he could be there just because teams don't really need catchers, it feels like. But if you're looking for a JT replacement, Blake Mitchell, they have to starters, it feels like. But if you're looking for a JT replacement, I mean, Blake Mitchell, they have to start thinking about it. Exactly. Yes, exactly.

Great point. Nolan Channel is a first baseman from FAU that all the, I think, the model teams, the teams that are super analytically driven, are going to be all over. Just hits the ball hard. Probably the best hitter in the country. Wow. But he went to a small school.

A small college. Level of competition. So won't buy into him. So he's a first baseman.'t fau like that program's grown right only because of the tournament is that yeah yeah okay they were in the final four yeah i was like i feel like they're they're the better program they're a good baseball school for like my not my level but like you're like wait a minute a little better than me but yeah but not like a power but he's a he's a first baseman who i think could replace reese okay um in the next couple

years yo-yo morale so i brought up a lot at the beginning of the process i still have concerns about swing and miss but man the swing is like when he connects like he reminds me so much of aramis ramirez a dot i love aramis so we me, I realized when I say that, that no one else knows that joke. So we, when we were doing our very first fantasy draft, my buddy, Chad, um,

we're doing the draft and we're going through it. He goes, I'll take a dot Ramirez. Cause he had no idea he was, it was just a dot. You know, like you look at the G ticket. So he just became a dot for our group,

like forever. It's not a bad nickname. It was a good nickname. A dot. Yeah. A dot Ramirez. Uh, Kevin McGonigal, the local kid. Like, uh, I think he's just like a second baseman. became a dot for our group like forever it's not bad it was a good nickname a dot yeah so a dot ramirez uh kevin mcgonigal the local kid like uh i think he's just like a second baseman so look at the i think he's falling not because of his hit tool just because i don't think no one like do

people want to draft a second baseman that high um because only to me it's like a projects as a second base yeah and that's not something people are like people usually like to drop the short top maybe become second baseman or that kind of stuff. Exactly. So the hit tool's there. I would not be upset if they took him at 27 at all. That is weird, though. You're right. I think you rarely see guys,

like first-round guys, who are like pure second baseman. Well, he's playing shortstop. It's just like... That's where he's going to be. Yeah. Rock Chowalski is a shortstop from Southern California.

Rock Chowalski. Chowalski? Chowalski. That's a name. Chowalski. So it's a terrible, obviously... Horrible last name. Rock is obviously... It's Chiloski? Chiloski. That's a name. Chiloski. So it's a terrible, obviously. Horrible last name. Rock is obviously a top tier name.

So as a name test guy. That's a tough one for you. I know. I'm actually intrigued. So for those who don't know, Jack Fritz, the originator of the name test, used to be a big thing back in the day with the Jack Fritz name test. Shout out to Counterpoint Pod. What do you do with a guy like that?

I know. Because that's a real tough one, you know? So my first option is change your name. Because if I change his name, I think he's a top 20 pick. I mean, Rock, almost anything else. Yeah. Boom, look at that, dude. Rock Choloski.

It's just like, again, not great. It's horrible. It's tough to see that name. Yeah, that's the point of the name test. You got to think like, all right, can I see this guy in the All-Star game with that name? Can I see his jersey being sold at the MLB store? It's a tough one. I know.

But, I mean, the defense is just transcendent. He might struggle against breaking balls, but I think his swing is really pure. And he's a UCLA quarterback commit. Oh. And a shortstop. I'm a big multi-sport guy. So I think he's going to be hard to sign away,

because I think he's going to go and play both there. Probably. Let me tell you, being quarterback at UCLA, it seems like a pretty good gig. And a starting short. But you have to play for Chip, though. That's true. I just meant more in terms of the extracurricular life that you're living. Especially with NILs.

Yeah, what a life. So we'll see. But the player, and you watch him, I like him a lot. And again, I really do. I'm not just saying that. I like guys who are high-level athletes in multiple sports. There's just been enough. We've seen so many of those guys through the years,

the Carl Crawfords or whatever, usually works out yeah uh trent carraway is a shortstop that's going to eventually be a third baseman that just flat out rakes like i think he's the next austin riley and i know that's rich coming from me because i hate austin riley with every fiber of my being i can't believe you just said that as a compliment that was like i'm i'm shy i don't even know what to do right now. I don't think they'll take him at 27, but I just, you watch him. He looks like a 90s, like he's a little crouched guy that just like lifts. And he just, he looks like a 90s power hitter.

Love it. Yeah. He looks like a 90s power hitter. Cade Cooler. Wow, Cade Cooler. He is a little right-handed pitcher from Campbell. Fast ballsball jumps. He's starting to work his way into first-round conversation.

He's jumped up the last week, I want to say. I don't think I'll take him there, but I would be happy. Bryce Matthews is a shortstop from Nebraska who I think, if everything works out, could be the next Mookie. Well, because all of his exits. I love you just Throwing these out Cause all Because his swing

Is exactly like Mookie's You never do like I think this guy Could be an ex Mike Cameron Like you always go Freaking Mookie Could be Mookie Could be Mookie

Like you'd say Cause Mike Cameron Like if you're Mike Cameron Like what a great career Like Mike Cameron Was a damn good Baseball player

For a really long time Great fielder Had a nice career Like you'd be happy To get a Mike Cameron You go Mookie Yeah Well Shortstop You know So like I'm just saying great fielder, had a nice career, you'd be happy to get a Mike Cameron. You go Mookie.

Short stop. I'm just saying, the swing looks very similar. Exit V-Lows, just quick hands. Could be Mookie. And then Brayden Taylor's the third baseman from TCU at 26 home runs this year. I don't know. I think he's a very, very safe pick that I'd be

happy with. He works a ton of walks, hits some home runs. All right, the tier that I would have to talk myself into, Brock Wilkin is the third base from Wake Forest that had a ton of home runs this year. Just looks stiff to me. Just looks a little stiff. Jacob Wilson, I can't believe he's a first-rounder. Everyone's like, oh, he's going to go top 14. I watch him.

I don't see it. He's a shortstop from Grand Canyon. Philly's first round pick. I know. Philly's first round pick, Jacob Wilson. Lock it in. Colt Emerson, a lot of people, he's a prep shortstop. If they took any prep shortstop, I'd be thrilled.

I just don't really see it with Colt Emerson. That's my one prep shortstop I would not be thrilled with. And then Thomas White, who they are 100% drafting, I would have to talk myself into. I just, no. Just no. No.

All right. Real quick, before we move on from the first round to your late round, guys, and I can't believe that you were giving us... Do you see these names? It's a lot of names. 15 names on there. Are you serious?

20 names on there. Late round, guys. Quickly, before we... Again, this is... 18. I said 15, 20. Not too bad by me, just looking at it quickly. It's lucky it's not 11-04 at night. I would be.

One quick question. You've talked a lot about you want them to draft a hitter as opposed to a pitcher. If you had to put, and I know that best player available and all that type of stuff, but if you had to put odds on what you think they will do, just pitcher or hitter, forgetting everything else, what kind of odds would you give towards hitter?

70%. Okay. I think their number one, I think Chase Davis is 100% a Philly if he's there at 27. Right. I think Jonathan Mayo wrote yesterday that, no, fan graphs. He wrote yesterday that the floor for Chase Davis is the Phillies. Wow.

Which means they're drafting him if he's there. A jailing card in the Eagles. And then I think it's prep. I think it's prep shortstop and then pitcher. I think the only pitcher they would take over a prep shortstop or Chase Davis would be wall drop. If he falls there. If he falls there, which I don't think he will.

Alright, let's do the guys that... I promise I'll make this fast. I have to, because in case these guys are good, I want credit. I get it. I know how you roll, buddy. Robbie Velasquez is, like, he has a same set up as Schwarber, like, and just hits tanks.

And he said, like, I watched, by the way, I watched the perfect game, high school American game, three times. He said, basically, he's thinking, he's getting back to his wiffle boss. I'm happy to know that having a kid didn't slow you down at all in this environment. No, because he goes about 7, 8 on the weekends. What am I supposed to do? I remember those days.

Yeah, exactly. So he's way later than I am these days. Liam Peterson's a Florida commit high school prep arm. He won't be there in the third round anyway. Naz and Zanatello I love, but I would not take him in 27. I don't think he'll be there in the third round. By the way, they don't have a second round pick, which is a disaster. Is that because of Turner? Yes.

Max Anderson, a third baseman from Nebraska that hits the ball extremely hard. Again, looks like a 90s slugger. Cole Schoenwetter, I think, has the best fastball in the draft. Cole Schoenwetter. I know, terrible name. Again, if his name was just like Schoenwetter I think has the best fastball in the draft. Schoenwetter. I know. Terrible name. Again, if his name was just like Schoen or whatever. Yeah, fine. Wetter. It is funny, by the way, how the only

thing that I've brought to this little part of the pod is just critiquing their names. Yeah, well, that's what I want from you. Steven Echevarria is a prep arm. Any relation to... No, because he's a high school kid from New Jersey. Well, you know, you never know. Echevarria Is a Any relation to No He's a high school kid From New Jersey Well you know

You never know Echevarria There aren't that many out there But we might use him In the grid Coming up soon Oh buddy He played for a good amount

Of teams Yeah he did You're right He could be Max Scherzer First time I watched him I'm like wow He kind of finishes Like Scherzer I love it It's a late Rio wow, he kind of finishes like Scherzer.

I love it. It's a late Rio, later Runga, or third, fourth. You're like, this guy's like Scherzer. Could be Scherzer. Isaiah Kopet is a little lefty from Ohio State that can reach 97. I would like more lefties out of the bullpen because we need that. George Walcow, who I cannot believe is not going. He's 17.

who I cannot believe is not going He's 17. He hit a ball 113 miles an hour. Sorry, 116 miles an hour at the draft combine. He's 6'7". What? 16? He reclassified from 2024. Didn't he hit a ball 116 this year?

Schwarberg won 113 the other day. I don't know if anyone's hit a ball 116. I don't understand why. That's nuts. If he's hit a ball in 16 minutes. I don't understand why. That's nuts. So if he's there in third round, whatever. Whatever. Saban Cababalos. Nailed it.

Is it Caballos? Cabalos. Is it the double L's? I wrote it wrong. I wrote an A instead of an E. It's not Caballos? I'm not sure. But.

Is it a double L? It's a double L. Might be Caballos. It could be. He is a third baseman from Oregon who can't play third base, but I think could be the Reese replacement. There are multiple Reese replacements. You gotta

find one. Kemp Alderman, absolutely. Kemp Alderman? Yeah. Rakes, dude. Absolutely rakes, but terrible defensive player. He's a DH, which we need more. He's a lock to be a Philly. He also destroyed the combine. So Ken Balterman, I would love.

Cole Miller has gotten hot at the end of the draft cycle. Had he been as good as he is now a year ago, he's probably a top 10, top 20 pick. Wow. Like his stuff is stupid. Andrew Walters, I'm one of the Phillies draft last year. Best fastball in college baseball. Hunter Owen is a lefty from Vanderbilt that I think has projectability can come up. Brody Wilkins is the Griff McGarry of the draft.

Yeah, Winthrop. I would die for Brody Wilkins is the fourth, fifth round guy that I need to be a Phillie. He could be the next kid in Seattle, Bryce Miller. Oh, well, another high level. Pretty good. That's good. I do appreciate you didn't say, you know, Hall of Famer that time. I know.

Zion Rose is a young catcher that incredible upside. Yeah. He's going to be good. Tayshon Walton is an outfield prospect with loaded, just like tree trunks of legs that I think can hit the ball hard. And then this is a strictly deep cut because he's not going to be drafted before the sixth or seventh round. But Justin Best. I watched him hit once. I was like, oh, to be drafted before the sixth or seventh round, but Justin Best.

I watched him hit once. I was like, oh, he hits the ball kind of hard. The best? Justin Best. That's what I got. You know what? Hold on. Thank you.

I'm standing up. Can't wait. I will say you really did put in a lot of work. Sunday. That was a lot of work. That was a lot of freaking dudes right there. A lot of guys. A lot of time wasted. was a lot of freaking dudes right there. A lot of guys. A lot of time wasted.

It's awesome. All right, so coming up, again, Tuesday night, we will be at Time Out Sports Bar in Huntington Valley, hanging out, watching the LSU game, coming out with us. Before that, lay it out again. We'll record Sunday after the Marlins series, big series. We'll be here Sunday, 4 o'clock, whenever this year, 5 o'clock, whatever it's on on Sunday, we'll be there.

Tell them your draft schedule for the people because let me tell you, whoever's listening right now and just went through all that, like, they're going to tune in for your draft.

Right. That's for sure. So, yeah, so I'll just hop on YouTube whenever they make the pick. We'll have a live reaction. I don't know. I have no idea

how long I'm going to go for, but I'll hop on YouTube. Maybe I'll answer some questions in the comments. Love that. And then regardless, it'll be up in your podcast feeds for Monday morning. So two podcasts on Sunday. Awesome. No big deal.

All right. Coming out with us on Tuesday night. Again, we'll talk to you on Sunday. Before then, beat the freaking Marlins, man. Handle business. Keep this road going. Beat the Marlins. We'll talk to you guys on Sunday.

He's for himself. We'll see you next time.