High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Thank You, Ronny Mauricio!

Episode Date: June 29, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies taking two of three from the Mets over the weekend and pulling within three games of the division lead. We also discuss Kyle Schwarber's historic pace, Zack Wheeler's incredible comeback and all the latest news on the top prospects. Presented by Miller Lite.To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com

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. edition of the IOS podcast, sponsored by Miller Light official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies, tastes like Miller Time Philadelphia, celebrate responsibly fritzy. We just win series. That's all they do. They never lose series anymore. Don Matt.

Who knew when he got the job, Don Mattingly roused him, gave a speech and said, I need you guys. I need energy. I need fight. And here we are. Who knew, buddy? How about it? What a throw? That was really cool.

And we'll get into it. But that report, the Marsh, you know, Steve Gelbs on the SMY. Like, that's so awesome, Jack.

And it's something we wondered. Like, how did he kind of address this? And how he kind of grabbed the team? Like, that was a really neat thing to hear after all this time. It's a grimy toss of having done that only as your man. Totally,

dude. Like, that's the biggest difference. And it's the nice part about having an outsider that gets fresh eyes in this thing. And just came from a team. that was in the World Series, kind of saying, well, this isn't right.

This is not how things should be done. And I do like the idea of, I don't care what your name is, how much you get paid, all that stuff. Like, we are a unit here. And he wanted guys to show energy. How many times have we talked about that?

Like, we've gone through show, they don't look like they're having fun. Like, it looks like it's a grind. Doesn't look late. Like, we always want that. We always talk about great teams look like they're having fun when they're doing it. They're celebrating together.

They're doing some sort of Homer celebrate. Like, that's what the great, teams and seasons always seem to have. And especially during the start of the year, they just felt lifeless. I love it, man. Yeah, no, it's big stuff. And then, yes, it took two or three.

Yesterday was maybe the most lost win of all time. Unbelievable, dude. It was like, not only did Lazzardo in the fourth and fifth just have to grit and grind his way through some, some brutal situations. I mean, Kirkring didn't have it. Durand did. They just got through it, man. even the Schwabber Homer was like a pop out.

And it's just like, one of those that he has were just like, keep going and going and going. It's crazy, man. Well, and it was wild because I felt like all weekend, there was like maybe six balls off the bat that I was like, that's gone. And then it would just die in right field. Totally, dude. So that's why I was surprising that Schwervers went out. But it did. Thankfully so because that was strange.

He's just stronger. It's just crazy, man. He is just stronger. Yes. So he was, but yeah, no. but Kirkring, the Ronnie Maricio swinging at a 1-0 pitch for no reason. It's just we should give that guy a gift basket. What a hero, because that was certainly trending towards.

I mean, Kirkring couldn't have had it any less, actually, I don't think. So, yeah, no, it was a, it felt like a loss. They were able to scratch a claw and find their way through it. And ultimately, hey, that was a place they lost. I didn't realize it got the 10 straight losses up there. I said that to Emily. When they won that first game and it flashed that. that thing, you know, and I said to Emily, I'm like, 10 straight, no way it's been 10 straight.

Like, we knew they had the bad stretch, but 10th Street, that's, that's over two years that they lost for a full year there. Like, that's crazy. And they had to have included the postseason as well, because obviously they did not win the game up there. So, yeah, so yeah. So, yeah, I mean, there were 8 and 22 in the last 30 heading into the games at City Field. And then they lost their last 10. So at least maybe we re-ritted ourselves of, um, of the kind of curse up there. But, man, at least we won't be going there for the playoffs this year. So that's nice.

Dude, they stink. They stink, dude. They stink. And they, they have bad vibes. Like, everything about that team is just off, man. And also, the line, I mean, it's, and I know injuries and stuff. But like, you look at that lineup and use $500 million. It's, there are guys that line but never heard of before, Jack.

It's crazy. Yeah. Well, so there are a lot of bad baseball players and major league base. I think Brett Beatty might be the worst. How he still is getting shots at the big league level is crazy. It's because he was a prospect. That was it. That's the only reason.

That dude stinks, man. Like he stinks. And the fact that they walked him three times yesterday, like if I'm Caleb Cotham, I'm walking out to the mound and say, you're going to run this entire stadium for, I don't care how long it takes. if you walk Brett Beatty one more time. Like, we need a little huddle up session with the pitchers and say, that dude stinks.

But like, Beatty never taken a step forward. Francisco Alvarez has never, at one point, he was the number one prospect in baseball, right? I'm not crazy. I never know if he got to one,

but he was like top four, top three, top five, like somewhere in there. Like, he might have gotten to one. But he was legit, legit.

Now, I do think they have two players in Carson Benj and AJ Ewing. I think that those guys are. I like AJ Ewing a lot. I think that dude's good, yeah. Bench has that, like, really, he's actually, he's kind of what you wish Stott was with the, the big loopy swing that does, he actually looks like he's legitimately going to pull noodle, but it gets some hits out of it.

So, you know, those two are good. And the annoying part about those two is that they don't have the, the, the, the, immo annoyance factor. They're just solid players that I, that I like. Like, I don't mind those guys. But, yeah, dude, they feel, they feel just about as lost of a team as an, They got rid of Mets. They got rid of pure Mets.

All the Mets. Like, they're dudes. Like, Nimmo, Alonzo, and McNeil arguably were like the trio of Mets. You know, it's crazy. And they just tried to rebuild a culture on the fly. I mean, I don't know Lendor's been there for a little while, but it just really feels like that they, they are a bit rudderless. And they waited way too long to fire Carlos Mendoza.

The fact that the Phillies won two or three after a new manager. Unbelievable, dude. That never had. happens. Easily when they fired him, I was like, well, here's a series loss up in New York that we're going to be furious about on Monday. And they just won. And if Gabriel Recones wasn't in right field on Saturday, maybe they win that game too. Yeah, you're right. Yeah. And it is crazy too. I mean, I, like, Juan Soto is a wonderful baseball player. But man, like, it feels off with him. It feels off with him up there. I mean, he doesn't run it. Like, you want to talk about not running stuff out. He is like, some of them are egregious. Some of them, it's like, man, like you would be buried in Philadelphia if you did that. And like there is something. And again, I think you can win with him. He has won a World Series.

He's been a great player. But there is something off with him right now in New York and with the vibes and all that. Yeah. I mean, yeah, he is someone who I, he feels very just like if you, if you're expecting Juan Soto to be your leader, like that's not going to happen.

He is a, he's going to hit. He'll freaking hit, man. He doesn't matter. He'll hit. Like, if you just have your expectation of Juan's going to show up, he's going to hit 35 to 40 home runs, walk a million times, play bad out. That's 315 or whatever. Yeah, exactly. That's it.

Like, literally just show up and do that and everything's fine. But, yeah, if you're expecting him to be the big leader guy, I mean, it should be Lindor. But, like, again, even Lindor, if you follow Mets fans, like they seem sick of the guy, which they do, which is crazy. He seems so likable. I know, I know. But. And he's got big moments for them. I know they haven't won it all, but like that Homer against us was massive.

He was like the heart of that run they had. I know. It's surprising, man. I know he hasn't been good this year and he got hurt and he is like paid a lot of money, but it's surprising. It is. So they feel dead. The pitching staff's horrendous. They keep bringing up.

It was annoying watching Zach Thornton just shut them down because of course he did, you know. But yeah, I don't know. That Mets team certainly feels pretty dead. but and I wonder if they're going to move on from Stearns. I don't think they will. It would be wild. I think that they are 10 toes down on David Stearns, at least Steve Cohen is.

And he'll give them every opportunity to figure this thing out. But man, I thought this is going to be a Phillies Mets kind of chase down for the division. And now it's Phillies Braves. And by the way, three games back. Three games. I'm actually getting to the point where I'm worried about winning the division by too much. Yeah, dude. If I had to bet, and again, I think it's going to be close.

But if I had to bet my life today, I would bet on the Phillies win in the division. I would. Oh, yeah. I think they're a better team than the Braves right now. And I think they are built better. Yeah, I think the Braves are falling a little bit on. There's always going to be a regression. The injuries are killing them, too.

The unfair, to be fair, the injuries have hurt the Braves. Well, that's just another year. But, yeah, if you're right, it is unbelievable. You're right. That's a great point. But there's a little regression to the mean happening with the Braves. I mean, they were playing at an insanely hot pace that heading into the year did not suggest that they were going to be able to do. So yeah, no, this is, I would like for it to stay close.

I'm not saying I hope the Phillies, you know, fall to five games back. But I want this to be, I want them playing as meaningful baseball. Competitive baseball as they can. I would love the, I now want the third division. Yeah, I don't want to buy. I was going to say that to you. I was like, I don't want to buy. I really don't.

I'm fine with it if they get it, but I'm sorry. We've seen them not get a buy twice and go further in the playoffs and get a buy twice and lose immediately. Like, sorry, I feel that. And I don't think they know how to handle the buy week, not like they're out, you know, partying all the time. I think that like last year they tried some different things, the year before they tried some different things, and they just can't, they can't get it going.

I think the one aspect of the team that's hurt the most is the bullpen. Bullpen has been really good the last few years and then falling apart in October. So, you know, those guys having time off of not. being in in real adrenaline pumping situations. I think that hurts them. Now at the same time, we are currently watching the bullpen. And I tell you what, James,

there's about one guy that I trust. Yeah, Joanne Dron. That's it. That's it. It is, I want to get to Derek Hill and some of this stuff. But quickly, because you mentioned the pen. Okay. It is like that, I have,

I might have gotten to the point. And I'm not 100% sure I would, if you could only have one and obviously have multiple needs. I'm not 100% sure. I'd take a relief pitcher over a hitter, but I might. Like, I might. That's where I'm getting to in terms of how desperate this bullpen need feels and how, like, we know they need a hitter, but like I think, you know, you hope they get hot.

They have guys who could get hot. I don't think this bullpen right now is good enough to get it done, like full stop. Yeah. I'm still definitely in the, in the hitter mindset, but I hear you. The good part is they're going to get both. Yeah, get both. Yeah. I want to thought. They can't. They probably won't survive. And you know, you look at where they are

right now, you know, Kirkering had one good out in the out of this week at a three. Yesterday was not a good outing. I don't care that he held the lead. That was a horrendous outing. Bolin has had a bad week. Alvarado, every time, if he works to clean him. You just can't trust him. You just can't trust. It's a minor miracle. Back has his comeback and not been good at all. So, you know, Mesa, you know what he is. He's perfectly fine. as your third lefty slash opener guy. Awesome. I know like Brad Keller could be one of their deadline acquisitions, I guess,

if you want to throw that out. But he is, he has not been good this year either. So, yeah, no, bullpen is now at the forefront. It's jump starting pitching for sure. At least no one can just be serviceably. You feel fine about it. But yeah, finding someone, the problem is like a lot of teams,

there's just not many guys out there. I mean. And also, Jack, real quick. in the market, there are like way more teams in the National League competing than I. There's only five teams under 500 in the National League. And so like in the American League, it's so weird with only two teams about, whatever, four teams above 500 and the guardians, whatever, are right above it. Like, it's a weird market.

It is going to be a seller's market is what I'm trying to say because of how many teams are still in. Yeah, for sure. Now, there's actually two guys this weekend that would, that caught my eyes a little bit. Dude, I need, I need, I need, I need Brazzabon on this. I love, dude, I would take Brazbonne in second. I feel like when he was even on the Marlins and with the Mets, he pitched every single game. It doesn't, like, that guy must have the most rubber arm in, in America.

It's unbelievable. He is, he is always pitching. And this year he's been insane. I mean, he's got, what, a 194? Did you know he's 36, by the way? Oh, is he really? Yeah. It's like 32, 33.

Wow. I thought he was early 30s, 36. Yeah. Wow. So Brazabon and then now Luke Weaver's on the same deal as Brad Keller. Your guy, you back in on Luke Weaver? You back. Always back.

Because you left him for a minute. You left him for a minute. You're back. Okay. I always did I was tipping my toe out of the Luke Weaver market. Good. But I'm right at the cannonball back in. But Brazabon.

And actually, Brooks Rowley, I would like, really. I would like a little bit. So it's like not a left thing that's going to cost a lot. but someone who's pretty reliable and it's been around forever. Reminds me of normally trade for Aaron Loop. Of course. Yeah, from the Blue Jazz. Yeah, of course.

And then I think he went to the Mets and not like a one something. He was great with the Mets. Yes, stonka. Horrendous here. horrendous here. So, no, the bullpen is certainly a big deal. Chapman's the one that, you know, is really interesting. He blew that save last night, but like, that was not his fault.

Did you watch it? Yeah. I mean, first of all, one of the worst throws you'll ever see. I mean, Willie O'Brayer just sails it over the country. off man that score to run and then the other run like it was a run on third plate the plate he beat it like that was not eroles chapman's fault at all like he gave up a hit but it was like come on man you know still in and it's so funny sound about real quick sunny gray like seven no hit innings by the way do you see that fact about him what a wild one he got his 2,000 strikeout in his

2000 thinning pitch no first person in baseball history ever do that that's nice symmetry yeah that's like how that's like how that's like how harper and schwerber and it hit 400 i know i know and Schwerber's is going to be for 61, which is insane. What do they both end at $3.99? I mean, that'd be a big of a lot of time. But it would be really exciting for next year. Yeah, opening day. They certainly sell some tickets.

But yeah, no. Yeah, Schwerber, if he hit 61, he'll hit 61 and 400 in the same home run, which is pretty dope. Well, and the thing with Schwerber, and I was talking about this with Emily over the weekend. Like, I mean, the stat was going around. And by the end of this season, you know, assuming it's four. four more home runs. He will end up having second to Babe Ruth in baseball history with most home runs in his first

five seasons with the team. He will pass Mark McGuire with the Cardinals. We all remember what that was. You think so? He's only 18 behind. I thought he was like 30 behind. He's 18. So he might pass him.

So okay. I didn't realize he's that close. So either way. So he has a chance to have the most. The point being that first and foremost, he's turning himself into a hall of favor potentially. But also, like,

he is not just one of the great Phillies home runs hitters we've ever. I mean, he's, you know, it's him, Howard, Tommy Schmidt in our lifetime. He is one of the great home runners of our lifetime, Jack, in terms of, you know, and especially in terms of just the eye test, you know, he just, obviously the fly balls that just sail out, but he hits tank shots. He has no doubters. He is, we honestly, I know that, you know, I get a little, like, romantic and over the top sometimes.

Yeah. But, like, we are so lucky we get to watch this guys. I'm serious, man. Like, like, it's great to get to what, like any great career, Harper, Wheeler, all these things. but like Schwabber like chicks take the long ball right like Schwerber is such a fun guy to watch without quick the wrists are the whole thing like I just I like I really this weekend really had a moment of appreciation as a fan like sports are supposed to be fun right he is such a fun guy to have

on our team and I'm so excited we get to like watch this play out you know yeah I mean we were watching what could be he could be breaking Ryan Howard's 58 home run mark this year yeah which would be crazy I mean I thought that was going to stand for a long like a long, long time. And last year, had he broken, I would have felt a little certain way because he wasn't signed up to be a Philly for life.

But now if he does it, it'd be, I'm way more on board. I'm way more on board. And hopefully it ends in a World Series as well. He is also on pace. He's on pace to hit 60, 60 home runs. And set the single season strikeout record. I know.

But you know what? But you know, he's back in close to 260. He's like 250 something. So it's like, yeah, I know the strikeouts are there, but he's having his best average season ever as a Philly in addition to this power. So yeah, I know the strikeouts are bad, but I will definitely take the strikeouts for the, you know, 60 homers and a 250 average. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I mean, this is one of those ones where you've got to live with the, live with the strikeouts. Yeah, I will, I will take them. I would take that a hundred times out. I don't care. Like, give them to me, you know. 256 right now on page of the strikeout record and on page for 60 home runs. It's an unbelievable season. It really is.

And he's going to be a hall of famer. Yeah. when it's all said and done when it's over 500 home runs. It's really cool, man. Yeah, I mean, and credit, you know what? Let me give you a little cry here. Because when they signed him, I think you were the most excited person in this city.

You were, that was your, and even before they signed, that off season, you're like, go get me Kyle Schwerber. I want Kyle Schwerver. Like you were, and he was good before he came here, but obviously he's elevated. You nailed that one, dude. You nailed that.

Yeah, put that one on the old letter, you know, for all the misses. Put that one on the old, on the old leisure. Yeah, Schwerber. Really, it was the leadership stuff, read more than, more than anything.

And this has all just been a big old, big old cherry on top. That's the leadership up too. It's crazy. Yeah, he's turned into East of 2020's Big Pappy. I know Big Pappy at 300. It's a great call. Big Pappy is,

Big Pappy was a better hitter. But for what Schwerber is, what he does usually in the postseason, he's not had a great last two post seasons. But overall, he's at the fourth most postseason home run. He's got 23 career. postseasonal month.

So hopefully we can add to that this year. But yeah, he's a Marvel. And I think there's a little bit too much when they signed and re-signed this offseason. It was like, ah, well, you know, they just re-signed Schwerber. They just re-signed Schwerber. What do you like? It should have been more of. No, you're right.

I was like, yeah, no, you're right. I think it was because it was like the combination of everything. But you're right. You're right. It was, he is unbelievable. Speaking of unbelievable, shame on us, I've mentioned his name, but we probably went too long into the podcast to discuss. the greatest catch in Philly's history? Like one of them?

I don't know. Like, I mean, up there you're Rowan and Roeust and whatever you want to do it. Can we stop with the Rowland catch? So I think Tyra Kill over it. I agree with you. I would. Of course you would.

It would have. The Rowling broke his face. You got to give him a little Craig. Because the padding wasn't, wasn't in yet. I know. It was going to be there in a week. I agree.

It's not like it's like the most amazing catch, but the length to which he sells out to get it, is admirable, which I appreciate. Yeah. I appreciate. But I agree with you. I mean, the Derek Hilton, like, I honestly don't think, I think if the ball is two inches further, he can't get to it. He extended and jumped at the perfect time, extended as far as he possibly could and snatch it. It was unbelievable.

He flew through the air. It was, because I, I just come down from, I think I was, I was helping out Walker with bedside or whatever. And I just come down the stairs, and I poke my head around the wall. And I saw, like, the, his arm flashed over the, slash over the wall. And I was like, do you catch that? Yeah. And then you go and you watch it a million times.

And it like the one that came to mind immediately was Revere out in Cincinnati. Yep. I mean, that. Derek Hills was better. Yeah. It was way better. Way better. And he whips it in after two.

Like the throw in after two like reminds me like the Willie Mays catch and how he turns around and whips it in. But also, Jack, you know what? when you said the replays and stuff, I was saying this to Emily. I think there aren't that many defensive plays where every new replay you see, you're more impressed with it.

Like every angle, it's like, wow, it's even further. It's like, oh my God, look how far off the brownie is. It's like every little aspect of it, slow motion, it's like,

oh my God, look at the steps you took. Like, it's like every little bit of it gets more and more impressive when you watch it. And I think that is a really rare thing. Yeah,

I mean, he is a, he is turning into a legend. Right. Oh, dude. I can kidding me? Yeah. He is like Eric Bruntland on steroids.

Yeah, I mean, he kind of, he gives off the feel of the enmundo of the outfield. Yeah, sure. There's just something where you just trust him that he's, at least at the bare minimum, he's going to play a very, very good outfield. And he's already had two moments. He had three if he had to catch. He also leads to league and pinch hit home runs this year, too. He's got three.

I know, which is awesome, which is awesome. So, yeah, no, he is. he is uh now the the bat i assume will slow down oh of course yes he is he's never hit in his whole he said you know not that he's ever played that much i think of 150 bats for his most of the season but he's never hit so i don't expect him to dissolve a sudden right but i will say he has decent power for the bats like he's he can hit some home runs oh yeah i mean the one it was like 450 so yeah yeah and i do hope that he given what we saw at a rancona so rickonis is just not ready insanely overmatched at this level

It's not even close. And he's too slow in the outfield for if he's not going to be launching tanks. So until Tommy Fam is ready. How about it, by the way? Another name, it's all these names that we've talked about so many times. It's like Tommy Fam's in Philly. Can you believe it? Yeah, hopefully no one's, there's no fantasy leagues or fantasy football issues.

I know, no slapping, all right? Yeah, yeah. No slapping. Yeah, so he's on a minor league deal. I think he's going to be up here until a trade deadline, you know? So, but yeah, until. Tommy fam is ready to go. I like Derek Hill should just play every day and

Gabriel Roncone should not be up here. Like I we're doing the the roulette of you know, the Roncones and Reyes and and Kemp and all three have struck out. But at least we got the two home runs from from Kemp and Reyes or no, from Reyes and Rincones to start their careers. Those are good moments and then squat after. But yeah, no, Rincones was the bat Saturday where he was just

grossly overmatched. Overmatch is the word. Like that when you watch him, that's the word that comes to mind. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, he's got no shot up here. So we'll see what they do, but at least for the time being, just give Derek Ellson runway out there. And worst case scenario is that you have great defense and right

left. And actually, you know, Crawford, to his credit. He's gotten better. Yeah. I mean, it's been a while since we've had like a, just a pure misread out there. So even Crawford is kind of selling in, Both of the play then in center field. I thought he looked pretty good.

I think he's looked pretty good. The play last like two series, hitting the ball harder. Now, the more opposite way, which is fine. But I think he's hitting, 3, 14 in his last,

last 17 games, maybe, or one of those. That's something. Signs of life. We're just looking for signs of life out there. 22 or whatever, 20, he's young still.

He's fine. He's fine. Though, also with Derek Hill, and I texted you this, like the catch was amazing. And obviously it was like the first inning or it was early.

So like, wow, look at this. But he, also just plays a damn good center field. Like he makes good reads. He gets to balls, like good jumps. I was impressed with him as a center fielder across the board.

So to your point, I think, look, they didn't have a guy like that. To your point, they had so, and look, we'll see if they're going to keep it up. But they needed a sosa of the outfit. I mean, Sosa has been great in that role, but they have not been able to, whether it's camera, or any of these guys they brought up, and obviously the guys, they've signed that the Merrickfields and all these guys, like none of them have been able to handle it. So if you could, you know, steal a guy who can give you some, some bigger bats who you can count on to maybe pop one out of the park in a pinched spot

who you can put in in the eighth inning of a playoff game when you have a lead defense replacement like those guys are valuable it's like yoan ross but he can hit a little bit like that's valuable so yeah it's exciting one other thing i want to talk about the weekend and then you can get to more in the take bag but i do think um we are as a as a city and a fan base i think we are we need to start recognizing zach wheeler more consistently here i know we've talked about it and whatnot but it's like it's unbelievable what this guy is doing every time he just goes out and just handles business. And that that was the one that ended the 10 games,

Shrieken City Field, close game, you know, obviously that, that, you know, Hill helped him out. But I,

I just, what a freaking superstar. Like, what a stud. And he is, you know, him and Mattingly that, you know,

at the same time, that's been the turnaround. I just, I said he should start the all star game the other day. I feel it strongly. But I'm just so impressed with this guy. It's so crazy. He's Zach Wheeler.

There's nothing happened. Yeah, he's nails. You didn't even have a blood clad. Nothing ever happened. He's just here. Yeah, yeah. He is, dude, he's Doc. I mean...

Yeah, he's Doc. You're right. He's Doc. Like, this is what Doc did. And even, like, I mean, this is like super, super nitpicky, and I'm sorry. But I was thinking about it because I was thinking about Sanchi. And he allowed, like, four earn runs or five run runs. And, you know, people predictably like, ooh.

I think the start before his perfect game, Doc allowed five earn. Did he? Yeah. So, like, you know, one of those things where they usually rebound. And Wheeler's had like five stankers, I think, in his last three years. Yeah, that Orioles game stands out. I remember that one. But you could think about them.

Like, they're only a couple of them, you know? Yeah. I mean, the one this year, he allowed four home runs. That was, but even that. Like, he is, we, for as much we need to talk about appreciating Schwerber and what he's done and harp for what he's done. done. I mean, this guy is the one that you just, you don't see this at 36, 37. Now, I know it has happened. Scherzer-Ferlander. Those guys have done it. They've been going back to Nolan Ryan,

but. But it's rare. The point is, like, you can, you know, it's a short list of guys who have done this who have been this great at this age after this long of career. And it's just, if something's not working early. He finds some way, some other pitch that is working and he gets his way through it. The fastball is right back to what it's always been. And I think that the thing that's really elevated him is like that split is easily the best split it's been. And the fact that he added a like a 60 grade split at age 35 is unfair. So I love him so much. Of all the guys that deserve a ring. Zach Wheeler is number.

It's him and Harper. Yeah, it's him and Harper. Our one in one A, everyone to do it. Like, those two guys elevate when it comes to that. I just, I love them. I love them so much. So there's a lot of things, a lot of movements we got to do. First off, we have to appreciate wheels and hopefully let them start the All-Star game.

And we also have to get three in the All-Star game. I mean, oh, at least. It's so, oh, Harper, you're saying. I thought you were saying at least three players. We got to get. Harper has to be in. I know. It's like, this Dodgers voting thing is,

annoying first and foremost. Like I get it. Do we have room to complain there? I mean, no. Yeah. I know. You're right. You're right. I know. And at least they're the best team in baseball. I know. I know. I know. You're right. I know. You're right. Good, good. Come back. I got that. I don't know if we have room to complain. I just, it's just, Harper's numbers are not better than those guys. And like, if there's one guy that I need

starting the golf game in Philadelphia. Yeah. It's not only Zach Wheeler, but it needs be freaking Bryce Harper. Like, you can do your whole not elite, elite nonsense, all you want. He is a superstar. Great player having a great year. And it's the All-Star game. It's the all-star game. And can I be honest with you?

I believe him when he talked about his base running on Saturday. That was not an annoying, for me, not an annoying Harper Tarot. It was less annoying than other ones, but I was definitely like, come on, man. was not annoying. 215, 592, 94. So, yeah, we've got to grow up with the Harper and the all-star game thing. Totally agree. Totally great.

He'll make it. But he should be starting. I totally agree with you. And I think he'll make it, but I'm with you. All right. Take bag in a sack. Shout out to the misconduct tavern. Today's show is sponsored by Miller Light and the misconduct tavern on Locust Street,

been to misconduct many times. Great spot. Check out misconduct Tavern for every Phillies game. Enjoy $5 Miller Light Pints and 16 ounce aluminum. aluminum buckets for just $33 enjoy their award-winning burgers and freshly shucked oysters. Miller lights for Phil's win

celebrate responsibly froncy. So I thought Lazzardo was too cute yesterday for my liking. I thought he did a good job of staying in the strike zone. I think the thing that he's done recently is he takes like four miles an hour off his fastball to make sure that it's in the zone. I do think the change jumps been an equalizer for him.

I am so, now this is, I'm not taking a shot at tray. I'm just so glad that that sure I play turned into an error so he gets ERA. I know, dude. It was, it was wrong. Like, it felt offended that it wasn't called an error. And Lazzardo, for all of the inconsistent and, like, five runout bursts out of nowhere that you don't even see coming. ERA is now 3.88.

So. And they've won a lot of his starts. Like, they win more often than not when he pitches, you know? Yeah. No, I thought he was too cute yesterday. Like, in the fifth, the Tyrone Taylor at bat was infuriating. he went back-to-back changeups after he just sped up his bat and you know tyrone taylor was ready for it and if you're going to make that pitch like throw it out of the zone just caught way too much of the zone

and then again not to make everything about how bad brett betty is but Brett baitie is horrendous and he has a mo too and then just 59 foot sweeper 59 foot sweeper fastball in off the plate like news slash the guy can't hit the guy can't hit the The guy cannot hit. So just throw a strike. How they pitched the bottom of the Mets lineup with Beatty and Luis Torens was, I was going to bowl a gasket. Like I, not to go full boomer when it comes to tipping. And I appreciate like pitching backwards.

Sure, sure. Tunneling and all of it. Oh, and, you know, vertical angles and horizontal movement. but how about just bad hitter throw strikes. How about that? When Coffin goes out there, when Coffin goes out there and he's cover his mouth, does he have to say, hey, bad hitter throw strikes.

Bad hitter throw strikes. Well, it's afraid. Like the phrase always comes to mind is like, especially in that, it's like, challenge him. Like, what are you doing here? Like, challenge that hitter. You're better than him. Just go at him.

Like, I'm with you. Yeah. Yeah. So when Lozardo gets out of it, it's, it's, or when Lazzardo gets away from what's work for him, it is just trying to, He's trying to chase strikeouts versus being efficient. And when he chase his strikeouts, that's when it's five innings. Now, it's five innings but one run, which would you take.

And look, sometimes he'll have a ton of strikeouts in there too, you know? Like, he can strike guys out. Yes. I just think that he gets in these modes of chasing it. I don't disagree. That's the mistake. His stuff's too good to have to chase it. Alan Ron Hell is a revelation.

I really like it, man. I thought he got screwed in that game. Well, that was a maddenly problem, too. I agree. Yeah. I thought, I thought Rahal was good. There was a couple things.

Maginley lets him in too long. Rincolus and Wright Field was a disaster. Disaster. The two plays that inning, and then the ball that got to the wall off of Bacchus was horrendous. And Bryce at first, I was surprised that ball got through. I know it was hit pretty well,

but he should have knocked that ball down. He's down to like minus 10. Oh, yeah. Tough year. I mean, he's been horrible. I think the numbers. seem worse than the eye test is.

But I mean, look, even Mattingly talked about, even Mattingley was like he could be better out there, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hopefully, let's just laying the groundwork for the Wilson-Katres trade. Hopefully, hey, hey, hey, Bryce. Yeah, buddy. Hey, bud, keep adding that OAA up. Let's get into more negative so we can make it more obvious that you need to go to the right field.

That's our only goal heading into the trade deadline. Now, the Harper first base discourse does make me want to step my eyes out with the I hate it. I hate it. Well, because everyone's like, did he forget? first base like dude just watch the games he's not he's not horrendous he can't get to every ball he doesn't have like natural first base instincts it's not like i don't know it's just the way people talk about oaa and defensive metrics without watching the games drives me up a wall yeah and we've said this so many

times and i would think most people are like defensive metrics are flawed like they haven't figured it out yet they it is and honestly i don't know that it can ever truly be figured out like i don't know that there are metrics that can tell you with all the variables that are in play just how how good defender you could get idea but they're flawed they are all right so i have a have to get to the minor leave minute because there's a lot of other things in there as well yeah so i watched painter yesterday which i like totally forgot he was pitching and so i forgot i saw someone tweet out his stats i had forgot it happened until i saw that all of a sudden i just scrambled to my computer so overall i thought it was a a positive outing good

That is good news. Okay. And it's important to also point out he got blasted last year at AAA. He did not get blasted yesterday. There was one ball. There was like one ball that was hit hard, in my opinion. There was one ball that was hit hard. And it was a double and it scored a run.

So that was annoying. So I thought he was a little quicker down the mound. I thought that he was, they made him more of an effort to get more explosive. I think they were trying to sink up his lower half and his upper half. I thought the fastball command was much better. early on the first two innings he didn't generate much whiff on it but the last two innings he did generate more a whiff which was important and i didn't really notice it cutting all as much i thought he stayed on plane much better but overall like fastball command i thought was really really solid which is

good super super important for him because you know now there was also a couple times which was vintage painter where it was one two or oh two and then you look up it'd be three two which that kind of stuff you don't want and that's how you jack up pitch counts so it wasn't perfect i thought it was shockingly, I thought it was off speed was horrible. I don't know. He lost a feel for it because that was not the case up here. You felt good every time he threw a breaking ball because you're like, well, that pitch isn't going to get blasted.

So, so, yeah, it was a positive step forward. I thought the fastball, maybe because maybe all he did in his bullpens is work as fastball. And that's why everything else is. Hey, dude, we want you to throw more fastball. You want to work on the fast. Like the fastball is the key. I mean, or theoretically should be the key. if you can get back to it, you know?

And I think he threw like 57% fastballs. So I think he was obviously the most pitchy through that day. But I agree with you. I'm sure that they were like, hey, the results here don't really matter. They don't. Just work on some stuff. So I would chalk it up to he spent the last 10 days only working on his fastball. And as he continues to come back from this thing, then the off speed will come back.

Because the off speed, I think he does have good feel for. But it was a positive set forward. some other guys Kate Obermuller just shoved I mean I think it was four innings 8Ks a lot of swing and miss some base hits

for sure but when you look at the raw whiffs and strikeouts that stuff is is really trending in a positive direction he shouldn't be in clear water too much longer I mean they brought up

Balker and some of them Marquez and Gabe Craig you know she think he's the next in the line to get back he'll be in Jersey Shore soon I don't think they're keeping him in Clearwater to keep his numbers good and just inflate and trade.

You know, I think he's inflate and trade. Great phrase. It's like a kind of what it is. Yeah. It's kind of what it is. Yeah, it is. It's the only reason Alex McFarland is in AA. It's crazy.

This guy, 12 pitches, nine strikes yesterday and easy nine. Like, it's just so dumb. The Alex McFarland thing is the dumbest thing they're doing because he's only in AA so that they don't give him to the AAA ball and things don't go. well just to trade him where it's like well what if he's good now what if he's good and could you help you in the bullpen like what what what are we doing right like would i rather have well sugar that his insanity run might be over but like sugar insanity maybe a little little strong with the run but i like it sugar sugar or alex with farland like let's just see what alks before like sugar has options

let him go down with you catch his breath a little bit he's pitched a lot i don't know i just i find what they're doing with McFarland to be insuriating. But hopefully they get something worthwhile for him in a trade. But if he goes out and they trade him, he's immediately a high leverage reliever or a good reliever. It's going to be really annoying. It's going to be, because he finally developed a homegrown one and then you're going to trade them.

And they need it. Like they would probably be trading him for another reliever, most likely, or part of a pack or whatever. So it's like you need a reliever. I know, I know. Mark has struggled. He kind of, he had a tough first ending and then settled in and then allowed two runs later into his outing.

Not super cause for concern, but it wasn't Ramon Marquez, just masterclass. Gage does this thing where he allows to run home run the first inning every time out now. It's called the Aeronola, yeah. And then he's just money after that. So that's not,

that part's not the Aeronola, yeah. That's not. I actually thought it was the best his off speed has looked. So that was encouraging. He's very good. There's nothing to really update there. He's a very, very, very, he's probably a top five pitching prospect of baseball already.

Wow. I, smart people I follow think very, very highly of gauge. And I do think, I said this on the afternoon show on Friday. Like, if they wanted to do the package of Wilson Contreras and Rolls Chapman, I do think they gauge what can headline that package. And I think the Red Sox would be interested in that package. Now, obviously, there would have to be some things that have to happen with Harper going on the outfit. Or if they want to get crazy.

they can do a little rotation Schwabor and left field at least twice a week whatever it takes to add that level of bat to hit behind Bryce like Contreras and Chapman Yeah you're you're in it

You're like in it You're that's about as good as you can do Totally it fills your two biggest holes With two like legit dudes Anyone get crazy Put Sunny Gray in it I don't know we're getting aggressive But yeah Sunny Gray has been awesome

I know last night But just in general He's had a great year for them Yeah. Oh, yeah. He's been, he's been money and looking very old. Oh, so I was going to say, I was saying to Amiss he was throwing the night there because we were watching on the second TV. I'm like, it was like after this six or whatever. I'm like, like, this guy's like 38 years old. Like this is awesome. Like he's like 36, 38s up there, you know? Sunny Gray for me is perpetually like 27 years old. It's hard to grasp him being. It's like Stafford.

Like Stafford. Remember was a Yankees prospect back in the day of the Sunday Gray thing, remember? Sunday Gary's like Yankees prospect. Wasn't he on the, wasn't he a Yankees prospect first? Well, he was on the Yankees. Yeah. Pretty drafted by the A's. The A's, that's what I meant. And he was on the A's, I remember when he's an A's prospect back in the day. Yes, A's prospect.

Thank you. Thank you. I think it was him and Lester run the same team. And was that 14 when they lost the Royals? Anyway, um, Francisca Renteria is really started to just hammer baseball. Baby boy. He had two home runs. Oh, he's, he's so important.

Of all the, he's the most untouchable of anyone. Yes, yes. In the organization. He can not go. He is too important. But yeah, he had two home runs this week. week and like the bats starting to look a little quicker and all that good stuff. The other guy, you got to mind.

When does he turn 18? Do you know his birthday? I don't. I'm just generally wondering. It's not a huge deal. I just didn't know exactly like how old. Yeah, I mean, I can look it up for you. Not a huge deal.

Yeah, if you want to, you can. But don't stress yourself. Tucker, if you want you're doing. I'll try. I'll try. You're at 2014 days. Oh, nice. Good work.

Equally as important. Equally as important. No, I can't think. Oh, he was born. He was porn. January, January 9th, 2009. Oh, my God. Wow.

The Phillies. Yeah, I was born into a Phillies World Series world. Yeah, it's beautiful. 2009. The other guy you got to watch. Little did he know that he was being born. He would bring them their next World Series. I agree.

The 2013, Phil, is going to feed families. Juan Parra is the other one. You got to watch down there. He is a little switch hitter, hit a home run. but seems like it has a really good feel for the barrel. And as he gets stronger, he is going to be, like, he's a really, really exciting shortstop prospect. There's some good developments in the shortstop department to where we can, they can trade Brian Rincon. And they're probably going to trade Brian Rincon.

Because I think that he has turned himself into a prospect that could help you in a deal. Parra is one of them. And then Juan Villavicencio. Wow. Nice. No shot. I said that right. Back one.

He is there short stop at Clearwater 21 years old looks like you put on some strength Started to hit the ball really really hard He's hit number 310 with a 9 something 9 something OPS so he's really really fun So Para and him I think are the two big ones From the standpoint of you feel okay moving on from Rincon Because you have some others in the pipeline

And they're pro well we'll see what they do in the draft I'll get to the draft in a second Oh buddy And then last like they won Matthew Fisher pitched very very well for Clearwater He is, when I watch Matthew Fisher, it's not like right now. You can't watch him right now and project what he's going to be in two or three years. Like the guy that he is going to develop into when he starts throwing 94 to 96 because I think it's in there because there's a reason for it not to be.

Like, he's going to be really good. The guy to have right now is just kind of pitching his way through it. He's 89 to 92. He's really young so too. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But when he gets stronger and that fastball goes up, the way you can spin a baseball at 18 and then to go with the fastball that he'll eventually have, he'll eventually learn a little change up. There's just a lot of pitchability in Matthew Fisher. And I really hope they don't train him at the deadline because I think there's a very, very solid big league pitcher in there that I would like to see developed.

And then a quick thing, Raylan Haradia and Arun Escobar heating up at just the right time. Yeah, buddy. Right time. Important. We need you for the next leg. Yeah, yeah, ruin, you're important, buddy. Do it. Yeah, like we got to, you guys got to have a month, have a month and help us off.

And then we can say goodbye and then it'll be okay, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah. The draft is like quickly approaching. Really quick, yeah. Like, I'm like all star games approaching. You know what that means. Yeah, yeah. The draft's approaching, yeah.

And in real sicko hours, probably got up like 5.30, six yesterday. And thankfully, the boys were like, you know what, that we'll sleep till 7.15. Look at that. Wow. What a win. Just grinding draft tape on a Sunday morning. Just going through all these. As one does. As one does.

And I am starting to get more excited about 64th and 36. Because I think that 36th, like Rocco Manuscalco won't be there. They'll get a good player there. I just wonder if they go. I'm sorry to believe they might go under slot there and then try to float someone. Yeah. Float someone down. down to 64 and like they did with burkeholder you know like we did with burke holder and

burke holder dude he's starting to show some real pop which is exciting at two home runs this week but um but yeah like i i think that unless unless like a logan redman is there he's this pitcher from ucLA who had a little bit of arm fatigue but uh it was like 97 and 99 he's uh friday night guy and i i do think if i mentioned him last podcast like if tyler spangler is there i think they we'll take him. I think he's going to be there. I think that those guys are guys that have spent big money on. A couple of guys that they fall, like Chase Brunson, I've developed into a huge fan of. But that's, again, we don't need to do the whole guys that I love guys that would like guys that I would talk myself into. We'll get there. We'll get there. But I don't hate the

idea with the options who I think are going to be there at 64, some of these high school kids, um, of going potentially under slot first and then spending big money at 64. And there's a couple float candidates that I think that they will be all over as well, just like Matthew Fisher. So very, very exciting stuff. And it's only going to get more sicko for the next two weeks. I can't wait. It's going to be awesome. All right.

Two or three, Pirates coming to town. I'm going Monday on Wednesday, by the way. Oh, it's a four game series. Is it really? Why did they keep doing this test? So you'll be getting a pod on Thursday because we're not doing July 4th pod. So it'll be another mid-series pod. But July 4th, Saturday.

Oh. Oh, yeah, you're right. But we're not working the third. So working the third. So yeah. So the point is we'll probably do a pot on Thursday instead of Friday. We'll see. We'll see.

We'll be doing Thursday night. It's a 12 o'clock game on Thursday. Oh, it's a noon game. Oh. All right. Well, let's see that then. Either way, Thursday, we're doing a pod. That's what I said.

All right. Yeah. You guys are crushing me here. Nice. I'm going, I'm going Monday and Wednesday. So I'll be down at the park. Should be fun. For any reason?

So, yeah, today we're doing the fantastic auction morning show. thing. But Wednesday is my sister-in-law's birthday. Going down. Families to the game. It's going to be a blast. Well, Wednesday's wheeler skeins. You don't have to tell me about. I know. I can't wait. And fireworks. Oh, yeah. Sure. Yeah. So it'll be fun. I'm excited.

Jared Jones versus Alan Ron Helen Thursday. Oh, I do. Maybe more exciting. I do love Jared Jones. They should trade. I do, too. I do too. He's good. All right. So we'll be back Thursday after the game. Three or four? Three or four? I think it's a three or four situation. Three or four.

Playing too good to baseball. I agree. I agree. And the pirates are going in different directions. So let's keep that rolling. All right. We'll be back on Thursday. Until then, shreds themselves.

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