High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The High Hopes Phillies Podcast: First Place Phils and Aaron Nola is an All Star

Episode Date: July 9, 2018

The Phils are in first place and Aaron Nola is an all star, all is good in Phillies land. James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are here talking about our first place Phils and their series in Pittsburgh. Jack addresses the Pivetta takes, Nick Williams and the national media not talking about the Phils. Also get into some trade deadline stuff and Enyel De Los Santos making his MLB debut this week.   See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. 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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Visit td.com slash small business match to book an appointment with one of our advisors. slash small business match to book an appointment with one of our advisors. Yo, it is another edition of the High Hopes podcast. I am James Seltzer and with me coming off a incredibly depressing fantasy day where his team basically just crapped the bed for him. He still won, but he's complaining about points by how many points he won by but that what else you're gonna do fantasy fritz jack fritz what's going on buddy ah james well i am inspired by philly city hall every day please tell me you know thanks dude i just noticed that today but that is about the most g Gabe Kapler, Gabe Kapler, Gabe Kapler could possibly be.

Yeah, it's definitely a very Gabe Kapler thing to have in your Twitter bio. It's just like, it's just like, come on, man. Like, come on. Give us, you know, you don't have to always be so Gabe. Yeah, he does. I think that I think he does. I think that's just how he rolls. And and Jack, damn it.

If you saw City Hall every every day you'd be inspired too or maybe if you were just a better you you know gabe's the best gabe he can be jack yeah well i mean us and the pie hopes the high hopes podcast we were all gabe guys oh big time gabe guys big time gabe crusaders as john ritchie likes to call it. All right. Speaking of Gabe and your Philadelphia Phillies, they're in first place, Jack Fritz, sitting at 49 and 38 on the season. Thank you to the Milwaukee Brewers for keeping them in first place today. But look, they won another series, Jack, and we are sitting here. We've come out of the hellish June,

which didn't end up being as hellish as we thought it was going to be. And now they're playing even better baseball. They've won seven out of eight series. They take two of three in Pittsburgh. We'll dive into the games specifically, of course, one of them particularly long. But just on a macro level where this team is sitting right now, we are, you know, a little about a week and a half away from the all-star break,

whatever it is, a week away from the all-star break. Where are you at with this first place Philadelphia Phillies team? Dude, so I don't know how you get when the Phillies are good, but like when the Phillies are good, like Jack changes. And a good Phillies Jack is just a different person. So what I mean is that I wake up every day thinking about the Phillies. I go to bed thinking about the Phillies. I spend all day leading up to the trade deadline just finding trades to make this team better.

I just bought more Phillies gear online this week. I am, like, I've reached the point where I'm so in on this team that, like, I have to wear their gear all the time because they're all I think about. You know, I went through this Fugazi mode of post really good Phil's runs where I was like, oh, I like the Sixers. I may like them more than the Phillies. Oh, the Eagles, they're the Eagles. I always love them. I like them more than the Phillies.

No, I don't. I love the phillies and they are just the fact that they are back and they're good again and like people care again it's it is it is so much fun because we're actually we're actually able to break down games again we're able to to actually talk about this team it's mostly positive um it's really fun and we're in first place. And I'll tell you what, it is freaking ridiculous that the whole season the national media is going crazy

over this freaking Braves team. And then all of a sudden, we take over first place and you don't hear a freaking peep. There's nothing going on from the national media about the Phillies being in first place. It's like, oh, well, the young upstart Braves, look at how good they are. They're going to dominate the league for 10 years. Well, guess what? National media, they're in second place now. How would you talk about the Phillies being in first place. It's like, oh, well, the young upstart Braves, look at how good they are. They're going to dominate the league for 10 years. Well, guess what, national media?

They're in second place now. How would you talk about the Phillies, who with some of the worst offensive production from third base, shortstop, and right field, are finding ways to win ballgames behind a pitching staff that before the season was ripped on, was never supposed to be this good, but they're pitching fantastic,

behind a manager who should be manager of the year. Like, can we get some love? Like, just a little bit of love. I think it's ridiculous that the Braves are getting all this love for being young, but the Phillies are younger. The Phillies are a younger team, and they are exceeding expectations. They have a better record than the Braves, and they're in first place. Give us some respect.

Oh, you're shot out of a cannon tonight fritzy uh the part i love about that was you started off talking about how i'm just so happy right now man and billies are good and now i'm angry and i'm pissed off that was very good it was a good uh a good roller coaster of emotions you just took us on there brits but I totally agree with your sentiment that there's something special in this city with this fan base when the Phillies are good and we're starting to see the Phillies be back and people starting to believe that they are actually back as, you know, first place. And like you said, I do think that I think nationally, they're still not really getting a lot of credit, even in like statistical projection models and stuff, you know, like their Pythagorean wind model isn't as high as it should be.

You know, the baseball prospectus and Sierra and Pocota and all these people don't have them as highly rated as they do the Braves. So, look, I think it's a very fair point that they're not getting the respect that they deserve. But you know what? We're from Philly and we don't care. Ultimately, all that matters is winning baseball games. And like you said, Jack, they're finding ways to win games. It's a team that hasn't really clicked on all cylinders at any point all season. And yet again, sitting here 11 games over 500. I mean, they didn't win their 49th game until like late August, early September last season. It's absolutely ridiculous. And when you look at the schedule, the way it shakes out, even just heading into the all-star break, I think there's no doubt that come the all-star break and ultimately the trade deadline, they're going to be in as buyers. We'll talk about that as well but i love the fire fritz let's you mentioned yeah go ahead yeah you're really fiery tonight look at you're so fiery have you noticed the uptick in in people that you weren't really expecting being in on this philly's team like

i think it's i think it's really really cool when the city gets behind the team again you know it's not just always it's not like this team sucks or the manager, whatever. I've talked to more people in the last couple weeks being like, yeah, I'm actually enjoying getting back into the Phillies again. And they're sitting down and watching full non-inning games again because this team is interesting. And I just, I'm very glad that that is back. I know I don't do well with frauds with frauds but like it's something different about baseball because i'm so concerned about like the future of baseball and and citizens bank park

being full that i just want everyone to watch as much as possible so i don't really care in baseball we know who the real ones are the real ones listen to the high hopes podcast but i think it's cool when the general public gets back into the phillies and i've had multiple conversations the last couple weeks with being people who have mostly been out that are getting back into the team again and i just get you know i feel really inspired every day waking up knowing that look at you you wake up you wake up thinking about the phillies inspired about the fan base fritz what what's how are you teary-eyed right now is it is it getting misty over there i just care so much i can tell i want people to love them again i like uh it's it's i'm

happy i'm very happy i'm sorry yeah i feel like you might love the phillies more than gabe capler loves being inspired by city hall every day okay uh look i you said it before we can actually talk about these games so so let's dive into what happened this weekend as we have not talked since this pittsburgh series they sweep pittsburgh at home and look like they might do it again of course uh a sunday loss of drew anderson almost a throwaway game but but let's look at the first few games of the series is two very different games. But, of course, Friday's game, the longest or tied for the longest game in National League history, whatever it was, nine-inning game, of course. Just a really unbelievable game to watch as it just kept going and going and going.

And you get to the top of the ninth, and the Phillies just won't stop pouring on runs. And you're sitting there saying, enough already just to send this game. Fritz is texting me. He was working at it. I mean, wait, wait. I'm sure we're going to get a little feist out of Fritz for how long that game was. But in addition to the feist over the long game, Fritz,

what did you think of the Friday performance? I mean, it was horrible. I wanted them to stop scoring so bad who says it was horrible when it's 17-6 your team wins I know it's just that I didn't get out of there

until like 1am and I just wanted to go home and now I'm very happy with the result obviously it was great and I feel like a lot of tweets have been directed my way uh regarding nick pivetta recently and i just i feel like i have to come out and and and be pro pro nick so let me just let me just defend nick pivetta here for about two minutes james if that's okay i'll give you a minute and 30 seconds. Cool. So Pavetta wasn't great, but there was three things that happened,

much like the Harper non-K from a couple weeks ago that caused a lot of this. A double in the first inning, not wearing sunglasses. They messed up a double play ball, and Knapp didn't block a third strike. And for some reason, with the Phillies catchers, they try to, like, I understand it's weird. So it's when counts are 2-2, you see Knapp and Alfaro both stand up like trying to, and I understand what they're trying to do because they're trying to get into the batter's peripheral, thinking that it's a high fastball coming, but it's really the slider in the dirt.

And I understand that premise. But if you're going to do that, get your freaking ass on the ground and block the ball if it's going into the dirt. And I understand that premise, but if you're going to do that, get your fricking ass on the, on the ground and block the ball. If it's going into the dirt, like on, on Friday night, he, he tried to backhand it.

Alfaro tries to backhand it. You can't backhand balls when it's going in the dirt, especially when they move like pivettes, because then you see a guy get on base and that's happened multiple times. And LA complains about on the broadcast but i think i understand why they do it because they're trying to get into the batter's peripheral and make him think that it's high fastball when really it's going in the dirt but if you know the ball is going in the dirt like just get down and block it like it's it's terrible um and setting up like

that i just think it's bad i think it i think it hurts more than it helps i think it's playing too much mind games um and then you know in the inning that they ended up pulling Pavetta, he was in a 14-pitch at bat. And, listen, I'm trying not to – I'm making excuses for Nick. I understand that. But 14-pitches at bats are tiresome. Like, they take everything out of you, and it gets to the point where you're just like, all right,

I'm just going to throw a strike, and if he hits it, he hits it, because I just kind of want this to be over. I know that sounds weak-minded, but that's just the philosophy of the pitcher. So I'm still bullish on Pavetta, but it wasn't great, and he has to be mentally tougher. And I thought at the beginning of the season he was very mentally tough, and that's what was leading to a lot of his breakouts, and I feel like recently he's kind of retracted back to the old Pavetta.

But that's what I have to say about Nick Pavetta. So stop tweeting at me. Yeah, I'm still on Team Nick. Both Nicks. We'll get into that coming up. But I am still on Team Nick Pavetta as well. Look, it was a rough outing. I'm with you.

I thought I've seen some mental fortitude from this season. I still think that is in him. I still think he has the ability to be a bulldog out there. It is crazy, though. You know, I would have, you asked me a couple weeks ago, we talked about if Aaron Nola had to pitch the final game of the season and who would you want pitching the wild card game. And I said Pavetta.

And now it's Eflin. You know, if I had to pick a guy how they're pitching right now, I would take Eflin over Pavetta. I just think you have to, which is also crazy. But I think you make some really fair points. I mean, that first inning, the shadows were ridiculous. Oduble, he couldn't see anything. I mean, they were clear.

You know, he made the two mistakes, really. So I'm with you. And it's tough. Sometimes that can snowball on a pitcher. It seemed like it did against Pavetta. It's especially frustrating when the offense gets going and the starter isn't able to settle down and just kind of work around it

and maybe not make their best pitches, but give you some innings and get that win, you know, get the easy win. But that didn't happen. But from, you know, at least from a offensive perspective, certainly a fun showing. Everybody hit. Jack O'Double goes yard. Andrew Knapp, real quick, before we start to really get into one of the arguments

I'm sure we'll have. Andrew Knapp has been hitting the ball really well the last couple weeks. It seems like it, at least to the naked eye, seems like there's some launch angle stuff going on there. What have you seen or heard about what Knapp's been doing to kind of be seeing the ball a little bit better lately? And do you have any, because he's been getting a few more starts lately too, and I wonder if that – I assume that bat is tied into it. What's kind of your take on Andrew Knapp right now? I think he's better – I just trust him at the plate more than Jorge Alfaro.

I still like Alfaro a lot, but I've seen so many uncompetitive at-bats against like 95-plus late in games that I just can't fully trust him. Now, what he did on Saturday was great, but what Andrew Knapp's doing recently is, and he's talked about this a good amount in some interviews, is that he

first off watches, according to the broadcast, he watches the most film on the team, so he's always studying this stuff, but he's also using a shorter bat in batting practice, so trying to shorten up his swing and make it more compact and straight down towards the ball. I know what you're talking about with launch angle, but I think it more has to do with shortening up his swing

and not making it as long. Because that's what really was so frustrating about Nandrinap, because it was a long swing. Now he's cutting down on it. You're seeing a lot more that he's choking up and just trying to focus on shortening up his swing and making it more compact. So I've been pretty encouraged with Andrew Knapp.

He's hitting some power at the moment. Neither one are good defensively, but I think I would rather play, I would rather give Knapp most of the starts, I think, at this point. Now, I know his arm is dog crap compared to Jorge Alfonso. It's so bad, man. They just run on him nonstop. I know.

I know. It's bad. But, like, Jorge, he just doesn't have a plan when he goes at the bat. Like, I don't know what his plan is. He swings at so many sliders that are like worm burners. I just can't believe it. Yeah, it's a tough spot. It's a tough spot.

I'm with you. But I would ride the nap hot streak. I just would. Yeah, I think that's probably the right call, too, just in terms of at least while he's seeing the ball so well, hitting it so well, I think he'd probably ride that streak. At least certainly I think you play him against right-handed pitching right now I think that's a no-brainer as he's been really good from

the left side of the plate but all right let's let's look at obviously that was a fun one even though maybe not as fun for you working it as it was for everyone just hanging out at home and watching the Phillies continue to pile on runs. Well, last thing on Friday night, the bullpen again was tremendous. Yeah, Austin Davis comes in. I don't hate Austin Davis. No, he's fine. He's fine. He was up to 94 today, I saw, which I'm intrigued by.

Yeah, he's all right. Are we beginning to trust this bullpen a little bit, or where are we at? A little bit. A little at? A little bit. A little bit? A little bit. You're waiting until they get Brad Hand? Yeah, look, I think that's still the main area that Klintag needs to upgrade. But look, it's a great point.

It's tough because we're talking about basically a week, right? I mean, basically since the Washington series, which was last weekend through now, they've been awesome. It lights out awesome. Again, those last two games of the Washington series, the seven innings of work after Velasquez gets hurt, and then the eight innings in the 13-inning game where, of course, pavetta wanted to go into the game went into the game asked to go in and got the job done so let's not forget about that pavetta haters for you i did not forget about that tweet jack's uh eyes off i was gonna say tweet jack's ears off but it's probably eyes that makes more sense but but uh i think look i think we're starting to look i think

it goes back to something you and i talked about a lot in earlier episodes this season was that even when they were struggling, it was still a lot of talent in that pen that we believed in. You know, guys who I've seen Tommy Hunter be really good in the major leagues before. We saw, and obviously a Dubrai Ramos actually had success, but you could see it with Garcia. You could see it with Adam Morgan has shown to be that he could be a devastating left-handed reliever in major league baseball. Victor Arano has had spurts where he's shown that he could be a really good reliever in major league baseball. So I think that, I think that sometimes I think maybe the confidence is a little back more

and these guys are starting to trust their stuff more. And for whatever reason, they're certainly having more success. But I still think that in the grand scheme of the rest of the season, if you're talking about really competing, I think they need to add an arm. And it doesn't have to be a closer per se, even though I would love to get someone who feels confident taking the ball in that ninth inning. But as long as it's, I mean, look, if they get Kirby Yates instead of Brad Hand, if they get, you know, go to whoever, Addison Reed, or, you know, those types of guys.

Addison Reed? Whatever, those types of guys. Well, Addison Reed's a solid pitcher. He's had a terrible year. Has he been bad in Minnesota? I haven't been following him. Fernando Rodney's been great. Trade for Rodney, whatever.

I mean, that guy'll take the ball in the ninth inning. He's like 90 at this point, right? He's been great trade for rodney whatever i mean that guy'll take the ball he's like 90 at this point right he's been great fernando rodney has been unreal this year um yeah i haven't paid attention to addison reed but addison reed has like a 4-2-8 era all right so not great but you know that type of guy um so the point is it doesn't have to be a closer but obviously last year as we last year and and like, the three or four years prior to that, too. But point being that I do think that they still need to supplement there. But I'm starting to trust him more. Where are you coming down? I've always believed, like, in the talent in the bullpen.

But I think these guys are starting to get into roles. And I think Gabe has done a better job of managing them on a on a night in night out basis and i think getting neshek back helps a lot like neshek is a guy that just comes in and produces soft contact like that's that's like what he does it's it's unbelievable i don't care how old he is i don't care how annoying he is like i really don't like pat neshek i love i can't he's my least favorite player on the team as soon as he came back it's like yep least favorite guy yeah yeah but go get your baseball card signed and be a jerk to somebody because they won't sign it or whatever but he's pretty damn good and i'll take

it i'll agree agree i love the guy go get outs i i'm not a fan of yours but go get outs and we'll be fine i think i've i think I've definitely settled on get Brad Hand because I want to keep him away from other NL teams. It lets everyone else settle into a role. And I think he helps you for the next three years when you're trying to win a World Series. So I think Brad Hand is the move that I would give up legitimate pieces for this offseason.

I've kind of moved away from Machado, but I feel like the Phillies bullpen could turn into the Eagles cornerback situation really quickly. Like for four years there, it was like, well, are they ever going to get a quarterback? And then now they have like a surplus of cornerbacks. And I kind of feel like if they go get Brad Hand, let Sir Anthony be the fireman,

let Pat Neshek come in and be like a suedo fireman pseudo fireman um and then everyone else just be 95 suedo suedo listen man i'm trying to say people yeah say say suedo if you want to sound smart suedo um but yeah i think it allows those guys to just use their talent go through 95 plus and i don't know. I think the bullpen would turn into a strength real quick if they would get a guy like Brad Hand. Suedo. That was good.

That makes me think of Johnny Cueto for some reason. Look, I'm with you. I think Brad Hand is the move, especially considering that he's a lefty as well, so a little more versatility when you have a lefty-like hand and Sir Anthony is a righty the ability lefty that'd be crazy wouldn't that be a good idea well especially a guy you can put in the ninth but that gives you like it gives you essentially two firemen one one from each side of

the plate essentially you know i mean like it gives you a side of the mound whatever you want to call it and essentially because brad hann could go in in the eighth inning and sir anthony could pitch a nine sir anthony could pitch the six and seven. He could pitch the eighth. Whatever it is. I mean, the point is that hand, it gives you, it gives you a little bit more adjustable type of matchups. There's either guy could close out a particular game. If the matchups dictate a lefty righty type of thing. So I'm with you. I love the Brad hand move, but we'll get into another trade name is it looks like Machado. It seems like the

Phillies are kind of dropping off that as well there were the couple reports out there this weekend that uh Klintak is looking more for deals where he can take on salary and not have to give up as many prospects which yeah buddy I think that is a a great decision especially considering they have a lot of salary to burn but jack before we get into that quickly on the uh the second game they won of the series the saturday game uh the 3-2 victory was a really fun victory in the sense that they're down to nothing the entire game just getting beat getting beat getting beat and all of a sudden it's three to two and they shut it down again the bullpen does a nice job victor arano his second save

jake arietta will get to in a sec but we got to just do it because the guy who got it started the big triple ends up scoring the tying run the man the myth the legend the only guy was able to even score a run in today's game with the homer nick williams jack you're dying on this hill. You still think Aaron Altair over Nick Williams. What is wrong with you? I didn't see the Nick Williams triple. Is that real? Did that happen? Oh, it happened.

It happened. It happened. So, yeah. Like, people are saying, like, I'm mostly having fun when I'm saying, like, time to end the Nick Williams experiment. I think it's really funny when people are like, Oh dude, do you even know what you're talking about? Like,

listen, I get that Nick Williams should play more. Like I watch every game. Thank you. Like I, I understand. I just, I love Aaron Altair.

And I think if they gave him more chances and he's been ripping the ball, don't think, don't think I missed those two walks on Saturday as well. Or on Friday. And then, and then the rope double last on Saturday night. So don't, don't think I missed those two walks on Saturday as well, or on Friday. And then the rope double on Saturday night. So don't think I missed that. But, yeah, so one of the reasons I don't like Nick Williams is because I think his hands are slow and I don't trust his swing. But what I may have miscalculated, and I thought it was really interesting in an Eno Saris piece that came out like two or three weeks ago,

I purposely chose to bury it and not show anyone because I didn't want anyone to believe that Nick Williams is good. Have any ammunition against you in their arguments? Yeah, so I'm being proactive. Thank me for my service. He is like one of the best hitters in the league with plate coverage like his ability to like his ability to hit balls hard like that guys just have no business hitting hard like he can just like kind of throw the bat out there and get a hit and I thought that was really interesting like

he was the outlier like his batting average was way lower than the guys ahead of him I forget who the other guys in there were I think it was like Goldschmidt and some other guys. But I thought that was interesting. And I think that's, you know, and now ever since I've read that, I've kind of watched him more closely. And he does really do a good job of just throwing the bat head out there and hitting the ball the other way and just getting a hit when he can. It's interesting.

And I thought the, you know, Sarah's piece was a good, you know, qualms some of my fears about Nick Williams. Still don't totally trust him. Like, I can't believe the overreactions to a 230 hitter, but whatever. I mean, you guys can tweet me whatever you want. But, yeah, no, he's been good. He's been good. He should play every day.

Although tomorrow, just come on, Gabe, throw Altair a bone, at least one of the games. Yeah, look, I think he will. I think he will. I think you're not getting in, but, throw Altair a bone. At least one of the games. Yeah, look, I think he will. I think you're not getting in, but I think Altair's got a shot. Well, if Aaron gets in, that's a win for me too. Yeah, it's basically like you getting in there. I think Altair's playing about as well as you would this season. And here's another thing that I don't understand.

Everyone's like, well, what has Altair ever done? Listen, Aaron Altair batted 280 with 20 homers and had a 350 OBP last year and also is an elite level defensive player in right field like like this guy is not some like scrub that's never hit before like he's shown flashes of like I'm not some idiot that just started watching baseball like this guy has shown flashes of being an elite level talent like he just has he just has that's You're feisty tonight. I love it. Everyone tweeted, Jack, how much Aaron Altair stinks. He doesn't stink.

I'm kidding. Yes, he will never stink. His 170 average is terrific. He went through a cold spell and all of a sudden can't get his job back for a 205 hitter. Yeah, look, Aaron. Look, you mentioned when Nick Williams though, I do think that, that,

I think that's a really interesting thing to kind of mention that the plate coverage and the ability to, to, you know, maybe he's been a little unlucky here, but I, and that's something this team could use a guy that does have that kind of plate coverage and with their approach at the plate can put the ball on, you know, put the bat on the ball late in counts and deep in counts so um you know the nick williams hate has gone too far jack it's time to rein it back in uh speaking of hate going too far did the jake arietta hate go too far is he back jack look he wasn't dominating but eight strikeouts

which we haven't seen him do in a while. And granted, against the lineup he dominated before, maybe he just kind of owns Pittsburgh. It's not a great lineup to be in with, but a nice outing from Arrieta on Saturday. Yeah, and I was encouraged, mostly because... So what I've noticed recently in his last couple starts is that he's been trying to get his fastball into lefties. And it hasn't been great because he's really struggling. And this is one of the struggles

with the crossfire delivery is that it doesn't let you get inside the lefties. It's great against righties. It lets you get the sinker under the bat. But against lefties, it's just tough because you have to throw across your body. And it's just tough to locate that. So recently, he has been bad at getting to the inside against lefties. So it's been leaking out across the plate, and he's just been finding barrels and whatever. But what he did on Saturday that I thought was interesting is now he's starting to throw his cutter in and his slider down to lefties. And I think that's a game changer because it just it lets guys get

off of his fastball a little bit like jake arietta is getting ripped like his fastball is getting destroyed but if he can have a good off speed then it kind of makes his fastball a little bit harder to square up and i thought on saturday he had good off speed and for the most part he had good fastball location like arietta with bad fastball location it's just like he's just almost unpitchable but i thought he did a better job against lefties he had a better plan of attack he was throwing that cutter in which was giving them something else to think about i think they were i think i think lefties go in expecting pitches away that they can look to drive um because he hasn't been able to get in.

On Saturday, I thought he did a good job of getting in with his slider. One other guy I wanted to mention before we move on and quickly discuss some of the interesting trade rumors that have been out there now. But quickly, Scott Kingery, a really nice weekend. Obviously had a big game on Friday, I think four hits four for five, and then that big hit to drive in

who was it, who tripled, we were just talking about I can't remember, oh yeah, Nick Williams to drive in Nick Williams after he tripled in the run, ties the game but a clutch hit from Kingery there I think it's cute how you point out the Nick Williams triple, but don't point out the Aaron Altair double later.

Are you trying to fit a narrative here, James? Yeah, well, hey. Your bias is showing. The Aaron Altair double didn't really have much of an influence on the game. That Jorge Alfaro double did. Yeah, that was a big one. But look,

Kingery has played a little bit. It played much better over the last month or so. Where are you at with Kingery? Well, this last month before today's game, he's been batting 280 with a.324 OBP in the last 30 days. I think that's great. All right, all right.

I'll take that. Listen, you have two homers. 280 would lead the team practically. Right, right, right. Now, of course, you have the 4- if you if you 280 would like lead the team practically right right right now of course you have like the four for five game mixed in there or and he had two three hit games mixed in there so it's coming in in big bursts which is you know fine which is the fact that he doesn't look completely lost to the plate um i will take that and really i haven't been noticing him at shortstop as much. I feel the same way. He's been making the simple plays.

His arm looks pretty good. He's got range, too. Yeah, it looks like he's finally getting comfortable there. Really, the whole defense as a whole, I haven't really noticed a big problem with. Some of the defensive issues happen during shifts, which is, you know, I mean, it just kind of happens. But Kingery, I feel like he's really coming along. He doesn't look completely lost offensively.

I feel like he's – although, I mean, every time I watch him, he's in an 0-2 count. It's unbelievable. But, yeah, 280 with a 324 OBP in the last month. I think that's good. At the end of the year, we're going to look at his stats and be like, oh, that's what a rookie looks like. His spring training was phenomenal.

They gave him a huge contract. But, but like it's not even that huge of a contract if he's if he's an average mlb player for the next seven years like it's not a big deal at all they didn't really pay him that much it looks like a lot and he hasn't played great but he looks like a rookie and he's gonna be fine yeah i'm, I'm a hundred percent there with you. And I think it's very heartening to see him start to swing the bat a little bit. Well, look a little more comfortable as we discussed many times, there was a stretch of baseball there where he really did look overmatch, but he's really turned it around. And like you said, I've been most impressed with him defensively over the last few weeks, month or so. He's been much more sure-handed

and has covered a lot of ground and seems to be more comfortable controlling things out there, calling people off on pop-ups into short outfield, all that type of stuff. I just feel like he seems more comfortable playing the position and he's got the arm for it. There's no question about it. So I've been pretty impressed with Kingery across the board. All right. A few names that it looks like the Manny Machado thing, as we've discussed a lot on this podcast, unlike the happen, look, there's so much posturing. And again, there is still, you know, three weeks to go until the trade deadline. So still a lot can happen. A lot of things can change, but it looks like the Phillies

are not going to be the team to give up the most to go get Manny Machado zeroing in on some other names. We had heard one name from Kansas city and Mike Mastagas who potentially still on the board, but another name surfaces over the weekend who I hadn't had my eye on at all with Merrifield potential Phillies target as well. What'd. Are you putting any stock into that report? What do you think of Merrifield as a potential target for the Phillies? And really, where would they play him? Yeah, well, first of all, Machado, if we're rooting for him to become a Philly, I think the best options for our eyes, besides him being a Philly,

would be Milwaukee and Arizona. They both can't pay him. He will be a guarantee to make free agency if he goes to one of those two places. The caveat, of course, you could have to face him in the playoffs. Yeah, it's not about this year, but yes, I agree. Yeah, and Whit Merrifield. So Whit Merrifield, I was thinking about this today

because I knew we were going to talk about this. It's kind of like in 2009 when everyone thought we were going to get Roy Halladay, we ended up with Cliff Lee, and then people were like, wait, who's Cliff Lee? And then he goes out and shoves and dominates the most unbelievable run from a Phillies pitcher I can remember. It won't be that good, but I feel like everyone's like, oh, man, Machado, want Machado, want Mach machado and then we'll end up with with whit merrifield and be like well who's this guy and then they'll watch him and they'll be like wow this guy's really good uh whit merrifield is a very good player he went for like four for four today as well so um he's still hitting pretty well he was better last year stole more bases last year um but is a legitimate stolen base threat

doesn't hit for a bunch of power but um around 300 with a 350-something OBP, I'll take it. Yeah, I like Merrifield a lot. He can play a lot of different places on the field. I think he played six different positions last season. You can put him in at any of the spots in the outfield, especially the corner outfield spots. He can play second. He can play third in a pinch.

I think he is a very versatile guy. Play first if needed. So I like Whitmerfield. I think that's a nice option for the team. Yeah, I mean, listen. He's batting.293 this year with a.362 OBP. Like, that's really good. It's really good.

We'll definitely take that. Only has five homers. Had 19 last year. Also stole 34 bases last year. He has stolen 16 this year. So, I mean, theoretically, he'll still use some bags. So, yeah, no, I think it was a really interesting idea. He's under club control, I think, for the next three years.

So he helps you out in that scenario. And it feels like they're looking to upgrade right field. And there's been a bunch of reports this week talking about how they're looking for a bat more than a starter, which makes a lot of sense. So, yeah, there's going to be a lot of rumors for bats. Yeah, so he's under team control for next year and then has three arbitration years out of 2022. So, yeah, you would have him pretty well locked up for the next couple of years.

Which is surprising that that's the type of guy the Royals are looking to deal. That should be the type of guy they're looking to build around. But regardless... Yeah, well, I guess they're just trying to, you know... Get with day camp for players, of course. Right. But, look, I think that's a great deal. I think Merrifield's an asset as well as a player in that case.

So, look, I love the idea. I think it's very clear that they need a bat far more than they need a starter. I don't think there's any question about that. Look, they got Velasquez back pitching on Wednesday. And obviously, Eikhoff's still on the comeback trail, and the other guys, especially with Arrieta looking a little better, you feel pretty good about as well. Speaking of which.

You're bearing the lead, man. Daniel De Los Santos is pitching on Tuesday. Did they call him up for Tuesday for sure? Yeah, that's what the townhouse next day. Oh, I didn't see that. Yeah, that's what the townhouse next to it. Oh, I didn't see that. Yeah, buddy. And Yale getting the start of New York. All right, so let's look ahead here because that's a nice transition,

and we'll have lots more trade talk as the deadline approaches throughout this entire month. But looking at four games with the Mets coming up here in three days, a doubleheader on Tuesday. Excuse me, doubleheader Monday. Zach, Afflin, and Aaron Nola going today. But how about that? Enyel De Los Santos going on Tuesday.

What are your thoughts on Enyel? What should people be looking for? I'm so excited for Enyel De Los Santos. My favorite comp for Enyel De Los Santos is a young Jair Juergens. Such a random comp. I was a Jair Juergens fan. Oh, I love Jair Juergens. I still mess around with his mechanics

when I'm doing my mechanic stuff. Because why it fits for me is they both throw 94-95, but he also short- pitches so he short arms his his change up um rather than having like a hammer slider or whatever he he kind of it's it's hard to explain but basically he just short arms all of his pitches so he short arms his fastball and short arms his change up but it's a devastating change up like it's it's a really really good change up um and it's a it's a direct byproduct of him short-arming it.

So I think we'll see a good changeup, good fastball. He has a curveball slash slider that's developing. But I'm intrigued. He was leading the international league in the ERA before they called him up. Wasn't on the 40-man, which is interesting. So he wasn't on the 40-man roster. So it's weird like i can't tell if they're bringing him up to stay or if it's just me a spot star like why would you activate him from the 40 man if it was just to it was just to make a spot start like

that didn't seem like it made some sense but um yeah i'm i'm really excited for any of de los santos mostly because we can finally put to bed the Freddy Gabbas stuff. Yeah, buddy. It's officially over. But look, I think it could be a spot start. It's a spot for a spot start, as it were, with the doubleheader on Monday. They are playing eight games this week. They have the make-up game on Thursday against Baltimore,

then the Marlins over the weekend. So eight games this week. So they were going to need a spot start. I think it's interesting that De Los Santos is the guy they're calling up. But when you look at the fact that they needed a spot start today with Drew Anderson as well, it's interesting. Look, I think if he comes up and he throws eight shutout innings or something, it's going to be hard to send him back down. But it's going to be interesting.

It's going to be interesting. But I do think that ultimately I think the intent is a spot start, if I had to guess. It's going to be hard to send him back down, but it's going to be interesting. It's going to be interesting. But I do think that ultimately, I think the intent is a spot start, if I had to guess. Yeah. And, you know, I think they're planning on using their bullpen more on Tuesday and the De Los Santos. On Monday. Well, I would think, I would think tomorrow, I think they set it up this way because they So they can go Nola and Eflin.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I got you. And they didn't want to, they didn't want to kill the bullpen in one game. I feel like it was more protecting the bullpen by having these two guys go tomorrow, which I think is a smart move. Yeah. Get your two horses out there so you don't crush the bullpen. And then Tuesday, bring up De Los Santos.

If he shoves, he shoves. If he doesn't, you have a bunch of bullpen behind him ready to go. All right, Fritz. Last thing before we get out of here. You mentioned it before, the outrage you feel of the national media, us not getting respect here in Philadelphia with the Phillies. Well, guess what? Aaron Nola is your only all-star.

Are you outraged, Jack? Or is that fair? No, because this is a team. This is a team. We do not have individual stars in this team um no i don't know like who's gonna be an all-star i'm with you it's fair oduble was the only other guy you thought maybe but look zach if zach eflin got going a little earlier maybe but well sir anthony is another guy that maybe but listen there's so many good players in the nl that pitching staff i was just looking at it and i started shivering oh it's crazy it's crazy disgusting it's absolutely disgusting so but let's talk about aaron nola because aaron nola

two seasons ago everyone's like well i don't know if he's gonna make it through a season healthy the elbow stuff and boom two years later he's one of the best starters in the NL. The NL, pitching-wise, is freaking stacked. And for him to come out and shove every single night, it feels like, where it's like seven innings, less than two runs. Thank you, Aaron. Now go back to bed. That's exactly what he does. He is what Greg Maddox looked like.

That's what he looks like. He looks like Greg Maddox. I don't care what anyone says. That's what Greg Maddox is. He's the modern-day Greg Maddox looked like. Like, that's what he looks like. He looks like Greg Maddox. I don't care what anyone says. That's what Greg Maddox is. He's the modern-day Greg Maddox. Wow. He's not quite there yet, but he's... Oh, Greg Maddox.

Cry me a river. Greg Maddox. Greg Maddox. No. Stop. Stop. Child. Child.

Child, please. All right? I'm just kidding. Greg Maddox is fantastic. Greg Maddox had perfect control. Like... I know. Anyway. I feel you. He's just kidding. Greg Maddux had perfect control. I know. Anyway. I feel you.

The point is, look, the fact that he's 25 and he's doing what he's doing and he's taking the leaps he already has, I'm with you, man. His ceiling is certainly like that. He could be a great Hall of Fame type pitcher if he's doing what he's doing at 25. And everyone's like, well, the league's going to adjust to him. It's like, how? How is the league going to adjust

to a guy that can throw in a 2-1 count whatever pitch he wants? Guys don't have a game plan for him because he can locate all three pitches. You can't have a game plan against him. All right, rate and review the podcast.

It makes Fritz really happy. It helps us out on iTunes. Tell your friends and family. We need as many beautiful, wonderful High Hopes listeners out there as well. Fritz, any final words before we get out of here? I mean, I did text you earlier this week saying that I appreciate every single one of the High Hopes listeners. He did.

This is a true fact. He said, I love them. I think they're smarter than other listeners, and I just think they're the best. And that's what he said to me. I really did say that. It is not facetious. So rate and review.

Make Jack happy. Do that for him. Rate and review. Rate and review. And Aaron Altair, two for four with a homer tomorrow in the starting lineup on Tuesday, and we get this thing rolling. We finally get this thing rolling. And then they trade for Whit Merrifield, and they both sit every day.

Oh, and I've talked about this many times. I will flip so quickly on Aaron Altair when Adam Haseley is in right field because I've already said that Adam Haseley is Benatendi 2.0, Adam Haisley is in right field. Because I've already said that Adam Haisley is Benatendi 2.0. So I can't say he's Benatendi 2.0 and not fully back him being the right fielder. There you go. We need a little more power to be Benatendi 2.0.

But maybe on his way there. Maybe on his way. Listen, he's in Reading now. He'll get his power. All right. He's not in Reading yet. I'm not. Soon he will be in Reading.

Fritz, you're digging yourself a hole. All right, buddy? I'm just having mostly fun. But Iding yet. I'm not. Soon he will be in Redding. Fritz, you're digging yourself a hole. All right, buddy? I'm just having mostly fun. But I love Aaron. I know. And you love Aaron Altair. You love the Phillies. And you love the High Hopes listeners. That's what I've taken away from this podcast.

All right, guys. We will be back later this week. Four games in three days. We'll be back to talk about it all and look ahead to the weekend. Either Thursday, Friday, somewhere in there. We will definitely be back for you. So for Jack Fritz, I'm Jim Seltzer. Thanks for listening to AppSweatGas.

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball isn't boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago. It is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

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