High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The Phils Do the Impossible By Beating the Marlins in Miami and We React to the Justin Crawford Pick

Episode Date: July 18, 2022

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies shocking sweep of the Marlins in Miami. Plus, the guys talk Justin Crawford, trades on the horizon, and more. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies. On Odyssey and Sports Radio 94, WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast presented by Miller Lite, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies. And Jack, I actually learned, I'm 40 years old. Maybe according to the history of this podcast, I'm like 60 or 80 or whatever you would say.

But as a 40-year-old, you don't get every day something that you had no idea was possible, something that just completely went against the laws of what you believe was allowed in the world. Today, at the age of 40, I learned something new, my friend. I learned that the Phillies are allowed to sweep a series in Miami. How about it, buddy? How are you? I'm doing great. We'll obviously get into the Phillies draft pick when we get to it.

But it's just like, I can't believe this weekend happened. And first off, it was the first series they'd won in Miami since 2019. Wow, I didn't see that. Which is insane. It's not like we're facing a juggernaut Marlins team. No, we're not. But, you know, when you look at this team, and James, you know, you and I, we are two people

that we wear our emotions on our sleep. You know, I think that's kind of one of those things that makes us us. I'm sure that while you were on the side of 95 for two hours today, you were very calm. Oh, yeah, yeah. It was actually Route 1 in Delaware on the side of the road for two and a half hours today, Jack Fritz. Not just that. Like, look, there's one thing when you're stuck on the side of the road for two and a half hours today, Jack Fritz. Not just that. Like, look, there's one thing when you're stuck on the side of the road for two and a half hours when you find out that your car doesn't have a spare tire.

So that's on me. I had no idea. I didn't think you could pass inspection in Pennsylvania without a spare tire. So awesome. We've had this car for two years and I just found out it did not. I got a flat tire and unlike you, I'm like, all right, time to change this tire. We'll be out of here in 15 to 20 minutes. And then there's no spare tire, Jack Fritz. And there's a difference between hanging out on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck for

two and a half hours by yourself or with your wife then when you add in the three and a half year old into the equation that completely changes the whole perspective so yeah it was a good day buddy good day you know thank god phillies won i could not have taken a lot thank you phillies for you know thank you you. Go ahead. So, so, um, Oh, by the way, real quick, real quick. I saved this by the way, right here. One of these no lights for Phil's wins. All right, go ahead. I just want to drink this. So I wanted to get that in before you started talking. So you're good now. Well, I guess, I guess here's my thing is that, uh, I just want to preface this statement, um, by saying that I do love you very much.

Thanks, buddy. But the thought of you on the side of the road for two and a half hours with Zoe, who is a seltzer, it just seems like an experience, frankly, I would not have wanted to be a part of. Yeah, well, I was trying to model good behavior, Jack. So I actually, you know, I kept it together. I did a good job. I read my book for a while while she was playing on her tablet. And then I played with her when she wanted to play.

And we got through it, pal. I didn't in my mind. I was self combusting. But outwardly, I was I was holding it together like a champ so while you were sitting there uh again for two and a half hours on the side of the road um were were you thinking to yourself at least the phils are beating the marlins right now like was that a minor saving grace in the back of your head of like you know what this sucks but also I could be the phillies could be losing to the Marlins today.

To be fair, it was 0-0 for the vast majority of the time I was on the side of the highway. Okay, so you got started a little early. But yes, the Phillies winning changed my whole perspective on the day without a doubt. Well, there's nothing quite. I mean, it's it's i guess kind of sad but like there's nothing that has more of an effect on my day-to-day

um you know happiness than the phillies winning so um but but i guess i'll say this you know they can like every time that you and i we kind of feel like oh here we go or okay here comes the collapse oh here's where they can't survive without bryce and and they can't survive without gene like this this team continues to just slap us in the face and say no it's okay it's okay to believe in us again and and frankly james like this series is the most proud i've been on this baseball team all year you know there has been there have been important series at other points this year there has been check mark moments i would say but heading down to miami a house of horrors for you

you are three days away from being off for a week and yes the camera caught alec bohm again saying we're off for a week now or something like this which is just it's just ridiculous this guy's addicted never talk again dude stop out just close it close the mouth um yeah or do what like you know the pitching coaches do where then they go out and they put their you know hand mouth. Like, do something, pal. It is insane. But they keep proving to us that they are a different team than years past. And they were three games away in Miami, which we know is a tough place to play, not just because of them being bad there in years past, but we know what Miami can be like.

It's a party town. We get it. So they didn't get caught up in that. They went in there like a professional baseball team should, and they took care of business. And, you know, they were coming off the Blue Jays series, which was unwatchable. They were coming off the final two games in St. Louis.

They lost four straight. And they came back, and they swept the Marlins and you head into a week where there's no Phil's baseball feeling good about your team. I, frankly, 100% believed that they were going to go down to Miami and lose two of three. Even when they

beat Sandy on Friday, I was like they're still going to lose two of three. They beat him. I know, which is ridiculous. Gibby! Gibby out-dueling Sandy. I think Gibby has allowed one run since I said he's not tough enough to pitch here, which is good to see. It feels right. It feels good.

Listen, you're welcome, first of all. So, you know, yesterday is having an absolute laugher down there. I mean, James, 22. Actually, I guess it's probably up to 23 straight scoreless innings for this pitching staff. What are we watching right now? I mean, we headed into the season thinking, okay, the offense is going to put up 8 to 10 runs a game. Well, obviously, that wasn't realistic. But they're going to score 8 runs because the defense and the pitching is going to allow 6.

And it's just wild that we are now more than halfway through the season and we're heading into the all-star break. The pitching is the best part of this team, James. And, honestly, like, they have good upside there. Ranger getting back to form on Saturday was massive when you're evaluating this team heading into the second half. The defense, like, I frankly don't think has killed this team. The one thing they need to get going is the offense,

and that's just not what we expected heading into the season. Yeah, that is putting it lightly. The season has definitely not played out the way we expected it to. And, look, I think you make great points in there. I think this is absolutely the look. It wasn't the, you know, biggest game in terms of, you know, going up against a great opponent or a show me series or whatever. But if you would think. But as Phillies fans, we know that going into Miami is as hard a series as you like.

It's the last place we want to go as Phillies fans for the last, whatever amount of years and coming off the craziest say, but the longest losing streak in the Rob Thompson era. And to your point that not just the series, but that last game in Toronto where you literally flat out just mailed in that game, that one of the more embarrassing games of the season really. So, you know, I think it mattered. It mattered to see this team show up in Miami and win these games

and not just take two or three, but to sweep the series six games above.500. It's almost like the four-game losing streak never happened. And, you know, they keep winning games without Harper. You know, they're like four games above.500 without Bryce Harper, which is pretty amazing when you think about it. You know, I don't think there's a single Phillies fan, at least on some level. We all talked ourselves into the Braves lost to Cunha and this and that and whatever. But, you know, every one of us definitely felt at least on some level, you know, this

could be it. This could be too much. But so far, they've really battled him, you know, like we talked about, and I'm sure we'll talk about more until he makes those moves. But Dombrowski needs to make moves, and he needs to make them now to help this team, especially offensively, to your point. You know, I think that is somehow we both thought starting pitcher was the biggest need, and I still think that's an important thing to target,

especially if we're talking about setting up a team to be ready to really win in the playoffs or be a team that, you know, is like the Braves last year and makes a run, gets out at the right time. Like if you get another starter that you can put with Nolan Wheeler and really trust, you know, really kind of transforms how dangerous your team can be in October. But just right now, in terms of staying above water and in terms of staying in this race, you know, the schedule helps. But, you know,

they really need to add a bat. So, you know, that that's that's come around. And, you know, to your point, I'm happy that, you know, one member of this podcast never doubted them. And there was one member of this podcast who didn't you know bail when he thought alec bone might be hurt for a while or whatever i don't know i'm just you know you see tweeting oh never doubted this theme i don't know i i've heard some times well well i mean to be fair if we're if we're uh starting to throw a shade right now which i am always a big fan yeah it's your thing yeah exactly well i would like to point out that uh you i don't know if you're paying attention that podcast james but um that mood changed within

15 minutes of the podcast so you know yeah so you should get a mulligan so to speak for that we flipped and also i have to wait 70 you. And also, I have to wait 70 picks. You flipped. I was fine. I have to wait 70 picks for the Phil's next draft pick, thanks to your boy. I know. I was waiting.

How long are we in? We're like 10 minutes into the pot or whatever. I'm shocked it took this long for that to come. Honestly, I thought that would be the very first thing out of your mind. Hey, man. It's okay. He's got a seven-game hitting streak of all weekly hit singles. By the way, by the way, everyone on

Twitter, when I tweet stuff about how Nick Castellanos is killing my soul or whatever I tweet, you don't need to tell me he has the most hits on the team. That does absolutely nothing for me. It's like, well, he does have the most hits on the team this right that does absolutely nothing for me it's like it's like well he does have the most hits on the team this year it's like honestly we don't curse in this

spot go bleep yourself all right that's what i think when i see that like have you watched him play a game this year are you freaking serious like well he's got a lot of hits screw off i'm sorry i like you if you're a fan and you wrote that at me. But, like, come on, man. Come on, man. Let's be honest with each other. All right. I agree with the tweeters, honestly.

I think they make a lot of sense. I think they make a lot of sense. I've been really inspired by having the most hits on the team, by being Nick Castellanos. A lot of impactful hits. A lot of powerful uh gapping doubles it's been what a first what a first half for for old casty is there any more misleading stat on the planet all right uh yeah there's a lot in baseball that people seem to talk themselves into um you know like like JT's war being the second best amongst catchers.

Yeah. He had a good weekend, though, at least. No, listen. When he gets a few days off, I guess he's okay. Honestly, was JT's weekend not the best example of why, like, Garrett Stubbs should play at least two times a week just to make sure JT's healthy? Yeah.

I'm with you, especially if you're trying to keep Melty for the long run because Stubbs has shown that, you know, obviously he was not going to be a, you know, 1,000 OPS guy all year as that has leveled out. But he's a very serviceable backup, especially, you know, offensively. But, yeah, I'm with you. All right, let's talk a little bit about the series because I know that you would like this is supposed to be a good vibes, Bob.

We're both on vacation after this. you're going to a yurt tomorrow i'm going to see top gun maverick tomorrow finally super excited oh wow what a vacation yes buddy i can't wait um and then you know you don't have to go on vacation to go see top gun i'm going to see fish later this week it's gonna going to be good, buddy. It's going to be good, pal. Well, the good part about that, James, is that it's going to be, what, your first time seeing Fish? Yeah, all right. Yes, yes. First time.

Yep. You just don't get it, all right? You can see him 150 times and never see a show. Oh, they're going to play a different song. Oh. All right, all right. Maybe they should play the hits one time. Oh, wait, there is none. Do you want to, should we just talk about how devastated you are about Justin Crawford?

Or do you want me to prolong that a little bit like I was going to do? All right. You know? Oh, that's adorable. You think I'm still devastated? You don't think I've talked myself into him being a future gold glover by now or what? I mean, he is going to steal. He's bringing back the steel.

He's going to steal 100 bases. It hasn't happened since, you know, Ricky and Vince Coleman and stuff. So get ready. All right. Pitching this weekend. You talked about how good it was in general. I mean, Nola was awesome today. Ranger was only five innings, but a really nice outing.

Gibby was really dueling right there with Alcantara. We've talked a lot about starting pitcher being in need, and I do think we both agree. I'm speaking for you, but I do think Bat has really risen up both our rankings in terms of need.

But do you think they can get by without adding another starting pitcher? Is this like, do you kind of have a little more faith in some of these guys and, you know, Afflin's knee still hurting. We don't really know what's going to happen with that, but where are you at with the starting pitcher spot in general and how big a

need it is going into the deadline kind of time period. Honestly, it is surpassed a bat for me. It really has. All right, good. Yeah. Honestly, it's close for me, but I think a bat is probably surpassed it bat for me. It really has. So there. All right, good. Yeah, honestly, it's close for me,

but I think a bat has probably surpassed it with recent time. Yeah, I get it. I guess maybe I'm more hopeful in Gene coming back and being good, and I do have hope that Bryce comes back. It's just I don't think the starting staff can survive. I think it's definitely been good, and it's something that is good to see. The Gibson resurgence since the call out on the podcast

has been something to see. And really Ranger. You know, people have been down on Ranger. It feels like a big part of this year. There's a lot of talk, I guess, of, ah, you got to, you know, put him back in the bullpen and make him a long man and all that stuff, which I get because it wasn't the Ranger that we saw, obviously, last year, which was an insane version of Rangers for us. But I think he is figuring out now how to pitch to

contact. He's not really getting, obviously, whiffs like he was last year he's not getting as many strikeouts but i mean his last seven games he's pitching to a 335 vra which like we'll take that every day of the week um and even his last start before he went on the il he allowed four earned against the braves i didn't think that was like a disaster start so you know i think ranger um is going to be more good than bad i don't i don't think he's going to blow up. I don't think Gibson, I still can't get a read on. You know, I think it's just going to be, you pray he allows less than four runs. And on most nights he will, on some nights he won't.

He battles, Jack. He battles. Oh, just a grinder. Oh, when I think of grinder. He battles. Hand the ball to Gibby. You know you're going to get a guy who's going to go out there and give you everything he's got at him, Jack.

Until runners get on base, and then that doesn't happen. But with Eflin, like, man, I genuinely mean this. Like, I really love Zach Eflin. I love the person. I like when he's healthy um i like the pitcher because i think there's legitimate number three upside when i watch zach efflin like it's 95 with run it's it's a slider it's a curveball it's gotten better it's a developing changeup like i think the guy's a good pitcher but it's every year like it's every year with the with the knee

injury um and this is obviously what happened last year. He had to get pretty major knee surgery. Like he's described after games. Um, and, and that's acting up again. So I, I, I honestly, if I'm Dave Dombrowski, I can't walk into the second half feeling confident in Zach Eflin pitching again. Like I really can't, you know, I can't expect him to go back out there. So I have to operate as if Zac Eflin's not going to be good to go. And if he's not good to go, then you're relying on the Bailey Falters, Chris Sanchez's of the world. And for as much as I like Bailey Falter, he's never put together the big league level. I thought he would be better. At AAA, he seems to

not walk anyone and be really good. And then as soon as he gets to the big league, man, how the exact opposite happens. So, you know, if I know Dave Dombrowski, like, I think I know Dave Dombrowski, I think starters can be at the top of his wishlist. And,

you know, I, a guy like Frankie Montas, like the A's have a lot of things that this team needs. And I just, I haven't heard any of this, but I just, I keep coming back to the Montas,

Laureano, you know, go back to it. Let's doano. Trevino, go back to it. Let's do it. Well, Trevino, dude, Trevino's been so bad this year. Well, but he's actually been good for like the last month or so. He's back in the closer role. He was horrendous. He got hurt, came back, struggled a bit, and has put it together.

Trust me, I know this because he's on my fantasy team because I picked him back up. But he's actually been putting it together. I actually had I know this because he's on my fantasy team because I picked him back up. But he's actually been putting it together. I actually had to save today, Trevina. Yeah, I guess like... So you can kind of maybe get him a little cheaper. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, if you wanted.

So yeah, I mean, sure. I would definitely take him as a good guy. Well, that was the old trade that we always talked about. Like those are the three guys. It would be hilarious if they actually did that. Yeah, yeah well it really just fixed a lot of this team's needs you know and especially if you don't know when Bryce is coming back you get uh Laureano in center field you have Veerling move from the right like Cassianos be a DH you get a number three in Montas it's a really super high end number three and you get another bullpen option

in Lucharino so um it's kind of a trade that makes all sense you just have to be willing to part with i would think one of the hoppy for sure someone like hoppy uh maybe even rojas you know um i don't i don't know that um you have to and possibly one of able painter or griff and i think of any of those guys i think able to be the one, there'll be a possibility in that situation. But it just, it just, that's the trade that I keep coming back to. If I was Dave Dombrowski, it's like, okay, this fixes a lot of our needs in, in, you know, one fell swoop. All right. And I agree with you. I think, I do think that, you know, if I really truly had to choose, you know, you can only have one.

I do think that if I really, truly had to choose, you can only have one. I do think I would take a starting pitcher because I think that the high-end benefits at the end outweigh the idea that if you can get to October with this group, especially with Bryce and Gene theoretically coming back to help down the stretch for at least some portion of time, that getting a starting pitcher changes the upside of of the playoff team so much more you know having that third guy who you really trust I mean because you know do we trust Ranger again I mean the Ranger like you said Ranger been better but right now do I trust Ranger Suarez or Kyle Gibson to start a playoff game I don't like I just I wouldn't feel good about it. And one of those two guys would absolutely have to if that's the way it played out.

And, you know, I'd much rather Frankie Montes or Luis Castillo or whoever you want to say. You know, I know Castillo probably costs a lot and all that. But, you know, I'd rather have a guy like that starting that game. So I think ultimately the upside of a starting pitcher trade is probably the best thing for this team. I have an important question for you. Sticking with pitching before we get to anything you have on the offensive side of things,

before take bag and the draft and, you know, all the stuff we got to get to. But I have an important question that I was thinking about today for obvious reasons because we watched him. Are you at the point? Have you reached it? And if not, how far are you at the point have you reached it and if not how far are you from the point of fully trusting jose alvarado again um you know what's funny is i had written down take back on a scale of one to ten how much are we trusting dude i mean like for the first time today and when he took the hill like i actually was like i just got it and i have not felt that in a while and i've been impressed with him for a while lately but like instinctually gut wise and i don't know if i if i if my brain will let me fully trust

him like i don't know that i do for sure but today when he came in i I was like, it'll be all right. I don't know. Frankly, you couldn't, you know, I don't know how you couldn't be like, okay, I think Jose has got us. Like it's just insane. The run that he's been on since they brought him back up. You know, it's been, he's obviously gone to the cutter approach first, which I think is a, is a really interesting um because i didn't think he could throw the the 101 mile an hour like turbo sinker for a strike consistently i didn't think that was something that was in his

uh in his repertoire but um you know he's got a like he has a 138 era since he's came back up like i think he has like like 37 strikeouts and 20 innings or something like that. Or like, not 20 innings. Well, no, he has 23 and 13 innings pitch. That's what it is. Like, yeah, it's like Jose Alvarado has gone from unpitchable to one of the better relievers in the sport by one send down to the minor leagues.

And what could have been like a wake-up call? You know, of thing happened with brogdon early in the year where it was like what do you want to do do you want to just be a a guy that is here or do you want to be a difference maker and in jose alvarado's case like he's gone to a cutter first approach which like again i've never quite seen a 95 mile an-an-hour cutter that moves like a slider, but here we are. And then you have the fastball working off that. It's ridiculous right now. And he's getting some dumb swing and misses too, which is fun. And again, I don't totally know what the big change was besides flipping to a cutter first.

But all of a sudden, he's throwing strikes. All of a sudden, I trust him. All of a sudden, but all of a sudden he's throwing strikes. All of a sudden I trust him. All of a sudden I'm not terrified when he comes into games. I'm just like, okay, Jose's got us. This is not going to blow up in our faces. And I didn't think I would ever get there with Jose Alvarado. I think I'm at an eight, James. I think I'm at an eight of the one to 10 trust level in Jose Alvarado,

which is a point I never thought I'd be at. Yeah. If you had asked me, I probably would have said somewhere between seven, eight, like 7.3, 7.5, something like that.

So yeah, of course we never thought we'd be there. He was like at a, he was a one, you know? I mean, he was, he was,

I don't think there's a, there was a portion there, a long portion where I don't think there's a single Phillies fan who felt good when he came into a game. All right, we'll get to the take bag and any, you know, offensive thoughts you had or anything you wanted to say about that. Just throw in the take bag for over the weekend. But first again, shout out to Miller light middle lights for Phil's wins crushing it.

Hold on. Sit Miller light real quick. There you go boom I wish I could cut that audio of you taking the gulp there I really do I would put that on my drop board very fast I'll bet you would buddy

I'll bet you would alright Restaurant of the Week shout out to the Miller Lite Restaurant of the Week Restaurant of the Week Les and Doreen's Happy Tap in Fishtown. As Les and Doreen's is an awesome neighborhood bar right in the heart of Fishtown with bingo on Wednesday night. Fritz, a big bingo guy.

Karaoke on Saturday and $2 Miller Lite Pints for all Phillies games. You can register to win. Get this, a $50 gift card to Les and Doreen's. Go to the contest page on 94wip.com. Reminder, we also have a $25 gift card to Jack's Taproom in Pennsport, also on the contest page at 94wip.com. Again, Miller time.

Miller Lite is the best. Celebrate responsibly and jack again reminder you know because we are are both going on vacation after this pub but we'll be back you know next sunday or whatever um when we're both back and and heading back to work but soon after that the upcoming thursday after that july the 28th at 7 p.m., come hang out with us. It's our first High Hopes Phillies Watch Party, courtesy of Miller Lite at Time Out Sports Bar and Skip Act PA. Skip Act Pike, join us.

See the Phillies take on the Pirates, which they better win. We'll be enjoying $3 Miller Lite specials and special appearance from a Phillies alum. So stay tuned for more details. Going to be great to see who that Phillies alum is. See how Fritz reacts around them. It's going to be great. Yeah, we can't confirm if it's David Bell or not,

but it would be really on brand if it was David Bell. It would be so good. I am everything I have in my, you know, prayer or whatever. I'm not a big prayer guy, Jack, but everything everything I have in my, you know, prayer or whatever. I'm not a big prayer guy, Jack, but, but everything that I have in that, you know, reserve in my body or in, in my soul, I'm, I'm putting into that hope that it's David Bell. Yeah. I mean, he would have to be fired within the next, uh, you know, like, Oh yeah. So it's probably not going to be David Bell.

What a shame. We'll have to be fired the next seven days, I would say. Well then that's good. Cause it'll be someone who Jack is going to be very awkwardly, you know, excited to meet. So come watch that.

Uh, that'll be good. Um, so let me get down with us, which is, you know, really the win. So,

and again, lesson to Marines, check it out. All right, Fritzy, uh, take bag, do your thing buddy all right well let's start with justin crawford um oh we're still i thought it was gonna be its own thing i like this all right no yeah so we'll go we'll go justin crawford and then take back yeah okay all right good then also very then we're going draft real quick interesting that both the first two picks of former players,

a good player, Matt Holliday's kid goes one. Who was at number two? Drew Jones. Drew Jones, Andrew Jones' kid. And then obviously Justin Crawford, Carl Crawford's kid. So the pedigree guys are going. Yeah, Jack, just for those wondering, Jack was not happy initially, but it seems like,

you know, in classic for its fashion, he's, he's come around. Yeah. Uh, I have, uh,

well, I guess like, well, I guess, all right, here's my thing is that, um, I watched him back in the fall, I guess, like last fall or around Christmas.

And it was at one of the perfect game showcases down at the Trop in Florida. And I watched him hit and they hit a ball at the middle. And I was like, eh, not interested. And like, frankly, quite arbitrary. Well, frankly, I just, I didn't, I didn't even pay attention. Like I, I didn't pay attention after that. Like I was just like, okay, well that's not a, that's not a hitter I'd be particularly interested in. So, um, here's my thing. I don't like,

I don't love that the first tool is speed. You know, that feels very, that feels very like pre Brian Barber slash pre Almaraz Philly, Philly's a draft where it's like, let's just take a super toolsy guy and, and see what happens. Um, on the other hand, like I, I think Brian Barber is unbelievable at his job and I think he's someone that we should have a lot of trust in. So yeah, even though I'm not a big fan of them, um, I think Brian Barber being a big fan matters way more obviously. Um, it's just that his swing looks like his dad's like, it really does.

Like it's the same kind of swing it's just like you know just kind of throws his hands at the ball um apparently he hit hit for more power this week or uh or this spring um and i guess if you are looking at the floor is that you're getting an elite defensive center fielder who is really, really fast. Scouts say he has good bat-to-ball skills, which is good. You want good bat-to-ball skills when you're evaluating players, especially at a high school level. I mean, he did bat.500 at Bishop Gorman out in Las Vegas,

which is one of the better high school programs in the country. It's just not the most pretty swing. But, I mean, Karl Crawford also didn't have the most you know pretty swing but i mean carl crawford also didn't have those pretty spring and he was he's a good player the other thing is that um like i just can't wrap my head around that he was four years old when the phillies won the world series um like that's just a weird thing to think about um so that's something and it's just for the first time james i know that you have felt this many times because you are an elderly person but um i felt old you know oh welcome to the club pal

well it's like jackson holidays uh-huh yeah yeah especially jackson holiday to me look like he's eight years old that's how young he looks to me. God, that kid looks so young. All these kids look so young. To make you feel less old, Jack, that's all I think about watching this draft as it's on in the background. Every kid that gets drafted, I'm like, man, you look so young. It is crazy. You make me think of my daughter more than a friend or something.

Yeah, it's insane. I mean, Jackson holiday goes one, Drew Jones goes to, um, um, Elijah green goes fives. Dad played in,

in the league. Um, right. And then it's Justin Crawford. Um, and camp Collier who went after, like, honestly,

there's a part of me that's like hurting because I loved Cam Collier and I want to feel like to draft them. But I guess if it's a saving grace for anyone out there, I wasn't a huge fan of Andrew Painter. And now that's what I was going to say. So, like, I trust Brian Barber more than, you know, offense, which is good. And honestly, like, here's what I'll say. Is that I wasn't a huge fan of the player. But obviously rooting like heck that he turns into a surefire all-star player from the center field position.

They drafted JP back in 2013. Not Carl's son, but Carl's nephew. Nephew, yeah. So they had that they have Justin it's a I love I like betting on um players that have uh you know dad pedigree I guess in a way like it's just that when you look at the Blue Jays and you look at some of these teams it's like these kids just grow up in a different uh world than most draft prospects. You know, they are around the game. I mean, you know that Justin Crawford has been in big league clubhouses

almost his entire life. Yep, I think that stuff matters. Like in basketball, you see with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, all these guys, I think that stuff matters. 100%. So I think that's something to be positive on. I like that you went rooting like heck, by the way, too. Well, because I don't root like heck for him.

I know. Like Rudy. Like we're watching Rudy. Not something I expected to hear you say. It doesn't sound very Fritzian. Well, no. It's just like I don't want people to think like. I don't want people to think like.

Oh, hamburgers. I hope he's okay. Well, I just. I don't want people to think like I don't want hamburgers. I hope he's OK. Oh, I just again, I hope people I don't want people to think like I'm like I'm just I'm out or whatever. Like I hope he's great. I just when I watch him, frankly, I wasn't a huge fan. Now, a lot of people were. I mean, I think he was up to 13 on MLB Pipeline's top 100 prospects. Some guys I really, really respect in the business had him going 17.

So it seems like it was the right spot for him. I wasn't a huge fan of the hit tool. I think at worst case scenario, you have a elite defensive center fielder that can run a lot, kind of like Victor Robles, kind of like Christian Pache, except from the left side. And he just hopes with the power. 80 speed, 80 speed. That's something.

I know. I just, I don't like, I don't like speed. I'm not defending it. I'm just, I'm just saying 80 speed is something. I mean, Roman Quinn is 80 speed. So, you know, I get it. Right. Yeah.

So I don't like speed being the main tool, but whatever. I like that he has MLB roots. I like that he's super athletic. Honestly, it's a bet on upside. As a person, as a fan, I love the idea of betting on upside because I think that's how you get steals at 17 when you're not picking in a top five. when you're not picking in a top five. And there's more surefire superstar talent upside. So listen, I'm excited to see his development. I can't lie to you and say I was a huge fan when I watched him.

I look forward to when this podcast is over, reading every single possible thing I can and watching every single piece of video I can on Justin Crawford. And I will promise you, by the next time we do this podcast and I am in the woods in Virginia thinking only about Justin Crawford, that the next time we record one of these, I will be more all in. I don't think there is a single person listening who doubts that. And look, you know, you hope that, you know, we believe that the Phillies have improved their development staff,

you know, that the group they have is good now. So this kid looks like he's got some abilities. Let's develop him, right? All right. Take back, Fritz. All right. Oh, there we go. All right.

So take back. I was down in Wildwood this weekend. And I'll tell you what, there is just as many Phil's flags as Eagles flags. Um, which made me very happy. Made me very happy. Um, it seems like the city's getting behind him. Honestly, there's a little part of me that, uh, oh, and James, when we got to the beach

today, we sat down and i could hear the game from like the group over um playing on their loudspeaker which you know oh made me melt a little bit oh buddy i know i know i love it i almost wanted to walk over and like hang out with them but i was like you know that's a little weird i know you you wanted to go over and be like hey um hey do you guys know who i am yes that's you guys listening big philly's men ever heard of the high house podcast but um been an uptick in phil stuff and like every time i see philly's gear around town i get very very. Although the other day I was running in town here in Westchester and there was a guy who was like walking with like a big Phil shirt on. And I gave him like, I don't ever do this, by the way, but it was after like a big win. And I gave him the like, yeah, how about those fills?

And then he didn't give me anything back. And I was like, you know what? That's exactly why I never do this. That's why I never show any emotion in public because of moments like this. So I hope that guy is a listener to this podcast and he knows that I will never do that ever, ever again. Because I do not get embarrassed. That's tough, buddy. I know.

I know. On a scale of 1 to 10, James, how close do you believe Alec Baum is to being the rookie Alec Baum that we saw a couple years ago? All right, great question. Is this a better version of the 2020 Alec Baum? Great question. First of all, I want to say that it's a good thing we got the Alvarado thing

Out of the way earlier Because if you had given me two One to ten scales in the take bag Little hacky So I think you dodged a bullet there I just want to get that out of the way Did you just like almost call me a hack? Are you kidding me?

I said you were You got lucky and it didn't end up happening Well I would hope that you would trust my Radio instincts That I wouldn't give you If this happened to be the case That I wouldn't have given you two 1 to 10s All I can assume is you said you were going to ask

In the take back of 1 to 10 for Alvarado So I don't know Alright I would say 5 I'm not quite there yet you are such a hater dude it's unbelievable i think he's going look he bet at 348 or whatever 343 or whatever dude or 338 or whatever it was like he was pretty damn good i do think look he's lifted the ball like we talked about lately but it still has not been enough to say that he's you know turned a corner with that but i'm really

excited you know he's been awesome for like 20 games or whatever it is and that's exciting and i think he's on his way back to that but you know what are you you're he's there you're set it's good i think he looks better than he did during his rookie year. I mean, it's harder contact. It's the balls in the air more. It's more impactful. I mean, to be fair, it's really only been like two weeks of it really looking different. But I think this is the best he's looked in, obviously, since his rookie year. But I think this version of Alec Boehm is like what we were kind of expecting.

I still want to see the ball in the air more, but I think this version of Alec Boehm is almost a difference maker in the lineup. So I think I actually like this version more than I like the rookie of the year version or runner-up to rookie of the year because I'm still kind of slappy. James, Matt Veerling is just very, very important to me. I don't really have any other take than that. It's just consistently makes winning plays.

Can play all over the diamond now and just consistently seems to make or have big hits when his team needs it. When people talk about, oh, the bottom of the line of this, oh, the bottom of the line of that, it's like, yeah, but I feel pretty confident when Matt Verling is coming up that he's going to put together a good at bat.

Yeah, we talked about, like, you know, that maybe he's one of the heartbeat slower guys, you know, in spots where it matters. And I think that, you know, ultimately they need to figure out the center field thing. And you never know down the road if he's the guy. But I think more likely he just – he provides down the road if he's the the guy but i think more likely he just he provides so much value if he's someone who could be your you know play him anywhere guy

when you need him like him as like the first guy off the bench essentially or the you know we'll end up playing starting three days a week because of all the position he plays but he could play third for you could play second for you could play could play any of the outfield positions for you. I mean, that's such a valuable piece to have on your roster throughout the grind of a baseball season. So I think that he's headed for the potential of a really nice career and a really interesting career and be a really valuable player for the Phillies. But I think he's best served being able to really branch out,

head in that direction of the versatility and the multiplicity than maybe being the starting center fielder. And now I would start him over what they have now, but ideally they get someone in a trade who's better. You know what I mean? Yeah, but I think we're seeing the makings of a future winning player on a very good Phillies team. Absolutely.

Like we always say, good teams have those kinds of players. Yeah. It drives me nuts that they chose to keep Familia here over Mark Appel. Me too, dude. Me too. It drives me crazy. Appel's better. He's just a better pitcher.

I don't care about what Familia's done in the past. I've watched that guy this year. I couldn't hate when he comes into games more. I really can't. I know Appel hasn't really been tasked with high leverage innings, but every time I watch him pitch, I'm like, that's a heavy fastball. Seems he has good feel for a slider. You know, he's obviously a former starter, former number one overall pick. I have more confidence in his

ability to throw strikes. So the Familia thing just drives me nuts, man. I understand he paid him. But at this point, like we have a division to hopefully compete for and a wild card to make. We can't keep pitching Familia. Yeah, it's a sunk cost. You paid him. It is what it is. It's over. Play the best players.

It doesn't matter what you paid him. It's a one-year deal. He's going to be gone. Just pitch the best pitchers. And look, Pell hasn't had a ton of high leverage. But he did pitch in that tight Toronto game, pitched three good innings. No offense to Kyle Schroeder, I love the dude,

but an average and certainly good left fielder makes that catch. And Appel probably gets out of that with three innings pitched, no runs. I think – and Appel's a good, and he works super fast. I like watching him i uh he's so much better than than familiar i'm so with you it's it's again it doesn't matter that you paid him it's over it's gone it's done move on sunk cost now i know that you and i are both out on familia um which is i think how a lot of people feel uh phil's bullpen era in july is 1.7 so that's pretty good and it's just crazy because like if you ask me my trust level in every single person in the bullpen now

that brogdon and jojo are back i mean you're looking at a bullpen right now this isn't in any order this is just throwing it out there but al Alvarado, Hand, Sir Anthony, Knable, Belotti, Nick Nelson, Connor Brogdon, Jojo Romero, and then like Familia is the big question mark. But everyone else in that bullpen, I feel pretty good about. Like it's wild to feel any kind of confidence in this place bullpen. But before the year i was like they're either gonna be top 10 or bottom two or or bottom 10 and they're turning close to the top seven eight ish with like not the most overwhelming talent it's not like the dodgers bullpen or the

rays bullpen or the yankees bullpen or or those traditional powers when it comes to building great pens. It's like Nick Nelson found for nothing. Connor Brockton, JoJo back. Belotti, like again, Belotti, Kniebel rounding back to the core of Kniebel who saw all of your spouts. Brad Hand, who I physically can't believe is this good, being this good. And Sir Anthony being back to 99. And Jose Alvarado. It's wild. But I think this bull being this good and and sir anthony being back to 99 and and jose alvarado it's wild but i think this bullpen's good james and i i don't i love the the uh

is it acronym is that the right word that they came up for um you know for their whole pitching staff which is p at ph ah with which is bleep all hitters, except starting with a P-H. Nice. Yeah, and that is an acronym. Yes. That's good. Never a doubt.

Never a doubt. But that's ridiculous. And credit to these guys, credit to the pitching staff or the coaching staff for having these guys use their pitches that are nasty more often, like a Baladi who is now throwing a slider way, way, way more often because it's disgusting. So there's really only one massive question mark in the bullpen every single night, James. And I can't believe we're sitting here talking about a Phillies bullpen in that way.

Yeah, it really is crazy. And look, you know, sample size, it has not been a super long stretch. But to your point, I think, you know, there are reasons to believe in a lot of these guys. So, yeah, it's exciting. And look, I think they should still be open to training for a relief pitcher. But, you know, I definitely think we and I think most would agree, you know, if you would, if we had done this, you know, I think for most Phillies fans, not for us, but a month ago, a month and a half ago, really people would say bullpen probably the number one biggest need, and now I think it's clear starting pitcher and batter or hitter are clearly ahead of relief pitcher. Yeah, 100%. Do we trust it 100% being locked down? No, I think that's a foolish way. Well, that would be foolish, yes, exactly. I think that's a foolish way to look at it.

But the fact that these guys are having the output they are for, again, not much invested in them, I think is awesome. So, you know, good to see. So, you know, good to see. James, when was the last time that we have seen, like, this many good-ish winning kind of fringe players on a Phillies team? Like, it feels way back to the Pat Gillick era. And I just want to give as much credit as we possibly can. Because I can't – I don't have, like, a 100% lockdown on this.

But, I mean, this feels like a bunch of Ani decisions that have come back. Oh, I love this. Let's just give it to Ani. I'm in on just giving the credit to Ani. Well, I mean, think about it, man. Jairo Munoz, nothing. Like was found off, you know, Cardinals got rid of him, whatever, hits a big homer today.

Belotti. Belotti. Johan Camar homer today. Bilotti. Bilotti. Johan Camargo. Garrett Stubbs. Nick Nelson. They just found these fringe guys that they just haven't had in years past. In years past when guys got hurt, they had no one that was able to step up and fill the void. no one that was able to step up and and fill the void but like you can't convince me that the second that ani gets here all of a sudden they they figure out fringe players like like the giants

do like the rays do right yeah i know i know yeah and and not tell me that on he has as a great it's a good it's good deductive reasoning by you right there yeah so like i'm really for as much as we're excited about this team's grit this team's ability to bounce back after big injuries the brian barber aspect of trusting him with the drafts and thinking he's gonna do a good job i mean just the fact that they have a guy like annie to go along with a dave dombrowski who we know gets the owner to spend money and we think is a smart baseball guy. There's a good formula being formed here to where I don't think this is a one-year fluke, to where I think that they're only going to get better at a lot of these things. So, you know, I'm just glad that we sit here on July 17th heading into the All-Star break,

we sit here on July 17th heading into the all-star break feeling like this is the beginning of what could be a good run of Phillies baseball here rather than like the ah you know I know they're playing well right now but I don't really believe it kind of thing it's hard not to continue to believe it and going down to Miami and sweeping them a place that you haven't been able to win at in what feels like forever, you know, 19 to 11, the, the, um, the, um, Starling Marte double, uh, off of Workman, like all the pain that that place has brought us the last couple of years to go down there. When you were kind of limping into there, uh, we know they're about to have a week off to be able to focus and lock in and have one laugher in there. I mean, just massive, massive stuff.

So shout out to the Phils. It's been a good first half. James, you and I, we're going to have a nice little bit of an off week here. I'll be in Virginia. I'll be in Virginia. Hopefully, well, I don't know what my service is gonna be like but whatever i'm all good um you are gonna be watching a movie and oh yeah and going to see fish and seeing fish for the first time so i'm really excited

to go see fish for the first time yeah all right All right. A couple of things before we get out of here. First and foremost, I have to quickly address your just absolute slander on the top five and five where you apparently said that you you put me on the map. I would just like the record to show that I got you your job at WIP. So I just want that to be like that. That's out there that I'm the one who walked into Spike Afkin's office one day and said, hey, man, I got a guy. Who is that guy? It was Jack Fritz. So for the record, just so it's out there, just to, you know,

sometimes I got to pull you in a little bit, Jack. You know what I'm saying? Well, much like number one in Stranger Things, you. You're comparing me to Vecna? No, I'm Vecna. Oh, even better. Good. Yeah. Yeah. I opened up the upside down and uh been going right through and as i'm sure you well know yeah that whole top five was done with a big wry smile because i just i knew

you were sitting there just doing like you waited three days to to bring this up. And I will say, obviously, couldn't have done it without you, kiddo. And no, I don't believe that I put James Seltzer on the map. I would say that James Seltzer put me on the map, and thus we have created a beautiful podcast here.

I would say you put yourself on the map i just got your foot in the door that's it look at this what a wholesome end to this podcast speaking of wholesome ends here's how i really want to end it and if you have anything else you could say it but but do you have anything else you want to say because i have one last thing all right my final thought yes you don't have to ask me my final thought thought is I'm okay with the Justin Crawford pick. I love that, buddy. And my other final thought is I need your boy to hit at least 340 in the second half

to make up for the Phillies having to go 70-some picks until their next pick, which just couldn't crush my soul more. I don't care about the first round. I genuinely don't. I just want to fast forward to the third through fifth rounds where I can find some, like, studs. So, it's on you. And, but in the third round, the Phils walk out of it with Tyler Locklear,

Ivan Melendez, Andrew Walters. Like, I will be doing jumping jacks. So, you know, much like last year, I was kind of questionable on the first round pick, and then everything after that was like, okay, everything's fine. So that's where I'm at. I hope you have a great rest of your draft night. I hope that I can see the picks tomorrow.

If I can't, I will be losing my mind. But other than that, have a great week off, Bal. I love that I can see the picks tomorrow. If I can't, I will be losing my mind. But other than that, have a great week off, Bal. I love that, buddy. You too. We'll be back, like we said, basically a week from now. And I want to end with this in one sec, but I will just acknowledge, trust me, buddy, there is no one whose soul is killed more by Nick Castellanos on a nightly basis.

Like I loathe him. OK, I think he seems like a fine person as a baseball player right now. I loathe him. He makes my heart hurt. All right. That's how I feel about nick castellanos so i'm right there with you buddy but me being the magnanimous teammate friend you know you know get your foot in the door guy that i am i'm actually gonna end with your guy the guy kyle schwerber just alex coffee put this quote out and you're talking about wholesome and it's just talking about how I'm with you. I'm excited about this team. There's six games above 500. They're tied for the playoff spot going into the second half schedule that is super easy. And this team has beaten bad teams more often than not this year outside of the Rangers. The weird thing with the Rangers and the Rangers aren't horrible, but, um, you know, they've, they've handled the nationals. They got some bad teams coming up. Um, so Jack, I wanted to end with this

quote from Kyle Schwarber that Alex coffee put out. That's just, it's exactly what I wanted to hear tonight. Heading into the all-star break. He goes, I think it's how we envisioned it. There's going to be good months and bad months. We were all figuring it out early on and to see the way everyone has rallied around the group, it's just cool to see how this group has become such a team now. Everyone loves each other. Like, I'm in, dude. Like, give me more of that, Kyle Schwarver.

Like, I'm, like, feeling it. I'm feeling it, Jack. That's what I want. I want a team that loves each other. I want a culture thing. I'm ready. Let's go. I know. I can feel team that loves each other. I want a culture thing. I'm ready. Let's go. I know.

I can feel it. I can feel it with you. Like, oh, this is something that really pulls at your heartstrings. I know. Can we just, like, stop the charade? I mean, Kyle Schwarber's the manager of this baseball team, right? First player manager is Bill Russell in the four major sports in america and unlike unlike bill russell i mean kosh war is actually good at this sport so like wow you know um threw

that in right at the end i like that just tossing it in that's good um yeah just make i mean kosh war is the the the heartbeat of this team he's, he's lived up to everything we had expected, um, to the first half. Way more. but like, I mean, MVP candidate, or at least he should be in my mind.

Well, he's, he's, he means back to it, but, I don't care. No. Um,

but in all seriousness, like when we're talking about a winning culture, they need a winner in here. Like Schwarber has provided so much team leadership. Um, and it's really the reason why I think we've seen this team not fold this last or really ever since Harper went out. So shout out to the Phils sweeping the Marlins, something I never thought I'd see again, especially in Miami. And man, I can't wait for Friday to get the second half started.

It's going to be awesome. We'll be back to talk about it after the games next weekend. And speaking of Kyle Schwarber, Kyle, go beat Pete Alonso's ass, dude. Make it happen. He's for himself. So we'll talk to you guys in a week. We'll see you next time.