High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The Most Ethical Cycle In The History Of Baseball?

Episode Date: June 22, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies offense exploding over the weekend against the Mets and give their thoughts on Bryce Harper's cycle on Saturday night. The guys also recap their event in Reading and Jack runs through all the latest on the Phils' 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. is another edition of the high obs podcast sponsored by miller light official partner of the philadelphia phillies taste like miller time philadelphia celebrate responsibly jack off the top first and foremost the most important thing we're going to say today wednesday night june 24th come hang out with us garage written house in philly come on this is the most important thing right i mean let's be honest coming out with us we're going to be in philly it's going to be awesome it's right in written out square so it's like right in the center of the city super easy to find super easy

place to go it is an awesome spot we're going to have so much fun uh wednesday night phillies nationals big division matchup who'd have thunk it the gnats all they do is win two games above 500 yeah um so so a better game than we would have expected but please coming out this wednesday we just had a great time in redding shout out to the red and fightans we had so much fun shout out to tanya and j and everyone involved we had such a great time being there Um, obviously, uh, first pitch went great. No big deal to us. Jack, a perfect strike.

I, you know, a little natural cut on my ball. Natural cut in a, and an interesting recoil in watching the video. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And then a little strut off the hill. Nobody good to me. It went great. So, uh, just winners is what we do.

We win. Yeah. Yeah. Great time. Reading. We had a, thank you to everyone who came. It was so much fun. It was awesome.

Yeah. So ready was awesome. Uh, I want to give a special shout out to my manager. drove up from Maryland. They drove from Maryland to be there. That is crazy. That is crazy. Awesome father-sunk combo.

They were cool. And at the end, I sat next to one of our guys that was keeping the book of the game. Ah, of a Reading game. There is nothing that. True blue sicko behavior right there. I love it. Nothing that warms my baseball heart quite like seeing someone keeping a book at a baseball game. I've never done it.

I don't mean I ever would. So when I've done it a couple times when I was a kid. I like really young though. Like back when I, you know, 10 years old I'm talking, but not since then. I think the 53 straight perfect books I kept my sophomore year at Ploonsburg was was enough. Enough enough bookkeeping for my idea. Yeah, I think you've done enough. You've done enough. Yeah.

But there's nothing that that really just makes me big baseball and makes me love baseball quite like keeping the book at a minor league game. I mean, that's a real. that's a that's i i was shocked with with the minor league minute and how much we talk about on the bod how many guys i had never heard of in the baseball game i was like wow another guy stepping in the play to i have no idea who you are hello so what is what you're saying that you want more names yes i think you need to do a better job of educating us about all these super important people yeah well i did love we talked to jx star before the game and he asked you who you were excited to watch it was the funniest thing ever it was I was like, bro, you listen to the pod, right?

Like, I'm like, everyone, of course. I'm excited to be here. I'm excited to just be a part of this awesome baseball experience, you know? Yeah, you, you, you B.S your way, throw it. I'm not saying it very well. In my head, I can think about, you probably never played NCAA football on. Like, it was around a little bit when I, like, when I stopped playing video games, but not really. Not, not like in the, it's.

Well, they used to have the stadium pulse thing that was, the stadium would start shaking. If it felt like the pressure was on, the opposing team, that's what it felt like watching him ask you that question. I wasn't wanted to step in and be like, Jake, Jake, Jake, Jake. You don't have to. I got it. I know you're trying to the back and forth thing.

It was so good. It was so good. I'll say some names if you need me to. But no, Redding was awesome. And again, the gift shop just never disappoints. It's unbelievable. Two different times. I was like, I can't spend that, but I really wanted to spend it.

So, yeah, baseball. And by the way, you know, not for nothing. It's people with kids. They really just crush it with the kids thing. Oh, my God. At least the bounce house. So he loves the bounce house, walked around the stadium, having the best time. There's all.

I saw, and so we wanted to get it, luckily we saw this on the way out because if she had seen it while we were there, I probably would have gotten courses. They have like an actual helmet of ice cream. I'm going to talk in like the little helmet. Zoe got the little helmet of ice cream. They have like a full-sized helmet. of ice cream. It was an insane thing to look at. Zoe was beyond beside herself.

She was like, that is the greatest thing I've ever seen. I have to have it. And the other best part about being ready that night is that you kept getting updates on your phone with the Phillies. Oh, so that's where I was going to go.

And Jack and I joked about this. He called me. We're driving home. And did you see that Harper hit for the cycle? Of course he did it in the first five innings. Of course. And I was like, of course he did.

The only podcast that has ever cared about cycles. like honestly like I don't even care that much about cycles they're not that big a deal it's oh I'm just saying let's keep it oh that's what I mean it I care about cycles because of you because of how much you've cared the bits on this pod now since David bell it's like multiple times over like that is so gone oh the dan and then Bryce and then Bryce that it's Bryce I mean the biggest name of all of them it's like of course this one can stick for a while I'm glad I'm glad we don't have to deal with 20 years of West and Wilson. Because it was a totally fair cycle.

There were no questions about if it was actually a triple or not. It was a stone cold, clear triple for Bryce, right? One of the most ethical cycles I've actually ever seen. And the truth is, is that he never stopped running the third base. Oh, by letter of the law. Letter of the law. Letter of the law would suggest that that is a real, a real, a tried and true triple. frankly, guess what?

In the record books, don't care. Don't care. In 50 years, no one will remember. That's for sure. It's a triple in the book. It's a triple in the book. So it is not as impressive as Price Harper's last cycle, which he did at the college of Southern Nevada when he hit for the cycle and hit four home runs in the game. So he's got to step it up a little bit in my personal opinion.

Yeah, the funny thing is if he had two homers and two doubles, people would be like, oh, nice game from Bryce. Because it's a stupid cycle. It's like, oh, my God. Oh, wow. Oh, now it's a stupid cycle. Oh, no. I do. All right.

Let's get into the actual itself, the cycle itself. And obviously we're getting at the weekend and all that. But, but, I mean, like, it's a cycle. It's fine. It was not a triple. We can all be honest. That was a double with a base that he took. Like, they threw it to the wrong base.

Like we- Well, they throw it to the right base. They threw it the right base. They threw it the right-based. That's the point. But, like, we can all be honest about this, right? Like that was that was a double right? I don't care.

All right. It's a cycle of the boy. All right. All right. That's fine. That's fine. What about what about Bryce's comments after the game about A, that he was going forward no matter what, which isn't surprising. What do you make of Bryce telling us?

I don't care. I don't care what you think about my base running. I'm always going to go for it to set an example for the youngsters. I love Bryce. I think his answer there about like, I'm always going to go for it. So kids, and he's like,

so I'm always going to play hard. Yeah, except we need to groundball of the shortstop and don't feel like running it out. Which again, totally fine with. Don't blow out your hamstring,

but like, little much from Bryce on the, so the kids can always play hard. How about the kids learn to do the smart thing and not be an idiot on the base pass? That was my response to it. But what did you make of Bryce's hole? Like,

I love, the one thing that Bryce Harper drives me crazy with this, the base running. It always has. He is a bad base runner. And the fact that he, like, is like obnoxious about it annoys me more. Love Bryce. The base running thing, it gets on my nerves, Jack. It's like, he's a bad base runner. And he is like almost flaunts it. And he's like, I don't care that I get out because it's the right thing to do. No, it's not. It's not the right thing to do. Stop it. You're going to hurt your team. You did in a playoff game. Adda boy Harper. Do we remember that that was because he's a bad bass runner oh that was aggressiveness those aggressiveness i think

that i am pro aggression on the base pass i think that he does it at very at mostly wrong times what i'll say is this though what i'll say is this is since maddenly has taken over you know he had some really dumb aggressive stuff early in the season but he hasn't done that really until saturday so like i don't know why saturday all of a sudden he's like i'm going to do the thing where i try things. Now, he always does do that. And he was always going to go for the trip. And look, they're up 10 runs or whatever, 11 runs when he got the triple. It's not that I don't care that I don't either. I don't either that this specific case. I really don't like that was fine. It was the way he talked about the base running that bothered me. You know, the way he's like, I'm always going to do it.

I don't care what you guys think. I don't care if he's basically saying like, I don't care if it's smart or not I'm going to do it. And that's like, we're like, bro, don't. Well, it's, if he's If he's saying, like, I'm always going to try to be aggressive on the base pass, then I don't... But he isn't, though. He isn't. He watches home run balls and then sometimes get caught at second when he could have gotten a third. He doesn't run out every ground ball. Like, I get it, dude.

Like, but, but he is not. He is not. It is like a pick and choose thing. Well, and what I was going to say is that, like, if Utley was over-aggressive, I would be like, okay, well, he runs hard all the time. So that's just part of his, that's part of his MO. You know, Bryce does not run hard at the time. And the infield stuff, I don't care all that much. I don't either.

But and yeah, I, here's the thing. I don't mind when Bryce kind of gets like this because I think that means that he's going at the plate. And like, if he's going at the plate, then the Phillies are going to win and they're going to play. I just, it seems in listening to talk after the game about other things, it seemed like it was all the conversation to dugout. It's a 12-1 game at that point. And, like, people are trying to do this. They love doing this now with him where it's like, selfish, selfish, self, blah, blah, blah, blah.

It's like, seeing him go for that, I think the teammates were like, that's funny. Like, it's funny that he went for that. I don't think he goes for it in a one-one game. I probably agree. I don't know. Like, regular season game he might have, but, like, I don't think he wouldn't a playoff game or something like that.

Yeah. I mean, I just. You never know, though. He has had so many dumb. base running decisions in big spots that it's not like I who knows he might just do it like he is an idiot on the base path so if he wants to channel is aggressive aggressiveness use it more actually run out everything I think maddenly said I think the next night or next pregame availability about you know those comments and essentially said I appreciate wanting to go for it but we we also have to be smart

about it which is which is true right and I do think that since maddenly is taken over Bryce has been smarter on the base pass. Now, there's been sometimes with hustle, at least out of the box, that has not been there. But yeah, I mean, I get it. But also, he's on fire right now. So I really don't care. I generally agree. It's more that it's more just the like the built-in hypocrisy of it the way he talks about.

But I don't, I don't really care that much. I just want him to understand like, and to your point, hopefully he does in those situations. Like, again, it wasn't that him going. for the cycle in that spot, it was the way he talked about it after being like, I'm always going to do this. And it's like, don't always do it.

Like, be smart about it. That's all I'm saying. On the whole look, Bryce is on fire. I agree almost at a cycle again the next day. Didn't get the opportunity to try for the triple, I guess. But look, Bryce, Bryce, the way this team is constructed,

and obviously we'll get into it all of it. And we have got it. But they have to have it. Like, Schwerber and Harper have to be great for this team to win. Like, we did the whole thing. Like, we used to push back on that jacket and be like, oh, everyone, the other guys got to do stuff too, and that's true. But I feel like this season, it's only amplified that thing where it really is true.

They're just not, they're not good enough without those two guys doing what they're doing. You know, they have to be great. Which is a problem. Yeah, that's the problem, especially because Trey isn't, you know. Yeah, but Marge is kind of stepping into the Trey spot this year, at least, average wise and things like that. So, yeah, I mean, I do still push back on it because I don't think that this is sustainable. I think that it's good for spurs. And they did something that only one other pair of teammates.

Two times ever, yeah. Have ever done. And they are, when they're both going, yeah, this team is great. When they are one scuffling or one, like, it's just, it's, it's just not sustainable for, for winning a title. Like, these guys cannot go on a four-week tear of, like, I mean, maybe. Well, especially because they'll pitch around them more in the playoffs. We know that we've seen it happen. And we've seen that when you get, first of all,

you're getting the best pitchers at all times with everyone locked in. And they just won't give them as much it. They will say, it's fine. Beat us, Alec, beat us whoever, you know. Yeah. So it's great what they're doing right now. And it certainly makes for historical fun, what they did the other night and even what they did last night.

But it's still, like, it's still something that they need more out of everyone else. Now, the good part is, is that you're starting to see stabilizing from a lot of members of the offense. You know, Marsh has been pretty consistent all throughout the year. Well, very consistent and only have like spurts of slumps. Bome is hitting 298 with an

850 OPS since the reset. So that's 38 games, which is crazy out. That doesn't feel that long ago, but 30, 38 games. Yeah, no, it's going quick. Stots at number three. We're almost halfway through the season.

We're a few games away from halfway through the season. I know. Stodder is hitting 3, 305 in June, and I think like 257. with a 770 something in his last, like 40-some games. There is no team in the history of sports who we do more like picking a date. Oh, yeah.

I know, but it's just so funny because these guys are so streaky. So I just feel like we're always doing the, well, since June 1st. Well, what drives me nuts. What drives me nuts is like you look at the overall numbers and it's like, boom sitting 230. I know. That's my point. That's what I'm saying.

We always have to do this. It keeps you saying. It keeps you saying. It does. Because the overall numbers do not tell the whole story. They just don't. It's like what I do with Price. And I don't know why people can't grasp this concept that he had a bad first week of the season.

People didn't like your six games tweet. The lack of critical thinking. I mean, I blame Eagles fans mostly. I would just like to say I don't blame Eagles fans. Eagles fans commenting on Phillies players is really one of the biggest problems with baseball coverage in this town. I think we're getting a real glimpse into how your brain works right here. I'm starting to call them the Eagles only fans.

So where they have to, you know, dump on Bryce to prop up their little quarterback. Oh, gosh. I don't condone this portion of the podcast. Well, that's just the truth. But if you take out the first, if you take out the first six games, the week of the first week of the season, we're, how many games into the year? I think we're enough sample size into. 77 or something yeah the final 71 games from that point on he's been he's almost like a 950 ops i and it so yes people do not like things like that because like whoa but the overall year

um and i get it but i also don't think it tells the whole story like i think booms had a really solid stretch i think stad has had a really solid stretch crawford is like slowly starting to pull his way out of this is not as big a sample size but it's a 324 average in his long last seven games. Oh, good. I love the one week's, you know, stats. I have stopped doing that as much. You don't do as much. You used to. Yeah, he's going to lie eight game, seven game, 12 game numbers. I used to be a big, small sample size guy. I also used to tweet a lot of things like this guy's shoving early in a game. He's back and then he would allow seven runs in the next inning. So I've really stopped doing that. That was a big old, big old issue with early, early. Early Jack. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, I just, I think the offense as a whole is, is stabilizing. I do have a fear. And it was good to see what they did to Peralta. That was damn near shocking.

Shocking. I mean, shit, 10 earned runs for Freddie Peralta. Yes. And they, they were like patient. They worked counts. They grinded out at bats. I just don't, it's so frustrated when they have a game like that. And then against other pitchers with that are pretty good to really good. They don't. They just lay down. And even like David Peterson's been horrible issue. I can't believe how bad David Peterson. He was great last year. I love it. And he's been good for a while and the relief roll and stuff.

Like it felt like a dude who like got out. Shocking. Yeah. He doesn't look the same. His stuff doesn't have the same zip. Yeah. No. And he's like walking the ballpark.

It's crazy. But they went into the game saying, you know, he's got to be in the strike zone and no need to expand and things like that. And they got him out of there early and, you know, talking for five runs. So there's still some good things happening under the hood offensively. It's just like, man, I, and they can't face good pitchers all the time. But I feel like against good to great pitchers, they just don't, they don't do the same kind of things. So, yeah, they're stabilizing against not the best starting pitching, but.

And you're going to see better, likely to see much better starting pitching. Not to make everything about October. But it is in a lot of ways. I mean, certain things are, that's something that is about October. When the stakes rise and the lights get bright, that's when you find out who can really swim. Deep Waters is a new UFC podcast from CBS Sports. Every Monday, myself, Dean Thomas, alongside with legends of the sport,

Chris Widman, Jorge Masvedal, and Dustin Porriere, bring you inside the octagon like no one else can. Deep Waters, new episodes every Monday, watch on YouTube or listen on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere else you get podcasts. before we get in this more than nitty gritty, I think we should talk a lot about Harbor. We should take a minute or two and talk about what Kyle Ford was doing.

I mean, stunning. First of all, all they had to do was move Trey out of the two all again. It's unbelievable. You know, just Trey is such a detriment to Shoramber, you know,

out of that. It's unbelievable. They move them out. Shorber 29 homers, four more than anyone else in the sport. Three homer game, I believe, is fifth or sixth. Three homer game.

his career. I believe it's fifth. I believe he won away from tying the all-time record. Sounds about right. He, the stunning stat going around third in the history of baseball, first five seasons with the team in home runs. It's Babe Ruth

one, Mark McGuire with the Cardinals, too. Kyle Schwerber with the Philly three and Chorpe's going to pass McGuire. Like he is I don't think he'll pass Ruth, but like we're going to end this year and Kyle Schwerber is going to have the second most home runs in his first five seasons with the team ever in the hundred 60 years of baseball,

whatever it is. Like he has been really otherworldly, one of the greatest home runners of all time in this as a Philly. Kyle Schumer as a Philly is one of the best home runners

in the history of sport. Jack, he's hitting a home run once every three and a quarter games as a Philly since he got here. I mean, that's nonsense.

That is nonsensical what he's doing. It is amazing. And it's eye test wise. It's tank shot. It's a quick wrist. It's like he pops a ball up and it just keeps going.

a five rows deep. Like it is both on like statistically holds up as an all time unbelievable power run, but also watching him. It has been every bit of it has felt that way. It's felt special. It feels unique watching him hit. It is, I mean, he's going to get to five home runs in a Phillies uniform.

He's one. He's going to pass Harper. Like he is, he is, we are seeing some really truly historically great. great power stuff from cows. Yeah, he is, when he connects on, on some of these baseballs, it's the, it's the most, it's like the most comparable thing to smoking your driver off the tea. Because it's, it's the same thing.

Like, it's just, it's just they're dented. These balls are dented. The two hit on Saturday, the first two, like 457, 465. I would have loved to have seen it. There was just no, if there was no. no fans or whatever. There are no stadium. How far that ball would,

those balls would have traveled? Because they're still rising when they're, when they're going into the seats. So he's a marvel. He is a good word for it. He is a marvel. He has these games where he just goes nuclear. He's going to pass Schmidt for most home runs before the All-Star break this year,

which is wild. 31 was the number. for Schmidt. I thought you were going to say most run runs with the Phillies. I was like he's probably not going to pass Schmitt for most if it does. We might to be watching one of the best things at all time. Yeah. He might end up with more career home runs than Schmidt though. That's on the table

which is wild. Obviously Schmidt did all of his here. But like he could hit over 548 which is wild to think about like Kyle Schwerber as when he came here was like he's a good home run at her. He again like Kyle Schrober's become a whole famer here potentially like he still wants to get there and you know get over 500 and all that. But like

it is look that first Schwerber contract, we probably don't talk about enough as like that first wheeler contract is one of the great contracts in the history of the franchise. It is, uh, and again, like, you know, I'm a big sports are supposed to be fun guy. I know it's a wild taking all that. But like, there are few players we've had as a Philly in, you know, the last decade plus, whatever you want to say, that has been as fun really in my lifetime, that had been as fun as Kyle Schwerber. Look, chicks love the long ball. We love the long ball. It's fun to see Titanic home runs hit. Like, this guy's a joy.

He's such a joy to have on your team because anytime he steps up, you can be like, you could see a baseball hit like one of only a couple people alive ever can hit it. I know. And, uh, it's just, it's, it's, you said it a couple of times. It is just crazy what he has turned into. Yeah. What he is. Exactly.

He was 190 hitters first year here, Jack. I know, 188 or whatever. I know, and I thought it was cool, you know, Harper after the game when he was on with Fox. Yeah, I see people have not played this clip as much. You're right. No, it's a fair point. You're right. That's a good goal.

Like, he's, he started just waxing poetically about Schwerber. He was like, I love going to war with this guy every night. And, you know, the journey from first round pick to world champion to DFA to now want to premier, if not the premier power hitter in baseball. Like, it's, it's cool to see. And it's funny. I texted a couple of buddies this last night. I feel like Harper in the last, like, three days has realized how fun it is having Schwerber here.

All of a sudden, it's a lot more. I see together in the dugout all the time. And maybe there's a little like, you know, it's not like they were ever. Romance blossoming. It's not like there was ever animosity, but I just, it feels like there's been an uptick, which is good.

And like when both those guys, by the way, it's also funny. If you notice, every single time, Schwabber hits a home run, Bryce will swing first pitch, no matter what. It's, I think it's undefeated. year it's unbelievable um but yeah he is he is a treat he's not slowing down the wrists are

incredibly fast incredible um and it's it's one of these things where you have those two doing what they're doing you have the top two in the rotation Lizardo's in there as well but not on the level is the top two but yeah you have the closer and it's just all you can think about is what direction are they going to go to trade deadline? Because they have a lot of ingredients, but also they have a lot of holes that they have to try to fill in one deadline. Yeah, which is going to be really hard

because they're going to protect some prospects. They don't have. To your point, like they have more than people say they have, but it's not like they've got loads and loads of people to just trade off, you know? And on top of it, especially when John Middleton was here from 2012 to 2022, like, we have to remember, like, he experienced that.

Like, he definitely wants to go for it, but at the same time, I don't know that he is going to be willing to completely and totally, you know, pick it dry, you know, because he went through it. And that is, like, they could be in danger of that. We know that this is an older group that are signed through their late 30s, a lot of them that could age together into that. And like, that's a real risk. And again, you know, winning a world series makes everything worth it. But you're taking a real risk if you're trading off all your prospects. and if you don't win a World Series and then you head into that,

that, you know, barren time, it's just, I would be surprised if he went that far with the rest of the middle. Yeah, I don't, I don't feel it.

I don't feel it. I don't think they want to. But at the same time, if they are like, on a rocket ship heading into the trade deadline. Yeah, if they keep playing,

they're at 110 win pace with Mattingly, they're 33 and 16. It's 110 win pace. So if they keep playing at that for another couple months, it's like, or month and a half,

whatever, until the deadline, It's going to be hard to, it's going to be hard to sit here and say, don't do it. As it stands today, I don't think I want to because I don't want the cupboard to be bare. Now, on top of all this, it's not like top 100 guys get traded every deadline. No, most don't. Yeah. Like DeVrys got traded last year, but that was for Mason Miller.

Mason Miller. I think was Taid. I don't know if Taidt was top 100 at the time, but it seemed like he was. It depends where you look. I think he was top 100 some places, but not others. The overall point is that it's not like every deadline. It's like, here's all these top 100 guys getting shipped out for players. It's usually, it's usually not that. So I do think they have some guys that they wanted to move them.

I am getting, it's getting tougher and tougher for me to say, like, we should definitely trade Ramon Marquez and Gage Wood and these guys because they're, they're pitching so well. They look like they could be a part of the future rotation. it is what it is. That's like, yeah, well, like heading into the deadline,

if they move those guys, I would sit here and say, it is what it is. Like, you have to just accept that sometimes you got to give that talent up if you have a chance to win a World Series in this team does have a chance to win the World Series. It would just hurt to give those guys up

and lose the Dodgers, then you're left there holding the bag, but you can't operate out of fear. Out of fear. Yes. No, and I think it's a fascinating point. too especially because and I don't think they should make any decision based on the fan base but the way Painter looked and getting sent back down the issue of the injury to Miller

Crawford not being great like I already know what's coming like we the fan base is going to say trade whoever we don't care you should have traded Miller you should have traded painter and they would be silly to give up on those guys this early and then not realize how young there and all that but that's that's the chorus that we're going to hear I guarantee it that you should have traded those guys, you didn't, you screwed up, trade whoever. Like, that is going to be the predominant, prevailing opinion from Phillies fans. And I'm not saying they're going to do it because that or they should do it. I'm just saying that that is going to be the feeling in this city is that the Phillies,

I think the majority of the fan base will feel there is an obligation to just go do it and they won't care about what they lose. Yes, I would agree. I think that the prospect, the prospect conversation in town is not the, He's not the right time to say, hey, I don't want to trade one of these guys or make one of the untouchable. Yeah. That does not fly right now. Yeah.

Painter and Crawford. Unfortunately, you know, Aiden's back. So I think people are also conflicted on the team. I think that they have the best record in baseball since Madeline took over, which is great. I think there's a level of trust that I don't know if people have in this team heading into October. And it's almost as if they need a trade deadline to decide how in they should be on this team. If they go in, they push their chips in. It's kind of pointless even bringing up Iron Buckson anymore because he really,

really does not want to go leave from Minnesota. It's just wilds. It's just wilds. If they push in real trips and go get a difference making bat, then I think there will be a groundswell of excitement heading into October. If they make in Austin Hayes and Lorenzen, this year's version of that, there will be a little bit of a balloon deflating sound, I guess. I totally agree.

And look, Harrison Bader, people might not, maybe on this pod because we were always Harrison Badered up, you know, well before he became in Philly. But I mean, Harrison Bader is kind of an Austin Hays type move. Like, it's not like they gave up a lot to get Bader. He's not someone, but he had the best two months of his career here. Like, it doesn't always have to be the big move that turns into the best move. And a lot of cases it is. And we talk about the Steve Pierce moves so many times for Debrowski, you know, making that move.

And that guy goes on to win World Series MVP for that team. Like, it's not always the biggest and best. players that end up being the most important moves that are made at the deadline that help teams win, but you just up your chances when you get guys who are obviously better. Sure would like to, well, I love Harrison Bader. This is strictly just prospect tugging. But they trade Henry Mednaz for him and he's hitting 330 with a 960 OBS and AAA. Great.

That's terrific. All right. We're going to get to the take back in a second. It's more from the weekend through that. But shout out. Today's show is sponsored by Miller Light and the place my wife used to work, been there so many times, awesome place.

Shout out to the Manny Young Brewing Company on Main Street and Manny Young. Been there so many times, Emily used to wait tables at the Manny Young Brew Bob when she was a younger, awesome place. So today's show sponsored by Miller at the Manny Young Brewing Company on Main Street. Check out Fireside for every Phillies game and enjoy 16-ounce Miller Light cans

for just $5, along with their fresh-rolled sushi. and famous bacon, cheddar, smash burgers. Yes, please. Miller likes for Phil's win, celebrate responsibly. Great little spot in the water, too. Dude, it's so nice there.

I actually love that whole little area there. They've done a nice job with that. Maniangis Falls area is cool. Now, does that still count as Philadelphia as a true Philadelphia? So technically it's Philly for sure. I think it counts. Yeah, it's not like Villanova or whatever.

Yeah, Mannion counts. That's part of the city. It's not downtown. But I would say it's Philly. But yes, I agree. It's not like center city for sure. It's not center city. I mean,

let's keep it real. Let's keep it real. That's what we do on this podcast. That's right. We're going to keep it real pod. It's what we said. Kind of nervous about us in that series. Dude, frisky.

Frisky as hell this Nats team. And James Wood, what a monster. He is a monster. CJ Abrams is great. Yeah. C. James is a good player.

That was a great trade. They got booked those guys in that trade, right? Wasn't that the same trade? Yeah. Robert Hassel hasn't worked out, but that doesn't matter when you get those two of the top. When you get those two, It's a good trade.

I mean, and they got Mackenzie Gore and turned that into. Oh, yeah. Mackenzie Gore is probably, what a, what a wild. The Padres just trade dudes, man.

They really do. The Padres have one homegrown guy on their roster. Unbelievable. Jackson Merrill. Wow. Wow. They stray everyone. It's not like they're a bad farm system.

No, they keep building it up. They do a great job of drafting and developing, clearly. Well, Prell is a monster. That's where, I mean,

that does give me, uh, we talk a lot about like the scouting and whatnot with the Phillies. And like one thing that gives me hope is like Preston did learn under Preller. He did. Yeah. And it's a great point.

You've seen them at least in the international market start spending like the Padres do. Yeah. Instead of their old school way, which is just throw a bunch of money at a bunch of players rather than just spending big money on on the the upper echelon talent in the international market. But the next thing they got the draft, they've done a very good job in the first round. I think this draft is the best they've done. second through seventh. The past one you're saying this last draft.

Yeah, this past draft. This draft is the one that's coming up in three weeks, damn it, Jack, right? We got one coming up. Let's be serious here. Whoa. And the other thing is that, dude,

the draft's not, baseball has done a lot of things right. The draft being at a Saturday at 1 o'clock. Crazy. Is like when the, didn't the NFL draft you should start on a Saturday at noon, I think? Yeah, well,

the UCA, yeah, yeah, yeah. And like the 80s and 90s? Yes, yeah. way, way back. Yeah, it did. Yes. This is the most, are they going to write the, are they going to write the picks in on a paper? And it's just crazy.

It's a Saturday at 1 o'clock, which is, I will be on the air for it, which will be a lot of fun. Oh, buddy. Go Birds Radio, take a back seat. Yeah. We got high hopes. Only draft. We're only talking about the draft for two hours. I just shut my mic on.

Yeah, no, I'm just kidding. But, well, it's crazy. So they're doing the first four rounds on that Saturday. And then five through 20 on Sunday. My goodness, for fitness into two days. Anyway. So,

yes, the draft is quickly approaching. And I will have to put together the guys I, I know, the guys I love. Yeah, we need the whole thing. People forget that.

Guys, you could be okay with the take, the guys, you'll have to talk yourself into the, we know the list. We got to do this whole thing. I know. Andrew Payne are famously on that

to be talked into list. Maybe young Jack was. right once in a lot of time i listen i i saw him i saw him i saw him lazily i think that's a word is that a word i think so yeah i saw him i saw him lazily field a ground ball and throw it the first day and i was so out i was so out and uh yeah i like what they're doing with painter they're not rushing him back on the mound in triple a i think they're i think they're trying to deconstruct and then re-reconstruct before putting him back out there and making sure he's a good spot But yes, the draft is, is quickly approaching.

Very, very exciting. Very excited. I can't wait. All right, let's bag it. Yeah. So the Nats, they have like the best record, or the one of the best offenses in baseball with a bunch of guys you've never heard of. Curtis Mead is, is actually.

Lyle and Dillon Lyle. I got some of it, Dale, is it Delaide. I thought it was Dillon. Dailin Lyle. I don't know. Keeper Ruiz had a good little run. Mead, Mead has had a good run, which is funny. It's hilarious Curtis meat is there.

Yeah, I agree. He's been good. He's been good. So, yes, the frisky gnats. I'm a little worried about the series. It might be a situation where you're going down there. You live with a split. You live with a split.

Yeah, so four game series, that is a good point. I don't think people realize that. Yeah, I would absolutely live with a spit. It feels like coming off a big Matt series, they just, they didn't do the thing where they score 15 runs and then not score the next day. Like, they actually had some hits yesterday. Both guys homering again yesterday. there's wrong.

It feels like, Washington, you know, kind of like, all right, we got, now Harper has the Washington thing, so you hope that kind of carries it,

gets him, keeps him fired up. But I agree with you. It feels like, it just doesn't feel like they're going to roll down there and roll over the Nats. Nah,

that's not what they do. It's not, oh, it's not what, this team's not roll over. No, no, they're not.

Yes, you're right. I don't believe that. Speaking of Bryce, Gellbert, a great story that, you know, all of a sudden,

he started using a 35, ounce bat, which is... Oh, yeah, I meant to bring this out. It was cool. Way heavier than he normally uses. Usually a 31 and a half ounceer, I believe. So he's now swinging a heavy bat, which it's funny

because I think he was frustrated at all the balls that kept dying at the wall. And if he had a little bit of extra weight behind it, they probably get out. So he's going to try the heavy bat. If the heavy bat gets price to be like close to what we've seen over the last two games then that that bat can never first

all I can never be broken they better order yeah they better pray a million of them it could be the new torpedo bat of this year that is that was a funny thing the torpedo I forgot about that what what a what a stir what a run we thought it was a steroid scandal all over everyone was like the the games ruined the team's ruined baseball baseball is dead it is It's funny. I mean, you would think in today's age, you would not want a heavier bat because everyone throws. How fast? You kidding me?

Yeah. Throwes way harder. But he's got some grown man strength. So encouraging stuff early on the heavy bat, heavy bat, Bryce turning into a problem. You mentioned it earlier, but just to hammer home the point. And I don't know what they do besides, you know, Bryce batting too, but God forbid is Schwerver's numbers with Bryce hitting behind him versus hitting first with Turner hitting behind him. So it's not perfect. but this is where we're at.

When he's batting second this year with hard behind him, he's hitting, he has an OPS over a thousand. And when he's hitting first with, with Turner behind him, he's a 716 OPS. It's a bit of a difference. Yeah,

but it's funny because 247 average hitting first and 259 average hitting second. So the averages are similar. Yeah, the power. The power is just not even close. So that's something they got to get remedied. I do wish that they would go back to the Marshall lead off thing against Ritees,

but doesn't seem like that one time thing jack it worked great let's never do it again let's never do it again let's try looks like signs of life isn't it the thing you got it it looks fine the thing you got to do with try is like do you really believe he's a 227 hitter this year no you want him to be what he was last year like and even did he not even threw a five like two 80 whatever just just get hits that's all you want don't like you say you know what I don't you never run again like it's nice that you can like I just put the ball and play at this point Like, that's all I need from you. And Ron, you're fast.

So it should be an A hitter. He's like a perfect eight hitter right now. Yeah. The turn of run is going to happen, though. It's happened every year. 23, it happened after the Ovation. Look at you. Okay.

You're right. You're right. Hey, it's before you get into your little mocking time. All right. Yeah, yeah. I am right. I am right. I am right.

After the ovations in 23. I like, I got a little edge of like, yeah. Yeah. I am right. I was right then and I'm right now. All right. All right. Post evasions, he was like the best player of baseball.

Prediction. First half of 24, he was like the best player of baseball. Because whatever, you know, forget the power. I'm just giving you average. What's he batting right now? 227? Is that today? 27, yes, yes.

280, over under. Under, we're shooting for a 265. Okay, that's doable. I could see 265. That is what we're currently shooting for. Be in on that. For our 300 million million dollar shorts. That is exactly what you want.

This is, hey, and 265, don't care about the power, passable defense. We're rocking and rolling. Seven more years. Seven more years. All right. Seems like Kyle Backus is coming back tonight, which is huge. They need them. I would like for him.

Oh, Jack, would you like to know how much they need him? This is what I said on the morning show today. Tell me if you disagree that Kyle Baggus, who is technically not on the roster at this moment, I would trust him more in a big spot against a lefty than. Anyone else in the bullpen, Jack? How is it possible that they don't have a lefty reliever we can trust this deep into the season? Alvarado, like, yeah, bangs down. Like, I mean, like, this is the Tim Mazza.

You're right, you're right. It's unfair of me to you're unright. Tim Mazes is probably at him, but like, this is where we're at. I know, I know, I know. Timazza hasn't a lot of runs since May 20th, by the way. You're right. It was very unfair of me. I should have given the PSAC legend more of a shout.

Thank you. he's not a, yeah, he's not a leverage arm. Could be working his way into a leverage arm, but we'll see. The last time they tried it, he got blasted. It didn't go well. Yeah, it didn't go well. So, yeah. The last time Kyle Backus was on a major league roster, that didn't go well either.

That's not true. You're right. You're right. I'm sorry about that. Kyle Backus was pitching amazing. And then Thompson ran him into the ground. Do you remember this? Thompson, before he got fired.

A vague memories. Yeah, vague memories of it. Yeah. Dude, all right, hold on. He pitched the 25th, the 24th, it's all April. 25th of April, 24th of April, 22nd of April, 20th of April, 19th of April, and then he was hurt. Classic.

Yeah, he ran him into the ground. He ran him into the ground. No, after his first outing, he had a 1.93 ERA. So, men and Abooboo, stick your head and doo-doo. Kyle back is his back, baby. So he maybe can be a leverage arm. But Alvarado, I believe that lefties are hitting, almost 400 off of him, which is

bad. Not what you want. Not what you want. No, nope. For your love. It's tough. Yeah. And then last thing before the minor league is this is a message strictly for Preston, if he's listening,

you know, Brian Barber, if he happens to listen to the podcast. Ken Rosenthal said that the pirates are entertaining trading their comp pick, their 34th pick, for a reliever, and I don't know who that reliever would be, but if they want Seth Johnson, or if they want Alex McFarland, which would hurt.

Oh, baby boy. The baby boy, if it would, that would hurt. I don't want to go to Bolin because my feeling is like they might ask for Bolin for that pick, and I want Boland here. Kind of need Bolin. Like, I don't know that we can afford to get rid of bowling right now. And I don't want to get to- For a draft pick, no less.

I don't want to get too. frisky saying we should trade bowling for the 34th pick in the draft. I don't think people would like that, and I wouldn't like it either. But there's an opportunity here to get the 34th pick in the draft to go to the 36th pick in the draft, and we're going to try to take every advantage we can of that situation. And Seth Johnson, starting to turn himself into a pretty dang good reliever, up to 100, commanding the strike zone. Finally, pirates should definitely take advantage of new Seth Johnson.

Or if they want Chase Sugar back. Chase Sugar, they gave us to us for nothing, for pennies. If you want them back, you can have them back. But we're going to need that 34th pick because we got some drafting to do. Yes. You're the only Phillies fan out here. Yes, you're the only Phillies van out here who's like pining for the 34th pick. Everyone else is talking about fixing the major league roster.

And Jack's like, I'm just going to take a little away from the major league roster for that draft pick. So could we go with that, everybody? It's good. I've lost interest in the Major League roster. I tell you. I want, I, I care about the other rosters. I get it.

I get it, yes. And the 2031 fills, which seems like the 2031 fills, we've detailed them being a problem. Yes. Which they will be. Did you see the photo circulating around social media yesterday on Thursday? Did you happen to see the photo? Mm-mm, mm-mm. Well, it was.

Nick Kurtz. Oh, I did see this. I did see this. I did see this. I mean, Nick Kurtz was born in 2003, which means the time of that photo, he is consuming like 2016 fills. That's what he is watching. 2015, 2014, maybe somewhere in there. Bad Philly's baseball, no doubt.

That's what he grew up on. I can't wait for Big Amish to be a Philly. If he signs a contract extension in Oakland or Sacramento, So Vegas, whatever. It will be one of the most crushing days of my life. Oh, it'll be so bad for you. He is the new trout. It works perfectly because Harper will have that last year

and then the extension on top of it. He's going to be the DH. And then we're getting the big Amish. Him tommy, as some have said. He basically... He's strong. I like that. I think he has a 450 OBP on the season.

I love it. He is the best. He's awesome. And we're going to need him. pinstripes in 2013. And then the future of the Phil's is him, Francisco Renteria, Aiden Miller. I don't, hold your back comments. I don't care.

I don't care. Aidan Miller, Gage, Herman Marquez, old Sanche, old Lazardo, Nola's still here probably because he's never going to leave. Boom. You know, it's just perfect. The 231 fills are really setting up well. So you can probably start ordering your Nick Kurt's jerseys today. Okay.

I like it. That seems like an appropriate time to go to the minor league minute. Yeah. Yes. To hear about this future, fellas. So Gage pitch well. He allowed a home run in the first on a just a hung slider. But and he got a little frustrated and animated on the mountain.

There was a two one pitch that he didn't get called strike. He's a little mad. Next pitch was blasted. So. But I think he is. But when he gets pissed, there's like a different level he locks into. He struck out six and three. innings and I thought he could have kept going but they are clearly limiting that.

I am interested to see if we start seeing an uptick innings innings in case they want to see what he could possibly do going forward. Like can he handle four or five innings? I think he can. But it was a good gauge outing. I thought he looked all of his off speed way more and threw a splitter a couple times. So that was good. The real star of the week is Ramon Marquez who went to Jersey Shore, five innings, six

case no hits one walk oh buddy 57 pitches easily could get going he's up like 85 down in clear water 85 90 so there's a lot of good developments in the jersey that's 57 pitches it's strong work he's great like he on on on on on any given day you could ask me who would I who's the more who's the you wait to over gauge is this is where we're going right now it's there's a conversation to be had for him over okay I love this that's great that's great. The conversation is he's 20. Gage is 22 going to be 23. There is reliever risk with Gagewood.

There is not reliever risk with Ramon Marquez. Okay. This is good. He is a really, really solid pitching prospect. And then the other guy that Shoehershore this week was Cody Balker, who was not pitching that well on Clearwater, but he struck out like 72 guys in 45 innings. He went to Clearwater, Jersey Shore, which is more of a pitcher's ballpark,

and he shoved. I think it was four inning, six Ks, no runs. So it looked like the guy that we were dreaming on when they drafted them. Gabe Craig also has gone there and been much better than he was in Clearwater. So I just wonder if Clearwater kind of not the best pitching ballpark and going to Jersey Shores, gotten these guys to what we thought they were going to be when they were drafted. So Gabe Craig hopefully can start moving through. And then the last one is the Francisco Renteria update for those of you this week.

10 for 21 this week. Oh, buddy. Let's go. With two homers, a couple doubles in there, and just continues to look the part. I love him so much. He's so important to me. When he adds strength, he's going to be a problem. He's so important to me. I really, I really love him.

Yeah. No, he's the top five most important, Philly already. Yeah, we need him. He's so desperately important. All right. Wednesday, I won't do the radio thing. coming out with us on Wednesday. I won't go through the all thing. Please be nice to see everybody.

Anything else? To split. That's all we need. Splitsy. Split two and two. Two and two. Two and two. Okay. Good. All right. We'll be back later in the week. Coming out of garage, written house.

That's it. All right. Pretty great. Thanks everyone who came to Reading. It was really awesome. We really appreciate you. We had a great time. Until that, he's read some salsa.